Patents Issued in March 14, 2017
  • Patent number: 9593534
    Abstract: An off-axis “cam” drilling tool is provided. The off-axis “cam” drilling tool includes an outer tubing having a throughbore therein, an inner tubing having a throughbore therein, the inner tubing being configured to be inserted within the throughbore of the outer tubing. An annulus is defined between the inner tubing and the throughbore of the outer tubing through which a medium may pass. A cam section can be configured on a portion of the exterior surface of the outer tubing. The outer tubing can be coupled to drill rods of a drill string. The cam section has an axis that is offset to an axis of the outer tubing, and the tool is configured to rotate about cam section axis to lift the drill rods coupled to the outer tubing above a centerline of a drill bore to beneficially orient the drill bit drilling the drill bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Jimmy Edward Toler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9593535
    Abstract: This disclosure is related to a perforator tool and a method of using the perforator tool to perforate a formation. The perforator tool can include a first and second sleeve and optionally a third sleeve. The perforator tool can also include at least one perforation opening and at least one circulation port. The sleeves are slidably disposed within the perforator tool and can be displaced to permit perforation of the formation, block the perforation openings and open circulation ports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Thru Tubing Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Brett Fears, Jason Burke, Roger Schultz
  • Patent number: 9593536
    Abstract: A casing drilling system includes combination conduit of a casing and a pipe inside the casing. A first adapter has a flow diverter to redirect at least flow of drilling fluid returning from a bottom of a wellbore to either an interior of the pipe or an annular space between the casing and the pipe. A second adapter has a flow diverter to redirect flow of drilling fluid into the conduit through the other one of the interior of the pipe and the annular space. The second adapter has a fluid connection between either the interior of the pipe or the annular space and a rotationally fixed fluid outlet. The system includes a casing chuck having means to support the casing and a slidable conduit operable to expose an uppermost end of the casing and a connection between the second adapter and an uppermost end of the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Reelwell, AS
    Inventors: Ola M. Vestavik, Morten Olav Meling, Stein Erik Meinseth
  • Patent number: 9593537
    Abstract: A pressure pulse generating method and apparatus for use with a drill string includes a top and bottom subs for attaching the apparatus within the drill string; a power section comprising a rotor/stator; a drive assembly; and a nozzle sub which includes a nozzle assembly comprising a nozzle holder and a replaceable nozzle; and a nozzle housing having pulse openings. The nozzle holder has fluid ports which periodically align with the pulse openings as the nozzle holder rotates within the nozzle housing to achieve a desired pulse amplitude, frequency and waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cougar Drilling Solutions Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Gust
  • Patent number: 9593538
    Abstract: The Smart Reamer® Tool, Apparatus or Method is used to underream an oil or natural gas well and deliver a desired wellbore diameter without the need to unnecessarily stop drilling or trip out of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Wajid Rasheed
  • Patent number: 9593539
    Abstract: Downhole tools are provided with a topographical pattern, and anti-balling material is provided over the topographical pattern. The topographical pattern may be defined by at least one of a plurality of recesses extending into a surface of a body of the tool and a plurality of protrusions protruding from the surface. Downhole tools include an insert disposed within a recess in a body, and the insert comprises an anti-balling material having a composition selected to reduce accumulation of formation cuttings on the tools when the tools are used to form or service a wellbore. Downhole tools include anti-balling material disposed over a porous mass provided over the surfaces of the tools. Methods of forming downhole tools include providing anti-balling material over features on and/or in a surface of a body of a tool. Methods of repairing downhole tools include removing an insert therefrom and disposing a replacement insert therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Suresh G. Patel, Chaitanya K. Vempati, Steven R. Radford, Timothy K. Marvel, Bruce Stauffer, George I. Butler
  • Patent number: 9593540
    Abstract: A dual-BOP or multi-BOP self-standing riser configuration is disclosed, including at least a riser or another similarly fixed tubular structure disposed in communication with an associated drilling vessel and a subsurface well. The system supplements the traditional mud-line level BOP with one or more additional near-surface BOPs, which are tensioned using an adjustable buoyancy chamber rather than by means of a vessel-born tensioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Keith K. Millheim
  • Patent number: 9593541
    Abstract: An elongate drill component for percussive drilling includes a female threaded end having an outer diameter (Dot), a male threaded end, and a central section between the ends having an outer diameter (Doc). The outer diameter of the female threaded end is larger than the outer diameter of the central section. A through-going flushing channel includes a central flushing channel having a diameter (Dic) and thread flushing channels having a diameter (Dit). The ratio of an elastic section modulus of a threaded joint measured when the female threaded end is connected to the male threaded end of an identical component to an elastic section modulus of the central section, St/Sc, is more than 1.5 and in that a ratio of the diameter of the central flushing channel to the outer diameter of the central section, Dic/Doc is between 0.45 and 0.95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SANDVIK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AB
    Inventors: Petri Ahola, Johan Linden
  • Patent number: 9593542
    Abstract: A rupture disc assembly and a float tool incorporating the rupture disc assembly is disclosed. The rupture disc assembly may include a rupture disc assembly comprising a rupture disc, an upper tubular portion and a lower tubular portion, and a securing mechanism for holding the rupture disc between the upper and lower tubular portions. A float tool for creating a buoyant chamber in a casing string may include the rupture disc assembly and a sealing device for sealing the lower end of the casing string, the buoyant, sealed chamber may be created there between. In operation, applied fluid pressure causes the rupture disc to move downward. The rupture disc may be shattered by contact with a surface on the lower tubular portion. Full casing internal diameter may be restored in the region where the rupture disc formerly sealed the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: NCS Multistage Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Getzlaf, Marty Stromquist, John Ravensbergen, David Devlin, Doulgas Braden, Travis Harris
  • Patent number: 9593543
    Abstract: A drill head assembly for receiving a drill rod in an operative position. The drill head assembly has a chuck and cradle configured for movement between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of a drill mast. In the second position, the longitudinal axis of the chuck is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the drill mast. From the first position, the cradle is configured for sequential axial and then pivotal movement relative to the transverse axis to reach the second position, with pivotal movement being restricted until axial movement is completed. Drill rod handling systems having such drill head assemblies, and methods of using such drill head assemblies, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BLY IP INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Allen Wright, Anthony Charles William Markham
  • Patent number: 9593544
    Abstract: A clamp assembly which includes two spaced apart jaw systems each of which has two sets of spaced apart relatively pivotal grip formations, wherein the jaw systems are relatively pivotally movable to position the four sets of grip formations at spaced apart locations on a circumference of a circle, wherein the size of the circumference is determined at least by the extent of relative pivotal movement of the jaw systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: MONUMENT MACHINE SHOP LTD.
    Inventors: Leonard Messmer, Timothy Pickford, Michael Thomas Patrick Sutherland, Lauren Giang
  • Patent number: 9593545
    Abstract: In a drill string for oil wells and the like a method and apparatus for delivering fluids to the drilled hole employs a bypass port above fluid outlets in the distal end of the string. The port may be used to deliver fluid such as lost circulation material (LCM) to the drilled hole from the surface. A volume of the fluid may be locked in the string between the port and the fluid outlets such that fluid is prevented from passing from the hole into the string via the fluid outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Churchill Drilling Tools Limited
    Inventor: Andrew Churchill
  • Patent number: 9593546
    Abstract: Well tools including valves operable by low electrical input. One well tool includes a valve which controls fluid communication between pressure regions in a well, the valve including a rotatable member which is biased to rotate, and a brake or clutch which prevents rotation of the member. Another valve includes a barrier which separates reactants, with the valve being operable in response to the barrier being opened and the reactants thereby reacting with each other. Yet another valve includes a barrier which separates the pressure regions, and a control circuit which heats the barrier to a weakened state. Another valve includes a member displaceable between open and closed positions, a restraining device which resists displacement of the member, and a control device which degrades or deactivates the restraining device and thereby permits the member to displace between its open and closed positions, in response to receipt of a predetermined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam D. Wright, Michael L. Fripp, Kevin D. Fink, Donald Perkins, Jimmie R. Williamson, Mark D. Kalman
  • Patent number: 9593547
    Abstract: A shock assembly for use with a motion tool deployable into a wellbore by a conveyance. The motion tool includes a mandrel operatively connectable to the conveyance or the motion tool, a housing operatively connectable to the motion tool or the conveyance (the housing having an opening to slidingly receive the mandrel and including a first and a second spring portion), a first spring slidably positionable in the first spring portion and having a first spring stiffness, and a second spring slidably positionable in the second spring portion having a second spring stiffness. The second spring stiffness being less than the first spring stiffness such that the first and second springs selectively engage as the housing slidingly moves about the mandrel in response to forces applied to the system to selectively restrict movement between the mandrel and the housing whereby the motion tool is vibrated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell DHT, L.P.
    Inventors: Andrew D. Malcolm, Roman Kvasnytsia, Justin Lockhart
  • Patent number: 9593548
    Abstract: Method and system that permits explosive operations to be conducted concurrently with drilling and other wellsite operations involving an electrical top drive mechanism or other components that utilize electricity are disclosed. A platform is placed at a location where subterranean operations are to be performed. A first well bore is drilled in a formation using drilling equipment on the platform by activating a top drive. Concurrently with drilling the first well bore, a perforating operation is performed in a second well bore extending from the platform. The perforating operation is performed using a perforating gun that comprises at least one of an electric isolator and an explosive isolator. The perforating gun is activated when the perforating gun reaches a safe depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jim T. Hill, Clinton C. Quattlebaum, John D. Burleson, Tony F. Grattan
  • Patent number: 9593549
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a locking assembly to attach a quickset casing head of a wellhead assembly to a landing mandrel attached to a surface casing in a drilling operation. A locking ring, comprised of a plurality of arcuate segments, is arranged between the quickset casing head and the landing mandrel. Each of the plurality of arcuate segments is clamped down onto the landing mandrel with a plurality of radially spaced lockdown bolts fastened through the quickset casing head. The clamping enables a seal between the quickset casing head and the landing mandrel without requiring arduous welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: McClinton Energy Group LLC
    Inventors: Tony McClinton, Jeremy Perkins
  • Patent number: 9593550
    Abstract: An angle-cut shear ram blowout preventer system containing an angle-cut shear ram inside a ram housing with a ram housing bore. A ram cylinder pressure housing can be secured to the ram housing, wherein the ram cylinder pressure housing can be fluidly connected to a hydraulic pressure source or a pneumatic pressure source. A piston in the ram cylinder pressure housing can be fluidly connected to the hydraulic pressure source or the pneumatic pressure source. A taper can be extended from the ram housing bore into a through bore to simultaneously sever a pipe in a well and seal the well once the pipe is severed without requiring additional downhole tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Inventor: Phyllis A. Jennings
  • Patent number: 9593551
    Abstract: Packers may be inflated within the wellbore to engage and isolate a portion of the wellbore wall. Charges included within the packers may then be fired to perforate the formation. According to certain embodiments, the charges may be located within drains in the packers that can be subsequently employed to sample the surrounding formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Pierre-Yves Corre, Stephane Metayer, Jean-Louis Pessin
  • Patent number: 9593552
    Abstract: A system for cementing a wellbore penetrating an earth formation into which a pipe extends. A cement material is positioned in the space between the wellbore and the pipe by circulated capsules containing the cement material through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The capsules contain the cementing material encapsulated in a shell. The capsules are added to a fluid and the fluid with capsules is circulated through the pipe into the space between the wellbore and the pipe. The shell is breached once the capsules contain the cementing material are in position in the space between the wellbore and the pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Apache Corporation
    Inventors: Roger D. Aines, William L. Bourcier, Eric B. Duoss, William C. Floyd, III, Christopher M. Spadaccini, John J. Vericella, Kenneth Michael Cowan
  • Patent number: 9593553
    Abstract: A sliding sleeve opens with a deployed ball. The sleeve has a seat disposed in the housing, and the seat has segments biased outward from one another with a C-ring or other biasing element. Initially, the seat has an expanded state in the sliding sleeve so that the seats segments expand outward against the housing's bore. When an appropriately sized ball is deployed downhole, the ball engages the expanded seat. Fluid pressure applied against the seated ball moves the seat into the inner sleeve's bore. As this occurs, the seat contracts, which increases the engagement area of the seat with the ball. Eventually, the seat reaches the shoulder in the inner sleeve so that pressure applied against the seated ball now moves the inner sleeve in the housing to open the sliding sleeve's flow port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Shane Larisey, Patrick J. Zimmerman, Raymond Shaffer, Luke Richey, Scott Williamson
  • Patent number: 9593554
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an injection valve with improved pressure regulation and/or improved erosion resistance. One embodiment of the injection valve includes a first stem and a second stem forming a closure mechanism, and a seal member engaging the first stem. The seal between the seal member and the first stem provides a constant sealing surface and enables precise regulation to the opening pressure. The seal member is protected from high pressure differential flow and erosion damage because the seal member is not exposed to the fluid flow when the injection valve switches between an open and a closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Zlatko Salihbegovic
  • Patent number: 9593555
    Abstract: A system can include at least one check valve which prevents outward flow through a wall of a tubular string in a well, the wall surrounding a longitudinally extending flow passage of the tubular string. The check valve can include a ball or poppet which sealingly engages a seat. Another system can include multiple redundant check valves which prevent outward flow through a wall of a tubular string in a well. A well tool can include multiple redundant check valves which prevent flow in one direction through the wall, and which permit flow in an opposite direction through the wall. Each of the multiple redundant check valves can include a ball or poppet which sealingly engages a seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: James D. Vick, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9593556
    Abstract: There is provided a system and method for using a thermal insulating paint in a subsea environment. In accordance with one embodiment of the present technique, the thermal insulating paint may be applied to a casing for use in a subsea mineral extraction system. In another embodiment, a surface-rated thermal insulating paint may be applied to any component for use in a subsea mineral extraction system. The insulated component may be protected from the subsea environment to prevent damage to the surface-rated thermal insulating paint. For example, protecting the component may include burying it in cement or concrete, encasing it in another subsea structure or enclosure, or applying a protective sealant over the surface-rated thermal insulating paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: James Eden White, Edmund Peter McHugh
  • Patent number: 9593557
    Abstract: An autonomous downhole power generation system includes a power generation device configured to be disposed in an annular space around a portion of a production tubing, wherein the power generation device is switchable between a power generation mode and a bypass mode. The system further includes a power storage device electrically coupled to the power generation device and configured to store power generated by the power generation device. The system also includes a control processor communicatively coupled to the power storage device and the power generation device, wherein the control processor receives a measure of power stored in the power storage device and switches the power generation device between the power generation mode and the bypass mode based on the measure of power or an preprogrammed operational protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC
    Inventor: Namhyo Kim
  • Patent number: 9593558
    Abstract: A system and method for planning a well path is described. An exemplary method comprises defining a proxy constraint volume as a three-dimensional (3D) cellular volume where each cell has at least one value derived from data from a 3D earth model. An initial well path is defined within user defined drilling parameter constraints. The exemplary method comprises defining acceptable constraint parameters to be applied to values derived from an intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume. If the intersection of the initial well path and the proxy constraint volume is not within the acceptable constraint parameters, the initial well path may be iteratively adjusted to create successive well paths until at least one of the successive well paths is within the acceptable constraint parameters for the values derived from the intersection of the well path and proxy constraint volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Jose J. Sequeira, Jr., Yao-Chou Cheng, Rune Musum
  • Patent number: 9593559
    Abstract: A sand control device for restricting flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore, the device being divided into compartments along its length, each compartment comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment, also comprising a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Charles S. Yeh, Tracy J. Moffett, Ted A. Long, Andrey A. Troshko, Michael D. Barry, Michael T. Hecker, David A. Howell, Annabel Green, Stephen McNamee, Rodney S. Royer, Robert F. Hodge, Peter Olenick, Henry Nguyen, William Barry Fisher
  • Patent number: 9593560
    Abstract: In a fracking context the object that will ultimately block a passage in an isolation device is introduced into the zone with the bottom hole assembly. The object is not released until the guns fire to create a pressure spike in the borehole that triggers the object retaining device to release the object. The retaining device is placed in close proximity to the isolation device and its setting tool to allow a larger object and passage in the isolation device to be used. If the guns misfire, the object is not released and comes out with the guns. The replacement guns can be pumped in because the passage in the isolation device has stayed open during the misfire. Direct and indirect object release in response to pressure created from the firing of the guns is contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Jason C. Mailand, Daniel S. Matthews
  • Patent number: 9593561
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for use in a vertical production tree that includes an annular piping spool member having a side opening, and a hanger having an outer surface profiled to selectively land in the piping spool member and a side opening registered with the side opening of the piping spool member. The hanger assembly also includes a vertical penetrator having an end selectively connected to a submersible device and an opposing end inserted into the hanger, and that is in communication with the side openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Brian Roth, Brett Bouldin
  • Patent number: 9593562
    Abstract: A fuel cell for use in downhole applications stores steam created by the chemical reaction in a desiccant like Zeolite. The fuel cell also uses ambient hydrostatic pressure to increase cell voltage and power-density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Thomas Kruspe, Joachim F. Oppelt
  • Patent number: 9593563
    Abstract: The instant disclosure provides a method of generating steam for the recovery of hydrocarbon from a hydrocarbon producing system including (i) generating supercritical steam from water; (ii) converting the supercritical steam to a subcritical steam; and (iii) injecting the subcritical steam into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Sten Egil Johnsen, Leif Kåre Grønstad, Carsten Frithjof Sørlie
  • Patent number: 9593564
    Abstract: Systems and methods that include providing, e.g., obtaining or preparing, a material that includes a hydrocarbon carried by an inorganic substrate, and exposing the material to a plurality of energetic particles, such as accelerated charged particles, such as electrons or ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: XYLECO, INC.
    Inventor: Marshall Medoff
  • Patent number: 9593565
    Abstract: Systems and methods for handling wellsite packets for a wellsite are provided. The wellsite packets include soluble packaging with wellsite materials therein. The wellsite has surface equipment and downhole equipment positioned about a wellbore. The handling system includes at least one feeder, at least one mixer, at least one metering device, and a pump. The feeder moves the wellsite packets directly or indirectly into the mixer. The mixer stimulates dissolution of the soluble packaging so as to mix the wellsite materials with a fluid to form a wellsite mixture. The metering device selectively controls the number of wellsite packets moving to the mixer. The pump is operatively coupled to the mixer to pump the wellsite mixture at the wellsite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bruno Lecerf, Dan Fu, Zinaida Usova, Avinash Ramesh, Garud Sridhar, William Troy Huey, Jesse Lee
  • Patent number: 9593566
    Abstract: A method of facilitating a drilling operation includes: receiving a current set point for a drilling operation, the current set point indicating a value of an operational parameter at which the drilling operation is being performed; receiving a global limit indicating at least one of a maximum and a minimum value of the operational parameter that is permitted to be applied for the drilling operation; defining a local limit for the operational parameter, the local limit indicating at least one of a local maximum value and a local minimum value of the operational parameter; receiving a parameter change value, the parameter change value indicating a proposed change to the operational parameter from the current set point; and selecting a level of automation by which the operational parameter can be adjusted, the level of automation based on a comparison of the parameter change value and the local limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Oliver Hoehn, Joern Koeneke
  • Patent number: 9593567
    Abstract: A drilling system comprises a drilling parameter sensor in communication with a sensor application 22 that generates processed data from raw data that is received from the drilling parameter sensor. A process application 24 is in communication with the sensor application 22 and generates an instruction based on the processed data. A priority controller is in communication with the process application 24 and evaluates the instruction for release to an equipment controller 14 that then issues the instruction to one or more drilling components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventors: Tony Pink, David Reid, Andrew Bruce
  • Patent number: 9593568
    Abstract: In one aspect, a system for estimating fatigue damage in a riser string is provided. The system includes a plurality of accelerometers which can be deployed along a riser string and a communications link to transmit accelerometer data from the plurality of accelerometers to one or more data processors in real time. With data from a limited number of accelerometers located at sensor locations, the system estimates an optimized current profile along the entire length of the riser including riser locations where no accelerometer is present. The optimized current profile is then used to estimate damage rates to individual riser components and to update a total accumulated damage to individual riser components. The number of sensor locations is small relative to the length of a deepwater riser string, and a riser string several miles long can be reliably monitored along its entire length by fewer than twenty sensor locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey LeMonds, Judith Ann Guzzo, Shaopeng Liu, Uttara Ashwin Dani
  • Patent number: 9593569
    Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a system for removably attaching an optical fiber sensor loop onto a tubular member, which includes an optical fiber sensor loop having a continuous optical fiber positioned arranged in a plurality of loops, each of said loops having a first end turn and a second end turn, a first and a second turn guide each including a plurality of turn grooves increasing outwardly in increasing radii, each of said turn grooves configured to receive an end turn portion of the optical fiber, a first and a second supporting wedge each having a planar first surface configured to receive a turn guide and a curved second surface configured to be received on the tubular member, and a connector configured to couple the first mounting wedge to the second mounting wedge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Zbigniew Sobolewski, Ronald L. Spross, Gary Nguyen, Mark A. Sitka
  • Patent number: 9593570
    Abstract: A method, system, and non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for estimating pose of a drill are disclosed. The method may include receiving a location signal from a locating device, receiving a first signal indicative of an angular rate of the drill, and receiving a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the drill. The method may further include determining an operation state of the drill. The method may further include determining the pose of the drill based on the received location signal, first signal, second signal, and the determined operation state of the drill.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Russell Friend
  • Patent number: 9593571
    Abstract: A method includes accepting as input to a processor measurements of a characteristic of a subsurface formation made at a plurality of spaced apart positions along a pipe string moved along a wellbore. Measurements are made of pipe string depth in the wellbore from the Earth's surface. The measurements of pipe string depth include measurements of apparent depth of each of the spaced apart locations. The subsurface formation is identified from the measurements of the characteristic. A true depth of the subsurface formation is made using the measurements of pipe string depth and apparent depth of the formation from each of the spaced apart positions. A record of measurements of the characteristic with respect to depth corrected for changes in length of the pipe string caused by axial forces along the pipe string is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY COPRORATION
    Inventors: John Rasmus, George Bordakov
  • Patent number: 9593572
    Abstract: In one aspect, a wellbore system is disclosed for determining breach of cement section in the wellbore, wherein the system includes a cement section in the wellbore formed to prevent flow of fluids including hydrocarbons through the cement section, nonradioactive tracers that emit radioactive emission when activated by a radiation source, a radioactive source that generates radioactive particles to activate the nonradioactive tracers that have migrated through the cement to cause the nonradioactive tracers to emit radiation, a detector for detecting the radioactive emission from the nonradioactive tracer, and a processor that determines from the detected radioactive emission a fluid leak through the cement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Darin H. Duphorne, Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 9593573
    Abstract: A fiber optic slickline. The slickline includes fiber optic communication means without full downhole power transmitting capability. Nevertheless, the slickline is configured to accommodate an axial load up to, and in excess of 2,000 lbs. Downhole tools and tool assemblies are configured with opto-electronic interfacing features so as to remain electronically compatible while also taking advantage of fiber optic communications afforded over the slickline. The slickline and tools may be employed in logging and other downhole operations in a manner that provides real time communication with substantially reduced surface equipment expense in terms of footprint and power requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kalim Ullah
  • Patent number: 9593574
    Abstract: A well completion system includes tubing, and packers that seal the annulus of the well outside the tubing. The packers are spaced to define voids in the annulus that are substantially free from hydrostatic pressure. Also included are hollow sleeve valves having upper and lower sealing elements, and that have closed and open positions. Each sleeve valve is positioned within the tubing at a depth corresponding to a void in the annulus. Ports extend through the sleeve valve and tubing, so that when the sleeve valve is closed, the port is closed, and when the sleeve valve is open, the port is open. Also included is a sampling tool having top and bottom sealing elements, the bottom sealing element for engaging the lower sealing element of a sleeve valve, and the top sealing element for engaging the upper sealing element of the sleeve valve when the sleeve valve is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: AlWaleed Abdullah AlGouhi
  • Patent number: 9593575
    Abstract: A system and method for determining characteristics of a multiphase flow in a well/pipe are disclosed. The disclosed system and method use an optical immersion probe including a flow gap across which two or more types of radiation are transmitted in order to measure absorptions of two or more substances within the multiphase flow. Primarily, broadband ultraviolet (UV) and/or near infrared radiations (NIR) are utilized with the probe to gather absorption data at and/or around at least one of the water peaks and at and/or around one or more oil or oil-condensate peaks. This data may be utilized to calculate the water-cut of the multiphase flow over a wider range of gas volume fractions. Additionally, pressure ports having pressure sensors being located on the optical immersion probe for determining the impact pressures and flow rates of different phases of the multiphase flow may also be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Gang Xie
  • Patent number: 9593576
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring, analyzing, and characterizing well bores and reservoir fluids in a subterranean formation are provided. In particular, methods and systems for determining and using correction coefficients for quantitative analysis of gas samples extracted from fluids at a well site based on Fick's laws of diffusion are provided. In one embodiment, the systems include: a gas trap configured to extract one or more gaseous samples from a fluid at a well site; a gas analyzer configured to receive one or more gaseous samples from the gas extraction system and generate data regarding the amount of one or more gas species in the gaseous sample; and an information handling system communicatively coupled to the gas analyzer that is configured to use data received from the gas analyzer to determine an extraction efficiency coefficient for the gas species.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mathew Dennis Rowe
  • Patent number: 9593577
    Abstract: A pick tool (100) comprising a strike member (110) non-moveably attached to a pick body (120), the strike member comprising a strike structure. The strike structure comprises super-hard material and defines a planar strike surface (112), the strike surface defining a cutting edge (114) that includes an apex (115) in the plane of the strike surface (112). The thickness of at least a proximate volume (107) of the strike structure adjacent the cutting edge (114) is at least about 2 millimeters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: Element Six GmbH, Element Six Abrasives S.A.
    Inventors: Frank Friedrich Lachmann, Robert Fries, Bernd Heinrich Ries
  • Patent number: 9593578
    Abstract: A compressed-gas motor has a cylindrical inner chamber closed gas-tight at a first base surface, and a piston arranged so as to be movable along the cylinder axis in the cylindrical inner chamber. A first opening feeds a compressed gas into the inner chamber, and a second opening discharges a gas from inside the inner chamber. The openings are arranged in the cylinder casing of the cylindrical inner chamber, wherein the first opening is arranged between the second opening and the closed first base surface. The first opening is closable by a first piston part and the second opening by a second piston part. The compressed-gas motor has a resetting device which exerts a force on the piston in the direction of the first base surface of the cylindrical inner chamber if the second piston part does not completely close the second opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Heraeus Medical GmbH
    Inventors: Sebastian Vogt, Hubert Buechner
  • Patent number: 9593579
    Abstract: A crank circular slider mechanism that includes a multi-row reciprocating motion part and a one-row reciprocating part. The multi-row reciprocating motion part has a guiding part divided by a longitudinal groove into two rows parallel to each other, each of which has a hole for a circular slider. The one-row reciprocating motion part has a guiding part which can be inserted into the longitudinal groove of the multi-row reciprocating motion part along the thickness direction, so as to vertically traverse the multi-row reciprocating motion part. The guiding part of the one-row reciprocating motion part includes a hole receiving a middle circular slider. Two circular sliders are mounted in the same phase; the middle circular slider is sandwiched therebetween and is located with a 180 degree phase difference compared to them. Adjacent circular sliders are secured to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: Beijing Sinocep Engine Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming Li, Zhengzhong Li, Yusheng Ma, Qingxu Wang, Lijun Guo
  • Patent number: 9593580
    Abstract: A rotor for a Wankel engine including a plurality of ribs extending from a bearing support to each one of the flanks, the plurality of ribs including, for each flank, first and second ribs connected to the flank between the recess and a respective one of the apex portions. The first and second ribs are curved along at least a portion thereof, and/or the first and second ribs are closest to the respective apex portion and connected to the flank adjacent a junction between a portion of the flank defining the recess and a respective portion of the flank connected thereto. A method of reducing pinching of apex seals in a rotor of a Wankel engine is also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: PRATT & WHITNEY CANADA CORP.
    Inventors: Jean-Gabriel Gauvreau, David Gagnon-Martin
  • Patent number: 9593581
    Abstract: A turbine disc for a turbine is provided with a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are formed in such a way that a balancing weight is coupleable between the first protrusion and the second protrusion. The first protrusion has a sealing section that is capable of sealing a fluid passage between the turbine disc and a further turbine part of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Adrian Brathwaite
  • Patent number: 9593582
    Abstract: A propulsion device including an unducted upstream propeller and a counter-rotating and coaxial downstream propeller. At least one blade of the upstream propeller is configured to generate a corotating secondary vortex for acting upstream of the downstream propeller to destabilize a blade tip vortex of the same at least one blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: SNECMA, CENAERO
    Inventors: Clement Marcel Maurice Dejeu, Sebastien Pascal, Jerome Talbotec, Michael Leborgne, Ingrid Irene Catherine Lepot
  • Patent number: 9593583
    Abstract: A nickel-base superalloy for turbine vanes or turbine blades is provided. The nickel-base superalloy has in wt %: C: equal to or greater 0.1; Si: </=0.2; Mn: </=0.2; P: </=0.005; S: </=0.0015; Al: 4.0 to 5.5; B: </=0.03; Co: 5.0 to 9.0; Cr: 18.0 to 22.0; Cu: </=0.1; Fe: </=0.5; Hf: 0.9 to 1.3; Mg: </=0.002; Mo: </=0.5; N: </=0.0015; Nb: </=0.01; O: </=0.0015; Ta: 4.8 to 5.2; Ti: 0.8 to 2.0; W: 1.8 to 2.5; Zr: </=0.01; Ni: balance; and inevitable impurities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Paul Mathew Walker, Mick Whitehurst