Patents by Inventor Melvin Clark Thompson

Melvin Clark Thompson 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).

  • Publication number: 20190112912
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting structural integrity of a well casing. The system may detect casing structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity events may include structural failures of the casing and/or potential structural failures of the casing. The well casing may be drilled and/or otherwise embedded into a geologic structure. The well casing may be subject to geologic forces generated by the geologic structure. Unplanned and/or unexpected forces and/or movement may pose a risk to the structural integrity of the casing. Forces and/or movement of sufficient magnitude may result in damage to and/or destruction of the casing. Damage to and/or destruction of the casing may cause a loss of the natural resources being extracted via the well associated with the well casing, contamination of areas surrounding the well, undesirable surface expression, and/or other negative effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: Melvin Clark THOMPSON, James Daniel MONTOYA, Jacobo Rogelio ARCHULETA
  • Patent number: 10072494
    Abstract: A system for determining a characteristic of an oil well includes a signal source to generate an excitation signal during a first time duration and to generate a local oscillator signal during a second time duration. The system further includes a directional coupler, and a resonator disposed in an annulus of an oil well to receive the excitation signal through the directional coupler. The system also includes a mixer to receive a resonator signal from the resonator through the directional coupler, to receive the local oscillator signal, and to generate a mixer output signal based on the resonator signal and the local oscillator signal. The system further includes a filter to filter the mixer output signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal having an intermediate frequency, and a processor to determine a pressure or a temperature experienced by the resonator based on the intermediate frequency signal and the excitation signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Patent number: 10047595
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Publication number: 20180179881
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting structural integrity of a well casing. The system may detect casing structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity events may include structural failures of the casing and/or potential structural failures of the casing. The well casing may be drilled and/or otherwise embedded into a geologic structure. The well casing may be subject to geologic forces generated by the geologic structure. Unplanned and/or unexpected forces and/or movement may pose a risk to the structural integrity of the casing. Forces and/or movement of sufficient magnitude may result in damage to and/or destruction of the casing. Damage to and/or destruction of the casing may cause a loss of the natural resources being extracted via the well associated with the well casing, contamination of areas surrounding the well, undesirable surface expression, and/or other negative effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Melvin Clark THOMPSON, James Daniel MONTOYA, Jacobo Rogelio ARCHULETA
  • Patent number: 9874091
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a tubing string having a number of tubing pipe disposed within an annulus formed by a casing string disposed within a wellbore, where the tubing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the tubing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the tubing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first electromagnetic directional traveling wave received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventor: Melvin Clark Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170356274
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to provide power and monitor conditions in a borehole. Well tubing and casing act as a conductive pair for delivering power wirelessly to isolated zones defined between packer elements. Data signals are similarly transmitted. The packer elements include magnetic toroidal cores for power and signal transmission via inductively coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Publication number: 20170314390
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a tubing string having a number of tubing pipe disposed within an annulus formed by a casing string disposed within a wellbore, where the tubing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the tubing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the tubing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first electromagnetic directional traveling wave received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2017
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventor: Melvin Clark Thompson
  • Publication number: 20170211368
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Patent number: 9670739
    Abstract: A gas lift valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation can include a power source that generates power, and a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source, where the delivery system delivers the power generated by the power source. The system can also include at least one gas lift valve assembly disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, where the at least one gas lift valve assembly receives the power from the delivery system, where at least one valve, when in a position other than a fully closed position, allows a control medium to flow from an inlet channel to an outlet channel, where the outlet channel empties into the cavity of the delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Luis Phillipe Costa Ferreira Tosi, Melvin Clark Thompson, Heath Evan Lynch
  • Publication number: 20170145812
    Abstract: A system for determining a characteristic of an oil well includes a signal source to generate an excitation signal during a first time duration and to generate a local oscillator signal during a second time duration. The system further includes a directional coupler, and a resonator disposed in an annulus of an oil well to receive the excitation signal through the directional coupler. The system also includes a mixer to receive a resonator signal from the resonator through the directional coupler, to receive the local oscillator signal, and to generate a mixer output signal based on the resonator signal and the local oscillator signal. The system further includes a filter to filter the mixer output signal to produce an intermediate frequency signal having an intermediate frequency, and a processor to determine a pressure or a temperature experienced by the resonator based on the intermediate frequency signal and the excitation signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Patent number: 9540923
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Publication number: 20160160636
    Abstract: A downhole energy transmission system is described. The system can include a casing string having a number of casing pipe disposed within a wellbore, where the casing string has at least one wall forming a cavity. The system can also include a remote electrical device disposed within the cavity of the casing string at a first location. The system can further include a first stripline cable disposed on an outer surface of the casing string, where the first stripline cable transmits a first energy received from an energy source. The system can also include a second stripline cable disposed adjacent to the first stripline cable at the first location, where the second stripline cable is electrically coupled to the remote electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Melvin Clark Thompson, David William Beck
  • Publication number: 20160115766
    Abstract: A gas lift valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation can include a power source that generates power, and a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source, where the delivery system delivers the power generated by the power source. The system can also include at least one gas lift valve assembly disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, where the at least one gas lift valve assembly receives the power from the delivery system, where at least one valve, when in a position other than a fully closed position, allows a control medium to flow from an inlet channel to an outlet channel, where the outlet channel empties into the cavity of the delivery system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Publication date: April 28, 2016
    Inventors: Luis Phillipe Costa Ferreira Tosi, Melvin Clark Thompson, Health Evan Lynch
  • Patent number: 9316063
    Abstract: A system for applying power into a wellbore. The system can include a casing, a tubing string, a first and second isolator sub, a power source, and an electrical device. The casing has a first cavity running therethrough. The tubing string is disposed within the first cavity without contacting the casing, where the tubing string has a second cavity running therethrough. The first isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The power source is electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub. The second isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The electrical device is electrically coupled to a bottom end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Manuel Eduardo Gonzalez, Melvin Clark Thompson, Jacobo Archuleta, Patrick Rodriguez, David William Beck, Scot Ellis, Wade Ogg
  • Publication number: 20160003027
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and method for detecting structural integrity of a well casing. The system may detect casing structural integrity events. The casing structural integrity events may include structural failures of the casing and/or potential structural failures of the casing. The well casing may be drilled and/or otherwise embedded into a geologic structure. The well casing may be subject to geologic forces generated by the geologic structure. Unplanned and/or unexpected forces and/or movement may pose a risk to the structural integrity of the casing. Forces and/or movement of sufficient magnitude may result in damage to and/or destruction of the casing. Damage to and/or destruction of the casing may cause a loss of the natural resources being extracted via the well associated with the well casing, contamination of areas surrounding the well, undesirable surface expression, and/or other negative effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin Clark THOMPSON, David William BECK
  • Patent number: 9194225
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor fluid levels in a drill pipe in borehole. The system includes an electromagnetic (EM) generator to generate a traveling wave of electromagnetic energy to propagate along a linear path through the drill pipe towards a surface of the fluid, a detector to detect a portion of the electromagnetic wave reflected from the surface of the fluid and propagated through the drill pipe towards the detector, a processor to analyze detected signals to determine a level of the surface of the fluid. In an embodiment, the system includes a pump controller to control the operation of a pump located in the wellbore or at the mudline based on the fluid surface level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: James David Dowell, Melvin Clark Thompson
  • Publication number: 20150252625
    Abstract: A system for applying power into a wellbore. The system can include a casing, a tubing string, a first and second isolator sub, a power source, and an electrical device. The casing has a first cavity running therethrough. The tubing string is disposed within the first cavity without contacting the casing, where the tubing string has a second cavity running therethrough. The first isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The power source is electrically coupled to the power-transmitting section of the tubing string below the first isolator sub. The second isolator sub is mechanically coupled to the tubing string and positioned between the bottom neutral section and the power-transmitting section of the tubing string. The electrical device is electrically coupled to a bottom end of the power-transmitting section of the tubing string.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel Eduardo Gonzalez, Melvin Clark Thompson, Jacobo Archuleta, Patrick Rodriguez, David William Beck, Scot Ellis, Wade Ogg
  • Patent number: 9103198
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor conditions in a borehole. Well tubing and casing act as a conductive pair for delivering power to one or more downhole active sensors. At the surface, power and signal are isolated so that the same conductive pair may act to transmit the sensor signals to the surface. In an embodiment, the sensor signals are RF signals and the surface electronics demodulate the RF signals from the sensor power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.
    Inventors: Manuel E. Gonzalez, Melvin Clark Thompson, Robert Louis Williford, David William Beck
  • Publication number: 20150070186
    Abstract: A system, method and device may be used to monitor conditions in a borehole. Well tubing and casing act as a conductive pair for delivering power to one or more downhole active sensors. At the surface, power and signal are isolated so that the same conductive pair may act to transmit the sensor signals to the surface. In an embodiment, the sensor signals are RF signals and the surface electronics demodulate the RF signals from the sensor power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Manuel E. Gonzalez, Melvin Clark Thompson, Robert Louis Williford, David William Beck
  • Patent number: 8857522
    Abstract: A subsurface safety valve system for a wellbore within a subterranean formation is described. The system can include a power source that generates power, and a delivery system disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the power source. The system can also include at least one safety valve disposed within the wellbore and electrically coupled to the delivery system, where the at least one safety valve remains open while the at least one safety valve receives the power from the delivery system, and where the at least one safety valve closes when the at least one safety valve stops receiving power from the delivery system. The system can further include production tubing mechanically coupled to a distal end of the at least one safety valve, where the at least one safety valve shuts in a cavity within production tubing when the at least one safety valve closes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Alvaro Jose Arrazola, Melvin Clark Thompson