Patents by Inventor Rainer Ruehmann

Rainer Ruehmann 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: 10465458
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Christina Karin Hebebrand
  • Publication number: 20190309878
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Publication date: October 10, 2019
    Inventors: Rainer RUEHMANN, Benjamin SACHTLEBEN, David GEISSLER
  • Patent number: 10436658
    Abstract: Aspects of the present relate to automated load cell identification. A method is provided. The method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Enrico Schleske
  • Patent number: 10422450
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Benjamin Sachtleben, David Geissler
  • Publication number: 20190119998
    Abstract: Methods and systems for connecting threaded tubulars are presented. One example method generally includes engaging threads of the tubulars; engaging the first tubular with a clamp of a makeup tool; rotating the clamp of the makeup tool, thereby rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular and making up the threaded connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; measuring turns of the clamp; and evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured turns of the first tubular and the measured turns of the clamp. One example system generally includes a makeup tool operable to rotate a first threaded tubular relative to a second threaded tubular. The makeup tool includes a clamp configured to engage the first tubular. The tubular makeup system further includes a first turns counter configured to measure turns of the first tubular; and a second turns counter configured to measure turns of the clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: RAINER RUEHMANN, DAVID GEISSLER, BENJAMIN SACHTLEBEN
  • Publication number: 20190119997
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Martin HELMS, Bjoern THIEMANN, Michael WIEDECKE, Rainer RUEHMANN, David GEISSLER, Benjamin SACHTLEBEN
  • Publication number: 20180224029
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes engaging the threads of the tubulars and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular to makeup a threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring time, measuring torque applied to the connection, and measuring turns of the first tubular. The method further includes using a programmable logic controller for: evaluating at least one of the measured turns, measured torque, and measured time for at least one of a discontinuity, a torque spike, and a torque drop and accepting or rejecting the connection based on the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Applicant: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Benjamin Sachtleben, David Geissler
  • Publication number: 20180223610
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer RUEHMANN, Christina Karin HEBEBRAND
  • Publication number: 20180223609
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a method for making up a tubular joint. The method includes rotating a first tubular relative to a second tubular to engage the first and second tubulars while measuring a torque between the first and second tubulars, calculating a set point of a relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars using the measured torque, and using the calculated set point with a closed-loop controller to control the relative rotational speed between the first and second tubulars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer RUEHMANN, Christina Karin HEBEBRAND
  • Publication number: 20180120183
    Abstract: Aspects of the present relate to automated load cell identification. A method is provided. The method generally includes sending, from a load cell to a remote processing system, identification information associated with the load cell; and determining whether the load cell is valid for use during makeup of a threaded connection of a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular based on the identification information associated with the load cell. The load cell identification information may include a measurement range of torque values supported by the load cell. The method can include comparing the measurement range of torque values to a job defined range of torque values associated with the makeup of the threaded connection; and determining that the load cell is valid for use based on the comparison. The identification information can be used to detect the load cell type, range, and calibration data before tubular makeup to ensure data quality and safety at work.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: Rainer RUEHMANN, Enrico SCHLESKE
  • Patent number: 8726743
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes: engaging threads of the tubulars; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: detecting a shoulder position; and after detection of the shoulder position, monitoring for potential yielding of the threaded connection. The method further includes terminating the makeup according to: a first criterion in response to detection of the potential yielding; or a second criterion in response to absence of the potential yielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Graham Myles Ruark
  • Publication number: 20140116687
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes: engaging threads of the tubulars; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: measuring torque applied to the connection; measuring turns of the first tubular; and detecting a shoulder position. The method further includes: displaying the measured torque and turns; overlaying a reference curve onto the display; evaluating the threaded connection by comparing the measured torque and turns to the reference curve; and graphically displaying the evaluation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Rainer RUEHMANN
  • Publication number: 20120325017
    Abstract: A method of connecting a first threaded tubular to a second threaded tubular includes: engaging threads of the tubulars; and rotating the first tubular relative to the second tubular, thereby making up the threaded connection. The method further includes, during makeup of the threaded connection: detecting a shoulder position; and after detection of the shoulder position, monitoring for potential yielding of the threaded connection. The method further includes terminating the makeup according to: a first criterion in response to detection of the potential yielding; or a second criterion in response to absence of the potential yielding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: Rainer Ruehmann, Graham Myles Ruark