Patents by Inventor Allen H. Christensen

Allen H. Christensen 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).

  • Well flowmeter and down-hole sampler
    Patent number: 6164127
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of evaluating well bore flow of water and for sampling of water within a well. A hose is inserted into the well to a known depth. To evaluate the water, a tracer fluid is introduced into the hose until the pressure within the hose exceeds the hydrostatic pressure at the known depth by a preset amount. The tracer fluid is then rapidly released into the well. The tracer fluid is detected in water pumped from the well, and the elapsed time between release of the tracer fluid into the well and detection of the tracer fluid in the water pumped from the well is determined. The process is repeated at a second known depth, and the tracer fluid travel time between the two depths is determined. From this and the cross-sectional area of the well, the incremental volumetric well bore inflow to the well between the two depths is calculated. The process can be repeated at several depths within the well to permit construction of a velocity profile of water movement within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: John Izbicki, Allen H. Christensen, Steven M. Crawford, Randall T. Hanson, Peter Martin, Gregory Smith
  • Well flowmeter and down-hole sampler
    Patent number: 6131451
    Abstract: An apparatus for and a process of evaluating well bore flow of water and for sampling of water within a well. A hose is inserted into the well to a known depth. To evaluate the water, a tracer fluid is introduced into the hose until the pressure within the hose exceeds the hydrostatic pressure at the known depth by a preset amount. The tracer fluid is then rapidly released into the well. The tracer fluid is detected in water pumped from the well, and the elapsed time between release of the tracer fluid into the well and detection of the tracer fluid in the water pumped from the well is determined. The process is repeated at a second known depth, and the tracer fluid travel time between the two depths is determined. From this and the cross-sectional area of the well, the incremental volumetric well bore inflow to the well between the two depths is calculated. The process can be repeated at several depths within the well to permit construction of a velocity profile of water movement within the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventors: John Izbicki, Allen H. Christensen, Steven M. Crawford, Randall T. Hanson, Peter Martin, Gregory Smith