Patents by Inventor Roelof K. Snieder

Roelof K. Snieder 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: 8020428
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Roelof K. Snieder
  • Publication number: 20080245147
    Abstract: A system and method for determining a fluid property for a fluid flowing in a pipe may include sensing baseline vibrations when test fluids with known values for a fluid property (e.g., fluid density or fluid viscosity) flow through the pipe, or computer modeling the baseline vibrations. The baseline vibrations are analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the fluid filled pipe's baseline combined structural response from excitation and base coupling effects. During field or other operations, sensors may take vibrational readings along the pipe when an operational fluid (e.g., drilling fluid) flows through the pipe. The operational vibrations may be analyzed via cross-correlation and/or deconvolution to separate the operational combined structural response of the fluid filled pipe from excitation and base coupling effects. The baseline and operational structural responses may compared.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: Colorado School of Mines
    Inventor: Roelof K. Snieder
  • Publication number: 20080034855
    Abstract: A borehole tool including an interferometer, a light source, a chamber containing a sliding weight having a first optical prism, a second optical prism located within the chamber, a tilt measuring device, and a timing device operatively associated with the interferometer. The light source, the interferometer, and the first and second optical prisms are configured to cause light emitted by the light source to form a first beam and a second beam that interfere with each other. The interferometer measures distances traveled by the sliding weight in the upward and downward direction by counting the fringes caused by the interference between the first beam and the second beam. The tilt measuring device measures the angle of the chamber relative to vertical. The influence of friction on the sliding weight's motion is eliminated by comparing the distances traveled by it in its upward and downward path over an equal time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Maximiliaan Peeters, Roelof K. Snieder