Patents by Inventor Richard M. Niezgorski

Richard M. Niezgorski 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).

  • Housing on the exterior of a well casing for optical fiber sensors
    Patent number: 6840114
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses for directly monitoring well casing strain and structural integrity are disclosed that allows for monitoring of potentially damaging strain from any orientation or mode and over long stretches of well casing. In a preferred embodiment, optical fiber sensors are housed within a housing and attached to the exterior surface of the casing. The sensors may be aligned parallel, perpendicular, or at an appropriate angle to the axis of the casing to detect axial, hoop, and shear stresses respectively. The sensors are preferably interferometrically interrogatable and are capable of measuring both static and dynamic strains such as those emitted from microfractures in the well casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Niezgorski, Peter C. Ogle
  • HOUSING ON THE EXTERIOR OF A WELL CASING FOR OPTICAL FIBER SENSORS
    Publication number: 20040231429
    Abstract: Improved methods and apparatuses for directly monitoring well casing strain and structural integrity are disclosed that allows for monitoring of potentially damaging strain from any orientation or mode and over long stretches of well casing. In a preferred embodiment, optical fiber sensors are housed within a housing and attached to the exterior surface of the casing. The sensors may be aligned parallel, perpendicular, or at an appropriate angle to the axis of the casing to detect axial, hoop, and shear stresses respectively. The sensors are preferably interferometrically interrogatable and are capable of measuring both static and dynamic strains such as those emitted from microfractures in the well casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Richard M. Niezgorski, Peter C. Ogle
  • Pressure sensor assembly structure to insulate a pressure sensing device from harsh environments
    Patent number: 6439055
    Abstract: A pressure sensor assembly for determining the pressure of a fluid in a harsh environment includes a pressure sensor suspended within a fluid filled housing. The assembly includes a pressure transmitting device which transmits the pressure of the fluid to sensor and maintains the fluid within the housing in a void free condition. The pressure sensor assembly maintains the sensor in a near zero base strain condition and further protects the sensor from shock and vibration. The pressure sensor assembly further includes bumpers that limit the movement of the sensor within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Maron, George J. Talmadge, Bradley A. Currier, Christopher T. Chipman, Guy Daigle, Richard M. Niezgorski, Peter Gumprecht