Patents by Inventor Erik Quam

Erik Quam 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: 10208558
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed herein that relate to powering a pumping system within a downhole tool. The system may include a turbine having a shaft extending therefrom, in which the turbine is configured to convert energy from a fluid received therein into rotational energy for the shaft. The system may further include a pumping system coupled to the shaft of the turbine, in which the pumping system includes one or more driving devices coupled to one or more displacement units. The displacement units may have a cavity formed therein, in which the cavity is configured to receive a fluid therein. The driving devices may then be configured to drive the displacement units such that the fluid is received within the cavity of the displacement units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Dale Meek, Erik Quam
  • Patent number: 10170876
    Abstract: Plugs, receptacles, and assemblies including same. The plug can include an interface having a plurality of pins extending therefrom. The plug can have a plug density of at least 280 pins/in2. The plurality of pins can be positioned in at least three rows along a longitudinal axis of the interface. The receptacle can have an interface having a plurality of sockets disposed therein. The receptacle can have a receptacle density of at least 280 sockets/in2. The plurality of sockets can be positioned in at least three rows along a longitudinal axis of the interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Erik Quam, Shelby W. Carter
  • Publication number: 20180097305
    Abstract: Plugs, receptacles, and assemblies including same. The plug can include an interface having a plurality of pins extending therefrom. The plug can have a plug density of at least 280 pins/in2. The plurality of pins can be positioned in at least three rows along a longitudinal axis of the interface. The receptacle can have an interface having a plurality of sockets disposed therein. The receptacle can have a receptacle density of at least 280 sockets/in2. The plurality of sockets can be positioned in at least three rows along a longitudinal axis of the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Erik Quam, Shelby W. Carter
  • Patent number: 9249660
    Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein includes a downhole tool having a body defining an interior bore and an exterior surface. The example apparatus also includes first and second fluid ports to provide respective fluid paths between the exterior surface and the interior bore. The first fluid port is to receive wellbore fluid from an annulus of a wellbore in which the downhole tool is to be disposed and the second fluid port is to receive formation fluid extracted from a subterranean formation. The formation fluid is to mix with the wellbore fluid to form an output mixture in the interior bore. The example apparatus also includes a controller to control a concentration of the formation fluid in the output mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Rana Khalid Habib, Erik Quam, Sylvain Bedouet
  • Patent number: 8985218
    Abstract: An example downhole tool configured for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation comprises a first fluid communicator configured to allow drilling fluid communication with an annulus between the downhole tool and the wellbore, a second fluid communicator configured to direct formation fluid to the annulus, and a formation testing device disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the first fluid communicator and configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the second fluid communicator. At least one of the first and second fluid communicators comprises a jet pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam
  • Publication number: 20140332202
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed herein that relate to powering a pumping system within a downhole tool. The system may include a turbine having a shaft extending therefrom, in which the turbine is configured to convert energy from a fluid received therein into rotational energy for the shaft. The system may further include a pumping system coupled to the shaft of the turbine, in which the pumping system includes one or more driving devices coupled to one or more displacement units. The displacement units may have a cavity formed therein, in which the cavity is configured to receive a fluid therein. The driving devices may then be configured to drive the displacement units such that the fluid is received within the cavity of the displacement units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: Dale Meek, Erik Quam
  • Patent number: 8567500
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus and methods for use with downhole tools are described. An example apparatus includes a cooling apparatus for use with a downhole tool. The cooling apparatus includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is configured for fluid communication with a wellbore and the inlet is spaced from the outlet. The cooling apparatus also includes a pump configured to convey at least one of a drilling fluid or a formation fluid between the inlet and the outlet. Additionally, the cooling apparatus includes a heat exchanger coupled to a surface adjacent the flow passage and a component of the downhole tool to convey heat from the component to the cooling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam, Nicholas Ellson
  • Publication number: 20130133885
    Abstract: An apparatus disclosed herein includes a downhole tool having a body defining an interior bore and an exterior surface. The example apparatus also includes first and second fluid ports to provide respective fluid paths between the exterior surface and the interior bore. The first fluid port is to receive wellbore fluid from an annulus of a wellbore in which the downhole tool is to be disposed and the second fluid port is to receive formation fluid extracted from a subterranean formation. The formation fluid is to mix with the wellbore fluid to form an output mixture in the interior bore. The example apparatus also includes a controller to control a concentration of the formation fluid in the output mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Rana Khalid Habib, Erik Quam, Sylvain Bedouet
  • Patent number: 8322433
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose systems, apparatuses, and methods of measurement performed by pipe conveyed tools. In an embodiment, a system for evaluation of a well bore includes a drill string assembly comprising a plurality of pipe joints, a wired slip joint coupled to the plurality of drill pipe, the slip joint movable from a retracted position to an extended position to compensate for changes in length of the drill string, the extended position having a length greater than the retracted position; a sensor positioned in the slip joint, wherein the sensor detects a change in length of the slip joint and generates a signal representative of a position of the slip joint, and a communication system to transmit the signal from the slip joint to a surface processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam
  • Publication number: 20120279702
    Abstract: An example downhole tool configured for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation comprises a first fluid communicator configured to allow drilling fluid communication with an annulus between the downhole tool and the wellbore, a second fluid communicator configured to direct formation fluid to the annulus, and a formation testing device disposed deeper in the wellbore relative to the first fluid communicator and configured to pump formation fluid from the formation to the second fluid communicator. At least one of the first and second fluid communicators comprises a jet pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam
  • Patent number: 8230916
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to analyze downhole fluids are described herein. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally the example method involves ionizing at least a portion of the sample to decompose molecules having a relatively high molar mass into molecules having a relatively lower molar mass. Further, the example method involves analyzing the ionized portion of the sample to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Ernest N. Sumrall, Anthony Goodwin, Erik Quam, Chengli Dong, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20110079391
    Abstract: Cooling apparatus and methods for use with downhole tools are described. An example apparatus includes a cooling apparatus for use with a downhole tool. The cooling apparatus includes a flow passage having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is configured for fluid communication with a wellbore and the inlet is spaced from the outlet. The cooling apparatus also includes a pump configured to convey at least one of a drilling fluid or a formation fluid between the inlet and the outlet. Additionally, the cooling apparatus includes a heat exchanger coupled to a surface adjacent the flow passage and a component of the downhole tool to convey heat from the component to the cooling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam, Nicholas Ellson
  • Publication number: 20100300698
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention disclose systems, apparatuses, and methods of measurement performed by pipe conveyed tools. In an embodiment, a system for evaluation of a well bore includes a drill string assembly comprising a plurality of pipe joints, a wired slip joint coupled to the plurality of drill pipe, the slip joint movable from a retracted position to an extended position to compensate for changes in length of the drill string, the extended position having a length greater than the retracted position; a sensor positioned in the slip joint, wherein the sensor detects a change in length of the slip joint and generates a signal representative of a position of the slip joint, and a communication system to transmit the signal from the slip joint to a surface processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Sylvain Bedouet, Erik Quam
  • Publication number: 20100071910
    Abstract: A wellbore instrument system includes a pipe string extending from earth's surface to a selected depth in a wellbore. The pipe string includes at least one of an electrical conductor and an optical fiber signal channel. A power generator sub is coupled at one end to a lower end of the pipe string. At least one electrically powered wellbore instrument is coupled to the other end of the adapter sub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Publication date: March 25, 2010
    Inventors: NICHOLAS ELLSON, Erik Quam, Sylvain Bedouet, Dudi Rendusara, Ricardo Vasques, Nathan Landsiedel
  • Publication number: 20090126928
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to analyze downhole fluids are described herein. A disclosed example method involves obtaining a sample of a downhole fluid. Additionally the example method involves ionizing at least a portion of the sample to decompose molecules having a relatively high molar mass into molecules having a relatively lower molar mass. Further, the example method involves analyzing the ionized portion of the sample to determine a parameter of the downhole fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Inventors: Ernest N. Sumrall, Anthony Goodwin, Erik Quam, Chengli Dong, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: D738434
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Octoblocs LLC
    Inventors: Scott Baumann, Mark Carson, Erik Quam, Kevin Mathis
  • Patent number: D741963
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Octoblocs LLC
    Inventors: Scott Baumann, Mark Carson, Karen Carson, Erik Quam, Kevin Mathis