Patents by Inventor William M. Moeny

William M. Moeny 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: 11873697
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a plug for cementing a wellbore. The plug may include a cylinder. The cylinder may include at least one body including a non-conductive material with conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material. The present disclosure also includes float equipment for cementing a wellbore. The float equipment may include a casing segment including an inner surface, drillable material affixed to the inner surface of the casing segment, and a check valve attached to the drillable material. The drillable material may include a non-conductive material and conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., SDG LLC, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Frank Vinicio Acosta Villarreal, Avinash Gopal Dharne, William M. Moeny, Neal Gregory Skinner
  • Patent number: 11873715
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sub-section of a pulse power drilling assembly including a transformer encircling a center flow tube through which a drilling mud is to flow for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation based on periodic pulses of electrical discharges from the pulse power drilling assembly. The transformer comprises at least one primary winding that encircles the center flow tube; a core that encircles the at least one primary winding, wherein the core comprises an electrically non-conductive material; and at least one secondary winding that encircles the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Finke, Boguslaw Wiecek, William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20230332470
    Abstract: An electrocrushing drill bit comprises a bit body and at least one electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, wherein the at least one electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore. The electrocrushing drill bit comprises a ground structure coupled to the bit body proximate to the at least one electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, wherein the ground structure comprises a transverse ground structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 11746599
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., SDG, LLC
    Inventors: William M. Moeny, Kirk Slenes
  • Publication number: 20230243235
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a plug for cementing a wellbore. The plug may include a cylinder. The cylinder may include at least one body including a non-conductive material with conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material. The present disclosure also includes float equipment for cementing a wellbore. The float equipment may include a casing segment including an inner surface, drillable material affixed to the inner surface of the casing segment, and a check valve attached to the drillable material. The drillable material may include a non-conductive material and conductive filaments dispersed within the non-conductive material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Inventors: Lonnie Carl Helms, Frank Vinicio Acosta Villarreal, Avinash Gopal Dharne, William M. Moeny, Neal Gregory Skinner
  • Publication number: 20230144083
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises an electrode assembly positioned at a bottom end of a pulse power drill string to be positioned in a borehole formed in a subsurface formation. The electrode assembly comprises multiple electrodes, wherein at least a subset of the multiple electrodes is to periodically emit a pulse of an electrical discharge into the subsurface formation to drill the borehole. The electrode assembly comprises a controller configured to alter a direction of drilling of the borehole based on selection of the subset from the multiple electrodes, wherein an effective attribute of at least one electrode of the multiple electrodes is different than the effective attribute of other electrodes of the multiple electrodes, wherein the effective attribute comprises at least one of a shape and a size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Finke, Boguslaw Wiecek, William M. Moeny, Daniel D. Gleitman
  • Publication number: 20230137629
    Abstract: An apparatus comprises a sub-section of a pulse power drilling assembly including a transformer encircling a center flow tube through which a drilling mud is to flow for drilling a borehole into a subsurface formation based on periodic pulses of electrical discharges from the pulse power drilling assembly. The transformer comprises at least one primary winding that encircles the center flow tube; a core that encircles the at least one primary winding, wherein the core comprises an electrically non-conductive material; and at least one secondary winding that encircles the core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Finke, Boguslaw Wiecek, William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20230124575
    Abstract: An electrocrushing drill bit, comprising a bit body, an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring. wherein the ground ring further includes a fluid flow port; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 11480015
    Abstract: A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 11326399
    Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignees: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC., CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., SDG LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20210324683
    Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 11078727
    Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20210180407
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: William M. Moeny, Kirk Slenes
  • Patent number: 10961782
    Abstract: A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20210079730
    Abstract: A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 10947785
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a drill bit including a first electrode and a second electrode. The downhole drilling system may also include a pulse-generating circuit coupled to the first electrode and the second electrode. A capacitor within the pulse-generating circuit may include a plurality of electrode sheets and a plurality of dielectric sheets interleaved with the plurality of electrode sheets. Each of the dielectric sheets may include a composite material including a polymer matrix formed from a polymer component and a nanoparticle component that increases the dielectric constant of the composite material above that of the polymer component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventors: William M. Moeny, Kirk Sienes
  • Publication number: 20210025240
    Abstract: A downhole drilling system is disclosed. The downhole drilling system may include a bottom-hole assembly having a pulse-generating circuit and a switching circuit within the pulse-generating circuit, the switching circuit comprising a solid-state switch. The downhole drilling system may also include a drill bit having a first electrode and a second electrode electrically coupled to the pulse-generating circuit to receive a pulse from the pulse-generating circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20200370375
    Abstract: A disclosed pulsed-power drilling system may include a controller that receives and analyzes feedback from downhole components reflecting changing conditions or performance measurements associated with a pulsed drilling operation to determine that an operating parameter of the drilling operation should be modified. The controller may output a control signal to cause an adjustment of a configurable downhole component, such as mechanical, electrical, or hydraulic component that affects the operating parameter, while the drill bit remains in the wellbore. The controller may adjust a segmented transformer of a pulse-generating circuit, changing the number of primary winding switches that are fired, or the timing of the firing of the switches, to modify characteristics of the generated pulses. Adjusting a downhole component may affect the drilling rate, the drilling direction, the flow of drilling fluid, a pulse rise time, a pulse repetition rate, or a rate of penetration for the drilling operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, William M. Moeny
  • Patent number: 10407995
    Abstract: Electrocrushing drills and methods for operating electrocrushing drills. Electrocrushing drill bits comprise one or more high voltage electrodes surrounded by a ground or current return structure, which can be a ring or a comprise rod shaped electrodes. Openings in the rim of the current return structure facilitate removal of drilling debris and bubbles created by the electrocrushing process out from the bottom face of the bit and up the wellbore. The high voltage electrodes can be arranged in a circle. The current return structure may partially cover the bottom face of the drill bit, thereby enclosing the high voltage electrodes in openings that may be sector shaped. The drill may comprise one or more conducting loops, in each of which pulsed current creates a pulsed magnetic field. The loops can be oriented in particular directions to provide a pulsed magnetic field with the desired configuration and orientation in space. The formation ahead of the drill can then be evaluated with the appropriate sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: SDG LLC
    Inventor: William M. Moeny
  • Publication number: 20190040685
    Abstract: A drill bit for downhole electrocrushing drilling is disclosed. A electrocrushing drill bit may include a bit body; an electrode coupled to a power source and the bit body, the electrode having a distal portion for engaging with a surface of a wellbore; a ground ring coupled to the bit body proximate to the electrode and having a distal portion for engaging with the surface of the wellbore, the electrode and the ground ring positioned in relation to each other such that an electric field produced by a voltage applied between the ground ring and the electrode is enhanced at a portion of the electrode proximate to the distal portion of the electrode and at a portion of the ground ring proximate to the distal portion of the ground ring; and an insulator coupled to the bit body between the electrode and the ground ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicants: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Chevron U.S.A. Inc., SDG LLC
    Inventor: William M. Moeny