Patents by Inventor Michael John Black
Michael John Black 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).
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Publication number: 20180238725Abstract: Processing electronics provide flow data acquisition and telemetry for multiphase flow tomographic ultrasonic transceiver arrays. The processing electronics forms pulse drive signals to cause a tomographic pulse sequence to be emitted. Selected ones of an array of the ultrasonic transceivers emit ultrasonic energy in the tomographic pulse sequence for travel through the multiphase flow. The selected transmitting transceiver is isolated while transmitting it, and the remaining the transceivers are enabled to receive measures of the emitted pulse is after travel through the multiphase flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2018Publication date: August 23, 2018Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
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Patent number: 10030511Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Talha Jamal Ahmad, Michael John Black, Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10030512Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2016Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Talha Jamal Ahmad, Michael John Black, Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 10018748Abstract: Systems and methods for determining characteristics of a fluid in a subterranean well include providing a production pipe extending into the subterranean well to convey the fluids from within the subterranean well to an earth's surface. An x-ray source is located on a first side of the production pipe. An x-ray beam is directed into the production pipe, into the fluids, and out of an opposite side of the production pipe as a resulting beam, with the x-ray source. A level of attenuation of the resulting beam is detected with an attenuation detector located on an opposite side of the production pipe. A fluorescence spectra of the resulting beam is detected with a scattered fluorescence detector located on the opposite side of the production pipe. A fluorescence peak of the resulting beam is detected with a peak fluorescence detector located on the opposite side of the production pipe.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Talha Jamal Ahmad, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9989387Abstract: Processing electronics provide flow data acquisition and telemetry for multiphase flow tomographic arrays. The processing electronics convert sensed flow condition data obtained by ultrasonic transceiver tomography arrays into a serial digital data to minimize both the number of external feedthroughs and also the bandwidth required for transmission. The processing electronics also sends the full measured waveforms from each of the transceivers in the tomographic arrays.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
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Publication number: 20180080893Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a water cut value of a composition comprising a hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining the water cut value of the composition that comprises one or more of a capacitance probe, a temperature probe, a salinity probe, and a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9863404Abstract: A dual-type solar power generator comprising a dual capture panel. The dual capture panel comprises a reflective surface configured to reflect solar radiation having a reflecting wavelength and an absorbent surface configured to absorb solar radiation having an absorbent wavelength to create a released electron stream. A thermal transfer unit comprising a receiving zone configured to absorb heat energy, a heat engine that converts the heat energy to mechanical work energy, and a generator configured to convert the mechanical work energy to an electric current, an electric conditioning system comprising an electrical buffer configured to prevent a cross flow of the released electron stream and the electric current, a power converter configured to equalize a released electron stream voltage with an electric current voltage, an electrical connector configured to combine the released stream voltage with the electric current voltage to create a power source.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Abubaker Saeed
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Publication number: 20170363560Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a water cut value of a composition comprising a hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining the water cut value of the composition that comprises one or more of a capacitance probe, a temperature probe, a salinity probe, and a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9721336Abstract: Tomographic reconstruction is performed of cross-sectional images of downhole or surface multiphase flows containing water (brine), oil, and gas phases. Measures are obtained of digital transmission (or analog attenuation) and also of analog transit time to form two views of the same cross sectional flow in a location of interest in a flow conduit. The measures are then merged by synthesizing a composite image of the multiphase flows. Rather than performing a complex tomographic reconstruction requiring a large number of calculations, measures are also obtained directly from the tomographic pattern which can be used to reconstruct an approximation of the cross sectional flow by the superposition of circles of variable position, radius and density representing flow patterns.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2016Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Talha Jamal Ahmad, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9714854Abstract: Ultrasound tomography arrays and vortex shedding devices are provided which measure average flow velocity through Doppler shift of the fluid as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition in pipe or tubing conduits. Multiple tomographic arrays in conjunction with correlation of sensed flow patterns in time provided determination of flow velocity as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition. The tomographic arrays may be arranged in a skewed or slanted plane to measure velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid. Additionally, the tomographic arrays provide the relative composition of the multiphase fluid. The multiple arrays together with correlation to determine velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2016Date of Patent: July 25, 2017Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noul-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
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Patent number: 9702242Abstract: A system and method for downhole data communication using an infrasound wave generator and receivers. The infrasound waves have a low frequency and a wavelength that is much larger than the transverse dimensions of the well. When the infrasound waves are directed down the well, the well will act as a wave guide for low frequency excitations. The receivers are operatively connected to inflow valves and other downhole equipment, and receive the infrasound waves. If the waves are of a predetermined frequency, the receivers command the valves to open or close, or otherwise control downhole equipment. The infrasound waves can also be used to probe well geometry and to identify fluid properties within the well.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2014Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Michael John Black
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Publication number: 20160369624Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Talha Jamal Ahmad, Michael John Black, Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Publication number: 20160369623Abstract: Systems, computer-implemented methods, and non-transitory computer-readable medium having a stored computer program provide characterization of multiphase fluid flow (MPF) using approximate entropy calculation techniques to enhance measuring and monitoring of a flow regime in a segment of pipe for hydrocarbon-production operations. The systems and methods can be optimized using principal component analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2016Publication date: December 22, 2016Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Talha Jamal Ahmad, Michael John Black, Muhammad Arsalan, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Publication number: 20160335759Abstract: Tomographic reconstruction is performed of cross-sectional images of downhole or surface multiphase flows containing water (brine), oil, and gas phases. Measures are obtained of digital transmission (or analog attenuation) and also of analog transit time to form two views of the same cross sectional flow in a location of interest in a flow conduit. The measures are then merged by synthesizing a composite image of the multiphase flows. Rather than performing a complex tomographic reconstruction requiring a large number of calculations, measures are also obtained directly from the tomographic pattern which can be used to reconstruct an approximation of the cross sectional flow by the superposition of circles of variable position, radius and density representing flow patterns.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Michael John Black, Talha Jamal Ahmad, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Publication number: 20160298990Abstract: Ultrasound tomography arrays and vortex shedding devices are provided which measure average flow velocity through Doppler shift of the fluid as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition in pipe or tubing conduits. Multiple tomographic arrays in conjunction with correlation of sensed flow patterns in time provided determination of flow velocity as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition. The tomographic arrays may be arranged in a skewed or slanted plane to measure velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid. Additionally, the tomographic arrays provide the relative composition of the multiphase fluid. The multiple arrays together with correlation to determine velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2016Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: MICHAEL JOHN BLACK, Mohamed Nabil Noul-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
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Patent number: 9424674Abstract: Tomographic reconstruction is performed of cross-sectional images of downhole or surface multiphase flows containing water (brine), oil, and gas phases. Measures are obtained of digital transmission (or analog attenuation) and also of analog transit time to form two views of the same cross sectional flow in a location of interest in a flow conduit. The measures are then merged by synthesizing a composite image of the multiphase flows. Rather than performing a complex tomographic reconstruction requiring a large number of calculations, measures are also obtained directly from the tomographic pattern which can be used to reconstruct an approximation of the cross sectional flow by the superposition of circles of variable position, radius and density representing flow patterns.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2015Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Talha Jamal Ahmad, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9404781Abstract: Ultrasound tomography arrays and vortex shedding devices are provided which measure average flow velocity through Doppler shift of the fluid as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition in pipe or tubing conduits. Multiple tomographic arrays in conjunction with correlation of sensed flow patterns in time provided determination of flow velocity as well as cross sectional multiphase fluid composition. The tomographic arrays may be arranged in a skewed or slanted plane to measure velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid. Additionally, the tomographic arrays provide the relative composition of the multiphase fluid. The multiple arrays together with correlation to determine velocity fluctuations downstream of a vortex shedding device where the period and amplitude of the fluctuations is correlated with the mass flow of the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Talha Jamal Ahmad
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Publication number: 20160209542Abstract: Systems and methods for determining characteristics of a fluid in a subterranean well include providing a production pipe extending into the subterranean well to convey the fluids from within the subterranean well to an earth's surface. An x-ray source is located on a first side of the production pipe. An x-ray beam is directed into the production pipe, into the fluids, and out of an opposite side of the production pipe as a resulting beam, with the x-ray source. A level of attenuation of the resulting beam is detected with an attenuation detector located on an opposite side of the production pipe. A fluorescence spectra of the resulting beam is detected with a scattered fluorescence detector located on the opposite side of the production pipe. A fluorescence peak of the resulting beam is detected with a peak fluorescence detector located on the opposite side of the production pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Michael John Black, Talha Jamal Ahmad, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Publication number: 20160202231Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for determining a water cut value of a composition comprising a hydrocarbon. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to an apparatus for determining the water cut value of the composition that comprises one or more of a capacitance probe, a temperature probe, a salinity probe, and a computer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2016Publication date: July 14, 2016Inventors: Michael John Black, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi
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Patent number: 9303507Abstract: This present invention generally relates to the issue of signal obstruction in down hole applications. This invention relates to conformal coatings and down hole transmission systems to aid in transmission of wireless signals down hole. The conformal coating includes a substrate material that has an array of rods embedded therein. These embedded rods are made of a Mie Resonance based dielectric material.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Michael John Black, Brett Wayne Bouldin, Mohamed N. Noui-Mehidi