Patents by Inventor James T. Cernosek
James T. Cernosek 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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Publication number: 20170370216Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2017Publication date: December 28, 2017Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE Company, LLCInventors: Christopher John Morgan, Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 9797244Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a probe for obtaining a formation fluid into a flow line, a pump for extracting formation fluid from a formation into the flow line, a chamber for receiving the formation fluid from the probe, and a flow control device that controls the formation fluid flow from the flow line into a chamber, wherein the flow control device includes a movable member that moves between a first seal position and a second seal position, wherein the flow control device is closed when the movable member is in the first seal position and the second seal position and is open when the movable member is between the first seal position and the second seal position.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Kyle A. Gostkowski, James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 9777572Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2014Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Christopher John Morgan, Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 9752431Abstract: In one aspect, a method of obtaining a fluid from a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment may include: pumping fluid received by a first probe from the formation into the wellbore; pumping fluid received by a second probe from the formation into the wellbore; determining when the fluid received by one of the first and second probes is clean; and pumping the fluid received by the first probe into a sample chamber while collecting the formation fluid received by the second probe from the formation into a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than the pressure of the formation.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Wade Bullock, James T. Cernosek
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Publication number: 20160138396Abstract: A tool insertable into a wellbore for sampling formation fluids includes a body, and sample probe assemblies that project radially outward from the body and into sampling contact with the wellbore wall. Packers are provided on the outer terminal ends of the sample probe assemblies and which are urged against the wellbore wall. Actuator driven linkage assemblies selectively deploy and retract the packers from and back into the body. The sample probe assemblies are disposed at substantially the same axial location on the body, and are angularly spaced about an axis of the body. Each sample probe assembly is independently actuated, so that a discrete azimuthal portion can be sampled, and each has a dedicated sample container for storing sampled formation fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 17, 2014Publication date: May 19, 2016Inventors: Christopher John Morgan, Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 9284838Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a device for supplying a hydraulic fluid under pressure to a common hydraulic line, a first pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a first variable fluid control device, a second pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a second variable fluid control device, and at least one controller that controls flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first variable flow control device to the first pump and the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second variable flow control device to the second pump to independently control the operation of the first pump and the second pump. In another aspect, the first pump is coupled to a first probe for extracting fluid from the formation and the second pump is coupled to a second probe for extracting the fluid from the formation.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James T. Cernosek, Russell W. McEacharn, Bernardo E. Pohl, Marcelo F. Civarolo, Jorge O. Maxit
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Patent number: 9243486Abstract: An apparatus for determining a closure pressure of a fractured formation surrounding a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an isolation device for isolating a section of the wellbore, a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid from the wellbore under pressure into the isolated section of the wellbore to cause a fracture in the formation proximate the isolated section, a receiving unit for receiving fluid from the isolated section at a constant or substantially constant rate due to pressure difference between the formation and the receiving unit, and a sensor for determining pressure of the formation during receiving of the fluid into the receiving unit. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the closure pressure from the determined pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2013Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 9068438Abstract: Disclosed is a formation testing tool for extracting formation fluid from an earth formation penetrated by a borehole having a drilling fluid. The tool includes: a sample flow element configured to extract formation fluid from the formation in a sample zone; a sample zone seal forming a perimeter defining the sample zone; a contamination removal flow element configured to extract formation fluid contaminated with the drilling fluid from a contamination removal zone in the formation; a contamination removal zone seal forming a perimeter defining the contamination removal zone, which surrounds and excludes the sample zone; and a controller configured to control a sample flow rate in the sample flow element and a contamination removal flow rate in the contamination flow removal element in order to decrease an amount of time required to acquire a sample of the formation fluid having an acceptable amount of contamination.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Holger Stibbe, Russell Mceacharn, James T. Cernosek, Anthony D. Self, Avigdor Hetz
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Publication number: 20150159483Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a probe for obtaining a formation fluid into a flow line, a pump for extracting formation fluid from a formation into the flow line, a chamber for receiving the formation fluid from the probe, and a flow control device that controls the formation fluid flow from the flow line into a chamber, wherein the flow control device includes a movable member that moves between a first seal position and a second seal position, wherein the flow control device is closed when the movable member is in the first seal position and the second seal position and is open when the movable member is between the first seal position and the second seal position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2013Publication date: June 11, 2015Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Kyle A. Gostkowski, James T. Cernosek
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Publication number: 20140238663Abstract: An apparatus for determining a closure pressure of a fractured formation surrounding a wellbore is disclosed. The apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an isolation device for isolating a section of the wellbore, a fluid supply unit for supplying a fluid from the wellbore under pressure into the isolated section of the wellbore to cause a fracture in the formation proximate the isolated section, a receiving unit for receiving fluid from the isolated section at a constant or substantially constant rate due to pressure difference between the formation and the receiving unit, and a sensor for determining pressure of the formation during receiving of the fluid into the receiving unit. The apparatus further includes a controller for determining the closure pressure from the determined pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2013Publication date: August 28, 2014Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Hermanus J. Nieuwoudt, James T. Cernosek
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Publication number: 20140224474Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore formed in a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment includes a device for supplying a hydraulic fluid under pressure to a common hydraulic line, a first pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a first variable fluid control device, a second pump in hydraulic communication with the common hydraulic line via a second variable fluid control device, and at least one controller that controls flow of the hydraulic fluid from the first variable flow control device to the first pump and the flow of the hydraulic fluid from the second variable flow control device to the second pump to independently control the operation of the first pump and the second pump. In another aspect, the first pump is coupled to a first probe for extracting fluid from the formation and the second pump is coupled to a second probe for extracting the fluid from the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James T. Cernosek, Russell W. McEacharn, Bernardo E. Pohl, Marcelo F. Civarolo, Jorge O. Maxit
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Publication number: 20140196532Abstract: In one aspect, a method of obtaining a fluid from a formation is disclosed that in one embodiment may include: pumping fluid received by a first probe from the formation into the wellbore; pumping fluid received by a second probe from the formation into the wellbore; determining when the fluid received by one of the first and second probes is clean; and pumping the fluid received by the first probe into a sample chamber while collecting the formation fluid received by the second probe from the formation into a storage chamber having an internal pressure less than the pressure of the formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Wade Bullock, James T. Cernosek
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Publication number: 20130019671Abstract: Disclosed is a formation testing tool for extracting formation fluid from an earth formation penetrated by a borehole having a drilling fluid. The tool includes: a sample flow element configured to extract formation fluid from the formation in a sample zone; a sample zone seal forming a perimeter defining the sample zone; a contamination removal flow element configured to extract formation fluid contaminated with the drilling fluid from a contamination removal zone in the formation; a contamination removal zone seal forming a perimeter defining the contamination removal zone, which surrounds and excludes the sample zone; and a controller configured to control a sample flow rate in the sample flow element and a contamination removal flow rate in the contamination flow removal element in order to decrease an amount of time required to acquire a sample of the formation fluid having an acceptable amount of contamination.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2012Publication date: January 24, 2013Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Holger Stibbe, Russell McEacharn, James T. Cernosek, Anthony D. Self, Avigdor Hetz
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Patent number: 7669469Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a pressurized well bore fluid sample collected downhole in an earth boring or well bore. The CDR continuous by measures the temperature and pressure for the down hole sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the small amount of sample to provide an on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation a flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is overpressured or supercharged to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample to the CDR.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael Shammai, Francisco G. Sanchez, James T. Cernosek, Rocco DiFoggio
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Patent number: 7621325Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the single phase integrity of a deep well formation sample that is removed to the surface comprises a vacuum jacket insulated single working cylinder divided by two free pistons into three variable volume chambers. The intermediate chamber is pre-charged with a fixed quantity of high pressure gas. Wellbore fluid freely admitted to one end chamber bears against one free piston to further compress the gas. The formation sample is pumped into the other end chamber to first, displace the wellbore fluid from the first end chamber and, sequentially, to further compress the gas to preserve the sample phase state upon removal to the surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Houman M. Shammai, John M. Michaels, James T. Cernosek, Michael J. Moody, Phillip Wills
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Publication number: 20040216521Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for continuously monitoring the integrity of a pressurized well bore fluid sample collected downhole in an earth boring or well bore. The CDR continuous by measures the temperature and pressure for the down hole sample. Near infrared, mid infrared and visible light analysis is also performed on the small amount of sample to provide an on site analysis of sample properties and contamination level. The onsite analysis comprises determination of gas oil ratio, API gravity and various other parameters which can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation a flexural mechanical resonator is also provided to measure fluid density and viscosity from which additional parameters can be estimated by a trained neural network or chemometric equation. The sample tank is overpressured or supercharged to obviate adverse pressure drop or other effects of diverting a small sample to the CDR.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2004Publication date: November 4, 2004Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Michael Shammai, Francisco G. Sanchez, James T. Cernosek, Rocco DiFoggio
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Patent number: 6557632Abstract: An apparatus and method is given for evaluating a well fluid sub-sample at the well surface as the sample is transported to the well surface from a downhole wellbore location. The invention collects a formation fluid sample under pressure. The fluid sample is further pressurized with a traveling piston powered by the hydrostatic wellbore pressure. The pressurized formation fluid sample is contained under high pressure within a fixed volume chamber for retrieval to the well surface. Multiple collection tanks can be lowered into the wellbore during the same run to sample different zones with minimal rig time. A pair of valves in series along the supply/discharge conduit respective to each tank accommodates extraction of a field sample to verify the sample integrity while still on location. The tanks can be emptied at the well surface with an evacuation pressure so that the fluid sample pressure is maintained above a selected pressure at all times or transported to an analytical laboratory.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: May 6, 2003Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventor: James T. Cernosek
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Publication number: 20030066646Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining the single phase integrity of a deep well formation sample that is removed to the surface comprises a vacuum jacket insulated single working cylinder divided by two free pistons into three variable volume chambers. The intermediate chamber is pre-charged with a fixed quantity of high pressure gas. Wellbore fluid freely admitted to one end chamber bears against one free piston to further compress the gas. The formation sample is pumped into the other end chamber to first, displace the wellbore fluid from the first end chamber and, sequentially, to further compress the gas to preserve the sample phase state upon removal to the surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: Baker Hughes, Inc.Inventors: Houman M. Shammai, John M. Michaels, James T. Cernosek, Michael J. Moody, Phillip Wills
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Publication number: 20020129936Abstract: An apparatus and method is given for evaluating a well fluid sub-sample at the well surface as the sample is transported to the well surface from a downhole wellbore location. The invention collects a formation fluid sample under pressure. The fluid sample is further pressurized with a traveling piston powered by the hydrostatic wellbore pressure. The pressurized formation fluid sample is contained under high pressure within a fixed volume chamber for retrieval to the well surface. Multiple collection tanks can be lowered into the wellbore during the same run to sample different zones with minimal rig time. A pair of valves in series along the supply/discharge conduit respective to each tank accommodates extraction of a field sample to verify the sample integrity while still on location. The tanks can be emptied at the well surface with an evacuation pressure so that the fluid sample pressure is maintained above a selected pressure at all times or transported to an analytical laboratory.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventor: James T. Cernosek
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Patent number: 5677631Abstract: A two-port, coaxial, waveguide flowline sensor for transmitting TEM mode electromagnetic radio frequency signals through borehole fluids flowing through a longitudinal flowline cavity of the waveguide. The waveguide flowline sensor responds to changes in the conductivity, dielectric constant, and state of the fluid at high borehole temperatures and pressures. The sensitivity of the sensor is enhanced by impedance mismatches between two feedthrough waveguides comprising the ports of the sensor, and a flowline cavity waveguide.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1996Date of Patent: October 14, 1997Assignee: Western Atlas International, Inc.Inventors: Peter W. Reittinger, James T. Cernosek