Patents by Inventor Robert Kurtz

Robert Kurtz 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: 12404756
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2025
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20250084744
    Abstract: An electrically powered hydraulic fracturing system includes pumps for pressurizing fracturing fluid, piping for carrying fracturing fluid, and field connections in obliquely oriented segments of the piping. The connections are between lead lines that couple directly to the pumps and lines carrying fluid to and from the pump; and are assembled and disassembled in the field. Operations personnel can more easily manipulate connections that are obliquely oriented than those that are horizontal or vertical.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20250084742
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2024
    Publication date: March 13, 2025
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 12221872
    Abstract: A system for powering equipment used in a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system including at least one first generator in electrical communication with a first switchgear for providing power to primary components of a hydraulic fracturing operation, and at least one second generator in electrical communication with a second switchgear for providing power to backup components of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The at least one first generator is independent of the at least one second generator so that if the at least one first generator loses the ability to generate electricity, the at least one second generator can continue to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz, Brennan Zaunbrecher
  • Patent number: 12209490
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the, and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
  • Publication number: 20240287885
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the, and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 29, 2024
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11959371
    Abstract: An electrically powered hydraulic fracturing system includes pumps for pressurizing fracturing fluid, piping for carrying fracturing fluid, and field connections in obliquely oriented segments of the piping. The connections are between lead lines that couple directly to the pumps and lines carrying fluid to and from the pump; and are assembled and disassembled in the field. Operations personnel can more easily manipulate connections that are obliquely oriented than those that are horizontal or vertical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: US Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11920449
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20230417131
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20230258063
    Abstract: A system for powering equipment used in a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system including at least one first generator in electrical communication with a first switchgear for providing power to primary components of a hydraulic fracturing operation, and at least one second generator in electrical communication with a second switchgear for providing power to backup components of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The at least one first generator is independent of the at least one second generator so that if the at least one first generator loses the ability to generate electricity, the at least one second generator can continue to generate electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz, Brennan Zaunbrecher
  • Patent number: 11549346
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
  • Patent number: 11454079
    Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is disclosed for a riser hanging system. The apparatus includes a first elongated member with a provision for a first external mechanical coupling at a distal location on the first elongated member. A second elongated member is mechanically coupled to the first elongated member at proximal locations on the first elongated member and the second elongated member. A third member is mechanically coupled to a first portion of the first elongated member. The third member includes a fourth member to move through at least a second portion of a length of the second elongated member. Mechanical couplers associated with the second elongated member are provided for a second external mechanical coupling of the riser to the apparatus. The riser may be hoisted using the apparatus for better control during coupling to the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Brunty, Randall Kimbler, Dominic Chero, Andrew Frame, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11449018
    Abstract: A system for powering equipment used in a hydraulic fracturing operation, the system including at least one first generator in electrical communication with a first switchgear for providing power to primary components of a hydraulic fracturing operation, and at least one second generator in electrical communication with a second switchgear for providing power to backup components of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The at least one first generator is independent of the at least one second generator so that if the at least one first generator loses the ability to generate electricity, the at least one second generator can continue to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz, Brennan Zaunbrecher
  • Publication number: 20220275716
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the, and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 1, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. BROUSSARD, Jeff McPHERSON, Robert KURTZ
  • Publication number: 20220213772
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2021
    Publication date: July 7, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Publication number: 20220178234
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
  • Publication number: 20220018233
    Abstract: An electrically powered hydraulic fracturing system having pumps for pressurizing fracturing fluid, piping for carrying fracturing fluid, and vibration reducing equipment for use with the piping. The vibration reducing equipment includes helical coils that support the piping. The coils are made of a wire rope made of strands of steel cable twisted together. Grooved fittings are provided on some piping connections, and which allow pivoting between adjacent fluid conveyance members. Swivel joints are strategically located in the piping which allow rotational flexing between adjacent sections of the piping; thereby attenuating vibration in the piping but without stressing the piping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Publication date: January 20, 2022
    Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11136870
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well to extract oil or gas from the formation, the oil or gas well having a wellbore that permits passage of fluid from the wellbore into the formation. The system includes a plurality of electric pumps fluidly connected to the well, and configured to pump fluid into the wellbore at high pressure so that the fluid passes from the wellbore into the, and fractures the formation. The system can also include a plurality of natural gas powered generators electrically connected to the plurality of electric pumps to provide electrical power to the pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
  • Patent number: 11091992
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for centralized monitoring and control of a hydraulic fracturing operation. The system includes an electric powered fracturing fleet and a centralized control unit coupled to the electric powered fracturing fleet. The electric powered fracturing fleet can include a combination of one or more of: electric powered pumps, turbine generators, blenders, sand silos, chemical storage units, conveyor belts, manifold trailers, hydration units, variable frequency drives, switchgear, transformers, and compressors. The centralized control unit can be configured to monitor and/or control one or more operating characteristics of the electric powered fracturing fleet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
  • Patent number: 11066912
    Abstract: A system for hydraulically fracturing an underground formation in an oil or gas well, including a pump for pumping hydraulic fracturing fluid into the wellbore, the pump having a pump shaft, and an electric motor with a motor shaft mechanically attached to the pump to drive the pump. The system further includes a torsional coupling connecting the motor shaft to the pump shaft. The torsional coupling includes a motor component fixedly attached to the motor shaft and having motor coupling claws extending outwardly away from the motor shaft, and a pump component fixedly attached to the pump shaft of the pump and having pump coupling claws extending outwardly away from the pump shaft. The motor coupling claws engage with the pump coupling claws so that when the motor shaft and motor component rotate, such rotation causes the pump component and the pump shaft to rotate, thereby driving the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLC
    Inventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring