Patents by Inventor Michael L. Myrick

Michael L. Myrick 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: 8212213
    Abstract: In accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for adjusting the spectral detectivity of a thermal detector is described. The method includes coating the light sensitive portion of a thermal detector with a first material to reduce the response of the detector. The first material is coated with a second material that is thermally thin and has spectral absorption characteristics. The second material is coated with a third material that is thermally thick, whereby the spectral absorbance of the second material as filtered by the third material primarily determines the thermal conversion of the thermal detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Heather Brooke, Stephen L. Morgan, Megan R. Pearl
  • Patent number: 8208147
    Abstract: A method of high-speed processing and monitoring of a product, such as a pharmaceutical powder or tablet, comprises: moving the product (C) past an inspection station; illuminating at least a portion of the product with light; spectrally filtering a first portion of light carrying information about the product, o.g., transmitted or reflected light, by passing said first portion through at least one multivariate optical element (148) and detecting said filtered light with a first detector (152), —detecting a deflected second portion of said light with a second detector (156); and determining at least one selected property of the product based on the detector outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn, Jonathan H. James, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 8184295
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product. An exemplary method of processing and monitoring the product includes introducing the product at an inspection point; illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light though an optic lens; directing the light that has passed through at least a section of the product through at least one multivariate optical element to produce a first signal, the directed light carrying information about the product; detecting the signal at a detector; and determining at least one property of the product based upon the detector output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, John Blackburn, David L. Perkins, Leonard Zheleznyak, Ryan Priore
  • Patent number: 8184371
    Abstract: A thin film interference filter system includes a plurality of stacked films having a determined reflectance; a modeled monitor curve; and a topmost layer configured to exhibit a wavelength corresponding to one of the determined reflectance or the modeled monitor curve. The topmost layer is placed on the plurality of stacked films and can be a low-index film such as silica or a high index film such as niobia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Myrick
  • Publication number: 20120026484
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples during production of the product. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward optical detectors. Signals from the optical detectors are compared to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. Temperature within the monitoring system may be monitored in order to provide compensation for the signals produced by the optical detectors. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, William Soltmann, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 8049881
    Abstract: A method of arranging and utilizing a multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes transmitting light from a light source; reflecting the light from the sample; directing a portion of the light reflected from the sample with a beamsplitter; and arranging an optical filter mechanism in a normal incidence orientation to receive the light reflected from the sample, the optical filter mechanism configured to filter and measure data carried by the light reflected from the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Publication number: 20110199610
    Abstract: A gas sensor uses optical interferents in a porous thin film cell to measure the refractive index of the pore medium. As the medium within the pores changes, spectral variations can be detected. For example, as the pores are filled with a solution, the characteristic peaks exhibit a spectral shift in one direction. Conversely, when tiny amounts of gas are produced, the peaks shift in the opposite direction. This can be used to measure gas evolution, humidity and for applications for other interferometric-based sensing devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Paul G. Miney, Maria V. Schiza
  • Patent number: 7990538
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples during production of the product. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward optical detectors. Signals from the optical detectors are compared to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. Temperature within the monitoring system may be monitored in order to provide compensation for the signals produced by the optical detectors. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, William Soltmann, David L. Perkins
  • Patent number: 7920258
    Abstract: A method of selecting components for a multivariate optical computing and analysis system to isolate a spectral region includes selecting a spectral region of interest; selecting a spectral element with a predetermined transmission characteristic to control a spectral range of an illumination source; illuminating a sample with the illumination source; and analyzing an optical frequency returned by the sample relative to the spectral region of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Luisa T. M. Profeta, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Ryan J. Priore
  • Patent number: 7911605
    Abstract: A method of developing a multivariate optical element for an optical analysis system includes forming an optically absorptive spectral element having an optically absorptive material, the optically absorptive material being absorbing in a predetermined spectral region; and utilizing the optically absorptive spectral element in the optical analysis system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, Jonathan H. James, Ryan J. Priore, John C. Blackburn
  • Patent number: 7889346
    Abstract: A gas sensor uses optical interferents in a porous thin film cell to measure the refractive index of the pore medium. As the medium within the pores changes, spectral variations can be detected. For example, as the pores are filled with a solution, the characteristic peaks exhibit a spectral shift in one direction. Conversely, when tiny amounts of gas are produced, the peaks shift in the opposite direction. This can be used to measure gas evolution, humidity and for applications for other interferometric-based sensing devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Paul G. Miney, Maria V. Schiza
  • Publication number: 20100328669
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to multivariate optical analysis systems employ multivariate optical elements and utilize multivariate optical computing methods to determine information about a product carried by light reflected from or transmitted through the product. An exemplary method of processing and monitoring the product includes introducing the product at an inspection point; illuminating the product with a spectral-specific light though an optic lens; directing the light that has passed through at least a section of the product through at least one multivariate optical element to produce a first signal, the directed light carrying information about the product; detecting the signal at a detector; and determining at least one property of the product based upon the detector output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, John Blackburn, David L. Perkins, Leonard Zheleznyak, Ryan Priore
  • Publication number: 20100302539
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward a plurality of optical detectors. Signals from the detectors are compared with a reference signal based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, David L. Perkins, Terrell Teague, William Soltmann, Leonard Zheleznyak
  • Publication number: 20100305741
    Abstract: A thin film interference filter system includes a plurality of stacked films having a determined reflectance; a model monitor curve; and a topmost layer configured to exhibit a wavelength corresponding to one of the determined reflectance or the modeled monitor curve. The topmost layer is placed on the plurality of stacked films and can he a low-index film such as silica or a high index film such as niobia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventor: Michael L. Myrick
  • Patent number: 7834999
    Abstract: A multivariate optical computing and analysis system includes a light source configured to radiate a first light along a first ray path; a modulator disposed in the first ray path, the modulator configured to modulate the first light to a desired frequency; a spectral element disposed proximate the modulator, the spectral element configured to filter the first light for a spectral range of interest of a sample; a cavity disposed in communication with the spectral element, the cavity configured to direct the first light in a direction of the sample; a tube disposed proximate the cavity, the tube configured to receive and direct a second light generated by a reflection of the first light from the sample, the tube being further configured to separate the first and second lights; a beamsplitter configured to split the second light into a first beam and a second beam; an optical filter mechanism disposed to receive the first beam, the optical filter mechanism configured to optically filter data carried by the firs
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: University of South Carolina
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Jonathan H. James, John C. Blackburn, Robert P. Freese
  • Publication number: 20100195105
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward an optical detector. Signals for the detector are compared with reference signals based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. Temperature within the analysis system is monitored and the output signals of the optical detectors are compensated or corrections are made within the analysis calculations to compensate or correct for the system temperature. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, William Soltmann, David L. Perkins, Leonard Zheleznyak
  • Publication number: 20100153048
    Abstract: The present subject matter is direct to methodologies for calibrating data obtained from an optical analysis system. An initial calibration matrix of sampled analyte concentrations is modified using mean-centering techniques and selection of low and high analyte concentration spectra to produce a two-point calibration. A modified calibration matrix is produced by generating a non-linear calibration matrix by multiplying the initial calibration matrix by the two-point calibration. In an alternate embodiment, an initial multivariate optical element design is modified by iteratively adjusting the design based on standard error of calibration determination based on non-linerly fitted functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Luisa Profeta
  • Publication number: 20100149537
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples during production of the product. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward optical detectors. Signals from the optical detectors are compared to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. Temperature within the monitoring system may be monitored in order to provide compensation for the signals produced by the optical detectors. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, William Soltmann, David L. Perkins
  • Publication number: 20100141952
    Abstract: The present subject matter relates to methods of high-speed analysis of product samples. Light is directed to a portion of a product under analysis and reflected from or transmitted through the product toward an optical detector. Signals for the detector are compared with reference signals based on a portion of the illuminating light passing through a reference element to determine characteristics of the product under analysis. The products under analysis may be stationary, moved by an inspection point by conveyor or other means, or may be contained within a container, the container including a window portion through which the product illuminating light may pass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2007
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, David L. Perkins, Terrell Teague, William Soltmann
  • Publication number: 20090316150
    Abstract: Disclosed is a system and methodologies for providing self-calibration in an optical analysis system. Illumination light is directed toward a material to be sampled while provisions are made to modify the characteristics of at least a portion of the illumination light falling on a reference detector. The modified characteristics may include light presence and/or spectral characteristics. Light presence may be modified by rotating or moving mirror assemblies to cause light to fall on either a sample detector or a reference detector while spectral characteristics may be modified by placing materials having known spectral characteristics in the path of the illumination light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Myrick, Robert P. Freese, David L. Perkins