Patents by Inventor Benjamin Jeffryes
Benjamin Jeffryes 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).
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Patent number: 9631477Abstract: A method for determining a drilling state of a bottom hole assembly in a wellbore includes acquiring one or more downhole sensor measurements and processing the sensor measurements using a downhole processor to determine a drilling state of the bottom hole assembly. An operating state of the bottom hole assembly may be automatically changed in response to the determined drilling state. A method for computing a dynamic drilling energy of a bottom hole assembly includes acquiring at least one sensor measurement and processing the sensor measurements to obtain at least one of (i) an energy of axial motion of the bottom hole assembly, (ii) an energy of rotational motion of the bottom hole assembly, and (iii) an energy of lateral motion of the bottom hole assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2013Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Richard Harmer, Walter David Aldred, Benjamin Jeffryes, Adam Bowler
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Patent number: 8990021Abstract: A method of determining movement dynamics of a drillstring is provided that includes the steps of calculating or measuring a friction coefficient for the sliding contact between the drillstring and the sidewall of a borehole, the friction coefficient being a varying function of non-zero sliding velocities; and predicting movement dynamics of the drillstring using the measured friction coefficient.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2009Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8791832Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Goke Akinniranye, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20140129148Abstract: A method for determining a drilling state of a bottom hole assembly in a wellbore includes acquiring one or more downhole sensor measurements and processing the sensor measurements using a downhole processor to determine a drilling state of the bottom hole assembly. An operating state of the bottom hole assembly may be automatically changed in response to the determined drilling state. A method for computing a dynamic drilling energy of a bottom hole assembly includes acquiring at least one sensor measurement and processing the sensor measurements to obtain at least one of (i) an energy of axial motion of the bottom hole assembly, (ii) an energy of rotational motion of the bottom hole assembly, and (iii) an energy of lateral motion of the bottom hole assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Richard Harmer, Walter David Aldred, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20130249703Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Inventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Goke Akinniranye, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8462013Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Goke Akinniranye, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8380438Abstract: A method for attenuating pump noise in a wellbore drilling telemetry system includes spectrally analyzing measurements of a parameter related to operation of a pump used to move drilling fluid through the drilling system. Synthetic spectra of the parameter are generated based on a number of pumps in the pump system and a selected number of harmonic frequencies for each pump. Which of the synthetic spectra most closely matches the spectrally analyzed parameter output is determined. The most closely matching synthetic spectrum is used to reduce noise in a signal detected proximate the Earth's surface transmitted from a part of the drilling system disposed in a wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2009Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Arnaud Jarrot, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8243550Abstract: A system and method is provided for communicating with a device disposed in a wellbore. Signals are sent through the Earth via signal pulses. The pulses are created by a seismic vibrator and processed by a receiver disposed in the wellbore. The receiver is in communication with the device and transfers data, such as command and control signal, to the device.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8235146Abstract: The present invention recites a method and apparatus, wherein said methods and apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a first plate, a pocket extending through the first plate, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a second plate coupled to a component that is to be actuated, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the pocket are dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the first plate and the second plate creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the second plate toward the first plate.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kjell Haugvaldstad, Ashley Johnson, Geoffrey C. Downton, Walter David Aldred, Frank F. Espinosa, Benjamin Jeffryes, Riadh Boualleg, Michael Paul Barrett
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Patent number: 8196678Abstract: A method of downlinking to a downhole tool located in a borehole is provided. The downhole tool detects transitions in the flow velocity of fluid circulating in the borehole at the downhole tool. To provide for the detection of the transitions fluid is pumped into the drillstring so that it circulates in the borehole at the downhole tool and the the pumping rate of fluid into the drillstring is either increased to a rate which overshoots a steady state pumping rate needed to produce a transition or is decreased to a rate which undershoots a steady state pumping rate needed to produce a transition.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 8136610Abstract: A system for drilling a cavity in a medium. The system may include a drill bit, a processor, and a controller. The drill bit may be configured to rotate in the medium and remove at least a portion of the medium. The processor may be configured to receive a first set of data representative of a variable rotational speed of the drill bit during a length of time in the medium, and determine, based at least in part on the first set of data, a first resonant frequency of the variable rotational speed of the drill bit. The controller may be configured to receive a second set of data representative of the first resonant frequency of the variable rotational speed of the drill bit, and vary the force applied to the drill bit based at least in part on the second set of data.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2009Date of Patent: March 20, 2012Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20110301924Abstract: A method of determining movement dynamics of a drillstring is provided that includes the steps of calculating or measuring a friction coefficient for the sliding contact between the drillstring and the sidewall of a borehole, the friction coefficient being a varying function of non-zero sliding velocities; and predicting movement dynamics of the drillstring using the measured friction coefficient.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20110139512Abstract: The present invention recites a method and apparatus, wherein said methods and apparatus comprises an actuator comprising a first plate, a pocket extending through the first plate, the pocket in fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a second plate coupled to a component that is to be actuated, wherein the first plate, the second plate, and the pocket are dimensioned such that when a pressurized fluid is discharged through the pocket, the velocity of the fluid through a gap between the first plate and the second plate creates a pressure drop sufficient to pull the second plate toward the first plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Kjell Haugvaldstad, Ashley Johnson, Geoffrey C. Downton, Walter David Aldred, Frank F. Espinosa, Benjamin Jeffryes, Riadh Boualleg, Michael Paul Barrett
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Patent number: 7946359Abstract: A method of constructing a borehole drilled with a drilling apparatus (16), the method comprises: connecting a flexible tubular liner sleeve (22) around the outside of the drilling apparatus and connecting the sleeve around an upper opening of the borehole so as to pass into the borehole; progressively extending the sleeve into the borehole as drilling progresses while maintaining connection to the drilling apparatus and borehole opening; at a predetermined point in the drilling, expanding the sleeve so as to contact the borehole wall; and setting the sleeve so as to be fixed to the borehole wall after expansion. Apparatus for use in such a method comprises: a flexible, expandable sleeve (22); a first connector for connecting the sleeve around the outside of a drilling assembly; and a second connector for connecting the sleeve around the opening of the borehole; wherein the sleeve is arranged to extend through the borehole between the connectors as drilling progresses.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Benjamin Jeffryes, Louise Bailey, Iain Cooper, Geoffrey Maitland, Dominique Guillot
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Publication number: 20100328095Abstract: Aspects of the inventions generally provide a method and apparatus for coupling a communication sub to a wired drill pipe. In one aspect, a surface of a coupler head is non threaded and configured to provide a retaining force. In another aspect, a coupler head is coupled to a body, and a support mechanism is coupled to the body and configured to secure the coupler head within a receiving end of the wired drill pipe. In another aspect, a method of placing a communication sub involves inserting the communication sub into the receiving end of the wired drill pipe, adjusting the position of the communication sub until an indication of signal communication between the communication sub and the wired drill pipe is observed, and after the indication of signal communication is observed, retaining the communication sub within the receiving end until removal of the communication sub is desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Inventors: Andrew Hawthorn, Goke Akinniranye, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20100314169Abstract: A method for attenuating pump noise in a wellbore drilling telemetry system includes spectrally analyzing measurements of a parameter related to operation of a pump used to move drilling fluid through the drilling system. Synthetic spectra of the parameter are generated based on a number of pumps in the pump system and a selected number of harmonic frequencies for each pump. Which of the synthetic spectra most closely matches the spectrally analyzed parameter output is determined. The most closely matching synthetic spectrum is used to reduce noise in a signal detected proximate the Earth's surface transmitted from a part of the drilling system disposed in a wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2009Publication date: December 16, 2010Inventors: Arnaud Jarrot, Benjamin Jeffryes
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Patent number: 7705295Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate in general to methods and apparatus for determining downhole mud flow rates and other downhole parameters.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20100084192Abstract: A method of downlinking to a downhole tool located in a borehole is provided. The downhole tool detects transitions in the flow velocity of fluid circulating in the borehole at the downhole tool. To provide for the detection of the transitions fluid is pumped into the drillstring so that it circulates in the borehole at the downhole tool and the pumping rate of fluid into the drillstring is either increased to a rate which overshoots a steady state pumping rate needed to produce a transition or is decreased to a rate which undershoots a steady state pumping rate needed to produce a transition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20090266608Abstract: According to the invention, a system for drilling a cavity in a medium is disclosed. The system may include a drill bit, a processor, and a controller. The drill bit may be configured to rotate in the medium and remove at least a portion of the medium. The processor may be configured to receive a first set of data representative of a variable rotational speed of the drill bit during a length of time in the medium, and determine, based at least in part on the first set of data, a first resonant frequency of the variable rotational speed of the drill bit. The controller may be configured to receive a second set of data representative of the first resonant frequency of the variable rotational speed of the drill bit, and vary the force applied to the drill bit based at least in part on the second set of data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2009Publication date: October 29, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Benjamin Jeffryes
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Publication number: 20090178809Abstract: A method of constructing a borehole drilled with a drilling apparatus (16), the method comprises: connecting a flexible tubular liner sleeve (22) around the outside of the drilling apparatus and connecting the sleeve around an upper opening of the borehole so as to pass into the borehole; progressively extending the sleeve into the borehole as drilling progresses while maintaining connection to the drilling apparatus and borehole opening; at a predetermined point in the drilling, expanding the sleeve so as to contact the borehole wall; and setting the sleeve so as to be fixed to the borehole wall after expansion. Apparatus for use in such a method comprises: a flexible, expandable sleeve (22); a first connector for connecting the sleeve around the outside of a drilling assembly; and a second connector for connecting the sleeve around the opening of the borehole; wherein the sleeve is arranged to extend through the borehole between the connectors as drilling progresses.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2006Publication date: July 16, 2009Inventors: Benjamin Jeffryes, Louise Bailey, Iain Cooper, Geoffrey Maitland, Dominique Guillot