Patents by Inventor Robert A. Estes
Robert A. Estes 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: 12079569Abstract: A system and model by which to manage edits to localized versions of base-language electronic content. The model determines the likelihood of whether a modification made to a document is substantive and should be propagated back to the base electronic content and assists users in identifying these edits. The proposed method can significantly improve workflow efficiency and allow users to feel more comfortable in the development and use of their electronic content across multiple authoring platforms.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2019Date of Patent: September 3, 2024Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLCInventors: Peter Eric Loforte, Raymond Robert Ringhiser, Katharine Elizabeth Grant, Kapil Kumar Tundwal, Paul Fraedrich Estes, Veronica G. Sievers, Adam Dewayne Miller
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Patent number: 10858929Abstract: A system and method for drilling a second well with respect to a first well is disclosed. A first drill string having a known magnetic signature is disposed at a first depth in the first well. A second drill string is used to drill the second well. The second drill string includes a magnetometer that obtains a magnetic measurement of the first drill string during drilling of the second well. A processor uses the obtained magnetic measurement and the magnetic signature of the first drill string to steer the second drill string to drill the second well.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2016Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Robert A. Estes, Catalina Leal
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Patent number: 10378330Abstract: A tool for use in a borehole penetrating a formation method and a method for using the tool is disclosed. The tool includes a gyroscope for obtaining a first measurement of a rotation rate of the apparatus and at least one accelerometer for obtaining a second measurement of the rotation rate of the apparatus. A processor generates an estimate of the rotation rate using at least one of the first measurement of rotation rate and the second measurement of rotation rate. The estimate of the rotation rate is sued to determine a rotational position of a formation parameter measurement obtained during rotation of the apparatus in the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Robert A. Estes, Randell R. Riggs
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Publication number: 20180180418Abstract: A tool for use in a borehole penetrating a formation method and a method for using the tool is disclosed. The tool includes a gyroscope for obtaining a first measurement of a rotation rate of the apparatus and at least one accelerometer for obtaining a second measurement of the rotation rate of the apparatus. A processor generates an estimate of the rotation rate using at least one of the first measurement of rotation rate and the second measurement of rotation rate. The estimate of the rotation rate is sued to determine a rotational position of a formation parameter measurement obtained during rotation of the apparatus in the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert A. Estes, Randell R. Riggs
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Patent number: 9970268Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for treating a formation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first string for placement in the wellbore that includes a first flow port that enables a treatment fluid to flow from inside the first string to the formation via an annulus between the first string and the formation, a second string for placement in the first string, wherein the second string includes a second flow port that supplies the treatment fluid to the first flow port along a selected radial orientation to direct the treatment fluid in the selected radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2014Date of Patent: May 15, 2018Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Kelly D. Ireland, Robert A. Estes
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Patent number: 9963936Abstract: A method, system and drilling apparatus for directional drilling are disclosed. A drill bit is located at a downhole end of a drill string in a borehole. A length of the borehole between a surface location and the drill bit at the downhole end of a drill string is determined and an azimuth angle and inclination of the drill bit is obtained. The length of the borehole may be determined by recording an arrival time at a downhole location of an acoustic pulse travelling from a surface location to the downhole location and determines the travel time and borehole length therefrom. A downhole processor determines a position and orientation of the drill bit from the determined length, azimuth angle and inclination and alters a steering parameter of the drill bit using the determined position and orientation of the drill bit to obtain a selected trajectory for drilling the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2013Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Thomas Kruspe, Robert A. Estes, Rocco DiFoggio, Francis Chad Hanak
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Patent number: 9804288Abstract: A system method and computer-readable medium for correcting measurements obtained by a down hole tool for residual measurement errors is disclosed. A down hole tool having at least two directional field sensors is disposed in a borehole. The at least two directional sensors are substantially orthogonal to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the down hole tool. Measurements are obtained from the at least two directional sensors during rotation of the tool by at least 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the tool. Residual measurement errors are determined for the obtained measurements, and a quality level of the determined residual measurement errors selected. The determined residual measurement errors are applied to the obtained measurements when the determined residual measurement errors are consistent with the selected quality level.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: October 31, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, a GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Robert A. Estes, Randy R. Riggs, Francis Chad Hanak, John F. Priest
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Publication number: 20170138173Abstract: A system and method for drilling a second well with respect to a first well is disclosed. A first drill string having a known magnetic signature is disposed at a first depth in the first well. A second drill string is used to drill the second well. The second drill string includes a magnetometer that obtains a magnetic measurement of the first drill string during drilling of the second well. A processor uses the obtained magnetic measurement and the magnetic signature of the first drill string to steer the second drill string to drill the second well.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert A. Estes, Catalina Leal
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Patent number: 9605527Abstract: An apparatus for mitigation of torsional noise effects on borehole measurements. The apparatus may include a conveyance device; a sleeve having a sensor section, the sleeve rotatably disposed on the conveyance device; a sensor having at least one component disposed on the sensor section; and a driver coupled to the conveyance device and configured to rotate at least the sleeve sensor section. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section independent of the conveyance device. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section at a preset substantially constant rotational speed. The sleeve may include at least one arm configured to selectively lock the sleeve to a surface in the borehole. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section during measurement by the sensor. The driver may selectively couple the sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Arcady Reiderman, Robert Estes, Fei Le, Hanno Reckmann, Christian Herbig
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Patent number: 9422803Abstract: A method of drilling a well is disclosed. A first estimate is obtained of a location of the well with respect to a reference well at a selected depth. A magnetic measurement is obtained at the selected depth using a sensor. The obtained magnetic measurement is related to a residual magnetic charge distribution in the reference well. An expected value of the magnetic measurement at the selected depth is determined from the residual magnetic charge distribution. A second estimate is obtained of the location of the well using the first estimate of the location, the obtained magnetic measurement and the expected value of the magnetic measurement. A drilling parameter of the well is altered using the second estimate of the location.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2012Date of Patent: August 23, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Francis Chad Hanak, Robert A. Estes
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Patent number: 9411065Abstract: A drilling system, method and drilling apparatus for determining a parameter of a formation at a downhole location is disclosed. A member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in a borehole at the downhole location. A first magnetometer and a second magnetometer are disposed at an axial location of the member as separate azimuthal locations around the member and oriented tangential to a circumference of circle in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the member. Magnetic fields resulting from a current flowing longitudinally through the member due to a spontaneous potential in the formation are measured to determine the spontaneous potential. The parameter of the formation is determined from the determined spontaneous potential.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert A. Estes
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Publication number: 20160061011Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for treating a formation is disclosed that in one non-limiting embodiment includes a first string for placement in the wellbore that includes a first flow port that enables a treatment fluid to flow from inside the first string to the formation via an annulus between the first string and the formation, a second string for placement in the first string, wherein the second string includes a second flow port that supplies the treatment fluid to the first flow port along a selected radial orientation to direct the treatment fluid in the selected radial direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2014Publication date: March 3, 2016Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Kelly D. Ireland, Robert A. Estes
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Publication number: 20150331138Abstract: A system method and computer-readable medium for correcting measurements obtained by a down hole tool for residual measurement errors is disclosed. A down hole tool having at least two directional field sensors is disposed in a borehole. The at least two directional sensors are substantially orthogonal to each other and to a longitudinal axis of the down hole tool. Measurements are obtained from the at least two directional sensors during rotation of the tool by at least 360 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the tool. Residual measurement errors are determined for the obtained measurements, and a quality level of the determined residual measurement errors selected. The determined residual measurement errors are applied to the obtained measurements when the determined residual measurement errors are consistent with the selected quality level.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Robert A. Estes, Randy R. Riggs, Francis Chad Hanak, John F. Priest
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Patent number: 9163498Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for use in a wellbore is provided that in one embodiment includes a sensor having a plurality of spaced conductive contact elements, a sensing member that moves by gravity and contacts at least two contact elements in the plurality of contact elements to create an electrical short between such at least two contact elements and a circuit coupled to the contact elements configured to generate electrical signals in response to the electrical short between the contact elements.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: October 20, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Paul G. Cairns, Kurt J. Kuck, Robert A. Estes
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Patent number: 9157310Abstract: A method for surveying a formation includes conveying a survey instrument into the wellbore; measuring one or more parameters of interest relating to a wellbore tubular in the wellbore; and operating the survey instrument after the measured parameter of interest indicates that the wellbore tubular is being tripped out of the wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2008Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Robert A. Estes, Jonathan R. Bynum
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Publication number: 20150276962Abstract: A drilling system, method and drilling apparatus for determining a parameter of a formation at a downhole location is disclosed. A member having a longitudinal axis is disposed in a borehole at the downhole location. A first magnetometer and a second magnetometer are disposed at an axial location of the member as separate azimuthal locations around the member and oriented tangential to a circumference of circle in a plane transverse to a longitudinal axis of the member. Magnetic fields resulting from a current flowing longitudinally through the member due to a spontaneous potential in the formation are measured to determine the spontaneous potential. The parameter of the formation is determined from the determined spontaneous potential.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: October 1, 2015Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventor: Robert A. Estes
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Publication number: 20150096805Abstract: A method, system and drilling apparatus for directional drilling are disclosed. A drill bit is located at a downhole end of a drill string in a borehole. A length of the borehole between a surface location and the drill bit at the downhole end of a drill string is determined and an azimuth angle and inclination of the drill bit is obtained. The length of the borehole may be determined by recording an arrival time at a downhole location of an acoustic pulse travelling from a surface location to the downhole location and determines the travel time and borehole length therefrom. A downhole processor determines a position and orientation of the drill bit from the determined length, azimuth angle and inclination and alters a steering parameter of the drill bit using the determined position and orientation of the drill bit to obtain a selected trajectory for drilling the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: Thomas Kruspe, Robert A. Estes, Rocco DiFoggio, Francis Chad Hanak
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Patent number: 8899322Abstract: Autonomous control of a wellbore tool is provided by programming a memory module of a processor with a database having data relating to a selected parameter of interest; conveying a sensor and the processor along the wellbore; and activating the wellbore tool if the processor determines that a measurement provided by the sensor correlates with the database data. The processor may correlate the sensor measurements with a predetermined pattern associated with the data, a preset value, and/or a preset range of values. Well tool activation may occur when the processor finds: a substantial match between a predetermined pattern and at least one measured value; a present value and at least one measured value, and/or a preset range of values and at least one measured range of values. Also, activating the well tool may occur only if a measurement from a second sensor meets a preset criteria.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2008Date of Patent: December 2, 2014Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Gary J. Cresswell, William Befeld, Robert Estes
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Publication number: 20140151031Abstract: An apparatus for mitigation of torsional noise effects on borehole measurements. The apparatus may include a conveyance device; a sleeve having a sensor section, the sleeve rotatably disposed on the conveyance device; a sensor having at least one component disposed on the sensor section; and a driver coupled to the conveyance device and configured to rotate at least the sleeve sensor section. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section independent of the conveyance device. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section at a preset substantially constant rotational speed. The sleeve may include at least one arm configured to selectively lock the sleeve to a surface in the borehole. The driver may rotate the sleeve sensor section during measurement by the sensor. The driver may selectively couple the sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Arcady Reiderman, Robert Estes, Fei Le, Hanno Reckmann, Christian Herbig
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Publication number: 20140121971Abstract: A method of drilling a well is disclosed. A first estimate is obtained of a location of the well with respect to a reference well at a selected depth. A magnetic measurement is obtained at the selected depth using a sensor. The obtained magnetic measurement is related to a residual magnetic charge distribution in the reference well. An expected value of the magnetic measurement at the selected depth is determined from the residual magnetic charge distribution. A second estimate is obtained of the location of the well using the first estimate of the location, the obtained magnetic measurement and the expected value of the magnetic measurement. A drilling parameter of the well is altered using the second estimate of the location.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2012Publication date: May 1, 2014Inventors: Francis Chad Hanak, Robert A. Estes