Donald J Ward

US Patent:

41288882, Dec 5, 1978

Filed:

Mar 15, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/777677

Inventors:

Loren B. Sheldon - Houston TX
James R. Tomashek - Wood Dale IL
Donald H. Ward - Glen Ellyn IL

Assignee:

BJ-Hughes Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

E21B 1900
G06F 1520

US Classification:

364565

Abstract:

A computer - controlled oil drilling rig is characterized by apparatus for comparing signals representative of the actual velocity and direction of travel of a traveling block with signals representative of predetermined minimum and maximum velocities of the traveling block and a signal representative of a predetermined direction of travel of the traveling block. Output signals are generated if the actual velocity signals are greater than the maximum velocity signal or less than the minimum velocity signal and if the direction of the traveling block deviates from the predetermined direction.

US Patent:

40421236, Aug 16, 1977

Filed:

Feb 6, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/547375

Inventors:

Loren B. Sheldon - Houston TX
James R. Tomashek - Wooddale IL
Robert R. Kelly - Hoffman Estates IL
James S. Thale - Evanston IL
Jashwant C. Shah - Des Plaines IL
Donald H. Ward - Glen Ellyn IL

International Classification:

E21B 1900

US Classification:

214 25

Abstract:

In a hydraulically powered pipe handling system, a general purpose digital computer is used to control the operation of hydraulically powered racker arms as well as the various auxiliary functions involved in vertical piperacking operations. The manual pipe-racking system (that is, that which is hydraulically powered and under the control of one or more operators) is retained, the computer controlled mode of operation being an alternative system present in the overall design. There is provided to the operator, while the system is in its automatic mode of operation, visual indication of length of drill string, depth of hole, depth of drill bit and composition of the drill string, including number and type of pipe lengths making up the drill string.

US Patent:

41398912, Feb 13, 1979

Filed:

Mar 15, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/777786

Inventors:

Loren B. Sheldon - Houston TX
James R. Tomashek - Wood Dale IL
Donald H. Ward - Glen Ellyn IL

Assignee:

BJ-Hughes Inc. - Long Beach CA

International Classification:

E21B 1900
G06F 1520

US Classification:

364567

Abstract:

A computer-controlled oil drilling derrick is characterized by apparatus for determining the load supported by a traveling block during motion thereof from a first to second position within an oil drilling rig. The apparatus is operative to output a signal functionally related to the net load on the traveling block. Further, the apparatus outputs an appropriately scaled signal functionally related to the load on the traveling block when in a substantially static condition.

US Patent:

42022258, May 13, 1980

Filed:

Apr 4, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/026820

Inventors:

Loren B. Sheldon - Houston TX
James R. Tomashek - Wood Dale IL
Donald H. Ward - Glen Ellyn IL

International Classification:

B25B 1350

US Classification:

81 5735

Abstract:

Apparatus for controlling a tongs arrangement which includes a tongs lift and lift speed arrangement, a backup tong and a power driven tong, is characterized by means for generating electrical signals to lift the backup tong and power tong at a predetermined speed to a predetermined elevation, means for generating an electrical signal to close and lock the backup tong when lifted, and means for generating an electrical signal to drive the power driven tong when the backup tong is closed and locked.