Patents by Inventor David A. Harms

David A. Harms 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: 8474485
    Abstract: Three-position fluid valves for use in downhole environments are disclosed. An example valve includes first, second and third ports, a chamber coupled to the second port, a first sleeve to selectively couple the first port to the chamber and the second port, a second sleeve to selectively couple the third port to the chamber and the second port, and a piston that forms at least part of the chamber and is coupled to the sleeves. The piston moves between a first position in which the piston displaces the first sleeve to couple the first port to the chamber and the second port, a second position in which neither of the first or third ports is coupled to the second port, and a third position in which the piston displaces the second sleeve to couple the third port to the chamber and the second port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Michael J. Stucker
  • Publication number: 20130133882
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a modular cartridge assembly that includes a chassis assembly within a housing and that includes a flow line and an electrical pathway. The modular cartridge assembly includes a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end. The first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the flow line and are further in electrical communication with the electrical pathway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Albert Hoefel
  • Publication number: 20130075163
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to mandrel loading techniques for downhole tools. In One embodiment, a downhole tool field connection segment a chassis extending between field connection ends. The field connection segment includes first and second collars each including a chassis portion. A collar connector is coupled to each of the collars and compresses a first axial load device disposed in the first collar. A second axial load device is disposed in the second collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2012
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Inventor: Kent David Harms
  • Publication number: 20130022476
    Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
  • Publication number: 20120152533
    Abstract: An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation and method of use thereof. The downhole tool may include a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud, and a controller to: track operating points of the turbo-alternator, determine from the operating points a flow rate of the drilling mud, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Francois Bernard, Kent David Harms, Sylvain Ramshaw, Shayan Darayan, Taylor Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120097385
    Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Steven Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Dale Meek
  • Publication number: 20100319779
    Abstract: Three-position fluid valves for use in downhole environments are disclosed. An example valve includes first, second and third ports, a chamber coupled to the second port, a first sleeve to selectively couple the first port to the chamber and the second port, a second sleeve to selectively couple the third port to the chamber and the second port, and a piston that forms at least part of the chamber and is coupled to the sleeves. The piston moves between a first position in which the piston displaces the first sleeve to couple the first port to the chamber and the second port, a second position in which neither of the first or third ports is coupled to the second port, and a third position in which the piston displaces the second sleeve to couple the third port to the chamber and the second port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Michael J. Stucker
  • Patent number: D304032
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Assignees: American Telephone and Telegraph Company, AT&T Information Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Irwin M. Fine, David A. Harms