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: 20120095685Abstract: A method reduces gravity-dependent 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 triad of accelerometers and calculating a first and second mass unbalance offset error for the first gyroscopic sensor and the second gyroscopic sensor, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: April 19, 2012Applicant: GYRODATA, INCORPORATEDInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston, Gary William Uttecht
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Publication number: 20120089334Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: GYRODATA, INCORPORATEDInventors: Roger Ekseth, Stephen Victor Mullin, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8095317Abstract: 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: October 22, 2008Date of Patent: January 10, 2012Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 8065087Abstract: A method reduces error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a wellbore survey system having two gyroscopic sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of at least one component of the Earth's rotation substantially perpendicular to the wellbore and indicative of a component of the Earth's rotation substantially parallel to the wellbore. The method includes generating a first signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a first orientation; generating a second signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a second orientation; generating a third signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a first orientation; and generating a fourth signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a second orientation.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston, Gary William Uttecht
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Patent number: 8065085Abstract: 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: October 2, 2007Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: GYRODATA, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Stephen Victor Mullin, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20110067859Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: Gyrodata IncorporatedInventor: Roger Ekseth
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Publication number: 20100295703Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: Gyrodata IncorporatedInventors: John Lionel Weston, Roger Ekseth
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Publication number: 20100198518Abstract: A method reduces error contributions to gyroscopic measurements from a wellbore survey system having two gyroscopic sensors adapted to generate signals indicative of at least one component of the Earth's rotation substantially perpendicular to the wellbore and indicative of a component of the Earth's rotation substantially parallel to the wellbore. The method includes generating a first signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a first orientation; generating a second signal indicative of the at least one substantially perpendicular component while the first sensor is in a second orientation; generating a third signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a first orientation; and generating a fourth signal indicative of the substantially parallel component while the second sensor is in a second orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston, Gary William Uttecht
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Publication number: 20100100329Abstract: 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: October 22, 2008Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20100096186Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 22, 2010Applicant: GYRODATA, INCORPORATEDInventors: Roger Ekseth, John Lionel Weston
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Publication number: 20090084546Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2007Publication date: April 2, 2009Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Stephen Victor Mullin, John Lionel Weston
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Patent number: 7363717Abstract: A system and method for using a survey tool within a borehole is provided. The survey tool includes a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The sensing axes of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally parallel to one another and the directions of least acceleration sensitivity of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally non-parallel to one another.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2007Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary William Uttecht
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Patent number: 7350410Abstract: A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Gyrodata, Inc.Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Martyn Ian Greensmith
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Publication number: 20070234580Abstract: A system and method for using a survey tool within a borehole is provided. The survey tool includes a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The sensing axes of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally parallel to one another and the directions of least acceleration sensitivity of the plurality of rotation sensors are generally non-parallel to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2007Publication date: October 11, 2007Applicant: GYRODATA, INCORPORATEDInventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary Uttecht
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System and method for using microgyros to measure the orientation of a survey tool within a borehole
Patent number: 7225550Abstract: A system and method for determining an orientation of the survey tool within a borehole utilizes a survey tool including a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The plurality of rotation sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally non-parallel to one another. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The weighted average includes the detected angular rotation rate of each rotation sensor about its sensing axis weighted by the detected acceleration along its direction of least acceleration sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2006Date of Patent: June 5, 2007Assignee: Gyrodata IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary William Uttecht -
System and method for using microgyros to measure the orientation of a survey tool within a borehole
Publication number: 20070017106Abstract: A system and method for determining an orientation of the survey tool within a borehole utilizes a survey tool including a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The plurality of rotation sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally non-parallel to one another. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The weighted average includes the detected angular rotation rate of each rotation sensor about its sensing axis weighted by the detected acceleration along its direction of least acceleration sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2006Publication date: January 25, 2007Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary Uttecht -
System and method for using microgyros to measure the orientation of a survey tool within a borehole
Patent number: 7117605Abstract: A system and method for determining an orientation of the survey tool within a borehole utilizes a survey tool including a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The plurality of rotation sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally non-parallel to one another. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The weighted average includes the detected angular rotation rate of each rotation sensor about its sensing axis weighted by the detected acceleration along its direction of least acceleration sensitivity.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2004Date of Patent: October 10, 2006Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary William Uttecht -
Patent number: 6957580Abstract: A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: Gyrodata, IncorporatedInventors: Roger Ekseth, Martyn Ian Greensmith
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System and method for using microgyros to measure the orientation of a survey tool within a borehole
Publication number: 20050224257Abstract: A system and method for determining an orientation of the survey tool within a borehole utilizes a survey tool including a plurality of rotation sensors each having a sensing axis and a direction of least acceleration sensitivity. The plurality of rotation sensors are mounted in a housing with their sensing axes generally parallel to one another and with their directions of least acceleration sensitivity generally non-parallel to one another. The survey tool further includes a controller adapted to calculate a weighted average of the detected angular rotation rates from the plurality of rotation sensors. The weighted average includes the detected angular rotation rate of each rotation sensor about its sensing axis weighted by the detected acceleration along its direction of least acceleration sensitivity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2004Publication date: October 13, 2005Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Gary Uttecht -
Publication number: 20050217365Abstract: A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2005Publication date: October 6, 2005Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Martyrn Greensmith