Patents by Inventor Kenneth W. Desmond

Kenneth W. Desmond 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).

  • Publication number: 20230147476
    Abstract: Methods and systems for measuring cluster efficiency for stages of wellbores are provided herein. One method includes selecting a frequency band for generating broadband tube waves within the fluid column of the wellbore and generating the broadband tube waves within the fluid column of the wellbore using a pressure pulse generator that is hydraulically coupled to the wellbore. The method also includes recording data corresponding to the broadband tube waves and reflected broadband tube waves using pressure receivers that are hydraulically coupled to the wellbore. The pressure receivers are arranged into arrays with two or more pressure receivers in each array. The data recorded by the pressure receivers relate to characteristics of reflectors (including perforation cluster/fracture interfaces) within the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: Brent D. WHEELOCK, Peter A. GORDON, Limin SONG, Kenneth W. DESMOND, Yibing ZHANG
  • Patent number: 11573108
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods for estimating the flow velocity of a fluid in a vessel. Systems and methods are provided herein related to making and/or refining velocity measurements for flowing fluids, both single and multi-phase fluids, in vessels, such as pipes or conduits, utilizing contrast media property agent variations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Desmond, Gary L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11525719
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for estimating the flow velocity of a multi-phase flow in a pipe using injected microbubbles in combination with ultrasonic signals produced by transducers external to the pipe. The transducers can be located so that one transducer/receiver pair is downstream from a second pair by a separation distance. The receivers can preferably be located in alignment with the transducers for receiving a desirable amount of signal emitted from microbubbles that are excited by absorption of energy from a signal generated by a transducer. The frequency of the signal emitted by the microbubbles can correspond to a harmonic and/or sub-harmonic of the frequency of the signal generated by the transducer. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, frequencies corresponding to a primary frequency emitted by a transducer can be filtered out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Desmond, Gary L. Hunter
  • Patent number: 11203927
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating along tubular members. The method includes determining, constructing and installing a communication network, which communicates using one or more communication coupling devices along one or more tubular members. The communication network is used to perform operations for a system, such as hydrocarbon operations, which may involve hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kinn, Xiaohua Yi, Scott William Clawson, Mark M. Disko, Kenneth W. Desmond, Jeff H. Moss
  • Publication number: 20200271498
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods for estimating the flow velocity of a fluid in a vessel. Systems and methods are provided herein related to making and/or refining velocity measurements for flowing fluids, both single and multi-phase fluids, in vessels, such as pipes or conduits, utilizing contrast media property agent variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: KENNETH W. DESMOND, GARY L. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20200271497
    Abstract: Provided herein are improved methods for estimating the flow velocity of a fluid in a vessel. Systems and methods are provided herein related to making and/or refining velocity measurements for flowing fluids, both single and multi-phase fluids, in vessels, such as pipes or conduits, utilizing contrast media property agent variations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2020
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Inventors: KENNETH W. DESMOND, GARY L. HUNTER
  • Publication number: 20190153858
    Abstract: A method and system are described for wirelessly communicating along tubular members. The method includes determining, constructing and installing a communication network, which communicates using one or more communication coupling devices along one or more tubular members. The communication network is used to perform operations for a system, such as hydrocarbon operations, which may involve hydrocarbon exploration, hydrocarbon development, and/or hydrocarbon production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Timothy F. Kinn, Xiaohua Yi, Scott William Clawson, Mark M. Disko, Kenneth W. Desmond, Jeff H. Moss
  • Publication number: 20190154482
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for estimating the flow velocity of a multi-phase flow in a pipe using injected microbubbles in combination with ultrasonic signals produced by transducers external to the pipe. The transducers can be located so that one transducer/receiver pair is downstream from a second pair by a separation distance. The receivers can preferably be located in alignment with the transducers for receiving a desirable amount of signal emitted from microbubbles that are excited by absorption of energy from a signal generated by a transducer. The frequency of the signal emitted by the microbubbles can correspond to a harmonic and/or sub-harmonic of the frequency of the signal generated by the transducer. In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio, frequencies corresponding to a primary frequency emitted by a transducer can be filtered out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Desmond, Gary L. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20190154479
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for estimating the flow velocity of a multi-phase flow using signals of different frequencies. The signals can correspond to any convenient type of signal that interacts with contrast agents in the multi-phase flow, such as acoustic signals or electromagnetic signals. The signal emitters can be located so that one emitter/receiver pair is downstream from a second pair by a separation distance. The receivers can preferably be located in sufficient alignment with the emitters to receive a transmitted portion of the emitter signal after any scattering or attenuation from the contrast agents in the multi-phase fluid. The emitters can be configured to generate signals of different frequencies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Inventors: Kenneth W. Desmond, Gary L. Hunter