Geological Testing Or Irradiation Patents (Class 250/253)
  • Patent number: 11773705
    Abstract: A method of drilling a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the method includes: during drilling operations, circulating in the wellbore a first aqueous drilling fluid composition including a modified starch and a calcium carbonate wherein the calcium carbonate has a first predetermined particle size; during the circulating, measuring one or more parameters to create a set of measured parameters; and during the circulating, responsive to one or more parameters of the set of measured parameters, changing the calcium carbonate with another calcium carbonate of a different particle size to obtain a second aqueous drilling fluid composition, wherein the first and second predetermined particle sizes are, independently, a d50 particle size of about 1.0 ?m to about 150 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahesh Vijay Biyani, Sunita S. Kadam, Sohini Bose, Alexandra Clare Morrison, Sudarshana Mukherjee, Hui Zhou
  • Patent number: 11686676
    Abstract: An in situ near infrared sensing unit includes a housing allowing the sensing unit to be inserted in a variety of media. A transparent window is formed in the sidewall of the housing. A sensing element is mounted inside the housing. The sensing element is configured to emit near infrared light provided from a light source external to the housing, and the sensing element is configured to collect near infrared light transmitted through the transparent window. A mirror is mounted in the housing at an angle with respect to the transparent window and opposite the sensing element. The angle allows the mirror to reflect the near infrared light, emitted by the sensing element, through the transparent window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: LandScan LLC
    Inventors: Neal Edward Van Wyck, Gregory Anderson, Stephen Farrington, Daniel James Rooney, Woody Guthrie Wallace
  • Patent number: 11624738
    Abstract: Methods and systems to monitor and analysis unconventional reservoirs with wellbores with a substantially horizontal section. Monitoring and analysis is conducted in three dimensions using high-resolution geochemical fingerprinting analyses of rock samples and produced oil samples. The invention uses methods to preserve, prepare, extract, and/or analyze hydrocarbons in the pore spaces of or adsorbed in organic-rich rock samples, such as, but not limited to, drill cuttings and drill cores, using one or more combinations of physical energy sources, including, but not limited to, thermal, vapor pressure, and mechanical stress. The collected samples are transported and prepared in low temperature conditions, with parts of subsequent processing at very low temperatures, thereby allowing a fuller measurement of geochemical fingerprints for the extracted hydrocarbons using various analysis tools. More particularly, the treatment and process allows geochemical fingerprinting to very low carbon number ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Inventors: Yifei Liu, Jiang Wu
  • Patent number: 11376092
    Abstract: Various parallax-free indicator devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. The indicator device may have a housing defining an aperture and a light source assembly at least partially disposed in the housing. The housing may be selectively securable via a fastener to an instrument in a selected orientation relative to the instrument. The light source assembly may have a light source operably coupled to a power source via a power circuit. The light source may be positioned within the housing to emit through the housing aperture. Upon activation, the light source assembly emits a parallax-free alignment indicator along an alignment axis that may have at least one of a selected angle and a selected displacement relative to a selected reference axis. The alignment indicator may guide a surgical procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Biomet Manufacturing, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Muir, Nathan A. Winslow, Stephen H. Hoag
  • Patent number: 11379631
    Abstract: Techniques for allocating hydrocarbon production include receiving a selection of a particular area identification (ID) of a plurality of area IDs stored on the server; determining based on the selected particular area ID, a plurality of hydrocarbon production values that include periodic area-level hydrocarbon production values associated with the particular area ID and a plurality of wells associated with the particular area ID; determining a decline curve model for the area-level hydrocarbon production values associated with the particular area ID; modeling the aggregated periodic well-level hydrocarbon production values with the determined decline curve model; and determining allocated well-level hydrocarbon production values based at least in part on the selected decline curve model to display at a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Enverus, Inc.
    Inventor: William M. Bashore
  • Patent number: 11269086
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for detection and measuring of a radioactive gas within a target environment. In certain embodiments, the system comprises a data processing system and a monitoring device disposed within the target environment. In some forms the monitoring device comprises: a radiation sensor configured to detect the concentration of a radioactive gas in the target environment, a transmitter electrically coupled to the radiation sensor and configured for transmitting a signal to the data processing system, and a receiver for receiving signals from the data processing system, wherein the monitoring device is configured to detect the concentration of the radioactive gas at least every twenty minutes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Ultimo Global Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Phillip Nathan Thornberry
  • Patent number: 11263370
    Abstract: Techniques for allocating hydrocarbon production include receiving a selection of a particular area identification (ID) of a plurality of area IDs stored on the server; determining based on the selected particular area ID, a plurality of hydrocarbon production values that include periodic area-level hydrocarbon production values associated with the particular area ID and a plurality of wells associated with the particular area ID; determining a decline curve model for the area-level hydrocarbon production values associated with the particular area ID; modeling the aggregated periodic well-level hydrocarbon production values with the determined decline curve model; and determining allocated well-level hydrocarbon production values based at least in part on the selected decline curve model to display at a client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Enverus, Inc.
    Inventors: William M. Bashore, Jonathan Oskins, Chad Leonard, Paul Oskins
  • Patent number: 11241798
    Abstract: A mounting and demounting control system is used for installing a radioactive source in nuclear logging instruments. In this system, a tail end of a truss manipulator is fixedly provided with a worktable through a bolt, a left side of an upper surface of the worktable is provided with a source capsule mounting and demounting manipulator, a right side is provided with a compression screw mounting and demounting manipulator, and the upper surface of the worktable close to the inner side of the two manipulators is respectively provided with opposed photoelectric sensors through bolts; four corners of the truss manipulator are fixed to a support through bolts, a beam is fixed between two legs at the front side of the support through bolts; and a positioning device is placed near the front of the support, and an upper part of positioning device is fixedly provided with an instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences
    Inventors: Jian Zheng, Qingyun Di, Wenxuan Chen, Wenxiu Zhang, Wenqiang Yuan
  • Patent number: 11218112
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a silicon photovoltaic cell scanning eddy current thermography detection platform and a defect classification method. The technical solution adopted by the disclosure is: firstly, fixing the position of the electromagnetic inductive coil and the thermal imager, and using the main conveyor belt to carry the silicon photovoltaic cell to move forward on the production line to form a scanning eddy current heating of the silicon photovoltaic cell. Secondly, the defect temperature information is obtained through the thermal imager in terms of thermal image sequences. Thirdly, the feature extraction algorithms are used to extract the silicon photovoltaic cell defect features. Finally, the image classification algorithms are used to classify the silicon photovoltaic cell defects, and the sorting conveyor belts are used to realize the automatic sorting of silicon photovoltaic cells with different types of defects on the production line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: WUHAN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yigang He, Bolun Du, Yaru Zhang, Jiajun Duan, Liulu He
  • Patent number: 11183295
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical image processing apparatus and a medical image processing method for a medical navigation device, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for processing an image provided when using the medical navigation device. To this end, the present invention provides a medical image processing apparatus for a medical navigation device, including: a position tracking unit configured to obtain position information of the medical navigation device within an object; a memory configured to store medical image data generated based on a medical image of the object; and a processor configured to set a region of interest (ROI) based on position information of the medical navigation device in reference to the medical image data, and generate partial medical image data corresponding to the ROI, and a medical image processing method using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: GMEDITEC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jonghyun Park, Dongpyo Seol
  • Patent number: 11181473
    Abstract: The present invention is an underwater analysis device (10) for analyzing absorption capacity of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: BAHCESEHIR UNIVERSITESI
    Inventors: Selcuk Ozyurt, Bulent Aydin, Nil Girgin, Kaan Alper, Suleyman Semsioglu, Sena Karali, Cansin Cokol
  • Patent number: 11137516
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method, apparatus, and software for passive, non-destructive assay of holdup deposits in nuclear piping by in-pipe apparatus. A detector deployed within a pipe is collimated to observe radiation impinging radially inward from decay of deposits that lie on the pipe wall. A radiation detector is centered in the pipe and collimated by a pair of coaxial shielding discs disposed equidistant from the detector. This arrangement causes radiation from a truncated cylinder of pipe deposit within a field of regard to impinge on the detector, while precluding radiation emanating from pipe walls beyond the field of regard from reaching the detector. Hence, observations are unique to a known cylindrical length of pipe. The detector assembly is translated through pipes by an autonomous mobile robotic apparatus. Computer software controls the robotic apparatus, logs data, and post-processes to assay deposits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: William Lawrence Whittaker, Siri Katrina Maley, Heather Louise Jones, Oleg Borisovich Sapunkov
  • Patent number: 11126188
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a worksite plan to be executed by a machine at a worksite, and determining first travel parameters of the machine. Such first travel parameters include a first travel path along a work surface, and first work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the first travel path, receiving sensor information associated with the work surface, and identifying an imperfection of the work surface located along the first travel path. The method further includes determining second travel parameters of the machine. Such second travel parameters including a second travel path along the work surface, and second work tool positions. The method also includes controlling the machine to traverse at least part of the second travel path while positioning the work tool according to at least one of the second work tool positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Spielman, John L. Marsolek, Timothy M. O'Donnell
  • Patent number: 11095109
    Abstract: Disclosed is a device for recognizing an arcing fault in incident light that includes a sensor for detecting absorption lines of the incident light, and an evaluation unit which generates an evaluation signal when characteristic absorption lines are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Stefan Lecheler
  • Patent number: 11029246
    Abstract: A method of detecting a shale inhibitor and/or a salt content in a wellbore servicing fluid (WSF), the method comprising determining a water salinity of a wellbore servicing fluid; dosing a known volume of the wellbore servicing fluid into a container; optionally adding a known volume of diluent (e.g., water) and mixing to provide a test sample; combining the test sample with a chromophore specific to the shale inhibitor and/or the salt, respectively, and optionally mixing; measuring the shale inhibitor content and/or the salt content, respectively, of the test sample using colorimetry; reporting the data from the measuring to a computer control system; determining a wellbore servicing fluid treatment based on the measured shale inhibitor content and/or salt content; subjecting the wellbore servicing fluid system to the treatment; and optionally waiting for a waiting time to retest the wellbore servicing fluid system and repeating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale E. Jamison, Xiangnan Ye
  • Patent number: 11010852
    Abstract: A system for scanning shipping containers, comprising an unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle includes a sensor, a processor, and a memory. The memory includes instructions for execution. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the unmanned vehicle to move along faces of a shipping container, and record container data collected from the sensor while scanning the shipping container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LANTERN UNMANNED AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Hansell, Benjamin Rohrbaugh, Brian S. Henderson
  • Patent number: 10967749
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a housing infrastructure, a drive system including one or more wheels to support the housing infrastructure above a floor surface, a cleaning assembly, electrical circuitry positioned within the robot housing and an electrostatic discharge assembly including an electrostatic discharge member that includes a metallic contact electrically connected to the electrical circuitry and extending, from the electrical circuitry, to an exterior of the housing infrastructure. The electrical circuitry includes a controller to initiate a cleaning operation in which the drive propels the robot across the floor surface while the cleaning assembly cleans the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventor: John P. O'Brien
  • Patent number: 10960225
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for treating dementia or Alzheimer's disease in a subject in need thereof. In one example, chronic visual stimuli having a frequency of about 30 Hz to about 50 Hz, and more specifically about 40 Hz, are non-invasively delivered to the subject to entrain gamma oscillations in multiple brain regions of the subject, including the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and the hippocampus. The entrained gamma oscillations modulate neuronal activity across multiple brain regions (e.g., facilitate functional binding of neural networks at low gamma frequencies) to induce various neuroprotective effects (e.g., amelioration of amyloid plaques and tau hyper-phosphorylation) and reduce neurodegeneration. Neuronal activity mediated by the chronic visual stimuli reduces an immune response in microglia and ameliorates aberrantly modified genes and proteins involved in membrane trafficking, intracellular transport, synaptic function, neuroinflammation and DNA damage response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Chinnakkaruppan Adaikkan, Li-Huei Tsai
  • Patent number: 10948416
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for determining a concentration of a substance in a liquid medium of a test sample. The apparatus comprises a light source for directing a light beam of a first wavelength range towards the test sample, and a first detector for measuring intensity of irradiation emitted from the liquid medium at a second wavelength characteristic for the liquid medium. The apparatus further comprising a second detector for measuring intensity of irradiation emitted from the substance at a third wavelength characteristic for the substance, and a determining unit for determining the concentration of the substance in the liquid medium based on the measured intensities of the irradiation collected at the second wavelength and at the third wavelength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Inventor: Roland Brännström
  • Patent number: 10925579
    Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for tracking a target tissue during therapy delivery. A system for identifying an anatomical structure and tracking the motion of the anatomical structure using imaging before and during delivery of a therapy to a patient includes an imaging module and a therapy module. In some cases, the imaging module is configured to identify a region of the anatomical structure in an image, and the therapy module is configured to deliver the therapy to a target tissue. A method for imaging during delivery of a therapy includes acquiring an image, identifying a region of an anatomical structure, tracking the region of the anatomical structure, integrating the tracking, generating a unique template library, determining if a pre-existing template matches the results or if the results should be updated as a new template, and delivering the therapy to the target tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jimin Zhang, Shayin Jing
  • Patent number: 10794134
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for evaluating a schedule for removing a core sample includes generating a model of the core by applying a value of each of the input parameters, one or more of the input parameter values associated with an uncertainty range, and defining a proposed tripping schedule, and performing an evaluation including applying the proposed tripping schedule and a set of expected input parameter values to the model, estimating a core parameter and determining whether the tripping schedule is predicted to be successful by comparing the core parameter to selected core damage criteria. The method also includes iteratively repeating the evaluation, each evaluation being performed using a different combination of input parameter values than any other evaluation, and calculating a probability of success (POS) of the proposed tripping schedule based on a number of evaluations that result in the tripping schedule being predicted to be successful.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Tobias Hoeink, Wouter E. Van Der Zee
  • Patent number: 10775530
    Abstract: A method of detecting a mineral or metal in ground includes illumination a target region of the ground with electromagnetic radiation to produce a light signature. The method also analyzes the light signature for the presence of the mineral or metal in the target region and determines if the light signature indicates the mineral or metal is present in the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Inventor: Peter Wilk
  • Patent number: 10739264
    Abstract: A soil imaging probe has a housing with an interior cavity and an outer surface exposed for sliding contact with soil. A window is mounted in the outer surface for providing optical communication between the soil and the interior cavity. An optical module is positioned within the interior cavity. The optical module includes at least one light source and a camera mounted in a block. An indexing surface is defined in the interior cavity to maintain the optical module at a predetermined fixed distance from the window to keep the camera focused on the soil outside the window. An elastomeric fill material fills the interior cavity and substantially surrounds the optical module to reduce energy transference from the housing of the probe to the optical module. An image processing method is also provided to identify pixels in an image captured by the camera that show potential hydrocarbon contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Kejr Inc.
    Inventors: Ben Jaster, Thomas M. Christy, Blake G. Slater, Steven M. Colgrove
  • Patent number: 10690642
    Abstract: A method for generating a log of a value of a property of a fluid in an earth formation versus depth includes: obtaining a plurality of samples of drilling fluid that are entrained with a formation gas and correlating each sample to a depth in a borehole from which the formation gas was entrained in the drilling fluid; extracting the formation gas from each sample to provide a plurality of gas samples; analyzing each formation gas sample to provide a chemical composition of each formation gas sample in the plurality of formation gas samples; and determining a property value of the fluid in the earth formation versus depth using the chemical composition of each formation gas sample in the plurality of formation gas samples to provide the log.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Nicklas Ritzmann, Oliver Mohnke, Holger Frank Thern
  • Patent number: 10598595
    Abstract: The invention provides a method for determining oil contents in rocks. The method comprises steps of: measuring a plurality of calibration oil samples having different oil contents, and acquiring a holographic fluorescence spectral intensity corresponding to the calibration oil samples; acquiring a fit relation between the holographic fluorescence spectral intensity and the oil contents of the calibration oil, according to the oil contents of the plurality of calibration oil samples and a plurality of three-dimensional fluorescence spectral intensities corresponding thereto; adding a certain amount of the calibration oil after dilution to rocks to be measured, acquiring a sample of the rocks to be measured and performing a holographic fluorescence measurement of the rock sample to be measured; and introducing the holographic fluorescence spectral intensity of the rock sample to be measured to the fit relation, thus an oil content of the rock sample to be measured is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hua Tian, Keyu Liu, Caineng Zou, Shuichang Zhang, Shaobo Liu, Xuesong Lu, Junjia Fan, Xiuli Li, Mengjun Zhao, Qingong Zhuo, Yanjie Gong
  • Patent number: 10551197
    Abstract: A mobile X-ray examination apparatus has an instruction receiving device that receives an entered instruction for the mobile X-ray examination apparatus to reach a designated position. A navigation device creates an environment map of an environment of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus, determines a current position of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus according to detected environment profile information, calculates a movement trajectory of the mobile X-ray examination apparatus according to the environment map, the current position and the designated position received by the instruction receiving device, and sends corresponding information to a central control device. The central control device causes the mobile X-ray examination apparatus to reach the designated position along the movement trajectory according to the corresponding information sent by the navigation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
    Inventors: Qiang Guo, Yi Hua Jiang, Ao Lin Tang
  • Patent number: 10520641
    Abstract: Estimating parameters of interest of a formation, including density, porosity, and fluid saturation. Methods relate to gamma ray energy spectra calibration for a radiation detector including generating a calibration radiation spectrum using measurements of radiation with the detector in a time interval wherein the radiation comprises predominantly gamma rays emitted by decay of radionuclides produced by neutron activation reactions resulting from neutron irradiation, the time interval following a prior time interval corresponding to thermal neutrons produced from the irradiation; making at least one other radiation measurement with the detector outside the time interval; and producing a calibrated radiation measurement from the at least one other radiation measurement using the calibration radiation spectrum. The measurements may be taken in the time interval by conveying the radiation detector in the borehole at high speed and using a background gate of the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Feyzi Inanc, Toyli Anniyev, David M. Chace, Randy Gold, Otto Fanini, Sandeep Gade, Mohamed Daoud
  • Patent number: 10422214
    Abstract: Systems and methods for fracture mapping may utilize frequency changing to aid in providing high-resolution mapping. Integrated chips may be injected into a well and dispersed into a formation. A downhole tool that provides a transmitter and receiver may be positioned in the well. The transmitter may transmit electromagnetic (EM) signals into the formation. The dispersed integrated chips may receive the transmitted EM signal and return a frequency-changed signal to the receiver of the downhole tool. Utilizing the returned frequency changed signal, the system is able to determine the locations of the integrated chips that have been dispersed into the formation and provide fracture mapping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Aydin Babakhani
  • Patent number: 10394974
    Abstract: A profile of porosities and permeabilities calculated from several sample volumes in a system can speed up computational fluid dynamics (CFDs). Heterogeneous fluid flow paths can be calculation intense, limiting the accuracy of fluid-path models. Further, allowing a user to define a number of sample volumes in a model system allows pre-calculation of porosities and permeabilities for use in Navier-Stokes formulas for modeling fluid flow and gives the user control over calculation time and accuracy. This is helpful, for example, in modeling endovascular interventions where fluid dynamics are determinative in the efficacy or method of treatment for various vascular disorders, such as aneurysms, and heart disease. This is also beneficial in other healthcare contexts, like blood filters, embolic gels, endografts, web devices, and atrial appendage occluders, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of Arizona State University
    Inventors: Hooman Yadollahi-Farsani, David Frakes, Marcus Herrmann
  • Patent number: 10362726
    Abstract: An on-the-go monitor and control means and method for an agriculture machines includes on-the-go soil sensors that can be used to control tillage and seeding depth. On seeder implements, the sensors provide information that affects uniform plant emergence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Ag Leader Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Roger R. Zielke
  • Patent number: 10344435
    Abstract: A method is provided for preparing an area of the ground surface to be milled by a milling machine. Prior to performing any milling operation on the area of the ground surface, a survey vehicle separate from the milling machine is used to traverse the area. The survey vehicle detects the presence of buried obstacles with a sensor and generates a sensor output signal indicative of the presence of the buried obstacle. The sensor output signal is received in a controller which generates a sprayer actuation signal and responds to the sensor output signal. A marking sprayer is actuated in response to the sprayer actuation signal and sprays the ground surface above the obstacle with a visible marking emitted from the sprayer. Subsequently, a milling machine separate from the survey vehicle may be utilized to mill the ground surface and by observation of the visible markings the operator may avoid impacting the milling drum with the buried obstacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Berning, Martin Lenz, Cyrus Barimani
  • Patent number: 10337159
    Abstract: Soil penetrometers capable of measuring soil reflectance along the direction of insertion of the penetrometer are provided. The penetrometer can house an array of sensors, such as, for example, a Vis-NIR reflectance sensor, a load cell, a displacement sensor, and a moisture sensor. The reflectance data collected using the penetrometer can allow the interpretation and quantification of soil constituents and contaminants at high vertical resolution, such as 3 cm or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignees: The Texas A&M University System, Washington State University
    Inventors: Cristine Morgan, Yufeng Ge, David Brown, Ross Bricklemyer
  • Patent number: 10324222
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and software for predicting a pore throat size distribution are described. A representative method includes obtaining a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) relaxation-time distribution data set. The method also includes training a radial basis function (RBF) model based on the NMR relaxation-time distribution data set and a measured pore throat size distribution data set. The method also includes obtaining a subsequent NMR relaxation-time distribution data set. The method also includes employing the trained RBF model to predict a pore throat size distribution data set based at least in part on the subsequent NMR relaxation-time distribution data set. The method also includes storing or displaying a predicted pore throat size distribution corresponding to the predicted pore throat size distribution data set. The predicted pore throat size distribution is associated with a rock sample or subsurface formation volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Wei Shao
  • Patent number: 10324225
    Abstract: Borehole logging methods for estimating a parameter of interest using nuclear radiation. Methods include estimating a water saturation of the formation from gamma radiation from at least the formation detected in the borehole using a radiation detector, the gamma radiation responsive to a pulsed neutron source and resulting from at least one of: (i) decay of nitrogen-16 formed by activation of oxygen-16, and ii) inelastic scattering of neutrons from oxygen. This may include using at least one processor to: obtain a gamma ray count measurement, representing gamma rays from one of (i) the decay of nitrogen-16 (ii) and the inelastic scattering, and estimate the water saturation using the gamma ray count measurement and a model comprising a relationship between measured gamma ray counts and modeled gamma ray counts from each of a fully water saturated formation and a minimally water saturated formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: David M. Chace, Rafay Zahid Ansari, Feyzi Inanc, W. Allen Gilchrist, Michael W. Bruner
  • Patent number: 10317558
    Abstract: An electromagnetic energy source for emitting pulses of electromagnetic energy includes a sonde assembly having a first section axially aligned with, and spaced from, a second section. An energy storage capacitor of the sonde assembly includes an electrode mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and operable to generate an electric field, and a capacitive charge storage medium mounted in each of the first section and the second section of the sonde assembly and surrounding each electrode. The sonde assembly further includes a fast-closing switch located between the electrodes of the first and second sections of the sonde assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Howard K. Schmidt, Jesus Manuel Felix Servin, Erika Ellis, Mazen Y. Kanj, Abdullah Awadh Al-Shehri
  • Patent number: 10310100
    Abstract: Alpha particle detecting devices are disclosed that have a chamber that can hold a fluid in a tensioned metastable state. The chamber is tuned with a suitable fluid and tension such that alpha emitting materials such as radon and one or more of its decay products can be detected. The devices can be portable and can be placed in areas, such as rooms in dwellings or laboratories and used to measure radon in these areas, in situ and in real time. The disclosed detectors can detect radon at and below 4 pCi/L in air; also, at and below 4,000 pCi/L or 300 pCi/L in water. When the fluid is tensioned the presence of radon can be determined by the formation of bubbles which give off detectable signals including a shock wave, light-beam cutoff, or a light burst, any of which can be measured to derive information on radon and progeny radioactivity levels in air or water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation
    Inventor: Rusi P. Taleyarkhan
  • Patent number: 10272828
    Abstract: An autonomous mobile robot includes a body, a drive supporting the body above a floor surface, a light-propagating plate positioned on the body and having a periphery defining a continuous loop, light sources each being positioned to direct light through a portion of the plate to a portion of the continuous loop, and a controller to selectively operate the light sources to provide a visual indicator of a status or service condition of the autonomous mobile robot. The drive is configured to maneuver the mobile robot about the floor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Cory White, Benjamin H. Schriesheim, Oliver Lewis, Stephen A. Hickey, Stuart R. Jang, Michael J Dooley
  • Patent number: 10262206
    Abstract: A method for calibrating crop residue data for a field acquired using a vision-based system may include receiving image data associated with an imaged portion of the field, analyzing the image data using a first residue-estimating technique to determine a first estimated value of a crop residue parameter for the imaged portion of the field, and analyzing the image data using a second residue-estimating technique to determine a second estimated value of the crop residue parameter for the imaged portion of the field. In addition, when a differential exists between the first and second estimated values, the method may also include adjusting at least one of the first estimated value or one or more additional estimated values of the crop residue parameter determined using the first residue-estimating technique based on at least one of the second estimated value or the differential between first and second estimated values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
    Inventor: John Posselius
  • Patent number: 10241102
    Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying oil materials. A method of determining a refractive index of oil comprising: generating an incident beam, incident on a conductive material and at an angle of incidence to the conductive layer, between the conductive material and an oil material; monitoring the power of a reflected beam; and determining an angle of resonance by changing the angle of incidence of the incident beam; determining a refractive index of the oil material using at least the power of the reflected beam. Systems and methods may be provided for on-surface testing or downhole in situ testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Inventors: Hossein Fadaei, Matthew David Ooms, David Allan Sinton
  • Patent number: 10209515
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a filtering device may be provided. The filtering device may include: an ultraviolet light sensor configured to sense ultraviolet light; an infra-red light sensor configured to sense infra-red light; a visible light sensor configured to sense visible light; a filter selection circuit configured to select a filter based on at least two outputs selected from a list of outputs consisting of: an output of the ultraviolet light sensor; an output of the infra-red light sensor; and an output of the visible light sensor; and a filtering circuit configured to apply the selected filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: RAZER (ASIA-PACIFIC) PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Joseph Mario Giannuzzi, Luca Di Fiore
  • Patent number: 10209396
    Abstract: A first set of radiation detectors may be disposable on the a drill string, wherein the first set of radiation detectors are capable of detecting gamma radiation and neutron radiation; and a combined chemical source spaced from the first set of radiation detectors, wherein the combined chemical source comprises a gamma radiation emitting material and a neutron radiation emitting material. The first set of radiation detectors and combined chemical source may be used in methods for logging a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Wayne Pennison, Paul Andrew Cooper
  • Patent number: 10190949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for geotechnical soil sampling in conjunction with the Cone Penetration Test (CPT) is provided. The apparatus involves a tubular whipstock cell affixed between push rods and the lower elements of a cone penetrometer. The whipstock cell includes a whipstock having a beveled face. The whipstock face is oriented towards a sampling window pre-formed in the whipstock cell. The apparatus also includes at least one push rod connected to the proximal end of the whipstock cell, and an elongated sampling rod dimensioned to be slidably moved through the at least one push rod en route to the whipstock cell. The apparatus additionally comprises a soil sampler residing at a distal end of the push rod. A method of taking soil samples is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Inventor: John M. Lynk
  • Patent number: 10132943
    Abstract: Efficient techniques and devices for detecting, locating, tracking, and identifying radiation sources using a network of one or more detectors are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Passport Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Cooper, James B. Costales, Krzysztof E. Kamieniecki, Alexei V. Klimenko, Robert J. Ledoux, Jeffrey K. Thompson
  • Patent number: 10123475
    Abstract: A method for automatically monitoring soil surface roughness as a ground-engaging operation is being performed within a field may include receiving pre-operation surface roughness data associated with a given portion of the field and receiving post-operation surface roughness data associated with the given portion of the field. In addition, the method may include analyzing the pre-operation and post-operation surface roughness data to determine a surface roughness differential associated with the performance of the ground-engaging operation and actively adjusting the operation of at least one of an associated work vehicle and/or implement when the surface roughness differential differs from a target set for the surface roughness differential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignees: CNH Industrial America LLC, Autonomous Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Posselius, Luca Ferrari, Taylor C. Bybee, Bret T. Turpin
  • Patent number: 10094719
    Abstract: Devices and methods for measuring subsurface thermal fluxes and for estimating a rate of change in the amount of a reactive material within a subsurface formation using the measured thermal fluxes are described herein. The methods of measuring subsurface thermal fluxes may use at least one array of temperature sensors distributed along a vertical transect projecting from the surface and into the subsurface of a region of interest. Methods of estimating a rate of change in the amount of a reactive material within a portion of the region of interest based on perturbations of the thermal profile within the subsurface due to an endothermic or exothermic degradation of the reactive material within the portion of the region of interest are also described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: GSI Environmental, Inc., Colorado State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Thomas C. Sale, Emily B. Stockwell, Charles J. Newell, Poonam R. Kulkarni
  • Patent number: 10082807
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for certifying and optimizing a mixture of components in order to obtain a target product by spectral analysis, preferably by (topological) spectral analysis in the near infra-red (“NIR”).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: TOPNIR SYSTEMS SAS
    Inventors: Didier Lambert, Claude Saint Martin, Miguel Sanchez, Bernard Ribero, Marc Valleur
  • Patent number: 10082454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing the porosity of an object, such as a secure instrument having a substrate, visual data, and a security feature, is disclosed. The method and apparatus include a fluid source, a gasochromic material, an excitation source configured to excite the gasochromic material, and a detection device configured to sense changes in emissions from the gasochromic material after it is contacted with the fluid and excited by the excitation source. The object is configured to fit within a space between the fluid source and the gasochromic material such that when the fluid is emitted from the fluid source, at least a portion of the fluid is configured to flow through the object before contacting the gasochromic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Spectra Systems Corporation
    Inventor: Nabil M. Lawandy
  • Patent number: 10042082
    Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus and a system, as well as a method and article, may operate to detect gamma radiation as detected gamma radiation, and to determine a relative level of potassium decay energy within a selected band of energy levels, with respect to a combination of at least two of potassium, uranium, or thorium. Further operations may include adjusting at least one of a detector supply voltage or an analyzer gain to place the potassium decay energy at a selected energy level location when the relative level of potassium decay energy exceeds a predetermined threshold, the threshold based on an energy level of a combination of detected gamma radiation within the selected band of energy levels. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Da Luo, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 10024981
    Abstract: A radiation detection system is disclosed comprising of number of detector elements arranged in a regular pattern that allows for directional information to be collected based on the number of radiation interaction events in each detection element. This system is mounted to an unmanned vehicle. In some embodiments, this information is used by the motion control unit of the unmanned vehicle to guide its movement toward a radiation source. A radiation spectrometer, also integrated in the detection system, is able to identify radiation sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Oregon State University
    Inventors: Abdollah Tavakoli Farsoni, Eric Matthew Becker
  • Patent number: 10006747
    Abstract: Systems and methods for drone mitigation, or the deterrence of aerial drones from flying in an given area, are described. The systems and methods take advantage of the fact that destabilization of a drone can be accomplished by externally changing the performance of one or more of its propeller driven systems. In doing so, the drone is incapable of maintaining stability in flight, thereby causing the remote controlled pilot to force a retreat, or risk and result in a crash of the drone. Embodiments utilizing sonic energy and liquids are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Inventors: Nathan Cohen, Alexander Shelman-Cohen