Patents by Inventor Kenneth Mikalsen

Kenneth Mikalsen 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: 11898407
    Abstract: A system including a stabbing guide with a plurality of guide elements, an engaging element, and a linkage assembly that couples the plurality of guide elements to the engaging element, where rotation of the engaging element relative to the plurality of guide elements drives the linkage assembly and, via the linkage assembly, moves the guide elements radially relative to a center axis of the stabbing guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Svein Søyland
  • Publication number: 20230392456
    Abstract: A system includes a pipe handler with an arm and gripper configured to transport an object from a pickup location to a delivery location, and a horizontal storage area with an intermediate storage location, where the object is substantially parallel with the intermediate storage location when its positioned in the intermediate storage location, and the gripper is configured to rotate the object in the intermediate storage location. Also a system includes a pipe handler configured to transport an object from a pickup location to a delivery location, a first horizontal storage area positioned below a first rig floor by a first vertical distance, and a second horizontal storage area positioned below a second rig floor by a second vertical distance, wherein a controller automatically adapts the pipe handler to access the object when the pickup location or the delivery location is the first or the second horizontal storage area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Kjetil NAESGAARD, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11767719
    Abstract: A system including a pipe handler that can include a base, a support rotatably attached to the base at one end of the support, a first actuator configured to telescopically extend the support into engagement with a rig and telescopically retract the support to disengage from the rig, and a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support proximate an opposite end of the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location and a system including a pipe handler that can be fixedly mounted to a rig floor with a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11719044
    Abstract: A robot, robotic systems, and methods for conducting a subterranean operation. In some embodiments, a robot may include: a main body comprising a housing; a powered clamping system; a controlled atmosphere volume disposed within the housing or within the clamping system; and an electrical component disposed within the controlled atmosphere volume. In some embodiments, the controlled atmosphere volume may comprise an EX-certified volume and the electrical component may be disposed within the EX-certified volume, such that the electrical component may be disposed in the EX-certified volume that is disposed in the housing and/or an EX-certified volume that is disposed in the clamping system, such as in an electrically powered tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Erlend Halvorsen, Svein Søyland
  • Patent number: 11643884
    Abstract: A system including an elevator to move a tubular, the elevator including two or more remotely operable latches that can configure the elevator to handle various tubular diameters. A portion of the latches can be laterally offset from each other and another portion can overlap adjacent latches. The elevator can be Atmosphere Explosible (ATEX) certified or International Electrotechnical Commission for Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx) certified according to explosive (EX) Zone 1 requirements with an electronics enclosure contained within a sealed chamber. The elevator can be rotated greater than 90 degrees relative to a pair of links that support the elevator. The elevator can use rotary actuators to operate the latches and rotate the housing of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
  • Patent number: 11643887
    Abstract: A pipe handling system can include a bridge disposed in an inclined position, having first and second rails with a space therebetween, and an arm coupled to the first and second rails, the arm being configured to manipulate a tubular through the space between the first and second rails. A method that can include gripping a tubular at a well center on a rig floor via an arm coupled to a bridge, the bridge comprising first and second rails with a space therebetween, moving the tubular from the well center and through the space, and moving the tubular along the bridge via the arm, with the bridge being inclined from a horizontal storage area to the rig floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Anthony G. Petrello, Padira P. Reddy, Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11578565
    Abstract: A robotic system with a robot and enclosure, the robotic system configured for explosive (EX) Zone 1 certification. Fasteners attaching a panel to a housing of the enclosure can be positioned away from a seal of the panel, with the seal sealingly engaging the panel and housing when the panel is attached to the housing. The panel overlapping a portion of the housing when attached to the housing, with at least the overlapped portion having a metallized layer and the metallized layer being electrically coupled to the panel when the panel is attached. The panel can be rotationally attached to the housing by one or more hinges. The panel can be configured to assist operators with manual manipulation of the panel by attaching detachable handles to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Patent number: 11549319
    Abstract: A pipe storage system can include a plurality of pipe storage bays established between adjacent pipe storage arms, a plurality of protrusions extending from the pipe storage arms into each pipe storage bay, the plurality of protrusions establishing a plurality of channels, wherein each channel is established between a pair of adjacent protrusions, and a plurality of latches, wherein the latches are movable from between a retracted position in which the latches are retracted to establish series of first pipe storage openings between opposing channels and an extended position in which the latches extend into the pipe storage bay to establish a series of second pipe storage openings between opposing protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventor: Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11536097
    Abstract: A system including an elevator to move a tubular, the elevator including two or more remotely operable latches that can configure the elevator to handle various tubular diameters. A portion of the latches can be laterally offset from each other and another portion can overlap adjacent latches. The elevator can be Atmosphere Explosible (ATEX) certified or International Electrotechnical Commission for Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx) certified according to explosive (EX) Zone 1 requirements with an electronics enclosure contained within a sealed chamber. The elevator can be rotated greater than 90 degrees relative to a pair of links that support the elevator. The elevator can use rotary actuators to operate the latches and rotate the housing of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
  • Patent number: 11506003
    Abstract: A tubular handling system for conducting subterranean operations is disclosed and can include a first tubular handling system and a second tubular handling system. The first tubular handling system can include a bridge disposed within a tubular storage area, an arm pivotally coupled to the bridge, and a gripper coupled to the arm and adapted to engage with a tubular in the tubular storage area. The second tubular handling system can include a support structure, a first tubular handler coupled to the support structure, and a second tubular handler coupled to the support structure and distinct from the first tubular handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Patent number: 11499382
    Abstract: A system including an elevator to move a tubular, the elevator including two or more remotely operable latches that can configure the elevator to handle various tubular diameters. Each jaw can include a locking mechanism that engages a portion of the housing adjacent a spacer ring in the elevator when the first jaw is in the engaged position and configured to transfer a closing force to the housing. A portion of the latches can be laterally offset from each other and another portion can overlap adjacent latches. The elevator can be explosive (EX) Zone 1 certified with an electronics enclosure contained within a sealed chamber. The elevator can use rotary actuators to operate the latches and rotate the housing of the elevator. The elevator can use a circular pressure sensor to determine weight of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies AS
    Inventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
  • Patent number: 11473380
    Abstract: A system including a mud bucket with a clam shell enclosure and a storage tank. The clam shell enclosure can have a first portion and a second portion, with the second portion being rotationally coupled to the first portion, where the first portion and the second portion are configured to form a sealed chamber around a joint of a tubular string when the second portion is rotated into engagement with the first portion, where the sealed chamber is configured to receive expelled fluid from the tubular string when the joint is unthreaded, and the storage tank is configured to receive and store the expelled fluid from the sealed chamber while the mud bucket is located at the well center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventor: Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Publication number: 20220316286
    Abstract: A system including a pipe handler that can include a base, a support rotatably attached to the base at one end of the support, a first actuator configured to telescopically extend the support into engagement with a rig and telescopically retract the support to disengage from the rig, and a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support proximate an opposite end of the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location and a system including a pipe handler that can be fixedly mounted to a rig floor with a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Kjetil NAESGAARD, Kenneth MIKALSEN
  • Patent number: 11457538
    Abstract: A robotic system with a robot and enclosure, the robotic system configured for explosive (EX) Zone 1 certification. Fasteners attaching a panel to a housing of the enclosure can be positioned away from a seal of the panel, with the seal sealingly engaging the panel and housing when the panel is attached to the housing. The panel overlapping a portion of the housing when attached to the housing, with at least the overlapped portion having a metallized layer and the metallized layer being electrically coupled to the panel when the panel is attached. The panel can be rotationally attached to the housing by one or more hinges. The panel can be configured to assist operators with manual manipulation of the panel by attaching detachable handles to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Patent number: 11414936
    Abstract: A system including a pipe handler that can include a base, a support rotatably attached to the base at one end of the support, a first actuator configured to telescopically extend the support into engagement with a rig and telescopically retract the support to disengage from the rig, and a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support proximate an opposite end of the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location and a system including a pipe handler that can be fixedly mounted to a rig floor with a pipe handler mechanism rotatably attached to the support, with the pipe handler mechanism being configured to grip and transport an object from a pick-up location to a delivery location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11408236
    Abstract: An equipment handling system that can include a bridge disposed above a horizontal storage area and coupled to a guide rail, an equipment basket, a crane configured to transport the equipment basket to an elevated location, and a pipe handler coupled to the bridge and configured to move along the bridge. A catwalk system can include a guide rail, a portion of a bridge disposed over a horizontal storage area and coupled to the guide rail, with the bridge configured to move with the rig floor when the rig floor moves relative to the horizontal storage area, and a pipe handler coupled to the bridge and configured to move along the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Patent number: 11377914
    Abstract: A system for conducting subterranean operations is disclosed and can include a support structure, a first tubular handler coupled to the support structure, and a second tubular handler coupled to the support structure and distinct from the first tubular handler. The system can further include a tool system coupled to the support structure and adapted to perform an operation on a first tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Patent number: 11371299
    Abstract: A horizontal pipe handling system that can include a base with a center longitudinal axis, an intermediate storage location comprising a cradle configured to support a first tubular in a horizontal orientation, a first horizontal pipe handler with a first feeder arm rotationally attached to the base at a first axis on a first side of the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first feeder arm extends from the first axis, past the cradle, and to a second side of the center longitudinal axis, and a second horizontal pipe handler with a first ramp arm rotationally attached to the base at a second axis which is disposed on the second side of the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first ramp arm is configured to support one or more tubulars in the horizontal orientation which is substantially parallel to the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
  • Patent number: 11346163
    Abstract: A tubular handling system for conducting subterranean operations is disclosed and can include a first tubular handling system and a second tubular handling system. The first tubular handling system can include a bridge disposed within a tubular storage area, an arm pivotally coupled to the bridge, and a gripper coupled to the arm and adapted to engage with a tubular in the tubular storage area. The second tubular handling system can include a support structure, a first tubular handler coupled to the support structure, and a second tubular handler coupled to the support structure and distinct from the first tubular handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES AS
    Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
  • Publication number: 20220065053
    Abstract: A horizontal pipe handling system that can include a base with a center longitudinal axis, an intermediate storage location comprising a cradle configured to support a first tubular in a horizontal orientation, a first horizontal pipe handler with a first feeder arm rotationally attached to the base at a first axis on a first side of the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first feeder arm extends from the first axis, past the cradle, and to a second side of the center longitudinal axis, and a second horizontal pipe handler with a first ramp arm rotationally attached to the base at a second axis which is disposed on the second side of the center longitudinal axis, wherein the first ramp arm is configured to support one or more tubulars in the horizontal orientation which is substantially parallel to the center longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen