Patents by Inventor Malcom P. Varnham

Malcom P. Varnham 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).

  • Apparatus and method for protecting devices, especially fibre optic devices, in hostile environments
    Patent number: 6442304
    Abstract: The present invention relates to protecting optical devices, such as an optical fibre sensor connected in series with a cable, from a hostile environment, such as encountered when making measurements in oil and gas wells. A liquid can protect the optical device. Packaging an optical fibre sensor inside a capillary containing the liquid can provide this protection. The liquid can be liquid metal, gel, inks, grease or oil. The liquid metal can be gallium or indium, or an alloy that includes indium and/or gallium. The grease can contain lithium, molybdenum, or synthetics, or be synthetic grease. The liquid can contain other components such as a scavenger or getter for molecules and/or ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Sensor Dynamics Limited, University of Southampton
    Inventors: Charles M. Crawley, Erhard Luther Edgar Kluth, Harvey N. Rutt, John Redvers Clowes, Malcom P. Varnham