Patents by Inventor David A. Switzer

David A. Switzer 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: 20160123137
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a method for detecting gamma radiation downhole using a downhole probe assembly. The method includes rotating the downhole probe assembly and measuring gamma radiation passing through a window of a gamma sensor module and hitting a gamma sensor therebelow. A gyroscope output is sampled at predetermined time intervals to indicate the speed of rotation of the downhole probe assembly. The angle of rotation of the window is calculated based on the speed of rotation of the downhole probe assembly. Each revolution of the downhole probe assembly is conceptually divided up into a plurality of bins. Measured gamma radiation is allocated to one of the plurality of bins based on the calculated angle of rotation of the window to provide a real time indication of the direction and strength of gamma radiation emitted by the formation surrounding the borehole. This information can be used for real time geosteering of the drill bit during downhole drilling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Jili Liu, Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
  • Patent number: 9291049
    Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Aaron William Logan, Mingdong Xu
  • Publication number: 20160076365
    Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Publication date: March 17, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20160053610
    Abstract: A wireless communications system for a downhole drilling operation comprises surface communications equipment and a downhole telemetry tool. The surface communications equipment comprises a surface EM communications module with an EM downlink transmitter configured to transmit an EM downlink transmission at a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 0.1 Hz. The downhole telemetry tool is mountable to a drill string and has a downhole electromagnetic (EM) communications unit with an EM downlink receiver configured to receive the EM downlink transmission. The downhole EM communications unit can further comprise an EM uplink transmitter configured to transmit an EM uplink transmission at a frequency greater than 0.5 Hz, in which case the surface EM communications module further comprises an EM uplink receiver configured to receive the FIG. 1 EM uplink transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20160047234
    Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20160032660
    Abstract: A gap sub comprises a female member comprising a first and second plurality of apertures, and a male member comprising a first and second plurality of cavities. A plurality of non-conductive pins may be inserted through the second plurality of apertures and the second plurality of cavities, thereby locking the relative positions of the female and male members. A plurality of conductive pins may be inserted through the first plurality of apertures and the first plurality of cavities such that there are no electrical connections between the conductive pins and the male member. A dielectric material may be inserted between the male member and the conductive pins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ, David A. SWITZER
  • Publication number: 20160017706
    Abstract: A method for regulating an electromagnetic (“EM”) telemetry signal sent from downhole to surface includes determining a value of a controlled parameter of the EM telemetry signal, comparing the value of the controlled parameter to a configuration value, and adjusting the value of the controlled parameter in a first direction towards the configuration value while monitoring a feedback parameter of the EM telemetry signal when the value of the controlled parameter and the configuration value differ. The controlled parameter is one of transmission voltage and transmission current, and the feedback parameter is the other of transmission voltage and transmission current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Inventors: Jili LIU, David A. SWITZER, Jinhua WANG, Aaron W. LOGAN
  • Publication number: 20160010449
    Abstract: A fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus including a pulser assembly and a fluid pressure pulse generator and methods of using the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The pulser assembly comprises a motor, a sensor for detecting rotation of the motor, a driveshaft rotationally coupled to the motor, and processing and motor control equipment communicative with the motor and the sensor. The fluid pressure pulse generator is coupled with the driveshaft. The sensor provides an indication of the amount of rotation of the motor and this information can be processed by the processing and motor control equipment to determine the position of the driveshaft and to control rotation of the driveshaft based on a predetermined rotational relationship between the driveshaft and the motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Inventors: Jili Liu, David A. Switzer, Aaron W. Logan
  • Publication number: 20160010446
    Abstract: An assembly for receiving telemetry signals from downhole equipment is located at a top end of a drill string above a drill rig floor. The assembly may be configured to receive multiple types of telemetry signals, for example, two or more of electromagnetic telemetry, mud pulse telemetry and drill string acoustic telemetry signals. The assembly may comprise a cap comprising a coupling and an end separated by an electrically insulating gap region. The end of the cap may be connected to a grounding system for the drill rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Publication date: January 14, 2016
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Daniel W. AHMOYE, David A. SWITZER, Jili Jerry LIU
  • Publication number: 20160003034
    Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting electromagnetic (EM) telemetry data from a downhole location to surface comprising: an EM signal transmitter configured to generate positive and negative polarity EM pulses corresponding to a telemetry signal; and an electronics subassembly communicative with the EM signal transmitter and comprising a processor and a memory having encoded thereon program code executable by the processor to perform a method comprising encoding measurement data into an EM telemetry signal using a modulation scheme comprising mapping a symbol set to at least one positive polarity EM pulse and one negative polarity EM pulse; and sending a control signal to the EM signal transmitter to generate EM pulses corresponding to the EM telemetry signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Jili Liu, Aaron W. Logan, Mingdong Xu, David A. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20160003007
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods, systems, and techniques for managing batteries for use in a downhole drilling application. The system includes a power bus, pairs of battery terminals for connecting to batteries, switching circuitry that connects and disconnects the batteries to the power bus, data collection circuitry that obtains battery parameters obtained during system operation, and a controller that controls the switching circuitry and receives the battery parameters. A control line connects the controller to the switching circuitry and a data line connects the controller to the data collection circuitry, with the control and data lines being distinct such that control and data signals are not multiplexed with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: EVOLUTION ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Jili LIU, Xia PAN, David A. SWITZER, Aaron W. LOGAN
  • Publication number: 20160003035
    Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Justin C. LOGAN, Mingdong XU
  • Publication number: 20150361788
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed at methods, systems, and techniques for managing batteries for use in a downhole drilling application. The system includes a power bus, pairs of battery terminals for connecting to batteries, switching circuitry that connects and disconnects the batteries to the power bus, data collection circuitry that obtains battery parameters obtained during system operation, and a controller that controls the switching circuitry and receives the battery parameters. A control line connects the controller to the switching circuitry and a data line connects the controller to the data collection circuitry, with the control and data lines being distinct such that control and data signals are not multiplexed with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Publication date: December 17, 2015
    Inventors: Jili LIU, Xia PAN, David A. SWITZER, Aaron W. LOGAN
  • Publication number: 20150345283
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a method and apparatus for providing a back up system of Directional and Inclination (D&I) information to be gathered and transmitted in addition to primary D&I sensors currently employed in industry. A downhole probe assembly including primary sensors, back up sensors and a controller is disclosed. The primary sensors comprise primary accelerometers and primary magnetometers configured to gather information relating to each of orthogonal axes X, Y and Z. The back up sensors comprise back up accelerometers configured to gather information relating to each of orthogonal axes X, Y and Z, the back up accelerometers being solid state accelerometers. The controller is in electrical communication with the primary sensors and the back up sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: David A. SWITZER, Aaron W. LOGAN, Jili LIU, Mojtaba KAZEMI MIRAKI
  • Publication number: 20150345286
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus with a primary seal assembly, back up seal assembly and pressure compensation device. The pressure compensation device comprises a membrane support and a longitudinally extending membrane system. The membrane support has a longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving a drive-shaft of the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The longitudinally extending membrane system comprising a longitudinally extending outer membrane sleeve and a longitudinally extending inner membrane sleeve with the inner membrane sleeve positioned inside the outer membrane sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Applicant: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20150345288
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein generally relate to a fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus with a primary seal assembly, back up seal assembly and pressure compensation device. The pressure compensation device comprises a membrane support and a longitudinally extending membrane system. The membrane support has a longitudinally extending bore therethrough for receiving a driveshaft of the fluid pressure pulse generating apparatus. The longitudinally extending membrane system comprising a longitudinally extending outer membrane sleeve and a longitudinally extending inner membrane sleeve with the inner membrane sleeve positioned inside the outer membrane sleeve. The membrane system is sealed to the membrane support to allow flexing of the membrane system in response to fluid pressure on either an inner longitudinal surface of the membrane system or an outer longitudinal surface of the membrane system and to prevent fluid on the inner longitudinal surface mixing with fluid on the outer longitudinal surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2015
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, Justin C. Logan, David A. Switzer
  • Publication number: 20150345282
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus for holding a rigid component in a downhole bore or a downhole collar based application includes a first body including first and second parallel spaced apart component holders disposed in a first common plane and a first support connecting the component holders together. The first and second parallel spaced apart component holders are operable to receive and grip a rigid component between the first and second parallel spaced apart component holders. Various component mounting assemblies and configurations may be realized using the component mounting apparatus described. The component mounting apparatus and various mounting assemblies may be used to mount a printed circuit board in a cylindrical enclosure or to bular housing, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: December 3, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Jili (Jerry) LIU, David A. SWITZER, Justin C. LOGAN
  • Publication number: 20150330155
    Abstract: An insulating collar for a gap sub assembly for electromagnetic (EM) telemetry used in downhole drilling is disclosed. The gap sub assembly comprises a female member comprising a female mating section and a male member comprising a male mating section and a gap section. The male mating section is matingly received within the female mating section and electrically isolated therefrom. The insulating collar is positioned on the gap section. The collar is made up of a framework with a plurality of discrete bodies spaced about the framework and a portion of each of the discrete bodies protrudes above the framework. Either the framework or the discrete bodies are made of an electrical insulator material to electrically isolate one end of the collar from the other end of the collar. The collar therefore electrically isolates the male member from the female member and the male member, female member and insulating collar function as the “gap sub” for EM telemetry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Daniel W. AHMOYE, David A. SWITZER, Justin C. LOGAN, Patrick R. DERKACZ, Mojtaba KAZEMI
  • Publication number: 20150330207
    Abstract: An assembly for use in subsurface drilling includes a downhole probe supported by a locking mechanism with a bore of a drill string section. The probe comprises a first spider and a second spider at the uphole and downhole sections of the probe. The locking mechanism secures the probes in the bore against axial and rotational movement relative the drill string section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: EVOLUTION ENGINEERING INC.
    Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, Justin C. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Patrick R. DERKACZ
  • Publication number: 20150330217
    Abstract: A method for modulating a downhole telemetry signal uses a fluid pressure pulse generator that generates pressure pulses of multiple pulse heights in a drilling fluid. The method comprises: converting measurement data into a bitstream comprising symbols of a selected symbol set; encoding the bitstream into a pressure pulse telemetry signal using a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying, wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique amplitude; and generating pressure pulses in the drilling fluid corresponding to the telemetry signal. Alternatively, the method can comprise a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying and phase shift keying and wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique combination of amplitude and phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Inventors: Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, David A. Switzer, Aaron W. Logan