Patents by Inventor Mingdong XU
Mingdong XU 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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Patent number: 9995134Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting electromagnetic (EM) telemetry data from a downhole location to surface comprising: an EM signal transmitter configured to generate positive and negative polarity EM pulses corresponding to a telemetry signal; and an electronics subassembly communicative with the EM signal transmitter and comprising a processor and a memory having encoded thereon program code executable by the processor to perform a method comprising encoding measurement data into an EM telemetry signal using a modulation scheme comprising mapping a symbol set to at least one positive polarity EM pulse and one negative polarity EM pulse; and sending a control signal to the EM signal transmitter to generate EM pulses corresponding to the EM telemetry signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2014Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Jili Liu, Aaron W. Logan, Mingdong Xu, David A. Switzer
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Patent number: 9988897Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Monica E. Varga, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
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Patent number: 9988896Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan
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Patent number: 9903198Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2017Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Aaron W. Logan, Mingdong Xu
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Publication number: 20170362934Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 10, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Aaron W. LOGAN, Mingdong XU
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Publication number: 20170356288Abstract: A wireless communications system for a downhole drilling operation comprises surface communications equipment and a downhole telemetry tool. The surface communications equipment comprises a surface EM communications module with an EM downlink transmitter configured to transmit an EM downlink transmission at a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 0.1 Hz. The downhole telemetry tool is mountable to a drill string and has a downhole electromagnetic (EM) communications unit with an EM downlink receiver configured to receive the EM downlink transmission. The downhole EM communications unit can further comprise an EM uplink transmitter configured to transmit an EM uplink transmission at a frequency greater than 0.5 Hz, in which case the surface EM communications module further comprises an EM uplink receiver configured to receive the EM uplink transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2017Publication date: December 14, 2017Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Aaron W. Logan
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Publication number: 20170335680Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2017Publication date: November 23, 2017Inventors: Jili LIU, Mingdong XU, Aaron W. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Monica E. VARGA, Mojtaba KAZEMI MIRAKI
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Patent number: 9771792Abstract: An electromagnetic (EM) telemetry method comprises encoding downhole data into a single data stream; separating the single data stream into a plurality of separate data streams; converting each separate data stream into a corresponding separate waveform using a selected digital modulation technique wherein at least one of the frequency and phase of each waveform is assigned a unique value or unique non-overlapping range of values; combining each separate waveform into a combined waveform; and transmitting from a downhole location, an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry carrier wave comprising the combined waveform.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Mingdong Xu, Jili Liu, David A. Switzer, Aaron W. Logan
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Patent number: 9765615Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Monica E. Varga, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki
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Patent number: 9752429Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Aaron William Logan, Mingdong Xu
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Patent number: 9719345Abstract: A wireless communications system for a downhole drilling operation comprises surface communications equipment and a downhole telemetry tool. The surface communications equipment comprises a surface EM communications module with an EM downlink transmitter configured to transmit an EM downlink transmission at a frequency between 0.01 Hz and 0.1 Hz. The downhole telemetry tool is mountable to a drill string and has a downhole electromagnetic (EM) communications unit with an EM downlink receiver configured to receive the EM downlink transmission. The downhole EM communications unit can further comprise an EM uplink transmitter configured to transmit an EM uplink transmission at a frequency greater than 0.5 Hz, in which case the surface EM communications module further comprises an EM uplink receiver configured to receive the EM uplink transmission.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Mojtaba Kazemi Miraki, Aaron W. Logan
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Publication number: 20170159426Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: Aaron W. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Justin C. LOGAN, Mingdong XU
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Publication number: 20170159427Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: June 8, 2017Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan
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Patent number: 9664038Abstract: Methods, techniques, and systems for transmitting a data frame of an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry signal to or from a downhole location can be performed using multi-channel transmissions in which at least two different channels at two different frequencies are used to send a long header and the data frame. At least a portion of the long header is transmitted at a first frequency, and at least a portion of the data frame and any remaining portion of the long header not transmitted at the first frequency are transmitted at one or more additional frequencies different from each other and the first frequency. In one example, only two channels are used: one channel is used to transmit all of the long header, another channel is used to transmit all of the data frame, and either of the channels is used to transmit an identifier identifying the type of the data frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: EVOLUTION ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, Aaron W. Logan
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Patent number: 9605535Abstract: A downhole system has a plurality of telemetry systems and a control system configured to obtain information from one or more sensors and transmit that information on one or more of the plurality of telemetry systems. The configuration of a controller may be changed so as to change which information is transmitted on a given telemetry system and how the information is to be transmitted on the given telemetry system.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Aaron W. Logan, David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Justin C. Logan, Mingdong Xu
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Patent number: 9574441Abstract: A method for modulating a downhole telemetry signal uses a fluid pressure pulse generator that generates pressure pulses of multiple pulse heights in a drilling fluid. The method comprises: converting measurement data into a bitstream comprising symbols of a selected symbol set; encoding the bitstream into a pressure pulse telemetry signal using a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying, wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique amplitude; and generating pressure pulses in the drilling fluid corresponding to the telemetry signal. Alternatively, the method can comprise a modulation technique that includes amplitude shift keying and phase shift keying and wherein each symbol of the selected symbol set is assigned a pressure pulse having a unique combination of amplitude and phase.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: Jili Liu, Mingdong Xu, David A. Switzer, Aaron W. Logan
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Publication number: 20160341034Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2016Publication date: November 24, 2016Inventors: David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Aaron William LOGAN, Mingdong XU
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Patent number: 9435196Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2016Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.Inventors: David A. Switzer, Jili Liu, Aaron William Logan, Mingdong Xu
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Publication number: 20160201455Abstract: An electromagnetic telemetry system adjusts telemetry parameters which may include carrier frequency, signal amplitude and/or data encoding protocol to achieve reliable data transmission and to conserve power. In some embodiments, sweep signals transmit a range of carrier frequencies and the parameters are determined in part by analyzing the received sweep signals. In some embodiments, different parameters are selected automatically based on a mode of drilling.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2014Publication date: July 14, 2016Applicant: EVOLUTION ENGINEERING INC.Inventors: Jili LIU, Mingdong XU, Aaron W. LOGAN, David A. SWITZER, Monica E. VARGA, Mojtaba KAZEMI MIRAKI
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Publication number: 20160160637Abstract: A measurement-while-drilling (MWD) telemetry system comprises a downhole MWD telemetry tool comprising a mud pulse (MP) telemetry unit and an electromagnetic (EM) telemetry unit. The MWD telemetry tool can be configured to transmit data in an EM-only telemetry mode using only the EM telemetry unit, in an MP-only mode using only the MP telemetry unit, or in a concurrent telemetry mode using both the EM and MP telemetry units concurrently. When transmitting data in the concurrent telemetry mode, the telemetry tool can be configured to transmit in a concurrent confirmation mode wherein the same telemetry data is transmitted by each of the EM and MP telemetry units, or in a concurrent shared mode wherein some of the telemetry data is transmitted by the EM telemetry unit, and the rest of the telemetry data is transmitted by the MP telemetry unit. The telemetry tool can be programmed to change its operating telemetry mode in response to a downlink command sent by an operator at surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2016Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: David A. SWITZER, Jili LIU, Aaron William LOGAN, Mingdong XU