Patents Assigned to Sondex Wireline Limited
  • Patent number: 11073471
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for a tool for measurement of phases in fluid in downhole applications. The tool includes a light coupler for providing a first light and for detecting a second light. The first light is provided to an optical interface and the second light is received from the optical interface. The optical interface is between the tool and the fluid. An optical path is provided that is integral or coupled to the optical interface. The optical path allows transmission of the first light into the fluid at the optical interface and also allows receiving the second light from the optical interface. The second light includes one or more light components disturbed by the fluid. A processor provides digital data associated with the measurement of phases in the fluid using optical data from at least the second light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventor: Sandip Maity
  • Patent number: 11021947
    Abstract: A system for positioning a sensor within a flow path of a wellbore annulus includes a work string extending into the wellbore annulus from a surface location. The system includes a movable arm on the work string, the arm transitioning between a first radial location and a second radial location. The system further includes a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracket being pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the bracket supports the sensor and transitions the sensor from a stored position to a deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10920572
    Abstract: A sensor deployment system includes a first bulkhead arranged at a first end of a downhole tool, a second bulkhead arranged at a second end of the downhole tool, opposite the first end, a first pivot block arranged proximate the first bulkhead, a second pivot block arranged proximate the second bulkhead, and an arm rotatably coupled to the first and second pivot blocks at opposite ends of the arm. Rotation of at least a portion of the arm drives at least a portion of the arm radially outward from an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock, Paul Shambrook
  • Patent number: 10907467
    Abstract: A system for driving an arm radially outward from a work string axis includes a pivot block coupled to the arm at a first coupling, the arm rotating about the first coupling in a first direction to move from a stored position to an expanded position, and about the first coupling in a second direction to move from the expanded position to the stored position. The system also includes a biasing member that drives movement of the arm in the first direction. The system further includes a chamber for storing the biasing member within a pivot block diameter when the arm is in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Gill, James David Ratcliffe, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Patent number: 10883325
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a deployment system including an actuator. The deployment system also includes an actuator arm coupled to the actuator. The deployment system further includes a crank rotatably coupled at a pivot point. The deployment system also includes a first link arm coupled to the actuator arm at a first end and the crank at a second end. The deployment system includes a second link arm coupled to the crank at a first end and a deployment arm at a second end, the second link arm transmitting rotational movement of the crank to the deployment arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill
  • Publication number: 20200025680
    Abstract: The present disclosure is for a tool for measurement of phases in fluid in downhole applications. The tool includes a light coupler for providing a first light and for detecting a second light. The first light is provided to an optical interface and the second light is received from the optical interface. The optical interface is between the tool and the fluid. An optical path is provided that is integral or coupled to the optical interface. The optical path allows transmission of the first light into the fluid at the optical interface and also allows receiving the second light from the optical interface. The second light includes one or more light components disturbed by the fluid. A processor provides digital data associated with the measurement of phases in the fluid using optical data from at least the second light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventor: Sandip Maity
  • Publication number: 20180363397
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a deployment system including an actuator. The deployment system also includes an actuator arm coupled to the actuator. The deployment system further includes a crank rotatably coupled at a pivot point. The deployment system also includes a first link arm coupled to the actuator arm at a first end and the crank at a second end. The deployment system includes a second link arm coupled to the crank at a first end and a deployment arm at a second end, the second link arm transmitting rotational movement of the crank to the deployment arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill
  • Publication number: 20180363449
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for positioning a sensor within a flow path of a wellbore annulus including a work string extending into the wellbore annulus from a surface location. The system includes a moveable arm on the work string, the arm transitioning between a first radial location and a second radial location. The system further includes a bracket coupled to the arm, the bracket being pivotable about a pivot axis, wherein the bracket supports the sensor and transitions the sensor from a stored position to a deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20180363447
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a system for driving an arm radially outward from a work string axis including a pivot block coupled to the arm at a first coupling, the arm rotating about the first coupling in a first direction to move from a stored position to an expanded position, and about the first coupling in a second direction to move from the expanded position to the stored position. The system also includes a biasing member that drives movement of the arm in the first direction. The system further includes a chamber for storing the biasing member within a pivot block diameter when the arm is in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Timothy Michael Gill, James David Ratcliffe, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock
  • Publication number: 20180363448
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include a sensor deployment system with a first bulkhead arranged at a first end of a downhole tool, a second bulkhead arranged at a second end of the downhole tool, opposite the first end, a first pivot block arranged proximate the first bulkhead, a second pivot block arranged proximate the second bulkhead, and an arm rotatably coupled to the first and second pivot blocks at opposite ends of the arm, wherein rotation of at least a portion of the arm drives at least a portion of the arm radially outward from an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Applicant: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Michael Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Ian Hitchcock, Paul Shambrook
  • Patent number: 10145214
    Abstract: An energy storage system is disclosed. The energy storage system comprises an energy storage device configured to operate above ambient temperature, and a thermal insulator at least partially surrounding the energy storage device, wherein heat losses from one or more other devices are received within the thermal insulator to provide heat energy to the energy storage device. Utilizing heat losses from one or more other devices, such as associated electronic components, enables the energy storage device to be maintained at its elevated operational temperature for longer providing extended battery life. In the application of wireline logging, this results in more data log available per trip in a well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Guy Harvey Mason, Steven Bill Ellenby, Keith Robert Wootten
  • Patent number: 10082592
    Abstract: A borehole resistivity instrument for use in a borehole drilled within a geologic formation includes an emitting electrode and an imaging electrode. The borehole resistivity instrument also includes a current isolator positioned between the emitting electrode and the imaging electrode. The current isolator prevents a substantial portion of the electric current emitted from the emitting electrode from passing to the imaging electrode through the borehole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Dean Douglas Kleckner, Marian Morys
  • Patent number: 10024153
    Abstract: A peak hold circuit configured for use in a downhole sensor includes a long tail pair circuit, a correction circuit, and a current mirror circuit. The current mirror circuit includes two current mirrors connected to a long tail pair formed by a first transistor and a second transistor. The current mirror also includes a first resistor and a second resistor connected to a third transistor. The first transistor is connected to a correction transistor of the correction circuit. The value of the first resistor is selected to be essentially equal to the same value as the second resistor so that when the long tail pair is balanced, the current flowing through a collector of the second transistor is equal to the current flowing through the first transistor, causing the correction transistor to switch off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventor: Kenneth Tomkins
  • Publication number: 20170356949
    Abstract: A current leakage detector for detecting current leakage between a power source and a load including a first sensing coil and a second sensing coil positioned opposite the first sensing coil. The current leakage detector further includes a magnetic field sensor proximate the first sensing coil and the second sensing coil and the magnetic field sensor has a response range. The current leakage detector also includes a bias circuit configured to adjust the response range of the magnetic field sensor. A method for detecting current leakage includes providing a first sensing coil and a second sensing coil. The method continues with the steps of providing a magnetic field sensor in proximity to the first and second sensing coils and providing a bias circuit. The method continues with the step of utilizing the bias circuit to place the response of the magnetic field sensor within a preferred response range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventor: Kenneth TOMKINS
  • Patent number: 9638866
    Abstract: A mechanism for securing a series of fiber optic cable connectors includes a base that has several connector recesses and a lid that is removably attached to the base. The mechanism may be used to ruggedly connect a series of fiber optic cables in a downhole instrument where space is limited, with the ability to break each of the series of fiber optic cables individually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Christopher Paul Hamblin
  • Publication number: 20170059736
    Abstract: A borehole resistivity instrument for use in a borehole drilled within a geologic formation includes an emitting electrode and an imaging electrode. The borehole resistivity instrument also includes a current isolator positioned between the emitting electrode and the imaging electrode. The current isolator prevents a substantial portion of the electric current emitted from the emitting electrode from passing to the imaging electrode through the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Dean Douglas Kleckner, Marian Morys
  • Publication number: 20170059782
    Abstract: A mechanism for securing a series of fibre optic cable connectors includes a base that has several connector recesses and a lid that is removably attached to the base. The mechanism may be used to ruggedly connect a series of fibre optic cables in a downhole instrument where space is limited, with the ability to break each of the series of fibre optic cables individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: SONDEX WIRELINE LIMITED
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill, Neil Geoffrey Harris, Christopher Paul Hamblin
  • Patent number: 8950489
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for cooling internal components of a down-hole well drilling apparatus. Components of the well drilling apparatus are encased in an inner canister that is further encased in an outer canister creating a void between the inner canister and the outer canister. Further, a plurality of moveable barriers is disposed between the inner canister and the outer canister and contains a heat transfer fluid. A plurality of agitators add mechanical energy to the plurality of moveable barriers compressing and expanding, while repositioning, the heat transfer fluid and creating a heat pump based on a reverse Stirling cycle to remove heat from the cooler inner canister and transfer the heat to the hotter environment outside the outer canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventor: David Blaine Ayers
  • Patent number: 8939039
    Abstract: A load cell for a downhole load measuring tool is provided. The load cell comprises a plurality of strain gauges arranged in a balanced array, wherein the array of strain gauges is provided in fluid which, in use, is at substantially the same pressure as the surrounding downhole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: James David Ratcliffe, Timothy Gill
  • Patent number: 8860415
    Abstract: Apparatuses, methods for manufacturing an apparatus and methods for measuring a fluid resistivity are provided. An apparatus for measuring a fluid resistivity includes a fluid column defining structure, two current injecting electrodes, voltage measurement electrodes, and two additional electrodes. The fluid column defining structure is configured to allow a fluid, whose resistivity is to be measured, to fill a fluid column inside the fluid column defining structure. The two current injecting electrodes are configured to inject a known current into the fluid column. The voltage measurement electrodes are configured to measure a voltage across a measurement column included in the fluid column. The two additional electrodes disposed inside the fluid column defining structure, outside of the positions of the two current injecting electrodes in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sondex Wireline Limited
    Inventors: Scott Kennedy, Timothy Johnson, Douglas MacLean