Patents by Inventor Mitchell Carl SMITHSON

Mitchell Carl SMITHSON 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: 9201156
    Abstract: A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonating circuit including a crystal oscillator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and to modulate the electromagnetic signal in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal. Embodiments include a power monitor and circuitry configured and arranged to measure an input frequency at a time when an inflection in the applied power is observed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl Smithson
  • Patent number: 9097101
    Abstract: A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and generates harmonic frequencies in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive a returned electromagnetic signal. Embodiments include a filter to pass a harmonic of the resonant frequency of the resonating circuit and circuitry configured and arranged to measure the frequency of the harmonic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A INC.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl Smithson
  • Patent number: 8560268
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a borehole. The system includes a pulse generator to generate a pulse of electromagnetic energy to propagate along the wellbore towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic pulse reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated along the wellbore towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid. In an embodiment, the system includes a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore based on the fluid surface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl Smithson
  • Publication number: 20130257435
    Abstract: A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and generates harmonic frequencies in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive a returned electromagnetic signal. Embodiments include a filter to pass a harmonic of the resonant frequency of the resonating circuit and circuitry configured and arranged to measure the frequency of the harmonic signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl SMITHSON
  • Publication number: 20130257628
    Abstract: A system, method and device for interrogating a downhole environment in a borehole beneath a surface includes a source of electromagnetic energy, operable to transmit an electromagnetic signal in the borehole, a sensor module, including a passive resonating circuit including a crystal oscillator having a resonant frequency that varies with changes in the condition in the downhole environment to reflect the electromagnetic signal and to modulate the electromagnetic signal in response to a condition in the downhole environment in the borehole and a detector positionable to receive the reflected modulated electromagnetic signal. Embodiments include a power monitor and circuitry configured and arranged to measure an input frequency at a time when an inflection in the applied power is observed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl SMITHSON
  • Publication number: 20120084055
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a borehole. The system includes a pulse generator to generate a pulse of electromagnetic energy to propagate along the wellbore towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic pulse reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated along the wellbore towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid. In an embodiment, the system includes a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore based on the fluid surface level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Mitchell Carl SMITHSON