Patents by Inventor Percy T. Cox

Percy T. Cox 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: 5272444
    Abstract: The present invention includes a dielectric sensor which provides at least two signals corresponding to the sensed dielectric of a petroleum stream. A temperature sensor also senses the temperature of the petroleum stream and provides a corresponding temperature signal. Crossplot data arrange the two parameters associated with the petroleum stream dielectric is stored in a memory. The memory is accessed using signals from the dielectric sensor and the temperature sensor to select data from the memory. An output circuit provides a water cut signal in accordance with the selected data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Percy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 5249455
    Abstract: A water cut meter includes a test cell through which a petroleum stream will flow. The test cell includes an outer shell, a sensor probe which cooperates with the outer shell to form a sensor capacitor with the flow of the petroleum stream as the dielectric and a reference probe surrounded with pure oil as the dielectric to form a reference capacitor. Processing apparatus includes a comparator network electrically connected to the sensor capacitor and to reference capacitor which compares the capacitance of the sensor capacitor with the capacitance of the reference capacitor. The comparator network provides a signal corresponding to the capacitance difference between the sensor and reference capacitors. An output circuit connected to the comparator network provides an output corresponding to the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signal from the comparator network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Percy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 5095758
    Abstract: The present invention is a water cut monitor which includes a settling tank in which a quantity of fluid from a producing well is accumulated. The fluid is removed as a stream of fluid after a predetermined interval from the accumulation of the fluid by the settling tank so as to allow the accumulated fluid to separate into three phases: free water, water-continuous and oil-continuous. The flow rate of the stream of fluid is measured and a corresponding flow rate signal is provided as well as a temperature signal corresponding to a sensed temperature of the stream of fluid. The water cut monitor includes a plurality of electrodes in contact with the fluid. Injection electronics connected to at least one of the electrodes provides an injection voltage and injection current to the fluid stream and also provides signals corresponding to the injection voltage and injection current. A voltage in the fluid stream is measured and a measurement signal provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Theodore W. Nussbaum, Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5070725
    Abstract: Oil well production is often measured by using a settling tank, pump, flowmeter and a water-cut meter. Fluid from a well being tested is allowed to accumulate in the settling tank and, after a predetermined settling time, is pumped through the flowmeter and water-cut meter for gauging. The present invention is an improved water-cut meter which first determines the impedance of the free water pumped from the tank and later determines the impedance of the oil/water emulsion emerging from the tank. The ratio of the emulsion impedance to the free water impedance is proportional to percent water-cut of the fluid during the water-continuous phase. When the emulsion switches to oil-continuous phase, the system utilizes probe impedance for the water-cut determination. Using standard techniques, the water-cut and flow rate signals are then combined to calculate the total oil and water content of the settling tank fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Theodore W. Nussbaum, Charles L. Gray, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5033289
    Abstract: Apparatus monitors the water cut of a petroleum stream flowing in a pipeline by comparing a probe signal to a reference signal. A probe is located in the pipeline and is connected to the reference signal through a series resistance. The probe signal changes as a function of the impedance of the petroleum stream. A circuit measures the changes in the probe signal, compares the changes to the reference signal and derives a water cut value for the petroleum stream based on these measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Percy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 4972149
    Abstract: The present invention is a thin bed resistivity well logging system and method which includes a transmitter transmitting electromagnetic energy into an earth formation, from within a borehole traversing the earth's formation, at a frequency lying within a range of frequencies from 500 kilohertz to 4 megahertz. The system, a portion of which is located in the borehole, determines the true resistivity of a thin strata in accordance with the transmitted electromagnetic energy that has propagated through the earth's formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 20, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren, Theodore W. Nussbaum, Donald L. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4897605
    Abstract: A well logging system and method of the present invention determines the dielectric constant and/or conductivity of earth formations some of which have fluid invasion. The system and method of the present invention includes the transmission of electromagnetic energy into the earth formation from a first location in a borehole in the formations at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Electromagnetic energy is received by receivers at three locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the location of the transmission of the electromagnetic energy. The receivers provide signals representative of the total electromagnetic fields at those locations. The dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the earth formations are determined in accordance with portions of the signals from the three receivers corresponding to secondary electromagnetic fields at the three receiving locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren, Donald L. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4774471
    Abstract: A well logging system and method for determining the water saturation of an earth formation and the resistivity of the water using complex dielectric constant and formation porosity measurements. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted into the earth formation from a borehole at a frequency lying within the range of frequencies from 10 MHz to 200 MHz. Electromagnetic energies are received at two locations in the borehole. A complex dielectric constant is derived from the received electromagnetic energies. The water resistivity and the water saturation of the earth formation is derived in accordance with the porosity of the earth formation and with the real and imaginary parts of the derived complex dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 27, 1988
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Jackie C. Sims, Percy T. Cox, Richard S. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4730161
    Abstract: The present invention is a well logging method for determining the water saturation of an earth formation and the water's resistivity. Electromagnetic energy is transmitted into the earthen formation from a borehole traversing the earth formation. The electromagnetic energy is transmitted at two different frequencies within a range of frequency from 10 MHz to 200 MHz. Electromagnetic energies are received in the borehole from the earth formation. A phase difference and amplitude ratio for each transmitting frequency is derived from the received electromagnetic energy. The water resistivity and water saturation of the earth formation are derived from the derived phase differences and the amplitude ratios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1988
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Jackie C. Sims, Richard S. Simpson
  • Patent number: 4703278
    Abstract: The present invention is a well logging receiver coil system which includes a coil. The system also includes a variable capacitor connected across the coil to form a resonant circuit tuned to a predetermined frequency. The coil in the presence of an electromagnetic field has a current induced therein representative of the strength of the electromagnetic field. A pick-off circuit is connected to the coil in a predetermined manner and provides a signal representative of the strength of the magnetic component of the electromagnetic field substantially unaffected by the electrical field component of the electromagnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore W. Nussbaum, Keith R. Tooker, Percy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 4700141
    Abstract: A well logging system and method of the present invention determines the dielectric constant and/or conductivity of earth formations some of which have fluid invasion. The system and method of the present invention include the transmission of electromagnetic energy into the earth formations from a first location in a borehole in the formations at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Electromagnetic energy is received by receivers at three locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the location of the transmission of the electromagnetic energy. The receivers provide signals representative of the received electromagnetic energy. The dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the earth formations are determined in accordance with the signals from the three receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren, Theodore W. Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 4687995
    Abstract: Apparatus for determining the dielectric constant and/or resistivity of earth formations traversed by a borehole includes a transmitter which transmits electromagnetic energy into the earth formation from a first location in the borehole at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Receivers receive electromagnetic energy at two locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the transmitter provide signals representative of the total electromagnetic fields at the receiver locations. Circuitry determines the dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the formations in accordance with a secondary field ratio and a phase difference derived from the signals provided by the receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne F. Warren, Theodore W. Nussbaum, Percy T. Cox, Donald L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 4636731
    Abstract: An anisotropic well logging system includes a well logging tool including a first transmitter coil spatially arranged within the well logging tool in a first predetermined manner and a second transmitter coil spatially arranged within the well logging tool in a second predetermined manner which ultimately transmits electromagnetic energy into the formation at a frequency which enables electromagnetic energy to propagate through the surrounding earth formation. A first pair of receiver coils spaced a predetermined distance from each other and from the first transmitter coil and spatially arranged within the well logging tool in the same manner as the first transmitter coil provides signals in accordance with the received electromagnetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Kerry D. Savage, Percy T. Cox, Hans J. Paap
  • Patent number: 4622518
    Abstract: A well logging system and method of the present invention determines the dielectric constant and/or conductivity of earth formations some of which have fluid invasion. The system and method of the present invention includes the transmission of electromagnetic energy into the earth formation from a first location in a borehole in the formations at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Electromagnetic energy is received by receivers at three locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the location of the transmission of the electromagnetic energy. The receivers provide signals representative of the total electromagnetic fields at those locations. The dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the earth formations are determined in accordance with portions of the signals from the three receivers corresponding to secondary electromagnetic fields at the three receiving locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren, Donald L. Johnson, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4609873
    Abstract: A dielectric well logging system is provided to determine dielectric constant and resistivity in formations invaded by water to determine oil and water saturations of the formations. Plural transmitters are activated in a time division multiplex manner and sensed by receiver coils. The amplitude ratio and phase difference between the signals sensed by the receiver coils are then used to determine dielectric constant and resistivity which may then be used to determine invasion characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Richard A. Meador, Roland G. Riedesel, Jr., Kerry D. Savage
  • Patent number: 4599566
    Abstract: An improvement to a conventional one transmitter coil-two receiver coil dielectric well logging sonde permits the well logging sonde to have deeper penetration of the earthen formation when measuring dielectric constants. The improvement includes increased spacing between the receiver coils and the transmitter coil and operation of the transmitter coil at a higher power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren
  • Patent number: 4594551
    Abstract: A well logging system and method of the present invention determines the dielectric constant and/or conductivity of earth formations some of which have fluid invasion. The system and method of the present invention include the transmission of electromagnetic energy into the earth formations from a first location in a borehole in the formations at a frequency which enables the electromagnetic energy to propagate throughout the surrounding earth formations. Electromagnetic energy is received by receivers at three locations in the borehole which are spaced longitudinally from the location of the transmission of the electromagnetic energy. The receivers provide signals representative of the received electromagnetic energy. The dielectric constant and/or resistivity of the earth formations are determined in accordance with the signals from the three receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1986
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Percy T. Cox, Wayne F. Warren, Theodore W. Nussbaum
  • Patent number: 4401947
    Abstract: A well logging sonde has an outer diameter of 1-11/16 inches or less and includes a transmitter coil and at least two receiver coils. The coils are contained in a coil housing. A transmitter circuit provides a signal for energizing the transmitter coil to develop an electromagnetic field in an earth formation. A transmitter case contains the transmitter circuit and is mechanically connected to the coil housing so that the transmitter provides the signal to the transmitter coil which develops the corresponding electromagnetic field in the earth formation. A receiver circuit receives signals from the receiver coils resulting from the reception of electromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic field after passage through the earth formation. The receiver circuit provides a signal representative of at least one characteristic of the earth formation in accordance with the signals from the receiver coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventor: Percy T. Cox
  • Patent number: 4107597
    Abstract: The invention disclosed herein includes methods and apparatus for determining true formation resistivity, flushed zone resistivity and invasion diameter of the earth formation in the vicinity of a well borehole. A radio frequency electromagnetic field in the frequency range from 800 kilohertz to 4 megahertz is generated in a borehole and the electromagnetic field is detected at a plurality of longitudinally spaced locations. Measurements of the attenuation and propagation velocity of the electromagnetic wave at the longitudinally spaced receivers may then be interpreted according to predetermined relationships in terms of the formation resistivity, flushed zone resistivity and invasion diameter surrounding the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Meador, Larry L. Adams, Percy T. Cox, Larry W. Thompson, James A. Fuchs
  • Patent number: 4107598
    Abstract: A system operating at radio frequencies in the range of 10 MHZ to 60 MHZ is provided for simultaneously determining the resistivity and dielectric constant of earth formations in the vicinity of a well bore. A transmitter coil and two longitudinally spaced receiver coils are provided in the system. Circuit means for measuring the unnormalized amplitude ratio and the relative phase shift of electromagnetic waves at the spaced receiver coils are provided. A relationship is given whereby the formation dielectric constant and resistivity may be obtained from the amplitude ratio and relative phase shift measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Richard A. Meador, Larry L. Adams, James A. Fuchs, Percy T. Cox, Larry W. Thompson