Patents by Inventor Ralf J. Muller

Ralf J. Muller 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).

  • Shape memory alloy actuated steerable drilling tool
    Patent number: 8104548
    Abstract: A rotary steerable apparatus is provided having an actuator for pushing the bit or pointing the bit that includes a shape memory alloy. An elongated form of the alloy, such as a wire or rod, is employed in a mechanism that applies force in a direction transverse to the wellbore in response to a change in length of the alloy. Temperature of the alloy is controlled to change shape and produce the desired force on pads for operating the apparatus. The apparatus may be used with downhole power generation and control electronics to steer a bit, either in response to signals from the surface or from downhole instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Cyrus Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Ma, Ralf J. Muller, Leyland Smith
  • Shape Memory Alloy Actuated Steerable Drilling Tool
    Publication number: 20100108382
    Abstract: A rotary steerable apparatus is provided having an actuator for pushing the bit or pointing the bit that includes a shape memory alloy. An elongated form of the alloy, such as a wire or rod, is employed in a mechanism that applies force in a direction transverse to the wellbore in response to a change in length of the alloy. Temperature of the alloy is controlled to change shape and produce the desired force on pads for operating the apparatus. The apparatus may be used with downhole power generation and control electronics to steer a bit, either in response to signals from the surface or from downhole instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: CYRUS SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ning Ma, Ralf J. Muller, Leyland Smith
  • Shape memory alloy actuated steerable drilling tool
    Patent number: 7631707
    Abstract: A rotary steerable apparatus is provided having an actuator for pushing the bit or pointing the bit that includes a shape memory alloy. An elongated form of the alloy, such as a wire or rod, is employed in a mechanism that applies force in a direction transverse to the wellbore in response to a change in length of the alloy. Temperature of the alloy is controlled to change shape and produce the desired force on pads for operating the apparatus. The apparatus may be used with downhole power generation and control electronics to steer a bit, either in response to signals from the surface or from downhole instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Cyrus Solutions Corporation
    Inventors: Ning Ma, Ralf J. Muller, Leyland Smith
  • Shape memory alloy actuated steerable drilling tool
    Publication number: 20070227775
    Abstract: A rotary steerable apparatus is provided having an actuator for pushing the bit or pointing the bit that includes a shape memory alloy. An elongated form of the alloy, such as a wire or rod, is employed in a mechanism that applies force in a direction transverse to the wellbore in response to a change in length of the alloy. Temperature of the alloy is controlled to change shape and produce the desired force on pads for operating the apparatus. The apparatus may be used with downhole power generation and control electronics to steer a bit, either in response to signals from the surface or from downhole instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: Ning Ma, Ralf J. Muller, Leyland Smith