Patents by Inventor Tsili Wang

Tsili Wang 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).

  • ACOUSTIC LOGGING WHILE DRILLING TOOL HAVING RAISED TRANSDUCERS
    Publication number: 20110286307
    Abstract: An acoustic logging while drilling tool includes an acoustic transmitter and a linear array of acoustic receivers. At least one of the transmitter and the linear array of receivers is deployed on a blade having an outer diameter greater than that of the tool body. In preferred embodiments the transmitter and linear array are each deployed on a distinct blade. Deployment of the transmitter and/or the receivers on a blade reduces the standoff distance to the borehole wall which tends to improve the signal strength of received guided waves without an increase in transmitter power or receiver sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • UNIPOLE AND BIPOLE ACOUSTIC LOGGING WHILE DRILLING TOOLS
    Publication number: 20110280101
    Abstract: An acoustic logging while drilling tool includes a single unipole acoustic transmitter longitudinally and azimuthally spaced apart from a single linear array of unipole acoustic receivers. In certain preferred embodiments, the linear array of unipole receivers is azimuthally spaced apart from the unipole transmitter by about either 90 or 180 degrees. A bipole logging while drilling tool includes two unipole acoustic transmitters and two linear arrays of unipole acoustic receivers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • METHODS FOR MAKING ACOUSTIC ANISOTROPY LOGGING WHILE DRILLING MEASUREMENTS
    Publication number: 20110280102
    Abstract: A method for determining an acoustic anisotropy of a subterranean formation includes measuring acoustic wave slownesses at three or more toolface angles while rotating a logging while drilling tool in a borehole. Compressional, shear, and/or guided wave slownesses may be measured. The measured slownesses are fit to a mathematical model to obtain maximum and minimum slownesses. The maximum and minimum slownesses are processed to determine the acoustic anisotropy of the formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Paul Boonen
  • Apparatus and method for imaging subsurface materials using a pad having a plurality of electrode sets
    Patent number: 8030938
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a subsurface material traversed by a borehole, the apparatus including an imaging pad deployed by a logging instrument, the pad including a plurality of measuring sets, each measuring set including a first current injector electrode, a second current injector electrode, a pair of sensor electrodes disposed between the first current injector electrode and the second current injector electrode, and an output for coupling to an electronics unit adapted for producing the imaging of the subsurface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexandre N. Bespalov, David R. Beard, Randy Gold, Gregory B. Itskovich, Tsili Wang
  • Correction of sensor non-equipotentiality in a resistivity imaging device
    Patent number: 8014963
    Abstract: A method for correcting data from a sensor electrode in a sensor includes determining a potential difference (V) between the sensor electrode and another sensor electrode; from the potential difference (V), determining a by-pass current (Ic) between the sensor electrode and the another sensor electrode; and from the by-pass current (Ic) and a measured current (I) from the sensor electrode, determining a corrected current (J) for the sensor electrode; wherein determining a potential (V1) for the sensor electrode comprises multiplying an intrinsic impedance (Zi1) by the measured current (I). A computer program product and other embodiments are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Stanislav W. Forgang
  • Method for compensating drill pipe and near-borehole effect on and electronic noise in transient resistivity measurements
    Patent number: 8008919
    Abstract: Transient measurements made at two spaced apart receivers responsive to separate activation of two transmitters symmetrically disposed about the two receivers. The transmitters and receivers are on an instrument having a conductive body induces currents in the earth formation. The effect of the conductive body is removed by using deconvolving the signal at one receiver using the measured signal at the other receiver. The symmetric transmitter configuration also enables compensation for receiver differences.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Roland E. Chemali
  • Electromagnetic and magnetostatic shield to perform measurements ahead of the drill bit
    Patent number: 7994790
    Abstract: A transmitter on a bottomhole assembly (BHA) is used for generating a transient electromagnetic signal in an earth formation. A pair of receivers on the BHA receive signals that are indicative of formation resistivity and distances to bed boundaries. A time dependent calibration factor or a time-independent calibration factor may be used to combine the two received signals and estimate the distance to bed boundaries that are unaffected by the drill conductive body. Further improvement can be obtained by using copper shielding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, Roland E. Chemali, Tsili Wang
  • Downhole Sonic Logging Tool Including Irregularly Spaced Receivers
    Publication number: 20110188345
    Abstract: A downhole acoustic measurement tool includes at least one transmitter longitudinally spaced apart from a non-uniformly spaced longitudinal array of acoustic receivers. The array has a non-uniform spacing such that a first spacing between a first pair of consecutive acoustic receivers in the array is not equal to a second spacing between a second pair of consecutive acoustic receivers in the array. Non-uniform spacing of the receivers in the array reduces aliasing when the received waveforms are processed, for example, to obtain semblance data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Microresistivity Imaging with Differentially Raised Electrodes
    Publication number: 20110187374
    Abstract: A microresistivity logging tool includes a measuring electrode deployed in and electrically isolated from a guard electrode. The measuring electrode is radially recessed with respect to at least a portion of the guard electrode. The raised portion of the guard electrode preferably extends radially outward from the tool body such that it contacts the borehole wall during drilling. A return electrode is spaced and electrically insulated from the guard electrode. Tools in accordance with the present invention enable good current focusing to be achieved while at the same time providing protection for the measuring electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Compensated directional resistivity measurements
    Patent number: 7990153
    Abstract: A method for making directional resistivity measurements includes sequentially transmitting first and second axial and transverse electromagnetic waves in a borehole and receiving substantially pure axial and transverse components of each of the transmitted waves. A composite ratio of the received components is computed and may be utilized as an indicator of various formation parameters. The invention advantageously provides for the acquisition of compensated directional resistivity measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher C. Streinz, Tsili Wang
  • LOGGING TOOL EMPLOYING A MONOPOLE CURRENT INJECTION ELECTRODE FOR MICRORESISTIVITY IMAGING
    Publication number: 20110156711
    Abstract: A microresistivity logging tool includes a monopole current injection electrode and first and second potential electrodes deployed on a downhole tool body. A controller is configured to apply a high frequency alternating current between the monopole current injection electrode and a return and measure a corresponding AC potential difference between the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • CALIBRATION METHOD FOR A MICRORESISTIVITY LOGGING TOOL
    Publication number: 20110156710
    Abstract: Methods for making calibrated microresistivity logging measurements in nonconductive drilling fluid are disclosed. A calibrated measurement parameter (e.g., a calibrated electrical impedance or a calibrated potential difference) is obtained and further utilized to compute a formation resistivity. The methods tend to be particularly well suited for drilling applications in which the borehole environment is highly resistive (i.e., boreholes in which both the drilling fluid and the formation have a high resistivity).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • MICRORESISTIVITY ANISOTROPY LOGGING TOOL EMPLOYING A MONOPOLE CURRENT INJECTION ELECTRODE
    Publication number: 20110156709
    Abstract: A microresistivity logging tool includes a monopole current injection electrode and at least first and second pairs of potential electrodes. The tool may further include a controller configured for making microresistivity anisotropy measurements using a single firing of the monopole current injection electrode. The controller may be configured to compute a two-dimensional tensor of the local formation resistivity from a single firing of the monopole current injection electrode. The use of a single firing tends to decrease measurement time, which in turn tends to improved azimuthal sensitivity in microresistivity anisotropy imaging while drilling applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Christopher C. Streinz
  • BINNING METHOD FOR BOREHOLE IMAGING
    Publication number: 20110161009
    Abstract: A method for forming a borehole image includes fitting logging sensor measurements residing in each of a plurality of azimuthal windows with corresponding mathematical fitting functions. The functions may then be evaluated at one or more corresponding azimuthal positions to obtain at least one sector value for each of the azimuthal windows. A two dimensional borehole image may be formed by repeating the procedure at multiple measured depths in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2009
    Publication date: June 30, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Methods and apparatus for determination of a formation resistivity property using eccentered measurements
    Patent number: 7952358
    Abstract: Multi-component induction measurements are made using a resistivity logging tool in an anistropic earth formation. The X-signal (quadrature) is insensitive to borehole eccentricity. A subset of the multi-component measurements are inverted to first determine horizontal resistivities. Using the determined horizontal resistivities and another subset of the multi-component measurements, the vertical resistivities are obtained. Results of using the in-phase signals are comparable to those obtained using multifrequency focusing of quadrature signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Cynthia D. Xue, Luis M. Pelegri
  • Microresistivity Imaging at Multiple Depths of Investigation
    Publication number: 20110089950
    Abstract: A microresistivity logging tool includes a dual function electrode deployed between a guard electrode and a return electrode. A drive circuit enables the electrical potential of the dual function electrode to be independently controlled so as to control a depth of investigation of a microresistivity measurement. The depth of investigation tends to increase with increasing electrical potential of the dual function electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Microresistivity Imaging in Conductive and Nonconductive Drilling Fluid
    Publication number: 20110089951
    Abstract: A microresistivity logging tool includes a shield electrode deployed between a guard electrode and a return electrode. A measuring electrode is deployed in and electrically isolated from the guard electrode and first and second potential electrodes are deployed in and electrically isolated from the shield electrode. The tool further includes at least one switch configured to switch the tool between distinct first and second microresistivity measurement modes. The first measurement mode is configured for making microresistivity measurements in conductive (water based) drilling fluid and the second measurement mode is configured for making microresistivity measurements in non-conductive (oil based) drilling fluid, thereby enabling the tool to be utilized in either type of drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Directional Resistivity Antenna Shield
    Publication number: 20110074427
    Abstract: A logging while drilling tool includes a directional resistivity antenna and an antenna shield having. The shield has at least one slot having at least one electrically open end formed therein. The antenna shield may include a base portion and a plurality of spaced apart fingers extending away from the base portion such that the finger ends are electrically isolated from the tool body and from one another. The antenna shield may alternatively include a plurality of spaced apart plates that are electrically isolated from the tool body and from one another. These antenna shields have been found to provide suitable physical protection for sensitive antenna components while at the same time being substantially transparent to both z-mode and x-mode electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsili Wang, Jun Zhang, Stephen Bonner, Jing Li
  • Apparatus and Method for Downhole Electromagnetic Measurement While Drilling
    Publication number: 20110074428
    Abstract: A directional resistivity tool includes a pair of transmitters deployed between at least one pair of receivers. Each of the transmitters and receivers preferably includes collocated z-mode and x-mode antennae. Exemplary embodiments may further include additional receivers, for example, additional pairs of receivers deployed axially about the transmitters or one or more deep reading receivers deployed on one axial end of the transmitters. Tools in accordance with the invention enable directional resistivity measurements to be acquired at multiple depths of investigation using fewer transmitter firings than conventional tools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: SMITH INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Tsili Wang
  • Method of calibrating an azimuthal inductive cross-coil or tilted coil instrument
    Patent number: 7915895
    Abstract: A phase error in measurements made by a resistivity logging tool is estimated by positioning the tool above a conducting surface. Deviation of the measured phase difference between the transmitter and the receiver from 90° gives the phase error in the electronics. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Roland E. Chemali, Wallace H. Meyer, Gulamabbas Merchant, Tsili Wang