Patents Examined by Abby J Flynn
  • Patent number: 11952897
    Abstract: A system for remotely operating a machine, such as a mine vehicle, includes at least one first emitter for emitting a first signal corresponding to a first zone adjacent to the machine. A transmitter is provided for receiving the first signal emitted by the emitter, the transmitter being adapted for issuing commands for controlling the machine and also indicating the presence of the transmitter in the first zone. A controller is also provided for controlling the machine based on the control signals from the transmitter based on the presence of the transmitter in the first zone. Related methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: J.H. FLETCHER & CO.
    Inventors: Craig Matthew Collins, Billy Davis Goad, Jr., Robert William Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 11952896
    Abstract: A tool for removing material includes a body, an ultrahard insert, and a matrix. The body has a forward portion, an opposing rear portion, and a longitudinal axis therebetween. The ultrahard insert includes an ultrahard material, and the ultrahard insert is mounted to and contacts the body proximate the forward portion. The matrix contacts the body and the ultrahard insert. The matrix is mechanically interlocked with the body and at least a portion of the matrix is positioned circumferentially around at least a portion of the forward portion of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yahua Bao, J. Daniel Belnap, Francis E. Leany, Ronald B. Crockett, Dwain Norris, Anatoliy Garan
  • Patent number: 11939829
    Abstract: A setting tool for actuating a downhole component includes an inner tubular configured to be connected in fluid communication with a borehole string, a housing configured to define a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber isolated from the first fluid chamber and in fluid communication with the inner tubular, and a setting piston in pressure communication with the second fluid chamber. The setting tool includes a metering module coupled to the housing and disposed at an end of the first fluid chamber, the metering module including a fluid path forming a restriction therein, and an outlet connected to the fluid path. The outlet is configured to be opened to permit fluid to flow out of the first chamber at a controlled rate to generate a differential pressure between the first and second chambers that causes the setting piston to apply a gradually increasing force on the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: Wilfred Provost
  • Patent number: 11927091
    Abstract: A drill bit has a plurality of cutters secured to the bit body, including a gauge cutter defining a gauge diameter of the drill bit. A reciprocating gauge assembly on the bit comprises a cavity defined in the bit body, a piston reciprocably disposed in the cavity, a wear element on an outwardly facing end of the piston, a piston retainer for moveably retaining the piston in the cavity, and a spring biasing the piston outwardly to a neutral position of the wear element with respect to the gauge diameter. The wear element and piston may be urged inwardly in response to an applied load at the drill bit gauge pad, increasing the lateral depth of cut and thereby controlling the aggressiveness of the bit in response to the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Van Jordan Brackin, Trung Huynh, Kelley Leigh Plunkett, Kevin Clark, Andrew David Lake, Darien Louis Gurka, Jr., Daniel Brendan Voglewede, Curtis Clifford Lanning, William Brian Atkins
  • Patent number: 11926972
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system for removing road material. In an embodiment, the system may include a milling drum and at least one pick mounted on the milling drum. Furthermore, the pick may include polycrystalline diamond at least partially forming one or more working surfaces of the pick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: US Synthetic Corporation
    Inventors: Regan Leland Burton, Andrew E. Dadson, Mohammad N. Sani
  • Patent number: 11920457
    Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to a sensor for a downhole tool. The downhole tool can include a collar and a sensor. The sensor can be secured to the collar for measuring one or more operational characteristics of the downhole tool during operation of the downhole tool. The sensor can include a substrate. The sensor can also include a plurality of strain gauges disposed on the substrate. The plurality of strain gauges can be configured to measure axial strains and torsional strains on the collar for measuring the one or more operational characteristics of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Svetozar D. Simeonov, Pralay K. Das, Maxim Nikolayevich Yushko, Michael Dewayne Finke
  • Patent number: 11913321
    Abstract: An apparatus for gas-liquid separation includes a first separation region that receives a mixture of liquids and gases, at least a portion of the first separation region forms a conical section; a second separation region that receives liquids and gases from the first separation region; and a cross-over section fluidly connecting the second separation region to a tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11898442
    Abstract: A method for formation pore pressure prediction involves obtaining an input parameter set while drilling a well. The input parameter set includes surface drilling parameters, logging while drilling parameters, and advanced mud gas measurements. The method further involves generating, from the input parameter set, a reduced input parameter set, by eliminating at least one input parameter of the input parameter set that is considered non-relevant for predicting the pore pressure, and predicting the pore pressure by applying a machine learning model to the reduced input parameter set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fatai A. Anifowose, Mokhles M. Mezghani
  • Patent number: 11898438
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include methods to monitor expansion of a metallic sealant deployed in a wellbore, methods to monitor downhole fluid displacement, and downhole metallic sealant measurement systems. The method to monitor expansion of a downhole metallic sealant includes deploying a metallic sealant deployed along a section of a wellbore. The method also includes exposing the metallic sealant to a reacting fluid to initiate a galvanic reaction. The method further includes measuring a change in temperature caused by the galvanic reaction. The method further includes determining an amount of expansion of the metallic sealant based on the change in the temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Linley Fripp, Stephen Michael Greci, John Todd Broome
  • Patent number: 11891895
    Abstract: A bit holder that includes a front body portion and a shank axially depending from the bottom of the front body portion. The shank of the bit holder includes at least one slot and at least one annular ring disposed partially or nearly circumferentially around the shank. The slotted shank of the bit holder and the at least one annular ring are radially compressible to achieve and maintain an interference fit when inserted into a bore of a base block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: The Sollami Company
    Inventor: Phillip Sollami
  • Patent number: 11891762
    Abstract: Systems and methods can sense, using a vibration sensor disposed relative to a rotor of a milling machine, vibration associated with a cutting operation of the rotor of the milling machine; and determine during the cutting operation whether the sensed vibration associated with the cutting operation of the rotor indicates now that the rotor is cutting a second material different from a first material being previously cut by the rotor during the cutting operation. The second material can be harder than the first material. Cutting operations of the milling machine can be controlled based on identification of the rotor cutting the second material. The cutting operations can include speed of the milling machine, cutting level and/or depth of the rotor, and/or rotational speed of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Edwin Carr, Paul J. Koenen, Gianfranco Perri, Nathan Louis Mashek
  • Patent number: 11891763
    Abstract: A machine for roadwork can include a frame, a power source, and a milling rotor operatively connected to the power source and the frame. The machine can also include means for detecting obstacles around an exterior of the machine; and means for activating an obstacle-detection response. The obstacle-detection response can adjust at least one milling parameter, change at least one sensor that the machine uses to control at least one mil ling parameter, or override at least one system on the machine to prevent the machine from automatically adjusting any milling parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Nathaniel S. Doy, Heath Daryl Wilson
  • Patent number: 11885080
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a cutting rotor, a foldable conveyor, a sensor, and a controller. The cutting rotor is configured to mill material beneath the milling machine. The foldable conveyor is configured to receive and dispose the milled material and includes a first section and a second section foldable with respect to the first section at a fold structure. The sensor is positioned on the milling machine and configured to sense a value indicative of a force acting on the second section. The controller is configured to determine an amount of the milled material within the second section of the foldable conveyor using the value indicative of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11885081
    Abstract: A milling machine includes a rotor drive transmission having a plurality of gears disposed between a prime mover and a cutting rotor. The rotor drive transmission is associated with a rotor transmission hydraulic circuit including a hydraulic gearshift actuator to engage the plurality of gears in one or more gear ratios and a gearshift directional control valve to direct hydraulic fluid to and from the hydraulic gearshift actuator. In occurrence of a fault condition, the rotor transmission hydraulic circuit includes a gearshift trapping valve to maintain hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic gear actuator and the engaged gear ratio of the rotor drive transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventors: Derek P. Nieuwsma, Nathaniel S. Doy, Brian J. Schlenker, Ryan A. Enot
  • Patent number: 11879303
    Abstract: A plug assembly includes an expandable assembly and a locking ring. The expandable assembly is adapted to be deformed radially over the locking ring. The locking ring has a stopping inner surface. The plug assembly is used with an untethered object, which has an outer surface adapted to couple with the stopping inner surface of the locking ring. The untethered object is also adapted to contact an inner surface of the plug assembly and, using well fluid pressure, to apply forces to the plug assembly. The forces cause the longitudinal movement of the untethered object while contacting the inner surface of the plug assembly until the untethered object contacts the stopping inner surface of the locking ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: SOLGIX, INC
    Inventor: Gregoire Max Jacob
  • Patent number: 11873718
    Abstract: A propulsion control device of a 3D printing-based tunnel boring machine, includes two propulsion control modules, and each of which includes tunnel support assemblies, a propulsion control assembly and a barrel body, where a propulsion sliding sleeve is arranged on an outer surface, and several tunnel support assemblies are arranged on an outer side of each propulsion sliding sleeve. Support plates on the two propulsion control modules alternately rise to support a 3D printed tunnel pipe. In the propulsion control module with the support plates in a closed state, a propulsion hydraulic cylinder controls a propulsion hydraulic cylinder extending end to contract, so as to pull the propulsion sliding sleeve to a front section of the barrel body; and in the propulsion control module with the support plates in a support state, the barrel body continuously advances relative to the propulsion sliding sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Zhejiang University City College
    Inventors: Zhi Ding, Yingtao Hu, Zhen Wang, Chao Ding, Huiping Tang, Liangpeng Che
  • Patent number: 11866892
    Abstract: A cold planer can include a frame; a milling assembly including a drum housing and a cutting rotor located within the drum housing, the drum housing including a discharge port; a primary conveyor coupled to the frame, wherein the primary conveyor is positioned near the discharge port so as to receive material through the discharge port; a secondary conveyor positioned to receive material off an end of the primary conveyor; a sensor associated with the secondary conveyor to sense a load on the secondary conveyor; and a controller configured to receive information from the sensor regarding the load and to control a speed of the secondary conveyor based on the information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Colton J. Hirman
  • Patent number: 11866891
    Abstract: An adjustable pitch rotor for a milling machine includes an inner drum and an outer shell formed by first and second outer shell portions. Drum cutting assemblies with cutting bits extend outward from outer surfaces of the outer shell portions, with each of the cutting bits being longitudinally spaced from longitudinally adjacent cutting bits on their respective outer shell portions by a pitch distance. In a first pitch configuration, each cutting bit may be longitudinally aligned with a corresponding cutting bit on the other outer shell portion so that grooves milled in a work surface by the rotor are spaced by the pitch distance. In a second pitch configuration, each of the cutting bits may be longitudinally spaced from longitudinally adjacent cutting bits of the other outer shell portion by one-half the pitch distance to mill grooves in the work surface that are spaced by one-half the pitch distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Paving Products Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas B. Johnson
  • Patent number: 11851831
    Abstract: A ground milling machine, comprising a machine frame, an operator platform, a drive engine, travelling apparatuses, a milling unit, a conveying apparatus for transporting milled material from the milling unit to a discharge point with a transfer conveyor and a downstream loading conveyor, and with a material transfer apparatus arranged in a material transfer region between transfer conveyor and loading conveyor, which material transfer apparatus is configured so as to direct milled material from the transfer conveyor to the loading conveyor, the transfer conveyor and the loading conveyor each comprising a support frame, wherein the material transfer apparatus comprises a milled-material-directing transfer chute, wherein the transfer chute has a chute guide surface extending at least partially in a horizontal direction and running in an at least partially descending manner from the transfer conveyor to the loading conveyor, and wherein the transfer chute is arranged at least partially immovably with respect to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BOMAG GMBH
    Inventor: Matthias Schaaf
  • Patent number: 11851830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a distance of a height-adjustable side shield of a milling drum box of a ground milling machine, in particular a road milling machine, a recycler or a stabilizer, in vertical direction with respect to the ground, comprising the steps of: ascertaining a reference value for the height setting of the side shield from operating parameters of the ground milling machine, determining a desired distance (d) between the side shield and the ground, the desired distance (d) ensuring the safety of persons located next to the ground milling machine, ascertaining a necessary height setting of the side shield from the reference value and the desired distance (d), and setting the position of the side shield with respect to the ground in observance of the desired distance (d), so that the side shield is guided, in vertical downward direction, without contact to the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: BOMAG GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Ponstein, Thomas Thelen