Patents Assigned to Tesco Corporation
  • Patent number: 9903167
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a system and method for coordinating operation of a gripping device of a top drive system and power slips of a drilling rig to ensure that at least one of the gripping device and the power slips is engaged with a length of tubular and/or a drill string to support weight of the length of tubular and weight of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Dewald, Douglas Greening
  • Patent number: 9896893
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a gripping device configured to couple with a pipe element. A housing of the gripping device is configured to extend over and at least partially around a distal end of the pipe element. Torsional clamp devices are configured to engage an outer circumferential surface of the pipe element with frictional engagement features that extend radially inward from the housing. A sealing mechanism is configured to shift a pipe seal relative to the housing and into engagement with the distal end of the pipe element and to facilitate fluid flow through the gripping device into the pipe element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Everett Leman, Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure, Doug Greening
  • Patent number: 9850708
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a drilling system including a drill string with two or more drill pipes (e.g., tubular), a drive system configured to rotate the drill string, and a neutral point sub disposed proximate a neutral point of the drill string, where the neutral point sub is configured to detect motion of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventor: Ryan Thomas Bowley
  • Patent number: 9834990
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a top drive system having a top drive, a bogey chassis, wherein the top drive is coupled with the bogey chassis, an upper bushing coupling the bogey chassis to a torque track, and a lower bushing coupling the bogey chassis to the torque track, wherein the upper and lower bushings are configured to translate along the torque track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 9784054
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a multi-function sub configured to be coupled to a top drive of a drilling rig and configured to be coupled to a tubular in order to selectively transfer a torque from the top drive to the tubular. The multi-function sub includes a torque sensing component configured to measure the torque provided from the top drive to the tubular via the multi-function sub, a clutch configured to suspend a transfer of torque from the top drive to the tubular when the clutch is released, and a clutch actuator communicatively coupled to the torque sensing component and configured to release the clutch when the torque measured by the torque sensing component is greater than a threshold torque value. The multi-function sub also includes a compensator configured to enable the multi-function sub to move the tubular in an axial direction relative to the top drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: James Tyler Wilson, Ryan Thomas Bowley, Brent James-William Coombe, Colin Trevor Maxwell, Doug Christian Greening
  • Patent number: 9765579
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a tubular stress measurement system including a first sensor configured to detect a parameter indicative of an axial or circumferential position of the plurality of grapples and a calculation system configured to calculate an internal stress on the tubular based on the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas Greening, Marinel Mihai, Brian Dewald, Piew Soe Saw
  • Patent number: 9725971
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a circulation system including a circulation management system. A housing of a coupling feature of the circulation management system is configured to extend over a box end of a pipe element. A seal disposed within the housing is configured to engage with a face of the box end. A force-application feature is configured to force the seal against the face of the box end to establish a sealed engagement between the circulation management system and the pipe element. A flow path of the circulation management system extends through the housing and the seal, wherein the flow path facilitates fluid flow into the pipe element from the circulation management system when the sealed engagement is established. A port to the flow path is configured to couple with a fluid flow supply feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edgar Fernando Yajure, Ryan Thomas Bowley
  • Patent number: 9702200
    Abstract: A controlled slip connection system is configured to be coupled between a drill pipe and a directional drilling assembly, and the slip connection system is configured to enable continual rotation of the drill pipe while providing a rotationally stationary surface for a mud motor of the directional drilling assembly to react against.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 9689250
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for rotating a drill string to mitigate stick-slip oscillations. An embodiment includes a method of rotating a drill string driven by a drive system using a control system. The method includes measuring torque values of the drive system with a torque sensor. The method also includes determining a frequency of stick-slip oscillations at the drive system based on the torque values using the control system. The method also includes determining an estimated instantaneous rotational speed of the drive system with the control system based on at least the frequency of stick-slip oscillations and a characteristic impedance of the drill string. The method also includes adjusting the estimated instantaneous rotational speed based on changes in the torque values to define an adjusted estimated instantaneous rotation speed with the control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Amir Badkoubeh, Alex Strand, Douglas Greening
  • Patent number: 9657533
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system for retention of drilling components of a drilling rig that includes a first drilling component with a first retention feature, a second drilling component with a second retention feature, and a secondary retention device. The first drilling component is coupled to the second drilling component and the secondary retention device engages with the first retention feature of the first drilling component and with the second retention feature of the second drilling component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Doug Christian Greening, Ryan Thomas Bowley
  • Patent number: 9650880
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for rotating a drill string to overcome issues related to static friction during drilling. An embodiment includes a drive system configured to rotate the drill string through variable angular displacements and at variable rotation speeds based on control signals received by the drive system, and a control system configured transmit the control signals to the drive system, wherein the control system is configured to generate the control signals based on pipe characteristics within the drill string and friction values associated with the drill string to establish a rotation pattern of the drive system to approach a desired effective reach of surface torque generated by the drive system on the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Doug Christian Greening
  • Patent number: 9605500
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a drilling fluid management device. A containment structure of the drilling fluid management device is capable of engaging and at least partially creating a seal with a drillpipe element or drillpipe handling equipment. Further, a suction port structure of the drilling fluid management device extends from the containment structure and includes an opening into the containment structure, wherein the suction port structure is designed to couple with a drilling fluid transport feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edgar Fernando Yajure, Ryan Thomas Bowley
  • Patent number: 9605501
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure a system includes a plug launching assembly, including a housing. The system also includes a first flow assembly of the plug launching assembly including a first primary flow path configured to direct a fluid flow into a wellbore. Moreover, the first flow assembly is configured to transition from a first position to a second position within the plug launching assembly. Also, the first flow assembly is releasably coupled to the housing while in the first position. The system further includes a second flow assembly of the plug launching assembly coupled to the housing and positioned downstream of the first flow assembly. The first flow assembly engages the second flow assembly while the first flow assembly is in the second position. The system also includes a cement plug releasably coupled to the second flow assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 9528330
    Abstract: A conveyor assembly for transporting tubular onto a drilling rig includes a plurality of conveyor sections coupled together end to end. The conveyor sections are configured to receive and transport the tubular. Each of the plurality of conveyor sections includes a conveyor belt having treads for transporting the tubular along the conveyor section. The conveyor assembly also includes an actuation assembly configured to transition the plurality of conveyor sections between a first orientation and a second orientation. The conveyor sections are not aligned in the first orientation, and the conveyor sections are substantially aligned in the second orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 9512686
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed toward a drilling system that includes a conduit configured to route a pressurized gas to a top drive of a drilling rig. The drilling system also includes one or more cables disposed in the conduit. The one or more cables are configured to provide communication, power, or both, to the top drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan Ross Kingsley
  • Patent number: 9506306
    Abstract: A system includes a tubular filling tool. In certain embodiments, the tubular filling tool includes a conductor pipe configured to receive a filling fluid flow from a top drive and a diffuser block communicatively coupled to the conductor pipe and configured to receive the filling fluid flow from the conductor pipe, wherein the diffuser block includes a plurality of fluid passages extending to external passages formed in an outer diameter of the diffuser block and configured to facilitate passage of the filling fluid flow to the external passages from within the diffuser block, wherein the external passages are configured to generate a swirl flow pattern in the filling fluid flow during a tubular filling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 9464491
    Abstract: A system for manipulating a tubular about a drilling rig is provided. The system includes a swivel body rotatably coupled with a becket. The becket is configured to couple with a traveling block of the drilling rig. The system also includes an engagement feature rotatably coupled with the swivel body. The engagement feature is configured to be actuated to engage the tubular. In addition, the system includes a tilt mechanism configured to be actuated to transition the swivel body and the engagement feature between a tilted orientation and an upright orientation relative to the becket. Further, the system includes an actuator system configured to actuate the tilt mechanism and the engagement feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kevin James Nikiforuk
  • Patent number: 9458690
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a rotating casing hanger having a housing configured to abut a casing spool and a casing hanger body disposed within the housing, wherein the casing hanger body is configured to suspend a casing element within a wellbore, and the casing hanger body is configured to rotate within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Timothy Eric Moellendick
  • Patent number: 9404318
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a top drive system comprising a hoisting assembly having an upper link, a lower link, and a first joint coupling the upper link and the lower link. The top drive system also includes a main body coupled to the hoisting assembly by a second joint, wherein the hoisting assembly is configured to support the main body, and the main body is configured to support a tubular. Further, the top drive system includes a frame coupled to the main body and a counter moment system configured to apply a force on the first joint to create a bending moment about the second joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Tesco Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure
  • Patent number: 9366096
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system having a clamping mechanism configured to apply a force on a first tool joint and a second tool joint, wherein the clamping mechanism is configured to transfer a torque from the first tool joint to the second tool joint, and the clamping mechanism is configured to rotate about an axis of the first and second tool joints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: TESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Thomas Bowley, Edgar Fernando Yajure