Patents by Inventor Loel Gene Corbett

Loel Gene Corbett 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: 8014492
    Abstract: A method for nondestructively obtaining measurement information of a region within one or more ultra-hard polycrystalline constructions comprises conducting a first measurement using x-ray fluorescence by directing x-rays onto a surface of the diamond body, receiving x-ray fluorescence from the diamond body, and deriving measurement information regarding the region therefrom. A second method can be used on the same or other ultra-hard polycrystalline constructions to obtain measurement information regarding the region in a manner that is relatively more time efficient than the first method to facilitate use of the measurement method on a large number of constructions. The second measurement can be selected from the group including beta backscatter, x-ray radioscopy, eddy current, magnetic induction, and microresistance. In an example embodiment, the method is used to determine the thickness of a region within the diamond body that comprises less catalyst material than another region within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Loel Gene Corbett, Nephi Mourik
  • Patent number: 7864919
    Abstract: A method for determining a position of a region within an ultra-hard polycrystalline body comprises directing x-rays onto the body, wherein the body includes one region that includes a target atom and another region that does not. The ultra-hard polycrystalline body can be in the form of a cutting element used with a subterranean drill bit. The x-rays penetrate the body and cause the target atom within the region including the same to emit x-ray fluorescence. The emitted x-ray fluorescence is received and the position of the second region within the body is determined therefrom. In one embodiment, the one region extends a depth from the surface, and the other region extends from one region into the body. The x-rays can be directed onto a number of different body surface portions to determine the placement position of the region comprising the target atom within the polycrystalline body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald K. Eyre, Terry Lee Woodruff, Loel Gene Corbett
  • Patent number: 7616734
    Abstract: A method for nondestructively obtaining measurement information of a region within one or more ultra-hard polycrystalline constructions comprises conducing a first measurement using x-ray fluorescence by directing x-rays onto a surface of the diamond body, receiving x-ray fluorescence from the diamond body, and deriving measurement information regarding the region therefrom. A second method can be used on the same or other ultra-hard polycrystalline constructions to obtain measurement information regarding the region in a manner that is relatively more time efficient than the first method to facilitate use of the measurement method on a large number of constructions. The second measurement can be selected from the group including beta backscatter, x-ray radioscopy, eddy current, magnetic induction, and microresistance. In an example embodiment, the method is used to determine the thickness of a region within the diamond body that comprises less catalyst material than another region within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Loel Gene Corbett, Nephi Mourik