Patents by Inventor John C. Bouton

John C. Bouton 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: 7164267
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing in-situ data of formation fluids at true reservoir conditions. The apparatus has NMR chamber of the flow-through type, so it is no longer necessary to divert a sample for the basic NMR analysis or transfer it uphole for laboratory analysis. The apparatus is preferably modular and is compatible with wireline tools configurable for a variety of sampling, testing and monitoring purposes. Fluid properties such as viscosity can be derived from diffusivities and relaxation times, as measured by NMR. Additional accuracy is provided in the downhole sampling process, and in the interpretation of NMR logs in real time at true reservoir conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventors: Manfred G. Prammer, John C. Bouton, Peter Masak, Earle D. Drack
  • Patent number: 6903547
    Abstract: An method and system are disclosed for NMR echo-train data acquisition and processing for enhanced vertical resolution for a given signal to noise ratio. In one aspect, the method is based on providing an estimate of non-formation signal components and removing the estimate from the NMR signals. Computation of the estimate is done from the data itself or using a direct measurement of non-formation signals. In another aspect, the functions of reducing coherent noise components is separated from the function of reducing the random noise components, to enhance the resolution of the NMR pulse echo data for a given signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the data. Combination processing is disclosed, which enables efficient filtering of the input NMR data for both relatively high and relatively low SNR of the formation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Sigal, Ron Cherry, Peter Ian Day, James Elmer Galford, John C. Bouton, Ridvan Akkurt, Daniel Lee Miller, Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 6737864
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing in-situ data of formation fluids at true reservoir conditions. The apparatus has NMR chamber of the flow-through type, so it is no longer necessary to divert a sample for the basic NMR analysis or transfer it uphole for laboratory analysis. The apparatus is preferably modular and is compatible with wireline tools configurable for a variety of sampling, testing and monitoring purposes. Fluid properties such as viscosity can be derived from diffusivities and relaxation times, as measured by NMR. Additional accuracy is provided in the downhole sampling process, and in the interpretation of NMR logs in real time at true reservoir conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Manfred G. Prammer, John C. Bouton, Peter Masak
  • Patent number: 6661226
    Abstract: Borehole NMR logging apparatus and methods. A multifrequency method using triple-wait-time is disclosed for determining gas- and light-oil-filled porosity over a broad range of reservoir conditions. The method improves the signal-to-noise ratio and the determination of T1 values for the hydrocarbons, especially when the reservoir contains different fluid types. A set of conditions is derived for the selection of optimum acquisition parameters for logging applications. The data acquisition and processing method enables accurate determination of the pore volumes occupied by each hydrocarbon phase as well as the pore volume occupied by water, as well as accurate T1. A set of conditions is developed to aid in the selection of wait-time combinations appropriate for logging conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Lei Bob Hou, Daniel Lee Miller, James Elmer Galford, John C. Bouton, Jr., George Richard Coates, Prabhakar Aadireddy
  • Publication number: 20030201772
    Abstract: An method and system are disclosed for NMR echo-train data acquisition and processing for enhanced vertical resolution for a given signal to noise ratio. In one aspect, the method is based on providing an estimate of non-formation signal components and removing the estimate from the NMR signals. Computation of the estimate is done from the data itself or using a direct measurement of non-formation signals. In another aspect, the functions of reducing coherent noise components is separated from the function of reducing the random noise components, to enhance the resolution of the NMR pulse echo data for a given signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the data. Combination processing is disclosed, which enables efficient filtering of the input NMR data for both relatively high and relatively low SNR of the formation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: October 30, 2003
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Sigal, Ron Cherry, Peter Ian Day, James Elmer Galford, John C. Bouton, Ridvan Akkurt, Daniel Lee Miller, Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 6541969
    Abstract: An method and system are disclosed for NMR echo-train data acquisition and processing for enhanced vertical resolution for a given signal to noise ratio. In one aspect, the method is based on providing an estimate of non-formation signal components and removing the estimate from the NMR signals. Computation of the estimate is done from the data itself or using a direct measurement of non-formation signals. In another aspect, the functions of reducing coherent noise components is separated from the function of reducing the random noise components, to enhance the resolution of the NMR pulse echo data for a given signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the data. Combination processing is disclosed, which enables efficient filtering of the input NMR data for both relatively high and relatively low SNR of the formation data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard F. Sigal, Ron Cherry, Peter Ian Day, James Elmer Galford, John C. Bouton, Ridvan Akkurt, Daniel Lee Miller, Manfred G. Prammer
  • Publication number: 20020140425
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing in-situ data of formation fluids at true reservoir conditions. The apparatus has NMR chamber of the flow-through type, so it is no longer necessary to divert a sample for the basic NMR analysis or transfer it uphole for laboratory analysis. The apparatus is preferably modular and is compatible with wireline tools configurable for a variety of sampling, testing and monitoring purposes. Fluid properties such as viscosity can be derived from diffusivities and relaxation times, as measured by NMR. Additional accuracy is provided in the downhole sampling process, and in the interpretation of NMR logs in real time at true reservoir conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Manfred G. Prammer, John C. Bouton, Peter Masak
  • Publication number: 20010033163
    Abstract: An method and system are disclosed for NMR echo-train data acquisition and processing for enhanced vertical resolution for a given signal to noise ratio. In one aspect, the method is based on providing an estimate of non-formation signal components and removing the estimate from the NMR signals. Computation of the estimate is done from the data itself or using a direct measurement of non-formation signals. In another aspect, the functions of reducing coherent noise components is separated from the function of reducing the random noise components, to enhance the resolution of the NMR pulse echo data for a given signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the data. Combination processing is disclosed, which enables efficient filtering of the input NMR data for both relatively high and relatively low SNR of the formation data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Richard F. Sigal, Ron Cherry, Peter Ian. Day, James Elmer. Galford, John C. Bouton, Ridvan Akkurt, Daniel Lee Miller, Manfred G. Prammer
  • Patent number: 5309098
    Abstract: An improved system for using nuclear magnetic resonance techniques to obtain information relating to geologic structures. The system of the present invention employs a variable sampling window which increases sampling efficiency by allowing the system to optimize the sampling interval, thereby maximizing the amount of data which can be obtained in a series of data samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Numar Corporation
    Inventors: George R. Coates, Melvin N. Miller, John C. Bouton
  • Patent number: 4501495
    Abstract: A system for transporting a tray holding at least one specimen slide to and from the microscope. The tray includes index marker means and engagement means. The system comprises an input station, indexing means at the microscope stage and an output station. The input station includes a hopper to receive a stack of slide-carrying trays, a first carrier located within the hopper to carry the trays out of the hopper and onto the microscope stage and feeding means for dispensing the trays from the stack to the first carrier. The indexing means carries the tray to at least one predetermined index position on the stage and basically comprises a second carrier for moving the tray across the stage and a first sensor cooperating with the second carrier means. The index marker means activates the first sensor to stop the second carrier when the index marker means is in a first predetermined position corresponding to the tray being in the predetermined index position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 26, 1985
    Assignee: SmithKline Beckman Corporation
    Inventors: Albert A. Faulkner, John C. Bouton
  • Patent number: 4453807
    Abstract: A system for transporting a tray holding at least one specimen slide to and from the microscope. The tray includes index marker means and engagement means. The system comprises an input station, indexing means at the microscope stage and an output station. The input station includes a hopper to receive a stack of slide-carrying trays, a first carrier located within the hopper to carrying the trays out of the hopper and onto the microscope stage and feeding means for dispensing the trays from the stack to the first carrier. The indexing means carries the tray to at least one predetermined index position on the stage and basically comprises a second carrier for moving the tray across the stage and a first sensor cooperating with the second carrier means. The index marker means activates the first sensor to stop the second carrier when the index marker means is in a first predetermined position corresponding to the tray being in the predetermined index position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventors: Albert A. Faulkner, John C. Bouton
  • Patent number: 4307376
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for generating a maturity index for blood cells which may be used in a hematology profile to show the health of a patient. The system includes a scanning system for scanning a cell, pattern recognition means connected to the scanning means for generating a plurality of groups of signals, each group representative of a different characteristic of the cell scanned, and calculation means responsive to the signals for calculating an index of maturity for the cell scanned in accordance with its characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation
    Inventors: Melvin N. Miller, John C. Bouton, Dennis L. Tebbe, Eugene L. Leboy, Reddiar S. Anbalagan
  • Patent number: 4048616
    Abstract: A blood cell recognition system is provided which includes scanning means for generating signals representative of a pattern in a whole blood smear scanned by the scanning means. Means for examining the signals from the scanning means for generating parameters of the pattern scanned are provided with pattern recognition means responsive to the parameters for identifying the pattern scanned and an operator keyboard for entering data relating to the pattern scanned. An interface is provided between the means for examining and the pattern recognition means which includes first temporary storage means for receiving parameters relating to a cell being scanned, and second temporary storage means for receiving data from said keyboard and buffer storage means for entry of said parameters and said data into said pattern recognition means to enable the pattern recognition means to recognize the pattern in accordance with both the parameters and the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation
    Inventors: Donald J. Hart, John C. Bouton, Jr., Eugene H. Poppel
  • Patent number: 4045772
    Abstract: A white blood cell classification system is provided for detecting and classifying white blood cells in a peripheral blood smear. The system includes optical scanning means for scanning the blood smear, a microscope for directing the optical scanning means on the blood smear and means responsive to the scanning means for generating a signal corresponding to the color of the blood smear at the positions scanned. Color processing means are provided which are responsive to the signal for providing a signal representative of the relative darkness of the areas scanned. Detection means are provided which are responsive to the signal. The detection means includes a mask which is normally enabled by the nucleus of of all the white cells but which is not enabled by either platelets, foreign material or red cells in the blood smear. Finally, focusing means responsive to the detection means are provided for moving the position of the focus of the microscope to the optimum position after each white cell is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Bouton, Melvin E. Partin, Robert C. Hilghman
  • Patent number: 4012634
    Abstract: An automatic focusing system is provided for a microscopic instrument having a lens assembly and a platform for supporting an object. The system includes a flying spot scanner, the light from which is directed through the lens assembly at the object. The system includes means responsive to the light directed at the object for generating a signal representative of the color density of the object. The system includes electronic circuitry responsive to the signals and connected to the microscopic instrument for changing the focus of the instrument. The electronic means which are responsive to the signal change the focus of the instrument a plurality of times and includes decision means responsive to the signal for determining the optimum focus and moving the instrument to the optimum focus. The circuitry includes quantization means responsive to the signal which effectively determines the focus position which provides the sharpest resolution of the object examined by the microscopic instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Geometric Data Corporation
    Inventors: John C. Bouton, Melvin E. Partin, Robert C. Hilghman