Patents by Inventor Robert J. Schroeder
Robert J. Schroeder 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).
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Publication number: 20090183871Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for separating and/or analyzing fluids of interest. According to principles of the present invention, fluid analysis is accomplished with microfluidic devices and may be reported in real-time or near real-time in a subterranean environment. In addition or alternative to oilfield applications, the principles of the present invention contemplate separation in a laboratory or other environment for biological sample separation and analytical chemistry applications. The present invention is capable of separating liquid-liquid mixtures or emulsions in a microfluidic device without fouling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Philippe Salamitou, Joyce Wong, Bhavani Raghuraman, Jagdish Shah, Ronald E. G. Van Hal, Robert J. Schroeder, Patrick Jean Rene Tabeling
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Patent number: 7279678Abstract: Methods and apparatus for analyzing a hydrocarbon mixture are disclosed, comprising at least one light-emitting diode (LED) and at least one photodetector positioned to detect energy transmitted by the LED through a sample of the hydrocarbon mixture. In at least one embodiment an optical filter is coupled to the output of the LED to mitigate the adverse effects of the LED's sensitivity to temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Assignee: Schlumber Technology CorporationInventors: A. Ballard Andrews, Jacques Jundt, Robert J. Schroeder, Bhavani Raghuraman, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 7215416Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.Inventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 7126680Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Oliver C. Mullins
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Patent number: 6946645Abstract: High-resolution measurement of a parameter is provided at multiple different locations simultaneously along an optic fiber. Light within a predefined range of wavelengths is transmitted into an optic fiber that contains multiple birefringent fiber optic pressure transducers, each including a Fiber Bragg Grating. Each grating defines a spatially modulated index of refraction and a wavelength that is unique within the system. A sweeping comb filter is used to apply optical comb filtering to light reflected from the transducers so as to pass filtered light having multiple spectral portions, each spectral portion associated with one transducer. The free spectral range of the sweeping comb filter is set to be approximately equal to the spectral range of a single spectral portion. Wavelength division multiplexing is applied to the filtered light so as to separate the spectral portions.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Tsutomu Yamate
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Publication number: 20040178330Abstract: High-resolution measurement of a parameter is provided at multiple different locations simultaneously along an optic fiber. Light within a predefined range of wavelengths is transmitted into an optic fiber that contains multiple birefringent fiber optic pressure transducers, each including a Fiber Bragg Grating. Each grating defines a spatially modulated index of refraction and a wavelength that is unique within the system. A sweeping comb filter is used to apply optical comb filtering to light reflected from the transducers so as to pass filtered light having multiple spectral portions, each spectral portion associated with one transducer. The free spectral range of the sweeping comb filter is set to be approximately equal to the spectral range of a single spectral portion. Wavelength division multiplexing is applied to the filtered light so as to separate the spectral portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2003Publication date: September 16, 2004Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Tsutomu Yamate
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Patent number: 6751556Abstract: A technique usable with a subterranean well includes deploying a first optical sensor downhole in the subterranean well. The technique includes observing an intensity of backscattered light from the first optical sensor to measure a distribution of a characteristic along a portion of the well. The technique includes deploying a second sensor downhole to measure the characteristic at discreet points within the portion. The second sensor is separate from this first sensor and includes at least one interferometric sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2002Date of Patent: June 15, 2004Assignee: Sensor Highway LimitedInventors: Robert J. Schroeder, Jeffrey Tarvin, Rogerio T. Ramos, George A. Brown
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Publication number: 20030236626Abstract: A technique that usable in a subterranean well includes deploying a first sensor in a remote location to measure a distribution of a characteristic along a segment at the location. The technique includes deploying a second sensor downhole to measure the characteristic at discrete points within the segment. The second sensor is separate from the first sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Robert J. Schroeder, Jeffrey Tarvin, Rogerio T. Ramos, George A. Brown
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Publication number: 20030234921Abstract: Methods for calibrating and making measurements using fiber optic sensors are disclosed using backscattered wavelengths and independent sensors. The disclosure sets outs methods applicable with fiber optic sensors either in a deployed in a loop and in a linear configuration and useful for measurements including temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Inventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Oliver C. Mullins
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Publication number: 20020196993Abstract: Sensor-telemetry systems that combine an optical sensor and a non-optical sensor coupled with an optical fiber and methods of supporting multiple sensors including optical sensors and non-optical sensors on a single optical fiber are described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2001Publication date: December 26, 2002Inventor: Robert J. Schroeder
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Publication number: 20020109081Abstract: High-resolution measurement of a parameter is provided at multiple different locations simultaneously along an optic fiber. Light within a predefined range of wavelengths is transmitted into an optic fiber that contains multiple transducers each formed as a grating. Each grating defines a spatially modulated index of refraction and a wavelength that is unique within the system. A Fabry-Perot Interferometer is used to apply optical comb filtering to light reflected from the transducers so as to pass filtered light having multiple spectral portions, each spectral portion associated with one transducer. The free spectral range of the Fabry-Perot Interferometer is set to be approximately equal to the spectral range of a single spectral portion. Wavelength division multiplexing is applied to the filtered light so as to separate the spectral portions. The value of a parameter is preferably determined using the spectral spacing of two maxima of spectral intensity in each spectral portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2000Publication date: August 15, 2002Inventors: Jeffrey A. Tarvin, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Tsutomu Yamate
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Patent number: 6363180Abstract: Methods for enhancing dynamic range, sensitivity, accuracy, and resolution in fiber optic sensors include manipulating the polarization characteristics of the light entering a fiber optic sensor and/or manipulating the polarization characteristics of the light exiting the sensor before it enters the light detection system. An apparatus according to the invention includes a fiber optic core having one or more gratings written onto it, a light source and a detection system for detecting light transmitted through the grating or reflected by the grating. The light source and the spectral demodulation system may be coupled to opposite ends of the fiber optic (transmission mode) or may be coupled to the same end of the fiber optic through the use of a beam splitter and terminators (reflection mode). Apparatus according to the invention include a polarizer and controller located either between the light source and the fiber or between the fiber and the detection system.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: March 26, 2002Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Robert J. Schroeder, Rogerio T. Ramos, Eric Udd
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Patent number: 6304686Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring differential pressure with fiber optic sensor systems are disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention include both monopolar and bipolar sensors, sensors incorporating side-hole fibers, sensors incorporating fibers without side holes, FBGs subjected to transverse strain, and FBGs subjected to longitudinal strain. All of the embodiments utilize FBGs. Two embodiments utilize a piston having oppositely extending rods, each of which is exposed to a different pressure. Seven embodiments utilize one or more silica diaphragms coupled to a silica body and exposed to two pressures. In each of these embodiments, pressure is converted into movement of the piston or diaphragm which is then used to strain the FBG(s). When each FBG is interrogated, the spectral information is indicative of the strain exerted by the piston or diaphragm on the FBG and thus the difference between the two pressures.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2000Date of Patent: October 16, 2001Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Tsutomu Yamate, Rogerio T Ramos, Raghu Madhavan, Robert J. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6246048Abstract: An optical fiber is provided with a Bragg grating formed along a portion of its core and a mechanical structure arranged adjacent to the Bragg grating for amplifying longitudinal strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating. The mechanical structure is designed to convert ambient pressure into longitudinal strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating and to allow the fiber to pass through the structure so that several pressure measuring apparatus may be arranged along a single optical fiber. An intermediate structure is provided between the fiber and the mechanical structure for minimizing buckling of the fiber. The methods of the invention include converting pressure into longitudinal strain on an optical fiber, amplifying the effect of pressure on the longitudinal strain, measuring pressure by determining the spectral location related to peaks (or minimums) of light reflected from an optical grating subjected to longitudinal strain.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Rogerio T. Ramos, Raghu Madhavan, Tsutomu Yamate, Stephen C. Balkunas, Robert J. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6218661Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention include an optical fiber with a Bragg grating formed along a portion of its core and a mechanical structure arranged adjacent to the Bragg grating for amplifying transverse strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating. In particular, the mechanical structure is designed to convert ambient pressure into transverse strain on the fiber in the vicinity of the grating. The methods of the invention include converting pressure into transverse strain on an optical fiber, amplifying the effect of pressure on the transverse strain, measuring pressure by determining the spacing between spectral locations related to peaks (or minimums) of light reflected from an optical grating subjected to transverse strain, and measuring the temperature of the grating by determining the locations of the spectral locations related to the peaks (or minimums) of light reflected from the grating.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 1998Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert J. Schroeder, Tsutomu Yamate, Rogerio T. Ramos, Raghu Madhavan, Eric Udd
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Patent number: 5841131Abstract: A fiber optic pressure transducer having enhanced resolution and dynamic range includes a fiber optic core having one or more gratings written onto it, a birefringence structure for enhancing the birefringence of the core, and a structure for converting isotropic pressure forces to anisotropic forces on the fiber core. Several different embodiments of prestressing structure are disclosed (both extrinsic and intrinsic). Several different embodiments of structure (both extrinsic and intrinsic) for converting isotropic pressure to anisotropic pressure are also disclosed. The fiber optic pressure transducer according to the invention is advantageously used in conjunction with a light source and a spectral demodulation system in order to detect pressure ambient to the fiber optic pressure transducer based on the wavelength and shift of spectral peaks.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 1997Date of Patent: November 24, 1998Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert J. Schroeder, Eric Udd
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Patent number: 5790185Abstract: A video logging tool is described which is particularly well adapted for production logging of oil or gas wells. The tool has both an end view optical system and a side view optical system for imaging side and end view on a CCD array in a camera.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1996Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Inventors: Fran.cedilla.ois Auzerais, Robert J. Schroeder, Benoit Couet, Jeffrey A. Tarvin
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Patent number: 5166747Abstract: A borehole apparatus for analyzing the composition of a formation fluid includes a chamber that contains the fluid, and a light source that directs light through the fluid in the chamber. The optical path of the light is modified such that an output fiber optic bundle receives indirect light through the fluid. One embodiment comprises a diffuser in the optical path, which forward scatters the light to the output fiber optic bundle. Another embodiment comprises the misalignment of an input fiber optic bundle relative to the output fiber optic bundle. Collimators can be subsituted for the fiber optic bundles.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1990Date of Patent: November 24, 1992Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Robert J. Schroeder, Jeffrey A. Tarvin