Patents by Inventor Alex KUNEC

Alex KUNEC 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).

  • Publication number: 20240376790
    Abstract: A system can include a base skid with a longitudinal recess, a first end of a lift arm slidably coupled to the base skid, and a carrier configured to transport a tubular and move between a stowed position and a deployed position, where a far end of the carrier is configured to engage a first contoured surface, and where a direction of an inertia of the far end of the carrier is changed in response to engagement with the first contoured surface. A method can include disposing a carrier in a base skid, translating a ramp end along a ramp, translating a far end along the base skid toward the ramp, and engaging the far end with a contoured surface that begins to lift the far end from the base skid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2024
    Publication date: November 14, 2024
    Inventors: Alex KUNEC, Jason CRUMMEL
  • Publication number: 20240295151
    Abstract: A system that can include a vertical support rotationally coupled to a rig floor, a hoisting arm movably coupled to the vertical support, and a catwalk, wherein the hoisting arm is configured to transport the tubular between the catwalk and well center or mousehole while the vertical support maintains a substantially constant azimuthal orientation. A method can include movably coupling a vertical support to an upper track, extending an upper tailing arm a first horizontal distance from the vertical support to engage an upper portion of a tubular, retracting the upper tailing arm to move the upper portion of the tubular proximate the vertical support, and extending a hoisting arm a second horizontal distance to engage a middle portion of the tubular, wherein the second horizontal distance is less than the first horizontal distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2024
    Publication date: September 5, 2024
    Inventors: Alex KUNEC, Ashish GUPTA, Keith HAGER
  • Patent number: 11598163
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for a catwalk assembly includes a carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate to move a tubular member along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect the end of the tubular member as it moves along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate position sensor. The length of the tubular member may be determined by measuring the position of the skate relative to the proximity sensor when the end of the tubular member passes the proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Magnuson, Mario Sazo, Alex Kunec
  • Patent number: 11248424
    Abstract: A device and method for subterranean operations comprising a latch adapted to be coupled with a fingerboard of a drilling rig, the fingerboard including at least two fingers, wherein: the latch is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the latch is adapted to selectively permit entrance of a first tubular into a tubular storage area between the at least two fingers when the latch is in the open configuration, and selectively maintain the first tubular in the tubular storage area when the latch is in the closed configuration, and the latch is spaced apart from the fingerboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Magnuson, Alex Kunec, Eric Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20210131198
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for a catwalk assembly includes a carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate to move a tubular member along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect the end of the tubular member as it moves along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate position sensor. The length of the tubular member may be determined by measuring the position of the skate relative to the proximity sensor when the end of the tubular member passes the proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher MAGNUSON, Mario SAZO, Alex KUNEC
  • Publication number: 20210054699
    Abstract: A device and method for subterranean operations comprising a latch adapted to be coupled with a fingerboard of a drilling rig, the fingerboard including at least two fingers, wherein: the latch is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the latch is adapted to selectively permit entrance of a first tubular into a tubular storage area between the at least two fingers when the latch is in the open configuration, and selectively maintain the first tubular in the tubular storage area when the latch is in the closed configuration, and the latch is spaced apart from the fingerboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Christopher MAGNUSON, Alex KUNEC, Eric DEUTSCH
  • Patent number: 10927617
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for a catwalk assembly includes a carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate to move a tubular member along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect the end of the tubular member as it moves along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate position sensor. The length of the tubular member may be determined by measuring the position of the skate relative to the proximity sensor when the end of the tubular member passes the proximity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Magnuson, Mario Sazo, Alex Kunec
  • Patent number: 10837242
    Abstract: A device and method for subterranean operations comprising a latch adapted to be coupled with a fingerboard of a drilling rig, the fingerboard including at least two fingers, wherein: the latch is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the latch is adapted to selectively permit entrance of a first tubular into a tubular storage area between the at least two fingers when the latch is in the open configuration, and selectively maintain the first tubular in the tubular storage area when the latch is in the closed configuration, and the latch is spaced apart from the fingerboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Magnuson, Alex Kunec, Eric Deutsch
  • Publication number: 20200003017
    Abstract: A device and method for subterranean operations comprising a latch adapted to be coupled with a fingerboard of a drilling rig, the fingerboard including at least two fingers, wherein: the latch is selectively moveable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, the latch is adapted to selectively permit entrance of a first tubular into a tubular storage area between the at least two fingers when the latch is in the open configuration, and selectively maintain the first tubular in the tubular storage area when the latch is in the closed configuration, and the latch is spaced apart from the fingerboard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher MAGNUSON, Alex KUNEC, Eric DEUTSCH
  • Patent number: 10472903
    Abstract: A fingerboard that includes a first finger having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, a latch assembly mounted on the distal end of the finger, the latch assembly including first and second opposed bearing faces defining a first gap therebetween, a latch having first and second latch ends, the first latch end being pivotably mounted in the first gap so as to allow the latch to pivot between open and closed positions in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the first finger, and third and fourth opposed bearing faces defining a second gap therebetween, the second longitudinal space positioned to receive the second end of corresponding latch on an adjacent finger. The latch assembly may be detachably mounted on the finger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: NABORS DRILLING TECHNOLOGIES USA, INC.
    Inventor: Alex Kunec
  • Publication number: 20190186216
    Abstract: A carrier assembly for a catwalk assembly includes a carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate to move a tubular member along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a proximity sensor positioned to detect the end of the tubular member as it moves along the carrier. The carrier assembly includes a skate position sensor. The length of the tubular member may be determined by measuring the position of the skate relative to the proximity sensor when the end of the tubular member passes the proximity sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Publication date: June 20, 2019
    Inventors: Christopher MAGNUSON, Mario SAZO, Alex KUNEC
  • Publication number: 20190063167
    Abstract: A fingerboard that includes a first finger having a longitudinal axis and proximal and distal ends, a latch assembly mounted on the distal end of the finger, the latch assembly including first and second opposed bearing faces defining a first gap therebetween, a latch having first and second latch ends, the first latch end being pivotably mounted in the first gap so as to allow the latch to pivot between open and closed positions in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of the first finger, and third and fourth opposed bearing faces defining a second gap therebetween, the second longitudinal space positioned to receive the second end of corresponding latch on an adjacent finger. The latch assembly may be detachably mounted on the finger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Inventor: Alex KUNEC
  • Patent number: 10113375
    Abstract: A thread compensation apparatus including a drive connection. The drive connection portion includes an outer portion coupled to a drive apparatus and a rotating inner portion with a drive interface configured to couple to a rotating shaft of the drive apparatus. The thread compensation apparatus also includes a sleeve being rotatable with the inner portion of the drive connection, the sleeve being rotatable relative to the outer portion of the drive connection. The thread compensation apparatus includes a lower shaft which engages the sleeve, such that the sleeve can impart rotation to the lower shaft. Additionally, the lower shaft also includes a lower connection interface, such as to couple to a tubular gripping apparatus. Further, the lower shaft is displaceable relative to the sleeve and an actuator coupled to the outer portion of the drive connection operates to displace the lower shaft with respect to the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Kunec
  • Patent number: 9677350
    Abstract: A fill-up and circulation tool includes a central assembly including a mandrel, a nose assembly disposed at a terminal end of the mandrel, an outer assembly coupled to the central assembly, and a valve configured to change position between a closed position and an open position, wherein changing position between the closed position and the open position includes movement of the outer assembly relative to the central assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Canrig Drilling Technology Ltd.
    Inventor: Alex Kunec
  • Publication number: 20160138348
    Abstract: A thread compensation apparatus including a drive connection. The drive connection portion includes an outer portion coupled to a drive apparatus and a rotating inner portion with a drive interface configured to couple to a rotating shaft of the drive apparatus. The thread compensation apparatus also includes a sleeve being rotatable with the inner portion of the drive connection, the sleeve being rotatable relative to the outer portion of the drive connection. The thread compensation apparatus includes a lower shaft which engages the sleeve, such that the sleeve can impart rotation to the lower shaft. Additionally, the lower shaft also includes a lower connection interface, such as to couple to a tubular gripping apparatus. Further, the lower shaft is displaceable relative to the sleeve and an actuator coupled to the outer portion of the drive connection operates to displace the lower shaft with respect to the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2014
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Inventor: Alex Kunec
  • Publication number: 20150129198
    Abstract: According to a first aspect, a fill-up and circulation tool includes a central assembly including a mandrel, a nose assembly disposed at a terminal end of the mandrel, an outer assembly coupled to the central assembly, and a valve configured to change position between a closed position and an open position, wherein changing position between the closed position and the open position includes movement of the outer assembly relative to the central assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Alex KUNEC