Patents by Inventor Edwin K. Roberts

Edwin K. Roberts 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: 10358905
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring parameters of a borehole using an acoustic logging system. By transmitting a high frequency acoustic signal essentially perpendicular to the major axis of a borehole casing using a transducer, the high frequency acoustic signal may produce one or more acoustic echoes. By receiving and analyzing a first acoustic echo from an inner wall of the borehole casing and at least one second acoustic echo from a back wall of the borehole casing, borehole parameters such as the impedance of the casing cement and the thickness of thicker borehole casings, up to and greater than 1 inch, may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 10174604
    Abstract: Methods and systems for logging a wellbore having a casing are described. Acoustic energy, typically ultrasonic acoustic energy, is used to stimulate reverberation of the casing at a harmonic (for example, the second or third harmonic) of the resonance frequency of the casing. One or more acoustic sensors are used to measure acoustic signals generated by the casing reverberation. Parameters of the casing are calculated based on the measured acoustic signals adjusted by an adjustment factor determined by the particular harmonic. The use of harmonics instead of the fundamental resonance frequency allows wellbores with casings having walls thicker than 0.625 inches to be logged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: Weatherford Technology Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20170342817
    Abstract: Methods and systems for logging a wellbore having a casing are described. Acoustic energy, typically ultrasonic acoustic energy, is used to stimulate reverberation of the casing at a harmonic (for example, the second or third harmonic) of the resonance frequency of the casing. One or more acoustic sensors are used to measure acoustic signals generated by the casing reverberation. Parameters of the casing are calculated based on the measured acoustic signals adjusted by an adjustment factor determined by the particular harmonic. The use of harmonics instead of the fundamental resonance frequency allows wellbores with casings having walls thicker than 0.625 inches to be logged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2016
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Publication number: 20150198030
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring parameters of a borehole using an acoustic logging system. By transmitting a high frequency acoustic signal essentially perpendicular to the major axis of a borehole casing using a transducer, the high frequency acoustic signal may produce one or more acoustic echoes. By receiving and analyzing a first acoustic echo from an inner wall of the borehole casing and at least one second acoustic echo from a back wall of the borehole casing, borehole parameters such as the impedance of the casing cement and the thickness of thicker borehole casings, up to and greater than 1 inch, may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Edwin K. Roberts, Thomas J. Blankinship
  • Patent number: 8824240
    Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner tool employs a transducer that excites a target plate at a known distance from the transducer. One side of the target plate forms a chamber that in operation is filled with wellbore fluid. On the other side of the target plate, a chamber is formed containing a vacuum or a fluid with a significantly lower acoustic impedance than the wellbore fluid and the target plate, allowing an improved measurement of the acoustic impedance of the wellbore fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin K. Roberts, Lucio Nelson Tello
  • Publication number: 20130058193
    Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner tool employs a transducer that excites a target plate at a known distance from the transducer. One side of the target plate forms a chamber that in operation is filled with wellbore fluid. On the other side of the target plate, a chamber is formed containing a vacuum or a fluid with a significantly lower acoustic impedance than the wellbore fluid and the target plate, allowing an improved measurement of the acoustic impedance of the wellbore fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: WEATHERFORD/LAMB, INC.
    Inventors: Edwin K. Roberts, Lucio Nelson Tello
  • Patent number: 7471591
    Abstract: An acoustic logging system with a borehole tool comprising a transmitter assembly and an axially spaced receiver assembly. The transmitter and receiver assemblies are optionally rotatable with respect to each other, depending upon the embodiment of the logging system. The logging system is designed to measure, among other parameters, the velocity (or slowness) and amplitude of shear wave energy induced by the transmitter assembly within formation penetrated by the borehole. These parameters are extracted from full wave acoustic data responses of receiver elements comprising the receiver assembly, and are measured as a function of azimuth around the borehole. These parameters are subsequently used to determine anisotropic properties of the formation, such as the azimuthal direction of formation fracturing with respect to the well borehole. Optional rotation of the transmitter and receiver assemblies minimizes adverse effects of maintaining calibration and balance of multiple transmitters and receivers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Precision Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucio N. Tello, Thomas J. Blankinship, Edwin K. Roberts, Marek Kozak
  • Patent number: 5728978
    Abstract: An acoustic well logging tool is shown having a transmitter section and a receiver section spaced apart by a semi-rigid housing. The semi-rigid housing includes a number of rigid tubular members which are joined by interlocking lobes which permit relative movement between the tubular members but which prevent the separation thereof. Gaps between the interlocking lobes are filled with a connecting material which differs significantly in acoustic impedance from the material of the remainder of the housing, whereby acoustic energy passing from the transmitter section along the body of the tool is delayed and attenuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Assignee: Computalog U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Edwin K. Roberts, Enrique Elizondo