Patents by Inventor Mark A. Meier

Mark A. Meier 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: 9310499
    Abstract: Method for seismic prospecting using counter-rotating (207-208) eccentric-mass (201, 202) vibrator (CREMV) technology adapted as vibrator sources for seismic prospecting to produce controlled sweeps, as in the manner used in modern seismic prospecting, but with large forces at low frequencies, e.g. forces >275 kN at frequencies between 1 and 5 Hz. This is achieved by adapting the CREMV to enable rotational frequency and the eccentricity (205, 206) of the masses relative to their rotation axes (203-204) to be varied independently and simultaneously, and by designing the CREMV such that the radius of rotation of the center of mass of each rotating mass is on the order of 50 cm or more. The low frequency data obtained from such a seismic source enables improved detection and resolution of subsurface structures and better determination of subsurface properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Steven E. Heiney, Jelena Tomic, Paul Ibanez, Conor N. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20150041242
    Abstract: Method for seismic prospecting using counter-rotating (207-208) eccentric-mass (201, 202) vibrator (CREMV) technology adapted as vibrator sources for seismic prospecting to produce controlled sweeps, as in the manner used in modern seismic prospecting, but with large forces at low frequencies, e.g. forces >275 kN at frequencies between 1 and 5 Hz. This is achieved by adapting the CREMV to enable rotational frequency and the eccentricity (205, 206) of the masses relative to their rotation axes (203-204) to be varied independently and simultaneously, and by designing the CREMV such that the radius of rotation of the center of mass of each rotating mass is on the order of 50 cm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Steven E. Heiney, Jelena Tomic, Paul Ibanez, Conor N. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8833509
    Abstract: Method for marine seismic acquisition using both monopole (91) and dipole (92) source types. Through a combination of source design and operation and/or combination or summing of the data in a processing step, the source ghost is either attenuated or, if desired, enhanced (93). The properties of the two different source types allow them to be adjusted so that the first down going wave from each has either opposite polarity or the same polarity, whereas the source-ghost wave will have, respectively same polarity or opposite polarity. This allows cancellation or enhancement of the source ghost. If the survey also employs two-component sensor acquisition, then the combined data sets may be both sensor de-ghosted and source de-ghosted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Richard E. Duren
  • Patent number: 8681586
    Abstract: Devices for sensing gradients are constructed from material whose properties change in response to gradients. One embodiment of the device is a transducer (200) for sensing gradients that includes the material (210) and two or more electrodes (240, 270) coupled to the material. In one embodiment, gradients in a surrounding medium (110) modify the energy gap of the material in the transducer (130) producing a diffusion current density (150). The material is configured to connect to a current or voltage measurement device (520, 530, 540) where a measurement is used to determine the gradient in the medium (160). The devices can be used to measure pressure, temperature, and/or other properties. The transducer can be built on the same substrate as complementary circuitry. A transducer made of Indium. Antimonide is used in marine seismology to measure pressure gradients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Gary A. Hallock, Mark A. Meier
  • Publication number: 20140027122
    Abstract: Method for marine seismic acquisition using both monopole (91) and dipole (92) source types. Through a combination of source design and operation and/or combination or summing of the data in a processing step, the source ghost is either attenuated or, if desired, enhanced (93). The properties of the two different source types allow them to be adjusted so that the first down going wave from each has either opposite polarity or the same polarity, whereas the source-ghost wave will have, respectively same polarity or opposite polarity. This allows cancellation or enhancement of the source ghost. If the survey also employs two-component sensor acquisition, then the combined data sets may be both sensor de-ghosted and source de-ghosted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Exxonmobile Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Richard E. Duren
  • Publication number: 20130114375
    Abstract: Method for separating different seismic energy modes in the acquisition (65) of seismic survey data by using sensors that preferentially record a single mode (63), optionally combined with a source that preferentially transmits that mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Christine E. Krohn, Marvin L. Johnson, Michael W. Norris, Mat Walsh, Graham A. Winbow
  • Publication number: 20110194376
    Abstract: Devices for sensing gradients are constructed from material whose properties change in response to gradients. One embodiment of the device is a transducer (200) for sensing gradients that includes the material (210) and two or more electrodes (240, 270) coupled to the material. In one embodiment, gradients in a surrounding medium (110) modify the energy gap of the material in the transducer (130) producing a diffusion current density (150). The material is configured to connect to a current or voltage measurement device (520, 530, 540) where a measurement is used to determine the gradient in the medium (160). The devices can be used to measure pressure, temperature, and/or other properties. The transducer can be built on the same substrate as complementary circuitry. A transducer made of Indium. Antimonide is used in marine seismology to measure pressure gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Gary A. Hallock, Mark A. Meier
  • Patent number: 7894299
    Abstract: Method for designing a converted mode (PS or SP) seismic survey to accomplish specified vertical and lateral resolution objectives at target depth. An equation (181) is provided for determining the minimum bandwidth required for a desired vertical resolution at a selected scattering angle, as a function of incident and reflected wave velocities, one of which is the P-wave velocity and the other is the S-wave velocity. A second equation (182) is provided for determining migration acceptance angle from the desired vertical and lateral resolutions. Source and receiver apertures may then be determined by ray tracing. Finally, a third equation (183) is provided for the maximum bin size to avoid aliasing, given the migration acceptance angle and a maximum frequency needed to achieve the bandwidth requirement. Source and receiver spacing may then be based on the maximum bin size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventor: Mark A. Meier
  • Publication number: 20090296524
    Abstract: Method for designing a converted mode (PS or SP) seismic survey to accomplish specified vertical and lateral resolution objectives at target depth. An equation (181) is provided for determining the minimum bandwidth required for a desired vertical resolution at a selected scattering angle, as a function of incident and reflected wave velocities, one of which is the P-wave velocity and the other is the S-wave velocity. A second equation (182) is provided for determining migration acceptance angle from the desired vertical and lateral resolutions. Source and receiver apertures may then be determined by ray tracing. Finally, a third equation (183) is provided for the maximum bin size to avoid aliasing, given the migration acceptance angle and a maximum frequency needed to achieve the bandwidth requirement. Source and receiver spacing may then be based on the maximum bin size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventor: Mark A. Meier
  • Patent number: 7377357
    Abstract: A marine seismic source method capable of retaining low frequencies is disclosed. One embodiment of the method comprises a seismic source that generates an up-going wave and first down-going wave with opposite polarity. The up-going wave reflects off the ocean surface as a second down-going wave having the same polarity as the first down-going wave and the first and second down-going waves combine substantially in-phase to form a third down-going wave. A source apparatus to accomplish the method is also disclosed. One source apparatus embodiment comprises a device wherein at least part of the device is below the surface of the water and the device is adapted to cause oscillations below the surface of the water, and means for oscillating the device in the water to create an up-going wave and a first down-going wave and the up-going wave has reverse polarity relative to the first down-going wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Exxon Mobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Richard E. Duren, Mark A. Meier
  • Patent number: 7295494
    Abstract: A pressure gradient sensor for seismic and other applications utilizing the principle of diamagnetic drift. The sensor comprises at least one transducer, each transducer made of or containing a medium having at least one species of mobile charged particles such as electrons or holes that exhibit diamagnetic drift under a pressure gradient. A magnet and a pair of electrodes are installed in each transducer. Diamagnetic drift current collected by the electrodes can be measured by an ammeter or similar device, and formulas and methods are disclosed to determine the pressure gradient from the measured current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventor: Mark A. Meier