Patents by Inventor Albert Hoefel

Albert Hoefel 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: 11913444
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for determining the flow rate and fluid density in an electrical submersible pump (ESP) and controlling the ESP based on the flow rate and density. In one implementation, an ESP system includes an ESP, drive circuitry, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The ESP includes an electric motor. The drive circuitry is electrically coupled to the ESP and is configured to provide an electrical signal to power the ESP. The current sensor is configured to measure a current of the electrical signal. The voltage sensor is configured to measure a voltage of the electrical signal. The processor is configured to calculate speed of a shaft of the electric motor based on a frequency induced by rotation of the motor detected in the current. The processor is also configured to calculate a density of fluid in the ESP based on the speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Gocha Chochua, Yves-Marie Clet Robert Subervie, Jonathan Wun Shiung Chong
  • Publication number: 20230323871
    Abstract: A method can include operating a pump system; determining a condition associated with the pump system; and controlling the pump system based at least in part on the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Sensia LLC
    Inventor: Albert Hoefel
  • Patent number: 11703046
    Abstract: A method can include operating a pump system; determining a condition associated with the pump system; and controlling the pump system based at least in part on the condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventor: Albert Hoefel
  • Publication number: 20220180019
    Abstract: Systems and methods generate and use a digital twin in a hydrocarbon system. The systems and methods can perform the following operations: (1) performing a plurality of simulations in a hyperdimensional space to generate outputs; (2) using the outputs of the plurality of simulations to generate one or more reduced order models (ROMs) using a regression technique or a machine learning technique; (3) generating a digital twin of the hydrocarbon system by instantiating the one or more ROMs at an operational point of the hydrocarbon system, and configuring the digital twin to use real-time data obtained from the hydrocarbon system; and (4) estimating values of one or more variables of the hydrocarbon system in real-time using the digital twin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Chong, Albert Hoefel, Nam Nguyen, Rongzhen Jin, Shivam Agrawal, Yves-Marie Subervie
  • Patent number: 11353029
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a multiphase electric motor operatively coupled to a fluid pump; a multiphase power cable operatively coupled to the multiphase electric motor; and a controller that includes an input that receives measurements as to power supplied to the multiphase electric motor via the multiphase power cable and that processes the measurements to determine information germane to the operation of the electric submersible pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Dudi Rendusara
  • Publication number: 20220170353
    Abstract: A system for oil and gas production includes a drilling, pipeline, or power quality device, a sensor, and a storage device having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including receiving first data from the sensor, determining whether the device is experiencing an event condition based on the first data, generating one or more potential corrective actions responsive to a determination that the device is experiencing the event condition, calculating a reward value for each of the one or more potential corrective actions, identifying a first corrective action of the one or more potential corrective actions with a largest or most positive reward value, and controlling the device according to the first corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Publication date: June 2, 2022
    Inventors: Jonathan Wun Shiung Chong, T. Everett Chambliss, Magnus Hedlund, David Rossi, Nam Nguyen, Pengyu Yuan, Albert Hoefel
  • Publication number: 20220010793
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for determining the flow rate and fluid density in an electrical submersible pump (ESP) and controlling the ESP based on the flow rate and density. In one implementation, an ESP system includes an ESP, drive circuitry, a current sensor, a voltage sensor, and a processor. The ESP includes an electric motor. The drive circuitry is electrically coupled to the ESP and is configured to provide an electrical signal to power the ESP. The current sensor is configured to measure a current of the electrical signal. The voltage sensor is configured to measure a voltage of the electrical signal. The processor is configured to calculate speed of a shaft of the electric motor based on a frequency induced by rotation of the motor detected in the current. The processor is also configured to calculate a density of fluid in the ESP based on the speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Albert HOEFEL, Gocha CHOCHUA, Yves-Marie Clet Robert Subervie, Jonathan Wun Shiung CHONG
  • Patent number: 10876393
    Abstract: A method can include receiving sensor information from at least one sensor disposed in a downhole environment that includes an electric submersible pump operatively coupled to a power drive via a cable; receiving electrical information associated with transmission of power via the cable; and identifying a state of the electric submersible pump via an adaptive model of at least the cable and the electric submersible pump based at least in part on a portion of the sensor information and a portion of the electrical information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Dudi Rendusara, Andrew Meredith, Emmanuel Coste, Leo Steenson, Albert Hoefel
  • Publication number: 20200355189
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a multiphase electric motor operatively coupled to a fluid pump; a multiphase power cable operatively coupled to the multiphase electric motor; and a controller that includes an input that receives measurements as to power supplied to the multiphase electric motor via the multiphase power cable and that processes the measurements to determine information germane to the operation of the electric submersible pump system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Applicant: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Dudi Rendusara
  • Patent number: 10753361
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a multiphase electric motor operatively coupled to a fluid pump; a multiphase power cable operatively coupled to the multiphase electric motor; and a controller that includes an input that receives measurements as to power supplied to the multiphase electric motor via the multiphase power cable and that processes the measurements to determine information germane to the operation of the electric submersible pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Sensia LLC
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Dudi Rendusara
  • Publication number: 20200191136
    Abstract: A method can include operating a pump system; determining a condition associated with the pump system; and controlling the pump system based at least in part on the condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Sensia LLC
    Inventor: Albert Hoefel
  • Patent number: 10364915
    Abstract: The present discloses valve systems that include valve shift detection systems that can be employed to determine when a valve has shifted. In certain embodiments, the valve shift detection systems include a switch integrated into a valve block that may be closed upon shifting of the spool valve. In certain embodiments, the switch may include a component that completes a circuit upon contacting the valve. The valve shift detection systems also may include a controller designed to detect a voltage or current change produced by completing the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeremy Murphy, Kent D. Harms, Albert Hoefel
  • Patent number: 10184315
    Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 10007260
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
  • Publication number: 20170089192
    Abstract: A method can include receiving sensor information from at least one sensor disposed in a downhole environment that includes an electric submersible pump operatively coupled to a power drive via a cable; receiving electrical information associated with transmission of power via the cable; and identifying a state of the electric submersible pump via an adaptive model of at least the cable and the electric submersible pump based at least in part on a portion of the sensor information and a portion of the electrical information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Inventors: Dudi Rendusara, Andrew Meredith, Emmanuel Coste, Leo Steenson, Albert Hoefel
  • Publication number: 20170045055
    Abstract: An electric submersible pump system can include a multiphase electric motor operatively coupled to a fluid pump; a multiphase power cable operatively coupled to the multiphase electric motor; and a controller that includes an input that receives measurements as to power supplied to the multiphase electric motor via the multiphase power cable and that processes the measurements to determine information germane to the operation of the electric submersible pump system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2015
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Dudi Rendusara
  • Publication number: 20170002640
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for fault detection and tolerance in a downhole tool string are provided. If a fault is detected in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be kept open to isolate the fault in an electrical path between tools of downhole tool string. If a fault is not detected, one or more switches of a fault detection and tolerance circuit may be closed to enable the transmission of signals on the electrical path. In some embodiments of fault detection and tolerance circuits, an additional one or more switches may be kept open to isolate the fault in electronics of the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Publication date: January 5, 2017
    Inventors: Albert Hoefel, Kent David Harms, Steven G. Villareal
  • Patent number: 9534459
    Abstract: A system includes a valve assembly configured to be disposed within a downhole tool module, a valve of the valve assembly configured to regulate flow of a fluid within the downhole tool module, a pump configured to supply a hydraulic fluid to actuate the valve, and an actuator configured to drive the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kent Harms, Albert Hoefel, Stephen Parks
  • Publication number: 20160348470
    Abstract: A system includes a valve subassembly configured to be disposed along an internal flowline exit of a first internal flowline within a downhole drilling module. The valve subassembly includes an active valve configured to regulate flow of a fluid through the internal flowline exit and a passive valve configured to be passively controlled based on a differential pressure between a first volume of the downhole drilling module and a second volume surrounding the downhole drilling module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Inventors: Kent David Harms, Jeremy T. Murphy, Michael J. Stucker, William E. Brennan, III, Albert Hoefel, Steven G. Villareal, Julian J. Pop
  • Patent number: 9441425
    Abstract: A drilling system includes a first section of a drilling tool having a collar configured to hold internal components of the first section. The drilling system also includes a second section of the drilling tool configured to be coupled with the first section in a specific orientation relative to the first section. The second section is interchangeable with at least one different section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Steven G. Villareal, Julian Pop, Kent David Harms, Jeremy Murphy, Albert Hoefel, Thomas W. Palmer, II