Patents by Inventor Melvin N. Miller

Melvin N. Miller 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: 6940378
    Abstract: A magnet assembly and a magnetic field configuration are disclosed for the generation of a magnetic field in a defined volume, with the field being homogeneous over a pre-determined portion of the volume and not homogeneous over the rest. The disclosed magnetic assembly has a plurality of spaced-apart magnets arranged in pairs. The magnets of each pair are be positioned diametrically opposite each other with respect to an enclosed volume. In different embodiments magnets may all be arranged such that their magnetization directions are substantially aligned, or could alternatively be arranged to have magnetizations pointing in different directions. The angular spacing between the magnets is selected in the range of approximately 13°-17° and could be as large as the size of the magnets. The assembly generates a homogeneous magnetic field within an inner portion of the defined volume, and a second magnetic field, substantially different from the homogeneous magnetic field throughout the remainder, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, Manfred G. Prammer, Moti Huber, Sergei Knizhnik
  • Publication number: 20020097051
    Abstract: A magnet assembly and a magnetic field configuration are disclosed for the generation of a magnetic field in a defined volume, with the field being homogeneous over a pre-determined portion of the volume and not homogeneous over the rest. The disclosed magnetic assembly has a plurality of spaced-apart magnets arranged in pairs. The magnets of each pair are be positioned diametrically opposite each other with respect to an enclosed volume. In different embodiments magnets may all be arranged such that their magnetization directions are substantially aligned, or could alternatively be arranged to have magnetizations pointing in different directions. The angular spacing between the magnets is selected in the range of approximately 13°-17° and could be as large as the size of the magnets. The assembly generates a homogeneous magnetic field within an inner portion of the defined volume, and a second magnetic field, substantially different from the homogeneous magnetic field throughout the remainder, i.e.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Publication date: July 25, 2002
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, Manfred G. Prammer, Moti Huber, Sergei Knizhnik
  • Patent number: 6242912
    Abstract: A well logging system and method are disclosed for detecting the presence and estimating the quantity of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons in the near wellbore zone. The system uses a gradient-based, multiple-frequency NMR logging tool to extract signal components characteristic for each type of hydrocarbons. To this end, a new data acquisition method is proposed in which measurements at different frequencies are interleaved to obtain, in a single logging pass, multiple data streams corresponding to different recovery times and/or diffusivity for the same spot in the formation. The resultant data streams are processed to determine mineralogy-independent water and hydrocarbon saturations and porosity estimates. Gas and oil saturations are used to obtain accurate estimates of the water content, permeability and other parameters of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Numar Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred G. Prammer, Duncan Mardon, George R. Coates, Melvin N. Miller
  • Patent number: 5936405
    Abstract: A well logging system and method for detecting the presence and estimating the quantity of gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons in the near wellbore zone. The system uses a gradient-based, multiple-frequency NMR logging tool to extract signal components characteristic for each type of hydrocarbons. To this end, a new data acquisition method is proposed in which measurements at different frequencies are interleaved to obtain, in a single logging pass, multiple data streams corresponding to different recovery times and/or diffusivity for the same spot in the formation. The resultant data streams are processed to determine mineralogy-independent water and hydrocarbon saturations and porosity estimates. Gas and oil saturations are used to obtain accurate estimates of the water content, permeability and other parameters of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Numar Corporation
    Inventors: Manfred G Prammer, Duncan Mardon, George R Coates, Melvin N Miller
  • Patent number: 5672968
    Abstract: A method for measuring or predicting a property of a porous material while curing, the porous material including therein a liquid which undergoes metamorphosis and which is present in the porous material in different phases during curing, the method including the steps of performing a low frequency, spin-echo nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurement of each phase of the liquid, and correlating the NMR measurement, or extrapolating the property, in accordance with a predetermined relationship between the property and the NMR measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: Numalog
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, Manfred G. Prammer, Moti Huber
  • Patent number: 5309098
    Abstract: An improved system for using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to obtain information relating to geologic structures. The system of the present invention employs a variable sampling window which increases sampling efficiency by allowing the system to optimize the sampling interval, thereby maximizing the amount of data which can be obtained in a series of data samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Numar Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Coates, Melvin N. Miller, John C. Bouton
  • Patent number: 5269968
    Abstract: Compositions for removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a surface by treatment of the surface with an extraction solvent, an encapsulating solution and an aqueous wash are disclosed. The extraction solvent includes a mixture of kerosene and a surfactant. The encapsulating solution includes a mixture of a metal hydroxide, a solvent dispersion agent, a coupling agent and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Burlington Environmental, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, Thomas J. Rucker
  • Patent number: 5122194
    Abstract: A method and compositions for removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from a surface by treatment of the surface with an extraction solvent, and encapsulating solution and an aqueous wash are disclosed. The extraction solvent includes a mixture of kerosene and a surfactant. The encapsulating solution includes a mixture of a metal hydroxide, a solvent dispersion agent, a coupling agent and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1992
    Assignee: Burlington Environmental Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, Thomas J. Rucker
  • Patent number: 4717876
    Abstract: A magnetic structure for producing a substantially uniform magnetic field in a region external to the structure. The field produced has a predetermined magnitude but with all of its first and second order partial derivatives with respect to spatial coordinates being equal to zero at any selected point within the uniform region. The structure includes a pair of elongated magnets which are magnetized along their longitudinal axis. The magnets are spaced from each other with their corresponding end poles facing each other. A pair of annular cylindrical magnets which are magnetized in a radial direction are mounted on the end faces of each of the elongated magnets. Another annular cylindrical magnet, also having its magnetization oriented in a radial direction is located on the midplane between the two elongated magnets. The combined effect of these magnets is to create a uniform toroidal field. This field is particularly suitable for use in NMR oil well logging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Numar
    Inventors: Charles G. Masi, Melvin N. Miller
  • Patent number: 4307376
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating a maturity index for blood cells which may be used in a hematology profile to show the health of a patient. The system includes a scanning system for scanning a cell, pattern recognition means connected to the scanning means for generating a plurality of groups of signals, each group representative of a different characteristic of the cell scanned, and calculation means responsive to the signals for calculating an index of maturity for the cell scanned in accordance with its characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, John C. Bouton, Dennis L. Tebbe, Eugene L. Leboy, Reddiar S. Anbalagan