Wellbore Telemetering Or Control (e.g., Subsurface Tool Guidance, Data Transfer, Etc.) Patents (Class 340/853.1)
  • Patent number: 11781422
    Abstract: An apparatus (100) for determining an azimuth of a drilling tool (304) during drilling of a borehole. The apparatus (100) comprises a rate sensor (102) configured to collect rate sensor data indicative of a component of a rate of rotation of the earth for determining the azimuth by gyrocompassing. The rate sensor (102) is further configured for communication with a surface unit (306). The apparatus (100) also comprises a drill pipe extension detector (104) configured to detect a process associated with extension of a drill pipe (312) connecting the drilling tool (304) to the surface unit (306). The rate sensor (102) is configured to transmit collected rate sensor data to the surface unit (306) based on the detected process associated with extension of the drill pipe (312).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: GYROTECH LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicholas Peter Wallis, Stuart Alfred Hall
  • Patent number: 11704579
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to earth modeling using machine learning. A method includes receiving detected data at a first depth point along a wellbore, providing at least a first subset of the detected data as first input values to a machine learning model, and receiving first output values from the machine learning model based on the first input values. The method includes receiving additional detected data at a second depth point along the wellbore, providing at least a second subset of the additional detected data as second input values to the machine learning model, and receiving second output values from the machine learning model based on the second input values. The method includes combining the first output values at the first depth point and the second output values at the second depth point to generate an updated model of the wellbore, the updated model comprising an earth model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: QUANTIC ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLO
    Inventors: Barry F. Zhang, Orlando De Jesus, Tuna Altay Sansal, Dingding Chen, Edward Tian, Muhlis Unaldi
  • Patent number: 11697991
    Abstract: A method includes attaching a sensor calibration tool to a drill string. The sensor calibration tool includes a first tool sensor configured to measure a first operational parameter. A first tool sensor measurement of the first operational parameter is received from the first tool sensor, where the drill string is disposed at least partially within a wellbore and supported by a surface rig system and the sensor calibration tool is positioned on the drill string at a surface location proximate to the surface rig system. A first rig sensor measurement of the first operational parameter is received from a first rig sensor positioned on a first surface component of the surface rig system. The first rig sensor is calibrated based on a comparison of the first tool sensor measurement with the first rig sensor measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Krzysztof Karol Machocki
  • Patent number: 11486215
    Abstract: Various embodiments include methods and apparatus structured to install an optical fiber cable into a well at a well site. In a from-bottom-to-top embodiment, an anchor deployed at a selected location in a hole of the well can be used and the optical fiber cable can be pulled up to a surface of the well from the selected location. In a from-top-to-bottom embodiment, an optical fiber cable can be moved down from the surface until an end of the optical fiber cable is locked at a selected location by a catcher disposed at the selected location. With the optical fiber cable in the well, a portion of the optical fiber cable can be coupled to surface instrumentation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Vandellyn Park, Mikko Jaaskelainen, Seldon David Benjamin, Jason Edward Therrien
  • Patent number: 11469823
    Abstract: A downhole optical communications system provided at a downhole location in use, the downhole communications system being for communicating between the downhole location and an uphole location, such as a surface location. The downhole optical communications system comprises a downhole optical transmitter configured to emit an optical signal for transmission over an optical transmission channel between the uphole location and the downhole optical transmitter; wherein the downhole optical transmitter is configured so as to produce a response to an optical signal received from the optical transmission channel and the downhole optical communications system is configured to determine data represented by the received optical signal from the response produced by the downhole optical transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Well-Sense Technology Limited
    Inventor: Daniel George Purkis
  • Patent number: 11340579
    Abstract: A system for tool monitoring includes one or more tools of an energy industry system, the one or more tools configured to be disposed in one or more boreholes in one or more resource bearing formations, and one or more sensors connected to each tool of the one or more tools, each sensor of the one or more sensors configured to measure at least one parameter related to performance of each tool of the one or more tools. The system also includes a processing device configured to collect measurements of the at least one parameter from each sensor, generate an individual performance history record for each tool, and store the individual performance history record for each tool in a database configured to store individual performance history records for a plurality of tools in one or more energy industry systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Silviu Livescu, Diego A. Velez, Bennie J. Lindsey
  • Patent number: 11280150
    Abstract: Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a subsea control system for transmitting subsea related data to and from a topside control system with the use of Subsea Electronic Modules (SEMs) connected in a network in a multidrop configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Aker Solutions Limited
    Inventors: Stig Moen, Derek Massie, Einar Winther-Larssen
  • Patent number: 11255163
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage media for remote monitoring of a system usable in a subsurface volume of interest are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: obtain system data for the system usable in the subsurface volume of interest; identify multiple alert times specifying multiple time values corresponding to a time interval where the multiple parameter values exceed a threshold range; generate a representation of the subsurface system using visual effects to depict at least a portion of the system data and at least a portion of the multiple alert times; and display the representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Anmar Nazhan
  • Patent number: 11229987
    Abstract: A bonded abrasive wheel is disclosed comprising a plurality of abrasive particles disposed in a binder, a first grinding surface, a second surface opposing the first grinding surface, and an outer circumference. The wheel comprises a rotational axis extending through a central hub and a circuit configured as a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) unit coupled to the abrasive wheel. The circuit comprises an antenna configured to communicate with one or more external devices and comprising a first end and a second end, wherein antenna has a radius of curvature about an axis along at least a portion thereof such that the first end is disposed adjacent to but is spaced from the second end, and an integrated circuit (IC) operably coupled to the antenna and configured to store at least a first data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Joseph B. Eckel, Nicholas T. Gabriel, Ankit Mahajan, Mikhail L. Pekurovsky, Kara A. Meyers, Thomas J. Metzler, Saagar A. Shah
  • Patent number: 11230917
    Abstract: A wellhead monitoring system includes a conversion assembly, the conversion assembly including an actuator element for modifying an operating mode of a valve from manual to remote. The system also includes one or more sensors, associated at least one of a fracturing tree or the conversion assembly, the one or more sensors obtaining wellhead operating conditions. The system further includes a control unit, adapted to receive information from the one or more sensors, the control unit presenting the information, on a display, and transmitting the information to a remote system for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Vault Pressure Control LLC
    Inventors: Zeyad Al-Salmani, Jason Williams, Saurabh Kajaria
  • Patent number: 11215047
    Abstract: A method for identifying a shape of a borehole may comprise disposing a measurement assembly into the borehole, transmitting a pressure pulse from the at least one transducer, recording the echo with the at least one transducer producing data points based at least in part on the echo to determine a distance from an inner wall of the borehole to the measurement assembly; performing a kurtosis on the data points; comparing a result of the kurtosis to a pre-determined threshold; and producing one or more repositioning results based at least in part on the comparing the result of the kurtosis to the pre-determined threshold. A system may comprise a measurement assembly which may include at least one transducer connected to the measurement assembly and an information handling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiang Wu, Yao Ge, Jing Jin
  • Patent number: 11165867
    Abstract: A communication device includes a signal acquirer, a controller, and a wireless communicator. The signal acquirer has terminals for a plurality of types of interfaces for acquiring signals from an external field device. The controller acquires the signals output from the signal acquirer and performs control for externally transmitting digital data based on the signals using wireless communication. The wireless communicator externally transmits the digital data in accordance with a wireless communication scheme based on the control performed by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Arai, Yusaku Yoshida, Shuichi Sato, Hiroo Urabe
  • Patent number: 11140008
    Abstract: A communication system can include a first transceiver device and a second transceiver device that can communicate digital baseband data via a direct current (DC) power line bus in the wellbore. One or more of the transceivers includes a coupler for the DC power line bus for transceiving data via the DC power line bus with the other transceiver device, modulation circuitry, demodulation circuitry, and compensator circuitry. The compensator circuitry can be communicatively coupled to the coupler for providing an operating point to the coupler in response to both the modulation circuitry and the demodulation circuitry being in an idle state, to reduce effects of low frequency drift and noise in signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Peng Li
  • Patent number: 11119242
    Abstract: Systems and methods for noise cancellation in electromagnetic telemetry systems. A method for noise cancellation in electromagnetic telemetry may include: disposing an electromagnetic tool in a lateral section of a wellbore, wherein the electromagnetic tool comprises a transmitter; positioning a first counter electrode at a surface of the Earth; positioning a second counter electrode at the surface on an opposite side of the wellbore from the lateral section; transmitting a signal from the electromagnetic tool; measuring a first electromagnetic field property using the first counter electrode to obtain a received voltage; measuring a second electromagnetic field property using the second counter electrode to obtain a noise voltage; and removing noise from received voltage using the noise voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Andrew Wilson, Etienne M. Samson
  • Patent number: 11085289
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for remote well operation control. Methods include conducting, with a plurality of remote well operation control hosts operating on corresponding remote well logging data acquisition management systems, a well operation using a well operation system at a well, wherein the well operation system includes a carrier having disposed thereon at least one logging instrument. Methods may include establishing a first operational control relationship between the carrier and a first of the plurality of remote well operation control hosts sufficient for the first remote well operation control host to control the carrier; and establishing a second operational control relationship between a selected one of the at least one logging instrument and a second remote well operation control host different than the first, the operational control relationship sufficient for the second remote well operation control host to control the at least one logging instrument and receive logging data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES HOLDINGS LLC
    Inventors: Peter J. Guijt, Nigel N. Smith, Douglas C. Young, Harold Andrade, Homero C. Castillo, Otto N. Fanini
  • Patent number: 11078778
    Abstract: A method for evaluating the potential effectiveness of refracing a previously fracked oil/gas well is accomplished by isolating a plurality of previously fracked zones of an oil/gas well in a formation and measuring the fluid flow rates from the isolated zones using a three phase flow meter positioned within the well at or near the previously fracked zones. The zones may be isolated by an isolation assembly which includes two packers connected by a perforated pipe and attached to a tubular positioned within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Tech-Flo Consulting, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Jackson, Erik J. Reissig, James L. Miller, II
  • Patent number: 10963890
    Abstract: A network management application creates one or more maps representing social networks of participants that currently reside, have resided, or plan to reside in a region of wireless coverage provided by a wireless access point. The network management application updates a map to reflect changes in the social network in accordance with movement of the participants in and out of the region of wireless coverage. For example, if a subscriber moves outside the region, the respective subscriber is removed from the social network. If the subscriber moves into the region of wireless coverage, the respective subscriber is added to the social network. Inclusion of a subscriber in the social network can depend on factors such as whether a subscriber is a member of an organization. The wireless base station communicates information to the participants of the social network in accordance with one or more rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: John Kim, Bryan Goldberg
  • Patent number: 10861110
    Abstract: A collaborative system and method for performing wellsite tasks for performing oilfield operations is provided. The system includes a universal bank to store wellsite materials and wellsite instructions, a tag to identify the new wellsite materials, a mobile unit carried by an operator at the wellsite, and a universal bank. The mobile unit is connectable to the universal bank via a wellsite communication link, and includes a wellsite input and a wellsite receiver. The universal bank is connectable to universal resources via a universal communication link, and includes a universal receiver to receive the new wellsite materials from the universal bank. The universal bank includes a universal input to upload universal materials and validated wellsite instructions to the universal bank based on the input wellsite materials whereby wellsite materials and wellsite instructions are selectively accessible by the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yang Chen, Chuanqing James Lu
  • Patent number: 10851606
    Abstract: A subsea flying lead containing a fluid line including a tubing, wherein, in use, an electric current is transmitted along the tubing. Such a flying lead may be used in an apparatus and method for transmitting electricity to a component of an underwater hydrocarbon extraction facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Charles Anthony August, Robert Dalziel
  • Patent number: 10844703
    Abstract: A method may include communicating a command into a wellbore from the surface. The method may include determining a command to be sent to a downhole tool, and translating the command into a message, the message including a sequence of codes. The method may include rotating the drill string substantially at the set point RPM for a predetermined duration and measuring the rotation rate of the drill string. The method may include identifying the received set point RPM and rotating the drill string consistent with a first code value of a first code of the message as encoded. The method may also include decoding the first code and rotating the drill string consistent with a second code value of a second code of the message as encoded. The method may also include decoding the second code, identifying the command from at least one of the decoded first and second code and executing the command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SANVEAN TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Jones, Junichi Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10830919
    Abstract: A method of mapping subsurface fracture geometry below a surface of the ground includes two independently powered systems, namely a plurality of sensors distributed through a hole in the subsurface and a downhole tool to facilitate reception and transmission of signal data from the plurality of sensors. The sensors are distributed into fissures within formations that have been hydraulically fractured. The sensors send signal data to the downhole tool for transmission to a unit on the surface. The signal data permits for the mapping of the fissures within the fractured formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Inventors: Stewart Thomas Taylor, John David Newton
  • Patent number: 10808485
    Abstract: A technique facilitates coupling of an electrical actuator (20) with a subsea host (22). Effectively, mechanical and electrical connections are both formed during movement of the electrical actuator into engagement with the host. The electrical actuator is moved to a desired host location, and then the electrical actuator is guided into mechanical engagement with the host. During movement of the electrical actuator into mechanical engagement, a drive member (60) and at least one electrical connector (56, 58) of the actuator are operatively coupled with corresponding features of the host, thus enabling engagement of the actuator and host with a simple installation motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: ONESUBSEA IP UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Volker Phielipeit-Spiess, Carsten Mahler, Markus Glaser
  • Patent number: 10738432
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a continuous monitoring system and method for monitoring the loads in a support leg of an offshore drilling rig through a remote unit mounted to the climbing pinion shaft of a jacking drive system when the brake is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Inventor: Douglas Martin Baker
  • Patent number: 10659200
    Abstract: The described embodiments augment an activity performed in a first application at a source electronic device using a controller at a companion electronic device. The source electronic device receives controller information describing a controller that the activity performed in the first application accepts controller data from, determines a controller identifier for the controller information, and broadcasts a controller advertisement comprising the controller identifier. Upon receiving the controller advertisement, the companion electronic device determines whether a second application that can provide the controller data is available at the companion electronic device. If the second application is available, the companion electronic device establishes a cooperative-activity communication channel with the source electronic device. The companion electronic device uses the cooperative-activity communication channel to provide controller data to the source electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Marc J. Krochmal, Christopher S. Linn, John J. Iarocci, Geoffrey G. Stahl, Jaques P. Gasselin de Richebourg, Alexander R. Ledwith
  • Patent number: 10612369
    Abstract: A technique facilitates verification of the integrity of a lower completion prior to deployment of a corresponding upper completion. A lower completion is initially deployed downhole into a wellbore and comprises a plurality of functional components, such as a sensor, a communication system, a flow control system, and/or other functional components. A service tool system is removably deployed into the wellbore and comprises a service tool with an interface which interacts with the lower completion. The interface enables verification of the integrity, e.g. functionality, of various functional components of the lower completion without the use of an additional communication line, e.g. power cable, routed separately to the lower completion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yann Dufour, Benoit Deville, Marian Faur, Hy Phan, Debasmita Basak, John Algeroy
  • Patent number: 10584580
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for a single-line transmission along a plurality of pipes secured end-to-end are disclosed. A system of the disclosure includes a plurality of pipes connected end-to-end forming a pipe string. Each pipe of the plurality of pipes includes an exterior wall, an internal protective coating, and a waveguide. The waveguide for each pipe of the plurality of pipes is connected to at least one other waveguide for at least one other pipe such that a wave path is formed that extends a length of the plurality of pipes. The system further includes a transceiver configured to transmit a signal along the wave path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Sharpkeen Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Guzman
  • Patent number: 10557323
    Abstract: A filter screen assembly is shown for filtering drilling mud used during oil and gas well drilling operations. The filter screen assembly is installed at the surface of a well on the discharge side of the mud pump at ground level. The filter screen assembly is installed upstream of the rig swivel, rotary hose and Kelly and downstream of the discharge from the mud pump. Since it is located at ground level, it does not pose the safely hazard associated with elevated components. It does not need to be removed and reinstalled when additional segments are added to the drill string and is always easily accessible for routine maintenance or replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Hunting Energy Services, LLC
    Inventor: Jason Michael Pope
  • Patent number: 10502865
    Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining telemetry environmental readings from within an electromagnetic-absorbing material are disclosed herein. The system may include a self-contained power source powering a switch-mode amplifier to drive a multi-turn coil to be driven with a low-frequency carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: GroGuru, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey E. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10491310
    Abstract: The present invention relates to transmitting data using vector sensors and via the vector components of the acoustic field. The data can be received via vector sensors and/or scalar sensors and/or arrays of such sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Inventor: Ali Abdi
  • Patent number: 10415374
    Abstract: A logging-while-drilling optical fiber communication device includes a rotary wireless transceiver module fixed on a protective connector; an active antenna of the rotary transceiver is placed in the first drill pipe by drilling hole through the protective connector; an optical fiber communication drawworks is located at the top of a second drill pipe, the optical fiber is downwardly released into other under-well drill pipes, the bottom of the optical fiber is connected with the well-bottom wireless receiving module; the lowest part of the drill pipe are provided with a drilling data acquisition device and a well-bottom wireless transmitting module. In the present invention, the optical fiber cable is used as transmission medium, by the means of modulating information data obtained by well logging into optical wave, and transmitting to the optical communication link, high-speed bi-directional transmission of well logging information can be realized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignees: Southwest Petroleum University, HAOHAN WELL COMPLETION & LOGGING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LIMITED COMPANY
    Inventors: Xingyu Chen, Yingfeng Meng, Gao Li, Yijian Chen, Yang Wang, Lunping Zhang
  • Patent number: 10408041
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a down hole tool housing attached to a ranging electromagnetic field strength sensor. The ranging electromagnetic field strength sensor is to measure electromagnetic field strength components associated with an electromagnetic field originating at a first well, via at least one of direct transmission and backscatter transmission, when the down hole tool housing is disposed in a second well, to provide ranging measurements to calculate an approximate range between the first well and the second well. The apparatus includes a reference electromagnetic field strength sensor to provide a closed loop current path around the down hole tool housing, to provide distorting field strength measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Burkay Donderici
  • Patent number: 10215021
    Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Aaron W. Logan, Mingdong Xu
  • Patent number: 10180056
    Abstract: A system may include a monitoring device that may receive data associated with one or more properties of a well. The well may produce a flow of hydrocarbons. The monitoring device may receive data associated with the well and determine whether the flow of hydrocarbons includes a percentage of water greater than a threshold based on whether the data is outside a profile associated with the flow of hydrocarbons at the well over time. The monitoring device may then send an alarm notification to another device indicating an increased water cut in the flow of hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: ROCKWELL AUTOMATION ASIA PACIFIC BUSINESS CENTER PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Srikanth G. Mashetty, Miguel Armando Machado
  • Patent number: 10138726
    Abstract: A system that is positionable in a wellbore in a subterranean formation can include a first transceiver that is positionable external to a casing string in the wellbore. The first transceiver can wirelessly transmit data via a signal within a frequency band that is selected based on a fluid property of a fluid in the wellbore and a property of the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark W. Roberson
  • Patent number: 10125604
    Abstract: A downhole system includes a tubular having a longitudinal axis, and a conductive trace applied on the tubular. The conductive trace is configured to deliver a signal between uphole and downhole locations of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Shailesh Shashank Dighe, Antonio Bottiglieri, Andrew Christopher Holley, Li Li
  • Patent number: 10107051
    Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods include a racker device and a catwalk structurally arranged to move a tubular or stand about a drilling rig site. A sensing arrangement is cooperatively associated with at least one of the racker device and the catwalk and is configured to sense an aspect of a tubular while the tubular is being handled at the drilling rig and output a signal representative of the aspect of the tubular. A tubular validation system is configured to receive the sensed aspect of the tubular obtained by the sensing arrangement and determine a specification characteristic of the tubular based on the sensed aspect. This may be compared to specification standards to determine whether the tubular or stand should be discarded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Nabors Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Magnuson
  • Patent number: 10051648
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described herein for allowing a user or a service provider to selectively prioritize voice communications over data communications. By selectively prioritizing voice communications over data communications, the number of dropped calls in the mobile telecommunications network can be significantly reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Mark Austin, Mario Kosseifi, Sheldon Meredith
  • Patent number: 10041313
    Abstract: A method for extending reach of a coiled tubing string in a deviated wellbore includes vibrating the tubing string while the tubing string is injected into the wellbore at a first injection speed, finding the peak speed of lateral vibration of the tubing string, determining a second injection speed as a function of the obtained peak speed of lateral vibration, and adjusting the injection speed of the vibrating tubing string from the first injection speed to the determined second injection speed based on said function. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to execute the foregoing method is provided, along with a system for extending reach of a coiled tubing string in a deviated wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignees: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: James Miller, Nathan Wicks, Pedro Reis, Tianxiang Su
  • Patent number: 9982529
    Abstract: A communication system for transmitting information via drilling rod linkages includes a drill drive, drilling rod linkages comprising a first drilling rod linkage and at least one second drilling rod linkage. The first drilling rod linkage comprises an electrical line, an upper end and a lower end which comprises a receptacle for a drill head. The second drilling rod linkage comprises at least one electrical line, an upper end and a lower end. A sensor and/or actuator is arranged at the lower end of the first drilling rod linkage and at the drill head and transmits data. A first communication unit and an electronics unit are arranged at a drive end. A further communication unit is arranged at the upper end of the first drilling rod linkage and at the upper and lower ends of the second drilling rod linkage. The first communication unit and the further communication units are radio modules which transmit/receive data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: UNIVERSITAET SIEGEN
    Inventors: Peter Jantz, Klaus Hartmann, Wolf-Henning Twelsiek
  • Patent number: 9961042
    Abstract: A unified messaging system allows the receipt and sending of different messages across devices is established by creating relationships that leverage the capabilities of different devices. A message server establishes a relationship with a mobile device. Through the relationship, the message server can use the mobile device to send different types of messages that the server computer cannot transmit. A relationship between a client and a server extends this capability to the client. Through these relationships, a client can retrieve mobile device messages as well as generate them. The generated mobile device messages are transmitted to the message server. The message server determines that the received messages are mobile device messages that the server cannot deliver and sends the mobile device messages to the user's mobile device. The mobile device receives the mobile device messages from the message server and transmits the mobile device message to recipient mobile devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC
    Inventors: Samuel J. Neely, John Allen Atwood, Harvinder S. Bhela, Selvaraj Nalliah, David P. Limont, Katy Chen, Omar Aftab, Juan Vicente Esteve Balducci
  • Patent number: 9957794
    Abstract: A detector for use in cementing a tubular string in a wellbore includes: a tubular mandrel; an electronics package fastened to an outer surface of the mandrel; a first transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to generate ultrasonic pulses; a second transducer: fastened to the mandrel outer surface, in communication with the electronics package, and operable to receive the ultrasonic pulses; and an antenna fastened to the mandrel outer surface and in communication with the electronics package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Burkhard Zippel, Martin Helms, Mark Chandler, Simon J. Harrall
  • Patent number: 9958849
    Abstract: A method can include acquiring data via a receiver mounted in a drill string during tripping of the drill string downward into a wellbore (e.g., including a casing and a cement annulus about the casing) where the acquired data can be for evaluation of at least one characteristic of cement; buffering at least a portion of the acquired data to a memory device mounted in the drill string; and while pumping drilling fluid through a passage in the drill string, as disposed in the wellbore, transmitting at least a portion of the buffered data via mud-pulse telemetry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jean-Marie Degrange
  • Patent number: 9951611
    Abstract: A telemetry system with a plurality of controllers and telemetry systems, where the controllers are configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Justin C. Logan
  • Patent number: 9939287
    Abstract: In an approach for locating parking, a computer identifies driving directions to a destination. The computer receives a navigation input from a user to locate parking associated with the destination. The computer calculates one or more navigation paths based on the destination, wherein the one or more navigation paths include one or more street segments that connect identical starting and ending points with at least one different street segment and overall values indicating priority based on one or more weight factors associated with the one or more street segments. The computer selects a first navigation path from the calculated one or more navigation paths utilizing an ordered ranking of the one or more navigation paths. The computer provides driving directions associated with the first navigation path. The computer determines whether the user locates parking while utilizing the first navigation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: International Business Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Antonio Castellucci, Roberto Guarda
  • Patent number: 9933295
    Abstract: A monitoring system includes a plurality of modules to sense temperature and vibrations of a motor assembly, a hub computer to collect the sensed temperature and vibrations, and an analyzer computer to analyze the collected temperature and vibrations. The modules contain detectors that measure a temperature and vibrations in three axes of the motor assembly, a transceiver integrated circuit that measures a die temperature of the transceiver integrated circuit, a microcontroller integrated circuit that self-adjusts its clock pulses, and a memory that stores parameters set for the operation of the modules. The microcontroller integrated circuit and the memory are configured to check parameters corruption upon transferring the parameters from the memory to the microcontroller integrated circuit and prior to utilizing by the microcontroller integrated circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: TDG AEROSPACE, INC.
    Inventors: Daniel E. Fish, David L. Evans, Todd B. Skinner, Andrew Wagner, Adrian Alting-Mees
  • Patent number: 9930486
    Abstract: An object tracking system can include beacons and tracking module. The object tracking method can include determining the location of a mobile device and determining the location of an object beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Estimote Polska Sp. z o. o.
    Inventors: Marcin Mycek, Michal Sznajder, Grzegorz Krukiewicz-Gacek, Lukasz Kostka, Jakub Krych
  • Patent number: 9903197
    Abstract: A high-frequency data and/or power transmission system suitable for downhole use including signal/power couplers, transmission line segments and signal repeaters. Signals and power are/is transmitted between couplers and/or between couplers and repeaters by means of electromagnetic resonance coupling. In at least a portion of the system, the transmission line segments form parallel data paths and the repeaters provide crossover capability between the data/power paths, thereby significantly improving reliability. The invention also includes methods of transmitting data and/or distributing high-frequency power through a downhole transmission system including multiple data/power paths and multiple crossovers wherein a fault location in one data/power path is bypassed by routing data and/or power to a parallel data/power path by means of electromagnetic resonance coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 9869176
    Abstract: Data may be collected from a wellbore by retrievably deploying a data receiver tool to a location proximate a gauge located in the wellbore, where the gauge comprises a sensor used to collect data from the well and where the location is at a distance sufficient to allow wireless data communication between a first wireless data transceiver and a gauge wireless data transceiver; securing the data receiver tool at that location; transmitting data from the gauge memory to the data receiver tool; and storing the transmitted data in the data receiver tool writeable memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: TUBEL ENERGY, LLC
    Inventors: Forest Dickson, Clark Bergeron, Paulo Tubel
  • Patent number: 9850754
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a sensor, an encoder operably connected to the sensor and a pressure pulse generator operably connected to the encoder. The pressure pulse generator is configured to produce a primary signal in response to input from the encoder. The drilling system further includes a primary transducer, a reference transducer and a signal processor connected to the primary transducer and the reference transducer. The signal processor includes a two-stage filter that is configured to extract the primary signal from noise observed at the primary transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: GE Energy Oilfield Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yihan Jiang, Wilson Chun-Ling Chin
  • Patent number: 9826356
    Abstract: An object tracking system can include beacons and tracking module. The object tracking method can include determining the location of a mobile device and determining the location of an object beacon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Estimote Polska Sp. z o. o.
    Inventors: Marcin Mycek, Michal Sznajder, Grzegorz Krukiewicz-Gacek, Lukasz Kostka, Jakub Krych