Patents by Inventor Kent David Harms
Kent David Harms 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: 11209568Abstract: A shield assembly for logging tool sensors includes a single piece cylindrical shield and first and second cylindrical end clamps deployed about opposing axial ends of the cylindrical shield. The cylindrical shield is deployed about a logging sensor disposed on a logging tool collar. At least one of the first and second end clamps includes one or more keys for engaging a corresponding slot in the shield and a corresponding pocket in an outer surface of the tool collar. Engagement of the key with the corresponding slot and the corresponding pocket is operative to prevent relative rotational and relative axial motion between the cylindrical shield, the first and second end clamps, and the tool collar.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2018Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Qingyan He, Kent David Harms, Luis Pamintuan
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Publication number: 20200348437Abstract: A shield assembly for logging tool sensors includes a single piece cylindrical shield and first and second cylindrical end clamps deployed about opposing axial ends of the cylindrical shield. The cylindrical shield is deployed about a logging sensor disposed on a logging tool collar. At least one of the first and second end clamps includes one or more keys for engaging a corresponding slot in the shield and a corresponding pocket in an outer surface of the tool collar. Engagement of the key with the corresponding slot and the corresponding pocket is operative to prevent relative rotational and relative axial motion between the cylindrical shield, the first and second end clamps, and the tool collar.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2018Publication date: November 5, 2020Inventors: Qingyan He, Kent David Harms, Luis Pamintuan
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Patent number: 10458232Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
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Patent number: 10184315Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2016Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Patent number: 10087741Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for predicting pump performance in a downhole tool are provided. A pump performance predictor may receive inputs and generate outputs that predict the performance of a pump of a pumpout module of a downhole tool. The pump performance predictor may calculate and output a set of first predictions that include, for example, the minimum alternator voltage of a power module used to power the electronics of the pumpout module, the maximum pump flowrate, the pumpout performance, and the achievable formation mobility. The pump performance predictor may also calculate and output a set of second predictions that may include, for example, a pump volume efficiency, a pressure profile in a flowline, the number of strokes to fill a sampling bottle, and the time to fill the sampling bottle.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Lei Chen, Kent David Harms, Kai Hsu
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Patent number: 10007260Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
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Publication number: 20170002640Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
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Publication number: 20170002644Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for predicting pump performance in a downhole tool are provided. A pump performance predictor may receive inputs and generate outputs that predict the performance of a pump of a pumpout module of a downhole tool. The pump performance predictor may calculate and output a set of first predictions that include, for example, the minimum alternator voltage of a power module used to power the electronics of the pumpout module, the maximum pump flowrate, the pumpout performance, and the achievable formation mobility. The pump performance predictor may also calculate and output a set of second predictions that may include, for example, a pump volume efficiency, a pressure profile in a flowline, the number of strokes to fill a sampling bottle, and the time to fill the sampling bottle.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2015Publication date: January 5, 2017Inventors: Lei Chen, Kent David Harms, Kai Hsu
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Publication number: 20160369628Abstract: Formation fluid sample container apparatus are described. An example apparatus includes a downhole tool having a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. The sample container includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container. The sample container is fixed in the cavity and the sheath is to increase the mechanical integrity of the elongated container in a downhole environment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian Pop, Dale Meek
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Publication number: 20160348470Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2016Publication date: December 1, 2016Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Patent number: 9441425Abstract: A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven G. Villareal, Julian Pop, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Albert Hoefel, Thomas W. Palmer, II
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Patent number: 9429014Abstract: A downhole tool includes a body including an opening and a cavity extending into the body from the opening. A sample container is fixed in the cavity and includes an elongated container for holding a formation fluid sample and a sheath coupled to an outer surface of the elongated container and at least partially surrounding the elongated container.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Dale Meek
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Patent number: 9416606Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
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Publication number: 20160123318Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 9243628Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 9222352Abstract: An apparatus including a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation and method of use thereof. The downhole tool may include a turbo-alternator disposed in a passageway for drilling mud, and a controller to: track operating points of the turbo-alternator, determine from the operating points a flow rate of the drilling mud, and control a component of the downhole tool based on the flow rate.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Albert Hoefel, Francois Bernard, Kent David Harms, Sylvain Ramshaw, Shayan Darayan, Taylor Johnson
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Patent number: 9187964Abstract: A downhole tool includes first and second collars, each including a chassis portion. A first axial load device is disposed in the first collar to exert axial force on the respective chassis portion disposed in the first collar. A second axial load device is disposed in the second collar to exert axial force on the respective chassis portion disposed in the second collar. A collar connector is coupled to the first and second collars and compresses the first axial load device.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2012Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Kent David Harms
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Patent number: 9115567Abstract: A downhole tool includes a pump to facilitate a flow of sampling fluid through the downhole tool. The sampling fluid flows from an inlet of the downhole tool toward an outlet of the downhole tool or to a sampling chamber. The downhole tool also includes a sensor located in the pump. The sensor facilitates a calculation of a pumping efficiency of the downhole tool.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2012Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kai Hsu, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
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Patent number: 9115544Abstract: An apparatus includes a downhole tool for conveyance in a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. The downhole tool includes a modular cartridge assembly that includes a chassis assembly within a housing and that includes a flow line and an electrical pathway. The modular cartridge assembly includes a first connector at a first end and a second connector at a second end. The first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the flow line and are further in electrical communication with the electrical pathway.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Julian J. Pop, Steven Villareal, Albert Hoefel
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Publication number: 20140244049Abstract: Detecting a failure mode of a fluid flow controller configured to control fluid flow between first and second chambers of a downhole positive displacement pump and a flow line, wherein the positive displacement pump comprises a piston moving in an axial reciprocating motion, and subsequently adjusting operation of the downhole positive displacement pump based on the detected failure mode such that the downhole positive displacement pump piston operates differently in different axial directions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Steven Villareal, Julian J. Pop, Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms