Patents by Inventor Mark A. Sitka
Mark A. Sitka 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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Patent number: 8881846Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of directional drilling with a steering sub. One steering sub includes a housing defining a central passage, a shaft extended within the central passage, bearings arranged within the central passage and configured to receive and support the shaft for rotation within the central passage, and one or more pressure chambers defined longitudinally in the housing and configured to deflect the housing upon experiencing an increased pressure, wherein deflection of the housing causes the shaft to correspondingly deflect via engagement with the bearings.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Sitka
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Publication number: 20140174831Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods of directional drilling with a steering sub. One steering sub includes a housing defining a central passage, a shaft extended within the central passage, bearings arranged within the central passage and configured to receive and support the shaft for rotation within the central passage, and one or more pressure chambers defined longitudinally in the housing and configured to deflect the housing upon experiencing an increased pressure, wherein deflection of the housing causes the shaft to correspondingly deflect via engagement with the bearings.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2012Publication date: June 26, 2014Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Sitka
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Publication number: 20140103660Abstract: A downhole assembly including a turbine to be disposed within a wellbore and a rotating array. The rotating array includes magnetic material and is coupled to the turbine. The downhole assembly also includes a magnetostrictive material coupled to the rotating array to strain the magnetostrictive material to induce an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2013Publication date: April 17, 2014Inventors: John R. Hardin, Jr., Mark Sitka
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Publication number: 20130333948Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body, stator, and rotor. The tool body is aligned along a tool centerline and includes an aperture therethrough operable to pass a fluid to an exterior of the body. The stator is fixed relative to the tool body and includes a fluid flow restriction operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the stator to the exterior of the body at an adjustable flow rate. The rotor is disposed within the tool body and rotatable relative to the stator and includes an exhaust port selectively aligned with at least one aperture through the tool body by rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. The exhaust port is operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the rotor to the exterior of the body when aligned with the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2013Publication date: December 19, 2013Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Sitka
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Patent number: 8604632Abstract: A downhole assembly including a turbine to be disposed within a wellbore and a rotating array. The rotating array includes magnetic material and is coupled to the turbine. The downhole assembly also includes a magnetostrictive material coupled to the rotating array to strain the magnetostrictive material to induce an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: December 10, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: John R. Hardin, Jr., Mark Sitka
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Patent number: 8514657Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body, stator, and rotor. The tool body is aligned along a tool centerline and includes an aperture therethrough operable to pass a fluid to an exterior of the body. The stator is fixed relative to the tool body and includes a fluid flow restriction operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the stator to the exterior of the body at an adjustable flow rate. The rotor is disposed within the tool body and rotatable relative to the stator and includes an exhaust port selectively aligned with at least one aperture through the tool body by rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. The exhaust port is operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the rotor to the exterior of the body when aligned with the aperture.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Mark A. Sitka
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Publication number: 20130076527Abstract: A mud pulse telemetry tool is used in a drill string that has a drilling fluid flowing inside. The mud pulse telemetry tool may include a pulser disposed in the drill string and a drive system for driving the pulser. The pulser may include a non-rotating mud pulse stator and a mud pulse rotor disposed proximate to the stator. The drive system may include a turbine stator, a turbine rotor, and a rotatable inertial member magnetically coupled to the turbine rotor. The inertial member may be operatively connected at a first end to the mud pulse rotor. In the mud pulse telemetry tool, rotational energy may be transmitted from the turbine rotor to the rotatable inertial member by a magnetic coupling. The rotatable inertial member may be operatively connected to a supplemental motor that is adapted to supplement rotational energy imparted to the rotatable inertial member by the drive system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Inventors: Mark A. Sitka, Kristopher Sherrill, Daniel Winslow
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Publication number: 20120228875Abstract: A downhole assembly including a turbine to be disposed within a wellbore and a rotating array. The rotating array includes magnetic material and is coupled to the turbine. The downhole assembly also includes a magnetostrictive material coupled to the rotating array to strain the magnetostrictive material to induce an electric current in a conductor coupled to the magnetostrictive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: September 13, 2012Inventors: John R. Hardin, JR., Mark Sitka
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Patent number: 8264228Abstract: Logging tools having protected tilted antennas are disclosed, along with construction methods therefor. In one method embodiment, a tilted antenna on a retrievable segment of a downhole tool is constructed by: forming an elliptical recess on the segment; forming an antenna within the elliptical recess; and forming an elliptical pattern of windows over and perpendicular to the axis of the elliptical antenna. Some tool embodiments comprise a retrievable segment of a downhole tool having an elliptical recess; an elliptical antenna disposed within the elliptical recess; and an elliptical pattern of windows formed over and perpendicular to the plane of the elliptical antenna.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2007Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Randal T. Beste, Vadim Yuryevich Minosyan, Mark A. Sitka
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Publication number: 20120127829Abstract: A downhole tool includes a tool body, stator, and rotor. The tool body is aligned along a tool centerline and includes an aperture therethrough operable to pass a fluid to an exterior of the body. The stator is fixed relative to the tool body and includes a fluid flow restriction operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the stator to the exterior of the body at an adjustable flow rate. The rotor is disposed within the tool body and rotatable relative to the stator and includes an exhaust port selectively aligned with at least one aperture through the tool body by rotation of the rotor relative to the stator. The exhaust port is operable to pass at least a portion of the fluid from an interior of the rotor to the exterior of the body when aligned with the aperture.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2009Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventor: Mark A. Sitka
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Patent number: 7966875Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, James H. Dudley, Laban M. Marsh, David Welshans, Jean Michel Beique, John R. Hardin, Jr., William E. Hendricks, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Sitka, James E. Stone
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Publication number: 20090309798Abstract: Logging tools having protected tilted antennas are disclosed, along with construction methods therefor. In one method embodiment, a tilted antenna on a retrievable segment of a downhole tool is constructed by: forming an elliptical recess on the segment; forming an antenna within the elliptical recess; and forming an elliptical pattern of windows over and perpendicular to the axis of the elliptical antenna. Some tool embodiments comprise a retrievable segment of a downhole tool having an elliptical recess; an elliptical antenna disposed within the elliptical recess; and an elliptical pattern of windows formed over and perpendicular to the plane of the elliptical antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2007Publication date: December 17, 2009Inventors: Michael S. Bittar, Randal T. Beste, Vadim Yuryevich Minosyan, Mark A. Sitka
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Patent number: 7603897Abstract: A downhole, extendable apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the extendable apparatus includes a piston that extends toward a borehole wall, the piston having an inner sampling member that is also extendable. The sampling member may be further extended to engage the borehole wall and penetrate the formation. The sampling member may also include a screen and an inner scraper or wiper that frictionally engages the screen and reciprocates to remove debris from the screen. The piston may comprise a seal pad having an internal cavity for receiving a volume of fluid. In another embodiment, the extendable apparatus comprises multiple, concentric pistons for extending the sampling member further toward the borehole wall than is possible with a single piston. The extendable apparatus may also include a retraction contact switch and position indicator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Sitka, Malcolm Douglas McGregor, Glenn C. Gray, John R. Hardin, Jr., Christopher Anthony Maranuk, James E. Stone, Kristopher V. Sherrill
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Publication number: 20080314137Abstract: This application relates to various methods and apparatus for rapidly obtaining accurate formation property data from a drilled earthen borehole. Quickly obtaining accurate formation property data, including formation fluid pressure, is vital to beneficially describing the various formations being intersected. For example, methods are disclosed for collecting numerous property values with a minimum of downhole tools, correcting and calibrating downhole measurements and sensors, and developing complete formation predictors and models by acquiring a diverse set of direct formation measurements, such as formation fluid pressure and temperature. Also disclosed are various methods of using of accurately and quickly obtained formation property data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2008Publication date: December 25, 2008Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INCInventors: Mark A. Proett, James M. Fogal, James H. Dudley, Laban M. Marsh, David Welshans, Jean Michel Beique, John R. Hardin, JR., William E. Hendricks, Gregory N. Gilbert, Mark A. Sitka, James E. Stone
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Patent number: 7395879Abstract: An apparatus including a drill collar having an outer surface, an assembly for interaction with an earth formation coupled to the drill collar, the assembly including a first member to extend beyond the drill collar outer surface and a second member to extend beyond the first member and toward the earth formation to receive formation fluids. An apparatus including an MWD tool having an outer surface, a formation testing assembly coupled to the MWD tool, the formation testing assembly recessed beneath the outer surface in a first position and including a piston to extend beyond the outer surface to a second position and an inner sampling member to extend beyond the piston to a third position.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2007Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Pedro Segura, Mark A. Sitka, Gregory N. Gilbert, Preston N. Weintraub, Tony T. Vu, John R. Hardin, Jr., Kristopher V. Sherrill, David M. Welshans, James E. Stone
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Patent number: 7336199Abstract: An inductive coupling system including a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel. The system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler and a housing inductive coupler. The mandrel electronics system may also communicate with equipment on the surface. Alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and first and second mandrel electronics systems in different mandrel sections. The first and second mandrel electronics systems communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler. Also alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel. The system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a housing inductive coupler.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2006Date of Patent: February 26, 2008Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, IncInventors: Jeffrey B. Lasater, Ronald G. Earles, John R. Hardin, Imran Vehra, Randal T. Beste, Sergei Sharonov, Michael W. Holcombe, Mark A. Sitka, Richard T. Hay
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Publication number: 20070257812Abstract: An inductive coupling system including a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel the system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler and a housing inductive coupler. The mandrel electronics system may also communicate with equipment on the surface. Alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and first and second mandrel electronics systems in different mandrel sections. The first and second mandrel electronics systems communicate electronically using a mandrel inductive coupler. Also alternatively, the system may include a mandrel and an inner sleeve and outer housing that surround and rotate relative to the mandrel. The system also includes a mandrel electronics system and a housing electronics system that communicate electronically using a housing inductive coupler.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2006Publication date: November 8, 2007Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey Lasater, Ronald Earles, John Hardin, Imran Vehra, Randal Beste, Sergei Sharonov, Michael Holcombe, Mark Sitka, Richard Hay
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Publication number: 20070181341Abstract: An apparatus including a drill collar having an outer surface, an assembly for interaction with an earth formation coupled to the drill collar, the assembly including a first member to extend beyond the drill collar outer surface and a second member to extend beyond the first member and toward the earth formation to receive formation fluids. An apparatus including an MWD tool having an outer surface, a formation testing assembly coupled to the MWD tool, the formation testing assembly recessed beneath the outer surface in a first position and including a piston to extend beyond the outer surface to a second position and an inner sampling member to extend beyond the piston to a third position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Pedro Segura, Mark Sitka, George Gilbert, Preston Weintraub, Tony Vu, John Hardin, Kristopher Sherrill, David Welshans, James Stone
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Patent number: 7204309Abstract: A formation testing tool is described herein, including a formation probe assembly having an extendable sampling probe surrounded by a cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve is configured to engage a metal skirt having an elastomeric seal pad coupled thereto. The skirt and seal are configured to be field replaceable. The elastomeric pad has a non-planar outer surface which engages a borehole wall in preparation for formation testing. The seal pad may be donut-shaped, having an aperture through the middle of the seal pad. The seal pad and its surface may include numerous different embodiments, including having a curved profile. The seal pad may also include numerous different embodiments of means for coupling the seal pad to the metal skirt. The formation testing tool also includes formation probe assembly anti-rotation means, a deviated non-circular flowbore, and at least one closed hydraulic fluid chamber for balancing fluid pressures.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 17, 2007Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Pedro R. Segura, Mark A. Sitka, Gregory N. Gilbert, Preston N. Weintraub, Tony T. Vu, John R. Hardin, Jr., Kristopher V. Sherrill, David M. Welshans, James E. Stone
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Publication number: 20050257629Abstract: A downhole, extendable apparatus and methods of use are described and claimed herein. In one embodiment, the extendable apparatus includes a piston that extends toward a borehole wall, the piston having an inner sampling member that is also extendable. The sampling member may be further extended to engage the borehole wall and penetrate the formation. The sampling member may also include a screen and an inner scraper or wiper that frictionally engages the screen and reciprocates to remove debris from the screen. The piston may comprise a seal pad having an internal cavity for receiving a volume of fluid. In another embodiment, the extendable apparatus comprises multiple, concentric pistons for extending the sampling member further toward the borehole wall than is possible with a single piston. The extendable apparatus may also include a retraction contact switch and position indicator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2005Publication date: November 24, 2005Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Gregory Gilbert, Mark Sitka, Malcolm McGregor, Glenn Gray, John Hardin, Christopher Maranuk, James Stone, Kristopher Sherrill