Patents Examined by Brian S. Steinberger
  • Acoustic well logging method and system for obtaining a measure of formation anisotropy
    Patent number: 4794572
    Abstract: A borehole logging method and system are provided for obtaining a measure of formation anisotropy in formations adjacent the borehole. The system comprises an elongated housing for suspension within the borehole. First and second asymmetric pressure wave sources for generating shear waves directly within formations adjacent the borehole are mounted with the housing. Additionally, first and second sets of receivers are mounted with the housing for recording first and second signals representative of the earth's response to the first and second shear waves propagating in the formations adjacent the borehole, respectively. The first set of receivers have an orientation matching the first source, and the second set of receivers have an orientation matching the second source. The system further includes a processor for determining a measure of formation anisotropy from the first and second recorded signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Assignee: Amoco Corporation
    Inventors: Carl H. Sondergeld, Martin L. Smith
  • Optical seismic detector
    Patent number: 4792931
    Abstract: A detector for detecting the acceleration, the velocity or the displacement of a point is described. The detector includes a light source, at least two photoelectric elements spaced apart from each other over a predetermined distance and a focusing optical system disposed between the light source and the photoelectric elements; the combination being particularly suited for use as an optical seismic detector for detecting and mapping an underground stratum structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuhiko Nishida, Mansanari Shindo, Masaharu Suzuki, Masamichi Kondo
  • Lightning position and tracking method
    Patent number: 4792806
    Abstract: A method for detecting lightning as an electrical atmospheric disturbance and for providing an indication of the geographic position of that disturbance includes the stationing of at least three receivers at known geographic locations in spaced relationship to each other. Signals are encoded at each of the receivers representative of the time of arrival of an electrical indication of an emission from the lightning strike, in relation to a common timing source. All of the encoded signals are transmitted to a central facility and thereafter processed for deriving the position of the lightning strike irrespective of whether the position of the lightning occurred within or outside the perimeter bounded by the three receivers. The system is synchronized with the U.S. Coast Guard LORAN navigation network, and includes various features which permit a more accurate analysis of lightning position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Assignee: Atlantic Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: Rodney B. Bent, Paul W. Casper
  • Well logging method and system for detecting structural and stratigraphic geological make-up of subsurface formations
    Patent number: 4791618
    Abstract: Disclosed are a well logging process and a well logging system using dipmeter and other logs to find subsurface faults and unconformities and automatically produce therefrom, and with user interaction, a subsurface map of the structural and depositional environment and stratigraphic characteristics of subsurface formations particularly important in the search for and exploitation of subsurface resources such as hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Paul R. Pruchnik
  • Well bore data transmission system
    Patent number: 4788544
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus of transmitting data signals within a well bore having a string of tubular members suspended within it, employing an electromagnetic field producing means to transmit the signal to a magnetic field sensor, which is capable of detecting constant and time-varying fields, the signal then being conditioned so as to regenerate the data signals before transmission across the subsequent threaded junction by another electromagnetic field producing means and magnetic sensor pair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Hughes Tool Company - USA
    Inventor: Mig A. Howard
  • Parameter telemetering from the bottom of a deep borehole
    Patent number: 4788545
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring one or more parameters of the subsurface environment, and telemetering one or more parameters of the subsurface environment to the surface. Apparatus at the surface includes a source of intermediate frequency and voltage, electrical energy for transmission down one or more conductors of a power cable or separate instrument wire to a downhole instrument package. This intermediate frequency voltage is converted to a power supply voltage for generating a high frequency FM signal, in accordance with the magnitude of one or more parameters of the environment. This frequency modulated signal is sent to the surface over the conductors of the power cable and ground. At the surface the signal is demodulated to produce a signal indicative of the transmitted parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Oil Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: Claude A. Farque
  • Pressure pulse generator
    Patent number: 4785300
    Abstract: An improved acoustic signal generator has rotor and stator elements, each having a plurality of radially-extending lobes and intervening ports relatively positioned and configured to establish fluid dynamic forces that bias the generator into an open position, thereby imparting a "stable open" characteristic to the generator. The rotor is located downstream of the stator, and rotor lobes are outwardly tapered in the downstream direction and have underlap relative to the upstream stator lobes. The invention is especially suited for use in oil industry MWD operations to communicate downhole measurement data to a well surface during drilling. In one embodiment, undercuts on the rotor lobes impart a flutter action which clears debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1988
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wilson C. Chin, Jose A. Trevino
  • Seismic recording
    Patent number: 4782911
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating the time-break on a seismic record wherein the time-break is marked in response to the rupture of an electric circuit by the explosive charge used to generate the seismic waves. The preferred rupturable electric circuit is connected to the same energy source as the electric detonator used to initiate the explosive charge and the preferred electric detonator is one connected to a high frequency A.C. firing energy source through a transformer, the rupturable electric circuit being the primary or secondary circuit of the transformer.The method is more accurate than the present method of marking the time-break at the initial application of current to the detonator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1988
    Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLC
    Inventors: Raymond M. Dixon, Alan G. King, Stephen R. Thompson
  • Hydrophone with extended operational life
    Patent number: 4782470
    Abstract: Permeation of sea water through the protective rubber housing to the conductive portions of the exterior surface of the ceramic or other pressure-sensitive element results in the development of a low insulation resistance which leads to failure of the unit. The operational life of the unit is extended through the application of an acoustically transparent water impervious layer, interposed and bonded between the exterior surface of the ceramic or other pressure-sensitive element and the interior surface of the rubber housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1988
    Assignee: General Instrument Corp.
    Inventors: Alfred S. Poturnicki, Jr., James E. Traft
  • Removable power supply for an ocean bottom seismometer
    Patent number: 4780863
    Abstract: An apparatus for supplying the power requirements of an Ocean Bottom Seismometer is disclosed wherein the power supply is separate from the power consuming devices of an Ocean Bottom Seismometer and mounted on the weight holding the Ocean Bottom Seismometer on the ocean floor during recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Victor L. Schoepf
  • Ultrasonic transducer and attenuating material for use therein
    Patent number: 4779244
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes noise suppressing backing material for the transducer comprising a composite of a matrix material and particles of an attenuating soft material such as rubber, epoxy, and plastic. The particle size is preferably selected by sieving the particles through a sieve of grid size 30 to 80. In preferred embodiments the particles of attenuating soft material are filled with particles of heavy oxides, metal powders, or other density lowering fillers. The ratio of matrix material to filler particles determines mechanical strength and attenuation of the composite material. Attenuation coefficient and size of the filler particles determines the attenuation of the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 18, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael S. Horner, Axel F. Brisken
  • Method for improving coupling with the ground of land based seismic sources
    Patent number: 4776425
    Abstract: A process for improving the coupling of seismic sources with the ground by temporary consolidation thereof, consisting essentially in boring one or more injection holes in the vicinity of the successive locations of a seismic profile where it is desired to trigger off a seismic source and injecting into these holes a freezing fluid which freezes the ground and increases its resistance to compression and shearing. The method in particular minimizes the coupling losses at relatively high frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Sierre C. Layotte
  • Processing of reflected signals
    Patent number: 4777630
    Abstract: Signal processing circuitry is disclosed for processing the echo signals of echo sounders to extract the leading edge of bottom echo components of the echo signals and to provide a reading of the average area under successive leading edges. Second and later bottom echo processing is additionally disclosed. Processing is achieved with a sample and hold circuit comprising an integrator (34), a first switch (33) for switching the required echo signal portion to the integrator, storage means (C2) for storing integrated values to be displayed, and a second switch (35) for selectively coupling values from the integrator to the storage means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1988
    Assignee: Salubre Investments Limited
    Inventor: David Burns
  • Method and system for depth sounding
    Patent number: 4775028
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for the sounding of waters, particularly suitable for depth (and the like) sounding of Arctic waters, comprises shooting an energetic projectile at the water or ice surface from, say, a helicopter which has suspended close to the waters surface a suitably housed microphone for receiving the echo energizing from the waters. By measuring elapsed time between firing of the projectile and reception of the echo, and knowing all distances except the depth of the reflecting boundary (be it the bottom or a submarine), the unknown depth is easily determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Canadian Astronautics Limited
    Inventor: Philippe de Heering
  • Seismic sound source
    Patent number: 4775027
    Abstract: The volumetric capacity of the firing chamber of an air gun is discretely quantized by mounting unit-volume inserts interiorly of the firing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventor: Tor-Arvid Haugland
  • Marine seismic streamer employing variable aperture flow through spacers
    Patent number: 4775962
    Abstract: A fluid filled marine seismic streamer employs a plurality of hydrophones spaced apart along its length to detect seismic reflection signals from subsurface formations below a water layer. A plurality of fluid blocking members are also spaced apart along the length of the streamer. A plurality of flow through spacers having varying flow through apertures are positioned between each hydrophone adjacent to a fluid blocking member that generates pressure pulses in the fill fluid of significant magnitude to be detected by such hydrophone. The size of the flow through apertures of such spacers progressively increases in a direction leading from the fluid blocking member toward the hydrophone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: William G. Keckler, Robert G. Zachariadis
  • Tactile sensor
    Patent number: 4775961
    Abstract: This invention relates to a tactile sensor that is particularly suitable for use in robotics. The tactile sensor enables a robot, cybernetic device, or other appropriate automatic mechanism to sense an object, to measure the force of contact, and to determine the force necessary to seize the object. Acoustic surface waves propagated along the surface of an insulating plate within the sensor, and disrupted by contact with the sensor, are used to achieve this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1988
    Assignee: Vysoka skola dopravy a spojov v Ziline
    Inventors: Jan Capek, Miloslav Nevesely, Milan Lansky
  • Shear wave vibrator vehicle isolation system
    Patent number: 4771858
    Abstract: Two tracks are mounted between a vibratory source of shear, or horizontally travelling, wave siesmic energy and its transport vehicle. The tracks are parallel to each other in the direction of horizontal movement of the source when vibrating. One track is attached to the source, and the other to the vehicle. Pressurized rounded resilient members, which may be either spherical bags or wide tires, are mounted between the tracks to isolate the vehicle from vibrations, insuring that the seismic energy enters the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventor: Kent J. Goodloe
  • Seismic vibrator support assembly
    Patent number: 4771857
    Abstract: A stilt structure for a vibrator assembly in which the spider members on each end of the actuator are pivotally coupled to the vertical supports (stilts). The pivotal connection allows rotation of each component thereby eliminating induced bending moments between the spider members and the vertical supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.
    Inventor: Dallas J. Martin
  • Sonar dome
    Patent number: 4770267
    Abstract: A sonar dome having an external wall in which a central layer is formed by a plurality of woven webs of glass fibers impregnated with a resin and by two peripheral layers located on each side of the central layer, the peripheral layers being constituted by a plurality of woven webs of carbon fibers impregnated with a resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1988
    Assignee: Thomson-CSF
    Inventor: Jean Luc Hauser