Patents by Inventor Patrick R. DERKACZ
Patrick R. DERKACZ 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: 20240133249Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ
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Patent number: 11795769Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2020Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Patent number: 11686159Abstract: A gap sub assembly for electromagnetic telemetry used in downhole drilling. The gap sub comprises a female part comprising a female mating section and a male part comprising a male mating section. The male mating section is matingly received within the female mating section and electrically isolated therefrom. One or more electrically insulating bodies secure the male part axially and torsionally relative to the female part. The electrically insulating bodies also electrically isolate the male part from the female part. The electrically insulating bodies can be installed through apertures in the female part or at least some of the electrically insulating bodies can be installed before the male mating section is inserted into the female mating section. The electrically insulating bodies can be held in place on the male mating section using a retention apparatus such as a ring, a scarf, pods or an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Inventors: Luke A. Stack, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Patrick R. Derkacz, Gavin Gaw-wae Lee, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik, Daniel W. Ahmoye, Angelica J. B. Francoeur
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Patent number: 11280437Abstract: One or more seals may be provided in a gap sub to prevent the ingress of drilling fluid into an insulating gap between a male member of the gap sub and a female member of the gap sub. A first seal may comprise an internal gap sub seal provided near the tip of the male member of the gap sub. A second seal may comprise an external gap sub seal provided near the tip of the female member of the gap sub. The first and second seals may comprise non-conductive materials. The first and second seals may each comprise one or more O-rings. The first and second seals may comprise one or more lips, protrusions or flanges to engage the male and/or female members of the gap sub for maintaining contact with the male and/or female members during deformation of the gap sub.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2017Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Luke A. Stack, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, Gavin Gaw-Wae Lee, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Daniel W. Ahmoye, Kurtis K. L. West, Angelica J. B. Francoeur
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Patent number: 11213989Abstract: A downhole probe of a drilling rig has a probe sleeve for protecting the downhole probe. The probe sleeve may be made of a metal or a polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide. The probe sleeve may be heat-shrinkable to provide a tight fit between the downhole probe and the probe sleeve. The probe sleeve may include one or more protrusions shaped to engage a centralizer surrounding at least part of the downhole probe. The one or more protrusions may be arranged to prevent rotation of the centralizer relative to the probe sleeve. The probe sleeve may be made using a modified extrusion process and may include reinforcement to add strength to weld-lines along the length of the probe sleeve. The protrusions may also be used as reinforcement.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: January 4, 2022Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Luke A. Stack, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Publication number: 20210381319Abstract: A gap sub assembly for electromagnetic telemetry used in downhole drilling is disclosed. The gap sub comprises a female part comprising a female mating section and a male part comprising a male mating section. The male mating section is matingly received within the female mating section and electrically isolated therefrom. One or more electrically insulating bodies secure the male part axially and torsionally relative to the female part. The electrically insulating bodies also electrically isolate the male part from the female part. The electrically insulating bodies can be installed through apertures in the female part or at least some of the electrically insulating bodies can be installed before the male mating section is inserted into the female mating section. The electrically insulating bodies can be held in place on the male mating section using a retention apparatus such as a ring, a scarf, pods or an adhesive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Inventors: Luke A. STACK, Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Mojtaba KAZEMI MIRAKI, Patrick R. DERKACZ, Gavin Gaw-wae LEE, Hasan Alper HEPGUVENDIK, Daniel W. AHMOYE, Angelica J.B. FRANCOEUR
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Patent number: 11105159Abstract: A gap sub assembly for electromagnetic telemetry used in downhole drilling. The gap sub comprises a female part comprising a female mating section and a male part comprising a male mating section. The male mating section is matingly received within the female mating section and electrically isolated therefrom. One or more electrically insulating bodies secure the male part axially and torsionally relative to the female part. The electrically insulating bodies also electrically isolate the male part from the female part. The electrically insulating bodies can be installed through apertures in the female part or at least some of the electrically insulating bodies can be installed before the male mating section is inserted into the female mating section. The electrically insulating bodies can be held in place on the male mating section using a retention apparatus such as a ring, a scarf, pods or an adhesive.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 31, 2021Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Luke A. Stack, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Patrick R. Derkacz, Gavin Gaw-wae Lee, Hasan Alper Hepguvendik, Daniel W. Ahmoye, Angelica J. B. Francoeur
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Publication number: 20210207443Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2020Publication date: July 8, 2021Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ
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Patent number: 10871041Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Patent number: 10648247Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a centralizer. The centralizer comprises a tubular member that extends around the downhole probe. A wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe and outward contact points that bear against a bore wall of a section of drill string. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Patent number: 10598000Abstract: A method for using a downhole probe. The method comprises providing a probe, at least one vertical cross section of the probe having an area of at least pi inches squared. The method further comprises inserting the probe into a bore of a drill collar and passing a drilling fluid through the bore of drill collar at a flow velocity of less than 41 feet per second.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Jili (Jerry) Liu, Patrick R. Derkacz, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
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Patent number: 10513892Abstract: Adjustment of the angle of a bent sub or other steering feature in a drill string relative to a reference angle of a downhole sensor is facilitated by a rotatable coupling between the bent sub and the sensor. The rotatable coupling may be rotated to align the high side with a reference indicium and locked at the set angle. Rows of ceramic balls retained in circumferential channels may be provided to permit rotation while carrying tensile and compressional forces. Calibration of the sensor is facilitated and opportunities for certain measurement errors are eliminated. An embodiment provides a mechanism for locking the rotatable coupling at a desired angle. The embodiment comprises a ring with teeth that engage a downhole portion of the coupling and depressions that engage an uphole portion of the coupling.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
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Patent number: 10494879Abstract: A downhole probe is adapted to be supported in drill string sections having different internal diameters with the use of a set of interchangeable centralizers. Each centralizer is dimensioned to snugly receive the downhole probe and to bear against the bore wall of a drill-string section. Interchangeable axial supports such as spiders may also be provided in a set. The downhole probe may comprise a slick body. As drilling progresses the downhole probe may be adapted to be received in drill string sections of varying diameters.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: December 3, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Publication number: 20190353027Abstract: A downhole probe of a drilling rig has a probe sleeve for protecting the downhole probe. The probe sleeve may be made of a metal or a polymer such as polyphenylene sulfide. The probe sleeve may be heat-shrinkable to provide a tight fit between the downhole probe and the probe sleeve. The probe sleeve may include one or more protrusions shaped to engage a centralizer surrounding at least part of the downhole probe. The one or more protrusions may be arranged to prevent rotation of the centralizer relative to the probe sleeve. The probe sleeve may be made using a modified extrusion process and may include reinforcement to add strength to weld-lines along the length of the probe sleeve. The protrusions may also be used as reinforcement.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: November 21, 2019Inventors: Luke A. STACK, Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ
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Publication number: 20190316712Abstract: One or more seals may be provided in a gap sub to prevent the ingress of drilling fluid into an insulating gap between a male member of the gap sub and a female member of the gap sub. A first seal may comprise an internal gap sub seal provided near the tip of the male member of the gap sub. A second seal may comprise an external gap sub seal provided near the tip of the female member of the gap sub. The first and second seals may comprise non-conductive materials. The first and second seals may each comprise one or more O-rings. The first and second seals may comprise one or more lips, protrusions or flanges to engage the male and/or female members of the gap sub for maintaining contact with the male and/or female members during deformation of the gap sub.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2017Publication date: October 17, 2019Inventors: Luke A. STACK, Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ, Gavin Gaw-Wae LEE, Hasan Alper HEPGUVENDIK, Mojtaba KAZEMI MIRAKI, Daniel W. AHMOYE, Kurtis K.L. WEST, Angelica J.B. FRANCOEUR
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Patent number: 10422921Abstract: A downhole system comprises a main sensor, such as a gamma sensor, and a backup sensor. The backup sensor may be of a different type from the main sensor. In some embodiments the backup sensor is a high reliability sensor that may have a different sensitivity from the main sensor. The system operates both the main and backup sensors and generates calibration data for the backup sensor. If the main sensor fails the calibration data may be applied to process data from the backup sensor to yield an estimate of the data that the main sensor would have yielded if it had remained operational. The calibration data may compensate for temperature variations and/or temporal drift, for example.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, Justin C. Logan, Barry Daniel Buternowsky, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
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Patent number: 10400520Abstract: An insulating collar for a gap sub assembly for electromagnetic (EM) telemetry used in downhole drilling is disclosed. The gap sub assembly comprises a female member comprising a female mating section and a male member comprising a male mating section and a gap section. The male mating section is matingly received within the female mating section and electrically isolated therefrom. The insulating collar is positioned on the gap section. The collar is made up of a framework with a plurality of discrete bodies spaced about the framework and a portion of each of the discrete bodies protrudes above the framework. Either the framework or the discrete bodies are made of an electrical insulator material to electrically isolate one end of the collar from the other end of the collar. The collar therefore electrically isolates the male member from the female member and the male member, female member and insulating collar function as the “gap sub” for EM telemetry.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2018Date of Patent: September 3, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Daniel W. Ahmoye, David A. Switzer, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
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Patent number: 10358906Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported in a drill string section by centralizing features of a centralizer that is slidably removable from the drill string section. The centralizer may comprise a tubular body having a bore defined through it. A bore wall of the centralizer is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length. The centralizer may optionally comprise and/or be coated with a vibration damping and/or electrically insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2018Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz
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Patent number: 10352111Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported in a drill string section by centralizing features that are integral with the drill string section. A bore wall of the drill string section is fluted to provide inward contact points that support the downhole probe. The downhole probe may be supported for substantially its entire length. A vibration damping and/or electrically insulating material may optionally be provided between the downhole probe and the drill string section.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, Patrick R. Derkacz, David A. Switzer
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Patent number: 10352151Abstract: A drill string section receives an electronics package. A flow channel extends through an aperture in the electronics package. The flow channel carries a flow of drilling fluid through the drill string section. The flow channel is sealed to a body of the drill string section. The electronics package need not be pressure-rated.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Patrick R. Derkacz, Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan