Patents by Inventor Keith Robert Wootten
Keith Robert Wootten 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: 10145214Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system comprises an energy storage device configured to operate above ambient temperature, and a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the energy storage device, wherein heat losses from one or more other devices are received within the thermal insulator to provide heat energy to the energy storage device. Utilizing heat losses from one or more other devices, such as associated electronic components, enables the energy storage device to be maintained at its elevated operational temperature for longer providing extended battery life. In the application of wireline logging, this results in more data log available per trip in a well.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2012Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITEDInventors: Guy Harvey Mason, Steven Bill Ellenby, Keith Robert Wootten
-
Patent number: 9250070Abstract: A method and apparatus for a rugged three-axis inclinometer for determining an object's orientation with respect to a gravitational field. Components of the apparatus include but not limited to a magnet, a non-magnetic casing, a ferrofluid, one or more non-magnetic gravitational field aligning materials attached to the magnet and a plurality of angle sensors attached to the non-magnetic casing. In this regard, when the apparatus is rotated, the gravitational field aligning materials maintain a constant orientation of the magnet and the angle sensors experience different magnetic field strengths as they rotate around the magnet. The position of the apparatus, with respect to the gravitational field can then be calculated based on the angle sensor outputs.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Inventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Patent number: 8800384Abstract: Flowmeters and methods of measuring a fluid flow or manufacturing flowmeters are presented. A flowmeter has a tool body and one or more spinner arms configured to extend with a first end away from the tool body and a second end joined to the tool body, when deployed to measure a fluid flow. Each spinner arm includes a helical blade configured to rotate due to a fluid flowing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool body, around a rotation axis between the first end and the second end.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: Sondex Wireline LimitedInventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Patent number: 8646327Abstract: A bi-directional fluid flow sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises a turbine configured to rotate along an axis as a result of fluid flowing past the turbine substantially in the direction of the axis; a magnet mounted to the turbine and configured to rotate with the turbine; and a magnetic flux angle sensor provided adjacent to the turbine and configured to detect the relative flux angle of the magnet as it rotates. The bi-directional fluid flow sensor is sensitive and robust and may be used in a downhole well for example.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Sondex Wireline LimitedInventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Patent number: 8521469Abstract: A relative bearing sensor for determining an orientation of a device. The relative bearing sensor including a ferromagnetic housing, and wherein the ferromagnetic housing includes a ferromagnetic ball configured to roll with respect to an orientation of the ferromagnetic housing, a magnetic flux sensor, a permanent magnet configured to emit a plurality of magnetic flux lines through the magnetic flux sensor, the plurality of magnetic flux lines steered by a location of the ferromagnetic ball, and a processor programmed. The processor is programmed to determine a flux angle of the plurality of magnetic flux lines, compare the determined flux angle with a predefined flux angle, and determine an orientation of the relative bearing sensor based on the comparing.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2010Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Publication number: 20130119995Abstract: A method and apparatus for a rugged three-axis inclinometer for determining an object's orientation with respect to a gravitational field. Components of the apparatus include but not limited to a magnet, a non-magnetic casing, a ferrofluid, one or more non-magnetic gravitational field aligning materials attached to the magnet and a plurality of angle sensors attached to the non-magnetic casing. In this regard, when the apparatus is rotated, the gravitational field aligning materials maintain a constant orientation of the magnet and the angle sensors experience different magnetic field strengths as they rotate around the magnet. The position of the apparatus, with respect to the gravitational field can then be calculated based on the angle sensor outputs.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITEDInventor: Keith Robert WOOTTEN
-
Publication number: 20130119771Abstract: Systems and methods according to these exemplary embodiments provide for a circuit for switching from a first battery to a second battery. The circuit includes: the first battery configured to provide electrical energy to a device when a first reed switch is closed; the second battery configured to provide electrical energy to the device when a second reed switch is closed; the first reed switch electrically connected to the first battery and configured to close when proximate a magnet; the second reed switch electrically connected to the second battery and configured to close when proximate the magnet; and the magnet configured to be moved from a position proximate the first reed switch to a position proximate the second reed switch.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITEDInventor: Keith Robert WOOTTEN
-
Patent number: 8375801Abstract: A differential pressure sensor has a magnetized piston free to move in a cylinder. Magnetic endcaps seal the ends of the cylinder, forming chambers on either side of the piston. The moveable magnetic piston is constrained by the opposing magnetic fields of the endcaps. The piston is covered with magnetic ferrofluid, providing a low friction gas-tight seal around the piston. The cylinder has two pressure input lines, one being connected to the chamber on either side of the piston. The relative pressures of the input lines cause the piston to move to a position of equilibrium within the cylinder, with the magnetic fields of the endcaps holding the piston in place against the pressure. A magnetic field angle sensor detects flux lines on the outside of the cylinder, and the reading is correlated with the pressure differential between the two input lines.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: February 19, 2013Assignee: Sondex LimitedInventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Publication number: 20130029241Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system comprises an energy storage device configured to operate above ambient temperature, and a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the energy storage device, wherein heat losses from one or more other devices are received within the thermal insulator to provide heat energy to the energy storage device. Utilising heat losses from one or more other devices, such as associated electronic components, enables the energy storage device to be maintained at its elevated operational temperature for longer providing extended battery life. In the application of wireline logging, this results in more data log available per trip in a well.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Guy Harvey Mason, Steven Bill Ellenby, Keith Robert Wootten
-
Patent number: 8218133Abstract: Refractive index tools and method. A refractive index tool includes a wave source configured to generate a wave; a transparent rod configured to receive the wave from the wave source; and a wave detector configured to receive the wave from the transparent rod. The wave source is provided at a first end of the transparent rod and the wave detector is provided at the first end or a second end of the transparent rod so that the wave emitted by the wave source travels through the transparent rod and experiences total internal refraction prior to arriving at the wave detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 16, 2010Date of Patent: July 10, 2012Assignee: Sondex LimitedInventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Publication number: 20120152027Abstract: A differential pressure sensor has a magnetized piston free to move in a cylinder. Magnetic endcaps seal the ends of the cylinder, forming chambers on either side of the piston. The moveable magnetic piston is constrained by the opposing magnetic fields of the endcaps. The piston is covered with magnetic ferrofluid, providing a low friction gas-tight seal around the piston. The cylinder has two pressure input lines, one being connected to the chamber on either side of the piston. The relative pressures of the input lines cause the piston to move to a position of equilibrium within the cylinder, with the magnetic fields of the endcaps holding the piston in place against the pressure. A magnetic field angle sensor detects flux lines on the outside of the cylinder, and the reading is correlated with the pressure differential between the two input lines.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SONDEX LIMITEDInventor: Keith Robert WOOTTEN
-
Publication number: 20120158308Abstract: Flowmeters and methods of measuring a fluid flow or manufacturing flowmeters are presented. A flowmeter has a tool body and one or more spinner arms configured to extend with a first end away from the tool body and a second end joined to the tool body, when deployed to measure a fluid flow. Each spinner arm includes a helical blade configured to rotate due to a fluid flowing substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tool body, around a rotation axis between the first end and the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2010Publication date: June 21, 2012Applicant: SONDEX LIMITEDInventor: Keith Robert WOOTTEN
-
Publication number: 20120069328Abstract: Refractive index tools and method. A refractive index tool includes a wave source configured to generate a wave; a transparent rod configured to receive the wave from the wave source; and a wave detector configured to receive the wave from the transparent rod. The wave source is provided at a first end of the transparent rod and the wave detector is provided at the first end or a second end of the transparent rod so that the wave emitted by the wave source travels through the transparent rod and experiences total internal refraction prior to arriving at the wave detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2010Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: SONDEX LIMITEDInventor: Keith Robert WOOTTEN
-
Publication number: 20120022825Abstract: A relative bearing sensor for determining an orientation of a device. The relative bearing sensor including a ferromagnetic housing, and wherein the ferromagnetic housing includes a ferromagnetic ball configured to roll with respect to an orientation of the ferromagnetic housing, a magnetic flux sensor, a permanent magnet configured to emit a plurality of magnetic flux lines through the magnetic flux sensor, the plurality of magnetic flux lines steered by a location of the ferromagnetic ball, and a processor programmed. The processor is programmed to determine a flux angle of the plurality of magnetic flux lines, compare the determined flux angle with a predefined flux angle, and determine an orientation of the relative bearing sensor based on the comparing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Inventor: Keith Robert Wootten
-
Publication number: 20120011928Abstract: A bi-directional fluid flow sensor is disclosed. The sensor comprises a turbine configured to rotate along an axis as a result of fluid flowing past the turbine substantially in the direction of the axis; a magnet mounted to the turbine and configured to rotate with the turbine; and a magnetic flux angle sensor provided adjacent to the turbine and configured to detect the relative flux angle of the magnet as it rotates. The bi-directional fluid flow sensor is sensitive and robust and may be used in a downhole well for example.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2011Publication date: January 19, 2012Inventor: Keith Robert Wootten