Patents by Inventor Nobuyoshi Niina
Nobuyoshi Niina 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: 20230243241Abstract: The invention provides a generator suited for drilling equipment, such as oil and gas applications. A turbine can drive the permanent-magnet, synchronous generator. The generator uses axial flux topology for a stator and a rotor. The design permits a wide airgap between the stator and rotor, so fluid and debris from drilling operations can flow through the generator relatively unobstructed, and the fluid flow can provide a power source to rotate the turbine coupled to the rotor to generate electrical power. The airgap can accommodate non-magnetic sealing plates to provide additional protection to the generator components. The rotor includes a Halbach magnet array of permanent magnets, producing high-intensity magnetic flux in an axial direction. The Halbach magnet array avoids any necessity for the conventional rotor back-iron to return the flux. The proposed generator is intended to generate electric power for drilling equipment, permitting the elimination of costly batteries.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: MS Directional, LLCInventors: Arnold FENOCCHI, Nobuyoshi NIINA, Libo YANG
-
Patent number: 11428262Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bearing design that accommodates misalignment of a rotatable shaft in the bearing and is well suited to usage in a particulate-laden fluid. The bearing can be shaped with a curved surface along a longitudinal axis of the bearing, such as in a curved barrel shape or a ball shape, to provide a point contact instead of a line contact as is the case with conventional plain bearings. The point contact allows the bearing to adjust with a misalignment between ends of the shaft or between the external supports and facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the rotating shaft. Because the bearing compensates for misalignment, the bearing surfaces can have closer tolerances for a smaller gap between the bearing surfaces, which can result in improved performance.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2021Date of Patent: August 30, 2022Assignee: MS Directional, LLCInventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Libo Yang, Peter Nicholas Wells
-
Publication number: 20210285489Abstract: The present disclosure provides a bearing design that accommodates misalignment of a rotatable shaft in the bearing and is well suited to usage in a particulate-laden fluid. The bearing can be shaped with a curved surface along a longitudinal axis of the bearing, such as in a curved barrel shape or a ball shape, to provide a point contact instead of a line contact as is the case with conventional plain bearings. The point contact allows the bearing to adjust with a misalignment between ends of the shaft or between the external supports and facilitates the assembly and disassembly of the rotating shaft. Because the bearing compensates for misalignment, the bearing surfaces can have closer tolerances for a smaller gap between the bearing surfaces, which can result in improved performance.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: MS Directional, LLCInventors: Nobuyoshi NIINA, Libo YANG, Peter Nicholas WELLS
-
Patent number: 10184296Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Patent number: 9803426Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling applications by providing a unique flex joint. In one embodiment, the flex joint has an adjustable bending stiffness while being much more compact than conventional flex joints. The flex joint also may be designed to de-couple bending moments from the tool joints and, in some applications, can operate as an active vibration and shock control sub by incorporating suitable sensors and a hydraulic actuator system. The design also enables incorporation of other features, such as electrical insulation features disposed above and/or below the flex joint. In some applications, the flex joint also may have an electrical feed through.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2011Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Christian Menger, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Publication number: 20150337601Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Inventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Patent number: 9121223Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: September 1, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Publication number: 20140284103Abstract: Drilling instruments may include a flexible portion, such as a flexible conduit and/or a universal joint. Sensors may be utilized to detect the position of various portions of the drilling instrument, such as the flexible conduit, the universal joint, and/or a drill bit assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2013Publication date: September 25, 2014Inventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev, Christian Menger, Geoffrey C. Downton
-
Patent number: 8739862Abstract: A valve system structure to facilitate actuation of tools, such as actuating pads in a steering section of a wellbore drilling assembly. A valve system may comprise a bi-stable actuator which controls two double-stage valves. Each of the double-stage valves is able to perform both charging and dumping functions which facilitate use of the valve system in a variety of downhole applications. In drilling applications, a single valve system is able to operate a plurality of actuating pads.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Publication number: 20140014413Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling of wellbores with a steerable system having a plurality of pads which may be selectively actuated in a lateral direction to apply a side force. Application of the side force is used to steer a drill bit. A valve system is positioned to control delivery of actuating fluid under pressure to individual pads in a manner that enables steering of the drill bit. The valve system allows drilling along a desired curve by controlling the flow of actuating fluid under pressure to specific steering pads at specific angular positions. The valve system also allows drilling along a desired trajectory by preventing exposure of the pads to the pressurized actuating fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: January 16, 2014Inventors: Nobuyoshi Niina, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Patent number: 8596386Abstract: A drilling system for drilling and completing a lateral borehole from a main borehole comprises a liner unit for storing one or more prefabricated liners for installation into the lateral borehole; and a drilling unit operable to drill the lateral borehole into the formation surrounding the main borehole and to install the prefabricated liner in the lateral borehole after drilling. A method of drilling a lateral borehole from a main borehole using such a drilling system comprises positioning the system in the main borehole at a location of interest; operating the drilling unit to drill a lateral borehole from the main borehole; completing the lateral borehole by deploying the liner from the liner unit into the lateral borehole.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2008Date of Patent: December 3, 2013Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Chris Hopkins, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Publication number: 20120067592Abstract: A technique utilizes a simplified valve system structure to facilitate actuation of tools, such as actuating pads in a steering section of a wellbore drilling assembly. A valve system may comprise a bi-stable actuator which controls two double-stage valves. Each of the double-stage valves is able to perform both charging and dumping functions which facilitate use of the valve system in a variety of downhole applications. In drilling applications, a single valve system is able to operate a plurality of actuating pads.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: NOBUYOSHI NIINA, Oleg Polyntsev
-
Publication number: 20110308858Abstract: A technique facilitates drilling applications by providing a unique flex joint. In one embodiment, the flex joint has an adjustable bending stiffness while being much more compact than conventional flex joints. The flex joint also may be designed to de-couple bending moments from the tool joints and, in some applications, can operate as an active vibration and shock control sub by incorporating suitable sensors and a hydraulic actuator system. The design also enables incorporation of other features, such as electrical insulation features disposed above and/or below the flex joint. In some applications, the flex joint also may have an electrical feed through.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2011Publication date: December 22, 2011Inventors: Christian Menger, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Patent number: 7859426Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system is disclosed. An inner conductive pipe is disposed inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe. An insulator is positioned between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe. In a specific embodiment, the inner conductive pipe is perforated or slotted.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Intelliserv, LLCInventors: Brian Clark, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Publication number: 20090322553Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system is disclosed. An inner conductive pipe is disposed inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe. An insulator is positioned between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe. In a specific embodiment, the inner conductive pipe is perforated or slotted.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: December 31, 2009Inventors: Brian Clark, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Patent number: 7605715Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system comprises an outer conductive pipe, an inner conductive pipe disposed coaxially inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe, a first electrical contact having a first contact face disposed at a first end of the inner conductive pipe, a second electrical contact having a second contact face disposed at a second end of the inner conductive pipe, wherein at least one of the first and second contact faces includes at least one slot, and an insulator disposed between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Brian Clark, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Publication number: 20080041575Abstract: A coaxial transmission line for an electromagnetic wellbore telemetry system comprises an outer conductive pipe, an inner conductive pipe disposed coaxially inside an axial bore of the outer conductive pipe, a first electrical contact having a first contact face disposed at a first end of the inner conductive pipe, a second electrical contact having a second contact face disposed at a second end of the inner conductive pipe, wherein at least one of the first and second contact faces includes at least one slot, and an insulator disposed between the outer conductive pipe and the inner conductive pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2006Publication date: February 21, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Clark, Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Patent number: 6833706Abstract: Techniques for measuring a displacement include generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field source; measuring a first magnitude of a component of the magnetic field using a sensor disposed within the magnetic field; displacing the magnetic field source; measuring a second magnitude of the component of the magnetic field using the sensor; determining a distance that the magnetic field source is displaced using the first magnitude and the second magnitude. An apparatus for measuring a radius of a hole includes a support member having at least one arm, each having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the support member; a magnet moveably attached to the support member via the second end of the each of the at least one arm; and a first magnetic sensor fixed to the support member. An apparatus of the invention may further include a second and third sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Nobuyoshi Niina
-
Publication number: 20030184305Abstract: Techniques for measuring a displacement include generating a magnetic field using a magnetic field source; measuring a first magnitude of a component of the magnetic field using a sensor disposed within the magnetic field; displacing the magnetic field source; measuring a second magnitude of the component of the magnetic field using the sensor; determining a distance that the magnetic field source is displaced using the first magnitude and the second magnitude. An apparatus for measuring a radius of a hole includes a support member having at least one arm, each having a first end and a second end, the first end attached to the support member; a magnet moveably attached to the support member via the second end of the each of the at least one arm; and a first magnetic sensor fixed to the support member. An apparatus of the invention may further include a second and third sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2002Publication date: October 2, 2003Inventor: Nobuyoshi Niina