Patents by Inventor Thilo Scharf

Thilo Scharf 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: 11808098
    Abstract: A system for deploying an untethered drone is provided. The system includes a wellbore drone for being deployed into a wellbore, a magazine unit, and a control system. The wellbore drone is configured to perform at least one action based on a control command which is provided from an on-board control system embedded in the wellbore drone. The magazine unit includes one or more chambers. The magazine unit is configured to retain the wellbore drone in a corresponding one of the one or more chambers, prior to deployment of the wellbore drone into the wellbore, and dispense the wellbore drone for being deployed into the wellbore through a launcher unit. The control system includes at least one control interface for controlling at least a part of operations of the wellbore drone and the magazine unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Shmuel Silverman
  • Publication number: 20230349677
    Abstract: A focused output detonator includes a detonator shell including detonator components, and a focuser coupled to the detonator shell. The detonator shell may include a body extending along a central axis of the detonator shell. A first open end is provided at a first end of the body, and a closed end is provided at a second end of the body. A chamber is bounded by the body and the closed end, and the detonator components are housed in the chamber. The focuser is coupled to the closed end of the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focused output detonator is structured to focus a ballistic output of the focuser along the central axis and away from the detonator shell. According to an aspect, the focuser includes a donor charge. The focuser may include an encapsulated and hydraulically sealed donor charge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Thilo Scharf, Christian Eitschberger, Andreas Robert Zemla, Liam McNelis, Gernot Uwe Burmeister
  • Publication number: 20230349248
    Abstract: A control module for use with a plurality of wellbore tools may include a power source and a logic circuit operably coupled to the power source. The logic circuit may be operably coupled to the plurality of wellbore tools through a topmost wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools. The logic circuit may be configured to, in response to an initiation condition and for each wellbore tool of the plurality of wellbore tools in a sequential order from a bottommost wellbore tool to the topmost wellbore tool, determine whether the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool or a non-responsive wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may initiate the wellbore tool. In response to a determination that the wellbore tool is a non-responsive wellbore tool, the logic circuit may skip initiation of the wellbore tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Andreas Robert Zemla, Sascha Thieltges, Thilo Scharf, Paula Feitoza Nascimento
  • Patent number: 11795791
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments may relate to perforating gun assemblies configured for use in unconventional wells, for example in rock formations with low permeability. In some embodiments, the perforating gun assembly may include a perforating gun housing and at least one shaped charge positioned in the perforating gun housing. The shaped charge and the perforating gun housing may be jointly configured to improve total target penetration in unconventional wells by 20-100%. Related method embodiments may be used to improve the performance of unconventional wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11788389
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a first housing extending along a longitudinal axis and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The first housing may include a coupling provided at a first end of the first housing. The TSA may include a TSA body and a seal element provided on an outer surface of the TSA body. At least part of the TSA may be positioned inside the first housing such that the seal element and the coupling intersect with a common plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
  • Patent number: 11773698
    Abstract: A shaped charge holder includes a body, a cavity formed in the body and extending along a central axis of the body, and a plurality of shaped charge receptacles formed in the body and circumferentially arranged around the central axis. Each shaped charge receptacle is spaced apart from another shaped charge receptacle. Retention mechanisms extend from the body and are configured to retain a shaped charge in a respective shaped charge receiving structure. A plurality of shaped charges, each including a shaped charge case, an explosive load disposed in the case and a liner disposed on top of the explosive load may be positioned in the respective shaped charge receiving structure. The shaped charge holder may be positioned in a housing chamber of a perforating gun housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Arash Shahinpour, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11753889
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems and methods of releasing a wireline from a tool string in a well are presented. For example, a wireline release tool may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion may have a closed end, an open end, and a chamber therebetween, and the second housing portion may be shearably attached to close the open end of the first housing portion. A gas generator may be disposed in the chamber and may be capable of generating gas pressure in the chamber sufficient to overcome a pressure differential between the chamber and the external wellbore environment and to force the second housing portion from an initial position to a release position. One of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a wireline, while the other of the housing portions may be configured for attachment to a tool string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf, Gernot Uwe Burmeister
  • Publication number: 20230272677
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
  • Publication number: 20230265747
    Abstract: A perforating gun assembly may include a housing extending along a first axis, a movable structure provided within the housing, and a tool string component coupled to the housing and abutting the moveable structure. The movable structure may be movable between a first position along the first axis relative to the housing and a second position along the first axis relative to the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Publication date: August 24, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thomas Keller Bradfield, Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis
  • Patent number: 11733016
    Abstract: Pressure-isolating bulkhead structures with integrated selective electronic switches circuitry are provided. The pressure-isolating bulkhead structure may be a single unit having the integrated electronic switch circuitry, as well as an electrical connector that includes at least one of a wire and a pin contact. Such integrated selective electronic switch circuitry may be fashioned within a self-contained, inner pressure-isolating enclosure body. Such inner pressure-isolating enclosure body may be produced about the selective electronic switch circuitry such that the inner pressure-isolating enclosure body and switch circuitry are produced as a unit, which can be easily placed within a variety of bulkhead structures, and subsequently within a perforating gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
  • Publication number: 20230193727
    Abstract: A shaped charge orientation system may include a first perforating gun housing having a first hollow interior and a second perforating gun housing having a second hollow interior. A first shaped charge holder may be positioned in the first hollow interior and oriented in a first direction. A second shaped charge holder may be positioned in the second hollow interior and oriented in a second direction different than the first direction. A manual alignment tool may engage with the second perforating gun housing to rotate the second shaped charge holder from the second direction to the first direction. A method of manually aligning the first and second shaped charge holders may include marking an outer surface of the first perforating gun housing with a visual indicator in alignment with the first direction, and orienting the second shaped charge holder into alignment in the first direction using a manual alignment tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
  • Publication number: 20230193711
    Abstract: A single use setting tool for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an outer sleeve and an inner piston received within a central bore of the outer sleeve. The inner piston may define one or more elongate bores therethrough that are in fluid communication with a cavity of the inner piston and extend axially through a distal end portion of the inner piston. The distal end portion of the inner piston may abut a shoulder of the outer sleeve, for example at a distal end face of the inner piston.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11668137
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to weight modules for use in a wellbore tool string. In some embodiments, the weight module may comprise a conductive body, extending in an axial direction, and an insulating cover. The conductive body may be configured to fit within a hollow interior of a weight module housing, and the insulating cover may be configured to electrically isolate the conductive body from the weight module housing. In some embodiments, the conductive body may have a first contact portion, provided at a first end of the conductive body, and a second contact portion, provided at a second end of the conductive body, with the first contact portion in electrical communication with the second contact portion through the conductive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
  • Patent number: 11661823
    Abstract: A perforating gun may include a gun carrier extending in an axial direction and a tandem seal adapter (TSA). The gun carrier having a maximum outer carrier diameter. The TSA may include a first TSA region having a first TSA outer diameter, a second TSA region having a second TSA outer diameter, and a shoulder surface formed between an outer surface of the first TSA region and an outer surface of the second TSA region. The second TSA outer diameter may be larger than the first TSA outer diameter and smaller than the maximum outer carrier diameter. A portion of the gun carrier may abut with the shoulder surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
  • Patent number: 11661824
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, an autonomous perforating drone for downhole delivery of a wellbore tool, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed. In an aspect, the wellbore tool may be a plurality of shaped charges that are arranged in a variety of configurations, including helically, in one or more single radial planes, or opposing around a perforating assembly section, and detonated in a top-to-bottom sequence when the autonomous perforating drone reaches a predetermined depth in the wellbore. In another aspect, the shaped charges may be received in shaped charge apertures within a body of a perforating assembly section, wherein the shaped charge apertures are respectively positioned adjacent to at least one of a receiver booster, detonator, and detonating cord for directly initiating the shaped charges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Andreas Robert Zemla, Shmuel Silverman, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Arash Shahinpour
  • Patent number: 11648513
    Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device is configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device includes a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore is adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device aligns at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thomas Keller Bradfield, Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis
  • Publication number: 20230138182
    Abstract: Disclosed embodiments relate to devices and methods for storage and/or transport of tubular structures, such as perforating guns for use in wellbores. Some embodiments relate to modular storage containers, for example which may be height adjustable depending on the length of the tubular structure to be held therein. Some embodiments relate to mobile storage banks, which may be configured for use with the modular storage containers. In some embodiments, the storage bank may further be configured with one or more longitudinal compartments configured to hold used tool strings or portions thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Dimitri Riesen
  • Patent number: 11634956
    Abstract: A detonator activated wireline release tool is provided for use in geological well operations that enables the wireline cable to be easily released from tool string equipment upon activation of a detonator housed within the release tool. The release tool has a wireline subassembly portion that is connected to a tool string subassembly portion during assembly. It is sometimes necessary to disconnect the wireline subassembly from the tool string subassembly at a time when accessing the either is not physically possible. Such release is achieved by sending an electronic signal that detonates an explosive load which actuates a latch through an expansion chamber. The latch shifts and allows the finger flanges previously connecting the subassemblies to disengage, thus releasing the subassemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf
  • Publication number: 20230106595
    Abstract: According to some embodiments, devices, systems, and methods for autonomously or semi-autonomously conveying downhole oil and gas wellbore tools and performing downhole oil and gas wellbore operations are disclosed. The exemplary devices, systems, and methods may include an untethered drone that substantially disintegrates and/or dissolves into a proppant when shaped charges that the untethered drone carries are detonated. Two or more untethered drones, wellbore tools, and/or data collection devices may be connected in an untethered drone string and detonated for efficiently performing wellbore operations and reducing the amount of debris left in the wellbore after such operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Andreas Robert Zemla, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Shmuel Silverman, Arash Shahinpour, Gernot Uwe Burmeister
  • Publication number: 20230102057
    Abstract: A self-erecting launcher assembly includes a mobile unit, and a magazine positioned in a receptacle of the mobile unit. The magazine includes a plurality of drones. A rail unit is secured to the mobile unit and moves between a closed position and an elevated position. A platform may be secured to the rail unit and is movable in an upward direction and a downward direction along a length of the rail unit. The platform is movable when the rail unit is in its elevated position. The magazine or the plurality of drones may be positioned on the platform, such that the platform moves the magazine or the plurality of drones from the mobile unit to at least one wellhead. A manipulator arm is secured to the platform and selects a drone of the plurality of drones and delivers the selected drone into a lubricator positioned at the wellhead.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf