Patents by Inventor David A. Kirk

David A. Kirk 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: 10113418
    Abstract: A method for configuring transmission signals is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from a downhole tool in a wellbore. The signal may include a telemetry portion and a noise portion. The method also includes reproducing the telemetry portion based at least partially on the signal. Further, the method includes subtracting the telemetry portion from the signal. The method includes estimating, based at least partially on the subtraction, the noise portion of the signal. The method also includes altering a transmission configuration of the downhole tool based at least partially on the noise portion of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julius Kusuma, Arnaud Jarrot, Adeel Mukhtar, Liang Sun, Robert W. Tennent, David Kirk Conn, Luis Eduardo DePavia
  • Publication number: 20180306943
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 10053919
    Abstract: A fluidic modulator in accordance to an aspect includes a body forming a flow aperture between an inlet and an outlet, the flow aperture providing a constriction to a fluid flowing axially from the inlet to the outlet, and a moveable element having a shaft portion disposed through the body and a tip end selectively positionable in the flow aperture to alter the flow aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stuart Alan Kolbe, Jonathan James, Christopher Paul Reed, David Kirk Conn
  • Patent number: 10012755
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Publication number: 20180024267
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Publication number: 20180003044
    Abstract: A method for configuring transmission signals is disclosed. The method includes receiving a signal from a downhole tool in a wellbore. The signal may include a telemetry portion and a noise portion. The method also includes reproducing the telemetry portion based at least partially on the signal. Further, the method includes subtracting the telemetry portion from the signal. The method includes estimating, based at least partially on the subtraction, the noise portion of the signal. The method also includes altering a transmission configuration of the downhole tool based at least partially on the noise portion of the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Julius Kusuma, Arnaud Jarrot, Adeel Mukhtar, Liang Sun, Robert W. Tennent, David Kirk Conn, Luis Eduardo DePavia
  • Patent number: 9835025
    Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Reed, Steven Hough, John Rasmus, David Kirk Conn, Brian Oliver Clark
  • Patent number: 9804289
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 9682791
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a compartment container that includes one or more secondary reservoir package(s). More specifically, the present invention relates to a tubular containers, such as containers made of composite material (e.g. paperboard) with end caps for packaging refrigerated dough products. The tubular containers house one or more reservoir package(s) that are formed from one or more flexible materials (e.g. polymeric films) and are used to retain condiments, fruits, icings, spices, nuts, candies or any other ancillary ingredient(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew W. Lorence, David A. Kirk, Scott Kackman, Diane Phillips
  • Publication number: 20170122041
    Abstract: A saver sub includes a hollow, tubular body having an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is coupled to a kelly or a top drive, and the lower portion is coupled to a drill string. An insulation layer is positioned between the upper portion and the lower portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Luis Eduardo DePavia, David Kirk Conn
  • Patent number: 9607407
    Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include performing difference transformation of image samples. In addition, the method can also include performing length selection. Furthermore; the method can include performing packing that includes utilizing varying sized bit fields to produce a compressed representation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Dunaisky, David Kirk McAllister, William Craig McKnight
  • Publication number: 20170075025
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 9581576
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for testing gaseous samples for concentrations of specific chemicals. An apparatus has two sensing assemblies for testing for hydrogen sulfide concentrations in gaseous samples. A first assembly is disposed to expose a first side of a sensing tape to a first stream of a gaseous sample. A second assembly is disposed to expose a second side of the same sensing tape to a second stream of another gaseous sample. Both assemblies detect and analyze the hydrogen sulfide concentrations of their respective gaseous samples by way of their respective sides of the sensing tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Inventors: Randy Clarke, David Kirk, Larry Siebold, Ryan Jahn
  • Patent number: 9541667
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: United Parcel Service of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Patent number: 9530189
    Abstract: A method for compressing framebuffer data is presented. The method includes determining a reduction ratio for framebuffer data in a tile including multiple samples. The reduction ratio determined is independent of the sampling mode, where the sampling mode is the number of samples within each pixel in the tile. The method further includes comparing a first portion of the framebuffer data for each of the multiple samples to determine an equality comparison result and also comparing a second portion of the framebuffer data for each one of the multiple samples to compute per-channel differences for each one of the multiple samples and testing the per-channel differences against a threshold value to determine a threshold comparison result. Finally, the method comprises compressing the framebuffer data for the tile based on the reduction ratio, the equality comparison result and the threshold comparison result to produce output framebuffer data for the tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Dunaisky, David Kirk McAllister, Steven E. Molnar, Narayan Kulshrestha, Rui Bastos, Joseph Detmer, William Craig McKnight
  • Publication number: 20160356914
    Abstract: Systems and methods for scanning an item utilizing an X-ray scanner in order to facilitate a determination of whether the X-ray radiation penetrated through the entirety of the scanned item. Various embodiments comprise a conveying mechanism, an X-ray emitter, a detector, and an X-ray penetration grid (XPG). The XPG may comprise a radiopaque grid that may serve as a reference for determining whether radiation passes through the scanned item, the grid oriented such that the grid members are neither parallel nor perpendicular to the direction of travel. Such orientation may minimize or eliminate “ghosted” radiation signals included in a visual display of the radiation received by the detector. A scanned item may be oriented with the XPG such that radiation emitted by the X-ray emitter that passes through a portion of the scanned item must also pass through the XPG before being received by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Wendie Patricia Hayler, Mark Rutherford, Marcus A. Jones, Anthony David Kirk, Gilbert Walter Vanorder, III, Roy Douglas Hudson, Paul Mason, James Termini
  • Publication number: 20160278719
    Abstract: Cone-beam computer tomography systems, devices, and methods for image acquisition of large target volumes using partial scans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: David Kirk JENSEN, Reto W. FILIBERTI, Markus OELHAFEN, Aime Pascal Laurence PAYSAN
  • Publication number: 20160237811
    Abstract: A system for drilling a subterranean wellbore includes a bottom hole assembly (BHA) coupled to a downhole end of a drill string. The BHA includes an electronic controller having a processor. The drill string includes downhole and uphole portions with the downhole portion made up of wired drill pipe and the uphole portion made up of non-wired drill pipe. The downhole portion further includes at least one downhole tool or sensor sub in communication with the BHA via the wired drill pipe communication link. Methods for making sensor measurements, downlinking data and/or commands to the BHA, and actuating a downhole tool make use of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Paul Reed, Steven Hough, John Rasmus, David Kirk Conn, Brian Oliver Clark
  • Patent number: 9406149
    Abstract: A system and method are described for compressing image data using a combination of compression methods. Compression method combinations are provided to compress image data of a particular frame buffer format and antialiasing mode. Each method in the compression method combination is tried in turn to compress the image data in a tile. The best method that succeeded in compressing the image data is encoded in the compression bit state associated with the tile. Together, the compression bits, the compression method combination, and the frame buffer format provide sufficient information to decompress a tile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: NVIDIA Corporation
    Inventors: David Kirk McAllister, Narayan Kulshrestha, Steven E. Molnar
  • Patent number: 9342503
    Abstract: Proper nouns may be correlated across languages by identifying a proper noun term in a first language and identifying a translation associated with the proper noun term, when available. A determination may be made as to whether one or more data stores associates the proper noun term with the translation, and the translation may be correlated with the proper noun term based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David Kirk Evans, Dong Yang