Patents by Inventor Roger Ekseth
Roger Ekseth 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: 20200072038Abstract: A method and system for reducing error contributions to gyroscopic measurements is provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of signals indicative of at least one component of the Earth's rotation substantially perpendicular to a portion of a wellbore and a component of the Earth's rotation substantially parallel to the portion of the wellbore. The plurality of signals is generated by one or more gyroscopic sensors within the portion of the wellbore. The method further includes calculating, using the plurality of signals and using one or more signals indicative of the Earth's rotation rate and one or more signals indicative of the latitude of the one or more gyroscopic sensors within the portion of the wellbore, a mass unbalance offset for the one or more gyroscopic sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: March 5, 2020Inventors: John Lionel Weston, Adrián Guillermo Ledroz, Roger Ekseth, Gary William Uttech
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Patent number: 10323501Abstract: A computer-based method of generating a survey of a wellbore section is provided. The method includes analyzing a plurality of surveys of the wellbore section to identify survey measurements that do not comprise gross errors, generating an initial weighted average survey, and calculating an initial set of measurement differences between the identified survey measurements and the initial weighted average survey. The method further includes calculating a plurality of error term estimates for the plurality of surveys and using the plurality of error term estimates to correct the identified survey measurements. The method further includes generating an updated weighted average survey and calculating an updated set of measurement differences between the identified survey measurements and the updated weighted average survey.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2013Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Stephen Victor Mullin, Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 9267370Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a tool with respect to a reference direction. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. The directional reference system is positioned spaced from the tool. At least one second signal is indicative of a relative orientation of the tool with respect to the directional reference system. The orientation of the tool at the first position is determined in response at least in part to the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Eric Wright, Gary Uttecht, Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 9207352Abstract: An apparatus for initializing a tool configured to be moved along a wellbore includes at least one directional reference system configured to provide data indicative of an orientation of the at least one directional reference system with respect to a reference direction. The apparatus further includes a mounting portion configured to be mechanically coupled to the tool such that the tool has a predetermined orientation with respect to the at least one directional reference system.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2012Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 8781744Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide an estimate of the magnetic interference incident upon a drilling system using multiple magneticclaim sensors within a downhole portion of the drilling system in a first wellbore. Certain embodiments utilize the magnetic measurements to determine an axial interference resulting from one or more magnetic portions of the downhole portion and to provide an estimate of a relative location of a second wellbore spaced from the first wellbore.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Gyrodata IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8655596Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring depth, velocity, or both depth and velocity of instrumentation along a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a downhole portion movable within the wellbore in a direction generally parallel to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a first acceleration sensor that generates a first signal indicative of a first acceleration. The apparatus further includes a second acceleration sensor that generates a second signal indicative of a second acceleration. The apparatus further includes a bend sensor generating a third signal indicative of an amount of bend of at least a portion of the downhole portion.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2012Date of Patent: February 18, 2014Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Stephen Victor Mullin, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20130292176Abstract: A system and method for controlling a downhole portion of a drill string is provided. The method includes receiving signals from a first sensor package mounted at a first position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the first sensor package. The method also includes receiving signals from a second sensor package mounted at a second position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the second sensor package. The method further includes calculating a first amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages in response to the signals and transmitting control signals to an actuator which responds by adjusting the downhole portion to have a second amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2013Publication date: November 7, 2013Inventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20130282287Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide an estimate of the magnetic interference incident upon a drilling system using multiple magnetic sensors within a downhole portion of the drilling system in a first wellbore. Certain embodiments utilize the magnetic measurements to determine an axial interference resulting from one or more magnetic portions of the downhole portion and to provide an estimate of a relative location of a second wellbore spaced from the first wellbore.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Gyrodata IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20130282290Abstract: A computer-based method of generating a survey of a wellbore section is provided. The method includes analyzing a plurality of surveys of the wellbore section to identify survey measurements that do not comprise gross errors, generating an initial weighted average survey, and calculating an initial set of measurement differences between the identified survey measurements and the initial weighted average survey. The method further includes calculating a plurality of error term estimates for the plurality of surveys and using the plurality of error term estimates to correct the identified survey measurements. The method further includes generating an updated weighted average survey and calculating an updated set of measurement differences between the identified survey measurements and the updated weighted average survey.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2013Publication date: October 24, 2013Applicant: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Stephen Victor Mullin, Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 8457896Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide methods, systems and computer-readable media for determining at least one location of at least one wellbore casing within a wellbore conductor. Sensor measurements generated by at least one sensor within the conductor are provided, the measurements indicative of at least one location of the at least one casing within the conductor as a function of position along the conductor. In certain embodiments, a data memory stores the measurements. The at least one location of the at least one casing is calculated using the measurements and at least one geometric constraint. The at least one constraint originates at least in part from at least one physical parameter of the conductor, or at least one physical parameter of the at least one casing, or both. In certain embodiments, a computer system or computer-executable component calculates the at least one location of the at least one casing.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: June 4, 2013Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventor: Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 8433517Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring depth, velocity, or both depth and velocity of instrumentation within a wellbore is provided. The apparatus includes a downhole portion movable within the wellbore in a direction generally parallel to the wellbore. The apparatus further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor generates a first signal indicative of a first acceleration in a first direction generally parallel to the wellbore at the first position. The apparatus further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second acceleration sensor generates a second signal indicative of a second acceleration in a second direction generally parallel to the wellbore at the second position. The apparatus further includes a bend sensor generating a third signal indicative of an amount of bend of at least a portion of the downhole portion.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Stephen Victor Mullin, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8433519Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide a measure of the misalignment of multiple acceleration sensors mounted in the downhole portion of a drill string. In certain embodiments, the measure of the misalignment corresponds to a measure of sag which can be used to provide an improved estimate of the inclination of the downhole portion of the drill string and/or the wellbore. Certain embodiments described herein provide an estimate of the magnetic interference incident upon a drilling system using multiple magnetic sensors mounted within a non-magnetic region of the downhole portion of the drilling system. Certain embodiments utilize the magnetic measurements to determine an axial interference resulting from one or more magnetic portions of the downhole portion and to provide an improved estimate of the azimuthal orientation of the downhole portion with respect to the magnetic field of the Earth.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8428879Abstract: A system and method for controlling a downhole portion of a drill string is provided. The method includes receiving signals from a first sensor package mounted at a first position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the first sensor package. The method also includes receiving signals from a second sensor package mounted at a second position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the second sensor package. The method further includes calculating a first amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages in response to the signals and transmitting control signals to an actuator which responds by adjusting the downhole portion to have a second amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2012Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8374793Abstract: A method reduces error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a first gyroscopic sensor and a second gyroscopic sensor. The method includes receiving a first set of measurement signals and a second set of measurement signals indicative of at least one substantially perpendicular component and indicative of a substantially parallel component of the Earth's rotation. The method further includes receiving one or more measurement signals generated by a plurality of accelerometers and calculating a first and second mass unbalance offset error for the first gyroscopic sensor and the second gyroscopic sensor, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: February 12, 2013Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston, Gary William Uttecht
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Patent number: 8305230Abstract: An apparatus for initializing a wellbore survey tool comprises a base portion and a first mounting portion mechanically coupled to the base portion. The first mounting portion can be adapted to be mechanically coupled to at least one directional reference system configured to provide data indicative of an orientation of the at least one directional reference system with respect to a reference direction. The apparatus of certain embodiments further comprises a second mounting portion mechanically coupled to the base portion, the second mounting portion configured to be mechanically coupled to a wellbore survey tool such that the wellbore survey tool has a predetermined orientation with respect to the at least one directional reference system.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Roger Ekseth
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Patent number: 8294592Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a wellbore survey tool at a first position with respect to a reference direction. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. The directional reference system is positioned at a second position spaced from the first position. At least one second signal is indicative of a relative orientation of the wellbore survey tool with respect to the directional reference system. The orientation of the wellbore survey tool at the first position is determined in response at least in part to the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 23, 2012Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Eric Wright, Gary Uttecht, Roger Ekseth
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Publication number: 20120247833Abstract: A system and method for controlling a downhole portion of a drill string is provided. The method includes receiving signals from a first sensor package mounted at a first position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the first sensor package. The method also includes receiving signals from a second sensor package mounted at a second position to the downhole portion, the signals indicative of an orientation of the second sensor package. The method further includes calculating a first amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages in response to the signals and transmitting control signals to an actuator which responds by adjusting the downhole portion to have a second amount of bend between the first and second sensor packages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2012Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20120218118Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for determining an orientation of a wellbore survey tool at a first position with respect to a reference direction. At least one first signal is indicative of an orientation of a directional reference system with respect to the reference direction. The directional reference system is positioned at a second position spaced from the first position. At least one second signal is indicative of a relative orientation of the wellbore survey tool with respect to the directional reference system. The orientation of the wellbore survey tool at the first position is determined in response at least in part to the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Eric Wright, Gary Uttecht, Roger Ekseth
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Publication number: 20120126817Abstract: Certain embodiments described herein provide a measure of the misalignment of multiple acceleration sensors mounted in the downhole portion of a drill string. In certain embodiments, the measure of the misalignment corresponds to a measure of sag which can be used to provide an improved estimate of the inclination of the downhole portion of the drill string and/or the wellbore. Certain embodiments described herein provide an estimate of the magnetic interference incident upon a drilling system using multiple magnetic sensors mounted within a non-magnetic region of the downhole portion of the drilling system. Certain embodiments utilize the magnetic measurements to determine an axial interference resulting from one or more magnetic portions of the downhole portion and to provide an improved estimate of the azimuthal orientation of the downhole portion with respect to the magnetic field of the Earth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 24, 2012Applicant: GYRODATA INCORPORATEDInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8185312Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a drill string are provided. A method comprises receiving one or more first signals from a first sensor package mounted in a first portion of the drill string at a first position within a wellbore. The first signals may be indicative of an orientation of the first portion of the drill string. The method also includes receiving one or more second signals from a second sensor package mounted in a second portion of the drill string at a second position within the wellbore. In certain embodiments, the second signals indicative of an orientation of the second portion of the drill string. The drill string may be adapted to bend between the first portion and the second portion and certain embodiments include calculating a first amount of bend between the first portion and the second portion in response to the first signals and the second signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: May 22, 2012Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston