Patents by Inventor Michael J. Lachner, JR.

Michael J. Lachner, JR. 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).

  • Systems and methods for directional drilling
    Patent number: 9739100
    Abstract: An underground directional drilling system can comprise a plurality of elongated dual-shaft segments coupled together end-to-end in a drilling string. The segments include an inner shaft that is independently rotable relative to an annular outer shaft, with the inner shafts being coupled together and the outer shafts being coupled together. The plurality of dual-shaft segments can comprise a communication segment that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a gap portion between the first and second electrodes that provides electrical insulation therebetween, and an electronic communication controller electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes. The communication controller is configured to generate voltage differences between the electrodes that cause electrical pulses to periodically transfer between the electrodes through the gap portion to wirelessly communicate drilling related data from underground to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Savant Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas S. Hogan, Michael J. Lachner, Jr.
  • Systems and methods for directional drilling
    Patent number: 9528321
    Abstract: An underground directional drilling system can comprise a plurality of elongated dual-shaft segments coupled together end-to-end in a drilling string. The segments include an inner shaft that is independently rotable relative to an annular outer shaft, with the inner shafts being coupled together and the outer shafts being coupled together. The plurality of dual-shaft segments can comprise a communication segment that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a gap portion between the first and second electrodes that provides electrical insulation therebetween, and an electronic communication controller electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes. The communication controller is configured to generate voltage differences between the electrodes that cause electrical pulses to periodically transfer between the electrodes through the gap portion to wirelessly communicate drilling related data from underground to the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Savant Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Lachner, Jr., Thomas S. Hogan
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DIRECTIONAL DRILLING
    Publication number: 20140102792
    Abstract: An underground directional drilling system can comprise a plurality of elongated dual-shaft segments coupled together end-to-end in a drilling string. The segments include an inner shaft that is independently rotable relative to an annular outer shaft, with the inner shafts being coupled together and the outer shafts being coupled together. The plurality of dual-shaft segments can comprise a communication segment that comprises a first electrode, a second electrode, a gap portion between the first and second electrodes that provides electrical insulation therebetween, and an electronic communication controller electrically coupled to the first and second electrodes. The communication controller is configured to generate voltage differences between the electrodes that cause electrical pulses to periodically transfer between the electrodes through the gap portion to wirelessly communicate drilling related data from underground to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Michael J. Lachner, JR., Thomas S. Hogan