Patents by Inventor Helmut Winnacker

Helmut Winnacker 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).

  • Patent number: 8585349
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine with a housing mountable in a drill string and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a fluid conveyed through the drill string, and with an impeller arranged in the housing and adapted to be impinged upon by the fluid flowing into the housing, wherein the impeller is axially movably mounted and yieldably supported against the afflux direction in such a way that the supporting force of the yielding support increases as the axial movement of the impeller increases. To reduce the dependence of the turbine rotational frequency and turbine performance on the feed rate and to avoid overloading of the generator, the housing includes in the range of movement of the impeller a frontal first housing section of smaller inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction and a rear second housing section of larger inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford Energy Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 8109721
    Abstract: A bearing arrangement for a turbine rotor of a turbine is adapted to be mounted in a drill string and to be driven by the flow of drilling fluid. The bearing arrangement includes a turbine chamber surrounding the turbine rotor and having an inflow and an outflow, a stator on which the turbine rotor is rotatably mounted, and a cavity formed between the turbine rotor and the stator and accommodating at least one radial plain bearing and being separated from the turbine chamber by an axial plain bearing constructed as a bearing ring seal and by a conveyor screw which is disposed on the turbine rotor and operates to convey from the cavity to the turbine chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Draeger
  • Patent number: 8092147
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine (3) for generating power in a drill string (2), including a turbine rotor (10) drivable by a fluid and a bypass device having a first bypass channel bypassing the turbine rotor (10). For varying the volumetric flow through the bypass channel, provision is made for a valve (28) and a control device driven by the fluid and having a drive element (24) by means of which the valve (28) is movable anywhere between a first and a second position. The drive element (24) produces a flow resistance in the fluid flow path downstream from the turbine rotor (10) and downstream from the valve (28) and in the flow direction takes support upon a spring (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Draeger, Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 8042572
    Abstract: A controllable pressure reducing valve has a housing which includes an inner chamber extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis and an inlet opening and an outlet opening. The inlet opening and the outlet opening open into the inner chamber at an axial relative distance. The inner chamber includes between the mouths of the inlet opening and the outlet opening at least one annular wall having a cylindrical valve bore. An axially movable valve body which is arranged in the inner chamber, extends through the valve bore and has a piston-type portion guided in the valve bore and adapted to close the valve bore. The piston-type portion includes at least one control recess bounded by a control step which extends in axial direction and in circumferential direction and combines with an edge of the valve bore to form a controllable valve opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Weatherford Energy Services GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Draeger
  • Publication number: 20100183430
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine with a housing mountable in a drill string and having an inlet opening and an outlet opening for a fluid conveyed through the drill string, and with an impeller arranged in the housing and adapted to be impinged upon by the fluid flowing into the housing, wherein the impeller is axially movably mounted and yieldably supported against the afflux direction in such a way that the supporting force of the yielding support increases as the axial movement of the impeller increases. To reduce the dependence of the turbine rotational frequency and turbine performance on the feed rate and to avoid overloading of the generator, the housing includes in the range of movement of the impeller a frontal first housing section of smaller inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction and a rear second housing section of larger inner diameter as seen in the afflux direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Publication number: 20090104021
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a turbine (3) for generating power in a drill string (2), including a turbine rotor (10) drivable by a fluid and a bypass device having a first bypass channel bypassing the turbine rotor (10). For varying the volumetric flow through the bypass channel, provision is made for a valve (28) and a control device driven by the fluid and having a drive element (24) by means of which the valve (28) is movable anywhere between a first and a second position. The drive element (24) produces a flow resistance in the fluid flow path downstream from the turbine rotor (10) and downstream from the valve (28) and in the flow direction takes support upon a spring (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Uwe Draeger, Helmut Winnacker
  • Publication number: 20090056820
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a controllable pressure reducing valve (1) having a housing (2) which includes an inner chamber (3) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis and having an inlet opening (15) and an outlet opening (17), said inlet opening (15) and said outlet opening (17) opening into the inner chamber (3) at an axial relative distance, and said inner chamber (3) including between the mouths of the inlet opening (15) and the outlet opening (17) at least one annular wall (11) having a cylindrical valve bore (20) and an axially movable valve body (4) which is arranged in the inner chamber (3), extends through the valve bore (20) and has a piston-type portion (29) guided in the valve bore (20) and adapted to close the valve bore (20). The piston-type portion (29) includes at least one control recess (45) bounded by a control step (46) which extends in axial direction and in circumferential direction and combines with an edge of the valve bore (20) to form a controllable valve opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Draeger
  • Publication number: 20080240909
    Abstract: Bearing Arrangement for a Turbine Rotor of a Drill String Turbine The invention is directed to a bearing arrangement for a turbine rotor (10) of a turbine (3) adapted to be mounted in a drill string (2) and to be driven by the flow of drilling fluid, comprising a turbine chamber (11) surrounding the turbine rotor (10) and having an inflow (7) and an outflow (8), a stator (12, 15) on which the turbine rotor (10) is rotatably mounted, and a cavity (32) formed between the turbine rotor (10) and the stator (12, 15) and accommodating at least one radial plain bearing (16, 17) and being separated from the turbine chamber (11) by an axial plain bearing (18) constructed as a bearing ring seal and by a conveyor screw (22) which is disposed on the turbine rotor (10) and operates to convey from the cavity (32) to the turbine chamber (11).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Draeger
  • Patent number: 6864593
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the generation of pressure pulses, being intended for transmitting signals, in a fluid-carrying channel (2), using a pulser (1) designed to be integrated in the channel (2) and having a housing (4) and an adjustable throttling device by means of which the flow resistance can be varied at at least one point of the channel (2), an electrical generator (16), an impeller (9) exposed to the fluid passing through the channel and designed to drive the generator (16), a control device by means of which the load of the generator (16) can be varied in response to control signals, and an actuating device that is connected to the throttling element (12) and effects an adjustment of the throttling element responsively to the driving torque of the generator (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: Precision Drilling Technology Services GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Dräger
  • Patent number: 6850463
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a borehole logging apparatus for deep well drilling, with a signal transmitter for transmitting measured data obtained while drilling from a borehole through the drilling fluid to the earth's surface, and with an elongated housing which is adapted for insertion in the drilling fluid conduit of a drill string. Accommodated in the housing is a flow regulator with a control piston, which controls the cross-section of opening of a bypass opening in response to the pressure differential generated by a flow restrictor and in response to the force of a spring in such manner that the part of the drilling fluid current fed to the signal transmitter through the flow restrictor is maintained substantially constant, and the remaining excess drilling fluid current is routed to the drilling fluid conduit via the bypass opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Precision Drilling Technology Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Publication number: 20040085223
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a device for the generation of pressure pulses, being intended for transmitting signals, in a fluid-carrying channel (2), using a pulser (1) designed to be integrated in the channel (2) and having a housing (4) and an adjustable throttling device by means of which the flow resistance can be varied at at least one point of the channel (2), an electrical generator (16), an impeller (9) exposed to the fluid passing through the channel and designed to drive the generator (16), a control device by means of which the load of the generator (16) can be varied in response to control signals, and an actuating device that is connected to the throttling element (12) and effects an adjustment of the throttling element responsively to the driving torque of the generator (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 6, 2004
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Uwe Drager
  • Publication number: 20040027917
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a borehole logging apparatus for deep well drilling, with a signal transmitter for transmitting measured data obtained while drilling from a borehole through the drilling fluid to the earth's surface, and with an elongated housing which is adapted for insertion in the drilling fluid conduit of a drill string. Accommodated in the housing is a flow regulator with a control piston, which controls the cross-section of opening of a bypass opening in response to the pressure differential generated at an entrance opening of the housing and the force of a spring, in such manner that the part of the drilling fluid current delivered to the housing conduit, which is fed to the signal transmitter, is maintained substantially constant, and the remaining excess drilling fluid current is routed to the drilling fluid conduit via the bypass opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Applicant: Precision Drilling Technology Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 6636159
    Abstract: In a borehole logging apparatus (1) for deep well drillings having a device for transmitting measured data obtained while drilling from a borehole through the drilling fluid to the earth's surface, there is arranged in the upper end of a housing (2) a signal transmitter (13) comprising a beaker-shaped rotor (24) and a stator sleeve (25) surrounding said rotor. Fluid impinges on the signal transmitter (13) through a central feed pipe (15) surrounded by an exchangeable bypass ring (14) to which the complete current of drilling fluid is routed through a filter pipe (3) and through which part of the drilling fluid current is routed back into the drill string (6). From a set of bypass rings (14) of different bypass cross sections it is possible to select one suited for the particular on-site conditions and insert it into the logging apparatus (1) in order to obtain a significant signal through the signal transmitter (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Precision Drilling Technology Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Publication number: 20020105858
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a borehole logging apparatus for deep well drilling, with a signal transmitter for transmitting measured data obtained while drilling from a borehole through the drilling fluid to the earth's surface, and with an elongated housing which is adapted for insertion in the drilling fluid conduit of a drill string. Accommodated in the housing is a flow regulator with a control piston, which controls the cross-section of opening of a bypass opening in response to the pressure differential generated by a flow restrictor and in response to the force of a spring in such manner that the part of the drilling fluid current fed to the signal transmitter through the flow restrictor is maintained substantially constant, and the remaining excess drilling fluid current is routed to the drilling fluid conduit via the bypass opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: Precision Drilling Technology Services GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 5182731
    Abstract: A hydromechanical signal transmitter for generating pressure pulses in a drilling fluid to transmit telemetry information of a well-logging operation includes a stator fixed in a cylindrical housing having at least a pair of axially aligned fluid passages, and a disc shaped rotor disposed between the passages, rotatable between a first limit position wherein an opening in the rotor passes drilling fluid flowing through the pair of passages and a second limit position wherein a disc portion of the rotor throttles the flow of the fluid. A revisable d.c. motor drives the rotor from one limit position to the other in response to information signals provided to the motor. Means is provided to stop the rotor at each limit position, including radial stop faces on a drive shaft connecting the motor to the rotor and a stop pin in the housing. A plurality of circumferentially spaced passages and rotor openings may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1993
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Juergen Hoelscher, Thomas Kerk, Wilfried Tuennermann, Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 4745276
    Abstract: A device for detecting fluorescence on the surface of the earth is disclosed. The device includes a laser installed in a vehicle, means for irradiating an essentially linear surface area in front of and transverse to the vehicle, a directing device for directing the spread beam downward to illuminate the earth's surface and means for detecting fluorescence on the illuminated surface. The inventive device permits the rapid and effective exploration of a relatively large area without gaps of the earth's surface for fluorescent substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1988
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengesellschaft Metall
    Inventors: Heribert Broicher, Erich Kirsch, Friedhart Knolle, Helmut Winnacker, Arthur Zydek
  • Patent number: 4580049
    Abstract: A cylindrical probe for insertion into a drill hole for detecting the presence of mineral deposits. A source of radioactive irradiation and a detector are mounted concentrically within the housing of the probe, the detector being shielded from direct radiation by a wall having an upper conical surface which directs fluorescent radiation reflected from the wall of the drill hole to the detector. A disc-shaped slot concentrates the rays from the radioactive source on an area of the drill hole wall which is in the shape of a ring surrounding the probe. The concentration and close proximity of the radiation source and the detector permit precise scanning and analyzing, simply, cheaply and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Klaus Janssen, Helmut Winnacker, Klaus Johnen
  • Patent number: 4184758
    Abstract: An underwater camera for deep sea use having a cylindrical pressure-tight housing including a thickened cylindrical bead arranged eccentrically of the housing to define an area on one side of the housing which is thicker than the opposite side of the housing, and a window in the thicker area for exposing the film in the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1980
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker
  • Patent number: 4153357
    Abstract: An underwater camera in a pressure tight housing and a release mechanism for releasing the shutter at a predetermined distance from the sea bed. The release mechanism includes a transducer on the housing exterior for transmitting ultrasonic signals and receiving echo signals and an electronic circuit on the interior of the housing for opening the shutter in response to the echo signals when the camera has reached the predetermined distance from the sea bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Helmut Winnacker, Jurgen Dierssen
  • Patent number: 4035816
    Abstract: An improved housing assembly for an underwater camera with a flash device is disclosed and includes a hollow cylindrical pressure housing. The hollow cylindrical pressure housing has a shell or wall including a window for the objective of the camera and has a pressure tight head, made of transparent material, in which the flash device is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Preussag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Winnacker