Patents by Inventor Joachim Sihler

Joachim Sihler 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: 9493987
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly comprises an orienting tool having a dual-spline drive which, in turn, comprises a first lead screw portion and a second lead screw portion having threads of a first pitch and a second pitch, respectively. A motor is connected to the dual-spline drive to impart rotational motion with respect to the first threads having the first pitch. A difference in pitch between the first pitch and the second pitch enables the rotational motion imparted by the motor to be converted to a slower, higher torque, output via the second lead screw portion. As a result, the orienting tool is able to provide a selective, high torque, low-speed adjustment to the drilling orientation of the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20160053553
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a system for drilling includes receiving a drive shaft for transmitting a torque to a downhole tool and forming a hollow central passage in a tubular wall of the drive shaft extending along a longitudinal axis L. The hollow central passage allows a flow of a drilling fluid through a bearing section of the system. The method further includes disposing an elongated flow diverter in the tubular wall of the drive shaft. The elongated flow diverter has a body that includes axially-spaced apertures distributed along the longitudinal axis L of the drive shaft and the hollow central passage. The distribution of the apertures along the longitudinal axis L reduce the impingement of the drilling fluid while diverting the flow of the drilling fluid from an upstream annulus section of the system to the hollow central passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 9175515
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for minimizing erosion of a transmission cable extending through a downhole drilling assembly. The drilling assembly includes an elongated flow diverter having a plurality of apertures for diverting the drilling fluid from an axial flow through a transmission shaft to a radial flow through a drive shaft. Exemplary flow diverters are configured to minimize erosion of transmission cables that may be present adjacent to the flow diverters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20150229087
    Abstract: A technique facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The well components are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. Portions of the bearing are coupled to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 9045968
    Abstract: A method facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The method utilizes well components which are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. The method also involves coupling portions of the bearing to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20140299381
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly comprises an orienting tool having a dual-spline drive which, in turn, comprises a first lead screw portion and a second lead screw portion having threads of a first pitch and a second pitch, respectively. A motor is connected to the dual-spline drive to impart rotational motion with respect to the first threads having the first pitch. A difference in pitch between the first pitch and the second pitch enables the rotational motion imparted by the motor to be converted to a slower, higher torque, output via the second lead screw portion. As a result, the orienting tool is able to provide a selective, high torque, low-speed adjustment to the drilling orientation of the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 9, 2014
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8789589
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly comprises an orienting tool having a dual-spline drive which, in turn, comprises a first lead screw portion and a second lead screw portion having threads of a first pitch and a second pitch, respectively. A motor is connected to the dual-spline drive to impart rotational motion with respect to the first threads having the first pitch. A difference in pitch between the first pitch and the second pitch enables the rotational motion imparted by the motor to be converted to a slower, higher torque, output via the second lead screw portion. As a result, the orienting tool is able to provide a selective, high torque, low-speed adjustment to the drilling orientation of the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8714245
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. A planetary gearbox assembly incorporates a sun wheel which cooperates with planet wheels at a plurality of levels along the planetary gear box assembly. The sun wheel and the planet wheels cooperate to convert rotational input to rotational output through an output carrier. Torsional rigidity characteristics of the sun wheel and the output carrier are selected to distribute torque loading across the plurality of levels of the planetary gear box assembly. The distributed forces reduce the potential for component failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8657035
    Abstract: A system transmits a wireless power transmission from a bottom hole assembly of a drill string. The system has a downhole component having a wireless power transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless power transmission and a wireless power receiver adapted to receive the at least one wireless power transmission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Federic Latrille, Joachim Sihler, Michael A. Montgomery, Raphael Gadot, Julius Kusuma, Randall P. LeBlanc, Brian E. Boling, Laurent Carteron, Francois Clouzeau, Christopher C. Bogath
  • Publication number: 20140048285
    Abstract: A technique facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The well components are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. Portions of the bearing are coupled to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8602094
    Abstract: A method facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The method utilizes well components which are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. The method also involves coupling portions of the bearing to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8469117
    Abstract: The invention provides drill bits and methods of drilling curved boreholes. One aspect of the invention provides a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for drilling a curved borehole. The method includes: providing a drill string including a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths; rotating the drill string; and selectively actuating the one or more blades to a plurality of cut depths; thereby drilling a curved borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Demosthenis Georgiou Pafitis, Jahir Pabon, Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20130056195
    Abstract: A technique facilitates transmission of electric signals across well components which move relative to each other in a wellbore environment. The well components are movably, e.g. rotatably, coupled to each other via one or more conductive bearings. Each conductive bearing has a conductive rolling element which enables relative movement, e.g. rotation, between the well components while simultaneously facilitating transmission of electric signals through the bearing. Portions of the bearing are coupled to each of the well components, and those bearing portions may be connected with electric leads to enable flow of electric signals through the bearing during operation of the system downhole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20120292115
    Abstract: The invention provides drill bits and methods of drilling curved boreholes. One aspect of the invention provides a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for drilling a curved borehole. The method includes: providing a drill string including a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths; rotating the drill string; and selectively actuating the one or more blades to a plurality of cut depths; thereby drilling a curved borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Demosthenis Georgiou Pafitis, Jahir Pabon, Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8307914
    Abstract: Drill bits and methods of drilling curved boreholes comprising a drill bit including a bit body and one or more cutting blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for drilling a curved borehole. The method includes: providing a drill string including a drill bit including a bit body and one or more blades positioned within the bit body, the one or more blades individually actuatable to a plurality of cut depths; rotating the drill string; and selectively actuating the one or more blades to a plurality of cut depths; thereby drilling a curved borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Demosthenis Pafitis, Jahir Pabon, Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20120160473
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for minimizing erosion of a transmission cable extending through a downhole drilling assembly. The drilling assembly includes an elongated flow diverter having a plurality of apertures for diverting the drilling fluid from an axial flow through a transmission shaft to a radial flow through a drive shaft. Exemplary flow diverters are configured to minimize erosion of transmission cables that may be present adjacent to the flow diverters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Patent number: 8162044
    Abstract: A downhole drilling tool includes a housing defining an axial passageway and a shaft mounted for rotation within the axial passageway such that the housing and shaft form an annular gap. An electrical connector provides a signal to the shaft. The electrical connector includes a first lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft, and a second lead assembly coupled to the housing and the shaft. Each lead assembly has an outer ring electrode fixed to the housing and an inner ring electrode fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith such that connector gaps are formed between the outer ring electrodes and the inner ring electrodes. Drilling fluid is pumped through the annular gap to flow through the connector gaps to complete electrical connections between the outer ring electrodes and inner ring electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20110315450
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. A planetary gearbox assembly incorporates a sun wheel which cooperates with planet wheels at a plurality of levels along the planetary gear box assembly. The sun wheel and the planet wheels cooperate to convert rotational input to rotational output through an output carrier. Torsional rigidity characteristics of the sun wheel and the output carrier are selected to distribute torque loading across the plurality of levels of the planetary gear box assembly. The distributed forces reduce the potential for component failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20110253453
    Abstract: A technique facilitates control over the orientation of a bottom hole assembly. The bottom hole assembly comprises an orienting tool having a dual-spline drive which, in turn, comprises a first lead screw portion and a second lead screw portion having threads of a first pitch and a second pitch, respectively. A motor is connected to the dual-spline drive to impart rotational motion with respect to the first threads having the first pitch. A difference in pitch between the first pitch and the second pitch enables the rotational motion imparted by the motor to be converted to a slower, higher torque, output via the second lead screw portion. As a result, the orienting tool is able to provide a selective, high torque, low-speed adjustment to the drilling orientation of the bottom hole assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventor: Joachim Sihler
  • Publication number: 20110226470
    Abstract: A system transmits a wireless power transmission from a bottom hole assembly of a drill string. The system has a downhole component having a wireless power transmitter adapted to wirelessly transmit at least one wireless power transmission and a wireless power receiver adapted to receive the at least one wireless power transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Frederic Latrille, Joachim Sihler, Michael A. Montgomery, Raphael Gadot, Julius Kusuma, Randall P. LeBlanc, Brian E. Boling, Laurent Carteron, Francois Clouzeau, Christopher C. Bogath