Patents by Inventor Eric H. Van Empelen

Eric H. Van Empelen 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: 7301472
    Abstract: In a subterranean well completion a bi-directional signal transmission system includes an in-line acoustic transceiver mounted in a tubing string extending through the wellbore, the transceiver being disposed beneath a hanger structure engaging the tubing string. Via the tubing string the transceiver receives acoustic signals from well parameter sensing apparatus further downhole and converts the received acoustic signals to non-acoustic signals. The resulting non-acoustic signals are then transmitted upwardly through the hanger structure, to a signal receiving location, via cabling. In this manner, the hanger structure does not adversely affect the strength of either upwardly or downwardly transmitted signals traversing it. Alternatively, the acoustic well parameter signals received by the transceiver are converted to electromagnetic signals which pass through the earth, are picked up by a receiver external to the well completion, and then relayed to the receiving location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald G. Kyle, Adam D. Wright, Harold W. Nivens, Kenny L. McConnell, Vimal V. Shah, Eric H. Van Empelen
  • Publication number: 20040047235
    Abstract: In a subterranean well completion a bi-directional signal transmission system includes an in-line acoustic transceiver mounted in a tubing string extending through the wellbore, the transceiver being disposed beneath a hanger structure engaging the tubing string. Via the tubing string the transceiver receives acoustic signals from well parameter sensing apparatus further downhole and converts the received acoustic signals to non-acoustic signals. The resulting non-acoustic signals are then transmitted upwardly through the hanger structure, to a signal receiving location, via cabling. In this manner, the hanger structure does not adversely affect the strength of either upwardly or downwardly transmitted signals traversing it. Alternatively, the acoustic well parameter signals received by the transceiver are converted to electromagnetic signals which pass through the earth, are picked up by a receiver external to the well completion, and then relayed to the receiving location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Donald G. Kyle, Adam D. Wright, Harold W. Nivens, Kenny L. McConnell, Vimal V. Shah, Eric H. Van Empelen