Patents Assigned to Vista Clara, Inc.
  • Patent number: 12066588
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.
    Inventors: David Walsh, Elliot Grunewald
  • Publication number: 20240230561
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Applicant: Vista Clara Inc.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Darya Morozov
  • Patent number: 10585204
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10302733
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventor: David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10162026
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventor: David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 10145915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
  • Patent number: 10113982
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Peter Turner
  • Patent number: 9599688
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9588068
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: Elliot D. Grunewald, David O. Walsh
  • Patent number: 9551807
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
  • Patent number: 9429673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 9348054
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Elliot D. Grunewald
  • Publication number: 20140253119
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: Vista Clara Inc.
    Inventor: DAVID O. WALSH
  • Patent number: 8816684
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.
    Inventor: David O. Walsh
  • Publication number: 20140203806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD, DAVID O. WALSH
  • Patent number: 8736264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Vista Clara Inc.
    Inventors: David O. Walsh, Peter Turner
  • Publication number: 20140084927
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD, HONG ZHANG
  • Publication number: 20140084915
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: VISTA CLARA INC.
    Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, PETER TURNER
  • Publication number: 20140009148
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: VISTA CLARA, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD
  • Publication number: 20140009158
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Applicant: VISTA CLARA, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID O. WALSH, ELLIOT D. GRUNEWALD