Patents by Inventor Donald L. Crawford
Donald L. Crawford 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: 9513400Abstract: An apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20150101866Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: Daniel F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8944162Abstract: An apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2007Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8789467Abstract: An explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8538701Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the conductivity of borehole fluid. Based on the fluid conductivity, the fluid type may also be identified. The apparatus and method can be useful in differentiating between native water and injected water in oil recovery operations. The apparatus and method presented can also be used to calibrate testing and production equipment allowing for more reliable and accurate measurements. The apparatus and method presented can further be used to better characterize water to oil ratio in reservoirs.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Sushovon S. Roy, Daniel F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8451137Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a first downhole tool and a second downhole tool. The first downhole tool includes a first controller operable to receive an actuation signal including a tone. The first controller actuates the first downhole tool if the tone is a first specified frequency and changes the first downhole tool to communicate the actuation signal to the second downhole tool if first downhole tool is not actuated in response to the actuation signal. A second downhole tool includes a second controller operable to receive the actuation signal. The second controller actuates the second downhole tool if the tone is a second specified frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2008Date of Patent: May 28, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Clovis S. Bonavides, Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8441370Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a first downhole tool and a second downhole tool. The first downhole tool includes a first controller operable to receive an actuation signal including a tone. The first controller actuates the first downhole tool if the tone is a first specified frequency and changes the first downhole tool to communicate the actuation signal to the second downhole tool if first downhole tool is not actuated in response to the actuation signal. A second downhole tool includes a second controller operable to receive the actuation signal. The second controller actuates the second downhole tool if the tone is a second specified frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2012Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventors: Clovis S. Bonavides, Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8424455Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2011Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford, II
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Publication number: 20130010572Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a first downhole tool and a second downhole tool. The first downhole tool includes a first controller operable to receive an actuation signal including a tone. The first controller actuates the first downhole tool if the tone is a first specified frequency and changes the first downhole tool to communicate the actuation signal to the second downhole tool if first downhole tool is not actuated in response to the actuation signal. A second downhole tool includes a second controller operable to receive the actuation signal. The second controller actuates the second downhole tool if the tone is a second specified frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2012Publication date: January 10, 2013Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Clovis S. Bonavides, Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20120103223Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 8113119Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2008Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 7980309Abstract: A system (100) for selective activation of explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) includes a surface controller (102), a downhole controller (106) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface controller over a first communication link (108) and a plurality of downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller (106) over a second communication link (112). One or more sensors (162) are operably associated with the downhole controller (106) and one of the explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) is operably associated with each of the downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) such that, responsive to a detonation event, the sensors (162) detect the intensity level of the detonation which is communicated from the downhole controller (106) to the surface control (102) over the first communication link (108).Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20100085210Abstract: A downhole tool system includes a first downhole tool and a second downhole tool. The first downhole tool includes a first controller operable to receive an actuation signal including a tone. The first controller actuates the first downhole tool if the tone is a first specified frequency and changes the first downhole tool to communicate the actuation signal to the second downhole tool if first downhole tool is not actuated in response to the actuation signal. A second downhole tool includes a second controller operable to receive the actuation signal. The second controller actuates the second downhole tool if the tone is a second specified frequency. The second frequency is different from the first frequency.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2008Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: Clovis S. Bonavides, Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20100059283Abstract: In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a radiation source to output radiation after power is supplied. The apparatus also includes a power source to supply power. The apparatus includes an ambient-activated switch electrically coupled between the radiation source and the power source. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to an open position while a value for an ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at an ambient level for a surface of the Earth. The ambient-activated switch is to switch to a closed position while the value for the ambient characteristic for the ambient-activated switch is at a downhole ambient level, wherein the ambient-activated switch is to electrically couple the power source to the radiation source while in the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2007Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: HALLIBURTION ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventors: Daniel F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20100063738Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the conductivity of borehole fluid. Based on the fluid conductivity, the fluid type may also be identified. The apparatus and method can be useful in differentiating between native water and injected water in oil recovery operations. The apparatus and method presented can also be used to calibrate testing and production equipment allowing for more reliable and accurate measurements. The apparatus and method presented can further be used to better characterize water to oil ratio in reservoirs.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2007Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES,K INCInventors: Sushovon S. Roy, Daneil F. Dorffer, Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20100005992Abstract: An explosive tool is disclosed. The explosive tool comprises a body structure, a charge, a detonator to ignite the charge via propagation of thermal energy, a pressure actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to a surface pressure and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the pressure actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined pressure threshold, and a temperature actuated safety to prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to a surface temperature and to not prevent propagation of sufficient thermal energy to ignite the charge when the temperature actuated safety is subjected to at least a predefined temperature threshold. The charge, the detonator, the pressure actuated safety, and the temperature actuated safety are contained within the body structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2008Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Publication number: 20090272529Abstract: A system (100) for selective activation of explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) includes a surface controller (102), a downhole controller (106) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the surface controller over a first communication link (108) and a plurality of downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) operable to communicate bidirectionally with the downhole controller (106) over a second communication link (112). One or more sensors (162) are operably associated with the downhole controller (106) and one of the explosive devices (126, 128, 130, 132) is operably associated with each of the downhole remote units (114, 116, 118, 120) such that, responsive to a detonation event, the sensors (162) detect the intensity level of the detonation which is communicated from the downhole controller (106) to the surface control (102) over the first communication link (108).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.Inventor: Donald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 6348639Abstract: Methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2000Date of Patent: February 19, 2002Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Crawford, Todd O. Stevens, Ronald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 6334954Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2000Date of Patent: January 1, 2002Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Crawford, Todd O. Stevens, Ronald L. Crawford
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Patent number: 6084150Abstract: Novel methods for biodegrading nitroaromatic compounds present as contaminants in soil or water using microorganisms are disclosed. Water is treatable directly; dry soil is first converted into a fluid medium by addition of water. The preferred method comprises two stages, each employing microorganisms: a fermentative stage, followed by an anaerobic stage. The fermentative stage is rapid, wherein an inoculum of aerobic and/or facultative microorganisms ferments a carbohydrate added to the fluid medium, exhausting the oxygen in the fluid medium and thereby inhibiting oxidative polymerization of amino by-products of the nitroaromatics. In the subsequent anaerobic stage, an inoculum of a mixed population of anaerobic microorganisms completes the mineralization of the contaminant nitroaromatics, using the remaining carbohydrate as a carbon and energy source.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: Idaho Research Foundation, Inc.Inventors: Donald L. Crawford, Todd O. Stevens, Ronald L. Crawford