Patents by Inventor Michael Comfoltey

Michael Comfoltey 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).

  • Downhole electric power generator
    Patent number: 8033328
    Abstract: A downhole electric power generator is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an inlet channel formed in a bore of a downhole tool string component for conveying a moving downhole fluid and a turbine coupled to the inlet channel to receive the downhole fluid. The turbine converts the energy of the moving downhole fluid into rotational energy where it is stored using a flywheel. The flywheel may then be coupled to an electrical generator to convert the rotational energy to electrical energy. In certain embodiments, a continuously variable transmission may be inserted between the turbine and the flywheel. The entire generator may, in certain embodiments, be designed small enough to reside in the wall of a downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Michael Comfoltey
  • Downhole Electric Power Generator
    Publication number: 20080047753
    Abstract: A downhole electric power generator is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including an inlet channel formed in a bore of a downhole tool string component for conveying a moving downhole fluid and a turbine coupled to the inlet channel to receive the downhole fluid. The turbine converts the energy of the moving downhole fluid into rotational energy where it is stored using a flywheel. The flywheel may then be coupled to an electrical generator to convert the rotational energy to electrical energy. In certain embodiments, a continuously variable transmission may be inserted between the turbine and the flywheel. The entire generator may, in certain embodiments, be designed small enough to reside in the wall of a downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventors: David R. Hall, Scott Dahlgren, Michael Comfoltey