Patents by Inventor James A. Maas
James A. Maas 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).
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Patent number: 11320614Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a plurality of optical fibers and an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a first optical coupler and a first mirror. The first optical coupler is coupled to a first of the optical fibers and to a second of the optical fibers at a first sensor takeout location. The first mirror is coupled to the first of the optical fibers at a second sensor takeout location. The first sensor takeout location is longitudinally offset from the second sensor takeout location.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Geospace Technologies CorporationInventor: Steven James Maas
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Patent number: 11243316Abstract: A housing for a seismic sensor station has a base and a removable lid, which when assembled together form a shell whereby the base and the removable lid both have a shell side and an exterior side. A sensor spike, protruding outward from the shell, may be attached to the base on the exterior side of the base. The housing is further provided with two cable docking ports, each allowing passage of a fiber optical cable from outside to inside the shell. The two cable docking ports are exclusively provided in the removable lid.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Steven James Maas, Daniel Joseph Gentner, Jr., Akbar Arab Sadeghabadi
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Patent number: 10921165Abstract: A seismic sensor station employs a sensor unit that is mounted on a central mounting post attached to the base of a sensor station housing. The only path of mechanically supporting contact that exists between the sensor unit and the base is through the central mounting post.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2017Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Robert Alexis Peregrin Fernihough, Steven James Maas, Akbar Arab Sadeghabadi
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Patent number: 10705232Abstract: An integrated seismic system and method for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure is provided. The integrated seismic system includes a base station; a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes having sensor stations for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure; and a fiber optic cable extending from the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and operatively linking the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations; the base station comprising: a light source for sending a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2019Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Steven James Maas, James Brett Bunn
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Publication number: 20200073069Abstract: A fiber optic cable includes a plurality of optical fibers and an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes a first optical coupler and a first mirror. The first optical coupler is coupled to a first of the optical fibers and to a second of the optical fibers at a first sensor takeout location. The first mirror is coupled to the first of the optical fibers at a second sensor takeout location. The first sensor takeout location is longitudinally offset from the second sensor takeout location.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventor: Steven James MAAS
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Publication number: 20190285761Abstract: A housing for a seismic sensor station has a base and a removable lid, which when assembled together form a shell whereby the base and the removable lid both have a shell side and an exterior side. A sensor spike, protruding outward from the shell, may be attached to the base on the exterior side of the base. The housing is further provided with two cable docking ports, each allowing passage of a fiber optical cable from outside to inside the shell. The two cable docking ports are exclusively provided in the removable lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Steven James MAAS, Daniel Joseph GENTNER JR., Akbar ARAB SADEGHABADI
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Publication number: 20190285763Abstract: An integrated seismic system and method for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure is provided. The integrated seismic system includes a base station; a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes having sensor stations for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure; and a fiber optic cable extending from the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and operatively linking the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations; the base station comprising: a light source for sending a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Inventors: Steven James MAAS, James Brett BUNN
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Publication number: 20190265083Abstract: A seismic sensor station employs a sensor unit that is mounted on a central mounting post attached to the base of a sensor station housing. The only path of mechanically supporting contact that exists between the sensor unit and the base is through the central mounting post.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 13, 2017Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Robert Alexis Peregrin FERNIHOUGH, Steven James MAAS, Akbar ARAB SADEGHABADI
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Publication number: 20190243014Abstract: A seismic cable deployment system is equipped with a cable puller comprising a windlass. A seismic cable follows a cable path extending from a storage unit to the cable puller, where the cable path extends in a circumferential direction deflected around a cylindrical drum surface and confined between the cylindrical drum surface and a drum-side surface of a tension belt which is pressed against the cylindrical drum surface by two pulley rollers being disposed on either side of the cylindrical drum surface. A belt tensioner is configured to impart elastic tension to the tension belt and a motor is configured to impart rotational motion to the cylindrical drum surface and translational motion to the tension belt.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2016Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: Grant Slack IRWIN, Steven James MAAS
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Publication number: 20170248711Abstract: An integrated seismic system and method for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure is provided. The integrated seismic system includes a base station; a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, each of the plurality of mobile satellite nodes having sensor stations for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure; and a fiber optic cable extending from the base station to the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and operatively linking the plurality of mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations; the base station comprising: a light source for sending a light through the fiber optic cable, the light being distributed to the sensor stations and, in the sensor stations, experiencing a change or phase shift related to a physical property being measured; and a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the plurality of mobile satellite nodes via the fiber optic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2017Publication date: August 31, 2017Inventors: Steven James MAAS, James Brett BUNN
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Patent number: 9664805Abstract: A system and method for handling seismic cable having sensor stations thereon is provided. The seismic cable is positionable about the seismic field for measuring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure. The system includes a mobile unit, a reel and a winch assembly. The mobile unit is positionable about the seismic field, and has a platform. The reel is supportable on the platform with the seismic cable disposable about the reel. The winch assembly is carried by the mobile unit and includes a plurality of cable guides. At least one of the cable guides has a passageway with an adjustable dimension for aligning and guiding the seismic cable and the sensor stations passing therethrough.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Steven James Maas, Guido Jozef Maria Baeten, Johan Cornelis Hornman, Grant Slack Irwin
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Publication number: 20150041580Abstract: A system and method for handling seismic cable having sensor stations thereon is provided. The seismic cable is positionable about the seismic field for measuring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure. The system includes a mobile unit, a reel and a winch assembly. The mobile unit is positionable about the seismic field, and has a platform. The reel is supportable on the platform with the seismic cable disposable about the reel. The winch assembly is carried by the mobile unit and includes a plurality of cable guides. At least one of the cable guides has a passageway with an adjustable dimension for aligning and guiding the seismic cable and the sensor stations passing therethrough.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Steven James Maas, Guido Jozef Maria Baeten, Kees Hornman, Grant Slack Irwin
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Publication number: 20150043308Abstract: An integrated seismic system and method for monitoring seismic parameters of a subsurface structure is provided. The integrated seismic system includes a plurality of mobile satellite nodes, a seismic cable and a base station. Each of the mobile satellite nodes has sensor stations operatively connectable thereto for collecting seismic data from the subsurface structure. The seismic cable operatively links the plurality mobile satellite nodes and the sensor stations. The base station includes a seismic acquisition unit for receiving seismic signals from the mobile satellite nodes via the seismic cable and generating seismic parameters therefrom.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Steven James Maas, James Brett Bunn
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Publication number: 20150043310Abstract: Sensor stations, system and methods for sensing seismic parameters of a subsurface structure are provided. The sensor station includes a sensor housing and a sensor unit. The sensor housing includes a base with a removable lid and receptacles for receiving the fiber optic cable therethrough. The base has a cavity therein accessible upon removal of the removable lid. The sensor unit is positionable in the cavity of the sensor housing. The sensor unit is operatively connectable to a portion of the optical fibers of the fiber optic cable for communicating seismic data sensed by the sensor unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Steven James Maas, Akbar Arab-Sadeghabadi, Daniel Joseph Gentner, JR.
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Patent number: 5001826Abstract: A nose piece for use with an airfeed drill includes a cylindrical portion which has on one end a truncated cone for mounting a drill support bearing and on the other end a flange. Formed within the flange are a plurality of slots. These slots correspond to an array of rotatable fasteners and locking pieces mounted on the front of the housing. Attachment of the nose piece to the housing is accomplished by placing the slots over the fasteners and locking pieces and tightening the fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 1990Date of Patent: March 26, 1991Assignee: Cooper Industries, Inc.Inventors: John F. Stewart, Joseph F. Carter, James A. Maas