Patents by Inventor Thomas Kotschy

Thomas Kotschy 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: 11162308
    Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes a mandrel; a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a tubular, the plurality of gripping elements coupled to and rotatable with the mandrel; one or more accumulators; a first actuator configured to supply fluid to the one or more accumulators; and a second actuator configured to receive fluid from at least one of the one or more accumulators and to actuate the plurality of gripping elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Igor Stankovic, Martin Helms, Michael Schindel, Thomas Kotschy, Christian Kiess
  • Publication number: 20210010336
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Frank WERN, Bjoern THIEMANN, Thomas KOTSCHY, Michael WIEDECKE
  • Patent number: 10787869
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Wern, Bjoern Thiemann, Thomas Kotschy, Michael Wiedecke
  • Publication number: 20200181991
    Abstract: A tubular handling assembly includes a mandrel; a plurality of gripping elements for gripping a tubular, the plurality of gripping elements coupled to and rotatable with the mandrel; one or more accumulators; a first actuator configured to supply fluid to the one or more accumulators; and a second actuator configured to receive fluid from at least one of the one or more accumulators and to actuate the plurality of gripping elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Igor STANKOVIC, Martin HELMS, Michael SCHINDEL, Thomas KOTSCHY, Christian KIESS
  • Publication number: 20190048671
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for local hydraulic power generation on an electric tong, including a power tong for spinning tubulars; a first electric motor functionally connected to the power tong; a plurality of hydraulic power consumers including a backup tong for clamping a tubular string; a second electric motor functionally connected to the plurality of hydraulic power consumers; electronics to drive the first electric motor and the second electric motor; and a switchbox providing at least two configurations of the system. A method includes arranging a tong system in a hydraulic power configuration; supplying hydraulic power with an onboard electric motor to at least one of a plurality of hydraulic power consumers to position a tubular for make-up; arranging the tong system in a rotary drive configuration; supplying at least one of torque and rotation with the onboard electric motor to a power tong.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Inventors: Frank WERN, Bjoern THIEMANN, Thomas KOTSCHY, Michael WIEDECKE
  • Patent number: 8752636
    Abstract: A tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. The tubular gripping assembly may also include one or more of a swivel having selectively actuatable seals, a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up, or a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson
  • Patent number: 8365834
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a swivel having selectively actuatable seals. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson
  • Publication number: 20090274545
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a tubular gripping assembly for use with a top drive to handle a tubular includes a tubular gripping tool having a mandrel and gripping elements operatively coupled to the mandrel; and a link assembly attached to the mandrel, wherein a load of the link assembly is transferred to the mandrel. In another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a swivel having selectively actuatable seals. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a thread compensator to facilitate tubular make-up. In yet another embodiment, the tubular gripping assembly includes a wedge lock release apparatus to facilitate the release of gripping elements from the tubular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Martin Liess, John D. Hooker, II, Reinhard Grosch, Thomas Kotschy, Andreas Carlsson