Patents by Inventor Douglas A. Blankenship

Douglas A. Blankenship 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).

  • Downhole To Surface Communications Platform For Drilling Applications
    Publication number: 20240068363
    Abstract: A drilling assembly for downhole to surface communications is provided. The drilling assembly includes a series of pipe segments coupled in fluid communication between a slip ring assembly and an end pipe portion. The slip ring assembly is coupled in data and fluid communication with the pipe segments. A surface communications link is in data communication with the drilling assembly via the slip ring assembly. An end pipe portion is coupled with the drilling assembly that includes an electronics assembly with electronic components for transferring data to the slip ring assembly via the drilling assembly. A drill bit is operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole. Each pipe segment includes an outer conductor portion, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion for electrical isolation between the outer conductor portion and the inner conductor portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Jiann-Cherng Su, Jason P. Krein, John Joseph Borchardt, Richard Ellis Robey, Andrew Alexander Wright, Joseph Samuel Pope, Taylor Anthony Myers, Mark C. Grubelich, Douglas A. Blankenship
  • Downhole to surface communications platform for drilling applications
    Patent number: 11808144
    Abstract: A drilling assembly for downhole to surface communications is provided. The drilling assembly includes a series of pipe segments coupled in fluid communication between a slip ring assembly and an end pipe portion. The slip ring assembly is coupled in data and fluid communication with the pipe segments. A surface communications link is in data communication with the drilling assembly via the slip ring assembly. An end pipe portion is coupled with the drilling assembly that includes an electronics assembly with electronic components for transferring data to the slip ring assembly via the drilling assembly. A drill bit is operably coupled with the end pipe portion for drilling a borehole. Each pipe segment includes an outer conductor portion, a hollow inner conductor portion, and a dielectric portion for electrical isolation between the outer conductor portion and the inner conductor portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC
    Inventors: Jiann-Cherng Su, Jason P. Krein, John Joseph Borchardt, Richard Ellis Robey, Andrew Alexander Wright, Joseph Samuel Pope, Taylor Anthony Myers, Mark C. Grubelich, Douglas A. Blankenship