Patents by Inventor Steven E. Heiney

Steven E. Heiney 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: 9310499
    Abstract: Method for seismic prospecting using counter-rotating (207-208) eccentric-mass (201, 202) vibrator (CREMV) technology adapted as vibrator sources for seismic prospecting to produce controlled sweeps, as in the manner used in modern seismic prospecting, but with large forces at low frequencies, e.g. forces >275 kN at frequencies between 1 and 5 Hz. This is achieved by adapting the CREMV to enable rotational frequency and the eccentricity (205, 206) of the masses relative to their rotation axes (203-204) to be varied independently and simultaneously, and by designing the CREMV such that the radius of rotation of the center of mass of each rotating mass is on the order of 50 cm or more. The low frequency data obtained from such a seismic source enables improved detection and resolution of subsurface structures and better determination of subsurface properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Steven E. Heiney, Jelena Tomic, Paul Ibanez, Conor N. Byrne
  • Publication number: 20150041242
    Abstract: Method for seismic prospecting using counter-rotating (207-208) eccentric-mass (201, 202) vibrator (CREMV) technology adapted as vibrator sources for seismic prospecting to produce controlled sweeps, as in the manner used in modern seismic prospecting, but with large forces at low frequencies, e.g. forces >275 kN at frequencies between 1 and 5 Hz. This is achieved by adapting the CREMV to enable rotational frequency and the eccentricity (205, 206) of the masses relative to their rotation axes (203-204) to be varied independently and simultaneously, and by designing the CREMV such that the radius of rotation of the center of mass of each rotating mass is on the order of 50 cm or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: Mark A. Meier, Steven E. Heiney, Jelena Tomic, Paul Ibanez, Conor N. Byrne
  • Patent number: 8276889
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as modifying the characteristics of a seismic source used in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes (91) to create a curtain of diverse-sized bubbles (92).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael W. Norris, Steven E. Heiney, Warren S. Ross, Marvin L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20120168972
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as modifying the characteristics of a seismic source used in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes (91) to create a curtain of diverse-sized bubbles (92).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2012
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Michael W. Norris, Steven E. Heiney, Warren S. Ross, Marvin L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8162297
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing a bubble curtain with a diversity of bubble diameters for purposes such as suppressing surface-related multiple reflections in marine seismic surveys. Bubble generating elements are used that combine porous wall material with discrete holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co.
    Inventors: Michael W. Norris, Steven E. Heiney, Warren S. Ross, Marvin L. Johnson