Patents Assigned to Entro Industries, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20220356770
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a coil tubing injector, which may include: a cylinder-rod assembly including at least one cylinder rod operably coupled to a first load beam and a second load beam, the at least one cylinder rod to change a separation distance between the first load beam and the second load beam; opposing grippers; and at least one additional beam, at least one link, a set of gears, or control valves to maintain a parallel orientation of the load beams relative to each other during operation of the at least one cylinder rod, the at least one additional beam, the at least one link, or the set of gears operably coupled to at least one of the load beams or the control valves coupled to hydraulic piping to hydraulically operate the cylinder-rod assemblies independently. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2021
    Publication date: November 10, 2022
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan B. SMITH, Shawn R. SMITH
  • Patent number: 11407460
    Abstract: A load transporting apparatus is configured to move a load bearing frame carrying a load over a base surface. A support foot provides a first load bearing surface. A lift mechanism during a step operation raises the support foot off of the base surface, lowers the support foot onto the base surface, and raise the load off of the base surface. A first travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism and attached load along a non-linear horizontal path and a second travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism along a different horizontal path. A control system operates the first travel mechanism and the second travel mechanism to move the lift mechanism along a selected horizontal path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan B. Smith, Shawn R. Smith, Jason Ross, Raymond Rafe Rouse
  • Patent number: 11180319
    Abstract: A walking apparatus uses a unique single substantially planar interface between the top of support foot and the bottom of load plate to move a load both laterally, longitudinally, and in any curved, angular, diagonal, or non-linear direction. The single substantially planar interface used for moving the load plate in different directions provides the walking apparatus with a low vertical profile that can be installed in load bearing frames with lower ground clearances. In one example, a load bearing device provides a single steering plane movable over a support foot in different directions. A travel mechanism is coupled between the support foot and the load bearing device and is configured to change a horizontal path of the load while the weight of the load is transferred onto the support foot and the travel mechanism is moving the load relative to the support foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Harlan B. Smith, Shawn R. Smith, Jason Ross, Raymond Rafe Rouse
  • Publication number: 20210355763
    Abstract: Some embodiments may include a drilling rig comprising base structure; a hoisting device to raise drill pipe into a position in which the drill pipe is aligned with a bore axis of a well, the hoisting device connected to the base structure and including a hoisting cable and a mast, the mast having an operating side and a back side opposite the operating side, wherein the operating side of the mast is configured to accept the drill pipe; and a drawworks operatively connected to the mast via the hoisting cable, wherein the drawworks is closer to the operating side of the mast than to the back side of the mast. Other embodiments may be disclosed and/or claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Shawn R. SMITH
  • Patent number: 10899401
    Abstract: An alignment assembly is coupled between a steering assembly and a support foot to maintain an alignment of the support foot with the load transport assembly while the steering mechanism rotates in different steering directions. A biasing device activates in response to non-linear displacements of the load transport assembly relative to the support foot and moves the steering assembly and the support foot back into original alignments with the load transport assembly. The alignment assembly may include a lower main gear assembly that rotates the support foot relative to the steering assembly and an upper main gear assembly that rotates the steering assembly relative to the load transport assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Patent number: 10895882
    Abstract: A control system may control multiple devices, such as jacks. The control system may adjust the speeds of the devices based on their distances from associated targets. The control system improves overall walking system performance by more efficiently directing more of the limited resources, such as hydraulic fluid, to the furthest back jacks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Ross, Brian Unger, Shawn Smith
  • Patent number: 10889961
    Abstract: A control system retracts lifting devices to a stored reset height during a reset operation to raise support feet off of a base surface. The control device raises a load to a stored moving height above the base surface during a moving operation. The control system automatically repeats the reset and moving operations using the stored reset and stored moving heights. The control device may receive an adjustment signal identifying anew height of the support feet or load bearing frame above the base surface and uses the new height during subsequent reset or moving operations. The control device may default to a minimum reset height or a minimum moving height when the new height would cause the support feet or load bearing frame to drag on the base surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Unger
  • Patent number: 10793409
    Abstract: A control system detects a loaded state for a lifting device. The control system receives a current load value from a load sensor corresponding to a load on the lifting device and compares the current load value from a previously received load value to determine a change in load. The control system receives a current displacement value from a displacement sensor corresponding to a displacement of the lifting device and compares the current displacement value with a previously received displacement value to determine a change in displacement. The control system compares the change in load with the change in displacement to determine a current load slope. The lifting device in identified in a loaded state based on a comparison of the current load slope with a load slope threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventor: Brian Unger
  • Patent number: 10556631
    Abstract: A low-profile roller assembly reduces an overall mounting height of walking machines enabling use in a wider variety of structures and locations while also reducing complexity and over cost. The low-profile roller assembly may include a roller device with a substantially flat roller cage with one or more slots configured to hold a single layer of rollers. The roller device may move longitudinally relative to a support foot and a load plate may move longitudinally relative to both the support foot and the roller device. The load plate may laterally displace relative to a longitudinal axis of the support foot or may laterally displace relative to longitudinal axes of both the support foot and the roller device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190367111
    Abstract: A load transporting apparatus is configured to move a load bearing frame carrying a load over a base surface. A support foot provides a first load bearing surface. A lift mechanism during a step operation raises the support foot off of the base surface, lowers the support foot onto the base surface, and raise the load off of the base surface. A first travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism and attached load along a non-linear horizontal path and a second travel mechanism moves the lift mechanism along a different horizontal path. A control system operates the first travel mechanism and the second travel mechanism to move the lift mechanism along a selected horizontal path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan B. SMITH, Shawn R. Smith, Jason Ross, Raymond Rafe Rouse
  • Patent number: 10407095
    Abstract: A multi-axle assembly includes an axle frame configured to move in a first travel configuration, a first axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a first axle, and a second axle assembly attached to the axle frame and including a second axle. A common axis of rotation passes through both the first axle and the second axle in the first travel configuration. A first axle mount that operably couples the first axle assembly to the axle frame, and a second axle mount that operably couples the second axle assembly to the axle frame. Both the first axle assembly and the second axle assembly may be repositioned to a second travel configuration in which the first axle and the second axle are rotationally offset from the common axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190152704
    Abstract: A walking apparatus uses a unique single substantially planar interface between the top of support foot and the bottom of load plate to move a load both laterally, longitudinally, and in any curved, angular, diagonal, or non-linear direction. The single substantially planar interface used for moving the load plate in different directions provides the walking apparatus with a low vertical profile that can be installed in load bearing frames with lower ground clearances. In one example, a load bearing device provides a single steering plane movable over a support foot in different directions. A travel mechanism is coupled between the support foot and the load bearing device and is configured to change a horizontal path of the load while the weight of the load is transferred onto the support foot and the travel mechanism is moving the load relative to the support foot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Harlan B. Smith, Shawn R. Smith, Jason Ross, Raymond Rafe Rouse
  • Patent number: 10207756
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190048558
    Abstract: A control system retracts lifting devices to a stored reset height during a reset operation to raise support feet off of a base surface. The control device raises a load to a stored moving height above the base surface during a moving operation. The control system automatically repeats the reset and moving operations using the stored reset and stored moving heights. The control device may receive an adjustment signal identifying anew height of the support feet or load bearing frame above the base surface and uses the new height during subsequent reset or moving operations. The control device may default to a minimum reset height or a minimum moving height when the new height would cause the support feet or load bearing frame to drag on the base surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Unger
  • Publication number: 20190041879
    Abstract: A control system may control multiple devices, such as jacks. The control system may adjust the speeds of the devices based on their distances from associated targets. The control system improves overall walking system performance by more efficiently directing more of the limited resources, such as hydraulic fluid, to the furthest back jacks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jason Ross, Brian Unger, Shawn Smith
  • Publication number: 20190016575
    Abstract: A control system detects a loaded state for a lifting device. The control system receives a current load value from a load sensor corresponding to a load on the lifting device and compares the current load value from a previously received load value to determine a change in load. The control system receives a current displacement value from a displacement sensor corresponding to a displacement of the lifting device and compares the current displacement value with a previously received displacement value to determine a change in displacement. The control system compares the change in load with the change in displacement to determine a current load slope. The lifting device in identified in a loaded state based on a comparison of the current load slope with a load slope threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian UNGER
  • Publication number: 20180346041
    Abstract: An alignment assembly is coupled between a steering assembly and a support foot to maintain an alignment of the support foot with the load transport assembly while the steering mechanism rotates in different steering directions. A biasing device activates in response to non-linear displacements of the load transport assembly relative to the support foot and moves the steering assembly and the support foot back into original alignments with the load transport assembly. The alignment assembly may include a lower main gear assembly that rotates the support foot relative to the steering assembly and an upper main gear assembly that rotates the steering assembly relative to the load transport assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2018
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: SHAWN R. SMITH, Harlan B. SMITH
  • Publication number: 20180290700
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically aligns a support foot of the apparatus with a load-bearing frame connected to the load transporting apparatus during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement. In particular, the load transporting apparatus includes a linking device attached to a support foot of the apparatus and a biasing device connected to the linking device that is deflected during non-linear load transporting movements, where the biasing device acts to automatically return the support foot to an aligned position relative to the load-bearing frame after a non-linear movement has been completed and the support foot is raised above a ground surface. Other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a load transporting apparatus that automatically centers a support foot of the apparatus about a roller assembly during a recovery phase of an incremental walking movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: Entro Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. SMITH, Harlan B. SMITH
  • Patent number: 9988112
    Abstract: A mounting structure for a rig may include a base configured to support the mounting structure on an operating surface and a plurality of transport systems operatively connected to the base and configured to lift the mounting structure off of the operating surface. An elevated rig platform may be connected to the base by a plurality of support struts, wherein at least some of the support struts comprise a mounting connection that is configured to pivot to lower the elevated rig platform toward the base and place the mounting structure in a partially collapsed state. Additionally, a connecting member may be attached to one or more of the plurality of transport systems, wherein in response to the elevated rig platform being lowered to the partially collapsed state, the connecting member may be configured to displace at least a portion of the one or more transport systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith
  • Patent number: 9981687
    Abstract: An axle assembly includes an axle, an axle mount configured to be attached to the axle, a positional locater that projects from an outer surface of the axle and is configured to locate an initial position of the axle relative to the axle mount, and an axle adjustment device comprising an inclined surface that contacts the positional locater. A compressive force is exerted between the axle mount and the axle adjustment device when the axle adjustment device is placed in contact with the positional locater to maintain the initial position of the axle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: ENTRO INDUSTRIES, INC.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Smith, Harlan B. Smith