Patents by Inventor Richard Verhoef

Richard Verhoef 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: 10513890
    Abstract: A top drive apparatus for facilitating communication between a computer apparatus and a device in a drill string, particularly, but not exclusively during tripping, the drill string comprising a pipe (13) having a threaded box end (140) and a pipe communication element (160) therein, the top drive apparatus comprising a top drive (30) having a main shaft (29) and a tool (101) rotationally fast therewith, the tool (101) comprising a threaded pin end (125) having a tool communication element (170) projecting therefrom, such that in use the thread does not have to be made up to obtain a communication between the pipe communication element and the tool communication element, either by induction and most optionally a physical contact therebetween to provide an electrical contact therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco UK Limited
    Inventors: Richard Verhoef, John Bradley Applewhite
  • Publication number: 20180073306
    Abstract: A top drive apparatus for facilitating communication between a computer apparatus and a device in a drill string, particularly, but not exclusively during tripping, the drill string comprising a pipe (13) having a threaded box end (140) and a pipe communication element (160) therein, the top drive apparatus comprising a top drive (30) having a main shaft (29) and a tool (101) rotationally fast therewith, the tool (101) comprising a threaded pin end (125) having a tool communication element (170) projecting therefrom, such that in use the thread does not have to be made up to obtain a communication between the pipe communication element and the tool communication element, either by induction and most optionally a physical contact therebetween to provide an electrical contact therebetween.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Richard VERHOEF, John Bradley APPLEWHITE
  • Patent number: 8757277
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of drilling equipment for the discovery and production of hydrocarbons from the earth. In particular, this disclosure relates to a torque reaction device for coupling a pipe running tool to a top drive assembly on a drilling rig. In one embodiment, a system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string includes a top drive assembly, a pipe running tool, and a torque reaction device. The top drive assembly includes an output shaft and a link extending from the top drive. The top drive is operative to rotate the output shaft with respect to the link. The pipe running tool is coupled to the output shaft and is engageable with a pipe segment to transmit torque from the output shaft to the pipe segment. The torque reaction device couples the pipe running tool to the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Pieter Dekker, Richard Lee Murray, Jr., Richard Verhoef
  • Patent number: 8752619
    Abstract: A clamping device for supporting a well string in a borehole includes a base plate with a central opening and primary clamp body clamp body supported for linear motion relative to the base plate. The clamping device further includes other clamp bodies supported for independent linear motion relative to the base plate. In certain embodiments, the clamping bodies are supported for pivoting motion to open and close the central opening. Each of the clamp bodies carries a gripping member on a face thereof for engaging a well string component received in the central opening. A drive mechanism is coupled to the clamp bodies and configured to move the clamp bodies relative to the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Rene Mulder, Anton Krijnen, Niels De Keijzer, Richard Verhoef
  • Publication number: 20140115912
    Abstract: A measurement tool 10 comprises a first leg 12, a second leg 14 pivotally connected to the first leg 12, and a scale 22 associate with the first leg 12, wherein the scale 22 provides, in conjunction with the relative positions of the legs 12, 14, information relating to the value of a parameter of a pipe section and/or elevator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco L.P.
    Inventors: Antonius Dimphena Maria Krijnen, Richard Verhoef
  • Publication number: 20130075114
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of drilling equipment for the discovery and production of hydrocarbons from the earth. In particular, this disclosure relates to a torque reaction device for coupling a pipe running tool to a top drive assembly on a drilling rig. In one embodiment, a system for coupling a pipe segment to a pipe string includes a top drive assembly, a pipe running tool, and a torque reaction device. The top drive assembly includes an output shaft and a link extending from the top drive. The top drive is operative to rotate the output shaft with respect to the link. The pipe running tool is coupled to the output shaft and is engageable with a pipe segment to transmit torque from the output shaft to the pipe segment. The torque reaction device couples the pipe running tool to the link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 28, 2013
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventors: Pieter Dekker, Richard Lee Murray, JR., Richard Verhoef
  • Publication number: 20110259576
    Abstract: A clamping device for supporting a well string in a borehole includes a base plate with a central opening and primary clamp body clamp body supported for linear motion relative to the base plate. The clamping device further includes other clamp bodies supported for independent linear motion relative to the base plate. In certain embodiments, the clamping bodies are supported for pivoting motion to open and close the central opening. Each of the clamp bodies carries a gripping member on a face thereof for engaging a well string component received in the central opening. A drive mechanism is coupled to the clamp bodies and configured to move the clamp bodies relative to the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Rene Mulder, Anton Krijnen, Niels De Keijzer, Richard Verhoef