Patents by Inventor Thomas Edward Ritter

Thomas Edward Ritter 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).

  • Downhole densitometer
    Patent number: 6543281
    Abstract: A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett, Bruce H. Storm, Jr., James Robert Birchak, Thomas Edward Ritter
  • Downhole densitometer
    Publication number: 20020178803
    Abstract: A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett, Bruce H. Storm, James R. Birchak, Thomas Edward Ritter
  • Downhole densitometer
    Patent number: 6378364
    Abstract: A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett, Bruce H. Storm, Jr., James Robert Birchak, Thomas Edward Ritter