Patents by Inventor Kenneth Welker
Kenneth Welker 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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Patent number: 9244186Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: Rune Toennessen, Jens Olav Paulsen, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20150198731Abstract: Systems and methods for carrying out seismic surveys and/or conducting permanent reservoir monitoring with autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles, including surface and submersible vehicles, are described. Additional methods carried out by autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles and associated with seismic surveys are further described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: Everhard Muijzert, Kenneth Welker, Iain Cooper, Simon Bittleston, Leendert Combee, Robert Ross, Edward Kotochigov
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Patent number: 9013952Abstract: Systems and methods for carrying out seismic surveys and/or conducting permanent reservoir monitoring with autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles, including surface and submersible vehicles, are described. Additional methods carried out by autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles and associated with seismic surveys further described.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth Welker, Iain Cooper, Simon Bittleston, Leendert Combee, Robert Ross, Edward Kotochigov
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Publication number: 20150016218Abstract: An inventive method provides for control of a seismic survey spread while conducting a seismic survey, the spread having a vessel, a plurality of spread control elements, a plurality of navigation nodes, and a plurality of sources and receivers. The method includes the step of collecting input data, including navigation data for the navigation nodes, operating states from sensors associated with the spread control elements, environmental data for the survey, and survey design data. The positions of the sources and receivers are estimated using the navigation data, the operating states, and the environmental data. Optimum tracks for the sources and receivers are determined using the position estimates and a portion of the input data that includes at least the survey design data. Drive commands are calculated for at least two of the spread control elements using the determined optimum tracks. The inventive method is complemented by an inventive system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2014Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: KENNETH WELKER, PETER TYLER
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Publication number: 20120069702Abstract: Systems and methods for carrying out seismic surveys and/or conducting permanent reservoir monitoring with autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles, including surface and submersible vehicles, are described. Additional methods carried out by autonomous or remote-controlled water vehicles and associated with seismic surveys further described.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.Inventors: Everhard Muyzert, Kenneth Welker, Iain Cooper, Simon Bittleston, Leendert Combee, Robert Ross, Edward Kotochigov
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Publication number: 20100118645Abstract: The technique disclosed herein includes a method and apparatus for controlling streamer steering devices to maintain a coil streamer shape that gives coverage for a coil shooting plan. The technique uses solved positions and a target coil streamer shape identified in the shooting plan to determine steering instructions to the streamer steering devices along the streamer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Inventor: Kenneth Welker
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Patent number: 7660189Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plurality of acoustic receivers on a cable being deployed from the vessel into the fluid, and a calculation unit. The calculation unit may be adapted to calculate position of the receivers, and may be used in calculating the sound velocity profile in the fluid and correcting raw seismic data. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: Erik Vigen, Svein Arne Frivik, Kambiz Iranpour, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20090161485Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Inventors: Rune Toennessen, Jens Olav Paulsen, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20080279045Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plurality of acoustic receivers on a cable being deployed from the vessel into the fluid, and a calculation unit. The calculation unit may be adapted to calculate position of the receivers, and may be used in calculating the sound velocity profile in the fluid and correcting raw seismic data. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Applicant: WesternGeco L. L. C.Inventors: Erk Vigen, Svein Arne Frivik, Kambiz Iranpour, Kenneth Welker
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Patent number: 7417924Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plurality of acoustic receivers on a cable being deployed from the vessel into the fluid, and a calculation unit. The calculation unit may be adapted to calculate position of the receivers, and may be used in calculating the sound velocity profile in the fluid and correcting raw seismic data. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2005Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: WesternGeco L.L.C.Inventors: Erk Vigen, Svein Arne Frivik, Kambiz Iranpour, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20080008037Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems for accurately estimating acoustic propagation velocity are described. One method comprises deploying in a marine environment a towed seismic spread comprising a plurality of acoustic positioning transmitters and a plurality of positioning point receivers, and using travel times for signals between at least some of the transmitters and point receivers to derive a mathematical model describing acoustic propagation velocity for the marine environment as a function of at least one spread spatial dimension, distances between transmitters and receivers, and any combination thereof. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, and allows a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2006Publication date: January 10, 2008Inventor: KENNETH WELKER
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Publication number: 20070223307Abstract: Systems and methods for automatic steering of marine seismic sources are described. One system comprises a marine seismic spread comprising a towing vessel and a seismic source, the seismic source comprising one or more source arrays each having a center of source array, each source array having one or more source strings; a seismic source deployment sub-system on the towing vessel, the sub-system controlled by a controller including a software module, the software module and the deployment sub-system adapted to control an inline distance between one of the centers of source array and a target coordinate. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, allowing a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2006Publication date: September 27, 2007Inventors: Eskild Storteig, Kenneth Welker, Martin Howlid, Rune Toennessen
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Publication number: 20060285434Abstract: Apparatus and methods for enhancing knowledge of the angle of attack of a streamer steering device are described, one apparatus comprising a seismic streamer having an orientation member including a body and at least one control surface; a sensor of the body adapted to measure a parameter indicative of angle of attack of the body; and a controller for adjusting the control surface based on at least the measured parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2005Publication date: December 21, 2006Inventors: Kenneth Welker, Erik Vigen, Rune Toennessen
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Publication number: 20060256653Abstract: Systems and methods for positioning one or more spread elements of a marine seismic spread are described. One system comprises a seismic vessel-mounted acoustic Doppler current meter adapted to ascertain at least the horizontal component of the current velocity vector at a point ahead of the seismic vessel, and one or more controllers adapted to use the ascertained current velocity vector to control position of one or more seismic spread elements. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2005Publication date: November 16, 2006Inventors: Rune Toennessen, Jens Paulsen, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20060239122Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for calculating position of marine seismic acoustic receivers, and for estimating sound velocity profile of a fluid, are disclosed. One position calculation system includes a vessel, two or more vessel hull-mounted transmitters, a plurality of acoustic receivers on a cable being deployed from the vessel into the fluid, and a calculation unit. The calculation unit may be adapted to calculate position of the receivers, and may be used in calculating the sound velocity profile in the fluid and correcting raw seismic data. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2005Publication date: October 26, 2006Inventors: Erk Vigen, Svein Frivik, Kambiz Iranpour, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20060215489Abstract: Systems and methods for determining position of one or more seismic streamers are disclosed. One system embodiment includes a seismic streamer towed by a towing vessel at a first depth; at least one positioning streamer towed by the towing vessel at a second depth different than the first depth; and an acoustic ranging system between the seismic and positioning streamers It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2005Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Stig Solheim, Kenneth Welker
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Publication number: 20050018537Abstract: The present invention provides for cable motion detection. In one aspect of the instant invention, a method is provided for cable motion detection using orientation sensor. The method includes determining at least one initial inclination of at least one orientation sensor coupled to a seismic cable, determining at least one current inclination of the at least one orientation sensor, and determining whether the at least one seismic cable has moved from the at least one initial inclination and the at least one current inclination.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2003Publication date: January 27, 2005Inventors: Kenneth Welker, Nicolas Goujon