Patents by Inventor René Schulz

René Schulz 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: 10760349
    Abstract: A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end, a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end and a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes a transmission cable that includes an inner conductor and an insulating material disposed about the inner conductor as well as a a wire channel surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission cable. The wire channel and the insulating material are mated together by at least one mating feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: NEXTSTREAM WIRED PIPE, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Volker Peters, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn
  • Patent number: 10404007
    Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: NextStream Wired Pipe, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn, Ingo Roders
  • Patent number: 10337259
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking a transmission line in a tubular includes a first clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of the transmission line of the tubular, the transmission line having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a second clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of the transmission line, the second clamp segment and the first clamp segment configured to apply radial forces in opposite radial directions when the first clamp segment is engaged with the second clamp segment, the opposite radial directions being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the radial forces operating together to maintain the transmission line in a fixed position relative to the tubular and maintain tension in the transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: NextStream Wired Pipe, LLC
    Inventors: Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Volker Peters, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Publication number: 20180202238
    Abstract: A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end, a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end and a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes a transmission cable that includes an inner conductor and an insulating material disposed about the inner conductor as well as a a wire channel surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission cable. The wire channel and the insulating material are mated together by at least one mating feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Volker Peters, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn
  • Patent number: 9915103
    Abstract: A wired pipe system includes a wired pipe segment having a first end and a second end, a first coupler in the first end and a second coupler in the second end and a transmission line disposed in the wired pipe segment between the first and second ends. The transmission line includes a transmission cable that includes an inner conductor and an insulating material disposed about the inner conductor as well as a a wire channel surrounding the insulating material and the inner conductor for at least a portion of a length of the transmission cable. The wire channel and the insulating material are mated together by at least one mating feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Volker Peters, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn
  • Publication number: 20180006395
    Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn, Ingo Roders
  • Patent number: 9850718
    Abstract: An apparatus for communicating a signal to or from a downhole tool includes a drill pipe configured to be rotated to drill a borehole, a tubular under axial tension and secured in the drill pipe, and a retention device secured to the tubular and configured to maintain the tubular under the axial tension. The retention device includes a portion extending from a body of the device in a direction that is non-inward-radial with respect to a longitudinal axis of the drill pipe. The apparatus further includes a transmission line disposed in the tubular and in an opening of the retention device and in communication with the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY LLC
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn, Detlev Benedict
  • Publication number: 20170335635
    Abstract: An apparatus for locking a transmission line in a tubular includes a first clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of the transmission line of the tubular, the transmission line having a longitudinal axis. The apparatus also includes a second clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of the transmission line, the second clamp segment and the first clamp segment configured to apply radial forces in opposite radial directions when the first clamp segment is engaged with the second clamp segment, the opposite radial directions being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the radial forces operating together to maintain the transmission line in a fixed position relative to the tubular and maintain tension in the transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Volker Peters, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Patent number: 9810806
    Abstract: An electronic frame for use in a downhole component coupling mechanism includes: a first frame element including at least one retaining structure configured to retain an electronic component; and a second frame element configured to be disposed at the first frame element, the second frame element permanently joined to the first frame element to isolate the electronic component from downhole fluids and form the electronic frame, the electronic frame configured to be disposed in a coupling assembly of a first downhole component and a second downhole component and constrained axially by the coupling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Detlev Benedict, Volker Peters, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Henning Rahn
  • Patent number: 9771791
    Abstract: An apparatus for communicating a signal downhole includes a downhole pipe configured to be coupled to another downhole pipe and a protection tube secured to the downhole pipe. A transmission line is disposed in the protection tube and configured to communicate the signal. A communication device is disposed in the downhole pipe and configured to communicate the signal to another downhole pipe. An end of the transmission line is configured to be axially movable with respect to the downhole pipe in order to have the end of the transmission line extending from the protection tube to establish a connection between the transmission line and the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rene Schulz, Volker Peters
  • Patent number: 9768546
    Abstract: A connector for use in connecting a communication element to a transmission line in a wired pipe segment includes a first female end adapted to surround and make electrical contact with a coupler connection that extends away from a communication element of the coupler; a second female end adapted to receive an inner conductor of a coaxial cable; and an inner connection element formed on an inner surface of the connector adapted to electrically connect the coupler connection and the inner conductor, the inner connection element formed such that it does not completely surround at least one of the inner conductor and the coupler connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn, Ingo Roders
  • Patent number: 9759017
    Abstract: An apparatus for maintaining tension of a transmission line in a tubular includes a first clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of a transmission line and a second clamp segment configured to surround at least a portion of the transmission line. The second clamp segment has a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is configured to contact an axial end of the first clamp segment, such that the first clamp segment and the second clamp segment are configured to apply a force in opposite radial directions to clamp the transmission line with respect to the tubular to lock a position of the transmission line with respect to the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephen Mueller, Volker Peters, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Patent number: 9722400
    Abstract: A method for providing tension to a data or power transmission line in a pipe includes inserting a transmission line into a transmission line channel of a pipe. The transmission line has a first end and a second end and is inserted into a first end of the pipe second-end-first and has a first tension-load-supporting mechanism attached to the first end of the transmission line. The method includes applying a first level of tension to the transmission line in the pipe and applying a second tension-load-supporting mechanism to the second end of the transmission line while the first level of tension is applied to the transmission line. The method further includes removing the first level of tension from the transmission line to maintain a second level of tension along the transmission line between the first and second tension-load-supporting mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Michael Koppe, Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn, Robert Buda, Detlev Benedict, Julia Reisewitz, Helmut Floerke
  • Patent number: 9644433
    Abstract: An electronic frame for use in a downhole component coupling mechanism in a segmented wired pipe system includes a first frame element including at least one retaining structure configured to retain an electronic component. The frame also includes a sealed chamber disposed in the frame element, the sealed chamber including inputs to receive input signals from communication elements and either couple the inputs together or direct the input signals to control electronics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn, Volker Peters, Hans Oppelaar, Rene Schulz, Detlev Benedict
  • Patent number: 9611702
    Abstract: A wired pipe segment includes an inner bore extending through the wired pipe segment and a transmission line channel forming a channel from outside the wired pipe segment to the inner bore and including an inlet into the inner bore. The inner bore includes a pocket formed in the inner bore proximate the inlet and an insert is disposed in the pocket that substantially fills the pocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Rene Schulz, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn
  • Patent number: 9601237
    Abstract: A wired pipe transmission line for disposal in a wired pipe segment for use in subterranean drilling. The transmission line includes an assembly including an inner conductor and a dielectric layer including silicon dioxide (SiO2) insulating material surrounding the inner conductor and a protective layer that is formed of a rigid material and surrounding the dielectric layer. Also included is a method of forming a wired pipe transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Rene Schulz, Henning Rahn, Robert Buda, Detlev Benedict
  • Patent number: 9598951
    Abstract: An apparatus for retaining electronic components in a downhole component coupling mechanism includes: a power supply frame including a first housing configured to retain a power supply therein and isolate the power supply from downhole fluids, the power supply frame configured to be disposed in and constrained axially by a coupling assembly of a first downhole component and a second downhole component; an electronic component disposed in a second housing in the coupling assembly, the electronic component located external to the power supply frame; and a connector configured to transmit electric power from the power supply to the electronic component to supply electrical power to the electronic component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Stephan Mueller, Ingo Roders, Robert Buda, Henning Rahn, Detlev Benedict, Rene Schulz, Volker Peters
  • Patent number: 9581016
    Abstract: A method of forming a wired pipe transmission line includes: providing an assembly that includes an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating material; attaching a fixation element to the assembly at or near an end thereof; providing a tubular outer conductor; disposing the assembly and the fixation element within the outer conductor; and fixedly attaching the fixation element to the inner portion of the tubular outer conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Patent number: 9534455
    Abstract: A tubular section and a system including the tubular section include a first tubular member including a threaded pin section and a second tubular member, the second tubular member including a threaded box section configured to mate with the threaded pin section. The tubular section also includes a shoulder ring disposed between the first tubular member and the second tubular member, wherein a wall thickness of at least a portion of the shoulder ring is greater than a smallest wall thickness of the threaded pin section of the first tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Volker Peters, Detlev Benedict, Robert Buda, Stephan Mueller, Henning Rahn, Rene Schulz
  • Patent number: 9534702
    Abstract: Electrohydraulic pilot control means (1) for a hydraulic device which can be a proportional directional valve, an adjusting pump or an adjusting motor, which pilot control means contains two proportionally acting pressure control valves (3) and is provided with a control block (2) which accommodates the hydraulic valve parts (4) in holes and to which the associated proportional magnets are flange-connected, wherein the proportional magnets have a common electrical plug connection (5) and wherein the two proportional magnets (3) are joined to form an assembly by being encapsulated with plastic, the said assembly being fastened to the control block (2) and, in this case, being precisely oriented relative to the valve components (4), which are accommodated in the control block, by means of positioning aids which act perpendicular to the movement direction of armatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Thomas Magnete GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Schonlau, Jens Krallmann, Harald Geis, Marc Leinweber, Thomas Zastrau, René Schulz