Patents by Inventor Alan J. Sallwasser

Alan J. Sallwasser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6179055
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus for conveying at least one logging tool through an earth formation traversed by a horizontal or highly deviated borehole. The conveyance apparatus comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped cams pivotally mounted to a support member, a spring member for biasing the arcuate surface of each cam into contact with the borehole wall, and actuators operatively connected to each cam. A logging tool is attached to the conveyance apparatus. When either actuator is activated in a first direction, the cam connected to the activated actuator is linearly displaced forward and the arcuate surface of the cam slides along the borehole wall. When either actuator is activated in a second direction, the activated actuator pulls the connected cam backwards and the spring member thereby urges the arcuate surface of the cam to lock against the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alan J. Sallwasser, Roger A. Post, Carl J. Roy
  • Patent number: 6134892
    Abstract: A system for cooling electronic components in the downhole assembly of a drill string through which a drilling fluid flows. The cooling system includes a thermoelectric cooler that conducts heat from the electronic component to a first heat transfer surface of a thermal conductor. The heat received by the first heat transfer surface is transferred within the thermal conductor to a second heat transfer surface that then transfers the heat to a housing. The housing transfers the heat to the drilling fluid flowing over the housing. To ensure good conductive heat transfer between the electronic component, the thermoelectric cooler, the thermal conductor and the housing, and to absorb shock, vibration and differential thermal expansion, these components are supported on a spring mechanism that generates a force that biases the electronic component against the thermoelectric cooler, the thermoelectric cooler against the thermal conductor and the thermal conductor against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: APS Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: William Evans Turner, Ronald Seppa, William Edward Turner, Alan J. Sallwasser
  • Patent number: 5954131
    Abstract: A conveyance apparatus for conveying at least one logging tool through an earth formation traversed by a horizontal or highly deviated borehole is disclosed. The conveyance apparatus comprises a pair of arcuate-shaped cams pivotally mounted to a support member, means for biasing the arcuate surface of each cam into contact with the borehole wall, and actuators operatively connected to each cam. A logging tool is attached to the conveyance apparatus. When either actuator is activated in a first direction, the cam connected to the activated actuator is linearly displaced forward and the arcuate surface of the cam slides along the borehole wall. When either actuator is activated in a second direction, the activated actuator pulls the connected cam backwards and the biasing means thereby urges the arcuate surface of the cam to lock against the borehole wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Alan J. Sallwasser
  • Patent number: 5596142
    Abstract: A well logging apparatus adapted to be moved inside a borehole includes an elongate body, a measuring pad adapted to contact the wall of the borehole, a support device for the pad mounted pivotally on one side of the body, and a counter arm which causes the pad to be applied against the wall of the borehole. The support device includes an arm which carries the weight of the pad and is connected to the pad substantially in the central part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Alain G. M. Delpuech, David C. Hoyle, Alan J. Sallwasser, Bronislaw Seeman
  • Patent number: 5508514
    Abstract: The invention concerns a well logging device with a pad, characterized in that the pad has a nuclear sensor with a gamma ray source and two detectors separated by a space in the longitudinal direction, and a second sensor of different type located in said space, preferably a micro-resistivity sensor with electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 16, 1996
    Inventors: Alan J. Sallwasser, Philippe Chevalier, Kevin E. Eyl
  • Patent number: 5484176
    Abstract: A latch mechanism includes a first latch member, a second latch member and a ramp mechanism. A first latch element of the first latch member is cooperatively structured with a second latch element of the second latch member to be engageable therewith. The first and second latch members are latched together when the second latch member is disposed in the latching position and the first latch element engages the second latch element. When at least one of the latch members is moved in a first direction to an unlatching position while the first and second latch elements are engaged, the ramp mechanism causes either the first latch member or the second latch member to be displaced in a second direction relative to the other latch member, whereby the first latch element and the second latch element disengage to unlatch the first and second latch members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Motus, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan J. Sallwasser