Patents by Inventor Ralph Ehlers

Ralph Ehlers 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).

  • Torque compensation apparatus for bottomhole assembly
    Patent number: 6129160
    Abstract: A subterranean drilling assembly for linear and nonlinear drilling. A downhole motor-based bottomhole assembly with a bit deflection device includes a torque compensation device and is secured to the drill string via a swivel assembly to permit independent rotation of the string and the bottomhole assembly. In the case of a drill pipe string, the string may be rotated continuously during both linear and nonlinear drilling to reduce drag. In the case of a tubing string, the bottomhole assembly is rotated by the torque compensation device during straight drilling. In both cases, the torque compensation device is employed to adjust TFO for nonlinear drilling when the bottomhole assembly is not rotated. In an alternative embodiment, a torque-sensitive clutch is employed in lieu of the torque compensation device to provide rotational orientation to, and rotation of, the bottomhole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Williams, Ralph Ehlers
  • Method and apparatus for navigational drilling with a downhole motor employing independent drill string and bottomhole assembly rotary orientation and rotation
    Patent number: 5738178
    Abstract: A subterranean drilling assembly for linear and nonlinear drilling. A downhole motor-based bottomhole assembly with a bit deflection device includes a torque compensation device and is secured to the drill string via a swivel assembly to permit independent rotation of the string and the bottomhole assembly. In the case of a drill pipe string, the string may be rotated continuously during both linear and nonlinear drilling to reduce drag. In the case of a tubing string, the bottomhole assembly is rotated by the torque compensation device during straight drilling. In both cases, the torque compensation device is employed to adjust TFO for nonlinear drilling when the bottomhole assembly is not rotated. In an alternative embodiment, a torque-sensitive clutch is employed in lieu of the torque compensation device to provide rotational orientation to, and rotation of, the bottomhole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1998
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Michael P. Williams, Ralph Ehlers