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).
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Publication number: 20230304782Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 25, 2023Publication date: September 28, 2023Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 11686566Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 11307011Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: April 19, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Publication number: 20220082364Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2021Publication date: March 17, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 11215433Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 30, 2020Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Publication number: 20200400417Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 10816311Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 23, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola, Eric Mulhern, Liam McNelis, Frank Haron Preiss
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Publication number: 20200200516Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2019Publication date: June 25, 2020Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola, Eric Mulhern, Liam McNelis, Frank Haron Preiss
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Publication number: 20200166321Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2020Publication date: May 28, 2020Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 10605578Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: DynaEnergenetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Publication number: 20180224260Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola
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Patent number: 9915513Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: DynaEnergetics GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Frank Graziola