Patents by Inventor Boqin Sun

Boqin Sun 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: 11368060
    Abstract: A device including a plurality of motors is disclosed. The device includes a body comprising a plurality of magnet arrays. Each magnet array comprises a plurality of magnets which define a polygon and the plurality of magnets are arranged in a semi-Halbach configuration. The polygons of the plurality of magnet arrays form a tessellating pattern in which the magnet arrays each share at least one magnet with another one of the magnet arrays. Each magnet is configured to be rotatable relative to the body, or in the case of coils as magnets, the input of each coil can be manipulated to replicate the same or similar effect. The device further comprises a plurality of rotors, wherein each magnet array is configured to receive a rotor rotatable relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Boqin Sun
  • Patent number: 10962675
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations may: obtain subsurface relaxation time data specifying subsurface relaxation time values corresponding to a well in the subsurface volume of interest; generating a subsurface relaxation time distribution using the subsurface relaxation time data; generating a subsurface porosity distribution using the subsurface relaxation time distribution; generating a representation of the subsurface porosity distribution in the subsurface volume of interest using visual effects to depict at least one of the one or more subsurface relaxation time values; and display the representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Boqin Sun, Simon Clinch, Dustin J. Keele, Byron Dean Gulick
  • Publication number: 20200144876
    Abstract: A device including a plurality of motors is disclosed. The device includes a body comprising a plurality of magnet arrays. Each magnet array comprises a plurality of magnets which define a polygon and the plurality of magnets are arranged in a semi-Halbach configuration. The polygons of the plurality of magnet arrays form a tessellating pattern in which the magnet arrays each share at least one magnet with another one of the magnet arrays. Each magnet is configured to be rotatable relative to the body, or in the case of coils as magnets, the input of each coil can be manipulated to replicate the same or similar effect. The device further comprises a plurality of rotors, wherein each magnet array is configured to receive a rotor rotatable relative to the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Boqin Sun
  • Publication number: 20200132876
    Abstract: Exemplary implementations may: obtain subsurface relaxation time data specifying subsurface relaxation time values corresponding to a well in the subsurface volume of interest; generating a subsurface relaxation time distribution using the subsurface relaxation time data; generating a subsurface porosity distribution using the subsurface relaxation time distribution; generating a representation of the subsurface porosity distribution in the subsurface volume of interest using visual effects to depict at least one of the one or more subsurface relaxation time values; and display the representation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Inventors: Boqin Sun, Simon Clinch, Dustin J. Keele, Byron Dean Gulick
  • Patent number: 10634746
    Abstract: To measure the phase behavior of a fluid in a porous medium such as a tight gas shale, one illustrative method involves: (a) loading the fluid into a sample cell containing the porous medium; (b) setting a pressure and a temperature for the fluid in the sample cell; (c) applying an RF pulse sequence to the fluid in the sample cell to acquire an NMR signal; (d) deriving from the NMR signal an NMR parameter distribution that depends on the pressure and the temperature; (e) determining whether a fluid phase is present based on the NMR parameter distribution; (f) repeating operations (c) through (f) to determine the presence or absence of the fluid phase at multiple points along a pressure-temperature path that crosses a phase boundary; and (g) providing an estimated location of the phase boundary based on the presence or absence of the fluid phase at said points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Haijing Wang, Boqin Sun, Scott J. Seltzer, John S. Zintsmaster, Hussein Alboudwarej
  • Patent number: 10527565
    Abstract: A sensor and a method are disclosed for analyzing fluid and/or rock samples from a subsurface formation. Embodiments of the sensor and method utilize an array of magnets arranged in a specific way. The array and its arrangement may allow for NMR analysis of multiple samples or analysis of fluid samples which were not possible with existing technology. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more detail herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Haijing Wang, Boqin Sun
  • Patent number: 10228336
    Abstract: An NMR sensor and method is disclosed for analyzing a core sample from a subsurface formation. Embodiments of the method utilize two or more magnets disposed proximate to each other. The configuration of the magnets allows for increased detection frequency, and creates a strong field with much finer resolution than existing designs. In addition, embodiments of the sensor may be used at the well site due to its small size and simple hardware. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more detail herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Scott J. Seltzer, Boqin Sun, Haijing Wang
  • Patent number: 10145810
    Abstract: A disclosed method for characterizing gas adsorption on a rock sample includes: measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) response of the rock as a function of surrounding gas pressure along an isotherm; transforming the NMR response to obtain a Langmuir pressure distribution of gas adsorption on the rock sample; and displaying the Langmuir pressure distribution. The Langmuir pressure distribution may be shown in one dimension (e.g., contribution to signal response versus Langmuir pressure), or may be combined with additional pressure-dependencies such as spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), spin-spin relaxation time (T2), and chemical shift (?) to form a multi-dimensional distribution. The method can further include: identifying peaks in the Langmuir pressure distribution; and associating a gas storage mechanism and capacity with each peak.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Haijing Wang, Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Boqin Sun
  • Patent number: 9851315
    Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution is described. A model is first established for estimating the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution based on multiple samples of solutions of asphaltenes in the solvent in which the concentrations are known. The multiple samples have varying concentrations of asphaltenes. The diffusivity and relaxation time are measured for each sample using two-dimensional NMR. The ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time for each sample is then calculated. A linear equation is determined to fit the relationship between the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time and the asphaltene concentration by weight for the multiple samples, thus creating the model. For a given solution sample for which the concentration of asphaltenes is desired to be determined, diffusivity and relaxation time are determined using two-dimensional NMR, and the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Yang, Boqin Sun, Ajit Ramchandra Pradhan, Hussein Alboudwarej, Dengen Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170285215
    Abstract: To measure the phase behavior of a fluid in a porous medium such as a tight gas shale, one illustrative method involves: (a) loading the fluid into a sample cell containing the porous medium; (b) setting a pressure and a temperature for the fluid in the sample cell; (c) applying an RF pulse sequence to the fluid in the sample cell to acquire an NMR signal; (d) deriving from the NMR signal an NMR parameter distribution that depends on the pressure and the temperature; (e) determining whether a fluid phase is present based on the NMR parameter distribution; (f) repeating operations (c) through (f) to determine the presence or absence of the fluid phase at multiple points along a pressure-temperature path that crosses a phase boundary; and (g) providing an estimated location of the phase boundary based on the presence or absence of the fluid phase at said points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Haijing Wang, Boqin Sun, Scott J. Seltzer, John S. Zintsmaster, Hussein Alboudwarej
  • Publication number: 20170059497
    Abstract: An NMR sensor and method is disclosed for analyzing a core sample from a subsurface formation. Embodiments of the method utilize two or more magnets disposed proximate to each other. The configuration of the magnets allows for increased detection frequency, and creates a strong field with much finer resolution than existing designs. In addition, embodiments of the sensor may be used at the well site due to its small size and simple hardware. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more detail herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Inventors: Scott J. Seltzer, Boqin Sun, Haijing Wang
  • Publication number: 20170030845
    Abstract: A sensor and a method are disclosed for analyzing fluid and/or rock samples from a subsurface formation. Embodiments of the sensor and method utilize an array of magnets arranged in a specific way. The array and its arrangement may allow for NMR analysis of multiple samples or analysis of fluid samples which were not possible with existing technology. Further details and advantages of various embodiments of the method are described in more detail herein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Haijing Wang, Boqin Sun
  • Patent number: 9482631
    Abstract: A core sample holder assembly for performing a laboratory magnetic resonance measurement of a core sample taken from a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The assembly comprises a pressure chamber provided by a hull and one or more flanges are sealingly coupled with the hull. A flexible core sample holder sleeve is arranged within the pressure chamber and is sealingly coupled with at least one of the flanges. An overburden fluid injection port is in fluid communication with an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve and is configured to inject overburden fluid into an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve. A pressure regulator is configured to maintain the overburden fluid in the annular space at an elevated pressure. A radio-frequency antenna, within the pressure chamber and wrapped around the sample holder sleeve, is configured to receive an electromagnetic-signal from the core sample. In use, the core sample is arranged substantially within the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Zheng Yang, Boqin Sun, John S. Zintsmaster, Gerald Latorraca, Ajit R. Pradhan
  • Publication number: 20160290942
    Abstract: A disclosed method for characterizing gas adsorption on a rock sample includes: measuring a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) response of the rock as a function of surrounding gas pressure along an isotherm; transforming the NMR response to obtain a Langmuir pressure distribution of gas adsorption on the rock sample; and displaying the Langmuir pressure distribution. The Langmuir pressure distribution may be shown in one dimension (e.g., contribution to signal response versus Langmuir pressure), or may be combined with additional pressure-dependencies such as spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), spin-spin relaxation time (T2), and chemical shift (?) to form a multi-dimensional distribution. The method can further include: identifying peaks in the Langmuir pressure distribution; and associating a gas storage mechanism and capacity with each peak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Haijing Wang, Scott Jeffrey Seltzer, Boqin Sun
  • Publication number: 20160169820
    Abstract: A method for determining the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution is described. A model is first established for estimating the concentration of asphaltenes in a solution based on multiple samples of solutions of asphaltenes in the solvent in which the concentrations are known. The multiple samples have varying concentrations of asphaltenes. The diffusivity and relaxation time are measured for each sample using two-dimensional NMR. The ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time for each sample is then calculated. A linear equation is determined to fit the relationship between the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time and the asphaltene concentration by weight for the multiple samples, thus creating the model. For a given solution sample for which the concentration of asphaltenes is desired to be determined, diffusivity and relaxation time are determined using two-dimensional NMR, and the ratio of diffusivity to relaxation time is calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng Yang, Boqin Sun, Ajit Ramchandra Pradhan, Hussein Alboudwarej, Dengen Zhou
  • Patent number: 9291690
    Abstract: Molecular structures of organic molecules in a geological formation are determined. The organic molecules may include kerogen, coal, and/or other organic molecules. In particular, the technique implemented may operate to convert nuclear magnetic resonance data into a multi-dimensional space that permits identification of molecular structures through comparisons of intensity information across the multi-dimensional space with a cutoff map of the space. This may not only simplify the identification of molecular structures of the organic molecules, but also use exact mathematical model for mixture samples to derive both structural and dynamic parameters plus their variation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Oliver Wigand, Boqin Sun
  • Patent number: 9244188
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time cutoff between results for a bound-water index of rock and a free-fluid index of the rock is determined. The determination is made based on measured and predicted values for permeability and/or wettability over a set of core plugs. The determination does not require a nuclear magnetic resonance operation performed on the core plugs under irreducible water saturation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Boqin Sun, Emmanuel Toumelin
  • Publication number: 20140340082
    Abstract: A core sample holder assembly for performing a laboratory magnetic resonance measurement of a core sample taken from a hydrocarbon containing formation is provided. The assembly comprises a pressure chamber provided by a hull and one or more flanges are sealingly coupled with the hull. A flexible core sample holder sleeve is arranged within the pressure chamber and is sealingly coupled with at least one of the flanges. An overburden fluid injection port is in fluid communication with an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve and is configured to inject overburden fluid into an annular space between the hull and the flexible sleeve. A pressure regulator is configured to maintain the overburden fluid in the annular space at an elevated pressure. A radio-frequency antenna, within the pressure chamber and wrapped around the sample holder sleeve, is configured to receive an electromagnetic-signal from the core sample. In use, the core sample is arranged substantially within the sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Zheng YANG, Boqin SUN, John S. ZINTSMASTER, Gerald Latorraca, Ajit R. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 8818778
    Abstract: The present invention enables the use of a global optimization method for performing joint-inversion of multiple petrophysical data sets, using forward models based on first principle of physics, to generate a 3D rock representation of a subsurface rock structure. The resulting 3D rock representation captures the internal structure, and honors the measured petrophysical properties, of the subsurface rock structure. The 3D rock representation can then be used to predict additional properties not considered in the inversion, to further characterize the subsurface rock structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Rafael Salazar-Tio, Boqin Sun
  • Publication number: 20140035574
    Abstract: A nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation time cutoff between results for a bound-water index of rock and a free-fluid index of the rock is determined. The determination is made based on measured and predicted values for permeability and/or wettability over a set of core plugs. The determination does not require a nuclear magnetic resonance operation performed on the core plugs under irreducible water saturation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Boqin Sun, Emmanuel Toumelin