Patents by Inventor David A. Helms
David A. Helms 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).
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Patent number: 5625293Abstract: The watercut of fluid in a mulitphase flow is measured. Microwave energy in the 10 Ghz range is transmitted through a test call having flow passing therein through a known geometry. Attenuation and phase shift of the microwave energy is measured and used to derive the wave number of the microwaves in the unknown fluid. The water fraction of the unknown fluid is then determined from the wave number and the known geometry of the test all using Hannai's equation.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 1995Date of Patent: April 29, 1997Inventors: John D. Marrelli, Joseph D. Stafford, David A. Helms, Michael G. Durrett, Gregory J. Hatton
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Patent number: 5483171Abstract: A great many small volume samples are taken, at a high rate of frequency, from a multi-phase fluid stream to determine the respective oil, water and gas fractions. Rapid fluctuations from an all liquid curve will indicate the presence of gas in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1994Date of Patent: January 9, 1996Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms, John D. Marrelli
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Patent number: 5473256Abstract: A waveguide and pressure barrier for use with devices for measuring fluid parameters of fluids passing in a pipe under high temperature and pressure conditions and utilizing microwave energy for making the measurements, the device including a pair of substantially identical members adapted to be mounted in spaced opposition on the pipe. Each member has an axial bore with a transverse bore for receiving a microwave antenna. The axial bore is substantially filled with a ceramic glass material providing the pressure and temperature barrier.Type: GrantFiled: September 7, 1994Date of Patent: December 5, 1995Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Joseph D. Stafford, Gregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms
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Patent number: 5412326Abstract: The means and method of the present invention includes a source of microwave energy and associated elements which provide microwave energy to a petroleum stream. Other circuitry include elements which receive microwave energy from the petroleum stream. Electronic apparatus provides at least one outputs utilizing the provided microwave energy, the received microwave energy and known values for 100 percent oil, 100 percent gas and 100 percent water, corresponding to a ratio of gas to liquid. From the readings of attenuation and phase shift, an estimate of the proportions in the mix is extracted by interpolation.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 1993Date of Patent: May 2, 1995Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: John D. Marrelli, Michael G. Durrett, David A. Helms, Lisa L. Pepin, Gregory J. Hatton
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Patent number: 5315117Abstract: A system determines the relative amounts of phases in multiphase flow, typically the liquid (or gas) fraction of a stream in two-phase flow. More particularly, the system quickly and reliably determines the liquid (or gas) fraction of a flowing two-phase stream, such as a process stream commonly found in chemical processing or in petroleum production operations. The system yields accurate results regardless of the exact flow regime under which the two-phase stream is flowing.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 1993Date of Patent: May 24, 1994Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms, Michael G. Durrett
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Patent number: 5014010Abstract: A dual frequency microwave water cut monitor includes a microwave source which provides microwave energies at two different frequencies to a circulator which in turn provides the microwave energies to an antenna. The antenna provides the microwave energies to a petroleum stream and also receives reflected microwave energy back from the stream. The reflected microwave energy is provided by the antenna to the circulator which in turn provides the reflected microwave energies as test microwave energies. A detector assembly connected to the circulator detects the intensities of the test microwave energies and provides a corresponding intensity signal. Indicator apparatus connected to the circulator to the microwave source and to the detector assembly provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the intensity signal and the phase difference between one of the source provided microwave energies and its corresponding test microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1989Date of Patent: May 7, 1991Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: David A. Helms, Michael G. Durrett, Gregory J. Hatton
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Patent number: 4977377Abstract: A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. The test cell is maintained at a predetermined temperature. A source provides microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which provides the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the source provided microwave energy and the received microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 1989Date of Patent: December 11, 1990Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Michael G. Durrett, David A. Helms, Gregory J. Hatton, Earl L. Dowty, John D. Marrelli, Joseph D. Stafford, David J. Stavish
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Patent number: 4947129Abstract: The petroleum stream watercut monitor includes a test cell having a petroleum stream flowing through it. A microwave transmitter provides microwave energy through an antenna through an isolator. The antenna irradiates the test cell with the microwave energy so that the microwave energy enters the test cell and is reflected from the petroleum stream back to the antenna. A circulator connected to the isolator connects the transmitter to the isolator means and provides microwave energy to the antenna through the isolator and receives from the antenna again through the isolator the reflected microwave energy. An indicator provides an indication of the watercut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the test microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 1988Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: David A. Helms, John D. Marrelli
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Patent number: 4947127Abstract: A petroleum stream microwave water cut monitor includes test cell means which contains a reference petroleum multiphase fluid sample and which has a sample stream of a petroleum stream passing through it. A source transmits microwave energy to one of a first pair of antennae which irradiates the petroleum stream flowing in the test cell or the reference sample in the test cell with microwave energy. One of a second pair of antennae receives the microwave energy that has passed through either the petroleum stream or the reference sample. A detector detects the received microwave energy and provides a signal corresponding thereto. An indicator provides an indication of the water cut of the petroleum stream in accordance with the received signal power and a phase difference between the transmitted microwave energy and the received microwave energy.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1989Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: David A. Helms, Gregory J. Hatton, Michael G. Durrett, Earl L. Dowty, John D. Marrelli
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Patent number: 4947128Abstract: A co-variance microwave water cut monitor includes a test cell having a petroleum stress flowing through it while permitting the microwave energy to enter the test cell. A microwave source provides microwave energy to a circulator which in turn provides the microwave energy to an antenna. The antenna provides the petroleum stream in the test cell with the microwave energy and receives reflected microwave energy back from the stream. The reflected microwave energy is provided by the antenna to the circulator which in turn provides the reflected microwave energy as test microwave energy. A detector assembly connected to the circulator detects the intensity of the test microwave energy and provides a corresponding intensity signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1989Date of Patent: August 7, 1990Assignee: Texaco IJN IncInventors: Gregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms, Michael G. Durrett, John D. Marrelli, Joseph D. Stafford
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Patent number: 4660414Abstract: Apparatus and method for monitoring a petroleum stream includes stratifying the petroleum stream into substantially liquid and gas streams. Predetermined parameters of the stratified petroleum stream are sensed and signals are provided accordingly. A sample of the liquid stream of the stratified petroleum stream is taken and parameters of the sample stream are also sensed with representative signals provided by sensors. Circuitry provides signals representative of the water faction, the gas faction, and the oil faction of the petroleum stream in accordance with the signals from all of the sensors.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 1985Date of Patent: April 28, 1987Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Gregory J. Hatton, David A. Helms, Thomas M. Williams
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Patent number: 4499418Abstract: A water cut monitor includes a microwave transmitter which transmits microwave energy through a fluid mixture containing water. An indicator connected to the microwave transmitter and receiving the microwave energy transmitted through the emulsion provides an indication of the water fraction of the fluid mixture in accordance with the phase difference between the microwave energy from the transmitter means and the microwave energy transmitted through the fluid mixture.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 1982Date of Patent: February 12, 1985Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: David A. Helms, Gregory J. Hatton, Thomas M. Williams