Patents by Inventor Lawrence E. McGowan

Lawrence E. McGowan 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).

  • Measuring standoff and borehole geometry
    Patent number: 8611183
    Abstract: Refracted ultrasonic waves are utilized to calculate tool standoff. An ultrasonic transmitter sends a wave toward (and into) the borehole wall at a critical incidence angle for refracted waves. The refracted wave travels along the borehole wall and continuously radiates energy back into the borehole at the critical angle. The refracted wave is detected by a receiver, and the travel time of the refracted acoustic wave from transmitter to receiver is measured and used to calculate standoff. By making repeated measurements at various azimuths (for instance, as the tool rotates), one or more caliper measurements can be made. The caliper measurements can be combined to yield two-dimensional geometry of the borehole. Measurements made at different azimuths and depths yield three-dimensional borehole geometry. Arrays of transmitter-receiver pairs can be used to obviate the need for varying azimuth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth William Winkler, Lawrence E. McGowan, Ralph Michael D'Angelo
  • MEASURING STANDOFF AND BOREHOLE GEOMETRY
    Publication number: 20090114472
    Abstract: Refracted ultrasonic waves are utilized to calculate tool standoff. An ultrasonic transmitter sends a wave toward (and into) the borehole wall at a critical incidence angle for refracted waves. The refracted wave travels along the borehole wall and continuously radiates energy back into the borehole at the critical angle. The refracted wave is detected by a receiver, and the travel time of the refracted acoustic wave from transmitter to receiver is measured and used to calculate standoff. By making repeated measurements at various azimuths (for instance, as the tool rotates), one or more caliper measurements can be made. The caliper measurements can be combined to yield two-dimensional geometry of the borehole. Measurements made at different azimuths and depths yield three-dimensional borehole geometry. Arrays of transmitter-receiver pairs can be used to obviate the need for varying azimuth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth William Winkler, Lawrence E. McGowan, Ralph Michael D'Angelo
  • Method of detecting carbon dioxide in a downhole environment
    Patent number: 6465775
    Abstract: Methods of detecting carbon dioxide in downhole environments are provided. Near-infrared light is transmitted through a gas downhole. Indications of near-infrared absorptions are detected from the gas and used to determine the presence of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Oliver C. Mullins, Philip A. Rabbito, Lawrence E. McGowan, Toru Terabayashi, Kazuyoshi Kegasawa
  • Method of detecting carbon dioxide in a downhole environment
    Publication number: 20020074489
    Abstract: Methods of detecting carbon dioxide in downhole environments are provided. Near-infrared light is transmitted through a gas downhole. Indications of near-infrared absorptions are detected from the gas and used to determine the presence of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Oliver C. Mullins, Philip A. Rabbito, Lawrence E. McGowan, Toru Terabayashi, Kazuyoshi Kegasawa