Patents by Inventor James David Ratcliffe

James David Ratcliffe 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).

  • Patent number: 11725465
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a pressure plug on the first end of the tubular body, and a sensor tip on the second end of the tubular body, wherein the sensor tip comprises an open end opposite the tubular body and an optical tip removably positioned through the open end and held in place by a removable cap. The optical tip includes an optical rod and a rod holder. The sensor device further includes an optical fiber extending from the pressure plug, through the tubular body, and into the sensor tip where the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical rod. The pressure plug may include a slack cavity where the optical fiber is in slack under neutral temperature and pressure conditions to withstand expansion of the sensor device under high temperature or pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Neil Geoffrey Harris, James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Enrico Fiori, Christopher Hamblin
  • Patent number: 11422205
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing. The system also includes ferromagnetic flux collectors and flux concentrators on either side of the sensor array. The flux collectors collect a magnetic flux that has been written to a portion of pipe. The flux concentrators intensify the flux to improve measurements of the flux that are acquired by the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Andrew Smith, Jim Andrew Gulliver, Sushant Dutta
  • Patent number: 11287545
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing, the sensor array arranged at a first end. The system also includes a first magnetic source positioned within the tubular housing, the first magnetic source arranged at a second end. The system further includes a second magnetic source positioned within the tubular housing, the second magnetic source arranged between the sensor array and the second end. The first magnetic source and the second magnetic source have a different magnetic field source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jim Andrew Gulliver, Andrew Smith, James David Ratcliffe, Sushant Dutta
  • Patent number: 11269021
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing. The system also includes ferromagnetic flux collectors and flux concentrators on either side of the sensor array. The flux collectors collect a magnetic flux that has been written to a portion of pipe. The flux concentrators intensify the flux to improve measurements of the flux that are acquired by the sensor array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Andrew Smith, Jim Andrew Gulliver, Sushant Dutta
  • Publication number: 20210341552
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing. The system also includes ferromagnetic flux collectors and flux concentrators on either side of the sensor array. The flux collectors collect a magnetic flux that has been written to a portion of pipe. The flux concentrators intensify the flux to improve measurements of the flux that are acquired by the sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Andrew Smith, Jim Andrew Gulliver, Sushant Dutta
  • Publication number: 20210341551
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing. The system also includes ferromagnetic flux collectors and flux concentrators on either side of the sensor array. The flux collectors collect a magnetic flux that has been written to a portion of pipe. The flux concentrators intensify the flux to improve measurements of the flux that are acquired by the sensor array.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Publication date: November 4, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Andrew Smith, Jim Andrew Gulliver, Sushant Dutta
  • Publication number: 20210199837
    Abstract: A system for determining a stuck point of a pipe positioned within a wellbore includes a tubular housing and a sensor array positioned within the tubular housing, the sensor array arranged at a first end. The system also includes a first magnetic source positioned within the tubular housing, the first magnetic source arranged at a second end. The system further includes a second magnetic source positioned within the tubular housing, the second magnetic source arranged between the sensor array and the second end. The first magnetic source and the second magnetic source have a different magnetic field source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2019
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jim Andrew Gulliver, Andrew Smith, James David Ratcliffe, Sushant Dutta
  • Patent number: 11021947
    Abstract: A system for positioning a sensor within a flow path of a wellbore annulus includes a work string extending into the wellbore annulus from a surface location. The system includes a movable arm on the work string, the arm transitioning between a first radial location and a second radial location. The system further includes a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracket being pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the bracket supports the sensor and transitions the sensor from a stored position to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10920572
    Abstract: A sensor deployment system includes a first bulkhead arranged at a first end of a downhole tool, a second bulkhead arranged at a second end of the downhole tool, opposite the first end, a first pivot block arranged proximate the first bulkhead, a second pivot block arranged proximate the second bulkhead, and an arm rotatably coupled to the first and second pivot blocks at opposite ends of the arm. Rotation of at least a portion of the arm drives at least a portion of the arm radially outward from an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock, Paul Shambrook
  • Patent number: 10907467
    Abstract: A system for driving an arm radially outward from a work string axis includes a pivot block coupled to the arm at a first coupling, the arm rotating about the first coupling in a first direction to move from a stored position to an expanded position, and about the first coupling in a second direction to move from the expanded position to the stored position. The system also includes a biasing member that drives movement of the arm in the first direction. The system further includes a chamber for storing the biasing member within a pivot block diameter when the arm is in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Gill, James David Ratcliffe, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10883325
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a deployment system including an actuator. The deployment system also includes an actuator arm coupled to the actuator. The deployment system further includes a crank rotatably coupled at a pivot point. The deployment system also includes a first link arm coupled to the actuator arm at a first end and the crank at a second end. The deployment system includes a second link arm coupled to the crank at a first end and a deployment arm at a second end, the second link arm transmitting rotational movement of the crank to the deployment arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill
  • Publication number: 20200200006
    Abstract: A sensor device includes a tubular body having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a pressure plug on the first end of the tubular body, and a sensor tip on the second end of the tubular body, wherein the sensor tip comprises an open end opposite the tubular body and an optical tip removably positioned through the open end and held in place by a removable cap. The optical tip includes an optical rod and a rod holder. The sensor device further includes an optical fiber extending from the pressure plug, through the tubular body, and into the sensor tip where the optical fiber is optically coupled to the optical rod. The pressure plug may include a slack cavity where the optical fiber is in slack under neutral temperature and pressure conditions to withstand expansion of the sensor device under high temperature or pressure conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Neil Geoffrey Harris, James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Enrico Fiori, Christopher Hamblin
  • Publication number: 20200200942
    Abstract: A downhole logging tool includes a tool body housing an opto-electronics assembly. The opto-electronics assembly includes a circuit board and an opto-electronics module coupled to the circuit board and receiving control signals from the circuit board. The opto-electronics module includes a light source, a reference detector, a measurement detector, and a first beam splitter positioned with respect to the light source and the reference detector. The first beam splitter directs a first portion of light emitted from the light source into the reference detector and a second portion of the light emitted from the light source into an optical conduit. The opto-electronics module also includes a second beam splitter positioned with respect to the optical conduit and the measurement detector. The second beam splitter directs at least a portion of light received from the optical conduit into the measurement detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Main, Stephen Day, Ian Davidson, James David Ratcliffe
  • Publication number: 20180363397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a deployment system including an actuator. The deployment system also includes an actuator arm coupled to the actuator. The deployment system further includes a crank rotatably coupled at a pivot point. The deployment system also includes a first link arm coupled to the actuator arm at a first end and the crank at a second end. The deployment system includes a second link arm coupled to the crank at a first end and a deployment arm at a second end, the second link arm transmitting rotational movement of the crank to the deployment arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill
  • Publication number: 20180363449
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for positioning a sensor within a flow path of a wellbore annulus including a work string extending into the wellbore annulus from a surface location. The system includes a moveable arm on the work string, the arm transitioning between a first radial location and a second radial location. The system further includes a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracket being pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the bracket supports the sensor and transitions the sensor from a stored position to a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20180363447
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for driving an arm radially outward from a work string axis including a pivot block coupled to the arm at a first coupling, the arm rotating about the first coupling in a first direction to move from a stored position to an expanded position, and about the first coupling in a second direction to move from the expanded position to the stored position. The system also includes a biasing member that drives movement of the arm in the first direction. The system further includes a chamber for storing the biasing member within a pivot block diameter when the arm is in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Gill, James David Ratcliffe, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20180363448
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a sensor deployment system with a first bulkhead arranged at a first end of a downhole tool, a second bulkhead arranged at a second end of the downhole tool, opposite the first end, a first pivot block arranged proximate the first bulkhead, a second pivot block arranged proximate the second bulkhead, and an arm rotatably coupled to the first and second pivot blocks at opposite ends of the arm, wherein rotation of at least a portion of the arm drives at least a portion of the arm radially outward from an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock, Paul Shambrook
  • Patent number: 9638866
    Abstract: A mechanism for securing a series of fiber optic cable connectors includes a base that has several connector recesses and a lid that is removably attached to the base. The mechanism may be used to ruggedly connect a series of fiber optic cables in a downhole instrument where space is limited, with the ability to break each of the series of fiber optic cables individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Christopher Paul Hamblin
  • Publication number: 20170059782
    Abstract: A mechanism for securing a series of fibre optic cable connectors includes a base that has several connector recesses and a lid that is removably attached to the base. The mechanism may be used to ruggedly connect a series of fibre optic cables in a downhole instrument where space is limited, with the ability to break each of the series of fibre optic cables individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Christopher Paul Hamblin
  • Patent number: 9448320
    Abstract: A downhole tool for acoustically imaging a subterranean formation having a transmitter and receiver and which includes an acoustic isolator between the transmitter and receiver. The acoustic isolator includes attenuation elements with rounded ends and that are connected in series by compression fittings. The compression fittings include sleeves that threadingly engage lock nuts and compressively engage the rounded ends. The contact interfaces between the compression fittings extend along a curved path thereby limiting acoustic transmission along the series of attenuation elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS LOGGING SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill