Patents by Inventor Robert W. Metz

Robert W. Metz 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).

  • Patent number: 10865609
    Abstract: A drilling rig system for obtaining high trip rates separates the transport of tubular stands in and out of their setback position into a first function, delivery and retrieval of tubular stands in well center position as a second function; and the functions intersect at a stand hand-off position where tubular stands are set down for exchange between tubular handling equipment. A drilling rig has a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a top drive. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and/or well center positions. An upper racking arm moves tubular stands between a racked position in the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodeny Berry, Robert W. Metz
  • Publication number: 20200123860
    Abstract: A drilling rig system for obtaining high trip rates separates the transport of tubular stands in and out of their setback position into a first function, delivery and retrieval of tubular stands in well center position as a second function; and the functions intersect at a stand hand-off position where tubular stands are set down for exchange between tubular handling equipment. A drilling rig has a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a top drive. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and/or well center positions. An upper racking arm moves tubular stands between a racked position in the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2019
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodeny Berry, Robert W. Metz
  • Patent number: 10550650
    Abstract: A drilling rig system for obtaining high trip rates separates the transport of tubular stands in and out of their setback position into a first function, delivery and retrieval of tubular stands in well center position as a second function; and the functions intersect at a stand hand-off position where tubular stands are set down for exchange between tubular handling equipment. A drilling rig has a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a top drive. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and/or well center positions. An upper racking arm moves tubular stands between a racked position in the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodney Berry, Robert W. Metz
  • Patent number: 10519727
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a drilling rig having a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a retractable top drive. The retractable top drive translates a well center path and a rearward retracted path. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and well center positions. An upper racking mechanism moves tubular stands between a racked position of the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. A lower racking mechanism controls the movement of the lower end of the tubular stand being moved coincident to the movements of the upper racking mechanism. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position. A lower stabilizing arm guides the lower end of tubular stands between the catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and well center positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodney Berry, Robert W. Metz
  • Publication number: 20180135363
    Abstract: A drilling rig system for obtaining high trip rates separates the transport of tubular stands in and out of their setback position into a first function, delivery and retrieval of tubular stands in well center position as a second function; and the functions intersect at a stand hand-off position where tubular stands are set down for exchange between tubular handling equipment. A drilling rig has a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a top drive. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and/or well center positions. An upper racking arm moves tubular stands between a racked position in the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodney Berry, Robert W. Metz
  • Publication number: 20170234088
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a drilling rig having a tubular delivery arm that vertically translates the mast in a non-conflicting path with a retractable top drive. The retractable top drive translates a well center path and a rearward retracted path. The tubular delivery arm is operable to deliver tubular stands between a catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and well center positions. An upper racking mechanism moves tubular stands between a racked position of the racking module and a stand hand-off position between the mast and racking module. A lower racking mechanism controls the movement of the lower end of the tubular stand being moved coincident to the movements of the upper racking mechanism. An upper support constraint stabilizes tubular stands at the stand hand-off position. A lower stabilizing arm guides the lower end of tubular stands between the catwalk, stand hand-off, mousehole, and well center positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Melvin Alan Orr, Mark W. Trevithick, Joe Rodney Berry, Robert W. Metz