Patents by Inventor Larry Schoonover

Larry Schoonover 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: 9857801
    Abstract: A method of performing online diagnostics for a valve includes receiving valve information while the valve is in operation. The valve information includes setpoint data and position data associated with the valve. The method further includes processing the setpoint data and the position data at a plurality of time intervals, and detecting an occurrence of a stick-slip based on the processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Robert Claude Prescott, Justin Shriver, Larry Schoonover
  • Publication number: 20150277445
    Abstract: A method of performing online diagnostics for a valve includes receiving valve information while the valve is in operation. The valve information includes setpoint data and position data associated with the valve. The method further includes processing the setpoint data and the position data at a plurality of time intervals, and detecting an occurrence of a stick-slip based on the processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Frederick Wilson Wheeler, Robert Claude Prescott, Justin Shriver, Larry Schoonover
  • Patent number: 7953575
    Abstract: When an electrical submersible pump motor runs, rotary vibrations occur in the same direction as the rotation of the motor. This vibration can be detected by an XY vibration sensor. Depending on the rotation direction, the vibration along the X-axis will be out of phase +90 degrees or ?90 degrees with the vibration in the Y-axis. To determine the rotation direction, the vibration sensor measures a vibration of an ESP pump in two axes, recording first and second vibration signals. Next, whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal is determined by, for example, comparing correlations of the first and second signal with the second signal shifted by plus and minus one-fourth of the period of rotation. Then a direction of a rotation of the electrical submersible pump can be determined responsive to the determination of whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry Schoonover
  • Publication number: 20100191484
    Abstract: When an electrical submersible pump motor runs, rotary vibrations occur in the same direction as the rotation of the motor. This vibration can be detected by an XY vibration sensor. Depending on the rotation direction, the vibration along the X-axis will be out of phase +90 degrees or ?90 degrees with the vibration in the Y-axis. To determine the rotation direction, the vibration sensor measures a vibration of an ESP pump in two axes, recording first and second vibration signals. Next, whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal is determined by, for example, comparing correlations of the first and second signal with the second signal shifted by plus and minus one-fourth of the period of rotation. Then a direction of a rotation of the electrical submersible pump can be determined responsive to the determination of whether the first signal either leads or lags the second signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Larry Schoonover
  • Patent number: 7089086
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing online valve diagnostics. Valve characteristics such as step response, friction and spring range are determined while the valve is operating in a process without intervention by a controller deriving the valve diagnostics. Valve information is obtained while the valve operates in response to a control signal controlling a process while the valve operates through a series of gradual movements. Valve characteristics are then determined from the valve information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry Schoonover
  • Publication number: 20040228173
    Abstract: Methods and systems for performing online valve diagnostics. Valve characteristics such as step response, friction and spring range are determined while the valve is operating in a process without intervention by a controller deriving the valve diagnostics. Valve information is obtained while the valve operates in response to a control signal controlling a process while the valve operates through a series of gradual movements. Valve characteristics are then determined from the valve information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventor: Larry Schoonover
  • Patent number: 6745084
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares
  • Patent number: 6453261
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares
  • Publication number: 20010037670
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 8, 2001
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares
  • Publication number: 20010037159
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: November 1, 2001
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares
  • Publication number: 20010032518
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares
  • Patent number: 6272401
    Abstract: A valve positioner system that includes one or more unique control methods and devices, including several routines to facilitate the continuous maintenance, calibration and adjustment requirements of the valve. The positioner system may utilize pressure and position feedback signals to monitor the valve. The positioner system may utilize an external controller for various diagnostic and other routines. The positioner system can provide automatic positioning and can operate in a manual operating mode or an automatic operating mode. The positioner system can diagnose the valve while the valve process is running or during a maintenance operation. The positioner system can provide nonlinear control of the valve position. The positioner system can self-tune and self-characterize the valve to assure uniform position control. The positioner system can provide valve control through pressure feedback when a position feedback fails or other diagnosed problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Dresser Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Boger, Christopher Colwell, Peter Levesque, Larry Schoonover, Raymond Villier, Denis Vital, Chunhe Zhou, James Stares