Patents by Inventor Ronald Van Hal

Ronald Van Hal 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: 9052289
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for spectroscopic detection of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid, for example a formation fluid downhole. A reagent mixture is combined with the fluid. The reagent mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and a capping agent that limits growth of the insoluble metal sulfide species by electrosteric or steric stabilization. The particle growth is one of chemical reaction or significant aggregation, and the capping agent further functionalizes the reagent mixture to exhibit properties outside the natural characteristics of the metal sulfide species to allow for spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide species. The combined mixture and fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Ronald van Hal, Jane Lam
  • Patent number: 8714254
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a piston is capable of contacting the second end of the chamber. The piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a second fluid. A fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and supplies a second fluid through a first opening of the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the second end of the chamber. The piston includes an agitator mixing device that is attached to a bottom surface of the piston, wherein mixing of the first fluid with the second fluid primarily occurs upon movement of the piston by actuating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Michael O'Keefe, Ronald van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Patent number: 8708049
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a perforated piston is capable of contacting the second end and a top surface of a piston is capable of contacting a bottom surface of the perforated piston. The perforated piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a first fluid. A first fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and a second fluid delivery system supplies a second fluid to the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the first end. An actuating device applies a force against the bottom surface of the piston to inject the fluids through channels of the perforated piston to produce spray droplets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Douglas Grant, Jane T. Lam, James Haug, Roman Kats, Christopher Harrison, Andreas Hausot, Michael O'Keefe, Oliver C. Mullins, Ronald van Hal
  • Publication number: 20120273203
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a perforated piston is capable of contacting the second end and a top surface of a piston is capable of contacting a bottom surface of the perforated piston. The perforated piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a first fluid. A first fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and a second fluid delivery system supplies a second fluid to the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the first end. An actuating device applies a force against the bottom surface of the piston to inject the fluids through channels of the perforated piston to produce spray droplets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Douglas Grant, Jane T. Lam, James Haug, Roman Kats, Christopher Harrison, Andreas Hausot, Michael O'Keefe, Oliver C. Mullins, Ronald van Hal
  • Publication number: 20120145400
    Abstract: Methods and devices for mixing a first fluid with a second fluid downhole include a chamber having a first end, a second end and an opening for fluid to flow there through. A top surface of a piston is capable of contacting the second end of the chamber. The piston is located at a first position within the chamber based upon characteristics of a second fluid. A fluid delivery system supplies the first fluid and supplies a second fluid through a first opening of the chamber, wherein the second fluid is at a pressure that moves the piston approximate to the second end of the chamber. The piston includes an agitator mixing device that is attached to a bottom surface of the piston, wherein mixing of the first fluid with the second fluid primarily occurs upon movement of the piston by actuating device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Harrison, Michael O'Keefe, Ronald van Hal, Jimmy Lawrence, Oliver C. Mullins
  • Publication number: 20120149117
    Abstract: Methods and related apparatuses and mixtures are described for spectroscopic detection of hydrogen sulfide in a fluid, for example a formation fluid downhole. A reagent mixture is combined with the fluid. The reagent mixture includes metal ions for reacting with hydrogen sulfide forming a metal sulfide, and a capping agent that limits growth of the insoluble metal sulfide species by electrosteric or steric stabilization. The particle growth is one of chemical reaction or significant aggregation, and the capping agent further functionalizes the reagent mixture to exhibit properties outside the natural characteristics of the metal sulfide species to allow for spectroscopic detection of the metal sulfide species. The combined mixture and fluid is then spectroscopically interrogated to detect the presence of the metal sulfide thereby indicating the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the fluid. The mixture also includes chelating ligands for sustaining thermal endurance of the mixture under downhole conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jimmy Lawrence, Ronald van Hal, Jane Lam
  • Patent number: 7993604
    Abstract: An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bhavani Raghuraman, Gale H. Gustavson, Emilie Dressaire, Oleg Zhdaneev, Ronald Van Hal, Oliver Mullins, Philippe Salamitou
  • Publication number: 20090084175
    Abstract: An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicant: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bhavani Raghuraman, Gale H. Gustavson, Emilie Dressaire, Oleg Zhdaneev, Ronald Van Hal, Oliver Mullins, Philippe Salamitou
  • Patent number: 7432109
    Abstract: An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Bhavani Raghuraman, Gale H. Gustavson, Emilie Dressaire, Oleg Zhdaneev, Ronald Van Hal, Oliver Mullins, Philippe Salamitou
  • Publication number: 20060008382
    Abstract: A microfluidic system for performing fluid analysis is described having: (a) a submersible housing having a fluid analysis means and a power supply to provide power to said system; and (b) a substrate for receiving a fluid sample, having embedded therein a fluid sample inlet, a reagent inlet, a fluid sample outlet, and a mixing region in fluid communication with the fluid sample inlet, the reagent inlet, and the fluid sample outlet, and wherein the substrate includes a fluid drive means for moving the fluid sample through the substrate, and wherein the substrate interconnects with the housing. At least a portion of the fluid analysis means may be embedded in the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2004
    Publication date: January 12, 2006
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Philippe Salamitou, Joyce Wong, Bhavani Raghuraman, Jagdish Shah, Ronald Van Hal, Robert Schroeder, Patrick Tabeling
  • Publication number: 20040219064
    Abstract: An indicator mixture that allows pH measurement over a broader range of pH or to a higher accuracy than available using conventional spectroscopic techniques. In particular, the mixture of the present invention is comprised of two or more reagents such that when combined, the reagent mixture is capable of either detecting: (1) a pH range broader or more accurate than that the reagents individually, or (2) pH more accurately than the reagents individually. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: SCHLUMBER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bhavani Raghuraman, Gale H. Gustavson, Emilie Dressaire, Oleg Zhdaneev, Ronald Van Hal, Oliver Mullins, Philippe Salamitou