Patents by Inventor Robert A. Estes

Robert A. Estes 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).

  • Publication number: 20060149477
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Publication date: July 6, 2006
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Cairns, Sergey Efremov, David Schneider, Sassan Dehlavi, Robert Estes, Samuel Bell
  • Patent number: 7056323
    Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Scimed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Mareiro, Robert Estes, Ralph J. Barry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7000700
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul G. Cairns, Sergey V. Efremov, David M. Schneider, Sassan Dehlavi, Robert A. Estes, Samuel R. Bell
  • Publication number: 20050199425
    Abstract: A nuclear sensor on a bottomhole assembly (BHA) makes measurements of a property of an earth formation during continued rotation of the BHA. Magnetometers that are susceptible to bias error are deployed on the BHA to make measurements of the magnetic toolface angle. A processor separates the sensor measurements into azimuthal sectors while compensating for inherent time delays in the electronics, non-uniform rotation, and bias.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: September 15, 2005
    Inventors: Robert Estes, Roger Cruz, Brent Hope, Nico Foekema
  • Publication number: 20050056461
    Abstract: A two-axis gyroscope used on a bottom hole assembly can be used for determining a rate of rotation about the rotational axis of a BHA. The method takes advantage of possible misalignment of at least one axis of the two axis gyroscope from orthogonality with respect to the rotational axis of the BHA, resulting in the misaligned gyro being sensitive to BHA rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Publication date: March 17, 2005
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert Estes, Jonathan Bynum, Randell Riggs, David Epplin
  • Publication number: 20050051545
    Abstract: An adjustable attachment apparatus for a container, in particular, a roll-on, roll-off container, for use with a truck equipped to transport the carrier, such as a hoist truck. The container attachment apparatus includes a connector member, more specifically a hook-receiving member which is vertically adjustable in a guide member to a plurality of different heights in relation to a ground surface in order to accommodate trucks having container retrieving hoist mechanisms with a hook or other element of differing minimum heights which manipulates the container through the connector member. In one embodiment, the guide member includes a rail having a slotted track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Estes
  • Publication number: 20050052042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a container, in particular, a roll-on, roll-off container, for use with a truck equipped to transport the carrier, such as a hoist truck. The container includes a connector member, more specifically a hook-receiving member which is vertically adjustable in relation to a ground surface in order to accommodate trucks having container retrieving hoist mechanisms with a hook or other element of differing minimum heights which manipulates the container through the connector member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventor: Robert Estes
  • Patent number: 6842699
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. With the present invention, a secondary borehole for secondary recovery operations may be drilled with accuracy in proximity to a cased producing borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20040222019
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Roland E. Chemali
  • Publication number: 20040079526
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes directional formation evaluation devices on a rotating assembly in conjunction with toolface orientation sensors. The data from the toolface orientation sensors are analyzed by a processor and toolface angle measurements are determined at defined intervals. Formation evaluation sensors operate substantially independently of the toolface orientation sensors and measurements of the formation evaluation sensors are analyzed in combination with the determined toolface angle to obtain formation parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul G. Cairns, Sergey V. Efremov, David M. Schneider, Sassan Dehlavi, Robert A. Estes, Samuel R. Bell
  • Patent number: 6712159
    Abstract: This invention provides a motor drive assembly for rotatably positioning and locking a drive shaft suitable for use with a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The motor drive assembly can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool to one of a plurality of preselected positions and optionally lock the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Jon B. Kahn
  • Patent number: 6676667
    Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Mareiro, Robert Estes, Ralph J. Barry, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20030236627
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The downhole assembly includes at least one gyroscope that is rotatably mounted in a tool housing to provide signals relating to the earth's rotation. A device in the tool can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool to one of a plurality of preselected positions and optionally lock the sensors. A processor in the tool combines measurements from the sensors taken at a plurality of positions at the same depth to determine the systematic bias in the sensors before further processing. Accelerometers in the MWD tool provide gravity measurements from which the toolface and inclination are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2003
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert A. Estes
  • Publication number: 20030114915
    Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventors: Wayne Mareiro, Robert Estes, Ralph J. Barry
  • Patent number: 6529834
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The downhole assembly includes at least one gyroscope that is rotatably mounted in a tool housing to provide signals relating to the earth's rotation. A device in the tool can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool to one of a plurality of preselected positions and optionally lock the sensors. A processor in the tool combines measurements from the sensors taken at a plurality of positions at the same depth to determine the systematic bias in the sensors before further processing. Accelerometers in the MWD tool provide gravity measurements from which the toolface and inclination are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Jon B. Kahn
  • Publication number: 20020116130
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The downhole assembly includes at least one gyroscope that is rotatably mounted in a tool housing to provide signals relating to the earth's rotation. A device in the tool can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool to one of a plurality of preselected positions and optionally lock the sensors. A processor in the tool combines measurements from the sensors taken at a plurality of positions at the same depth to determine the systematic bias in the sensors before further processing. Accelerometers in the MWD tool provide gravity measurements from which the toolface and inclination are determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Jon B. Kahn
  • Patent number: 6347282
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The downhole assembly includes at least one gyroscope that is rotatably mounted in a tool housing to provide signals relating to the earth's rotation. A device in the tool can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool at any desired degree. A processor in the tool combines measurements from the sensors taken at a plurality of positions at the same depth to determine the systematic bias in the sensors before further processing. Accelerometers in the MWD tool provide gravity measurements from which the toolface and inclination are determined. The unbiased gyroscopic measurements are used in conjunction with the tool face and inclination measurements to determine the azimuth and tool face with respect to true north.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Koen Antonie Noy, Jon B. Kahn
  • Publication number: 20010039395
    Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Wayne Mareiro, Robert Estes, Ralph J. Barry
  • Patent number: 6258099
    Abstract: A medical balloon is constructed with protrusions thereon to prevent unwanted movement of an expandable, implantable medical device such as a stent during delivery and deployment. At least some of the protrusions are underlying the expandable, implantable medical device to grip the expandable, implantable medical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: SciMed Life Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Mareiro, Robert Estes, Ralph J. Barry, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6151553
    Abstract: This invention provides a measurement-while-drilling (MWD) downhole assembly for use in drilling boreholes which utilizes gyroscopes, magnetometers and accelerometers for determining the borehole inclination and azimuth during the drilling of the borehole. The downhole assembly includes at least one gyroscope that is rotatably mounted in a tool housing to provide signals relating to the earth's rotation. A device in the tool can rotate the gyroscope and other sensors on the tool at any desired degree. A processor in the tool combines measurements from the sensors taken at a plurality of positions at the same depth to determine the systematic bias in the sensors before further processing. Accelerometers in the MWD tool provide gravity measurements from which the toolface and inclination are determined. The unbiased gyroscopic measurements are used in conjunction with the tool face and inclination measurements to determine the azimuth and tool face with respect to true north.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Koen Antonie Noy, Jon B. Kahn