Patents by Inventor David P. Moran

David P. Moran 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: 9587478
    Abstract: A computer-assisted method for optimizing a drilling tool assembly, the method comprising defining a desired drilling plan; determining current drilling conditions; determining current drilling tool parameters of at least two drilling tool assembly components; analyzing the current drilling conditions and the current drilling tool parameters to define a base drilling condition; comparing the base drilling condition to the desired drilling plan; determining a drilling tool parameter to adjust to achieve the desired drilling plan; and adjusting at least one drilling tool parameter of at least one of the two drilling tool assembly components based on the comparing the base drilling condition to the desired drilling plan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Stuart R. Oliver
  • Patent number: 9388680
    Abstract: A method for providing assistance to a drilling site including receiving, by a remote system, an assistance request from a quick-link communication device, wherein the quick-link communication device is located at the drilling location. The method also including obtaining sensor data from the rig based on the assistance request, analyzing, by the remote system, the sensor data to identify a condition of the rig, and providing assistance to the drilling site for the condition of the rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Moran
  • Patent number: 8954304
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling tool assembly including inputting well data into an optimization system, the optimization system having an experience data set and an artificial neural network. The method further including comparing the well data to the experience data set and developing an initial drilling tool assembly based on the comparing the well data to the experience data, wherein the drilling tool assembly is developed using the artificial neural network. Additionally, the method including simulating the initial drilling tool assembly in the optimization system and creating result data in the optimization system based on the simulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Mark P. Frenzel, Roy Duncan
  • Patent number: 8799198
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling operating parameter or a drilling system parameter for a drilling assembly employing at least first and second distinct cutting structures includes entering at least one design parameter for each of the cutting structures into a trained artificial neural network. At least one of the design parameters of the first cutting structure may be optionally combined with at least one of the design parameters of the second cutting structure. The combined design parameter may also be entered into the artificial neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Arifin Purwanto, David P. Moran, Lei Yan
  • Publication number: 20130036077
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling tool assembly including inputting well data into an optimization system, the optimization system having an experience data set and an artificial neural network. The method further including comparing the well data to the experience data set and developing an initial drilling tool assembly based on the comparing the well data to the experience data, wherein the drilling tool assembly is developed using the artificial neural network. Additionally, the method including simulating the initial drilling tool assembly in the optimization system and creating result data in the optimization system based on the simulating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Mark P. Frenzel, Roy Duncan
  • Publication number: 20120316787
    Abstract: A computer-assisted method for optimizing a drilling tool assembly, the method comprising defining a desired drilling plan; determining current drilling conditions; determining current drilling tool parameters of at least two drilling tool assembly components; analyzing the current drilling conditions and the current drilling tool parameters to define a base drilling condition; comparing the base drilling condition to the desired drilling plan; determining a drilling tool parameter to adjust to achieve the desired drilling plan; and adjusting at least one drilling tool parameter of at least one of the two drilling tool assembly components based on the comparing the base drilling condition to the desired drilling plan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Stuart R. Oliver
  • Patent number: 8285531
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling tool assembly including inputting well data into an optimization system, the optimization system having an experience data set and an artificial neural network. The method further including comparing the well data to the experience data set and developing an initial drilling tool assembly based on the comparing the well data to the experience data, wherein the drilling tool assembly is developed using the artificial neural network. Additionally, the method including simulating the initial drilling tool assembly in the optimization system and creating result data in the optimization system based on the simulating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Mark P. Frenzel, Roy Duncan
  • Publication number: 20110232968
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling operating parameter or a drilling system parameter for a drilling assembly employing at least first and second distinct cutting structures includes entering at least one design parameter for each of the cutting structures into a trained artificial neural network. At least one of the design parameters of the first cutting structure may be optionally combined with at least one of the design parameters of the second cutting structure. The combined design parameter may also be entered into the artificial neural network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Arifin Purwanto, David P. Moran, Lei Yan
  • Publication number: 20080294606
    Abstract: A method for aggregating data that includes obtaining a log object including a log element, wherein the log element includes oilfield data obtained from a provider, obtaining an aggregation policy for the log element, and aggregating the log element into an aggregated object based on the aggregation policy is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Yashodhan Gidh, Lei Yan
  • Publication number: 20080262810
    Abstract: A method of optimizing a drilling tool assembly including inputting well data into an optimization system, the optimization system having an experience data set and an artificial neural network. The method further including comparing the well data to the experience data set and developing an initial drilling tool assembly based on the comparing the well data to the experience data, wherein the drilling tool assembly is developed using the artificial neural network. Additionally, the method including simulating the initial drilling tool assembly in the optimization system and creating result data in the optimization system based on the simulating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Mark P. Frenzel, Roy Duncan
  • Publication number: 20070185696
    Abstract: A method of optimizing drilling including identifying design parameters for a drilling tool assembly, preserving the design parameters as experience data, and training at least one artificial neural network using the experience data. The method also includes collecting real-time data from the drilling operation, analyzing the real-time data with a real-time drilling optimization system, and determining optimal drilling parameters based on the analyzing the real-time date with the real-time drilling optimization system. Also, a method for optimizing drilling in real-time including collecting real-time data from a drilling operation and comparing the real-time data against predicted data in a real-time optimization system, wherein the real-time optimization includes at least one artificial neural network. The method further includes determining optimal drilling parameters based on the comparing the real-time data with the predicted data in the real-time drilling optimization system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 9, 2007
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Stuart R. Oliver, Sujian J. Huang, Luis C. Paez, Lei Yan
  • Patent number: 7142986
    Abstract: A method for optimizing drilling parameters includes obtaining previously acquired data, querying a remote data store for current well data, determining optimized drilling parameters, and returning optimized parameters for a next segment to the remote data store. Determining optimized drilling parameters may include correlating the current well data to the previously acquired data, predicting drilling conditions for the next segment, and optimizing drilling parameters for the next segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventor: David P. Moran
  • Patent number: 6814162
    Abstract: A drill bit, comprising a bit body, a sensor disposed in the bit body, a single journal removably mounted to the bit body, and a roller cone rotatably mounted to the single journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, George B. Witman, IV
  • Patent number: 6782959
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a crest that defines a crest line. The crest can be non-rectilinear. The crest line of each cutter element defines an angle with respect to the axis of the rolling cone on which the cutter element is mounted. The cutter elements define different angles with respect to the cone axis and with respect to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6698536
    Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes at least one roller cone rotatably mounted to a bit body. The bit body includes therein a lubricant reservoir adapted to supply lubricant to bearings on which the roller cone rotates about the bit body. The bit includes a sensor adapted to detect drilling fluid contamination of the lubricant. The bit includes a processor/transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor and adapted to communicate signals corresponding to detected contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Gary R. Portwood
  • Publication number: 20040026124
    Abstract: A drill bit, comprising a bit body, a sensor disposed in the bit body, a single journal removably mounted to the bit body, and a roller cone rotatably mounted to the single journal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2002
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventors: David P. Moran, George B. Witman
  • Publication number: 20030188896
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 6561293
    Abstract: A cutter element for a drill bit has a non-rectilinear crest. The cutter element has a base portion and an extending portion and the extending portion has either a zero draft or a negative draft with respect to the base portion. The non-positive draft allows more of the borehole bottom to be scraped using fewer cutter elements. The cutter elements having non-positive draft can be either tungsten carbide inserts or steel teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Minikus, Chris E. Cawthorne, Stephen C. Steinke, Gary R. Portwood, Gary E. Garcia, David P. Moran, Quan V. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20030062197
    Abstract: A roller cone drill bit is disclosed which includes at least one roller cone rotatably mounted to a bit body. The bit body includes therein a lubricant reservoir adapted to supply lubricant to bearings on which the roller cone rotates about the bit body. The bit includes a sensor adapted to detect drilling fluid contamination of the lubricant. The bit includes a processor/transmitter operatively coupled to the sensor and adapted to communicate signals corresponding to detected contamination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Inventors: David P. Moran, Gary R. Portwood
  • Patent number: 6424919
    Abstract: A method for selecting a design parameter for a drill bit is disclosed. The method includes entering a value of at least one property of an earth formation to be drilled into a trained neural network. The neural network is trained by selecting data from drilled wellbores. The data comprise values of the formation property for formations through which the drilled wellbores have penetrated. Corresponding to the values of formation property are values of at least one drilling operating parameter, the drill bit design parameter, and values of a rate of penetration and a rate of wear of a drill bit used on each of the formations. Data from the wellbores are entered into the neural network to train it, and the design parameter is then selected based on output of the trained neural network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: David P. Moran, James A. Robertson