Patents by Inventor Hendrik Schalk le Roux

Hendrik Schalk le Roux 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: 11713632
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to subterranean drilling, and more particularly to tools, systems, and methods used to measure torque applied by subterranean drilling machines, such as iron roughnecks, during the make-up and break out of drill pipe connections. Articles, systems, and methods herein relate to embodiments of a torque measuring tool including: a torque shaft; a torque sleeve; an upper torque arm; a lower torque arm; and a force sensor; wherein the torque shaft is disposed in the torque sleeve; wherein the upper torque arm is coupled to the torque sleeve; wherein the lower torque arm is coupled to the torque shaft; and wherein the force sensor is coupled to and disposed between the upper torque arm and the lower torque arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Patent number: 11248422
    Abstract: A method of conducting subterranean drilling operations comprising guiding a tubular with a first guide arranged in a first configuration; coupling an umbilical line to the tubular with an engagement element; guiding the tubular with a second guide; arranging the first guide to a second configuration to permit longitudinal passage of the engagement element past the first guide; and arranging the first guide to the first configuration after the engagement element is past the first guide. A system for conducting subterranean operations comprising a first guide and a second guide disposed at different vertical elevations, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to provide continuous support to a tubular in a lateral direction when the tubular is coupled with an umbilical line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Bergeron, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20210348458
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to subterranean drilling, and more particularly to tools, systems, and methods used to measure torque applied by subterranean drilling machines, such as iron roughnecks, during the make-up and break out of drill pipe connections. Articles, systems, and methods herein relate to embodiments of a torque measuring tool including: a torque shaft; a torque sleeve; an upper torque arm; a lower torque arm; and a force sensor; wherein the torque shaft is disposed in the torque sleeve; wherein the upper torque arm is coupled to the torque sleeve; wherein the lower torque arm is coupled to the torque shaft; and wherein the force sensor is coupled to and disposed between the upper torque arm and the lower torque arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2021
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventor: Hendrik Schalk LE ROUX
  • Patent number: 10927614
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for efficiently connecting drill pipe (i.e., referred to as the landing string) to a top drive mud line when running liners into a well. For example, in certain embodiments, a drill pipe fill-up tool includes an axially-extendable mud cylinder coupled to an upper mounting plate and a lower mounting plate. The mud cylinder includes a mud cavity configured to be fluidly connected to a mud line of a top drive of drilling system. The drill pipe fill-up tool also includes an actuating cylinder coupled to the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate. The actuating cylinder is configured to axially extend the mud cylinder. The drill pipe fill-up tool further includes a seal and guide assembly coupled to the mud cylinder. The seal and guide assembly is configured to engage with a drill pipe and to fluidly connect the mud cavity of the mud cylinder to an interior of the drill pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Hendrik Schalk Le Roux, Ronald James Scrantz
  • Patent number: 10801276
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for running casing into a wellbore with a casing running tool (CRT), such as a casing drive system (CDS), that is equipped with single joint elevator links and elevators. For example, in certain embodiments, a system includes a joint elevator configured to engage a joint of a tubular element. The system also includes an elevator link comprising an upper link and a lower link. The lower link is configured to couple to the joint elevator. In addition, the lower link is configured to fit telescopically within the upper link. The system further includes a compensator cylinder configured to couple to the upper link and the lower link, and configured to adjust a position of the lower link with respect to the upper link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Jamie Bergeron, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20200095832
    Abstract: A method of conducting subterranean drilling operations comprising guiding a tubular with a first guide arranged in a first configuration; coupling an umbilical line to the tubular with an engagement element; guiding the tubular with a second guide; arranging the first guide to a second configuration to permit longitudinal passage of the engagement element past the first guide; and arranging the first guide to the first configuration after the engagement element is past the first guide. A system for conducting subterranean operations comprising a first guide and a second guide disposed at different vertical elevations, wherein the first and second guides are adapted to provide continuous support to a tubular in a lateral direction when the tubular is coupled with an umbilical line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Jamie BERGERON, Hendrik Schalk LE ROUX
  • Patent number: 10370912
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed a mineral extraction system comprising a locking clamp configured to be secured to a first tubular member, wherein the locking clamp comprises an outer radial surface having a first geometry and a rotary table adapter. The rotary table adapter comprises a base and an extension extending from the base, wherein the extension defines a recess, the recess comprises an inner radial surface having a second geometry, wherein the first geometry and the second geometry correspond with one another, and the rotary table adapter is configured to be disposed within a rotary table of a drilling rig.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Farzan Tavakoli, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux, Colin Trevor Maxwell, Vince Fortier
  • Publication number: 20180216422
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to systems and methods for efficiently connecting drill pipe (i.e., referred to as the landing string) to a top drive mud line when running liners into a well. For example, in certain embodiments, a drill pipe fill-up tool includes an axially-extendable mud cylinder coupled to an upper mounting plate and a lower mounting plate. The mud cylinder includes a mud cavity configured to be fluidly connected to a mud line of a top drive of drilling system. The drill pipe fill-up tool also includes an actuating cylinder coupled to the upper mounting plate and the lower mounting plate. The actuating cylinder is configured to axially extend the mud cylinder. The drill pipe fill-up tool further includes a seal and guide assembly coupled to the mud cylinder. The seal and guide assembly is configured to engage with a drill pipe and to fluidly connect the mud cavity of the mud cylinder to an interior of the drill pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventors: Hendrik Schalk Le Roux, Ronald James Scrantz
  • Publication number: 20180209223
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a rotating stage collar. The rotating stage collar includes an upper collar configured to couple to a first length of tubular, a lower collar configured to couple to a second length of tubular, and an inner sleeve disposed within the upper collar and the lower collar, wherein the upper collar and the lower collar are rotationally fixed to one another when the inner sleeve is in a first position within the upper collar and the lower collar, wherein the upper collar and the lower collar are rotationally independent of one another when the inner sleeve is in a second position within the upper collar and the lower collar, and wherein the second position is axially beneath the first position relative to a longitudinal axis of the rotating stage collar when the rotating stage collar is positioned within a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Conrad Ojong Ojong, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux, Nick Mawford
  • Publication number: 20180209226
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems and methods for running casing into a wellbore with a casing running tool (CRT), such as a casing drive system (CDS), that is equipped with single joint elevator links and elevators. For example, in certain embodiments, a system includes a joint elevator configured to engage a joint of a tubular element. The system also includes an elevator link comprising an upper link and a lower link. The lower link is configured to couple to the joint elevator. In addition, the lower link is configured to fit telescopically within the upper link. The system further includes a compensator cylinder configured to couple to the upper link and the lower link, and configured to adjust a position of the lower link with respect to the upper link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2018
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Jamie Bergeron, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20170314344
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed a mineral extraction system comprising a locking clamp configured to be secured to a first tubular member, wherein the locking clamp comprises an outer radial surface having a first geometry and a rotary table adapter. The rotary table adapter comprises a base and an extension extending from the base, wherein the extension defines a recess, the recess comprises an inner radial surface having a second geometry, wherein the first geometry and the second geometry correspond with one another, and the rotary table adapter is configured to be disposed within a rotary table of a drilling rig.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Farzan Tavakoli, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux, Colin Trevor Maxwell, Vince Fortier
  • Publication number: 20170314365
    Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the disclosure, a system includes a multiple cement plug launching system having a plug system adapter assembly, a first plug assembly comprising a first central passage and a plurality of rupture disks, wherein each rupture disk of the plurality of rupture disks occludes a respective one of a plurality of rupture disk ports extending through the first plug assembly, and a second plug assembly comprising a second central passage, wherein the plug system adapter assembly is coupled to the second plug assembly, which is coupled to the first plug assembly, such that the plug system adapter assembly, the second plug assembly, and the first plug assembly are coupled to one another in an axial arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Conrad Ojong Ojong, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20170234083
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a tubular gripping system having engagement features. The tubular grappling system is configured to grip a tubular of a mineral extraction system and includes a first set of teeth of a contact surface of the tubular grappling system, wherein the contact surface is configured to engage with the tubular, and each tooth of the first set of teeth comprises a first orientation and a second set of teeth of the contact surface of the tubular grappling system, wherein each tooth of the second set of teeth comprises a second orientation, wherein the first and second orientations are generally perpendicular to one another, wherein the first set of teeth and the second set of teeth are axially offset from one another relative to a central axis of the tubular grappling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2016
    Publication date: August 17, 2017
    Inventors: Farzan Tavakoli, Hendrik Schalk Le Roux
  • Publication number: 20170037703
    Abstract: Present embodiments are directed to a mud saver valve assembly having a first sleeve, a second sleeve, and a first valve element axially captured between the first sleeve and the second sleeve, wherein the first valve element includes a support ring portion extending about a circumference of the first valve element and a center portion extending across the support ring portion, wherein the center portion comprises a dome-shaped geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: February 9, 2017
    Inventors: Hendrik Schalk le Roux, Kevin James Nikiforuk