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).
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Patent number: 11959371Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 3, 2016Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: US Well Services, LLCInventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
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Patent number: 11920449Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
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Publication number: 20240028717Abstract: Deception-based techniques for responding to security attacks are described herein. The techniques include transitioning a security attack to a monitored computing device posing as a computing device impacted by the security attack and enabling the adversary to obtain deceptive information from the monitored computing device. Also, the adversary may obtain a document configured to report identifying information of an entity opening the document, thereby identifying the adversary associated with the attack. Further, the techniques include determining that a domain specified in a domain name request is associated with malicious activity and responding to the request with a network address of a monitored computing device to cause the requesting process to communicate with the monitored computing device in place of an adversary server. Additionally, a service may monitor dormant domains names associated with malicious activity and, in response to a change, respond with an alert or a configuration update.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Adam S. Meyers, David F. Diehl, Dmitri Alperovitch, George Robert Kurtz, Sven Krasser
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Publication number: 20230417131Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2023Publication date: December 28, 2023Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
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Patent number: 11809555Abstract: Deception-based techniques for responding to security attacks are described herein. The techniques include transitioning a security attack to a monitored computing device posing as a computing device impacted by the security attack and enabling the adversary to obtain deceptive information from the monitored computing device. Also, the adversary may obtain a document configured to report identifying information of an entity opening the document, thereby identifying the adversary associated with the attack. Further, the techniques include determining that a domain specified in a domain name request is associated with malicious activity and responding to the request with a network address of a monitored computing device to cause the requesting process to communicate with the monitored computing device in place of an adversary server. Additionally, a service may monitor dormant domains names associated with malicious activity and, in response to a change, respond with an alert or a configuration update.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: CrowdStrike, Inc.Inventors: Adam S. Meyers, Dmitri Alperovitch, George Robert Kurtz, David F. Diehl, Sven Krasser
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Publication number: 20230258063Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2022Publication date: August 17, 2023Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz, Brennan Zaunbrecher
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Patent number: 11549346Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2021Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
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Patent number: 11454079Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 11, 2020Date of Patent: September 27, 2022Assignee: U.S. Well Services LLCInventors: Jeremy Brunty, Randall Kimbler, Dominic Chero, Andrew Frame, Robert Kurtz
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Patent number: 11449018Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 13, 2015Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz, Brennan Zaunbrecher
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Publication number: 20220275716Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2021Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. BROUSSARD, Jeff McPHERSON, Robert KURTZ
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Publication number: 20220213772Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
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Publication number: 20220178234Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2021Publication date: June 9, 2022Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
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Publication number: 20220018233Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Applicant: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
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Patent number: 11136870Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 28, 2019Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz
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Patent number: 11091992Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2018Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: U.S. WELL SERVICES, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring, Brandon Hinderliter
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Patent number: 11066912Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Joel N. Broussard, Jeff McPherson, Robert Kurtz, Jared Oehring
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Publication number: 20210117544Abstract: A security service can determine a synthetic context based at least in part on context data associated with a first malware sample, and detonate the first malware sample in the synthetic context to provide one or more first event records representing events performed by the first malware sample and detected during detonation. Additionally or alternatively, the security service can detonate the first malware sample and locate a second malware sample in a corpus based at least in part on the one or more first event records. Additionally or alternatively, the security service can receive event records representing events detected during a detonation of a first malware sample, the detonation based at least in part on context data, and locate a second malware sample in the corpus based at least in part on the one or more reference event records.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2019Publication date: April 22, 2021Inventors: George Robert Kurtz, Dmitri Alperovitch, Amol Kulkarni, Jan Miller, Daniel Radu
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Patent number: 10934824Abstract: The present technology provides 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: GrantFiled: October 12, 2018Date of Patent: March 2, 2021Assignee: U.S. Well Services, LLCInventors: Jared Oehring, Robert Kurtz
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Publication number: 20200408060Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: U.S. Well Services LLCInventors: Jeremy BRUNTY, Randall Kimbler, Dominic Chero, Andrew Frame, Robert Kurtz
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Patent number: 10853491Abstract: A security agent is described herein. The security agent is configured to observe events, filter the observed events using configurable filters, route the filtered events to one or more event consumers, and utilize the one or more event consumers to take action based at least on one of the filtered events. In some implementations, the security agent detects a first action associated with malicious code, gathers data about the malicious code, and in response to detecting subsequent action(s) of the malicious code, performs a preventative action. The security agent may also deceive an adversary associated with malicious code. Further, the security agent may utilize a model representing chains of execution activities and may take action based on those chains of execution activities.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: CrowdStrike, Inc.Inventors: David F. Diehl, Dmitri Alperovitch, Ion-Alexandru Ionescu, George Robert Kurtz