Patents by Inventor Kent Kalar

Kent Kalar 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: 20230204162
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a pipeline temperature management system includes communicating, via a management console, with a controller of the pipeline temperature management system, where the controller is configured to obtain temperature data from sensors of the pipeline and control application of heat to sections of the pipeline. The method also includes displaying, via a user interface of the management console, a current state of the pipeline based on information from the controller, receiving an alarm notification based on the temperature data, and displaying the alarm notification via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 11592144
    Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may calculate and display fill percentages of the solidified process fluid at locations along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: nVent Services GmbH
    Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
  • Publication number: 20200248875
    Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may calculate and display fill percentages of the solidified process fluid at locations along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 10634284
    Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may determine a distribution of solidified process fluid along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: Nvent Services GmbH
    Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
  • Publication number: 20180073685
    Abstract: A system may automatically control a pipeline heating system to maintain a desired temperature and/or to provide flow assurance of process fluid along a pipeline. The system may identify the occurrence and location of the solidification of a given process fluid or the melting of the given process fluid by monitoring temperatures along the pipeline and identifying from the monitored temperatures the occurrence and location of a latent heat signature associated with the solidification or melting of the given process fluid. The system may determine a distribution of solidified process fluid along the pipeline. The system may determine the percentage of a given section of pipeline that is filled with solid and/or liquid process fluid on a meter-by-meter basis. The system may perform automated re-melt operations to resolve plugs of solidified process fluid that may occur in the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventors: Franco A. Chakkalakal, Mike Allenspach, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 8897608
    Abstract: A method of improving sampling resolution in a distributed temperature measurement system using a fiber optic distributed sensor by means of programmed delayed trigger signals to a laser light source in order to improve the spatial resolution of such systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen, David Barfoot
  • Patent number: 8775151
    Abstract: A system and method using both static and transient modeling of power cables coupled with real time measurements of distributed temperature profiles of both the cable and it's immediate environment to optimize the current loads of the power cable. The optical fibers used for measuring distributed temperature profiles can be integrated directly into the monitored power cables or be deployed alongside the power cables, including using the optical fibers deployed in optical power ground wire systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventors: Mahesh U. Algaonkar, Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 8630816
    Abstract: High resolution distributed temperature sensors using fiber optic distributed temperature sensing systems deployed on various carriers to significantly improve spatial resolution and provide high resolution temperature profile and detection of fluid or fluid interface levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Park, Mohammed Fassih-Nia, Brian K. McCoy, Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Patent number: 8414186
    Abstract: A new step-index multimode pure silica core fiber for DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) system particularly useful for downhole environments is disclosed and described. The new sensor system provides optimum tradeoffs between coupling power, spatial resolution, and temperature resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kwang Suh, Mahesh Ajgaonkar, Kent Kalar
  • Publication number: 20130003777
    Abstract: A DTS system resistant to hydrogen induced attenuation losses during the service life of an installation at both low and high temperatures using matched multi-wavelength DTS automatic calibration technology in combination with designed hydrogen tolerant Pure Silica Core (PSC) optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Mikko Jaaskelainen, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 8333505
    Abstract: Systems and methods for extending the range of a fiber optic DTS system are provided. In one respect, a method may provide steps for transmitting, in a first time period, an optical signal at a first energy level through an optical fiber, collecting backscatter signals as a result of the first transmission, adjusting the first energy level to a second energy level, transmitting, in an additional time period, the adjusted optical signal through the optical fiber, collecting backscatter signals as a result of the adjusted transmissions, and using a portion of the collected backscatter as a result of the first transmission and a portion of the collected backscatter as a result of the additional transmissions, determining one or more parameter profiles, such as a temperature profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kent Kalar, Mahesh Ajgaonkar, Michael Sanders
  • Publication number: 20120105826
    Abstract: A method of improving sampling resolution in a distributed temperature measurement system using a fiber optic distributed sensor by means of programmed delayed trigger signals to a laser light source in order to improve the spatial resolution of such systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventors: Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen, David Barfoot
  • Publication number: 20120010846
    Abstract: High resolution distributed temperature sensors using fiber optic distributed temperature sensing systems deployed on various carriers to significantly improve spatial resolution and provide high resolution temperature profile and detection of fluid or fluid interface levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: January 12, 2012
    Inventors: Park Brian, Fassih-Nia Mohammed, Brian K. McCoy, Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Publication number: 20110231135
    Abstract: An automatic auto-correcting method is presented to improve the accuracy of fiber optic distributed temperature measurements derived from Raman back scatterings utilizing two light sources with different wavelengths, by appropriate choice of the wavelengths of the two sources, the use of single pulse modulating circuit for the two light sources, and use of one of the light sources as a primary measurement system and the second light source as an occasional correcting source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Kwang Suh, Kent Kalar, Chung Lee, Michael Sanders
  • Publication number: 20110218790
    Abstract: A system and method using both static and transient modeling of power cables coupled with real time measurements of distributed temperature profiles of both the cable and it's immediate environment to optimize the current loads of the power cable. The optical fibers used for measuring distributed temperature profiles can be integrated directly into the monitored power cables or be deployed alongside the power cables, including using the optical fibers deployed in optical power ground wire systems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Mahesh U Algaonkar, Kent Kalar, Kari-Mikko Jaaskelainen
  • Publication number: 20100103978
    Abstract: A new step-index multimode pure silica core fiber for DTS (Distributed Temperature Sensing) system particularly useful for downhole environments is disclosed and described. The new sensor system provides optimum tradeoffs between coupling power, spatial resolution, and temperature resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kwang Suh, Mahesh Ajgaonkar, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 7668412
    Abstract: A distributed sensing system for detecting partial electric discharge along the length of an extended object or objects. An optical fiber having a cladding integrated with luminescent material and a silica core of less than 500 micro-meters in diameter with a first reflective end deployed in proximity to test objects. A photo detector is positioned at the second end of the optical sensing fiber and receives and measures both a direct emission light from an electric partial discharge event and the reflected emission light from the reflection end of the optical sensing fiber. The measured signals and their arrival times are used to determine the location and magnitude of a partial electrical discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sensor Tran, Inc
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kent Kalar
  • Patent number: 7628531
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a temperature sensing system are disclosed. In one respect, a dual light source configuration may be provided. A first light source may illuminate a sensing fiber and an anti-Stokes band may be detected. A second light source may illuminate a sensing fiber and a Stokes band may be detected, where the Stokes band is substantially similar to the anti-Stokes band of the first light source. A ratio between the anti-Stokes and Stokes band may be used to calibrate a temperature sensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc
    Inventors: Chung E. Lee, Kent Kalar, Michael E. Sanders
  • Patent number: 7526397
    Abstract: Systems and methods for calibrating a temperature sensing system are disclosed. In one respect, a line may be placed in operative relation with a first reference cell and a second reference cell. The temperatures of the first and second reference cells may be adjusted. In one non-limiting example, the temperature of the first reference cell may be adjusted to a temperature above an ambient temperature and the temperature of the second reference cell may be adjusted to a temperature below an ambient temperature. The temperature sensing system may be calibrated based on the temperature data of the first and second reference cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: SensorTran, Inc.
    Inventors: Kent Kalar, Michael E. Sanders, Chung Lee, Brian Park, Mohammed Fassih-Nia
  • Publication number: 20090102489
    Abstract: A distributed sensing system for detecting partial electric discharge along the length of an extended object or objects. An optical fiber having a cladding integrated with luminescent material and a silica core of less than 500 micro-meters in diameter with a first reflective end deployed in proximity to test objects. A photo detector is positioned at the second end of the optical sensing fiber and receives and measures both a direct emission light from an electric partial discharge event and the reflected emission light from the reflection end of the optical sensing fiber. The measured signals and their arrival times are used to determine the location and magnitude of a partial electrical discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Chung Lee, Kent Kalar