Patents by Inventor Kenneth R. Evans

Kenneth R. Evans 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).

  • Publication number: 20190242238
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Yao, Kenneth R. Evans, Chaitanya K. Vempati, R. Keith Glasgow, JR., Navish Makkar, Priscila Farias Ronqui, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20190242237
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a shank. The shank may include a central bore extending partially through the shank. An end-cap may be disposed within the central bore, and the end-cap may include a first flange, a second flange, and a body portion extending between the first flange and the second flange. An annular chamber may be defined between the body portion of the end-cap and an interior wall of the central bore of the shank. At least one strain gauge may be secured to an outer surface of the body portion of the end-cap. At least one stain gauge may be secured to a cap portion welded over a recess formed in the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: Richard Yao, Kenneth R. Evans, Chaitanya K. Vempati, R. Keith Glasgow, JR., Navish Makkar, Priscila Farias Ronqui, Eric C. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10344537
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool comprises a body, a plurality of blades, and cutting elements. The body has a face at a leading end thereof and comprises a cone region, a nose region, a flank region, a shoulder region, and a gage region. The plurality of blades extends longitudinally and radially over the face. The cutting elements are disposed within the shoulder region of the body on different blades of the plurality of blades than one another, a first of the cutting elements exhibiting a different size than a second of the cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool and a method of forming a borehole in a subterranean formation are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: David Gavia, Kenneth R. Evans, Bibek Ghimire
  • Patent number: 10273758
    Abstract: A method of forming a cutting element comprises disposing diamond particles in a container and disposing a metal powder on a side of the diamond particles. The diamond particles and the metal powder are sintered so as to form a polycrystalline diamond material and a low-carbon steel material comprising less than 0.02 weight percent carbon and comprising an intermetallic precipitate on a side of the polycrystalline diamond material. Related cutting elements and earth-boring tools are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Steven W. Webb
  • Publication number: 20190100967
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool comprising a body having first cutting elements mounted to an axially leading face, the first cutting elements each having a cutting face exposed to a height above the face of the body, the cutting faces of the first cutting elements back raked and facing a direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool. The earth-bring tool further comprises second cutting elements mounted to the axially leading face of the body adjacent first cutting elements in a cone region of the bit face, the second cutting elements each having a cutting face exposed to a height above the face of the body and configured for a shear-type cutting action, the cutting faces of the second cutting elements back raked to about a same or greater extent than the first cutting elements and generally facing the direction of intended rotation of the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Kenneth R. Evans, Oliver Matthews
  • Patent number: 10214968
    Abstract: Methods of operating earth-boring tools may involve extending a selectively actuatable cutting element outward from a face of the earth-boring tool. A portion of an underlying earth formation may be crushed by a crushing cutting action utilizing the selectively actuatable cutting element in response to extension of the cutting element. The selectively actuatable cutting element may subsequently be retracted. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively actuatable cutting element mounted to a blade, the selectively actuatable cutting element configured to move between a retracted state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element does not engage with an underlying earth formation and an extended state in which the selectively actuatable cutting element engages with the underlying earth formation. The selectively actuatable cutting element may be configured to perform a gouging or crushing cutting action at least upon initial positioning into the extended state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Eric C. Sullivan, Navish Makkar
  • Publication number: 20190032416
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a movable component and an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with the movable component and configured to control a flowrate of the hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device, wherein the additive manufacturing formed flow control device is configured to control a movement of the movable component via the flowrate of hydraulic fluid through the additive manufacturing formed flow control device. An earth-boring tool includes an additive manufacturing formed flow control device in fluid communication with one or more components of the earth-boring tool and configured to provide a cooling fluid to the one or more components of the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Gregory L. Ricks
  • Patent number: 10107040
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes primary and secondary cutting elements mounted to a tool body. The secondary cutting elements define a secondary cutting profile. The secondary cutting profile is recessed relative to the primary cutting profile, which is defined by the primary cutting elements. In an unworn condition, the primary cutting elements engage and cut a formation material while the secondary cutting elements do not. Each secondary cutting element includes a flat surface oriented at an angle relative to a longitudinal axis thereof and extending between a front cutting face and a peripheral side surface thereof. The secondary cutting elements are oriented on the tool body such that a surface area of the flat surface thereof will engage the formation material at least substantially simultaneously when the primary cutting elements reach a worn condition. Methods of forming the earth-boring tool and methods of using the earth-boring tool are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Oliver Matthews, III, Steven C. Russell
  • Publication number: 20180266185
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools may include a body, blades extending outward from the body, and cutting elements secured to the blades. An entirety of a first blade may exhibit a first, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature different from a second, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature of at least another portion of a second blade. Methods of making earth-boring tools may involve forming at least a portion of a first blade extending outward from a body to exhibit a first radius of curvature. An entirety of a second blade extending outward from the body may be formed to exhibit a second, different, constant or continuously variable radius of curvature. Cutting elements may be secured to the first and second blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Kenneth R. Evans
  • Patent number: 10072464
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a formation-engaging structure with a formation-engaging surface at a distal end and a side surface between a proximal end and the distal end along a central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally linear recess may be formed in the side surface along an axis oriented at a non-parallel angle relative to the central axis of the formation-engaging structure. A generally helical recess may be formed in the side surface, and the generally helical recess may intersect the generally linear recess. Earth-boring tools may include such formation-engaging structures. Methods may be used to form such formation-engaging structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Do Van Do, Juan Miguel Bilen, Steven C. Russell, Kenneth R. Evans, Jason E. Hoines, Oliver Matthews, R. Keith Glasgow, Chaitanya K. Vempati
  • Publication number: 20180252044
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body comprising a pocket in a leading end thereof for accepting at least a portion of a bearing element assembly. A bearing element assembly may be disposed within the pocket, and the bearing element assembly may include a retaining element at least partially disposed in a groove in a sidewall of the pocket and a bearing element. The bearing element may include a distal end having a bearing surface, a proximal end, and a side surface between the distal end and the proximal end, the side surface comprising a feature configured to abut the retaining element, wherein mechanical interference between the feature and the retaining element axially retains the bearing element within the pocket. Methods include disengaging a mechanical retention device retaining a bearing element within a pocket in a body of the earth-boring tool, and removing the bearing element from the pocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Brian E. Miller, Michael L. Doster, Kenneth R. Evans, Jason E. Hoines, Oliver Matthews, Chaitanya K. Vempati
  • Patent number: 10066444
    Abstract: Method of operating earth-boring tools may involve activating a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device secured to the earth-boring tool to impact an underlying earth formation with a fluid from the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. A crack may be at least one of initiated or propagated in a portion of the underlying earth formation utilizing the fluid in response to activation of the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device. The selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device may be subsequently deactivated. Earth-boring tools may include a selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device configured to transition between an activated state in which fluid is permitted to flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device to engage with an underlying earth formation and a deactivated state in which fluid does not flow through the selectively activatable hydraulic fracturing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Eric C. Sullivan, Navish Makkar
  • Patent number: 10047565
    Abstract: Earth-boring tools include a cutting element mounted to a body that comprises a metal or metal alloy, such as steel. A cutting element support member is mounted to the body rotationally behind the cutting element. The cutting element support member has an at least substantially planar support surface at a first end thereof, and a lateral side surface extending from the support surface to an opposing second end of the cutting element support member. The cutting element has a volume of superabrasive material on a first end of a substrate, and a lateral side surface extending from the first end of the substrate to an at least substantially planar back surface. The at least substantially planar back surface of the cylindrical substrate abuts an at least substantially planar support surface of the cutting element support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Thorsten Schwefe, Kenneth R. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180216410
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool includes a body having a longitudinal axis. The earth-boring tool also includes blades extending longitudinally and generally radially from the body. The earth-boring tool may also include one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements located on at least one blade in at least one region of a face of the earth-boring tool, and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements located on the at least one blade in at least another region of the face of the earth-boring tool. Methods include drilling a subterranean formation including engaging a formation with one or more polished superabrasive cutting elements and one or more non-polished superabrasive cutting elements of the earth-boring tool secured at selected locations of one or more regions of blades extending from a body of the earth-boring tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Evans
  • Patent number: 10005158
    Abstract: A method of forming an earth-boring tool includes forming a tool body including at least one inverted cutting element pocket, at least a portion of the at least one inverted cutting element pocket having a profile substantially matching a profile of an actual cutting element to be secured within a cutting element pocket to be formed by subsequently machining the at least one inverted cutting element pocket. Hardfacing material may be applied to portions of the tool body. The actual cutting element pocket is formed by removing material of the tool body within the at least one inverted cutting element pocket subsequent to applying the hardfacing material to portions of the tool body. A cutting element is affixed within the actual cutting element pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric C. Sullivan, Kenneth R. Evans, Kenneth A. Gibbs, Alan J. Massey, James Andy Oxford
  • Publication number: 20180073303
    Abstract: A fastening apparatus includes a retaining member comprising a shape memory material configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. The retaining member is disposed within a hole in a body and secured within the hole by phase change which creates an interference fit to secure the retaining member against rotational and axial movement. The hole has a second axial cross-sectional shape. The retaining member has a first axial cross-sectional shape that is preferably either circular or rectangular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Juan Miguel Bilen, Bo Yu, Kenneth R. Evans
  • Patent number: 9902607
    Abstract: A liquid transportation system includes a loading station where a liquid is loaded into a container of a delivery vehicle, and a drop off location where the delivery vehicle transfers the liquid into a storage tank. The storage tank includes a tank marker including a first identification device that generates a first signal. The first signal identifies a type of liquid to be stored in the storage tank. The delivery vehicle includes a product marker having a control system and a second identification device. The second identification device identifies a type of liquid contained in the container. The control system receives the first signal and the second signal and determines whether the type of the liquid stored in the container is the same as the type of liquid to be stored in the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: CHS Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Evans
  • Publication number: 20180030787
    Abstract: An earth-boring tool comprises a body, a plurality of blades, and cutting elements. The body has a face at a leading end thereof and comprises a cone region, a nose region, a flank region, a shoulder region, and a gage region. The plurality of blades extends longitudinally and radially over the face. The cutting elements are disposed within the shoulder region of the body on different blades of the plurality of blades than one another, a first of the cutting elements exhibiting a different size than a second of the cutting elements. A method of forming an earth-boring tool and a method of forming a borehole in a subterranean formation are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: David Gavia, Kenneth R. Evans, Bibek Ghimire
  • Publication number: 20180010397
    Abstract: A method of forming a cutting element comprises disposing diamond particles in a container and disposing a metal powder on a side of the diamond particles. The diamond particles and the metal powder are sintered so as to form a polycrystalline diamond material and a low-carbon steel material comprising less than 0.02 weight percent carbon and comprising an intermetallic precipitate on a side of the polycrystalline diamond material. Related cutting elements and earth-boring tools are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Kenneth R. Evans, Steven W. Webb
  • Publication number: 20170204674
    Abstract: A tool for forming or servicing a wellbore includes a first body, a second body, and a retaining member located between a surface of the first body and a surface of the second body. The retaining member at least partially retains the second body with respect to the first body. The retaining member comprises a shape memory material configured to transform, responsive to application of a stimulus, from a first solid phase to a second solid phase. A method of forming a tool for forming or servicing a wellbore includes disposing a retaining member comprising a shape memory material in a space between a first body and a second body and transforming the shape memory material from a first solid phase to a second solid phase by application of a stimulus to cause the retaining member to create a mechanical interference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Steven Craig Russell, Daniel E. Ruff, Juan Miguel Bilen, Bo Yu, Kenneth R. Evans, Xu Huang, John H. Stevens, Eric C. Sullivan