Patents by Inventor Shaohua Zhou

Shaohua Zhou 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: 10560038
    Abstract: A high temperature downhole power generating device includes a power generator including a first material of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled toward the second material based on motion of the high temperature downhole power generating device so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power, at least one electrode that is connected to the first material or second material, a bridge rectifier connected to the at least one electrode to transform the power generated into direct current from alternating current, a storage unit for storing the power generated by the power generator, a sensor that gathers information concerning a downhole environment, and a microcontroller and transceiver unit to manage the power generated by the power generator and transmit information gathered by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10551800
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20200028610
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a communication method related with channel width agile. The method uses a channel generation circuit at a signal transmitting end to generate a channel whose channel width can be changed according to a certain law, and a channel detection circuit at a signal receiving end corresponding thereto to detect the corresponding channel width by the same channel width agile law, thereby achieving the secure reception of the signal. Due to the agility of the channel width, communication security is ensured, and it does not conflict with other technologies (such as frequency hopping), and the channel width can be dynamically allocated. In this way, the advantages of high security, compatibility, and high spectrum utilization can be achieved. Meanwhile, the method realizes the maximum possible optimization of the channel and is very creative.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Jianguo MA, Shaohua ZHOU, Hengyue JIN
  • Publication number: 20190368340
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring well conditions includes a set of wireless transceivers placed along a drill string inside a well, each transceiver placed within at least half the maximum distance that each transceiver can transmit data, and a power generator attached to each transceiver that powers the respective transceiver, the power generator including a first material that is of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled toward the second material based on the motion of the power generator so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power. The wireless transceivers may communicate using any wireless communication technology, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and BLE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li, Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190368341
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring well conditions includes a set of wireless transceivers placed along a drill string inside a well, each transceiver placed within at least half the maximum distance that each transceiver can transmit data, and a power generator attached to each transceiver that powers the respective transceiver, the power generator including a first material that is of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled toward the second material based on the motion of the power generator so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power. The wireless transceivers may communicate using any wireless communication technology, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and BLE.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Publication date: December 5, 2019
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li, Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190330941
    Abstract: A crossover sub includes a tubular housing connected to a drill string in a wellbore, a sealing structure to seal against a wellbore wall, and a sleeve valve disposed within the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position in response to a fluid pressure in a first flow chamber or second, separate flow chamber of the housing. The first flow chamber fluidly connects an upper annulus of the wellbore to a central bore of the drill string downhole of the crossover sub. The second flow chamber fluidly connects a central bore of the drill string uphole of the sealing structure to a lower annulus of the wellbore. The sleeve valve closes the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the closed position, and opens the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190330940
    Abstract: A crossover sub includes a tubular housing connected to a drill string in a wellbore, a sealing structure to seal against a wellbore wall, and a sleeve valve disposed within the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position in response to a fluid pressure in a first flow chamber or second, separate flow chamber of the housing. The first flow chamber fluidly connects an upper annulus of the wellbore to a central bore of the drill string downhole of the crossover sub. The second flow chamber fluidly connects a central bore of the drill string uphole of the sealing structure to a lower annulus of the wellbore. The sleeve valve closes the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the closed position, and opens the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10436022
    Abstract: A system for wirelessly monitoring well conditions includes a set of wireless transceivers placed along a drill string inside a well, each transceiver placed within at least half the maximum distance that each transceiver can transmit data, and a power generator attached to each transceiver that powers the respective transceiver, the power generator including a first material that is of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled toward the second material based on the motion of the power generator so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power. The wireless transceivers may communicate using any wireless communication technology, including but not limited to Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and BLE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10428607
    Abstract: A crossover sub includes a tubular housing connected to a drill string in a wellbore, a sealing structure to seal against a wellbore wall, and a sleeve valve disposed within the housing and movable between a closed position and an open position in response to a fluid pressure in a first flow chamber or second, separate flow chamber of the housing. The first flow chamber fluidly connects an upper annulus of the wellbore to a central bore of the drill string downhole of the crossover sub. The second flow chamber fluidly connects a central bore of the drill string uphole of the sealing structure to a lower annulus of the wellbore. The sleeve valve closes the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the closed position, and opens the second flow chamber in response to the sleeve valve being in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190265656
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10394193
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190257162
    Abstract: Mitigating drilling circulation loss can be implemented as a wellbore drilling system that includes a drilling liner and a drill head assembly. The drilling liner is configured to be positioned in a lost circulation zone of a subterranean formation in which a wellbore is being drilled. The drilling liner is configured to flow wellbore drilling fluids from a surface of the wellbore to the subterranean formation while avoiding the lost circulation zone. The drill head assembly is attached to a downhole end of the drilling liner, and is configured to drill the subterranean formation to form cuttings, receive the wellbore drilling fluids, and flow the cuttings and the wellbore drilling fluids into the drilling liner while avoiding the lost circulation zone and towards the surface of the wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10364644
    Abstract: A system for cementing a tubular in a wellbore that includes a sleeve made up of an annular housing with a cement seal on outer surface of the housing. The sleeve further includes a sliding block, a stationary block, an arm attached to the sliding block, and a passage formed through a sidewall of the housing, and that receives a free end of the arm. When the sleeve inner bore is pressurized, the arm moves to move the sliding block into an open space in the stationary block. Inserting the sliding block into the open space forms a seal on the outer periphery of the sleeve which forms a barrier to cement flowing in an annulus between the sleeve and inner surface of the wellbore. Lost circulation material can be deposited in the annulus and which settles along an interface between the seal and wellbore wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190227499
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2019
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10320311
    Abstract: High temperature miniature mobile device includes a power generator including a first material of one polarity and a second material that is fixed in position and is of opposite polarity of the first material, wherein the first material is propelled towards or slid against the second material based on motion of the miniature mobile device so that the two materials have a maximized point of contact to generate maximum power, an electrode that is connected to the first material or second material, a bridge rectifier connected to the electrode to transform the power generated into direct current from alternating current, a storage unit for storing the power generated by the power generator, a sensor that gathers information concerning a downhole environment, and a microcontroller and transceiver unit to manage the power generated by the power generator and transmit information gathered by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Bodong Li, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10260295
    Abstract: Mitigating drilling circulation loss can be implemented as a wellbore drilling system that includes a drilling liner and a drill head assembly. The drilling liner is configured to be positioned in a lost circulation zone of a subterranean formation in which a wellbore is being drilled. The drilling liner is configured to flow wellbore drilling fluids from a surface of the wellbore to the subterranean formation while avoiding the lost circulation zone. The drill head assembly is attached to a downhole end of the drilling liner, and is configured to drill the subterranean formation to form cuttings, receive the wellbore drilling fluids, and flow the cuttings and the wellbore drilling fluids into the drilling liner while avoiding the lost circulation zone and towards the surface of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Publication number: 20190101872
    Abstract: A system includes at least one hardware processor interoperably coupled with computer memory and configured to perform operations of one or more components of the computer-implemented system. The system includes a detachable module (DM) delivery system configured to deploy, from release grooves of the NRSS and during a survey of the NRSS inside a wellbore during drilling of a well, plural DMs into an environment surrounding the NRSS, wherein the plural DMs are pre-loaded into the NRSS, and plural DMs are configured to gather and store sensing data from the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Bodong Li, Chinthaka Pasan Gooneratne, Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10246954
    Abstract: A loss mitigation bottom hole assembly for use in a wellbore to isolate a severe loss zone of a formation, including a drill bit for drilling a well bore, and a dual wall drill string connecting the drill bit to a fluid source, and having a first fluid passage for delivering fluid to a drill bit, and a separate second fluid passage for returning the fluid away from the drill bit. The assembly further includes a drilling liner circumscribing and attached to a bottom portion of the dual wall drill string, and surrounding the drill bit, the drilling liner having an end adjacent the drill bit to contain the fluid exiting the drill bit and prevent the fluid from entering the severe loss zone of the formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10161192
    Abstract: One example of a downhole self-isolating wellbore drilling system to pulverize formation cuttings includes a cutting grinder tool and an isolation tool. The cutting grinder tool can be attached to a drill string uphole relative to a drill bit attached to a downhole end of the drill string. The cutting grinder tool can receive and pulverize formation cuttings resulting from drilling a formation using the drill bit. The isolation tool can be attached to the drill string uphole relative to the cutting grinder tool. The isolation tool can control flow of the pulverized formation cuttings mixed with a drilling mud uphole through the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou
  • Patent number: 10156100
    Abstract: One example of a downhole self-isolating wellbore drilling system to pulverize formation cuttings includes a cutting grinder tool and an isolation tool. The cutting grinder tool can be attached to a drill string uphole relative to a drill bit attached to a downhole end of the drill string. The cutting grinder tool can receive and pulverize formation cuttings resulting from drilling a formation using the drill bit. The isolation tool can be attached to the drill string uphole relative to the cutting grinder tool. The isolation tool can control flow of the pulverized formation cuttings mixed with a drilling mud uphole through the drill string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Shaohua Zhou