Patents by Inventor Brandon N. Hinderliter

Brandon N. Hinderliter 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: 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: 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
  • 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: 20210159677
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may 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 so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation; 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; and at least one switchgear electrically coupled to the at least one generator and configured to distribute an electrical load between the plurality of electric pumps and the at least one generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: May 27, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20210140423
    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: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2021
    Publication date: May 13, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20210102451
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a support structure having a first area at a first height and a second area at a second height, the first and second areas adjacent one another. The system also includes an electric powered, multi-plunger pump with an odd number of plungers, arranged in the first area, the electric powered pump coupled to a well, via outlet piping, and powered by at least one electric motor, also arranged in the first area. The system further includes a variable frequency drive (VFD), arranged in the second area, connected to the at least one electric motor, the VFD configured to control at least a speed of the at least one electric motor. The system also includes a transformer, arranged in the second area, the transformer positioned within an enclosure with the VFD, the transformer distributing power to the electric pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Publication date: April 8, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20210095552
    Abstract: Embodiments include a hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation. The system includes an electric pump, arranged on a first support structure, the electric pump coupled 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 so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation. The system also includes support equipment, arranged on a second support structure, electrically coupled to the electric pump, wherein the support equipment includes at least a transformer for distributing power to the electric pump, the power being received from at least one generator at a voltage higher than an operating voltage of the electric pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Patent number: 10927802
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20210041009
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is described according to various embodiments. In an embodiment, the system can include a multi-plunger hydraulic fracturing pump fluidly connected to a well associated with the subterranean formation, the multi-plunger pump configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with the well at a high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the subterranean formation and fractures the subterranean formation. In an embodiment, a plurality of motors can be positioned to power the multi-plunger pump, and a planetary gear train can have a plurality of pinion gears in rotational contact with each of the plurality of motors. In an embodiment, a gear ratio of the planetary gear train and a speed at which the plurality of motors operates can be selected so as to limit a maximum pump speed associated with the multi-plunger pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Lon Robinson, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Alexander James Christinzio
  • Patent number: 10914155
    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 slide out platform integrated into the first area, the slide out platform being driven between a retracted position and a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter, Lon Robinson
  • Publication number: 20210032961
    Abstract: A system for powering electric hydraulic fracturing equipment, the system including a power storage system and electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment in selective electrical communication with the power storage system. The system further includes at least one circuit breaker between the power storage system and the electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment, the circuit breaker configured to facilitate or prevent electrical communication between the power storage system and the electric powered hydraulic fracturing equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon N. Hinderliter, Jared Oehring, Steven Riley
  • Publication number: 20200386077
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system includes a plurality of pumps positioned at a wellsite and configured to pressurize a fracturing fluid, a distribution system fluidly coupled to receive and consolidate fracturing fluid from the plurality of pumps for injection into a wellhead. The hydraulic fracturing system further includes a control system, which includes a plurality of sensing devices configured to measure one or more parameters of the plurality of pumps and the distribution system, one or more processing device configured to receive and analyze the one or more parameters measured by the plurality of sensing devices and generate control instructions based at least in part on the one or more parameters, and one or more control device configured 110 to receive the control instructions and control one or more aspects of the plurality of pumps or the distribution system based on the control instructions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared OEHRING, Alexander James CHRISTINZIO, Brandon N. HINDERLITER
  • Publication number: 20200362681
    Abstract: A system and a method for use of electric motors in fracturing operations are disclosed. The system includes an electric motor, a turbine generator, an encoderless vector control subsystem, and at least one pump. The turbine generator is adapted to generate electric power for the system. The encoderless vector control subsystem is coupled between the turbine generator and the electric motor to control the electric motor using determined parameters that are based in part on vibration induced in a feature associated with the turbine generator. The at least one pump is adapted to receive torque input from the electric motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Publication date: November 19, 2020
    Inventors: Lon Robinson, Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20200355120
    Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system for fracturing a subterranean formation is disclosed. In an embodiment, the system may include a plurality of electric pumps configured to pump fluid into a wellbore associated with a well at a high pressure; at least one turbine generator electrically coupled to the plurality of electric pumps so as to generate electricity for use by the plurality of electric pumps, each turbine generator having at least one air intake channel; and an air chiller system associated with the at least one turbine generator, the air chiller system comprising: a chiller unit configured to chill a fluid; and at least one coil in fluid communication with the chiller unit and positioned adjacent to the at least one air intake channel, wherein the air chiller system is configured to increase a power output of the at least one turbine generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Brandon N. Hinderliter