Patents by Inventor David Merlau

David Merlau 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: 10082004
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing. A magnet, an inductor, and a piston are positioned within the housing. The piston moves from a first position to a second position in response to a pressure of a fluid in the housing increasing. A distance between the magnet and the inductor varies when the piston moves, thereby causing the inductor to generate power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Merlau, Edgar Jose Montiel
  • Publication number: 20160168958
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a housing. A magnet, an inductor, and a piston are positioned within the housing. The piston moves from a first position to a second position in response to a pressure of a fluid in the housing increasing. A distance between the magnet and the inductor varies when the piston moves, thereby causing the inductor to generate power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 16, 2016
    Inventors: David Merlau, Edgar Jose Montiel
  • Patent number: 9316076
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed. The problems of damage and failure of solenoid valves in high pressure high temperature environments and the problem of difficult repair of solenoid valves are addressed through reduction of the possibility of damage to the ball seat and/or seals and through a modular design to increase the ease of repair and adjustment in the event repair is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Longfield, Wei Wang, David Merlau, Brad Bailey, Sebastien Ives
  • Patent number: 8978757
    Abstract: A remote actuation tool equipped with an intermediate volumetric mechanism for enhanced tool durability in high pressure differential downhole environments. Valve segments of the tool are actuated by power available due to a pressure differential between atmospheric and hydrostatic chambers of the tool. Yet, the intermediate volumetric mechanism, whether in the form of a discrete chamber or a hydraulic line system, minimizes stresses of the differential pressure on tool hydraulics. Thus, failure rates are substantially reduced. So, for example, the tool may be reliably employed in downhole environments which present differential pressures in excess of about 30,000 PSI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Colin Longfield, David Merlau, Sebastian Ives, Brad Bailey, Belinda D. Manning
  • Publication number: 20130128697
    Abstract: A downhole communication system and method is presented for communicating between a downhole location within a wellbore and a surface location. The system preferably comprises a first and second telemetry module, a downhole tool, and an interface electrically connecting the downhole tool to the first and second telemetry modules. The first telemetry module is connected to a string and positioned downhole within the wellbore, and configured to receive communication signals via acoustic propagation or low frequency electromagnetic transmission. The second telemetry module is connected to the string and positioned downhole within the wellbore, and configured to receive communication signals via fluid pressure pulse commands. The downhole tool is operatively connected to the string. And the interface is adapted to selectively relay digital communication signals between the downhole tool and at least one of the first and second telemetry modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Erwann Lemenager, David Merlau, Amit Mohan
  • Publication number: 20120186825
    Abstract: A remote actuation tool equipped with an intermediate volumetric mechanism for enhanced tool durability in high pressure differential downhole environments. Valve segments of the tool are actuated by power available due to a pressure differential between atmospheric and hydrostatic chambers of the tool. Yet, the intermediate volumetric mechanism, whether in the form of a discrete chamber or a hydraulic line system, minimizes stresses of the differential pressure on tool hydraulics. Thus, failure rates are substantially reduced. So, for example, the tool may be reliably employed in downhole environments which present differential pressures in excess of about 30,000 PSI.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventors: Wei Wang, Colin Longfield, David Merlau, Sebastian Ives, Brad Bailey, Belinda D. Manning
  • Patent number: 7775273
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a tool string and a plurality of sensors, which include at least a first sensor to detect pressure signals in an inner conduit of the tool string and at least a second sensor to detect pressure signals in an annulus outside the tool string. A controller actuates a tool in the tool string in response to a logical combination of outputs from the sensors, where the outputs of the sensors are responsive to the respective pressure signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberber Technology Corporation
    Inventors: David Merlau, Lang Zhan, Dhandayuthapani Kannan, Jim B. Benton
  • Publication number: 20100018714
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in a wellbore includes a tool string and a plurality of sensors, which include at least a first sensor to detect pressure signals in an inner conduit of the tool string and at least a second sensor to detect pressure signals in an annulus outside the tool string. A controller actuates a tool in the tool string in response to a logical combination of outputs from the sensors, where the outputs of the sensors are responsive to the respective pressure signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2008
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Merlau, Lang Zhan, Dhandayuthapani Kannan, Jim B. Benton
  • Patent number: 6604584
    Abstract: A tool activating system includes a multiple control units coupled to activate devices in a tool string positioned in a well. A processor is capable of communicating with the control units to send commands to the control units as well as to retrieve information (such as unique identifiers and status) of the control units. Selective activation of the control units may be performed based on the retrieved information. Further, defective control units or devices may be bypassed or skipped over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nolan C. Lerche, David Merlau
  • Publication number: 20010040030
    Abstract: A tool activating system includes a multiple control units coupled to activate devices in a tool string positioned in a well. A processor is capable of communicating with the control units to send commands to the control units as well as to retrieve information (such as unique identifiers and status) of the control units. Selective activation of the control units may be performed based on the retrieved information. Further, defective control units or devices may be bypassed or skipped over.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: November 15, 2001
    Inventors: Nolan C. Lerche, David Merlau
  • Patent number: 6283227
    Abstract: A tool activating system includes multiple control units coupled to activate devices in a tool string positioned in a well. A processor is capable of communicating with the control units to send commands to the control units as well as to retrieve information (such as unique identifiers and status) of the control units. Selective activation of the control units may be performed based on the retrieved information. Further, defective control units or devices may be bypassed or skipped over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Nolan C. Lerche, David Merlau