Patents by Inventor David R. Beard

David R. Beard 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: 11442193
    Abstract: A downhole tool may comprise a tool body that is a structural support for the downhole tool, an upper arm attached at one end to the tool body, a pad attached at an opposite end of the upper arm, a lower arm attached at one end to a sliding block and attached to the pad at an opposite end of the lower arm, and a passive arm connected to the lower arm and the tool body. A method may comprise disposing a downhole tool into a borehole, applying a force to a passive arm, applying a second force from the passive arm to the lower arm in response to the force applied to the passive arm, and moving the lower arm and the passive arm in a longitudinal direction along an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 11415534
    Abstract: A method and system for interspersing different wait times in trainlet and partial recovery sequences is provided. The method includes introducing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method also includes applying an NMR pulse sequence to the subterranean formation using the NMR tool, in which the NMR pulse sequence includes at least two different wait times interspersed between successive sequences of radio frequency (RF) pulses. The method also includes measuring one or more echo signals corresponding to a substance in the subterranean formation based on the applied NMR pulse sequence. The method also includes determining a distribution of a characteristic of the substance based on the measured one or more echo signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Yuesheng Cheng, David R. Beard, Arcady Reiderman, Songhua Chen
  • Publication number: 20220075088
    Abstract: A downhole tool may comprise a tool body that is a structural support for the downhole tool, an upper arm attached at one end to the tool body, a pad attached at an opposite end of the upper arm, a lower arm attached at one end to a sliding block and attached to the pad at an opposite end of the lower arm, and a passive arm connected to the lower arm and the tool body. A method may comprise disposing a downhole tool into a borehole, applying a force to a passive arm, applying a second force from the passive arm to the lower arm in response to the force applied to the passive arm, and moving the lower arm and the passive arm in a longitudinal direction along an axis of the downhole tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 10996365
    Abstract: A logging instrument for estimating a property of a formation is provided. The instrument includes a magnet to generate a magnetic field. The instrument also includes pulse sequencer circuitry that supplies radio frequency (RF) signals. The instrument additionally includes an antenna system configured to transmit the RF signals and to obtain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of the formation in response to the transmitted RF signals. In one aspect, the logging tool contains a temperature sensor configured to obtain temperature measurements of the magnet. The instrument additionally includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor, the antenna system and the pulse sequencer circuitry and configured to receive the temperature measurements and selectively adjust operating parameters of the pulse sequencer circuitry based on the received temperature measurements in order to maintain optimal intensity of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Arcady Reidermann, David R. Beard, Songhua Chen
  • Publication number: 20200355635
    Abstract: A method and system for interspersing different wait times in trainlet and partial recovery sequences is provided. The method includes introducing a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The method also includes applying an NMR pulse sequence to the subterranean formation using the NMR tool, in which the NMR pulse sequence includes at least two different wait times interspersed between successive sequences of radio frequency (RF) pulses. The method also includes measuring one or more echo signals corresponding to a substance in the subterranean formation based on the applied NMR pulse sequence. The method also includes determining a distribution of a characteristic of the substance based on the measured one or more echo signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Yuesheng Cheng, David R. Beard, Arcady Reiderman, Songhua Chen
  • Publication number: 20190049615
    Abstract: A logging instrument for estimating a property of a formation is provided. The instrument includes a magnet to generate a magnetic field. The instrument also includes pulse sequencer circuitry that supplies radio frequency (RF) signals. The instrument additionally includes an antenna system configured to transmit the RF signals and to obtain nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of the formation in response to the transmitted RF signals. In one aspect, the logging tool contains a temperature sensor configured to obtain temperature measurements of the magnet. The instrument additionally includes a control unit communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor, the antenna system and the pulse sequencer circuitry and configured to receive the temperature measurements and selectively adjust operating parameters of the pulse sequencer circuitry based on the received temperature measurements in order to maintain optimal intensity of the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: February 14, 2019
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lilong Li, Arcady Reidermann, David R. Beard, Songhua Chen
  • Patent number: 8862406
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for reducing current leakage between a measure electrode and a logging tool body during borehole investigations in an earth formation involving electric current and non-conductive drilling fluid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters disposed on a pad body, configured to inject an electric current into the earth formation, and coupled to the mandrel and one or more measure electrodes. The measure electrodes may be configured to receive current from the formation and coupled to a back plate of the pad body. The apparatus may be configured to maintain a selected ratio between pad body to logging tool body impedance and transmitters to logging tool body impedance sufficient to reduce current leakage between the earth formation and the logging tool body. The transmitter/mandrel and measure electrode/back plate may be electrically isolated from one another. The method may include using the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, David R. Beard, Fei Le
  • Patent number: 8669765
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation. An apparatus includes an elongated support member; a primary transmitter on the elongated support member; and a receiver toroid on the elongated support member, the receiver toroid being positioned transversely on the elongated support member and including a single coil antenna. Methods include positioning a logging tool in a borehole in the earth formation; using a transverse receiver toroid on an elongated support member on the logging tool, wherein the transverse receiver toroid includes a single coil antenna; and producing a signal responsive to an electrical signal produced by a primary transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard, Rashid W. Khokar
  • Patent number: 8547103
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties at multiple depths of investigation. The apparatus may include two or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The apparatus may include a controller configured to deliver an electrical signal to the two or more transmitters either simultaneously or sequentially. The controller may deliver an electrical signal to two or more transmitters at the same frequency for estimating depth of investigation. The apparatus may include one or more receivers responsive to electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies to provide data from one or more depths of investigation. The method may include steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 8427164
    Abstract: In aspects, an apparatus for use in a wellbore for determining a property of an earth formation is provided. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may include a tool body including a transmitter configured to induce electromagnetic waves in an earth formation, a receiver configured to provide signals responsive to the induced electromagnetic waves, a conductive member between the transmitter and the receiver extending radially from the tool body and configured to reduce propagation of eddy currents between the transmitter and the receiver when the tool body is in a wellbore and a processor configured to process the signals provided by the receiver to determine the property of the earth formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Sheng Fang, David R. Beard
  • Publication number: 20130013210
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods for reducing current leakage between a measure electrode and a logging tool body during borehole investigations in an earth formation involving electric current and non-conductive drilling fluid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters disposed on a pad body, configured to inject an electric current into the earth formation, and coupled to the mandrel and one or more measure electrodes. The measure electrodes may be configured to receive current from the formation and coupled to a back plate of the pad body. The apparatus may be configured to maintain a selected ratio between pad body to logging tool body impedance and transmitters to logging tool body impedance sufficient to reduce current leakage between the earth formation and the logging tool body. The transmitter/mandrel and measure electrode/back plate may be electrically isolated from one another. The method may include using the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 10, 2013
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Gregory B. Itskovich, David R. Beard, Fei Le
  • Publication number: 20120081121
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties at multiple depths of investigation. The apparatus may include two or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The apparatus may include a controller configured to deliver an electrical signal to the two or more transmitters either simultaneously or sequentially. The controller may deliver an electrical signal to two or more transmitters at the same frequency for estimating depth of investigation. The apparatus may include one or more receivers responsive to electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies to provide data from one or more depths of investigation. The method may include steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 8030938
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a subsurface material traversed by a borehole, the apparatus including an imaging pad deployed by a logging instrument, the pad including a plurality of measuring sets, each measuring set including a first current injector electrode, a second current injector electrode, a pair of sensor electrodes disposed between the first current injector electrode and the second current injector electrode, and an output for coupling to an electronics unit adapted for producing the imaging of the subsurface material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Alexandre N. Bespalov, David R. Beard, Randy Gold, Gregory B. Itskovich, Tsili Wang
  • Publication number: 20110221442
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for estimating a parameter of interest of an earth formation, particularly relating to borehole logging methods and apparatuses for estimating electrical resistivity properties using at least one transverse toroid. The apparatus may include one or more transmitters for introducing electrical current to the earth formation. The transverse toroid may detect responsive electric signals from the earth formation at one or more frequencies and provide data from one or more depths of investigation. Further multiple transverse toroids may be used for detecting electric signals from a larger azimuthal range than a single transverse toroid. The method includes steps for using the apparatus to obtain data that may be used to estimate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Hans-Martin Maurer, David R. Beard, Rashid W. Khokar
  • Publication number: 20110006775
    Abstract: In aspects, an apparatus for use in a wellbore for determining a property of an earth formation is provided. The apparatus, in one embodiment, may include a tool body including a transmitter configured to induce electromagnetic waves in an earth formation, a receiver configured to provide signals responsive to the induced electromagnetic waves, a conductive member between the transmitter and the receiver extending radially from the tool body and configured to reduce propagation of eddy currents between the transmitter and the receiver when the tool body is in a wellbore and a processor configured to process the signals provided by the receiver to determine the property of the earth formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2010
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sheng Fang, David R. Beard
  • Patent number: 7834622
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for measuring properties of a formation from a borehole, the magnet assembly including a first device and a second device, each device adapted for insertion into the borehole, the first device producing a first magnetic field, the second device producing a second magnetic field; wherein the second magnetic field is configurable for one of reinforcing and reducing the first magnetic field; and wherein the first device comprises a permanent magnet and the second device comprises at least one of one of a switchable magnet and switching windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, David R. Beard, Carl M. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20090243619
    Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a subsurface material traversed by a borehole, the apparatus including an imaging pad deployed by a logging instrument, the pad including a plurality of measuring sets, each measuring set including a first current injector electrode, a second current injector electrode, a pair of sensor electrodes disposed between the first current injector electrode and the second current injector electrode, and an output for coupling to an electronics unit adapted for producing the imaging of the subsurface material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Alexandre N. Bespalov, David R. Beard, Randy Gold, Gregory B. Itskovich, Tsili Wang
  • Publication number: 20090102478
    Abstract: A magnet assembly for measuring properties of a formation from a borehole, the magnet assembly including a first device and a second device, each device adapted for insertion into the borehole, the first device producing a first magnetic field, the second device producing a second magnetic field; wherein the second magnetic field is configurable for one of reinforcing and reducing the first magnetic field; and wherein the first device comprises a permanent magnet and the second device comprises at least one of one of a switchable magnet and switching windings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Arcady Reiderman, David R. Beard, Carl M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 7425827
    Abstract: The quality factor of a NMR-antenna depends upon mud conductivity, formation resistivity and the borehole size. The Q of the antenna is measured. From measurement of one of formation conductivity or borehole size, the other can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Songhua Chen, Carl M. Edwards, Thomas Kruspe, Martin Blanz, Holger F. Thern, David R. Beard
  • Publication number: 20070279063
    Abstract: A resistivity imaging tool determines formation resistivity by evaluating the resonant frequency and the quality factor of a resonant circuit associated with a current electrode. A planar coil electrode may be used to provide the necessary inductance and capacitance for the resonant circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: David R. Beard