Patents by Inventor Bob A. Hardage

Bob A. Hardage has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20180106916
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 9829590
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Publication number: 20160349390
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 8325559
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 8243548
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth includes retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data. The P-P data and shear mode data were both received at a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth to generate the seismic data. The system and method further include processing the seismic data to extract the shear mode data and generating a shear mode image based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Publication number: 20120163121
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a plurality of towed single-component receivers in a marine environment is described, the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves. The method comprises retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data, wherein the P-P data and shear mode data were both received at the towed single-component receivers configured to measure compressional P waves to generate the seismic data. The method further comprises processing the seismic data to extract SV-P shear mode data and generating shear mode image data based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 8164979
    Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Publication number: 20120063266
    Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Publication number: 20120051177
    Abstract: A system and method of processing seismic data obtained using a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth includes retrieving seismic data from a storage device, the seismic data comprising P-P data and shear mode data. The P-P data and shear mode data were both received at a surface-based receiver configured to measure vertical movement of the Earth to generate the seismic data. The system and method further include processing the seismic data to extract the shear mode data and generating a shear mode image based on the extracted shear mode data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 8040754
    Abstract: A system and method of acquiring and processing full elastic waveform data from a vertical-force source comprises providing seismic waves into the earth from the vertical-force source, sensing reflections of the seismic waves at multi-component geophones placed along the surface of the earth, and processing the reflections of the seismic waves to generate full elastic waveform data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Texas System
    Inventor: Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 7058513
    Abstract: The invention is a method of geophysical exploration using seismic methods. The receivers and the source are rotated to one another, such that the orthogonal excitations of the seismic source are readily differentiated. The differentiation of the differently excited energies can be accomplished in devolving the seismic events and reception of those events into a radial-tangential coordinate system for each receiver source pair. The differentiation of the differently aligned energies allows a greater insight into the volumetric study of the strata making up the prospect volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignees: Vecta Technology, L.P., Board of Regents of the University of Texas Systems
    Inventors: Allen L. Gilmer, Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 7028543
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the operation of downhole equipment, such as electrical submersible pumps, is disclosed. The method and system rely on the use of coiled fiber optic sensors, such as hydrophones, accelerometers, and/or flow meters. These sensors are either coupled to or placed in proximity to the equipment being monitored. As the sensor is perturbed by acoustic pressure disturbances emitted from the equipment, the length of the sensing coil changes, enabling the creation of a pressure versus time signal. This signal is converted into a frequency spectrum indicative of the acoustics emissions of the equipment, which can then be manually or automatedly monitored to see if the equipment is functioning normally or abnormally, and which allows the operator to take necessary corrective actions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob A. Hardage, John L. Maida, Jr., Espen S. Johansen
  • Publication number: 20050038606
    Abstract: The invention is a method of geophysical exploration using seismic methods. The receivers and the source are rotated to one another, such that the orthogonal excitations of the seismic source are readily differentiated. The differentiation of the differently excited energies can be accomplished in devolving the seismic events and reception of those events into a radial-tangential coordinate system for each receiver source pair. The differentiation of the differently aligned energies allows a greater insight into the volumetric study of the strata making up the prospect volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Publication date: February 17, 2005
    Applicant: Vecta Technology, L.P.
    Inventors: Allen Gilmer, Bob Hardage
  • Patent number: 6831877
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining an azimuth of a seismic energy source. In one embodiment, the system includes a directional assembly having a mount configured to be coupled to a seismic energy source, a rotatable mass assembly coupled to the mount, a compass rose coupled to one of the mount or the rotatable mass assembly and a direction reference coupled to the other of the mount or the rotatable mass assembly. The compass rose is registered with the direction reference to provide a direction orientation of the rotatable mass assembly with respect to the mount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignees: Vecta Technologies, Inc., Board of Regents for the Univ. of Texas System
    Inventors: Bob A. Hardage, Allen L. Gilmer
  • Publication number: 20040141420
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the operation of downhole equipment, such as electrical submersible pumps, is disclosed. The method and system rely on the use of coiled fiber optic sensors, such as hydrophones, accelerometers, and/or flow meters. These sensors are either coupled to or placed in proximity to the equipment being monitored. As the sensor is perturbed by acoustic pressure disturbances emitted from the equipment, the length of the sensing coil changes, enabling the creation of a pressure versus time signal. This signal is converted into a frequency spectrum indicative of the acoustics emissions of the equipment, which can then be manually or automatedly monitored to see if the equipment is functioning normally or abnormally, and which allows the operator to take necessary corrective actions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Bob A. Hardage, John L. Maida, Espen S. Johansen
  • Patent number: 6625542
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining anisotropy in a stratum using scattered horizontal shear and vertical shear modes. The method includes transforming seismic energy wave generated by a seismic energy source and received by seismic receivers into radial/transverse coordinate space, determining a seismic energy wave corridor along a radial path between the seismic energy source and the seismic receivers, and gathering seismic data received by the seismic receivers within the corridor wherein the data includes horizontal and vertical shear components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Regents for the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Bob Hardage, Robert J. Graebner
  • Patent number: 6601671
    Abstract: The present invention provides a new and unique method, sensor, and apparatus for performing a seismic survey of an earth formation in relation to a borehole. The method includes arranging at least one strain seismic sensor in conjunction with a borehole structure, and mechanically coupling the borehole structure to the borehole to allow seismic data to be accurately transferred to the sensor. The sensor is preferably a fiber optic sensor, including a Fiber Bragg Grating which may be coupled to a relevant borehole structure in a number of ways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaomin Zhao, Francis X. Bostick, Jian-Qun Wu, Daniel L. Gysling, Peter C. Ogle, Allen R. Davis, Alan D. Kersey, Bob A. Hardage
  • Patent number: 6564150
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, orienting seismic energy sources and seismic energy receivers to substantially separate a compressional wave from a vertical shear wave. The method includes reflecting a seismic energy from a subsurface interface to produce a reflected seismic energy wave that has a compressional energy and vertical shear energy associated therewith. A first seismic energy receiver is oriented such that it is aligned with an angle of emergence of the reflected seismic energy wave to thereby maximize the vertical shear energy received by a second seismic energy receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignees: Board of Regents for the University of Texas, Vecta Technologies, LP
    Inventors: Allen L. Gilmer, Bob A. Hardage, James L. Simmons, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6556921
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for, and method of determining vertical fractures in a stratum using scattered horizontal shear and vertical shear modes. The method may include segregating first order horizontal and vertical shear modes of a seismic energy wave into second order horizontal and vertical shear modes, defining a seismic energy wave corridor along a radial path between a seismic energy source and seismic receivers, and gathering seismic data received by the seismic receivers within the corridor, the data including the second order horizontal and vertical shear modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Board of Regents for the University of Texas System
    Inventors: Bob Hardage, Robert J. Graebner
  • Patent number: 6498990
    Abstract: A system for, and method of, orienting seismic energy sources and seismic energy receivers to yield discriminated horizontal and vertical shear modes. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) an initial matrix representing wave energy produced by a selected seismic energy source and received by a selected seismic energy receiver, (2) a first transforming matrix that cooperates with the initial matrix to orient the selected seismic energy source with respect to the selected seismic energy receiver and (3) a second transforming matrix that cooperates with the initial matrix to orient the selected seismic energy receiver with respect to the selected seismic energy source, the initial matrix thereby transformed into a successive matrix containing the discriminated horizontal and vertical shear modes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Vecta Technology
    Inventors: Bob A. Hardage, James L. Simmons, Allen L. Gilmer