Patents by Inventor David Labella

David Labella 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: 10557963
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are provided for downhole sensing using optical couplers in a downhole splitter assembly to split interrogating light signals into multiple optical sensing branches. Each optical branch may then be coupled to an optical sensor (e.g., a pass-through or an optical single-ended transducer (OSET)) or to another optical coupler for additional branching. The sensors may be pressure/temperature (P/T) type transducers. Some systems may exclusively use OSETs as the optical sensors. In this manner, if one of the OSETs is damaged, it does not affect light traveling to any of the other sensors, and sensing information from remaining sensors is still returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lagace, David LaBella, Domino Taverner
  • Patent number: 9841315
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using fiber optics with increased acoustic sensitivity are provided. Acoustic sensing of a wellbore, pipeline, or other conduit/tube based on DAS may have increased acoustic sensitivity through fiber optic cable design and/or increasing the Rayleigh backscatter property of a fiber's optical core. Some embodiments may utilize a resonant sensor mechanism with a high Q coupled to the DAS device for increased acoustic sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck, James R. Dunphy, Edward M. Dowd, David LaBella, Mark Baker, Andrew S. Kuczma, Francis X. Bostick, III
  • Patent number: 9465137
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are provided for downhole sensing using optical couplers in a downhole splitter assembly to split interrogating light signals into multiple optical sensing branches. Each optical branch may then be coupled to an optical sensor (e.g., a pass-through or an optical single-ended transducer (OSET)) or to another optical coupler for additional branching. The sensors may be pressure/temperature (P/T) type transducers. Some systems may exclusively use OSETs as the optical sensors. In this manner, if one of the OSETs is damaged, it does not affect light traveling to any of the other sensors, and sensing information from remaining sensors is still returned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Lagace, David Labella, Domino Taverner
  • Publication number: 20160252649
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are provided for downhole sensing using optical couplers in a downhole splitter assembly to split interrogating light signals into multiple optical sensing branches. Each optical branch may then be coupled to an optical sensor (e.g., a pass-through or an optical single-ended transducer (OSET)) or to another optical coupler for additional branching. The sensors may be pressure/temperature (P/T) type transducers. Some systems may exclusively use OSETs as the optical sensors. In this manner, if one of the OSETs is damaged, it does not affect light traveling to any of the other sensors, and sensing information from remaining sensors is still returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Michael LAGACE, David LABELLA, Domino TAVERNER
  • Patent number: 9255836
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using fiber optics with increased acoustic sensitivity are provided. Acoustic sensing of a wellbore, pipeline, or other conduit/tube based on DAS may have increased acoustic sensitivity through fiber optic cable design and/or increasing the Rayleigh backscatter property of a fiber's optical core. Some embodiments may utilize a resonant sensor mechanism with a high Q coupled to the DAS device for increased acoustic sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Assignee: WEATHERFORD TECHNOLOGY HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck, James R. Dunphy, Edward M. Dowd, Andrew S. Kuczma, Francis X. Bostick, III, David Labella, Mark Baker
  • Publication number: 20150160075
    Abstract: Large diameter optical waveguides (cane) may stiffen as diameter increases. The minimum bend radius may become larger than is practical for many applications. Standard-sized optical fibers may be fusion spliced to the ends of a cane segment where the fusion splice area is protected with a high temperature coating such as polyimide. The cane segment is then heated (e.g., using a hot flame torch or arc) and bent to form a U-bend, or other angle, that is free of bending stress. The heated glass may be shaped, while maintaining the waveguide properties of the cane. Once cooled, the cane maintains the new shape. Therefore, light may be propagated around the bend or angle. Thus, many configurations of cane devices may be fabricated. Some examples of cane configurations include coils, U-turns (U-bends), angled inputs/outputs, etc. Bent cane may be useful for loop-back operations, such as double-ended Raman distributed temperate sensing (DTS).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Inventors: Domino TAVERNER, Edward M. DOWD, David LABELLA
  • Publication number: 20140339411
    Abstract: Techniques and apparatus are provided for downhole sensing using optical couplers in a downhole splitter assembly to split interrogating light signals into multiple optical sensing branches. Each optical branch may then be coupled to an optical sensor (e.g., a pass-through or an optical single-ended transducer (OSET)) or to another optical coupler for additional branching. The sensors may be pressure/temperature (P/T) type transducers. Some systems may exclusively use OSETs as the optical sensors. In this manner, if one of the OSETs is damaged, it does not affect light traveling to any of the other sensors, and sensing information from remaining sensors is still returned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Michael LAGACE, David LABELLA, Domino TAVERNER
  • Publication number: 20120111104
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) using fiber optics with increased acoustic sensitivity are provided. Acoustic sensing of a wellbore, pipeline, or other conduit/tube based on DAS may have increased acoustic sensitivity through fiber optic cable design and/or increasing the Rayleigh backscatter property of a fiber's optical core. Some embodiments may utilize a resonant sensor mechanism with a high Q coupled to the DAS device for increased acoustic sensitivity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Domino Taverner, John J. Grunbeck, James R. Dunphy, Edward M. Dowd, Andrew S. Kuczma, Francis X. Bostick, III, David Labella, Mark Baker