Patents by Inventor Charles M. Franklin

Charles M. Franklin 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: 10301930
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pressure system. The method includes receiving pressure data of the pressure system after shut-in of the pressure system, determining a pressure slope based on the pressure data, entering a passing state in response to the slope being less than a predetermined slope threshold, exiting the passing state in response to the slope being greater than the predetermined slope threshold, and generating a passing indication as a result of remaining in the passing state for at least a predetermined time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Franklin, Richard A. Cully
  • Patent number: 10161243
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pressure system. The method including receiving pressure data of the pressure system after shut-in of the pressure system, determining a pressure slope and a pressure curvature based on the pressure data, and generating a failing indication as a result of the pressure slope being above a predetermined threshold and the pressure curvature indicating that the slope is constant or increasing in absolute value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Franklin, Richard A. Cully
  • Patent number: 10031042
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a result of a benchmark leak detection test for a pressure system and determining whether the result indicates that a leak is present in the pressure system. In response to the result of the benchmark leak detection test indicating that a leak is not present in the pressure system, the method includes performing a subsequent leak detection test for the pressure system, comparing a result of the subsequent leak detection test to the result of the benchmark leak detection test, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the subsequent leak detection test indicates that a leak is not present in the pressure system. A time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the comparison is less than a time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the benchmark leak detection test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 10024752
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a result of a benchmark leak detection test for a pressure system and determining whether the result indicates that a leak is present in the pressure system. In response to the result of the benchmark leak detection test indicating that a leak is not present in the pressure system, the method includes performing a subsequent leak detection test for the pressure system, comparing a result of the subsequent leak detection test to the result of the benchmark leak detection test, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the subsequent leak detection test indicates that a leak is not present in the pressure system. A time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the comparison is less than a time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the benchmark leak detection test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20170205309
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a result of a benchmark leak detection test for a pressure system and determining whether the result indicates that a leak is present in the pressure system. In response to the result of the benchmark leak detection test indicating that a leak is not present in the pressure system, the method includes performing a subsequent leak detection test for the pressure system, comparing a result of the subsequent leak detection test to the result of the benchmark leak detection test, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the subsequent leak detection test indicates that a leak is not present in the pressure system. A time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the comparison is less than a time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the benchmark leak detection test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. FRANKLIN
  • Publication number: 20160363500
    Abstract: A system includes a memory and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor receives a description of a pressure system, including a plurality of components to be tested, where each component has a required test pressure. The processor generates a first test sequence that tests the required test pressure of each of the plurality of components, where the first test sequence includes a first number of steps. The processor also iteratively generates a second test sequence that tests the required test pressure of each of the plurality of components, where the second test sequence comprises a second number of steps. The processor stores a representation of at least one of the first test sequence and the second test sequence in the memory, and the second number of steps is less than the first number of steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Applicant: Innovative Pressure Testing, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. FRANKLIN, Richard A. CULLY
  • Patent number: 9518461
    Abstract: A method for determining integrity of a wellbore. The method includes underbalancing a volume of fluid in the wellbore, receiving pressure data of the wellbore after shut-in of the wellbore, determining a pressure curvature based on the pressure data, and generating a failing indication as a result of the pressure curvature indicating that the slope is constant or increasing in absolute value. The failing indication indicates fluid communication across a wellbore boundary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Franklin, Richard A. Cully
  • Publication number: 20150354346
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pressure system. The method includes receiving pressure data of the pressure system after shut-in of the pressure system, determining a pressure slope based on the pressure data, entering a passing state in response to the slope being less than a predetermined slope threshold, exiting the passing state in response to the slope being greater than the predetermined slope threshold, and generating a passing indication as a result of remaining in the passing state for at least a predetermined time period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. FRANKLIN, Richard A. CULLY
  • Publication number: 20150354347
    Abstract: A method for determining the presence of a leak in a pressure system. The method including receiving pressure data of the pressure system after shut-in of the pressure system, determining a pressure slope and a pressure curvature based on the pressure data, and generating a failing indication as a result of the pressure slope being above a predetermined threshold and the pressure curvature indicating that the slope is constant or increasing in absolute value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. FRANKLIN, Richard A. CULLY
  • Patent number: 9207143
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a pressure system that requires leak and/or pressure testing. A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure system senses a first pressure at time t0, after which fluid pumping system provides a selected volume of test fluid to the pressure system. The pressure sensor senses a test pressure at time t1 and at selected intervals ‘n’ to time t(n+1) and transmits a signal reflective of the pressures at each time to a computer system for recording and storage on a computer readable medium. A software application operating on the computer system is configured to calculate a leak detection value, which is a function of a ratio of the first pressure at time t0 and the test pressure at time t1; the test pressure at time t1 and the test pressure at time t2; and so on to a test pressure at the timen and the test pressure at the time t(n+1). A graphical output displays the leak detection value as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Innovative Pressure Testing, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. Franklin, Richard A. Cully
  • Publication number: 20150128693
    Abstract: A method for determining integrity of a wellbore. The method includes underbalancing a volume of fluid in the wellbore, receiving pressure data of the wellbore after shut-in of the wellbore, determining a pressure curvature based on the pressure data, and generating a failing indication as a result of the pressure curvature indicating that the slope is constant or increasing in absolute value. The failing indication indicates fluid communication across a wellbore boundary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventors: Charles M. FRANKLIN, Richard A. CULLY
  • Publication number: 20140288858
    Abstract: A method includes receiving a result of a benchmark leak detection test for a pressure system and determining whether the result indicates that a leak is present in the pressure system. In response to the result of the benchmark leak detection test indicating that a leak is not present in the pressure system, the method includes performing a subsequent leak detection test for the pressure system, comparing a result of the subsequent leak detection test to the result of the benchmark leak detection test, and determining, based on the comparison, whether the subsequent leak detection test indicates that a leak is not present in the pressure system. A time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the comparison is less than a time to determine whether a leak is not present based on the benchmark leak detection test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: INNOVATIVE PRESSURE TESTING, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. FRANKLIN
  • Patent number: 8756022
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a pressure system that requires leak and/or pressure testing. A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure system senses a first pressure at time0, after which fluid pumping system provides a selected volume of test fluid to the pressure system. The pressure sensor senses a test pressure at time1 and at selected intervals ‘n’ to time(n+1) and transmits a signal reflect of the pressures at each time to a general purpose computer for recording and storage on a computer readable medium. An operating program is configured to calculate a leak detection value, which is a function of a ratio of the first pressure at time0 and the test pressure at time1; the test pressure at time1 and the test pressure at time2; and so on to a test pressure at the time and the test pressure at the time(n?1). A graphical output is configured to display the leak detection value as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Innovative Pressure Testing, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 8380448
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a pressure system that requires leak and/or pressure testing. A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure system senses a first pressure at time0, after which fluid pumping system provides a selected volume of test fluid to the pressure system. The pressure sensor senses a test pressure at time1 and at selected intervals ‘n’ to time(n+1) and transmits a signal reflect of the pressures at each time to a general purpose computer for recording and storage on a computer readable medium. An operating program is configured to calculate a leak detection value, which is a function of a ratio of the first pressure at time0 and the test pressure at time1; the test pressure at time1 and the test pressure at time2; and so on to a test pressure at the timen and the test pressure at the time(n+1). A graphical output is configured to display the leak detection value as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Innovative Pressure Testing, LLC
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin
  • Publication number: 20120150455
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a coupled to a pressure system to sense a first pressure at time t0. A fluid pumping system then provides a selected volume of test fluid to the pressure system. The sensor senses a test pressure at time t1 and at selected intervals ‘n’ to time t(n+1) and transmits a signal reflect of the pressures at each time to a computer. The computer system is configured to calculate a leak detection value, which is a function of a ratio of the first pressure at time t0 and the test pressure at time t1; the test pressure at time t1 and the test pressure at time t2; and so on, to a test pressure at the timen and the test pressure at the time t(n+1). A graphical output is displays the leak detection value as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Charles M. FRANKLIN, Richard A. CULLY
  • Publication number: 20110046903
    Abstract: A leak detection system includes a pressure system that requires leak and/or pressure testing. A pressure sensor coupled to the pressure system senses a first pressure at time0, after which fluid pumping system provides a selected volume of test fluid to the pressure system. The pressure sensor senses a test pressure at time1 and at selected intervals ‘n’ to time(n+1) and transmits a signal reflect of the pressures at each time to a general purpose computer for recording and storage on a computer readable medium. An operating program is configured to calculate a leak detection value, which is a function of a ratio of the first pressure at time0 and the test pressure at time1; the test pressure at time1 and the test pressure at time2; and so on to a test pressure at the timen and the test pressure at the time(n+1). A graphical output is configured to display the leak detection value as a function of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 7401654
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for testing a blowout preventer (BOP) by: using a drillpipe to install a test plug into one end of the throughbore of a (BOP); using a valve in the BOP to isolate the opposite end of the throughbore of the BOP, using piping to connect the output of a cementing unit to the throughbore of the BOP; using the cementing unit to increase the pressure in the throughbore of the BOP to a predetermined level; displaying the pressure in the piping as a function of time; and displaying the pressure in the piping as a function of time for the same blowout preventer system at an earlier time when leakage was deemed to be within predetermined acceptable limits. The pressure decline caused by a leak can be detected reliably and efficiently with high-resolution pressure data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Franklin