Patents by Inventor Yibing ZHANG

Yibing ZHANG 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: 20200300674
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein include an acoustic telemetry system for use with an apparatus configured to rotate. The acoustic telemetry system includes one or more sensor nodes and at least one receiver node. In at least one embodiment, the telemetry system also includes at least one hub node positioned on the apparatus. Each sensor node is attached to or embedded in the apparatus. Each sensor node obtains data related to one or more operating conditions of the apparatus and the environment surrounding the apparatus. The one or more sensor nodes encode and transmit the data to the hub node or the receiver node using ultrasonic acoustic waves. In at least one embodiment, the hub node transmits the data to the receiver node. The receiver node decodes the data and monitors the one or more operating conditions of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko
  • Patent number: 10771326
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network for tubular member, such as a wellbore accessing a subsurface region or a pipeline, and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, H. Alan Wolf, Limin Song, Scott W. Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10745626
    Abstract: A petroleum desalting process in which the role played by the oil/bulk-resolved-water interface in the dehydration of the stabilized emulsion which forms in the desalter is recognized. The desalting process is improved by introducing the demulsifier and chemical high voltage electrodes. Water droplets in the mixture coalesce and settle towards the bottom of the vessel. A stabilized emulsion layer formed from the oil and the water with additives into the water phase and/or injecting chemical additives directly in the vicinity of the water/oil interface. This improved methodology that makes the rapid and effective delivery of chemical demulsifiers to the rag layer and/or oil/bulk-resolved-water interface possible. In operation, the desalting is carried out by mixing a crude oil to be desalted with water and passing the mixture of oil and water to the desalter vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Mohsen Shahmirzadi Yeganeh, Daniel Patrick Cherney, Robert P. Lucchesi, Pawel L. Peczak, Yibing Zhang, Richard W. Flynn
  • Patent number: 10690794
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network for a hydrocarbon system, which includes one or more wellbores accessing a subsurface region or a pipeline, and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko, Scott W. Clawson, Badrinarayanan Velamur Asokan, Xiaohua Yi
  • Patent number: 10634536
    Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a condition of multi-phase flow through a component with a first sensing cable having a first sensor location and aligned with a heating element and a second sensing cable having a second sensing location a predetermined distance from the first sensing location. A heat pulse is propagated through the heating element. A first temperature profile at the first sensing location and a second temperature profile at the second sensing location, each corresponding to the heat pulse, are measured over time. A flow velocity is determined by correlating the first temperature profile with the second temperature profile. A condition of flow of the media is detected by determining a phase of at least one medium exposed to the sensing cable at the first sensing location based on the first temperature profile and the determined flow velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20200110193
    Abstract: Methods of acoustically and optically probing an elongate region and hydrocarbon conveyance systems that utilize the methods. The methods include actively initiating an acoustic signal within an acoustic waveguide that extends along an elongate region. The methods also include optically detecting propagation of the acoustic signal along a length of the acoustic waveguide with a distributed acoustic sensor. The distributed acoustic sensor includes an optical fiber that extends along the length of the acoustic waveguide and defines a plurality of distributed sensing locations. The hydrocarbon conveyance systems include a tube that defines a tubular conduit configured to convey a hydrocarbon, a distributed acoustic sensor, an acoustic waveguide, and a controller. The tube, the distributed acoustic sensor, and the acoustic waveguide extend within an elongate region. The controller is programmed to perform the methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Mark M. Disko, Badrinarayanan Velamur Asokan, Bjorn J. Olofsson
  • Patent number: 10526888
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for in-situ zonal assessment of multiphase fluid flow in one or more production zones of a production well, including for at least one production zone sensing one or more fluid flow parameters via at least one sensor disposed in a production zone; at least one sensor communications node being in electrical communication with an associated sensor, the at least one sensor communications node positioned along a tubular body in the production zone proximate an associated at least one sensor, and receiving signals from the associated at least one sensor; sending the acoustic signals from the at least one sensor communications node to a receiver at a surface via a series of intermediate communications nodes, node-to-node, the signals being indicative of one or more fluid flow parameters, the series of intermediate communications nodes being spaced along the tubular and configured to transmit acoustic waves; assessing one or more fluid flow parameters for the one or more production z
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko, Scott William Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10487647
    Abstract: A hybrid electro-acoustic system for extending battery life of a downhole wireless telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Scott William Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10474245
    Abstract: An input method and an electronic device are provided. The input method includes: detecting a presence of a first track set which corresponds to a first predetermined identifier, wherein the first track set comprises at least one track and is inputted into the electronic device; and if the first track set corresponds to the first predetermined identifier, associating a second track set with at least one second predetermined character that is related to the first predetermined identifier, wherein the second track set comprises at least one second track and is inputted into the electronic device after the first track set has been inputted. Recognition ability of the electronic device for the character is improved, and the input efficiency is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yibing Zhang
  • Patent number: 10415376
    Abstract: An electro-acoustic communications node system and method for downhole wireless telemetry, the system including a housing for mounting to or with a tubular body; a receiver transducer positioned within the housing, the receiver transducer structured and arranged to receive acoustic waves that propagate through the tubular member; a transmitter transducer and a processor, positioned within the housing and arranged to retransmit the acoustic waves to another acoustic receiver in a different housing, using the tubular member for the acoustic telemetry. In some embodiments, the transducers may be piezoelectric transducers and/or magnetostrictive transducers. Included in the housing is also a power source comprising one or more batteries. A downhole wireless telemetry system and a method of monitoring a hydrocarbon well are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Katie M. Walker, Henry Alan Wolf
  • Publication number: 20190249548
    Abstract: In conjunction with a communication network, for example, a downhole wireless network for transmission of data along a tubular body, disclosed herein are: (1) a variety of hardware interfacing methods with sensors and downhole tools; (2) sensing concepts that are enabled by the unique interfaces; (3) physical implementation of the integrated sensor/communication node structures; (4) related software communication protocols. The interfaces may support both data communication and power transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Katie M. Walker, Mark M. Disko, Scott William Clawson, Patrick M. Moore, David M. Chorneyko
  • Patent number: 10370962
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a line comprising a line, such as a mooring line, umbilical, pipeline, or riser. connected to an offshore structure including a control processor located on the offshore structure, a wireless network comprising a plurality of communication nodes positioned along the line, and a plurality of measurement devices embedded within the communication nodes. When the line is being monitored, the output of each of the measurement devices is in continuous wireless communication with the wireless network via at least one of the communication nodes positioned along the line and the wireless network is in continuous communication with the control processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobile Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Yibing Zhang, Limin Song, Zhen Li
  • Patent number: 10364669
    Abstract: Methods of acoustically communicating and wells that utilize the methods are disclosed herein. The methods generally utilize an acoustic wireless network including a plurality of nodes spaced-apart along a length of a tone transmission medium and include determining a major frequency of a received acoustic tone transmitted via the tone transmission medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott William Clawson, Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Henry Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 10344583
    Abstract: Provided is an acoustic housing including a cover including a first perimeter defining an open cover portion, the cover having a cover length, and a cover height, and a body including a second perimeter defining an open body portion, wherein either the first or second or both perimeters are chamfered, configured to receive one or more electrical components and to sealingly engage with the first chamfered perimeter, the body having a body length, a body height, and an under-surface, and the body including an engagement portion projecting from the under-surface and having an engagement length, an engagement height, and an engagement surface configured to engage an outer surface of a tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Katie M. Walker, Thomas M. Smith, Henry Alan Wolf, James S. Burns, Timothy R. Bragg, Mark M. Disko, Yibing Zhang
  • Publication number: 20190154859
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network for a hydrocarbon system, which includes one or more wellbores accessing a subsurface region or a pipeline, and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Mark M. Disko, Scott W. Clawson, Badrinarayanan Velamur Asokan, Xiaohua Yi
  • Publication number: 20190112919
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating within a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network, which communicates during drilling operations along one or more drilling strings. The communication network is used to perform drilling operations for hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, David A. Howell, Scott W. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20190116085
    Abstract: A method and system are described for communicating within a system, which may be along tubular members. The method includes constructing a communication network for tubular member, such as a wellbore accessing a subsurface region or a pipeline, and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Yibing ZHANG, H. Alan Wolf, Limin Song, Scott W. Clawson, Katie M. Walker
  • Publication number: 20190112916
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating within a wellbore. The method includes constructing a communication network (e.g., which uses aliased signals as part of the configuration) for a wellbore accessing a subsurface region and using the communication network in hydrocarbon operations, such as hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Limin Song, Scott W. Clawson, Yibing Zhang, Katie M. Walker
  • Patent number: 10190410
    Abstract: Methods of acoustically communicating acoustically within a wellbore and wells that utilize the methods are disclosed herein. The methods generally utilize an acoustic wireless network including a plurality of nodes spaced-apart along a length of a tone transmission medium. In some embodiments, the disclosure includes methods of conserving power in the acoustic wireless network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott William Clawson, Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Henry Alan Wolf
  • Patent number: 10167716
    Abstract: Methods of acoustically communicating and wells that utilize the methods are disclosed herein. The methods generally utilize an acoustic wireless network including a plurality of nodes spaced-apart along a length of a tone transmission medium. In some embodiments, the methods include methods of communicating when the acoustic wireless network is spectrum-constrained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Scott William Clawson, Limin Song, Yibing Zhang, Henry Alan Wolf