Patents by Inventor Joel L. Groves
Joel L. Groves 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: 20110002443Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2010Publication date: January 6, 2011Inventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Publication number: 20100282971Abstract: A radiation detector operating at high temperatures is shown comprising a scintillating material for producing light when excited by incident radiation, a photocathode, and an electron multiplier. The photocathode is deposited directly onto the surface of the scintillating material that is oriented toward the electron multiplier. Depositing the photocathode directly on the surface greatly decreases photon loss which is a problem of prior art systems. In a preferred embodiment, a metal flange is hermetically sealed to the scintillating material and this is fusion welded to the electron multiplier to create a vacuum envelope.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2007Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: John Simonetti, Joel L. Groves, Wolfgang Ziegler, Arthur D. Liberman, Christian Stoller
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Patent number: 7817781Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2009Date of Patent: October 19, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Patent number: 7668293Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2009Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Patent number: 7639781Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided with a minimum weight of shielding material. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Rod Shampine, Joel L. Groves, Anthony Durkowski, Etienne Vallee, Peter Wraight
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Publication number: 20090274276Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2009Publication date: November 5, 2009Inventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Publication number: 20090225949Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 250 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2009Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Patent number: 7564948Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 260 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2006Date of Patent: July 21, 2009Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Publication number: 20090161823Abstract: An apparatus for determining fractional amounts of each phase of a multiple phase fluid includes an x-ray generator includes a sample chamber is configured to admit therein a sample of fluid for analysis. The chamber is disposed in a radiation path output from the generator. A filter is disposed in the radiation path between the output of the generator and the radiation input of the sample chamber. A first radiation detector is positioned in a radiation path from the sample chamber after radiation has passed through the sample chamber. A thickness and a material of the filter are selected to optimize resolution of radiation detected by the first detector to changes in volume fraction of oil and water in the fluid sample when a gas fraction thereof is between about 90 to 100 percent.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joel L. Groves, Etienne Vallee, Peter Wraight
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Publication number: 20090146052Abstract: A neutron generator and method of constructing the same. The generator includes a grid configured to produce an ionizable gas when heated by electrons impinging thereon. A cathode emits electrons to heat the grid and to collide with produced ionizable gas atoms to generate ions. Neutrons are generated from a collision of ions impinging on a target in the generator. A tool for subsurface use incorporating the neutron generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Joel L. Groves, Harold Pfutzner
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Publication number: 20090135982Abstract: A neutron generator includes an ion source disposed in a pressurized environment containing an ionizable gas. The ion source includes a substrate with a bundle of carbon nanotubes extending therefrom. The ends of the nanotubes are spaced from a grid. Ion source voltage supply circuitry supplies a positive voltage potential between the substrate and the grid of the ion source to cause ionization of the ionizable gas and emission of ions through the grid. An ion accelerator section is disposed between the ion source and a target. The ion accelerator section accelerates ions that pass through the grid towards the target such that collisions of the ions with the target cause the target to generate and emit neutrons therefrom. The ion source, accelerator section and target are housed in a sealed tube and preferably the carbon nanotubes of the bundle are highly ordered with at least 106 carbon nanotubes per cm2 that extend in a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventor: Joel L. Groves
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Publication number: 20090108192Abstract: A neutron generator system is provided that uses substantially only the T-T fusion reaction to generate neutrons for a neutron borehole tool.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Applicant: Schulumberger Technology CorporationInventor: Joel L. Groves
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Publication number: 20080159480Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the density and other properties of a formation surrounding a borehole using a high voltage x-ray generator. One embodiment comprises a stable compact x-ray generator capable of providing radiation with energy of 260 keV and higher while operating at temperatures equal to or greater than 125° C. In another embodiment, radiation is passed from an x-ray generator into the formation; reflected radiation is detected by a short spaced radiation detector and a long spaced radiation detector. The output of these detectors is then used to determine the density of the formation. In one embodiment, a reference radiation detector monitors a filtered radiation signal. The output of this detector is used to control at least one of the acceleration voltage and beam current of the x-ray generator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2006Publication date: July 3, 2008Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATIONInventors: Peter Wraight, Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Christian Stoller
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Publication number: 20080152080Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided with a minimum weight of shielding material. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Rod Shampine, Joel L. Groves, Anthony Durkowski, Etienne Vallee, Peter Wraight
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Publication number: 20080069307Abstract: An x-ray tool for determining a characteristic of an oilfield fluid. The tool may include a generator portion housing a collimator about a target from which x-rays are emitted. In this manner x-rays may be attenuated right at the target such that a majority of shielding otherwise necessary for safety concerns may be eliminated. Rather, by employing the target within the collimator, shielding of the generator may be limited to a single shielding plate within the generator portion that is positioned parallel to the target at the opposite end of an x-ray tube therebetween. As a result of this configuration, an x-ray tool for analysis of oilfield fluids may be provided that is no more than about 50 lbs. in total weight. Thus, hand-held user friendly embodiments may be safely employed at the oilfield.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2007Publication date: March 20, 2008Inventors: Rod Shampine, Peter Wraight, Joel L. Groves, Anthony Durkowski, Etienne Vallee
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Patent number: 7321123Abstract: A radiation detector operating at high temperatures is shown comprising a LuAP scintillating material for producing light when excited by incident radiation, a photocathode, and an electron multiplier. The photocathode is deposited directly onto the surface of the scintillating material that is oriented toward the electron multiplier. In a preferred embodiment, a metal flange is hermetically sealed to the scintillating material and this is fusion welded to the electron multiplier to create a vacuum envelope. This invention is particularly useful in high temperature noisy environments such as downhole operations to detect radiation within a well hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: January 22, 2008Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: John Simonetti, Joel L. Groves, Wolfgang Ziegler, Art Liberman, Christian Stoller
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Patent number: 4958073Abstract: A high resolution gamma-gamma apparatus is provided with a chemical source and a photon detector in such close proximity such that the detector provides a positive response to an increase in formation density. Typically, such a response is obtained when the detector opening is within one source photon mean free path of the source opening. For a Cs 137 source, the furthest spacing would be about two inches, although spacings of less than one inch are preferable. In order to decrease background noise, shielding is placed between the source and detector. A first embodiment of the tool has an uncollimated source, and a substantially uncollimated detector with the source and detector being coaxial and with the detector behind the source and separated by shielding. A second embodiment has a collimated source with an uncollimated detector, while a third embodiment has an uncollimated source with a collimated detector. The provided apparatus are useful for high resolution density and Pe measurements.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1988Date of Patent: September 18, 1990Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Arthur J. Becker, Joel L. Groves, Charles C. Watson