Patents by Inventor Martin Helm
Martin Helm 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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Publication number: 20190323300Abstract: A centralizer sub for cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular body; a centralizer disposed along an outer surface of the body and having a pair of collars and a plurality of bow springs connecting the collars; and a joint longitudinally coupling the centralizer to the body. The joint has a groove formed in and around the body outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions formed integrally with or mounted to one of the collars and configured to mate with the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Inventors: Maxime R. RODRIGUE, Philip E. DUFRENE, Beau H. MARTIN, Christian KIESS, Martin HELMS, Adam KYZAR
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Publication number: 20190277100Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tubular stabbing guides are presented. One example tubular stabbing guide includes a frame, a clamping assembly mounted to the frame, the clamping assembly including a plurality of guide members configured to receive a tubular and movable between an open position and a closed position, and a support plate configured to support a weight of the tubular, the support plate movable between an extended position and a retracted position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2018Publication date: September 12, 2019Inventors: Bjoern THIEMANN, Martin LIESS, Karsten HEIDECKE, Martin HELMS
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Patent number: 10280695Abstract: A centralizer sub for cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular body; a centralizer disposed along an outer surface of the body and having a pair of collars and a plurality of bow springs connecting the collars; and a joint longitudinally linking the centralizer to the body. The joint has: a groove formed in and around the body outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions formed integrally with or mounted to one of the collars and extending into the groove.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Maxime R. Rodrigue, Philip E. Dufrene, Beau H. Martin, Christian Kiess, Martin Helms, Adam Kyzar
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Publication number: 20190119997Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes monitoring relative rotation between a backup tong and a tubular clamped in the backup tong to determine slippage of the backup tong.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventors: Martin HELMS, Bjoern THIEMANN, Michael WIEDECKE, Rainer RUEHMANN, David GEISSLER, Benjamin SACHTLEBEN
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Patent number: 10253581Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Michael Wiedecke, Bjoern Thiemann, Karsten Heidecke, Martin Liess, Martin Helms, John D. Hooker, II
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Publication number: 20190063165Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Michael WIEDECKE, Bjoern THIEMANN, Karsten HEIDECKE, Martin LIESS, Martin HELMS, John D. HOOKER, II
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Publication number: 20190017335Abstract: An adapter for supporting a tong includes a leveling frame and a suspension for supporting the tong on the leveling frame. The suspension includes an axially movable member mounted to an upper surface of the leveling frame and a receptacle mounted to the tong for receiving the movable member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2018Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Federico AMEZAGA, Martin HELMS, Martin LIESS
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Patent number: 10132126Abstract: A modular top drive for construction of a wellbore includes a rail for connection to at least one of: a floor and a derrick of a drilling rig; and a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a first body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the first body; a trolley connecting the first body to the rail; and a first latch for selectively connecting either a drilling unit or a casing unit to the motor unit. The top drive further includes a bracket for holding any one of the drilling, casing, and cementing units and movable relative to the rail between a standby position and a connection position. The unit held by the bracket is aligned with the motor unit in the connection position and clear of the motor unit in the standby position.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Martin Helms, Benson Thomas, Martin Liess, Christian Kiess
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Patent number: 10081991Abstract: A portable tong system includes: a power tong; a backup tong; and an adapter. The adapter includes: a main frame having a base for mounting the backup tong; a mount for mounting the main frame to a positioning system; a leveling frame for torsional connection to the power tong; a suspension mounted to the leveling frame for supporting the power tong; a linear actuator for raising and lowering the leveling frame relative to the main frame; and a torsional arrestor torsionally connecting the leveling frame to the main frame.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2015Date of Patent: September 25, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Federico Amezaga, Martin Helms, Martin Liess
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Patent number: 9957794Abstract: A detector for use in cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel; an electronics package fastened to an outer surface of the mandrel; a first transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to generate ultrasonic pulses; a second transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to receive the ultrasonic pulses; and an antenna fastened to the mandrel outer surface and in communication with the electronics package.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: Burkhard Zippel, Martin Helms, Mark Chandler, Simon J. Harrall
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Publication number: 20160376856Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Michael WIEDECKE, Bjoern THIEMANN, Karsten HEIDECKE, Martin LIESS, Martin HELMS, John D. HOOKER, II
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Publication number: 20160376853Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Inventors: Michael WIEDECKE, Bjoern THIEMANN, Karsten HEIDECKE, Martin LIESS, Martin HELMS, John D. HOOKER, II
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Patent number: 9404322Abstract: An electronic control system comprises a first tubular handling tool, a sensor, and a controller. The controller is configured to control actuation of the first tubular handling tool in response to an electronic signal received from the sensor that corresponds to an operational characteristic of the first tubular handling tool. The electronic control system functions as an electronic interlock system to prevent mishandling of a tubular. A method of controlling a tubular handling tool comprises measuring an operational characteristic of the tubular handling tool, communicating the operational characteristic to a controller in the form of an electronic signal, and using the controller to control actuation of the tubular handling tool in response to the measured operational characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2011Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Michael Wiedecke, Bjoern Thiemann, Karsten Heidecke, Martin Liess, Martin Helms, John D. Hooker, II
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Publication number: 20160215592Abstract: A modular top drive system for construction of a wellbore includes a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a drive body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the drive body; a trolley for connecting the drive body to a rail of a drilling rig; and a drive ring torsionally connected to a rotor of the drive motor and having a latch profile for selectively connecting one of: a drilling unit, a casing unit, and a cementing unit to the motor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2016Publication date: July 28, 2016Inventors: Martin HELMS, Martin LIESS
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Publication number: 20160145954Abstract: A modular top drive for construction of a wellbore includes a rail for connection to at least one of: a floor and a derrick of a drilling rig; and a motor unit. The motor unit includes: a first body; a drive motor having a stator connected to the first body; a trolley connecting the first body to the rail; and a first latch for selectively connecting either a drilling unit or a casing unit to the motor unit. The top drive further includes a bracket for holding any one of the drilling, casing, and cementing units and movable relative to the rail between a standby position and a connection position. The unit held by the bracket is aligned with the motor unit in the connection position and clear of the motor unit in the standby position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2015Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: Martin HELMS, Benson THOMAS, Martin LIESS, Christian KIESS
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Publication number: 20160123094Abstract: A portable tong system includes: a power tong; a backup tong; and an adapter. The adapter includes: a main frame having a base for mounting the backup tong; a mount for mounting the main frame to a positioning system; a leveling frame for torsional connection to the power tong; a suspension mounted to the leveling frame for supporting the power tong; a linear actuator for raising and lowering the leveling frame relative to the main frame; and a torsional arrestor torsionally connecting the leveling frame to the main frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2015Publication date: May 5, 2016Inventors: Federico AMEZAGA, Martin HELMS, Martin LIESS
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Publication number: 20160076356Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling a set of tools for hydrocarbon recovery are presented. One example system generally includes a remote controller and a device controller. The remote controller is communicatively coupled to the device controller. The device controller is generally configured to receive a command to operate one of the plurality of tools from the remote controller. Based on the command, the device controller generates one or more instructions executable by a controller associated with the one of the plurality of tools. The device controller transmits the one or more instructions to the one of the plurality of tools.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2015Publication date: March 17, 2016Inventors: Klaus KREMS, Michael WIEDECKE, Martin HELMS, Benson THOMAS
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Publication number: 20150376960Abstract: A centralizer sub for cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular body; a centralizer disposed along an outer surface of the body and having a pair of collars and a plurality of bow springs connecting the collars; and a joint longitudinally linking the centralizer to the body. The joint has: a groove formed in and around the body outer surface, and a plurality of protrusions formed integrally with or mounted to one of the collars and extending into the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2015Publication date: December 31, 2015Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.Inventors: Maxime R. RODRIGUE, Philip E. DUFRENE, Beau H. MARTIN, Christian KIESS, Martin HELMS, Adam KYZAR
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Publication number: 20150337648Abstract: A detector for use in cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel; an electronics package fastened to an outer surface of the mandrel; a first transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to generate ultrasonic pulses; a second transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to receive the ultrasonic pulses; and an antenna fastened to the mandrel outer surface and in communication with the electronics package.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Burkhard ZIPPEL, Martin HELMS, Mark CHANDLER, Simon J. HARRALL
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Patent number: 9068406Abstract: The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for positioning a tool at a well site. The apparatus includes a first arm rotationally connected to a guide on a column. The apparatus further includes a second arm rotationally connected to the first arm. The second arm is also connected to a tool attachment member at a pivot point, wherein the pivot point is offset from the centerline of the tool. Additionally, the apparatus includes a flexible tension member having one end operatively connected to the guide and another end connected to the tool attachment member at a location closer to the centerline of the tool than the pivot point, wherein the flexible tension member is configured to maintain the tool in a specific orientation around the pivot point during the positioning operation. In a further aspect, a method of positioning a tool at a wellsite is provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2010Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLCInventors: Ditmar Clasen, Martin Liess, Martin Helms