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).
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Patent number: 11608720Abstract: Components for a perforation gun system are provided including combinations of components that facilitate electrically linking multiple perforation guns to one another with wireless electrical contacts. The perforation gun system includes a bulkhead pin contact assembly. The perforation gun system may further include a wireless detonator and a conductor positioned in a connector of the perforation gun.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, Thilo Scharf, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
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Patent number: 11591885Abstract: 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 selectively detonated for efficiently performing wellbore operations and reducing the amount of debris left in the wellbore after such operations.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Andreas Robert Zemla, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Shmuel Silverman, Arash Shahinpour, Gernot Uwe Burmeister
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Patent number: 11578549Abstract: A single use setting tool and associated method for actuating a tool in a wellbore may include an inner piston having a piston proximal end, a piston distal end, and a piston annular wall that defines a piston cavity. The setting tool may include a gas-generating power charge positioned within the piston cavity. The power charge may extend along a longitudinal axis from a proximal end to a distal end and have at least two different widths along its length. The power charge may further include a tapered portion. The setting tool may further include a piston extension connected to the piston distal end. The inner piston may further include a shear element groove circumferentially extending in an outer surface of the inner piston, for receiving a shear element.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Dimitri Riesen, Thilo Scharf, Arash Shahinpour, Robert J Staats, Joern Olaf Loehken, Denis Will, Liam McNelis, Jason Schroeder
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Publication number: 20230023338Abstract: A detonator positioning device for use with a detonator in a perforating gun assembly is described. The detonator positioning device may be configured for electrically contactably forming an electrical connection within the perforating gun housing by contact. The detonator positioning device may include a body having a first end, a second end, and a central bore extending between the first and second ends. The central bore may be adapted for receiving one or more electrically contactable components of a detonator. The detonator positioning device can align at least one of the one or more electrically contactable components to form an electrical connection with a bulkhead assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thomas Keller Bradfield, Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis
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Publication number: 20230025615Abstract: A wellbore positioning system includes a first wellbore casing element bearing a first magnetic pattern that encodes first information associated with the wellbore or a drone. The first wellbore casing element is configured for placement down-hole in the wellbore. The first wellbore casing element extends along a central axis and defines an axially oriented passage. Also, the system includes an untethered drone configured for relative movement in the passage of the first wellbore casing element. The drone is configured to detect the first magnetic pattern and determine a position of the drone within the wellbore based on the first information.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2022Publication date: January 26, 2023Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Christian Eitschberger
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Patent number: 11542792Abstract: A tandem seal adapter (TSA) for use with a wellbore tool may include a TSA body including a first end and a second end opposite the first end in an axial direction, a bore extending through the TSA body from the first end to the second end, an electrical contact assembly provided within the bore, the electrical contact assembly being configured to provide electrical connectivity through the bore. The electrical contact assembly may include a bulkhead provided within the bore. An axial position of a maximum outer diameter of the TSA body may overlap with the bulkhead in the axial direction. A portion of the bore overlapping in the axial direction with an entirety of the TSA body having an outer diameter equal to the maximum outer diameter may have a constant bore diameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
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Publication number: 20220403718Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf
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Patent number: 11525344Abstract: A perforating gun module may include a gun housing including a housing chamber and a shaped charge positioning device provided in the housing chamber. The shaped charge positioning device may include a shaped charge holder and a detonator holder provided axially adjacent to the shaped charge holder. The shaped charge positioning device may be a singular and monolithic piece of non-metal material. A perforating gun module string may include a first perforating gun module directly coupled to a second perforating gun module. Each perforating gun module may include a gun housing with a housing chamber, a shaped charge holder provided in the housing chamber, and a detonator holder provided axially adjacent to the shaped charge receptacle. The shaped charge holder and the detonator holder may comprise a singular and monolithic piece of non-metal material.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thilo Scharf
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Publication number: 20220372851Abstract: A perforating gun system may include a first gun carrier and a second gun carrier connected to the first gun carrier. A perforating gun assembly may be provided in each gun carrier, the perforating gun assembly including a top connector, a plurality of charge holders, and at least one bottom connector. Upon rotation of the top connector, the one or more charge holders of the first gun carrier may be aligned in a zero-degree phasing with the plurality of charge holders in the second gun carrier, and the position of the top connector may be locked along the length of the second gun carrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Eric Mulhern, David C. Parks, Christian Eitschberger
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Patent number: 11499401Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 23, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf
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Publication number: 20220333467Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Andreas Robert Zemla, Shmuel Silverman, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Arash Shahinpour
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Publication number: 20220325590Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug and associated systems and methods are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments of an instantaneously expanding, ballistically actuated wellbore plug include, among other things, a ballistic carrier carrying ballistic components and an initiator and housed within a hollow interior chamber of an outer carrier having an unexpanded form and an expanded form. Exemplary embodiments for a method for setting the plug within a wellbore casing include initiating the ballistic components with the initiator and causing the outer carrier to instantaneously transition from the unexpanded form to the expanded form, in which the outer carrier is in frictional, sealing engagement with the wellbore casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2020Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf, Gernot Uwe Burmeister
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Publication number: 20220316283Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2022Publication date: October 6, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf
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Publication number: 20220307808Abstract: A detonating cord for using in a perforating gun includes an explosive layer and an electrically conductive layer extending around the explosive layer. The electrically conductive layer is configured to relay a communication signal along a length of the detonating cord. In an embodiment, a protective jacket extends around the electrically conductive layer of the detonating cord. The detonating cord may be assembled in a perforating gun to relay a communication signal from a top connector to a bottom connector of the perforating gun, and to propagate a detonating explosive stimulus along its length to initiate shaped charges of the perforating gun. A plurality of perforating guns, including the detonating cord, may be connected in series, with the detonating cord of a first perforating gun in communication with the detonating cord of a second perforating gun.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 8, 2022Publication date: September 29, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Christian Eitschberger, Bernhard Scharfenort
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Patent number: 11434713Abstract: A drone conveyance system and a wellhead receiver for deploying drones into an oil or gas wellbore includes a platform, a drone magazine, a platform receiver, a conveyance, and a wellhead receiver. The wellhead receiver prepares the drone to be inserted into the wellbore via the wellhead. Preparation of the drone to be inserted into the wellbore includes adjusting the physical conditions surrounding the drone to approximate the physical conditions in the wellbore. The preparation may be performed using fluid inputs and outputs connected to a compartment of the wellhead receiver. Other preparation processes may also take place in the wellhead receiver such as assuring the appropriate drone is being inserted, that the drone has been programmed appropriately, that safety devices have been deactivated and charging an onboard power supply of the drone.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Andreas Robert Zemla, Shmuel Silverman
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Publication number: 20220258103Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 6, 2022Publication date: August 18, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Gernot Uwe Burmeister, Thomas Keller Bradfield, Frank Haron Preiss, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis
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Patent number: 11408279Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for navigating and determining the location of downhole oil and gas wellbore tools are disclosed. The devices, systems, and methods may include a drone including an ultrasound transceiver that generates and receives an ultrasonic signal that interacts with the environment external to the drone and detects, utilizing a processer associated therewith, changes the environment external to the drone. The speed and location of the drone may be determined using the processor. Alternatively, an electromagnetic field generator that generates a field that interacts with the environment external to the drone. When the drone moves through the wellbore, the environment external to the drone constantly changes. Based on this changing environment, the speed and location of the drone is determined using the present devices, systems and methods.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: August 9, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Andreas Robert Zemla, Thilo Scharf, Liam McNelis, Christian Eitschberger, Shmuel Silverman
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Publication number: 20220243567Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2021Publication date: August 4, 2022Applicant: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf
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Patent number: 11385036Abstract: A detonating cord for using in a perforating gun includes an explosive layer and an electrically conductive layer extending around the explosive layer. The electrically conductive layer is configured to relay a communication signal along a length of the detonating cord. In an embodiment, a protective jacket extends around the electrically conductive layer of the detonating cord. The detonating cord may be assembled in a perforating gun to relay a communication signal from a top connector to a bottom connector of the perforating gun, and to propagate a detonating explosive stimulus along its length to initiate shaped charges of the perforating gun. A plurality of perforating guns, including the detonating cord, may be connected in series, with the detonating cord of a first perforating gun in communication with the detonating cord of a second perforating gun.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2020Date of Patent: July 12, 2022Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Frank Haron Preiss, Liam McNelis, Thilo Scharf, Christian Eitschberger, Bernhard Scharfenort
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Patent number: D981345Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2020Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: DynaEnergetics Europe GmbHInventors: Christian Eitschberger, Thilo Scharf