Patents by Inventor Mike R. OLSON

Mike R. OLSON 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).

  • Patent number: 11293241
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, LP
    Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Neil P. Mackley
  • Publication number: 20200232290
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Rennie K. ZAZULA, Dean M. BIRD, Mike R. OLSON, Niel P. MACKLEY
  • Patent number: 10704345
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Rennie K. Zazula, Dean M. Bird, Mike R. Olson, Niel P. Mackley
  • Publication number: 20170268303
    Abstract: A system and method for recovering drilling fluid from shaker tailings includes a hopper and a cover that is pivotable between a first position in which the hopper is uncovered and a second position in which the hopper is covered. In the first position, the hopper receives the tailings, which are pumped via a low shear pump to a centrifuge. The drilling fluid extracted in the centrifuge is stored in a holding tank. In the second position, the cover is angled with respect to the direction of gravity so as to divert shaker tailings from being received in the hopper. Some fluid from the holding tank is sprayed into the hopper through nozzles to convey the deposited tailings toward the pump. A level detector senses the level of the mixture in the hopper, and an associated control system controls the pump speed and the cover position to control the operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventors: Rennie K. ZAZULA, Dean M. BIRD, Mike R. OLSON, Niel P. MACKLEY