Patents by Inventor Eric B. Molz

Eric B. Molz 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: 8794062
    Abstract: A stepped reflector on the outside of a bottomhole assembly produces two reflections in response to excitation of a transducer. The velocity of the fluid in the borehole is estimated using the two reflections. Alternatively, a change in the gas content of the borehole fluid is estimated from changes in the electrical impedance of a transducer in contact with the borehole fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Douglas J. Patterson, Eric B. Molz, Volker Krueger
  • Patent number: 8421004
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring radiation in a borehole penetrating the Earth, the apparatus includes: a downhole tool having a structure defining a cavity; and one or more radiation detection components integrated into the cavity and configured to measure the radiation. An apparatus conveyable through a borehole for measuring radiation downhole and a method of producing a downhole apparatus for measuring radiation are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Eric B. Molz, Hayward Atkinson, Qianmei Zhang, Constantyn Chalitsios, Srdja Zekovic, Edgar R. Alvarez, Jonathan Hook
  • Publication number: 20100315900
    Abstract: An apparatus for estimating an influx of a formation fluid into a borehole fluid, the apparatus having: a carrier; an acoustic transducer disposed at the carrier; a first reflector disposed a first distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a first round trip distance; a second reflector disposed a second distance from the acoustic transducer and defining a second round trip distance; and a processor in communication with the acoustic transducer and configured to measure a difference between a first travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the first round trip distance and a second travel time for the acoustic signal traveling the second round trip distance to estimate the influx of the formation fluid; wherein the acoustic transducer, the first reflector, and the second reflector are disposed in the borehole fluid that is in the borehole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Eric B. Molz, Anjani R. Achanta
  • Publication number: 20100314536
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring radiation in a borehole penetrating the Earth, the apparatus includes: a downhole tool having a structure defining a cavity; and one or more radiation detection components integrated into the cavity and configured to measure the radiation. An apparatus conveyable through a borehole for measuring radiation downhole and a method of producing a downhole apparatus for measuring radiation are provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Eric B. Molz, Hayward Atkinson, Qianmei Zhang, Constantyn Chalitsios, Srdja Zekovic, Edgar R. Alvarez, Jonathan Hook
  • Patent number: 7763845
    Abstract: A photodiode whose long-wavelength cutoff is in the short-wavelength range (preferably, between ultraviolet and yellowish-green) having reduced temperature sensitivity is used in downhole applications. It may be matched with scintillation devices having an output matched to the response curve of the photodiode for use with nuclear logging devices. The photodiode may also be used in gyroscopes in which light from an LED matched to the photodiode is reflected from a spinning mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Estes, Rocco DiFoggio, Eric B. Molz, Constantyn Chalitsios, Philip L. Kurkoski
  • Patent number: 7596452
    Abstract: A logging-while-drilling density sensor includes a gamma ray source and at least two NaI detectors spaced apart from the source for determining measurements indicative of the formation density. An analytic function based on a heuristic model is used to predict the measured response as a function of offset, mud density and formation density. The model may be used to provide a caliper measurement where acoustic caliper data are unreliable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: William Madigan, Eric B. Molz, Gamal A. Hassan, Philip L. Kurkoski
  • Publication number: 20090173150
    Abstract: A stepped reflector on the outside of a bottomhole assembly produces two reflections in response to excitation of a transducer. The velocity of the fluid in the borehole is estimated using the two reflections. Alternatively, a change in the gas content of the borehole fluid is estimated from changes in the electrical impedance of a transducer in contact with the borehole fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Douglas J. Patterson, Eric B. Molz, Volker Krueger
  • Publication number: 20090043509
    Abstract: A logging-while-drilling density sensor includes a gamma ray source and at least two NaI detectors spaced apart from the source for determining measurements indicative of the formation density. An analytic function based on a heuristic model is used to predict the measured response as a function of offset, mud density and formation density. The model may be used to provide a caliper measurement where acoustic caliper data are unreliable. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understand that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: William Madigan, Eric B. Molz, Gamal A. Hassan, Philip L. Kurkoski
  • Publication number: 20040178337
    Abstract: A tool for measuring formation properties in situ. The tool includes a solid state neutron detector and a neutron source disposed on a drill string or wireline. The detector includes a boron carbon surface deposited on a substrate, and the surface can be multi-planar or curved for allowing sensitivity in more than one direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Philip L. Kurkoski, Volker Krueger, Cornelis Huiszoon, Eric B. Molz, Pingjun Guo