Patents Assigned to Flexidrill Limited
  • Patent number: 11519226
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventor: Owen Schicker
  • Patent number: 11136845
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention comprises a wireline retrievable coring apparatus for incorporation into a drillstring, comprising: a housing for coupling to a drill string housing, a drill bit, a turbine comprising a stator coupled to the housing and a rotor within the stator, the rotor coupled to rotate the drill bit, a core barrel through the turbine and in communication with the drill bit for capturing a core, a fluid path to the drill bit via the turbine to rotate the turbine, wherein the core barrel is rotationally isolated from the rotor and is fluidly isolated from the fluid path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Gregory Donald West, Owen Schicker
  • Publication number: 20210246731
    Abstract: A drill bit for coupling in use downhole drilling apparatus, the drill bit comprising: an annular coring drill bit that is rotatable to cut a formation bore face to create a core plug, a concentric drill bit that can be repeatedly axially moved (such as by oscillation (such as a vibration) and/or impact) to break the core plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Greg WEST, Owen SCHICKER
  • Publication number: 20210047888
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool, the wireline retrieval head assembly for coupling to the downhole tool for installation in and retrieval from downhole in a mineral industry field of use, wherein a first of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a retention member that has or is configured to receive a pivot member and a second of the wireline retrieval head assembly and downhole tool has a complementary link with an opening for receiving the pivot member, such that the link can be coupled to the retention member to create a pivot coupling to allow for articulation between the wireline retrieval head assembly and the downhole tool during installation and retrieval of the downhole tool, and the link can be removed from the retention member to remove the downhole tool from the wireline retrieval head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventor: Owen SCHICKER
  • Publication number: 20200149349
    Abstract: A drill bit for coupling in use downhole drilling apparatus, the drill bit comprising: an annular coring drill bit that is rotatable to cut a formation bore face to create a core plug, a concentric drill bit that can be repeatedly axially moved (such as by oscillation (such as a vibration) and/or impact) to break the core plug.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Greg WEST, Owen SCHICKER
  • Patent number: 10472895
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibratory apparatus for a drilling apparatus comprising: a housing, a rotor operable to rotate relative to the housing, the rotor comprising one or more sets of magnets, a shuttle engaged to enable movement longitudinally, the shuttle comprising one or more follower magnets, each arranged relative to a corresponding set of magnets in the rotor, wherein each set of magnets comprises magnets arranged around the rotor with a lateral spread such that on rotation the corresponding follower magnet on the shuttle will move longitudinally to follow one or more rotating magnets of the set, thus oscillating the shuttle longitudinally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Evan Powell, Mark Christopher Cunliffe
  • Publication number: 20190338609
    Abstract: In one aspect the present invention comprises a wireline retrievable coring apparatus for incorporation into a drillstring, comprising: a housing for coupling to a drill string housing, a drill bit, a turbine comprising a stator coupled to the housing and a rotor within the stator, the rotor coupled to rotate the drill bit, a core barrel through the turbine and in communication with the drill bit for capturing a core, a fluid path to the drill bit via the turbine to rotate the turbine, wherein the core barrel is rotationally isolated from the rotor and is fluidly isolated from the fluid path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Gregory Donald WEST, Owen SCHICKER
  • Patent number: 10435975
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Roland Greenwood, Owen Schicker
  • Publication number: 20180010391
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vibratory apparatus for a drilling apparatus comprising: a housing, a rotor operable to rotate relative to the housing, the rotor comprising one or more sets of magnets, a shuttle engaged to enable movement longitudinally, the shuttle comprising one or more follower magnets, each arranged relative to a corresponding set of magnets in the rotor, wherein each set of magnets comprises magnets arranged around the rotor with a lateral spread such that on rotation the corresponding follower magnet on the shuttle will move longitudinally to follow one or more rotating magnets of the set, thus oscillating the shuttle longitudinally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Evan POWELL, Mark Christopher CUNLIFFE
  • Patent number: 9803441
    Abstract: A retrievable core sampling assembly for latching to or relative to a rotatable tubular housing of a core sampling apparatus to allow the capture and retrieval of a core from a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising or including: a core catcher barrel for a core, the barrel being rotationally isolated from the tubular housing and cooperable with a core taking bit coupled to the rotatable tubular housing to retain a core, and a hammer for providing impact to the core taking bit along a longitudinal impact path that is or is substantially decoupled from the core catcher barrel so that when latched, rotation and impact of the core taking bit captures and passes core material from the formation to the core catcher barrel in manner that isolates a core in the core catcher barrel from rotation and impact forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventor: Gregory Donald West
  • Publication number: 20170152720
    Abstract: Disclosed is a mechanical force generator for use in a drillstring that provides a sinusoidal or near sinusoidal oscillating output, comprising: a rotatable cam plate connected to a mass, the cam plate having two opposed oblique bearing surfaces rotatable through a bearing, wherein upon rotation, the two opposed oblique bearing surfaces cam against the bearing to oscillate the mass longitudinally, wherein the bearing comprises opposing bearings for bearing against the opposed oblique bearing surfaces and wherein at least one bearing adjusts to follow the respective opposed bearing surface and maintain engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Roland GREENWOOD, Owen SCHICKER
  • Patent number: 9322237
    Abstract: An excitation apparatus suitable for use downhole having interengaged masses at least in part confined or guided so as to be movable as an interengaged assembly on an axis, one mass (“rotatable mass”) being rotatable relative to the other mass about the axis to cyclically vary the axial length of the assembly of the interengaged masses, a rotary drive, and an interposed spring (of any kind) between the rotary drive and the rotatable mass able to transmit torque from the rotary drive to the rotatable mass yet vary in its extent responsive to the interengaged masses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Owen Schicker, Mark Christopher Cunliffe
  • Patent number: 9297207
    Abstract: A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Owen Schicker, Enda Hand
  • Patent number: 9290996
    Abstract: A downhole assembly able to generate a vibrational output reliant upon a fluid feed drive to cause relative rotation extending magnetic arrays and thereby a relative longitudinal vibration causing reciprocation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Evan Powell, Roland Greenwood, Danny Sisson
  • Publication number: 20150300117
    Abstract: A retrievable core sampling assembly for latching to or relative to a rotatable tubular housing of a core sampling apparatus to allow the capture and retrieval of a core from a subterranean formation, the assembly comprising or including: a core catcher barrel for a core, the barrel being rotationally isolated from the tubular housing and cooperable with a core taking bit coupled to the rotatable tubular housing to retain a core, and a hammer for providing impact to the core taking bit along a longitudinal impact path that is or is substantially decoupled from the core catcher barrel so that when latched, rotation and impact of the core taking bit captures and passes core material from the formation to the core catcher barrel in manner that isolates a core in the core catcher barrel from rotation and impact forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: Flexidrill Limited
    Inventor: Gregory Donald WEST
  • Publication number: 20140196952
    Abstract: A device in place as, or suitable for use as, a vibrational tool of or in a downhole assembly, the device having a first magnetic assembly which is to be, or can be, rotated relative to a second magnetic assembly and which, when so rotated, causes the second magnetic assembly to oscillate and/or reciprocate at least substantially in an axial manner; wherein the oscillating and/or reciprocating magnetic assembly, at least substantially, at either one end, or both ends, is attached to and constrained in its oscillations and/or reciprocation by a compliant member thereby allowing the output force to be distributed to the outer body of the vibrational tool and/or any attached uphole and/or downhole tooling, from the compression and extension of the compliant member in a substantially sinusoidal manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Owen Schicker, Enda Hand
  • Publication number: 20140151127
    Abstract: The use in a drillstring of a positive displacement motor (PDM) with both an output upwardly and an output downwardly to devices spaced at least by the PDM.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventors: Gregory Donald West, Peter Evan Powell
  • Patent number: 8561723
    Abstract: Drilling apparatus having a drillstring and operable to rotate the drillstring and operable to provide vibration axially to the drill head. Relies upon vibrational apparatus positioned to provide the vibration reliant upon interactive magnetic arrays, as a consequence of the relative rotation caused by a mechanical input to at least one array or set of arrays of the vibrational apparatus. One of the arrays or sets of arrays moves synchronously, in rotation, with the drillstring when the drillstring is rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Flexidrill Limited
    Inventors: Peter Evan Powell, Gregory Donald West
  • Patent number: D944074
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventor: Owen Schicker
  • Patent number: D976092
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: FLEXIDRILL LIMITED
    Inventor: Owen Schicker