Patents Examined by Ian J. Lobo
  • Patent number: 11966002
    Abstract: Downhole drilling characteristic measurement systems for measuring a characteristic of drilling through the earth's subsurface and methods of the same are described. The systems include a downhole tool having an active measurement system, comprising a receiver, a first transmitter, and a second transmitter and a controller in communication with the first transmitter and the second transmitter, the controller configured to control the first transmitter and the second transmitter to transmit a first transmitted signal from the first transmitter and a second transmitted signal from the second transmitter. The receiver is arranged to receive a first received signal from the first transmitted signal and a second received signal from the second transmitted signal. A processor is configured to determine a characteristic of drilling from the first received signal and the second received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Holger Mathiszik
  • Patent number: 11960044
    Abstract: A sub-bottom geophysical imaging apparatus includes a carriage assembly having at least one acoustic transmitter, and at least one acoustic receiver proximate the transmitter. A position determining transponder is mounted on the carriage. A plurality of position transponders is disposed at spaced apart positions to communicate with the transponder mounted on the carriage. A pair of tracks is provided for moving the carriage to selected positions above the bottom. Electrodes are provided for a resistivity sensor and a shear acoustic transmitter and receiver disposed in at least one of the pair of tracks. A signal processing unit is configured to coherently stack and beam steer signals detected by the line array, the electrodes and the shear transmitter and receiver. The signal processing unit is configured to record signals detected by the line array of acoustic receivers, the electrodes and the shear acoustic transmitter and receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Kraken Robotics Services Ltd.
    Inventors: Jacques Y. Guigné, Nicholas G. Pace
  • Patent number: 11940582
    Abstract: A seismic data acquisition positioning apparatus is provided. The apparatus can include a seismic data acquisition unit. The unit can include a case having an internal compartment. The unit can include a power source, a clock, a seismic data recorder, a control unit, and at least one sensor disposed within the case. The apparatus can include a hanging unit including a beacon unit. The apparatus can include a connector having a first end coupled with the seismic data acquisition unit and having a second end coupled with the hanging unit. The connector can pivot about the first end of the connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: Magseis FF LLC
    Inventors: Per Helge Semb, Ivar Gimse, Camille Isabelle Marie Lapierre, Asgeir Sunnanå
  • Patent number: 11927688
    Abstract: Firearm discharge location systems and methods are described. According to one aspect, a firearm discharge location system includes a plurality of microphones spaced from one another, timing circuitry configured to generate a plurality of asynchronous timing references, wherein data capture operations with respect to the microphones of a first pair are synchronized with one another using a first of the timing references and data capture operations with respect to the microphones of a second pair are synchronized with one another using a second of the timing references, and processing circuitry configured to use outputs of the first and second pairs of the microphones to identify a location of a firearm discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Eric G. Gonzalez, Michael S. Hughes, Anton S. Sinkov
  • Patent number: 11917990
    Abstract: A pest deterrent system is provided. The pest deterrent system includes a sensor module and an actuator module. The sensor module includes a first housing, a sensor, and a controller. The sensor is positioned within the first housing and proximate to the view window such that the sensor is in visual communication with the view window and configured to detect objects outside of the first housing. The controller is positioned within the first housing and is operatively coupled to the sensor. The controller is configured to receive a signal from the sensor, such as an alert that an object is near the sensor module. The actuator module includes a second housing separate from the first housing, an actuator, and a second controller. The second controller configured to receive a signal from the first controller to actuate the actuator in response to the sensor being triggered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventor: Andrew Grosscup
  • Patent number: 11914057
    Abstract: A system for detecting an object approaching and/or impacting electrical equipment is disclosed. The system includes a housing for the electrical equipment and acoustic sensor(s) for measuring a sound pressure of the object approaching the housing, the acoustic sensor(s) disposed at a location at which the acoustic sensor(s) is not in contact with the housing. The system further includes vibration sensor(s) for measuring an acceleration of a surface of the housing caused by the object striking the housing, the vibration sensor(s) disposed at a location at which the vibration sensor(s) is in contact with the housing, and a computer readable storage medium having thereon machine-readable instructions that when executed determine the approach of the object for impact on the housing and/or the impact of the object to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: HITACHI ENERGY LTD
    Inventors: George K. Frimpong, Alberto Prieto Colmenero, Claire Pitois
  • Patent number: 11915677
    Abstract: A sensor suspension system for use in an underwater environment comprises a sensor (e.g., vector sensor) and a framework comprising a plurality of support structures, and a plurality of compliant devices that suspend the sensor within an inner volume of the framework. The plurality of compliant devices facilitate a symmetrical sensing response of the sensor in three degrees of freedom when deployed in the underwater environment. The framework is moveable from a collapsed position to an expanded position. A plurality of sensor suspension systems can be tethered together into a sensor array by a deployment control system operable to release a buoyant device, tethered to the sensor suspension systems, that vertically positions the plurality of sensor suspension systems into the sensor array. The buoyant device can cause each framework to expand via pulling force through the tethers upon release of the buoyant device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Joseph Misulia
  • Patent number: 11906681
    Abstract: A submersible node and a method and system for using the node to acquire data, including seismic data is disclosed. The node incorporates a buoyancy system to provide propulsion for the node between respective landed locations by varying the buoyancy between positive and negative. A first acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate positioning of a node when landing and a second acoustic positioning system is used to facilitate a node transiting between respective target landed locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Blue Ocean Seismic Services Limited
    Inventors: Fabio Mancini, Ben Hollings
  • Patent number: 11899153
    Abstract: A downhole tool including at least one transmitter, a receiver array, and a controller. Each receiver element of the receiver array is configured to apply variable amplification and a variable time delay to detected acoustic waveforms, wherein the variable amplification is controlled by an amplification factor assigned to the given receiver element, and wherein the variable time delay is controlled by a time delay assigned to the given receiver element. The controller assigns a set of amplification factors and time delays to the receiver elements of the receiver array and combines signals resulting from the application of the variable amplification and the variable time delay to the detected acoustic waveforms such that sensitivity of the receiver elements of the receiver array is focused at a desired zone-of-interest in a wellbore corresponding to the set of amplification factors and time delays assigned to the receiver elements of the receiver array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yang Liu, Ralph D'Angelo, Smaine Zeroug, Sandip Bose
  • Patent number: 11874416
    Abstract: A method for distributing geophones around a seismic data source includes distributing a first geophones each including a first piezoelectric system in a first region in which the seismic data source is located then distributing second geophones each including a solar cell in a second region surrounding the first region. The second geophones further include a housing, a spike provided on a bottom surface of the housing, a sensor configured to sense seismic data; a processor configured to process the seismic data, a transceiver configured to transmit the processed seismic data and receive radio frequency (RF) signals wirelessly; and a power device. The power device is coupled to the sensor, the processor and the transceiver. The power device is configured to harvest energy from an environment where the geophone is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: Naveed Iqbal, Mudassir Masood, Ali Arshad Nasir, Khurram Karim Qureshi
  • Patent number: 11874422
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of marine towing operations for marine seismic survey systems and seismic data gathering. More specifically, the present invention relates to seismic sources and receiver sensor cables, streamers, floats etc., that have means for adjusting and keeping a desired position in an array during a tow behind a vessel. The apparatus comprises a pulley apparatus, being a kind of miming block (1), connected with and supporting marine equipment (3, 3?). The miming block (1) is configured to attach to the deflected lead wire or tow wire (2, 9). It has means for traveling along the wire (2, 9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SHEARWATER INVEST AS
    Inventor: Erik Godøy
  • Patent number: 11874418
    Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for providing enhanced high definition images of subterranean activities, and structures using migrated data from two independent sources. There are provided systems and methods for imaging hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fractures and the resultant images of hydraulic fracturing and hydraulic fractures, including the image of the shape of the fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Borehole Seismic, LLC.
    Inventors: Robinson Butler Howell, Zhao Li
  • Patent number: 11874407
    Abstract: Technologies for processing a three-dimensional (3D) underwater scene is disclosed. A computing device receives a data set representative of an underwater environment corresponding to sonar data generated by a sonar transducer assembly and receiving parameters. The data set includes 3D volumetric points representative of at least one 3D volumetric data set at one or more time points. The computing device applies segmentation modes on the data set, in which each segmentation mode generates a processed subset of the 3D volumetric points. Each processed subset includes one or more 3D volumetric objects. The computing device classifies one or more 3D volumetric objects based on a combination of the plurality of processed subsets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CODA OCTOPUS GROUP INC.
    Inventors: Alam Abbas Syed, Blair G. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 11875774
    Abstract: Provided is a sound image localizing device, a sound image localizing method, and a program that enable a virtual speaker to reproduce sound in a wide frequency band with high sound quality. A sound image localizing device 10 includes a directivity control filter design unit 11 that computes a directivity control filter from a desired directional characteristic, a filter coefficient correction unit 12 that corrects the directivity control filter computed by the directivity control filter design unit 11, and a convolution operation unit 13 that computes an output acoustic signal by performing convolution of an input acoustic signal and the directivity control filter corrected by the filter coefficient correction unit 12.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Kenta Imaizumi, Kimitaka Tsutsumi, Atsushi Nakadaira
  • Patent number: 11860328
    Abstract: A detection system includes a drill bit where electro-acoustic transducers operate as a transmitter and/or receiver, are integrated; electronic circuits; a control unit associated with a data storage unit and is powered by an electrical supply system, the processing and control unit for generating driving signals sent to the electro-acoustic transducer acting as a transmitter by the analogue driving electronic circuits, for acquiring signals received from the transducer and for processing the received signals to determine discontinuity interfaces and/or anomalies in pore pressures in geological formations; wherein each of the electro-acoustic transducers is in contact with a pressurised fluid and includes: a tubular body with two end portions opposed to each other longitudinally, internally a first chamber ending with the first end portion and a second chamber on one side adjacent and in fluid communication with the first chamber and, on the other side ending with the second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ENI S.P.A.
    Inventors: Stefano Carminati, Massimo Zampato, Stefano Mauro, Renato Galluzzi
  • Patent number: 11852763
    Abstract: An air gun for generating seismic waves in a marine environment includes a cylindrical body configured to hold compressed air and having plural air ports for releasing the compressed air from inside the cylindrical body, the cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis X, and an extension member attached externally to the body and extending along a radial axis R, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The extension member promotes ambient water flowing inside an air bubble generated when the compressed air is released outside the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SERCEL INC.
    Inventor: Joshua M. Ronen
  • Patent number: 11852764
    Abstract: A seismic switch (SS) that is able to detect and signal when internal faults have occurred within the SS is described. The SS provides safety class functionality to the detection of seismic activity. For example, the SS may detect earthquakes above a specified level, resulting in the disconnection of electrical power to a radioactive waste storage facility, which could result in the ignition of waste materials should the storage facility and/or storage container fail during a seismic event. By reducing the risk of fire under these circumstances, the possibility of offsite releases is significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: TRIAD NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Allen D. Hayward
  • Patent number: 11852765
    Abstract: An assembly with a first coupling having a forward bulkhead device is provided. The forward bulkhead device contains a first connector insert having first end connections for wires and optical fibers of an acoustic array. The assembly also includes a second coupling having an aft bulkhead device therein. The aft bulkhead device contains a second connector insert having second end connections for the wires and optical fibers of the acoustic array. The forward bulkhead device further includes an alignment assembly. The alignment assembly is matable with the aft bulkhead device to align the first connector insert with the second connector insert. The forward bulkhead device further includes a locking ring connecting the forward bulkhead device with the aft bulkhead device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Inventors: Eric H Kirchoff, Michael J Kroger
  • Patent number: 11846174
    Abstract: Locating a loss zone while cementing a well casing in a well bore includes: inserting a fiber-optic cable into the well bore, wherein the fiber optic cable is part of one or more Distributed Fiber-Optic Sensing (DFOS) systems; detecting a loss circulation signature, while cementing the well casing, at a point along the fiber-optic cable by at least one of the one or more DFOS systems; and locating the loss zone within the well bore based on the point along the fiber-optic cable at which the loss circulation signature was detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: John Paul Bir Singh, Mikko Jaaskelainen, John L. Maida, Krishna Babu Yerubandi
  • Patent number: 11841427
    Abstract: The objective of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver fish-finder that stabilizes its balanced state while in water to transmit ultrasonic waves vertically downward, thus improving detection accuracy. The ultrasonic-wave transmitter/receiver 10 includes an ultrasonic transducer 21 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves; a hanging-bell shaped case 50 that houses the ultrasonic transducer 21; and a cable 40 that suspends the case 50. A weight 81 is arranged above the ultrasonic transducer 21 provided at the bottom 54 of the case 50. In addition, the filler A1 is filled into the case 50 such that a cavity A2 is secured in the upper region of the case 50.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: HONDA ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kenji Nagareda, Shuichi Sano