US 12110780

I have analyzed US patent 12110780 based on the provided authoritative patent text.

US Patent 12110780: Concise Summary

• Title: Method and apparatus for magnetic ranging while drilling
• Assignee: Gunnar Lllp
• Inventor: Clinton Moss
• Filing Date: 2023-08-28
• Issue Date: 2024-10-08
• Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are disclosed for magnetically ranging while drilling with a coiled tubing unit or drill pipe by way of an electrically conducive but environmentally electrically insulated wire installed through a coiled tubing spool or drill pipe complete with electrically insulative subs in the coiled tubing bottom hole assembly or drill pipe. The method and systems allow for the injection of excitation current into the formation by way of selectively electrifying various drill stem components, thereby facilitating current collection on a target tubular which radially emanates a magnetic field about the target well tubular(s). The method and devices allow for the construction of complex downhole current injection configurations which allow for modification of the bottom hole assembly to maximize target well signal generation in the presence of adverse environmental conditions.

Independent Claims Overview:

• Claim 1 (Apparatus for magnetic ranging): This claim describes an apparatus that includes a power supply, at least one section of drill pipe connected to the power supply, and at least one wire inside the drill pipe. A key feature is that the connection between the wire and the drill pipe is rigid and maintained during drilling. The apparatus also comprises a first electrically insulated member that directs electrical energy out of the drill pipe section, and a sensor to detect a magnetic ranging signal.
• Claim 9 (Apparatus for magnetic ranging): This claim is very similar to Claim 1, also describing an apparatus with a power supply, at least one drill pipe section, at least one internal wire, and a first electrically insulated member causing current to exit the pipe, and a sensor. The distinguishing feature specified is that the connection between the wire and the drill pipe is a rigid connection and is not spring loaded.
• Claim 18 (Apparatus for magnetic ranging): This claim also describes an apparatus with a power supply, at least one drill pipe section, at least one internal wire, a first electrically insulated member, and a sensor. The defining characteristic here is that the connection between the wire and the drill pipe maintains a continuous electrical connection while the at least one section of drill pipe is drilling.
• Claim 19 (Method of magnetic ranging): This claim outlines a method involving several steps:
  1. Installing a sensor that detects a magnetic ranging signal in a wellbore.
  2. Installing a first electrically insulative gap sub in the wellbore.
  3. Installing at least one section of drill pipe in the wellbore, connected to the gap sub.
  4. Connecting a power supply to the drill pipe section using an internal wire, where this connection is made at the surface and is rigid.
  5. Energizing the power supply to inject current from the drill pipe into the formation, which then travels to a target well to create a magnetic ranging signal.
  6. Sampling the magnetic ranging signal.
  7. Adjusting the drilling operations based on the sampled signal.

CAFC 2026 Dockets:

The provided patent text indicates that there is a PTAB (Patent Trial and Appeal Board) case filed: PGR2025-00061, with Scientific Drilling International, Inc. as the opponent, effective July 1, 2025. While PTAB cases are administrative proceedings at the USPTO and not directly CAFC dockets, they can sometimes lead to appeals at the CAFC. However, as of April 26, 2026, there is no information directly linking US patent 12110780 to any active CAFC 2026 dockets in the provided text. The PTAB case PGR2025-00061 is noted as "Not Instituted - Merits". There is also a mention of "Family has litigation" and "First worldwide family litigation filed" with a link to Darts-ip, but no specific CAFC docket number is provided. Therefore, I cannot confirm any CAFC 2026 dockets for this patent with authoritative information.