Did You Know...
...that several people are credited with the invention of the flush toilet? Most people have heard of Thomas Crapper (1837-1910), the sanitary engineer who invented the valve-and-siphon arrangement that made the modern toilet possible. Another claimant to "the throne" was British inventor Alexander Cumming who patented a toilet in 1775. Then there's a nameless Minoan (a native of ancient Crete) who lived 4,000 years ago who supposedly was ahead of his time and created the first flush toilet!
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 8176998 | Method and device for core drilling A method in core drilling, wherein a tubular drill bit (8) being arranged at the end of a tubular drill string (6) is driven under rotation against a material intended for drilling, and wherein for the purpose of core retrieving, a tool (17, 20)... | 05/15/2012 |
| 8162076 | System and method for reducing the borehole gap for downhole formation testing sensors A system and method for downhole measurement for use with drill strings to reduce the borehole gap with respect to sensors carried by the drill string. In one embodiment, the sensors are mounted on a surface of the directional drilling hinged pad that comes in conta... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8162077 | Drill bit with weight and torque sensors A drill bit made according to one embodiment includes a bit body and at least one preloaded sensor in the bit body. In one aspect, the sensor may include a sensor element on a sensor body having a first end and a second end and wherein the sensor is preloaded after ... | 04/24/2012 |
| 8136610 | Torsional resonance prevention A system for drilling a cavity in a medium. The system may include a drill bit, a processor, and a controller. The drill bit may be configured to rotate in the medium and remove at least a portion of the medium. The processor may be configured to receive a first set... | 03/20/2012 |
| 8100196 | Method and apparatus for collecting drill bit performance data Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with a state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit configured for receiving a data analysis module. The data analysis module comprises at least one s... | 01/24/2012 |
| 8087476 | System and method for damping vibration in a drill string using a magnetorheological damper A system for damping vibration in a drill string can include a magnetorheological fluid valve assembly having a supply of a magnetorheological fluid, a first member, and a second member capable of moving in relation to first member in response to vibration of the dr... | 01/03/2012 |
| 8087477 | Methods and apparatuses for measuring drill bit conditions Drill bits and methods of measuring drill bit conditions are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit bearing at least one cutting element and adapted for coupling to a drill string. The drill bit may also comprise a chamber forme... | 01/03/2012 |
| 8069931 | System, method and apparatus for downhole system having integrated measurement while operating components A drill bit string has an internal steering module for measurement while drilling. A chassis is inserted into a modified drill collar from the axial end, rather than through the side. The chassis has external pockets machined into it from its outer diameter. The siz... | 12/06/2011 |
| 8056648 | Method and device The present invention relates to a method for controlling a rock drilling process, in which an impulse-generating device comprising an impact element transmits a shock wave to a tool connected to the impulse-generating device, whereby a portion of the energy of the ... | 11/15/2011 |
| 8042624 | System and method for improved depth measurement correction A method for generating corrected geologic depth information is disclosed. The method includes: estimating a depth of each of a plurality of different locations along a length of a drillstring disposed in a borehole; measuring at least one environmental factor at ea... | 10/25/2011 |
| 8020633 | Simultaneous drilling and open hole wireline logging for drilling rigs A method of logging a wellbore comprises drilling a first wellbore to a depth using a drilling rig and drilling a second wellbore to a depth using the drilling rig. While the second wellbore is being drilled a logging operation is conducted in the first wellbore usi... | 09/20/2011 |
| 8020632 | Method and system for wellbore communication A communication system for a casing while drilling system is provided. The casing while drilling system is adapted to advance a bottom hole assembly into a subsurface formation via a casing. The communication system comprises a high frequency modulator and a transdu... | 09/20/2011 |
| 7958949 | Method and apparatus for three dimensional geosteering A technique for drilling a borehole includes obtaining data from a tool in the borehole for a plurality of positions in the borehole that is being drilled to form acquired data indicative of directional electromagnetic propagation measurements. The technique include... | 06/14/2011 |
| 7954559 | Method for optimizing the location of a secondary cutting structure component in a drill string A method of drilling a well includes at least one drill bit and at least one secondary cutting structure. The method includes determining a neutral point of a drill string, positioning at least one secondary cutting structure based on the neutral point of the drill ... | 06/07/2011 |
| 7946356 | Systems and methods for monitored drilling An item (e.g. a drill bit) handling method, the item for use in a well operation, the method including producing information about an item used for a specific well task, the information including design information and intended use information, producing an item ide... | 05/24/2011 |
| 7913773 | Bidirectional drill string telemetry for measuring and drilling control The disclosure has application for use in conjunction with an operation of drilling an earth borehole using: a drilling rig, a drill string having its generally upper end mechanically coupleable with and suspendable from the drilling rig, and a bottom hole assembly ... | 03/29/2011 |
| 7896105 | Method of drilling and production hydrocarbons from subsurface formations A method associated with the production of hydrocarbons. In one embodiment, a method for drilling a well is described. The method includes identifying a field having hydrocarbons. Then, one or more wells are drilled to a subsurface location in the field to provide f... | 03/01/2011 |
| 7886845 | Method and system for monitoring auxiliary operations on mobile drilling units and their application to improving drilling unit efficiency A system for monitoring auxiliary operations on a drilling unit includes at least one sensor configured to measure a parameter related to a start time and a stop time of at least one auxiliary operation on the drilling unit. The system includes a data acquisition de... | 02/15/2011 |
| 7882902 | Top drive interlock The present invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for improving top drive operations. A method of ensuring safe operation of a top drive includes operating a top drive, thereby exerting torque on a first tubular to makeup or breakout a first threaded ... | 02/08/2011 |
| 7878266 | Downhole force measurement An apparatus for measuring forces acting on a tubing string within a wellbore, comprising a body including a central passage and an internal void radially offset from the central passage. End portions extending from the body each include an internal passage and an i... | 02/01/2011 |
| 7845429 | Determining drillstring neutral point based on hydraulic factor A solution for determining a neutral point of a drillstring in drilling a borehole is disclosed. The solution includes receiving depth-time log data for drilling the borehole with the drillstring, the depth-time log data including data related to a torque and drag f... | 12/07/2010 |
| 7836974 | Open hole logging for drilling rigs A method of logging a wellbore comprises drilling a first wellbore to a depth using a drilling rig and drilling a second wellbore to a depth using the drilling rig. While the second wellbore is being drilled a logging operation is conducted in the first wellbore usi... | 11/23/2010 |
| 7832501 | Measurement ahead of the drilling bit by analysis of formation cuttings using ultraviolet light to detect the presence of oil or gas An apparatus for determining the nature of the formation at the bottom of a wellbore being drilled with a tubular drill string through which drilling fluid is pumped to return the drilling fluid to the surface via the wellbore, the apparatus comprising a tool body f... | 11/16/2010 |
| 7798246 | Apparatus and method to control the rotation of a downhole drill bit An apparatus and method to control the rotation of a downhole drill bit are disclosed. A pair of spaced-apart measuring or survey instruments at the drill string provide data that is analyzed to determine relative rotation between the instruments so that drag affect... | 09/21/2010 |
| 7735579 | Measurement while drilling apparatus and method of using the same A method and apparatus used to transmit information to the surface from a subsurface location during the process of drilling a bore hole is described. A novel pressure pulse generator or “pulser” is coupled to a sensor package, a controller and a battery power s... | 06/15/2010 |
| 7730967 | Drilling wellbores with optimal physical drill string conditions A drilling system includes a control unit and a bottomhole assembly (BHA) coupled to a drill string. The control unit uses measurements from sensors distributed throughout the drill string and BHA to determine the physical condition of the drill string and BHA and t... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7730968 | Apparatus for wellbore communication Methods and apparatus for communicating between surface equipment and downhole equipment. One embodiment of the invention provides a wellhead assembly that allows electrical power and signals to pass into and out of the well during drilling operations, without remov... | 06/08/2010 |
| 7708086 | Modular drilling apparatus with power and/or data transmission The present invention relates to devices and methods for conveying power and/or data signal along a wellbore bottomhole assembly (BHA) having a steering unit, a bidirectional data communication and power (“BCPM”) unit, a sensor sub, a formation evaluation sub, s... | 05/04/2010 |
| 7708087 | Countersink roof bit drill and method for using the same A roof bit drill has a central shaft with a front end and a back end. The drill also has a base secured about the central shaft proximate to the front end, wherein the base has clearance channels extending axially therethrough. At least one cutting element is arrang... | 05/04/2010 |
| 7677332 | Method and apparatus for managing variable density drilling mud A method and system for drilling a wellbore is described. The system includes a wellbore with a variable density drilling mud, drilling pipe, a bottom hole assembly disposed in the wellbore and a drilling mud processing unit in fluid communication with the wellbore.... | 03/16/2010 |
| 7673705 | Compartmentalized MWD tool with isolated pressure compensator The present invention relates to a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) tool having a pressure compensation system and reservoir segregated from fluid integration with actuator mechanism lubricants. The MWD tool can also be serviced on the rig floor without the need to ... | 03/09/2010 |
| 7669668 | System, apparatus, and method of conducting measurements of a borehole A method is provided for conducting measurements of a borehole while drilling the borehole in a geological formation. First, a rotatable drilling assembly is provided that has, at a forward end, a drill bit and a borehole measurement tool connected rearward of the d... | 03/02/2010 |
| 7628227 | Measuring the weight on a drill bit during drilling operations using coherent radiation One embodiment includes an apparatus that includes a coherent radiation source to emit coherent radiation through a signal carrier that is positioned along at least a part of a length of a downhole drilling component. The apparatus also includes a receiver to receiv... | 12/08/2009 |
| 7604072 | Method and apparatus for collecting drill bit performance data Drill bits and methods for sampling sensor data associated with the state of a drill bit are disclosed. A drill bit for drilling a subterranean formation comprises a bit body and a shank. The shank further includes a central bore formed through an inside diameter of... | 10/20/2009 |
| 7600582 | Sonde housing An instrument housing for a drill string, comprising: a cylindrical housing having a cavity for receiving an instrument assembly such as a transmitter sonde; an elongated side load opening disposed parallel with and toward one end of the cavity and formed through a ... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7600583 | Automated, low profile drilling/bolting module with collaring A module is for use in drilling a borehole in face of a mine passage using a drilling element and installing a bolt in the borehole once formed. The module may include a bolt holder for holding a plurality of bolts and a drilling element holder for holding a plurali... | 10/13/2009 |
| 7578359 | Downhole acoustic source An acoustic source for delivering acoustic energy to a ground formation, particularly a rock formation, the source including (a) a solenoid to generate an electromagnetic field, (b) a bullet positioned within the influence of the electromagnetic field, (c) a casing ... | 08/25/2009 |
| 7568532 | Electromagnetically determining the relative location of a drill bit using a solenoid source installed on a steel casing Electrically powered electromagnetic field source beacons installed in a reference well in combination with a down-hole measurement while drilling (MWD) electronic survey instrument near the drill bit in the borehole being drilled permit distance and direction measu... | 08/04/2009 |
| 7556104 | System and method for processing and transmitting information from measurements made while drilling Methods and systems are disclosed for downhole processing of measurements made in a wellbore during the construction of the wellbore. The system includes sensors located downhole adapted to measure downhole parameters. The system uses a downhole processor to calcula... | 07/07/2009 |
| 7546884 | Method and apparatus and program storage device adapted for automatic drill string design based on wellbore geometry and trajectory requirements A method of generating drillstring design information in response to input data which includes wellbore geometry and wellbore trajectory requirements, comprises the step of generating a summary of a drillstring in each hole section of a wellbore in response to the i... | 06/16/2009 |
