Patents by Inventor Alan Wayne Burkhard

Alan Wayne Burkhard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10352468
    Abstract: A fluid control system has a body with the inlet passage in fluid communication with a discharge passage. The position of a choke piston in the body controls flow of the fluid from the inlet passage to the discharge passage. A controller connected to the body has an actuator connected to a linkage that is connected to the choke piston. The controller positions the choke piston in the body using the actuator and the linkage to control the flow of a fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Samuel Philip Easter, Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20160290526
    Abstract: A fluid control system has a body with the inlet passage in fluid communication with a discharge passage. The position of a choke piston in the body controls flow of the fluid from the inlet passage to the discharge passage. A controller connected to the body has an actuator connected to a linkage that is connected to the choke piston. The controller positions the choke piston in the body using the actuator and the linkage to control the flow of a fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Inventors: Samuel Philip Easter, Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Patent number: 9033156
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a skid having a skid magnet and a basket having a basket magnet disposed on the basket, wherein the skid magnet and the basket magnets are arranged to magnetically interact. Also, a method for operating a vibratory separator that includes supplying a current to a skid electromagnet disposed on a skid of the vibratory separator, and interacting the skid electromagnet with a basket magnet disposed on a basket of the vibratory separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Patent number: 8800780
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a basket including a first magnetic component disposed on the basket and a motor including a motor shaft and a second magnetic component coupled to the motor shaft. Furthermore, the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are arranged to magnetically interact, and the interaction between the first magnetic components and the second magnetic component imparts a vibratory motion to the basket. Additionally, a method of operating a vibratory separator including injecting drilling material into a vibratory separator. The vibratory separator including a basket including a first magnetic component disposed on the basket and a motor including a motor shaft and a second magnetic component coupled to the motor shaft, wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are arranged to magnetically interact, and wherein the interaction between the first magnetic components and the second magnetic component imparts a vibratory motion to the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Patent number: 8596463
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a frame, a basket disposed on the frame, and a motor configured to impart a vibratory motion to the basket. Additionally, the vibratory separator includes an adjustable speed drive operatively coupled to the motor to control a vibratory motion imparted to the basket. Also, a method of processing drilling waste including generating a first vibratory motion on a vibratory separator using at least one motor, and adjusting the first vibratory motion using an adjustable speed drive to generate a second vibratory motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Patent number: 8418989
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid control system and method of controlling operating pressures within a fluid system, where the fluid control system includes a choke assembly, a pressure generating device, and a linear motor. The choke assembly may include a housing and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing, controlling the flow of a fluid from an inlet passage to an outlet passage. The fluid applies a force on a first end of the choke member. The pressure generating device may be fluidly connected to a chamber and may contain a control fluid that applies a first force on a second end of the choke member. The linear motor may apply a second force on the second end of the choke member. The difference between the forces applied to the first and second ends of the choke member may affect the movement of the choke member in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Nicolas Christopher Wade Thiessen
  • Patent number: 8360099
    Abstract: A failure protection apparatus including an air source providing air having an air pressure, a first valve in fluid communication with the air source permitting a control fluid to flow to a pressure control assembly when the air pressure is at least a minimum pressure and preventing flow of the control fluid to the assembly when the air pressure is below a minimum pressure, the assembly containing control fluid at a predetermined pressure that is maintained when the air pressure is below the minimum pressure, a second valve in communication with the air source permitting communication of air between an inlet and an outlet when the air pressure is below the minimum pressure, a third valve in communication with the air source, a pressure container in communication with the third valve outlet and having an outlet that feeds air to the second valve to actuate a warning device attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Michael Scott Sawyer, Roger Lane Suter
  • Patent number: 8141714
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a vibratory screen separator and methods for using a vibratory screen separator. The vibratory screen separator may have a stationary base, a movable basket, and at least one linear motor for imparting motion to the movable basket, and methods for using the vibratory screen separator. The linear motor may include a stationary component and a moving component, wherein the moving component is coupled to the movable basket, and wherein the stationary component is coupled to the stationary base. The method may include passing a material including solid particles onto the screen, and moving the basket with at least one linear motor having a movable component coupled to the basket and a stationary component coupled to a base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20110060469
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a frame, a basket disposed on the frame, and a motor configured to impart a vibratory motion to the basket. Additionally, the vibratory separator includes an adjustable speed drive operatively coupled to the motor to control a vibratory motion imparted to the basket. Also, a method of processing drilling waste including generating a first vibratory motion on a vibratory separator using at least one motor, and adjusting the first vibratory motion using an adjustable speed drive to generate a second vibratory motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Patent number: 7828080
    Abstract: A method for controlling a peripheral drilling operation involves obtaining a first property of a first drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, via a wireless network, obtaining a second property of a second drilling operation component associated with the peripheral drilling operation, generating a control signal for the first drilling operation component, based on the first property and the second property, and communicating the control signal to the first drilling operation component, via the wireless network, where the first drilling operation component is adjusted, based on the control signal, to control the peripheral drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Mario Zamora
  • Patent number: 7699071
    Abstract: A method of controlling one or more operating pressures within a subterranean borehole that includes a choke assembly is disclosed. The choke assembly may include a housing having an inlet passage, an axial bore, and a chamber, wherein a portion of the axial bore forms an outlet passage, and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing to control the flow of a fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. The method may include applying a closing force to move the choke member toward a closed position, and applying a bias force to the choke member when in the closed position to reduce an overpressure required to initiate movement of the choke member from the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Nicolas Christopher Wade Thiessen
  • Publication number: 20080203345
    Abstract: An orifice for use in a flow control valve, the orifice may include a fixed choke plate having at least one aperture therethrough for conducting fluids and a rotating choke plate having at least one aperture therethrough for conducting fluids. The rotating choke plate may be concentric with and disposed face-to-face with the fixed choke plate. Each of the apertures in the fixed choke plate and rotating choke plate include a rounded head section and a crescent tail section. Rotation of the rotating choke plate relative to the fixed choke plate varies an alignment of the fixed choke plate aperture and the rotating choke plate aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20080164068
    Abstract: A system for cleaning drill cuttings is disclosed, the system including a degassing module configured to substantially degas water; a washing module in fluid communication with the degassing module configured to wash drill cuttings with a washing fluid containing the degassed water; a gassing module in fluid communication with the washing module configured to gas the washing fluid; and an oil removal module in fluid communication with the gassing module configured to separate oily contaminants from the gassed washing fluid. A method for cleaning drill cuttings is also disclosed, the method including substantially degassing water; washing drill cuttings with a washing fluid containing the degassed water; gassing the washing fluid; and separating oily contaminants from the gassed washing fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20080156707
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a vibratory separator that includes a basket having a basket magnet and a frame having an electromagnet. The electromagnet and the basket magnet are arranged to magnetically interact, and the interaction imparts a vibratory motion to the basket. Furthermore, embodiments relate to a method to operate a vibratory separator that includes depositing drilling material on the vibratory separator. The vibratory separator includes a basket having a basket magnet, a frame having an electromagnet, and a variable frequency drive operatively coupled to the electromagnet. Furthermore, the method includes instructing the variable frequency drive to control the electromagnet and imparting a vibratory motion to the basket with the electromagnet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20080149539
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a vibratory screen separator and methods for using a vibratory screen separator. The vibratory screen separator may have a stationary base, a movable basket, and at least one linear motor for imparting motion to the movable basket, and methods for using the vibratory screen separator. The linear motor may include a stationary component and a moving component, wherein the moving component is coupled to the movable basket, and wherein the stationary component is coupled to the stationary base. The method may include passing a material including solid particles onto the screen, and moving the basket with at least one linear motor having a movable component coupled to the basket and a stationary component coupled to a base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20080149537
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a skid having a skid magnet and a basket having a basket magnet disposed on the basket, wherein the skid magnet and the basket magnets are arranged to magnetically interact. Also, a method for operating a vibratory separator that includes supplying a current to a skid electromagnet disposed on a skid of the vibratory separator, and interacting the skid electromagnet with a basket magnet disposed on a basket of the vibratory separator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard
  • Publication number: 20080149182
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid control system and a method of controlling operating pressures within a fluid system. The fluid control system may include a choke assembly and a linear motor. The choke assembly may have a housing having an inlet passage, an axial bore, and a chamber, wherein a portion of the axial bore forms an outlet passage, and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing to control the flow of a fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. The linear motor may control a position of the choke member in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Nicolas Christopher Wade Thiessen
  • Publication number: 20080149200
    Abstract: Disclosed are a fluid control system and method of controlling operating pressures within a fluid system, where the fluid control system includes a choke assembly, a pressure generating device, and a linear motor. The choke assembly may include a housing and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing, controlling the flow of a fluid from an inlet passage to an outlet passage. The fluid applies a force on a first end of the choke member. The pressure generating device may be fluidly connected to a chamber and may contain a control fluid that applies a first force on a second end of the choke member. The linear motor may apply a second force on the second end of the choke member. The difference between the forces applied to the first and second ends of the choke member may affect the movement of the choke member in the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Nicolas Christopher Wade Thiessen
  • Publication number: 20080149391
    Abstract: A method of controlling one or more operating pressures within a subterranean borehole that includes a choke assembly comprising a housing having an inlet passage, an axial bore, and a chamber, wherein a portion of the axial bore forms an outlet passage, and a choke member adapted for movement in the housing to control the flow of a fluid from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. The method may include applying a closing force to move the choke member toward a closed position, and applying a bias force to the choke member when in the closed position to reduce an overpressure required to initiate movement of the choke member from the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Alan Wayne Burkhard, Nicolas Christopher Wade Thiessen
  • Publication number: 20080149538
    Abstract: A vibratory separator including a basket including a first magnetic component disposed on the basket and a motor including a motor shaft and a second magnetic component coupled to the motor shaft. Furthermore, the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are arranged to magnetically interact, and the interaction between the first magnetic components and the second magnetic component imparts a vibratory motion to the basket. Additionally, a method of operating a vibratory separator including injecting drilling material into a vibratory separator. The vibratory separator including a basket including a first magnetic component disposed on the basket and a motor including a motor shaft and a second magnetic component coupled to the motor shaft, wherein the first magnetic component and the second magnetic component are arranged to magnetically interact, and wherein the interaction between the first magnetic components and the second magnetic component imparts a vibratory motion to the basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventor: Alan Wayne Burkhard