Patents by Inventor Jianhui Xu

Jianhui Xu 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: 11808089
    Abstract: Methods of preventing or reducing cutter loss in a steel body PDC drilling tool may include applying a hardfacing layer on a surface of a PDC cutter pocket to form a covered PDC cutter pocket, the hardfacing layer comprising a metal binder and coated tungsten carbide particles; and bonding a PDC cutter into the covered PDC cutter pocket with a brazing material. Steel body PDC drilling tools may include a steel body, a PDC cutter, a PDC cutter pocket, and a hardfacing layer. Methods of preventing or reducing cutter loss in a steel body PDC drilling tool may include applying a hardfacing layer on a surface of a PDC cutter pocket of the steel body PDC drilling tool; applying a coated buffering layer on the hardfacing layer to form a coated PDC cutter pocket; and bonding the PDC cutter into the coated PDC cutter pocket with a brazing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong (David) Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230295989
    Abstract: A cutter system for a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bit includes a body; a static blade attached to the body; a translatable blade attached to the body; and at least one PDC cutting structure attached to the translatable blade. The translatable blade is configured to be translated and maintained in a translated position. The body includes a cavity cooperatively positioned angularly away from the static blade. The translatable blade translates into the cavity. The translatable blade has a substantially retracted rest position and a substantially extended rest position. The cavity includes a restricting device within said cavity, so that said restricting device engages said translatable blade member in the substantially retracted position or the substantially extended position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Jianhui Xu, Abdulwahab S. Al-Johar
  • Patent number: 11725498
    Abstract: A system includes a sliding sleeve, a ball landing seat, microchips, a ball catcher, and a charging ring. The sliding sleeve is installed within a tubular body. The tubular body has an exit groove. The ball landing seat is formed by the sliding sleeve and is configured to receive a ball. The plurality of microchips are housed in a microchip ring installed within the sliding sleeve. The plurality of microchips are configured to be released into the well to gather data upon reception of the ball in the ball landing seat. The ball catcher is configured to receive and hold the ball after the plurality of microchips are released into the well. The charging ring is electronically connected to the microchip ring and has a circuit, a power source, and a charging coil. The circuit has a voltage regulation chip, a microprocessor, and a circuit motion sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abrar Alshaikh, Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230235658
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11702741
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond is formed on a substrate to form a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter for a tool. The polycrystalline diamond has a cross-sectional dimension of at least 4 millimeters. The substrate includes tungsten carbide. An outer surface of the PDC cutter is at least partially surrounded with at least a single layer of coating by atomic layer deposition. The single layer of coating is configured to protect the PDC cutter from thermal degradation in response to exposure to a temperature greater than 700 degrees Celsius (° C.) and less than about 1050° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Abdulwahab Al-Johar
  • Publication number: 20230211414
    Abstract: Methods for forming a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) drill bit from catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamonds are described. The polycrystalline diamonds are deposited within a mold. In some cases, a matrix body material is deposited within the mold, and an infiltration process is performed to bond the polycrystalline diamonds to the matrix body material to form the PDC drill bit. In some cases, a drill bit body is formed within the mold, and forming the drill bit body within the mold includes depositing a layer of matrix body material particles within the mold, depositing an adhesive ink within the mold, and curing the adhesive ink. In some cases, a sintering process is performed after forming the drill bit body to remove at least a portion of the adhesive ink and increase a density of the drill bit body to form the PDC drill bit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2022
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Jianhui Xu, Timothy E. Moellendick, Duanwei He
  • Publication number: 20230212914
    Abstract: Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicants: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Chengdu Dongwei Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy E. Moellendick, Duanwei He, Jianhui Xu
  • Publication number: 20230201921
    Abstract: Cutters for a downhole drill bit can be formed by providing a catalyst-free synthesized polycrystalline diamond (PCD) having a cross-sectional dimension of at least 8 millimeters; providing a substrate comprising tungsten carbide; and attaching the synthesized PCD to the substrate comprising tungsten carbide to form a PDC cutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Abdulwahab S. Aljohar
  • Patent number: 11686196
    Abstract: Systems and methods for instructing a device within a wellbore of a subterranean well includes a drill string with an actuator assembly extending into the subterranean. The actuator assembly has a first pipe member with a segment formed of a first material. A second pipe member is coaxially aligned with the first pipe member. A plurality of bearings are positioned between the first pipe member and the second pipe member. Each of the plurality of bearings includes a second material. The first material is reactive to the second material. Certain of the plurality of bearings are changeable bearings that include a dissolvable material. The actuator assembly is operable to instruct an operation of the device by generating an instruction signal by rotating the first pipe member relative to the second pipe member and interpreting a pattern of a reaction of the segment as a bearing rotates past the segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jothibasu Ramasamy, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Publication number: 20230193745
    Abstract: A method is disclosed. The method includes creating a chamber within an annulus between a wellbore casing and a drillpipe, wherein an upper boundary of the chamber comprises a seal and a lower boundary of the chamber comprises a liquid surface and determining a volume of the chamber at a first time. Determining the volume of the chamber includes measuring, using a pressure gauge, a first pressure within the chamber, changing an amount of a gas in the chamber, measuring, using the pressure gauge, a second pressure within the chamber, and determining a first volume of gas within the chamber based on the first and second pressure measurements and the change in the amount of gas. The method further includes determining a first fluid level based on the first volume of the chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicants: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Bodong Li, Guodong Zhan, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Graham Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20230193705
    Abstract: A method for plugging a lost-circulation zone in a subsurface formation includes introducing a drillstem including a drilling stabilizer into a wellbore during drilling operations, the drilling stabilizer including at least stabilizer blades and a pressure sensor. Each stabilizer blade includes at least an inner chamber, a light source, and a window. The method further includes injecting a lost-circulation fluid, including a plurality of lost-circulation particles, into the wellbore. Each lost-circulation particle includes a lost-circulation additive encapsulated by a photo-sensitive coating. The method further includes measuring a pressure differential with the pressure sensor and providing a pressure signal to the light source of each stabilizer blade, thereby actuating the light source to produce a light beam, which allows the light beam to contact the photo-sensitive coatings of the lost-circulation particles to release the lost-circulation additives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jothibasu Ramasamy, Chinthaka Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11680883
    Abstract: A testing device that includes a wear testing device, a sensor array, and a controller. The wear testing device includes a sample rotation element configured to hold and to rotate a sample; and a cutting element holder configured to hold a cutting element and to engage the cutting element with the sample as the sample rotates. The sensor array includes an acoustic emissions (AE) sensor array comprising a plurality of AE sensors, the plurality of AE sensors configured to measure a plurality of acoustic signals generated during engagement between the cutting element and the sample; and a load sensor. The controller is communicably connected to the sensor array and configured to determine a toughness and a wear resistance of the cutting element using the plurality of acoustic signals, the applied load, and a wear state of the cutting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Bodong Li, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Publication number: 20230184103
    Abstract: A downhole sub has a body defined by a wall extending in an axial direction from a first end to a second end. An inner surface of the wall defines a flow path through the downhole sub and an outer surface of the wall defines an outer diameter of the downhole sub. A compartment extends from the outer surface into the wall to having a depth less than a thickness of the wall. A housing may be removably fixed in the compartment. One or more mobile devices may be disposed in the housing. Each of the one or more mobile devices includes a sensor encapsulated in a protective material. A control element may block an opening of the housing, the control element is made of a dissolvable material configured to dissolve at a predetermined depth in a wellbore and release the one or more mobile devices into the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Abrar Alshaikh, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230184092
    Abstract: A system includes a sliding sleeve, a ball landing seat, a plurality of microchips, a hydraulic piston, and a ball catcher. The sliding sleeve is installed within a tubular body having an exit groove. The ball landing seat is formed by the sliding sleeve. The plurality of microchips are housed in a microchip ring installed within the sliding sleeve. The hydraulic piston is installed within the microchip ring and triggered by reception of a ball in the ball landing seat. The ball reduces a cross sectional area of a flow path while in the ball landing seat. The hydraulic piston releases the plurality of microchips through the exit groove and into the well to gather data. The ball catcher is configured to receive and hold the ball after the plurality of microchips are released into the well. The ball catcher and the ball are made of a dissolvable material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: ABRAR ALSHAIKH, BODONG LI, JIANHUI XU, GUODONG ZHAN
  • Publication number: 20230184091
    Abstract: A system includes a sliding sleeve, a ball landing seat, a plurality of microchips, a hydraulic piston, and a ball catcher. The sliding sleeve has a solid wall body and is installed within a tubular body. The tubular body has an exit groove. The ball landing seat is formed by the sliding sleeve. The plurality of microchips are housed in a microchip ring installed within the sliding sleeve. The hydraulic piston is installed within the microchip ring and is triggered by reception of a ball, blocking a flow path, in the ball landing seat. The hydraulic piston releases the plurality of microchips through the exit groove and into the well to gather data. The ball catcher is configured to receive and hold the ball after the plurality of microchips are released into the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Abrar Alshaikh, Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230183862
    Abstract: A polycrystalline diamond is formed on a substrate to form a polycrystalline diamond compact (PDC) cutter for a tool. The polycrystalline diamond has a cross-sectional dimension of at least 4 millimeters. The substrate includes tungsten carbide. An outer surface of the PDC cutter is at least partially surrounded with at least a single layer of coating by atomic layer deposition. The single layer of coating is configured to protect the PDC cutter from thermal degradation in response to exposure to a temperature greater than 700 degrees Celsius (° C.) and less than about 1050° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan, Abdulwahab Al-Johar
  • Publication number: 20230184090
    Abstract: A system includes a sliding sleeve, a ball landing seat, microchips, a ball catcher, and a charging ring. The sliding sleeve is installed within a tubular body. The tubular body has an exit groove. The ball landing seat is formed by the sliding sleeve and is configured to receive a ball. The plurality of microchips are housed in a microchip ring installed within the sliding sleeve. The plurality of microchips are configured to be released into the well to gather data upon reception of the ball in the ball landing seat. The ball catcher is configured to receive and hold the ball after the plurality of microchips are released into the well. The charging ring is electronically connected to the microchip ring and has a circuit, a power source, and a charging coil. The circuit has a voltage regulation chip, a microprocessor, and a circuit motion sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Abrar Alshaikh, Bodong Li, Jianhui Xu, Guodong Zhan
  • Publication number: 20230175347
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods of use are provided for a drilling stabilizer with chemical compartments within the teeth of the drilling stabilizer. The drilling stabilizer features dissolvable windows that allow chemicals to flow from the chemical compartments into the wellbore. The chemicals released can include cross-linkers or activators, which can react with polymers downhole to generate a plug for fluid loss control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Jothibasu RAMASAMY, Chinthaka Pasan GOONERATNE, Jianhui XU
  • Publication number: 20230175394
    Abstract: A system having an instrumented cutter of a drill bit including an on-cutter sensor for monitoring drilling performance metrics while performing drilling operations based on offset well data and a computing device is disclosed. The computing device executes a model development system configured to use the drilling performance metrics, surface drilling parameters, and characteristics of the instrumented cutter to train a machine learning (ML) model. The trained ML model is used to optimize drilling parameters and predict drill bit performance in a current well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2021
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Arturo Magana-Mora, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu
  • Patent number: 11668185
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora