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).
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Patent number: 11898407Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 11, 2021Date of Patent: February 13, 2024Assignee: Nabors Drilling Technologies USA, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Svein Søyland
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Publication number: 20230392456Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2023Publication date: December 7, 2023Inventors: Kjetil NAESGAARD, Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11767719Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 22, 2022Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11719044Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 16, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Erlend Halvorsen, Svein Søyland
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Patent number: 11643884Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
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Patent number: 11643887Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2021Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Anthony G. Petrello, Padira P. Reddy, Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11578565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Patent number: 11549319Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventor: Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11536097Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
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Patent number: 11506003Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 22, 2022Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Patent number: 11499382Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 13, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Canrig Robotic Technologies ASInventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Ørjan H. Larsen, Bjørnar Lingjerde
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Patent number: 11473380Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2021Date of Patent: October 18, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventor: Kenneth Mikalsen
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Publication number: 20220316286Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Kjetil NAESGAARD, Kenneth MIKALSEN
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Patent number: 11457538Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 13, 2019Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Jan Friestad, Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Patent number: 11414936Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: August 16, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11408236Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 14, 2021Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Patent number: 11377914Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2021Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Patent number: 11371299Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 24, 2021Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen
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Patent number: 11346163Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 30, 2020Date of Patent: May 31, 2022Assignee: CANRIG ROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES ASInventors: Kenneth Mikalsen, Kjetil Naesgaard
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Publication number: 20220065053Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Kjetil Naesgaard, Kenneth Mikalsen