Patents by Inventor James V. Leggett
James V. Leggett 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: 20220325622Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an acoustic parameter of a downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly. Methods include transmitting a plurality of pulses; measuring values for at least one wave property measured for reflections of the plurality of pulses received at at least one acoustic receiver, including: a first value for a first reflection traveling a first known distance from a first acoustically reflective surface having a first known acoustic impedance, a second value for a second reflection traveling a second known distance substantially the same as the first known distance from a second acoustically reflective surface having a second known acoustic impedance, and a third value for a third reflection traveling a third known distance from a third acoustically reflective surface having a third known acoustic impedance substantially the same as the second acoustic impedance; and estimating the acoustic parameter using the values.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2022Publication date: October 13, 2022Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Wei Han, Rocco DiFoggio, James V. Leggett, III
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Patent number: 11359488Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an acoustic parameter of a downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly. Methods include transmitting a plurality of pulses; measuring values for at least one wave property measured for reflections of the plurality of pulses received at at least one acoustic receiver, including: a first value for a first reflection traveling a first known distance from a first acoustically reflective surface having a first known acoustic impedance, a second value for a second reflection traveling a second known distance substantially the same as the first known distance from a second acoustically reflective surface having a second known acoustic impedance, and a third value for a third reflection traveling a third known distance from a third acoustically reflective surface having a third known acoustic impedance substantially the same as the second acoustic impedance; and estimating the acoustic parameter using the values.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2019Date of Patent: June 14, 2022Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Wei Han, Rocco DiFoggio, James V. Leggett, III
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Publication number: 20200291776Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for determining an acoustic parameter of a downhole fluid using an acoustic assembly. Methods include transmitting a plurality of pulses; measuring values for at least one wave property measured for reflections of the plurality of pulses received at at least one acoustic receiver, including: a first value for a first reflection traveling a first known distance from a first acoustically reflective surface having a first known acoustic impedance, a second value for a second reflection traveling a second known distance substantially the same as the first known distance from a second acoustically reflective surface having a second known acoustic impedance, and a third value for a third reflection traveling a third known distance from a third acoustically reflective surface having a third known acoustic impedance substantially the same as the second acoustic impedance; and estimating the acoustic parameter using the values.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2019Publication date: September 17, 2020Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Wei Han, Rocco DiFoggio, James V. Leggett
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Patent number: 10408053Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for estimating a value of a parameter of interest of an earth formation intersected by a borehole. Methods include conveying a carrier in the borehole having disposed thereon an acoustic imaging tool including at least one convex linear phased array module, each of the at least one module comprising a rigid shell forming a compartment containing a piezoelectric component array; using the acoustic imaging tool to take acoustic measurements of the borehole; and using the acoustic measurements to estimate at least one parameter of interest. Each module may be self-contained. The tool may include a plurality of modules circumferentially arrayed about a portion of the acoustic tool. Methods include individually removing one selected module from the acoustic tool. Methods may include selecting an outer tool diameter the same as an inner borehole diameter borehole and selecting a maximum number of modules fitting the outer tool diameter.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2016Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLCInventors: Brian Breaux, James V. Leggett, III, Steffen Toscher, Roger Steinsiek
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Publication number: 20170335685Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for estimating a value of a parameter of interest of an earth formation intersected by a borehole. Methods include conveying a carrier in the borehole having disposed thereon an acoustic imaging tool including at least one convex linear phased array module, each of the at least one module comprising a rigid shell forming a compartment containing a piezoelectric component array; using the acoustic imaging tool to take acoustic measurements of the borehole; and using the acoustic measurements to estimate at least one parameter of interest. Each module may be self-contained. The tool may include a plurality of modules circumferentially arrayed about a portion of the acoustic tool. Methods include individually removing one selected module from the acoustic tool. Methods may include selecting an outer tool diameter the same as an inner borehole diameter borehole and selecting a maximum number of modules fitting the outer tool diameter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2016Publication date: November 23, 2017Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Brian Breaux, James V. Leggett, III, Steffen Toscher, Roger Steinsiek
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Patent number: 9784874Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a borehole wall includes an array of acoustic transducers and a controller. The controller scans a section of the borehole wall with first acoustic beams that are transmitted by a series of sets of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent first acoustic measurements that are spaced a first distance D1 apart along the borehole wall, each set having at least one transducer that is different from an adjacent set, (ii) steers a second acoustic beam along the section of the borehole wall using one set of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent second acoustic measurements that are a second distance D2 apart along the borehole wall, and (iii) images the borehole wall using the first acoustic measurements and the second acoustic measurement to generate a borehole wall image, wherein at least one second acoustic measurement is between adjacent first acoustic measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James V. Leggett, Kamalesh Chatterjee, Roger R. Steinsiek, Vaibhav Sule, Jinsong Zhao
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Patent number: 9720121Abstract: A method of performing acoustic imaging includes: selecting a target location, and selecting a group of transducers from a plurality of transducers to transmit an acoustic beam to be electronically directed to the target location; selecting a transmitter having an orientation toward a location proximate to the target location, and transmitting an acoustic signal only by the transmitter; detecting an acoustic return signal by the transmitter and by a plurality of other transducers in the group; estimating a travel time for each of the group of transducers, the estimating including measuring a travel time for each of the other transducers, and estimating a travel time for the transmitter based on the travel time for each of the other transducers; and calculating beamforming delays based on the travel time, the beamforming delay configured to cause the group of transducers to direct an acoustic beam to the target location.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Quming Zhou, James V. Leggett, III
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Patent number: 9567846Abstract: An acoustic transducer assembly includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in an earth formation, the carrier having a carrier axis; an array of transducer elements forming at least a semicircular shape, the array configured to emit acoustic signals in a radial direction relative to the carrier axis; and a circuit coupled to the array and configured to actuate a subset of the transducer elements and emit an acoustic beam therefrom, the circuit configured to actuate the subsets as a phased array to electronically rotate the acoustic beam about the carrier axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James V. Leggett, III, Roger R. Steinsiek, Wei Han, Kamalesh Chatterjee
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Publication number: 20160216393Abstract: A method of performing acoustic imaging includes: selecting a target location, and selecting a group of transducers from a plurality of transducers to transmit an acoustic beam to be electronically directed to the target location; selecting a transmitter having an orientation toward a location proximate to the target location, and transmitting an acoustic signal only by the transmitter; detecting an acoustic return signal by the transmitter and by a plurality of other transducers in the group; estimating a travel time for each of the group of transducers, the estimating including measuring a travel time for each of the other transducers, and estimating a travel time for the transmitter based on the travel time for each of the other transducers; and calculating beamforming delays based on the travel time, the beamforming delay configured to cause the group of transducers to direct an acoustic beam to the target location.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: July 28, 2016Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Quming Zhou, James V. Leggett, III
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Publication number: 20160170063Abstract: An apparatus for imaging a borehole wall includes an array of acoustic transducers and a controller. The controller scans a section of the borehole wall with first acoustic beams that are transmitted by a series of sets of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent first acoustic measurements that are spaced a first distance D1 apart along the borehole wall, each set having at least one transducer that is different from an adjacent set, (ii) steers a second acoustic beam along the section of the borehole wall using one set of acoustic transducers in the array to produce adjacent second acoustic measurements that are a second distance D2 apart along the borehole wall, and (iii) images the borehole wall using the first acoustic measurements and the second acoustic measurement to generate a borehole wall image, wherein at least one second acoustic measurement is between adjacent first acoustic measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Inventors: James V. Leggett, Kamalesh Chatterjee, Roger R. Steinsiek, Vaibhav Sule, Jinsong Zhao
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Patent number: 9103196Abstract: The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2011Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Jinsong Zhao, James V. Leggett, III
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Publication number: 20150204993Abstract: An acoustic transducer assembly includes: a carrier configured to be disposed in an earth formation, the carrier having a carrier axis; an array of transducer elements forming at least a semicircular shape, the array configured to emit acoustic signals in a radial direction relative to the carrier axis; and a circuit coupled to the array and configured to actuate a subset of the transducer elements and emit an acoustic beam therefrom, the circuit configured to actuate the subsets as a phased array to electronically rotate the acoustic beam about the carrier axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2014Publication date: July 23, 2015Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: James V. Leggett, III, Roger R. Steinsiek, Wei Han, Kamalesh Chatterjee
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Patent number: 9063242Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use downhole is provided, which apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an acoustic transducer having a first member in pressure communication with a confined fluid, wherein a displacement of the first member causes a volume change in the confined fluid that amplifies displacement of a second member to generate a pressure wave in medium.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2011Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Dwight W. Swett, James V. Leggett, III, Mark S. Solly
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Publication number: 20120090837Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use downhole is provided, which apparatus, in one embodiment, includes an acoustic transducer having a first member in pressure communication with a confined fluid, wherein a displacement of the first member causes a volume change in the confined fluid that amplifies displacement of a second member to generate a pressure wave in medium.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Dwight W. Swett, James V. Leggett, III, Mark S. Solly
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Publication number: 20120033528Abstract: The present disclosure is related to apparatuses and methods for estimating borehole parameters using a plurality of reflections caused by a plurality of acoustic pulses. The reflections may overlap each other and/or the acoustic pulses. The methods may include estimating an envelope of the received acoustic signal at the at least one element of the array of transducers; and estimating at least one arrival time of at least one of the plurality of overlapping events from the envelope of the received acoustic signals, the arrival times being characteristic of the geometry of the borehole. The method may also include imaging the borehole wall. The apparatus may include an array of transducers on a rotatable transducer assembly with at least one element on the array configured to generate a plurality of acoustic pulses and receive reflections and a processor configured to perform the method.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2011Publication date: February 9, 2012Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Jinsong Zhao, James V. Leggett, III
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Patent number: 7966874Abstract: Harmonics and subharmonics of acoustic measurements made during rotation of a sensor on a downhole are processed to estimate the location of the imager, and size and shape of the borehole. A piecewise elliptical fitting procedure may be used. These estimates may be used to correct measurements made by a standoff-sensitive formation evaluation sensor such as a neutron porosity tool.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gamal A. Hassan, James V. Leggett, III, Gavin Lindsay, Philip L. Kurkoski
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Patent number: 7652951Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using an acoustic logging tool conveyed in a borehole in an earth formation for determining a characteristic of the formation. The method comprises using a first acoustic source for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a first frequency. A second acoustic source spaced apart from the first source is used for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a second frequency different from the first frequency. An acoustic receiver is used for receiving a third acoustic signal indicative of said characteristic. The third acoustic signal has a frequency substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The third acoustic signal is produced by a nonlinear interaction between the first signal and the second signal in a portion of said earth formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James V. Leggett, III, Vladimir Dubinsky
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Publication number: 20090195408Abstract: A seismic and/or acoustic while drilling configuration includes a high speed telemetry arrangement; at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy sensor in communication with the high speed telemetry arrangement; at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy source capable of producing at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy signal receivable by the at least one seismic and/or acoustic energy sensor and methods.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Douglas J. Patterson, David H. Lilly, James V. Leggett, III, Michael Neubert, Kiattisak Petpisit, Volker Krueger, Holger Mathiszik, Nigel R. Ryder, James C. Jackson
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Publication number: 20080307875Abstract: Harmonics and subharmonics of acoustic measurements made during rotation of a sensor on a downhole are processed to estimate the location of the imager, and size and shape of the borehole. A piecewise elliptical fitting procedure may be used. These estimates may be used to correct measurements made by a standoff-sensitive formation evaluation sensor such as a neutron porosity tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2008Publication date: December 18, 2008Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Gamal A. Hassan, James V. Leggett, III, Gavin Lindsay, Philip L. Kurkoski
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Patent number: 7463551Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for using an acoustic logging tool conveyed in a borehole in an earth formation for determining a characteristic of the formation. The method comprises using a first acoustic source for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a first frequency. A second acoustic source spaced apart from the first source is used for generating an acoustic signal in the earth formation at a second frequency different from the first frequency. An acoustic receiver is used for receiving a third acoustic signal indicative of said characteristic. The third acoustic signal has a frequency substantially equal to a difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The third acoustic signal is produced by a nonlinear interaction between the first signal and the second signal in a portion of said earth formation.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2007Date of Patent: December 9, 2008Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James V. Leggett, III, Vladimir Dubinsky