Patents Assigned to Vista Clara, Inc.
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Patent number: 12066588Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) electronics that employ selective solid-state isolation of circuit elements can include solid-state switches, such as back-to-back Field Effect Transistor (FET) pairs, and isolated gate drive electronics adapted to operate the solid-state switches in order to selectively decouple induction coils from receive electronics. The solid-state switches can be placed in series to achieve higher standoff voltages, and can be configured for low on resistance and short switching times. The gate drive electronics can include electrical isolation components adapted to enhance standoff voltages and reduce electrical noise at the selectively isolated receive electronics.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2022Date of Patent: August 20, 2024Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.Inventors: David Walsh, Elliot Grunewald
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Publication number: 20240230561Abstract: Technologies disclosed herein include in-situ nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) mineral detection and measurement, for example, high field NMR technology for direct detection of lithium and other minerals in wells and Earth formations. The disclosed technology can be further applicable for detection of dissolved organic contaminants in groundwater resources.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2024Publication date: July 11, 2024Applicant: Vista Clara Inc.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Darya Morozov
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Patent number: 10585204Abstract: Technologies including NMR relaxation time estimation methods and corresponding apparatus are disclosed. Example techniques may include performing at least one single-pulse acquisition sequence, the single-pulse acquisition sequence comprising transmitting a single modulated pulse with a surface coil, wherein the phase, frequency, or amplitude of the single modulated pulse is varied during the single modulated pulse, and wherein the single modulated pulse excites a transverse magnetization component within a subsurface fluid. The resulting NMR signal may be recorded on at least one receiving device, including recording the NMR signal associated with the transverse magnetization component excited by the single modulated pulse. Processing techniques may be applied in which recorded NMR response data are used to estimate NMR properties and the relaxation times T1 and T2* as a function of position as well as one-dimensional and two-dimension distributions of T1 versus T2* as a function of subsurface position.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
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Patent number: 10302733Abstract: Technologies applicable to NMR spin-echo amplitude estimation are disclosed. Example methods may calibrate for distortion of a shape and estimated amplitude of measured NMR spin or gradient echoes. NMR spin or gradient echo measurements may be performed on a sample. The measured NMR spin or gradient echoes may be used to calculate an echo-shape calibration factor. The echo-shape calibration factor may estimate an effect of echo shape on estimated spin or gradient echo amplitude(s) of the NMR spin or gradient echoes. The echo-shape calibration factor may be used to correct for underestimation or overestimation of the spin or gradient echo amplitude(s).Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventor: David O. Walsh
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Patent number: 10162026Abstract: Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventor: David O. Walsh
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Patent number: 10145915Abstract: Technologies applicable to SNMR pulse sequencing are disclosed, including SNMR acquisition apparatus and methods, SNMR processing apparatus and methods, and combinations thereof. SNMR acquisition may include transmitting SNMR pulse sequences according to any of a variety of techniques. SNMR processing may include combining SNMR from a plurality of pulse sequences.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2013Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
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Patent number: 10113982Abstract: Technologies including NMR logging apparatus and methods are disclosed. Example NMR logging apparatus may include surface instrumentation and one or more downhole probes configured to fit within an earth borehole. The surface instrumentation may comprise a power amplifier, which may be coupled to the downhole probes via one or more transmission lines, and a controller configured to cause the power amplifier to generate a NMR activating pulse or sequence of pulses. Impedance matching means may be configured to match an output impedance of the power amplifier through a transmission line to a load impedance of a downhole probe. Methods may include deploying the various elements of disclosed NMR logging apparatus and using the apparatus to perform NMR measurements.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Peter Turner
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Patent number: 9599688Abstract: NMR relaxation time estimation methods and corresponding apparatus generate two or more alternating current transmit pulses with arbitrary amplitudes, time delays, and relative phases; apply a surface NMR acquisition scheme in which initial preparatory pulses, the properties of which may be fixed across a set of multiple acquisition sequence, are transmitted at the start of each acquisition sequence and are followed by one or more depth sensitive pulses, the pulse moments of which are varied across the set of multiple acquisition sequences; and apply processing techniques in which recorded NMR response data are used to estimate NMR properties and the relaxation times T1 and T2* as a function of position as well as one-dimensional and two-dimension distributions of T1 versus T2* as a function of subsurface position.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2013Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
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Patent number: 9588068Abstract: Technologies applicable to detection and characterization of subsurface contaminants by NMR and dielectric measurements are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include methods for obtaining and combining data from NMR and dielectric measurements to detect, quantify, and characterize non-native non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants located in geologic materials.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
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Patent number: 9551807Abstract: Technologies applicable to NMR detection of water and hydrocarbons during induced alteration processes are disclosed. NMR measurements may be used to monitor properties of subsurface fluids within a subsurface formation. NMR measurement devices may be deployed proximal to or within a subsurface formation that contains hydrocarbons. Multiple NMR measurements may be performed during an induced alteration process applied to the subsurface formation to determine properties of the subsurface formation or fluid as the induced alteration process progresses. Changes in properties of the subsurface formation or fluid may be determined and may be used to determine efficacy of, optimize, or otherwise modify the induced alteration process.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2013Date of Patent: January 24, 2017Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
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Patent number: 9429673Abstract: Technologies applicable to surface-based NMR measurement are disclosed. A surface probe is positionable at or above a surface of the Earth and adapted to make NMR measurements of shallow or very shallow subsurface volumes. NMR spectrometer components connected to the surface probe are configured to control electromagnetic pulses produced by the surface probe and to record resulting detected NMR signals from the subsurface volume.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald, Hong Zhang
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Patent number: 9348054Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurement apparatus, NMR sensors, NMR measurement methods are disclosed to determine NMR properties of engineered flow management structures, and to estimate engineering properties using determined NMR properties. Example engineered flow management structures include engineered water storage, water management, water production, water sampling structures, and/or structures that serve as conduits or barriers to water movement. Technologies disclosed herein are also applicable to measuring properties relating to other fluid and/or gas flow in engineered flow management structures.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2012Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
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Publication number: 20140253119Abstract: Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Vista Clara Inc.Inventor: DAVID O. WALSH
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Patent number: 8816684Abstract: Technologies applicable to noise canceling in-situ NMR detection and imaging are disclosed. An example noise canceling in-situ NMR detection apparatus may comprise one or more of a static magnetic field generator, an alternating magnetic field generator, an in-situ NMR detection device, an auxiliary noise detection device, and a computer.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.Inventor: David O. Walsh
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Publication number: 20140203806Abstract: Technologies applicable to detection and characterization of subsurface contaminants by NMR and dielectric measurements are disclosed. The disclosed technologies include methods for obtaining and combining data from NMR and dielectric measurements to detect, quantify, and characterize non-native non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contaminants located in geologic materials.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2014Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD, DAVID O. WALSH
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Patent number: 8736264Abstract: Technologies including NMR logging apparatus and methods are disclosed. Example NMR logging apparatus may include surface instrumentation and one or more downhole probes configured to fit within an earth borehole. The surface instrumentation may comprise a power amplifier, which may be coupled to the downhole probes via one or more transmission lines, and a controller configured to cause the power amplifier to generate a NMR activating pulse or sequence of pulses. Impedance matching means may be configured to match an output impedance of the power amplifier through a transmission line to a load impedance of a downhole probe. Methods may include deploying the various elements of disclosed NMR logging apparatus and using the apparatus to perform NMR measurements.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.Inventors: David O. Walsh, Peter Turner
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Publication number: 20140084927Abstract: Technologies applicable to surface-based NMR measurement are disclosed. A surface probe is positionable at or above a surface of the Earth and adapted to make NMR measurements of shallow or very shallow subsurface volumes. NMR spectrometer components connected to the surface probe are configured to control electromagnetic pulses produced by the surface probe and to record resulting detected NMR signals from the subsurface volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD, HONG ZHANG
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Publication number: 20140084915Abstract: Technologies including NMR logging apparatus and methods are disclosed. Example NMR logging apparatus may include surface instrumentation and one or more downhole probes configured to fit within an earth borehole. The surface instrumentation may comprise a power amplifier, which may be coupled to the downhole probes via one or more transmission lines, and a controller configured to cause the power amplifier to generate a NMR activating pulse or sequence of pulses. Impedance matching means may be configured to match an output impedance of the power amplifier through a transmission line to a load impedance of a downhole probe. Methods may include deploying the various elements of disclosed NMR logging apparatus and using the apparatus to perform NMR measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, PETER TURNER
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Publication number: 20140009148Abstract: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) measurement apparatus, NMR sensors, NMR measurement methods are disclosed to determine NMR properties of engineered flow management structures, and to estimate engineering properties using determined NMR properties. Example engineered flow management structures include engineered water storage, water management, water production, water sampling structures, and/or structures that serve as conduits or barriers to water movement. Technologies disclosed herein are also applicable to measuring properties relating to other fluid and/or gas flow in engineered flow management structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2012Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: VISTA CLARA, INC.Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD
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Publication number: 20140009158Abstract: Technologies applicable to SNMR pulse sequencing are disclosed, including SNMR acquisition apparatus and methods, SNMR processing apparatus and methods, and combinations thereof. SNMR acquisition may include transmitting SNMR pulse sequences according to any of a variety of techniques. SNMR processing may include combining SNMR from a plurality of pulse sequences.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2013Publication date: January 9, 2014Applicant: VISTA CLARA, INC.Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD