Patents Assigned to U.S. Wells Services, LLC
  • Publication number: 20220010758
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system can include a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation and powered by at least one electric motor, and configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure; at least one generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps; a gas compression system fluidly coupled to the at least one generator so as to provide fuel for use by the at least one generator; and a combustible fuel vaporization system gaseously coupled to the gas compression system so as to provide at least one of vaporized fuel or gasified fuel, or a combination thereof, to the gas compression system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20220008879
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a hydraulic fracturing system that includes a blender unit. The system includes an auger and hopper assembly to receive proppant from a proppant source and feed the proppant to the blender unit for mixing with a fluid. A first power source is used to power the blender unit in order to mix the proppant with the fluid and prepare a fracturing slurry. A second power source independently powers the auger and hopper assembly in order to align the hopper of the auger and hopper assembly with a proppant feed from the proppant source. Thus, the auger and hopper assembly can be stowed or deployed without use of the first power source, which is the main power supply to the blender unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11208878
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation includes a support structure that includes an electric powered pump, arranged in a first area, the electric powered pump powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in a second area proximate the first area, connected to the at least one electric motor to control the speed of the at least one electric motor. The system includes a transformer, arranged in a third area proximate the second area. The system also includes a cooling system, arranged in a fourth area proximate the third area, the cooling system providing a cooling fluid to the VFD via one or more headers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Patent number: 11211801
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system is disclosed as including a singular mobile platform of at least one mobile power unit (MPU) and at least one first switch gear that is configured to handle electric power from the MPU. The MPU is configured to generate voltage that matches the capabilities of an electrical bus from the at least one switch gear such that a combined electrical current generated as a result of the generated voltage and required load is provided to the electrical bus to the components of the hydraulic fracturing system. Further, the hydraulic fracturing system may include electrical fracturing equipment with at least one second switch gear to support the at least one first switch gear in handling electric power from the MPU. A datavan may be included in the system to control load shedding, load sharing, and power distribution for the electrical fracturing equipment comprising the at least one second switch gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon N. Hinderliter, Jared Oehring
  • Patent number: 11203924
    Abstract: An automated hydraulic fracturing system, including a pump system, a blender configured to form the fracturing fluid, a proppant storage and delivery system, a hydration unit configured to mix an additive into a fluid to form the fluid mixture and provide the fluid mixture to the blender, a fluid storage and delivery system, and an additive storage and delivery system, and an automated control system including a plurality of sensing devices and a plurality of control devices integrated into the pump system, the blender system, the proppant storage and delivery system, the fluid storage and delivery system, and the additive storage and delivery system, the automated control system configured to monitor parameters of the automated hydraulic fracturing system via the plurality of sensing devices and transmit control instructions for one or more of the plurality of control devices to control an aspect of the automated hydraulic fracturing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Alexander James Christinzio
  • Patent number: 11181107
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a turbine generator for producing electricity at a well site, the turbine generator producing electrical energy at a voltage. The system also includes an electric pump electrically coupled to the turbine generator and receiving operative power from the turbine generator. The system further includes switch gear arranged between the electric pump and the turbine generator, the switch gear distributing electrical energy from the turbine generator to the electric pump, wherein the voltage remains substantially constant from the turbine generator to the electric pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11181879
    Abstract: A system and method that remotely monitors and controls proppant usage in a fracturing operation. The system and method allow operators to wirelessly monitor and control proppant storage units from inside a datavan through sensors and control mechanisms that interface with fracturing software to schedule the flow of the proppant. A sensor monitors the weight, container level, or volume of the proppant being used to keep the induced hydraulic fracture open. A serial to Ethernet converter converts this information and sends it wirelessly to a datavan. A user at the datavan controls the proppant usage through a display in the datavan of the storage units with the appropriate weight. The container monitoring software links with the fracturing software, providing real-time information about proppant usage so that the user can properly schedule proppant flow to the well through valves, conveyor belts, and other control mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Arthur Baron
  • Patent number: 11136870
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the, and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11114857
    Abstract: A system for completing a well, including a generator, and a plurality of electric load components, each electric load component powered by the generator. The system further includes a load shedding control panel that monitors the generator and, if the generator loses functionality, is capable of deactivating one or more of the plurality of electric load components to reduce the electric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon N. Hinderliter, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20210262321
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system is disclosed as including a singular mobile platform of at least one mobile power unit (MPU) and at least one first switch gear that is configured to handle electric power from the MPU. The MPU is configured to generate voltage that matches the requirements of an electrical bus from the at least one switch gear such that a combined electrical current generated as a result of the generated voltage is provided to the electrical bus to the components of the hydraulic fracturing system. Further, the hydraulic fracturing system may include electrical fracturing equipment with at least one second switch gear to support the at least one first switch gear in handling electric power from the MPU. A datavan may be included in the system to control load shedding, load sharing, and power distribution for the electrical fracturing equipment comprising the at least one second switch gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon Neil Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11091992
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11066912
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
  • Patent number: 11067481
    Abstract: Embodiments include a method for monitoring a fracturing operation that includes positioning a pump at a well site where fracturing operations are being conducted. The method also includes arranging one or more sensors at at least one of a pump inlet or a pump outlet, the one or more sensors monitoring a flow rate of a slurry. The method includes receiving flow data from the one or more sensors. The method also includes determining a pump efficiency, based at least in part on the flow data, is below a threshold. The method further includes adjusting one or more operating parameters of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Alexander James Christinzio, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20210198989
    Abstract: A fluid end for a fracturing pump includes a plurality of segments coupled together along a discharge axis, each segment of the plurality of segments having a plurality of suction bores. The fluid end also includes respective interfaces between segment pairs formed by adjacent segments of the plurality of segments, the interfaces coupling the segment pairs together. The fluid end further includes respective access areas proximate the respective interfaces, the respective access areas configured to provide access for mechanical couplings to join the segment pairs together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Hinderliter, Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20210198995
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing pump system includes an electric powered hydraulic fracturing pump positioned on a support structure. The system also includes a suction stabilizer/dampener coupled to a suction end of the pump. The system further includes a compressed gas supply, fluidly coupled to the suction stabilizer/dampener, and positioned on the support structure. The system also includes a flow path between the suction stabilizer/dampener and the compressed gas supply, the flow path including at least one valve and at least one regulator configured to control flow from the compressed gas supply to the suction stabilizer/dampener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Alexander Christinzio, Lon Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210198993
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for a blender tub overflow catch is disclosed for fracturing operations using a fracturing fluid blender. In at least one embodiment, the system includes a first tub that may be a blender tub and a second tub forming a blender tub overflow catch that is adapted to circumvent an outside diameter of the first tub to catch overflow fluid from the first tub so that it can be directed back into the first tub upon a determination that the first tub has a capacity to handle the overflow fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Christinzio, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20210198992
    Abstract: A method of hydraulic fracturing includes providing a fracturing fluid to a pump. The pump includes a pressure sensor for measuring pressure at a fluid end. The method further include injecting the fracturing fluid from the pump into a wellhead via the fluid end, obtaining a first pressure measurement at a discharge side of the fluid end via the pressure sensor, obtaining a second pressure measurement at the discharge side of the fluid end via the pressure sensor, determining a pressure differential between the first pressure measurement and the second pressure measurement, and determining an operational condition of the fluid end based at least in part on the pressure differential and a known or estimated correlation between the pressure differential and the operational condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Christinzio, Arden Albert, Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20210200249
    Abstract: A pump control system includes an additive pump, the additive pump being fluidly coupled to a component of a hydraulic fracturing system. The system also includes an additive container, the additive container configured to provide an additive to the additive pump via a flow path. The system further includes a diversion system, arranged within the flow path between the additive pump and the component of the hydraulic fracturing system, the diversion system configured to redirected at least a portion of additive directed toward the component of the hydraulic fracturing system. The system includes a calibration system configured to receive the redirected portion of the additive, the calibration system adapted to adjust one or more operational parameters of the additive pump responsive to an evaluation of a flow parameter of the redirected portion of the additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Alexander Christinzio
  • Publication number: 20210198994
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a system for electric-motor driven transportation mechanism for fracturing operations is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the system includes at least one transportation mechanism to transport blender components for a blender fluid from a first tub that may be a proppant hopper to a second tub that may be a blender tub and that may be associated with a fracturing blender; an electric motor and a control unit associated with the at least one transportation mechanism; and at least one variable frequency drive (VFD) associated with the electric motors for real time control of a speed associated with the at least one transportation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Christinzio, Brandon Hinderliter, Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20210199110
    Abstract: A method of monitoring hydraulic fracturing equipment includes training a machine learning model on training data obtained from a plurality of hydraulic fracturing operations. The training data includes a corpus of operational data associated with the hydraulic fracturing operations and corresponding health conditions associated with one or more hydraulic pump fluid ends. The method further includes receiving a set of operational data associated with an active hydraulic fracturing operation, processing the set of operational data using the trained machine learning model, and determining, based on the trained machine learning model and the input set of operational data, one or more estimated health conditions of a hydraulic pump fluid end used in the active hydraulic fracturing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Arden Albert, Alexander Christinzio