Patents by Inventor Charles Lee Mauldin

Charles Lee Mauldin 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: 10480304
    Abstract: Downhole drilling vibration analysis uses an angular rate sensor on a drilling assembly. During drilling operations, the sensor measures the angular rate of the drilling assembly. Processing circuitry is operatively coupled to the angular rate sensor and is configured to determine whether torsional type vibrations are occurring during drilling based on the angular rate data. Drilling operations can then be modified to overcome or mitigate the torsional type vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Lee Mauldin, Roger P. Bartel, Richard Berns
  • Patent number: 10100630
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating incremental depth and/or other useful data of a downhole tool. The incremental depth and/or other useful data of the downhole tool being communicated by measuring at least one change in the downhole system, detecting the change downhole, and subsequently determining the incremental depth and/or other useful data of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin
  • Publication number: 20150226050
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating incremental depth and/or other useful data of a downhole tool. The incremental depth and/or other useful data of the downhole tool being communicated by measuring at least one change in the downhole system, detecting the change downhole, and subsequently determining the incremental depth and/or other useful data of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin
  • Patent number: 8881844
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for steering the direction of a borehole advanced by cutting action of a rotary drill bit by periodically varying action of a drill bit while continuously rotating a drill string to which the drill bit is operationally attached. The steering system can include a bit perturbation device cooperating with a bent housing subsection and operationally connected to the drill string and to the drill bit. Drill bit action can be varied by periodically varying the rotation speed and/or rate of penetration of the drill bit. Periodic drill bit action results in preferential cutting of material from a predetermined arc of the borehole wall which, in turn, results in borehole deviation. Action of the drill bit can be varied independently of the rotation rate of the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Reid Farley, Michael Louis Larronde, Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin, Robert Anthony Aiello
  • Patent number: 8417456
    Abstract: Downhole drilling vibration analysis uses acceleration data measured in three orthogonal axes downhole while drilling to determine whether drilling assembly's efficiency has fallen to a point where the assembly needs to be pulled. In real or near real time, a downhole tool calculates impulse in at least one direction using the measured acceleration data over an acquisition period and determines whether the calculated impulse exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold for the acquisition period. If the impulse exceeds the threshold, the tool pulses the impulse data to the surface where the calculated impulse is correlated to efficiency of the assembly as the drillstring is used to drill in real time. Based on the correlation, operators can determine whether to pull the assembly if excessive impulse occurs continuously over a predetermined penetration depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Lee Mauldin, Barry Vincent Schneider, Mark Adrian Smith
  • Publication number: 20120290209
    Abstract: Downhole drilling vibration analysis uses acceleration data measured in three orthogonal axes downhole while drilling to determine whether drilling assembly's efficiency has fallen to a point where the assembly needs to be pulled. In real or near real time, a downhole tool calculates impulse in at least one direction using the measured acceleration data over an acquisition period and determines whether the calculated impulse exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold for the acquisition period. If the impulse exceeds the threshold, the tool pulses the impulse data to the surface where the calculated impulse is correlated to efficiency of the assembly as the drillstring is used to drill in real time. Based on the correlation, operators can determine whether to pull the assembly if excessive impulse occurs continuously over a predetermined penetration depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Lee Mauldin, Barry Vincent Schneider, Mark Adrian Smith
  • Patent number: 8255163
    Abstract: Downhole drilling vibration analysis uses acceleration data measured in three orthogonal axes downhole while drilling to determine whether drilling assembly's efficiency has fallen to a point where the assembly needs to be pulled. In real or near real time, a downhole tool calculates impulse in at least one direction using the measured acceleration data over an acquisition period and determines whether the calculated impulse exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold for the acquisition period. If the impulse exceeds the threshold, the tool pulses the impulse data to the surface where the calculated impulse is correlated to efficiency of the assembly as the drillstring is used to drill in real time. Based on the correlation, operators can determine whether to pull the assembly if excessive impulse occurs continuously over a predetermined penetration depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Lee Mauldin, Barry Vincent Schneider, Mark Adrian Smith
  • Publication number: 20120000709
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for steering the direction of a borehole advanced by cutting action of a rotary drill bit by periodically varying action of a drill bit while continuously rotating a drill string to which the drill bit is operationally attached. The steering system can include a bit perturbation device cooperating with a bent housing subsection and operationally connected to the drill string and to the drill bit. Drill bit action can be varied by periodically varying the rotation speed and/or rate of penetration of the drill bit. Periodic drill bit action results in preferential cutting of material from a predetermined arc of the borehole wall which, in turn, results in borehole deviation. Action of the drill bit can be varied independently of the rotation rate of the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Reid Farley, Michael Louis Larronde, Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin, Robert Anthony Aiello
  • Publication number: 20110108327
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for steering the direction of a borehole advanced by cutting action of a rotary drill bit by periodically varying action of a drill bit while continuously rotating a drill string to which the drill bit is operationally attached. The steering system can include a bit perturbation device cooperating with a bent housing subsection and operationally connected to the drill string and to the drill bit. Drill bit action can be varied by periodically varying the rotation speed and/or rate of penetration of the drill bit. Periodic drill bit action results in preferential cutting of material from a predetermined arc of the borehole wall which, in turn, results in borehole deviation. Action of the drill bit can be varied independently of the rotation rate of the drill string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Reid Farley, Michael Louis Larronde, Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin, Robert Anthony Aiello
  • Publication number: 20100163308
    Abstract: A system for steering the direction of a borehole advanced by cutting action of a rotary drill bit by periodically varying action of a drill bit while continuously rotating a drill string to which the drill bit is operationally attached. The steering system comprises a bit perturbation device cooperating with a bent housing subsection and operationally connected to the drill string and to the drill bit. Drill bit action is varied by periodic varying the rotation speed or rate of penetration of the drill bit. Periodic drill bit action results in preferential cutting of material from a predetermined arc of the borehole wall which, in turn, resulting in borehole deviation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Reid Farley, Michael Louis Larronde, Roger P. Bartel, Charles Lee Mauldin, Robert Anthony Aiello
  • Publication number: 20100082256
    Abstract: Downhole drilling vibration analysis uses acceleration data measured in three orthogonal axes downhole while drilling to determine whether drilling assembly's efficiency has fallen to a point where the assembly needs to be pulled. In real or near real time, a downhole tool calculates impulse in at least one direction using the measured acceleration data over an acquisition period and determines whether the calculated impulse exceeds a predetermined acceleration threshold for the acquisition period. If the impulse exceeds the threshold, the tool pulses the impulse data to the surface where the calculated impulse is correlated to efficiency of the assembly as the drillstring is used to drill in real time. Based on the correlation, operators can determine whether to pull the assembly if excessive impulse occurs continuously over a predetermined penetration depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Applicant: PRECISION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Lee Mauldin, Barry Vincent Schneider, Mark Adrian Smith