Patents by Inventor Kevin J. Forbes

Kevin J. Forbes 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: 8327941
    Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Hackworth, Nihat Ovutmen, Kevin J. Forbes, Lance I. Fielder, Allan Ross
  • Patent number: 7906861
    Abstract: Electrical energy is produced at a remote site by converting kinetic energy from the environment. The kinetic energy may include vibrations and flow of fluid. In some embodiments the kinetic energy causes magnets to move with respect to coils in order to produce electrical energy. An anchor holds the device in place, and permits the device to be retrieved or relocated. A flexure or compliant membrane that helps determine the position of the magnets with respect to coils is defined by mechanical properties that permit oscillatory movement in response to the inputted kinetic energy. The device can be tuned to different vibration and flow regimes in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency. Further, the device may be mounted in a secondary flow path such as a side package or annular tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Julio C. Guerrero, Jahir A. Pabon, Francois M. Auzerais, Kuo Chiang Chen, Kevin J. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20110000675
    Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Matthew R. Hackworth, Nihat Ovutmen, Kevin J. Forbes, Lance I. Fielder, Allan Ross
  • Patent number: 7814976
    Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew R. Hackworth, Nihat Ovutmen, Kevin J. Forbes, Lance I. Fielder, Allan Ross
  • Patent number: 7560856
    Abstract: Electrical energy is produced at a remote or close site by converting kinetic energy from fluid flow with membranes that generates electrical energy in response to deformation by the fluid flow passing though a piezo electric medium attached to the deforming membranes. Sets of membranes define variable fluid flow restrictors that oscillate due to interaction of the force of fluid flow and Bernoulli Effect. The device can be tuned to different flow regimes in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency. Each membrane may include one or more layers of piezoelectric material separated by insulating/stiffening layers. Further, the device may be mounted in a secondary flow path such as a side package or annular tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kuo Chiang Chen, Jahir A. Pabon, Partha Ganguly, Murat Ocalan, Julio C. Guerrero, Kevin J. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20090140604
    Abstract: Electrical energy is produced at a remote or close site by converting kinetic energy from fluid flow with membranes that generates electrical energy in response to deformation by the fluid flow passing though a piezo electric medium attached to the deforming membranes. Sets of membranes define variable fluid flow restrictors that oscillate due to interaction of the force of fluid flow and Bernoulli Effect. The device can be tuned to different flow regimes in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency. Each membrane may include one or more layers of piezoelectric material separated by insulating/stiffening layers. Further, the device may be mounted in a secondary flow path such as a side package or annular tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kuo Chiang Chen, Jahir A. Pabon, Partha Ganguly, Murat Ocalan, Julio C. Guerrero, Kevin J. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20090134631
    Abstract: Electrical energy is produced at a remote site by converting kinetic energy from the environment. The kinetic energy may include vibrations and flow of fluid. In some embodiments the kinetic energy causes magnets to move with respect to coils in order to produce electrical energy. An anchor holds the device in place, and permits the device to be retrieved or relocated. A flexure or compliant membrane that helps determine the position of the magnets with respect to coils is defined by mechanical properties that permit oscillatory movement in response to the inputted kinetic energy. The device can be tuned to different vibration and flow regimes in order to enhance energy conversion efficiency. Further, the device may be mounted in a secondary flow path such as a side package or annular tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Julio C. Guerrero, Jahir A. Pabon, Francois M. Auzerais, Kuo Chiang Chen, Kevin J. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20090056939
    Abstract: A downhole device having an oil/water separator having a well fluid inlet, an oil stream outlet conduit, and a water stream outlet conduit; a removable flow-restrictor located in at least one of the water stream outlet conduit or the oil stream outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: MATTHEW R. HACKWORTH, NIHAT OVUTMEN, KEVIN J. FORBES, LANCE I. FIELDER, ALLAN ROSS
  • Publication number: 20080251255
    Abstract: Steam injection pipe string apparatus is disclosed comprising an elongated tubular structure with first and second ends, and a plurality of orifices formed in the elongated tubular structure. The sizes of the orifices vary from one end of the elongated tubular structure to the other, and, in one embodiment, the sizes of the orifices increase from one end of the elongated tubular structure to the other. The elongated tubular structure may comprise a plurality of blank pipes in threaded engagement with one another or a plurality of subs with different sized orifices in the subs. The orifices may be formed in the elongated tubular structure using milling techniques or by inserting a nozzle in a threaded aperture formed in the structure. A system utilizing the steam injection pipe string apparatus is especially suitable for use in a steam assisted gravity drainage system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin J. Forbes, Nihat Ovutmen
  • Patent number: 7240730
    Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Glynn R Williams, Kevin J Forbes, Arthur H Hartog, Christian Koeniger, George A Brown
  • Patent number: 6997256
    Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Sensor Highway Limited
    Inventors: Glynn R Williams, Kevin J Forbes, Arthur H Hartog, Christian Koeniger, George A Brown
  • Patent number: 6989764
    Abstract: A method for actuating or installing downhole equipment in a wellbore employs non-acoustic signals (e.g., radio frequency signals) to locate, inventory, install, or actuate one downhole structure in relation to another downhole structure. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a first downhole structure that comprises a non-acoustic (e.g.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Hubertus V. Thomeer, Sarmad Adnan, Randolph J. Sheffield, Michael H. Kenison, Kevin J. Forbes
  • Publication number: 20040112596
    Abstract: A system to determine the mixture of fluids in the deviated section of a wellbore comprising at least one distributed temperature sensor adapted to measure the temperature profile along at least two levels of a vertical axis of the deviated section. Each distributed temperature sensor can be a fiber optic line functionally connected to a light source that may utilize optical time domain reflectometry to measure the temperature profile along the length of the fiber line. The temperature profiles at different positions along the vertical axis of the deviated wellbore enables the determination of the cross-sectional distribution of fluids flowing along the deviated section. Together with the fluid velocity of each of the fluids flowing along the deviated section, the cross-sectional fluid distribution enables the calculation of the flow rates of each of the fluids. The system may also be used in conjunction with a pipeline, such as a subsea pipeline, to determine the flow rates of fluids flowing therethrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Glynn R. Williams, Kevin J. Forbes, Arthur H. Hartog, Christian Koeniger, George A. Brown