Patents by Inventor Daniel Harvard Kusler
Daniel Harvard Kusler 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: 11402053Abstract: A vehicle support structure, which in petroleum wellsite operations is commonly called a rig mat or a ground stabilizing mat, includes: a main body including an upper surface, an underside, a front end and a rear end, the main body defining a planar structuring with a thickness; a front pad coupled to the main body and positioned adjacent the front end; a rear pad coupled to the main body and positioned adjacent the rear end, the front pad and the rear pad each configured to be moveable between a supporting position protruding from the underside of the main body and a retracted position in plane or retracted from the underside; a front pad drive mechanism for the front pad, the front pad drive mechanism configured to drive the front pad to move between the supporting position and the retracted position and to move the front pad forward and backwards and side to side relative to the main body; and a rear pad drive mechanism for the rear pad, the rear pad drive mechanism configured to drive the rear pad to moveType: GrantFiled: December 7, 2016Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Prostar Energy Technologies (USA) LLCInventors: Daniel John Clarke, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler
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Patent number: 11230886Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Prostar Energy Technologies (USA) LLCInventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Colin Reynold Knapp
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Patent number: 10988994Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2020Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Prostar Energy Technologies (USA) LLCInventors: Jason Peter Clarke, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Mark Charles Taggart
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Publication number: 20200332610Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2020Publication date: October 22, 2020Inventors: Jason Peter CLARKE, Douglas Andrew HUNTER, Daniel Harvard KUSLER, Mark Charles TAGGART
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Publication number: 20200325730Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 5, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: MARK CHARLES TAGGART, DOUGLAS ANDREW HUNTER, DANIEL HARVARD KUSLER, COLIN REYNOLD KNAPP
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Patent number: 10738545Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Prostar Energy Technologies (USA) LLCInventors: Jason Peter Clarke, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Mark Charles Taggart
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Patent number: 10711523Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2017Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: PROSTAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (USA) LLCInventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Colin Reynold Knapp
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Patent number: 10329874Abstract: A safety valve handling apparatus for a well operation rig includes: a mounting structure for connection to the rig; a clamp for engaging a safety valve and configured to permit rotation of the safety valve within the clamp while the safety valve remains engaged by the clamp; and an arm connected between the mounting structure and the clamp, the arm being movable and adjustable to permit movement of the clamp relative to the mounting structure. The safety valve handling apparatus can be used for controlled safety valve handling on a well operation rig, even one oriented for a slanted operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: PROSTAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES (USA) LLCInventors: Adam Wright, Daniel Harvard Kusler
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Publication number: 20190003271Abstract: For wellbore operations, a pipe handler moves pipe up to a rig floor. A pipe loader moves pipe from a presented position into alignment with well center. The pipe handler moves pipe up to a slanted presented position. The slanted presented position can be adjusted by manipulating the drive system.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Jason Peter CLARKE, Douglas Andrew HUNTER, Daniel Harvard KUSLER, Mark Charles TAGGART
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Publication number: 20180363834Abstract: A vehicle support structure, which in petroleum wellsite operations is commonly called a rig mat or a ground stabilizing mat, includes: a main body including an upper surface, an underside, a front end and a rear end, the main body defining a planar structuring with a thickness; a front pad coupled to the main body and positioned adjacent the front end; a rear pad coupled to the main body and positioned adjacent the rear end, the front pad and the rear pad each configured to be moveable between a supporting position protruding from the underside of the main body and a retracted position in plane or retracted from the underside; a front pad drive mechanism for the front pad, the front pad drive mechanism configured to drive the front pad to move between the supporting position and the retracted position and to move the front pad forward and backwards and side to side relative to the main body; and a rear pad drive mechanism for the rear pad, the rear pad drive mechanism configured to drive the rear pad to moveType: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2016Publication date: December 20, 2018Inventors: Daniel John CLARKE, Douglas Andrew HUNTER, Daniel Harvard KUSLER
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Publication number: 20180023346Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2017Publication date: January 25, 2018Inventors: MARK CHARLES TAGGART, DOUGLAS ANDREW HUNTER, DANIEL HARVARD KUSLER, COLIN REYNOLD KNAPP
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Patent number: 9797196Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: PROSTAR MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Colin Reynold Knapp
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Publication number: 20170241234Abstract: A safety valve handling apparatus for a well operation rig includes: a mounting structure for connection to the rig; a clamp for engaging a safety valve and configured to permit rotation of the safety valve within the clamp while the safety valve remains engaged by the clamp; and an arm connected between the mounting structure and the clamp, the arm being movable and adjustable to permit movement of the clamp relative to the mounting structure. The safety valve handling apparatus can be used for controlled safety valve handling on a well operation rig, even one oriented for a slanted operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: August 24, 2017Applicant: PROSTAR MANUFACTURING INC.Inventors: Adam Wright, Daniel Harvard Kusler
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Publication number: 20150259984Abstract: An automated rig apparatus for drilling or servicing a well is provided. The apparatus can include a motor vehicle having a frame, and a hinged derrick mast pivotally attached to the frame. The apparatus can further include a rack disposed in the mast and a carriage assembly with pinion motors configured to travel up and down the rack when the mast is raised to a vertical position. A tool carrier configured to receive a top drive unit or a power swivel unit can be attached to the carriage assembly. The apparatus can further include a movable platform and an operators cab configured to be moved to a desired position relative to the derrick mast when the mast is raised to a vertical position. The apparatus can further include a hydraulic drive assembly to operate the apparatus, and a mud pump and manifold for pumping drilling mud.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Mark Charles Taggart, Douglas Andrew Hunter, Daniel Harvard Kusler, Colin Reynold Knapp