Patents Examined by John E Johansen
  • Patent number: 11703612
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for characterizing a subterranean formation that involve the generation of four 3D geological model of the formation that are updated before and after an enhanced hydrocarbon production process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohammed Badri, Ping Zhang, Wael Abdallah
  • Patent number: 11693376
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved smart green power node using predictive switching, predictive operation at a daily and hourly level, and both grid connected and island operating modes with built-in cybersecurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventors: Homer Alan Mantooth, Yuzhi Zhang, Janviere Umuhoza, Shuang Zhao, Stephen Joe Moquin, Roger A. Dougal
  • Patent number: 11668853
    Abstract: A method and system for modeling a subsurface region include applying a trained machine learning network to an initial petrophysical parameter estimate to predict a geologic prior model; and performing a petrophysical inversion with the geologic prior model, geophysical data, and geophysical parameters to generate a rock type probability model and an updated petrophysical parameter estimate. Embodiments include managing hydrocarbons with the rock type probability model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Amit Kushwaha, Ratnanabha Sain, Jan Schmedes, Yunfei Yang
  • Patent number: 11666415
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing orthodontic appliances are provided herein utilizing iterative modeling techniques to increase the efficiency and efficacy of said appliances. Further disclosed herein are the orthodontic appliances fabricated from such methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Yuxiang Wang, Andrew Jang, Bruce Cam, Rohit Tanugula, Chunhua Li, Jun Sato, Luyao Cai, Pavel Pokotilov, Kangning Su, John Y. Morton
  • Patent number: 11668165
    Abstract: A method may include obtaining wellhead temperature data from a wellhead coupled to a wellbore. The method may further include obtaining production data regarding the wellhead. The method may further include obtaining water cut data from the wellhead. The method may further include calibrating a production model for the wellhead based on the production data and the wellhead temperature data to generate a calibrated production model. The method may further include determining a predicted production rate of the wellhead using the calibrated production model, the water cut data, and flowing wellhead temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohammed A. Alhuraifi, Mohammed H. Madan
  • Patent number: 11663372
    Abstract: A computer-aided design (CAD) system may support spatially-aware detection of trapped support areas in 3D printing. The CAD system may detect trapped support areas in the surface mesh in that detected trapped support area do not have linear access to an opening in the surface mesh, including by surrounding the surface mesh with a virtual bounding box that encloses the surface mesh, mapping the virtual bounding box and surface mesh into a 3D cube space, and tracking mesh cubes and bounding cubes of the 3D cube space. For a given mesh face of the surface mesh, The CAD system may determine whether the given mesh face is part of a trapped support area by projecting a ray from the given mesh face and assessing the given mesh face as part of a trapped support area based on the ray passing through a mesh cube or a bounding cube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Siemens Industry Software Inc.
    Inventors: Chee-Keong Chong, Zhi Li, Lei Yang
  • Patent number: 11657193
    Abstract: The invention discloses a mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth considering rock dynamic strength and mixed crushing mode, including: Step S1: selecting a target drill bit tooth and a target rock, and determining a type of target drill bit tooth, a geometry of the target drill bit tooth, a rock type and rock parameters of the target rock; Step S2: calculating a horizontal cutting force of the target drill bit tooth according to a horizontal cutting mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S3: calculating a vertical penetration force of the target drill bit tooth according to a vertical penetration mechanics calculation method of drill bit tooth; Step S4: calculating a resultant force experienced by the target drill bit tooth according to a resultant force calculation method of drill bit tooth. The invention provides a calculation method for accurately obtaining drill bit tooth mechanics under different working conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Guangjian Dong, Ping Chen, Jianhong Fu, Yingxin Yang
  • Patent number: 11650349
    Abstract: Methods and systems, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium can be used for generating dynamic reservoir descriptions using geostatistics in a geological model. Data processing techniques can be used by a computing system to automate processes for generating, and updating (e.g., in real-time), subsurface reservoir models. An integrated methodology and hardware systems are described for determining properties of a reservoir in a subterranean region using a geological model based on seismic data and transient pressure data. The methodology and automated approaches employ technologies relating to machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) to process seismic data and information relating to seismic facies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Omar H. Obathani, Bandar A. Alwehaibi, Saud A. Bin Akresh, Faisal Thawad, Noor M. Anisur Rahman
  • Patent number: 11640012
    Abstract: A method for determining tortuosity, e.g., in an oilfield well includes obtaining a planned trajectory for a hole, and obtaining a first survey of the hole using a sensor deployed into the hole. The first survey includes a first surveyed position at a first depth of the hole and a second surveyed position at a second depth of the hole, and no surveyed positions between the first and second depths. The method further includes simulating a second survey of the hole between the first and second depths using a model. The second survey includes a plurality of simulated positions of the hole between the first and second depths. The method includes determining that the simulated position at the second depth is proximal to the second surveyed position, and visualizing a trajectory of the hole based on the first and second surveys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Zhengxin Zhang, Wei Chen, Yuelin Shen, Zhenyu Chen
  • Patent number: 11639646
    Abstract: Geomechanical parameters can be used to optimize a well configuration that includes one or more projected wells having locations and geometries. Formation data and regional stress information of a formation can be used to determine a local stress variation of the formation. A quality index can be generated by combining petrophysical properties with the local stress variation. Hydrocarbon recovery flow simulations can be generated by generating well configuration models based on the quality index, generating reservoir geomechanical model that includes hydraulic fracture propagation characteristics, determining new hydraulic fractures by simulating propagation through the reservoir geomechanical model and using geomechanical rules, and determining a projected hydrocarbon recovery rate by simulating flow with the new hydraulic fractures. A well placement plan can be selected using the projected hydrocarbon recovery rates. The well placement plan can be output to be used to plan one or more wellbores.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2023
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Gaetan Bardy, Jeffrey M. Yarus, Harold Grayson Walters, Kevin B. Hall, Shohreh Amini, Steven James Drinovsky, Meftun Erdogan
  • Patent number: 11609356
    Abstract: A three-dimensional grid of a hydrocarbon reservoir can be received. The three-dimensional grid can include a plurality of cells, each cell of the plurality of cells can include a first index value, a second index value, and a third index value. The first index value, the second index value, and the third index value of each cell can together uniquely identify each cell of the plurality of cells. Each cell can further include at least one parameter measured from the hydrocarbon reservoir. A hydrocarbon saturation distribution of the hydrocarbon reservoir can be determined using a saturation height function and the at least one parameter of each cell of the plurality of cells. The hydrocarbon saturation distribution can include a cell hydrocarbon saturation estimate for each cell of the plurality of cells. The hydrocarbon saturation distribution can be provided. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Prem Saini, Marco van der Linden
  • Patent number: 11603750
    Abstract: A method includes generating a ranging model of a drilling wellbore to be drilled and generating a predicted signal along measured depths of the drilling wellbore based on the ranging model. The method includes performing the following operations until the drilling wellbore has been drilled to a defined depth. The following operations include drilling, with a drill string, the drilling wellbore to an increment of the defined depth and detecting, by a sensor positioned on the drill string, an electromagnetic field emanating from a target wellbore. The following operations include determining ranging measurements to the target wellbore at the increment based on the electromagnetic field and calibrating the predicted signal based on the ranging measurements. The following operations include determining ranging accuracy for all deeper depths in the wellbore and making drilling decisions or adjusting drilling operations based on the predicted ranging accuracy for deeper depths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Yijing Fan, Hsu-Hsiang Wu, Li Pan
  • Patent number: 11596119
    Abstract: In an embodiment, an agricultural intelligence computing system stores a digital model of crop growth, the digital model of crop growth being configured to compute nutrient requirements in soil to produce particular yield values based, at least in part, on data unique to an agricultural field. The system receives agronomic field data for a particular agronomic field, the agronomic field data comprising one or more input parameters for each of a plurality of locations on the agronomic field, nutrient application values for each of the plurality of locations, and measured yield values for each of the plurality of locations. The system computes, for each location of the plurality of locations, a required nutrient value indicating a required amount of nutrient to produce the measured yield values. The system identifies a subset of the plurality of locations where the computed required nutrient value is greater than the nutrient application value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: CLIMATE LLC
    Inventors: Juan Lopez Arriaza, John Gates
  • Patent number: 11592788
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and techniques that enhance effectiveness and efficiency of a contingency analysis tool that is used for studying the magnitude and likelihood of extreme contingencies and potential cascading events across a power system. The described systems and techniques include deploying the contingency analysis tool in a high-performance computing (HPC) environment and incorporating visual situational awareness approaches to allow power system engineers to quickly and efficiently evaluate multiple power system simulation models. Furthermore, the described systems and techniques include the power system contingency-analysis tool calculating and coordinating protection element settings, as well as assessing controls of the power system using small-signal nomograms, allowing power system engineers to more effectively comprehend, evaluate, and analyze causes and effects of cascading events against a topology of a power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Nader A. Samaan, Bharat GNVSR Vyakaranam, Jeffery E. Dagle, Yousu Chen, Marcelo A. Elizondo, Mallikarjuna R. Vallem, Pavel V. Etingov, Qiuhua Huang, Xinya Li, Blaine J. McGary, Kirsten L. Pierce, George Chin, Jr., Dimitri V. Zarzhitsky
  • Patent number: 11580274
    Abstract: A method including performing a simulation to evaluate a plurality of metrology targets and/or a plurality of metrology recipes used to measure a metrology target, identifying one or more metrology targets and/or metrology recipes from the evaluated plurality of metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, receiving measurement data of the one or more identified metrology targets and/or metrology recipes, and using the measurement data to tune a metrology target parameter or metrology recipe parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: ASML NETHERLANDS B.V.
    Inventors: Lotte Marloes Willems, Kaustuve Bhattacharyya, Panagiotis Pieter Bintevinos, Guangqing Chen, Martin Ebert, Pieter Jacob Mathias Hendrik Knelissen, Stephen Morgan, Maurits Van Der Schaar, Leonardus Henricus Marie Verstappen, Jen-Shiang Wang, Peter Hanzen Wardenier
  • Patent number: 11567232
    Abstract: A method for providing a calibrated rock-physics model of a subsoil. First, a geological model of the subsoil comprising a grid made of cells, associated with a rock-physics parameter is obtained. A group of cells forming a calibration body is selected in the grid. The calibration body corresponds to a region of the subsoil having substantially homogenous rock-physics parameter values. Finally, an adjustable constant parameter in a physical equation expressing a relationship between the petro-physical parameter and a petro-elastic parameter in the calibration body is calibrated so as to reduce a mismatch between the petro-elastic parameter estimated using the physical equation and a petro-elastic parameter value determined from inverted seismic data, the calibrated physical equation providing a calibrated rock-physics model of the subsoil in the calibration body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: TOTAL SA
    Inventors: Philippe Solans, Pierre Thore, Christian Hubans
  • Patent number: 11559378
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning a dental impression to obtain a digital model of a patient's dentition as an input to computer aided design (CAD) and computer aided manufacturing (CAM) methods for producing dental prostheses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: James R. Glidewell Dental Ceramics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sergey Nikolskiy, David Christopher Leeson, Shih-Kai Lai, Loraine Allessandra Queji Silva
  • Patent number: 11562378
    Abstract: A chronostratigraphic database comprising a plurality of discrete data points, wherein each data point comprises an x, y, z and T value, wherein x, y, and z are Cartesian coordinates describing a position and T is a geologic time event relative to said position; a method to produce a chronostratigraphic database and to utilize the database; and a modeling system wherein the database includes data formatted and arranged for use with a computer-implemented method or web-based method for controlling serving of an advertisement or public service message using its relevancy to a request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Enveras, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph A. Williams
  • Patent number: 11556118
    Abstract: Provided is a method for testing an autonomous system of which a virtual image exists, the virtual image including at least one virtual image of an autonomous component including the following steps: a) Acquiring of component data providing information in relation to a movement of the at least one virtual image of the autonomous component; b) Creating, in the virtual image, at least one virtual object; c) Generating, in the virtual image, a corpus around the at least one virtual object or/and the virtual image of the at least one component; d) Representing, in the virtual image, a movement of the at least one virtual object or/and the virtual image of the at least one autonomous component; e) Acquiring reaction data in relation to the movement of the at least one virtual object or/and the virtual image; f) Evaluating a feasible course of movement considering the reaction data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Inventor: Florian Krautwurm
  • Patent number: 11549353
    Abstract: Techniques for determining a wellbore drilling path includes identifying input seismic data associated with a subterranean zone that includes a wellbore drilling target. The input seismic data includes primary seismic events and multiple seismic events. The input seismic data is processed to remove the multiple seismic events and at least one of the primary seismic events from the input seismic data. An orthogonalization of the processed input seismic data is performed to recover the at least one primary seismic event into a seismic image of the subterranean zone that excludes at least a portion of the multiple seismic events. A wellbore path is determined from a terranean surface toward the wellbore drilling target for a drilling geo-steering system based on the seismic image of the subterranean zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ferhan Y. Ahmed, Mohammed S. Mubarak, Constantinos Tsingas