Patents by Inventor Frank Graziola

Frank Graziola has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230304782
    Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit may include a logic circuit and an ignition circuit electrically coupled to the logic circuit. The logic circuit may include a microcontroller and a switching circuit configured to switch from a first detonator or igniter to a second detonator or igniter in response to a signal from the microcontroller. The ignition circuit may include a capacitor discharging circuit configured to discharge a firing capacitor through a fuse head. The capacitor discharging circuit may include an ignition switch configured to remain actively closed after the firing capacitor is discharged through the fuse head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 11686566
    Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller, a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head, a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor, and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor, actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal, control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor, and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 11307011
    Abstract: An electronic initiation system for use with a firing panel may include an input connector, a plurality of electronic ignition circuits (EICs) operably coupled together in series, and an indicator operably coupled to an output of each EIC of the plurality of EICs. A first EIC of the plurality of EICs may be operably coupled to the input connector. The indicator is configured to generate an indication in response to an output of an EIC of the plurality of EICs satisfying a predetermined condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Publication number: 20220082364
    Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller, a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head, a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor, and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor, actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal, control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor, and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 11215433
    Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller; a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head; a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor; and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor; actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal; control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor; and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Publication number: 20200400417
    Abstract: An electronic initiation system for use with a firing panel may include an input connector, a plurality of electronic ignition circuits (EICs) operably coupled together in series, and an indicator operably coupled to an output of each EIC of the plurality of EICs. A first EIC of the plurality of EICs may be operably coupled to the input connector. The indicator is configured to generate an indication in response to an output of an EIC of the plurality of EICs satisfying a predetermined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 10816311
    Abstract: A system and a method of providing a reliable and consistent time delay in an oil and gas exploration/recovery device inserted in a bore hole is presented. The reliability and consistency of the time delay is a result of the use of electronic circuitry in determining the length of time delay. The system and method presented provide a time delay unit that is modular/commoditized, facilitating quick and easy integration of each component of the time delay unit in the field. Further, assembly and disassembly of the time delay unit is easily accomplished in the field and may be designed to operate with standard percussion and detonation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola, Eric Mulhern, Liam McNelis, Frank Haron Preiss
  • Publication number: 20200200516
    Abstract: A system and a method of providing a reliable and consistent time delay in an oil and gas exploration/recovery device inserted in a bore hole is presented. The reliability and consistency of the time delay is a result of the use of electronic circuitry in determining the length of time delay. The system and method presented provide a time delay unit that is modular/commoditized, facilitating quick and easy integration of each component of the time delay unit in the field. Further, assembly and disassembly of the time delay unit is easily accomplished in the field and may be designed to operate with standard percussion and detonation elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola, Eric Mulhern, Liam McNelis, Frank Haron Preiss
  • Publication number: 20200166321
    Abstract: An electronic ignition circuit for use with a fuse head may include a microcontroller; a firing capacitor operably coupled to the fuse head; a voltage measuring circuit operably coupled to the microcontroller and configured to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor; and a switch operably coupled to the microcontroller, the switch being provided in series with the fuse head and a ground. The microcontroller may be configured control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a first voltage across the firing capacitor; actuate the switch to discharge the firing capacitor across the fuse head in response to a firing signal; control the voltage measuring circuit to measure a second voltage across the firing capacitor; and output a shot detection signal based on the first voltage and the second voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 10605578
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an electronic ignition circuit (“EIC”) for controlling at least one detonator. The EIC may include a protection circuit, an input circuit coupled to the protection circuit, a logic circuit electrically coupled to the input circuit, and an ignition circuit electrically coupled to the logic circuit. The protection circuit may include at least one of a fuse, a circuit breaker and an automatic switch. The logic circuit may include an answer back circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch to the next detonator or igniter. The ignition circuit may include a capacitor charging circuit, a capacitor discharge circuit to discharge a firing capacitor through a fuse head, and a shot detection circuit adapted to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor before discharging through the fuse head and to measure a voltage after discharging through the fuse head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: DynaEnergenetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Publication number: 20180224260
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an electronic ignition circuit (“EIC”) for controlling at least one detonator. The EIC may include a protection circuit, an input circuit coupled to the protection circuit, a logic circuit electrically coupled to the input circuit, and an ignition circuit electrically coupled to the logic circuit. The protection circuit may include at least one of a fuse, a circuit breaker and an automatic switch. The logic circuit may include an answer back circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch to the next detonator or igniter. The ignition circuit may include a capacitor charging circuit, a capacitor discharge circuit to discharge a firing capacitor through a fuse head, and a shot detection circuit adapted to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor before discharging through the fuse head and to measure a voltage after discharging through the fuse head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
  • Patent number: 9915513
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes an electronic ignition circuit (“EIC”) for controlling at least one detonator. The EIC may include a protection circuit, an input circuit coupled to the protection circuit, a logical circuit electrically coupled to the input circuit, and an ignition circuit electrically coupled to the logical circuit. The protection circuit may include at least one of a fuse, a circuit breaker and an automatic switch. The logical circuit may include an answer back circuit, and a switching circuit adapted to switch to the next detonator or igniter. The ignition circuit may include a capacitor charging circuit, a capacitor discharge circuit to discharge a firing capacitor through a fuse head, and a shot detection circuit adapted to measure a voltage across the firing capacitor before discharging through the fuse head and to measure a voltage after discharging through the fuse head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola