Patents by Inventor Martin Sorrells

Martin Sorrells 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: 8340911
    Abstract: A compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system. The clock system includes preferably four quad compensated clocks, a compensated temperature sensor, and software for processing and correcting system response. Physical fabrication of elements of the quad compensated clocks, the compensated temperature sensor and cooperating software minimized drift in frequency of the oscillator clock system in harsh borehole environments encountered while drilling a borehole. The clock system exhibits a frequency stability of 2.8×10?9 or less over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 185° C. The compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling operations wherein precise downhole measurements of time are required typically over a period of days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership
    Inventors: Martin Sorrells, James Minto
  • Patent number: 7230543
    Abstract: Geophysical measurement system employed during the drilling of a well borehole. The system employs a reference clock disposed within equipment at the surface of the earth and a borehole assembly which houses a downhole clock and at least one sensor. The borehole assembly is operationally connected to a drill string, which advances the borehole. At least one synchronization shuttle apparatus containing a shuttle clock is conveyed downhole to the borehole assembly to synchronize the borehole clock with the reference clock. Reference and borehole clock synchronization is maintained at one millisecond or less over a period of days. Outputs from the reference clock and borehole clock and sensor are combined to obtain a measure of a geophysical parameter of interest. Although the measurement system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling measurements, it can be used in a wide variety of clock driven geophysical measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Weatherford Canada Partnership
    Inventors: James Minto, Martin Sorrells, Peter Harvey
  • Publication number: 20060192625
    Abstract: A compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system. The clock system includes preferably four quad compensated clocks, a compensated temperature sensor, and software for processing and correcting system response. Physical fabrication of elements of the quad compensated clocks, the compensated temperature sensor and cooperating software minimized drift in frequency of the oscillator clock system in harsh borehole environments encountered while drilling a borehole. The clock system exhibits a frequency stability of 2.8×10?9 or less over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 185° C. The compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling operations wherein precise downhole measurements of time are required typically over a period of days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 31, 2006
    Inventors: Martin Sorrells, James Minto
  • Patent number: 7046584
    Abstract: A compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system for use in a well borehohe system. The clock system includes preferably four quad compensated clocks, a compensated temperature sensor, and software for processing and correcting system response. Physical fabrication of elements of the quad compensated clocks, the compensated temperature sensor and cooperating software minimized drift in frequency of the oscillator clock system in harsh borehole environments encountered while drilling a borehole. The clock system exhibits a frequency stability of 2.8×10?9 or less over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 185° C. The compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling operations wherein precise downhole measurements of time are required typically over a period of days.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Precision Drilling Technology Services Group Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Sorrells, James Minto
  • Publication number: 20050007887
    Abstract: A compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system for use in a well borehohe system. The clock system includes preferably four quad compensated clocks, a compensated temperature sensor, and software for processing and correcting system response. Physical fabrication of elements of the quad compensated clocks, the compensated temperature sensor and cooperating software minimized drift in frequency of the oscillator clock system in harsh borehole environments encountered while drilling a borehole. The clock system exhibits a frequency stability of 2.8×10?9 or less over a temperature range of from 0° C. to 185° C. The compensated ensemble crystal oscillator clock system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling operations wherein precise downhole measurements of time are required typically over a period of days.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: Martin Sorrells, James Minto
  • Publication number: 20050007259
    Abstract: Geophysical measurement system employed during the drilling of a well borehole. The system employs a reference clock disposed within equipment at the surface of the earth and a borehole assembly which houses a downhole clock and at least one sensor. The borehole assembly is operationally connected to a drill string, which advances the borehole. At least one synchronization shuttle apparatus containing a shuttle clock is conveyed downhole to the borehole assembly to synchronize the borehole clock with the reference clock. Reference and borehole clock synchronization is maintained at one millisecond or less over a period of days. Outputs from the reference clock and borehole clock and sensor are combined to obtain a measure of a geophysical parameter of interest. Although the measurement system is particularly applicable to seismic-while-drilling measurements, it can be used in a wide variety of clock driven geophysical measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Publication date: January 13, 2005
    Inventors: James Minto, Martin Sorrells, Peter Harvey
  • Patent number: 5109946
    Abstract: A pack-off locking means for use in downhole geological seismic work. An upper and lower endcap rigidly connected together by a inelastic vertical member which is adapted to hold a seismic energy source. The endcaps have sealing means attached thereto for isolating a cylindrical section of the well borehole, thus, forming a sealed chamber wherein the seismic energy source contained therein transmits acoustical energy in a mostly horizontal and omni-directional plane into geological formations of interest. Minimal acoustical energy is transmitted into the borehole vertical fluid column because the seal-off means prevents communication thereto. Means for pressurizing the chamber formed by the pack-off means and for measuring the pressure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: OmniTech Services Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Sorrells