Patents by Inventor Tom Parker
Tom Parker 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: 20240079849Abstract: Disclosed is a coherent optical combining photonic integrated circuit that can detect and align light amplified by a scalable quantity of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). The light can be split into beams and amplified by individual SOAs in a PIC and combined via couplers in the PIC. The combined light can be measured using a photodetector and the light beams can be adjusted based the photodetector measurement to coherently combine the light to achieve high optical power from the photonic integrated circuit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2022Publication date: March 7, 2024Inventors: John Parker, Tom Mader, Steven B. Alleston
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Publication number: 20240004096Abstract: A downhole device is provided that is intended to be co-located with an optical fiber cable to be found, for example by being fixed together in the same clamp. The device has an accelerometer or other suitable orientation determining means that is able to determine its positional orientation, with respect to gravity. A vibrator or other sounder is provided, that outputs the positional orientation information as a suitable encoded and modulated acoustic signal. A fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor deployed in the vicinity of the downhole device detects the acoustic signal and transmits it back to the surface, where it is demodulated and decoded to obtain the positional orientation information. Given that the device is co-located with the optical fiber the position of the fiber can then be inferred. As explained above, detecting the fiber position is important during perforation operations, so that the fiber is not inadvertently damaged.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2023Publication date: January 4, 2024Inventors: Craig Milne, Brian Frankey, Tom Parker, Mahmound Farhadiroushan
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Patent number: 11810606Abstract: An apparatus has a plurality of photonic elements. At least two photonic elements forming a cavity. At least one photonic element receives first electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the first electromagnetic radiation into the photonic cavity. At least one photonic element receives second electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the second radiation into the photonic cavity. A photonic memory disposed in the cavity comprises an atomic system that: receives a photon field of first radiation; receives second radiation; stores at least a portion of the field of the photon in the atomic system via an atomic transition using the photon and the received second radiation; emits the stored portion of the photon upon receiving third electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus directs the photon into the photonic memory, after being reflected into the photonic cavity by at least one of the photonic elements; and outputs the emitted portion of the field into the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2021Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: ORCA Computing LimitedInventors: Richard Murray, Joshua Nunn, Robert Francis-Jones, Tom Parker, Krzysztof Kaczmarek
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Patent number: 11796703Abstract: A downhole device is provided that is intended to be co-located with an optical fiber cable to be found, for example by being fixed together in the same clamp. The device has an accelerometer or other suitable orientation determining means that is able to determine its positional orientation, with respect to gravity. A vibrator or other sounder is provided, that outputs the positional orientation information as a suitable encoded and modulated acoustic signal. A fiber optic distributed acoustic sensor deployed in the vicinity of the downhole device detects the acoustic signal and transmits it back to the surface, where it is demodulated and decoded to obtain the positional orientation information. Given that the device is co-located with the optical fiber the position of the fiber can then be inferred. As explained above, detecting the fiber position is important during perforation operations, so that the fiber is not inadvertently damaged.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Silixa Ltd.Inventors: Craig Milne, Brian Frankey, Tom Parker, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan
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Publication number: 20230314189Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system makes use of a specially designed optical fiber to improve overall sensitivity of the system by a factor in excess of 10. This is achieved by inserting into the fiber weak broadband reflectors periodically along the fiber. The reflectors reflect a small proportion of the light from the DAS incident thereon back along the fiber, typically in the region of 0.001% to 0.1%. To allow for temperate compensation to ensure that the same reflectivity is obtained if the temperature changes, the reflection bandwidth is relatively broadband. The reflectors are formed from a series of fiber Bragg gratings, each with a different center reflecting frequency, the reflecting frequencies and bandwidths of the gratings being selected to provide the broadband reflection. The reflectors are spaced at the desired spatial resolution of the optical fiber DAS.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 14, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin
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Patent number: 11768179Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a “tool-kit” of processing techniques which can be employed in different combinations depending on the circumstances. For example, flow speed can be found using eddy tracking techniques, or by using speed of sound measurements. Moreover, composition can be found by using speed of sound measurements and also by looking for turning points in the k-w curves, particularly in stratified multi-phase flows. Different combinations of the embodiments can therefore be put together to provide further embodiments, to meet particular flow sensing requirements, both on the surface and downhole. Once the flow speed is known, then at least in the case of a single phase flow, the flow speed can be multiplied by the interior cross-sectional area of the pipe to obtain the flow rate. The mass flow rate can then be obtained if the density of the fluid is known, once the composition has been determined.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2020Date of Patent: September 26, 2023Assignees: Silixa Ltd, Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Mohammad Amir, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Daniel Finfer, Veronique Mahue, Tom Parker
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Patent number: 11719560Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system makes use of a specially designed optical fiber to improve overall sensitivity of the system by a factor in excess of 10. This is achieved by inserting into the fiber weak broadband reflectors periodically along the fiber. The reflectors reflect a small proportion of the light from the DAS incident thereon back along the fiber, typically in the region of 0.001% to 0.1%. To allow for temperate compensation to ensure that the same reflectivity is obtained if the temperature changes, the reflection bandwidth is relatively broadband. The reflectors are formed from a series of fiber Bragg gratings, each with a different center reflecting frequency, the reflecting frequencies and bandwidths of the gratings being selected to provide the broadband reflection. The reflectors are spaced at the desired spatial resolution of the optical fiber DAS.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2020Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Silixa Ltd.Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin
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Publication number: 20230245702Abstract: An apparatus has a plurality of photonic elements. At least two photonic elements forming a cavity. At least one photonic element receives first electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the first electromagnetic radiation into the photonic cavity. At least one photonic element receives second electromagnetic radiation from outside the cavity and transmits the second radiation into the photonic cavity. A photonic memory disposed in the cavity comprises an atomic system that: receives a photon field of first radiation; receives second radiation; stores at least a portion of the field of the photon in the atomic system via an atomic transition using the photon and the received second radiation; emits the stored portion of the photon upon receiving third electromagnetic radiation. The apparatus directs the photon into the photonic memory, after being reflected into the photonic cavity by at least one of the photonic elements; and outputs the emitted portion of the field into the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2021Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Richard Murray, Joshua Nunn, Robert Francis-Jones, Tom Parker, Krysztof Kaczmarek
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Publication number: 20230244121Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed herein. The apparatus comprises a non-linear photonic element for outputting a signal and idler photon pair. The apparatus further comprises a module configured to, based on receiving one or more control signals, controllably store photons and controllably output stored photons. The apparatus further comprises a detector arrangement comprising one or more detectors for detecting light. The module is further configured to receive at least one of the signal and idler photons of the pair. The module is further configured to at least partially store one of the signal or idler photons of the pair. The module is further configured to output the said at least partially stored signal or idler photon along an optical path towards the at least one detectors. The apparatus is configured to direct the other of the signal or idler photon towards the detector arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2022Publication date: August 3, 2023Inventors: Richard Murray, Joshua Nunn, Robert Francis-Jones, Tom Parker, Krzysztof Kaczmarek
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Publication number: 20230221151Abstract: A long range optical fiber sensor such as a distributed acoustic sensor has a sensing fiber located remotely from the interrogator, with a length of transport fiber path connecting the two. Because no sensing is performed on the transport fiber then the pulse repetition rate from the interrogator can be high enough such that the pulse repetition rate and pulse power are optimised according to the sensing fiber length and hence sensing frequency response and sensitivity are also optimised according to the sensing fiber length.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2021Publication date: July 13, 2023Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin, Jack Maxwell
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Patent number: 11467007Abstract: An improved optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system uses an optical fiber having reflector portions distributed along its length in at least a first portion. The reflector portions are positioned along the fiber separated by a distance that is equivalent to twice the distance an optical pulse travels along the fiber in a single sampling period of the data acquisition opto-electronics within the sensor system. No oversampling of the reflections of the optical pulses from the reflector portions is undertaken. The sampling points for data acquisition in the sensor system are aligned with the reflections that arrive at the sensor system from along the sensing fiber. Adaptive delay componentry adaptively aligns the reflected optical signals (or their electrical analogues) with the sampling points. Control over the sampling points can re-synchronise the sampling points with the returning reflections. Reflection equalisation componentry may reduce the dynamic range of the returning reflections.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2021Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignees: Silixa Ltd., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sergey Shatalin, Julian Dajczgewand, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker
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Patent number: 11125909Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention help in the processing and interpretation of seismic survey data, by correlating or otherwise comparing or associating seismic data obtained from a seismic survey with flow information obtained from a well or borehole in the surveyed area. In particular, embodiments of the present invention allow for flow data representing a flow profile along a well that is being monitored by a distributed acoustic sensor to be determined, such that regions of higher flow in the well can be determined. For example, in the production zone the well will be perforated to allow oil to enter the well, but it has not previously been possible to determine accurately where in the production zone the oil is entering the well. However, by determining a flow rate profile along the well using the DAS then this provides information as to where in the perforated production zone oil is entering the well, and hence the location of oil bearing sands.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignees: Silixa Ltd., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Daniel Finfer
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Publication number: 20210278255Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an improved optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system that makes use of an optical fiber having reflector portions distributed along its length in at least a first portion. In particular, in order to increase the spatial resolution of the sensor system to the maximum, the reflector portions are positioned along the fiber separated by a distance that is equivalent to twice the distance an optical pulse travels along the fiber in a single sampling period of the data acquisition opto-electronics within the sensor system. As such, no oversampling of the reflections of the optical pulses from the reflector portions is undertaken, which means that it is important that the sampling points for data acquisition in the sensor system are aligned with the reflections that arrive at the sensor system from along the sensing fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2021Publication date: September 9, 2021Inventors: Sergey Shatalin, Julian Dajczgewand, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker
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Patent number: 11022467Abstract: An improved optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system uses an optical fiber having reflector portions distributed along its length in at least a first portion. The reflector portions are positioned along the fiber separated by a distance that is equivalent to twice the distance an optical pulse travels along the fiber in a single sampling period of the data acquisition opto-electronics within the sensor system. No oversampling of the reflections of the optical pulses from the reflector portions is undertaken. The sampling points for data acquisition in the sensor system are aligned with the reflections that arrive at the sensor system from along the sensing fiber. Adaptive delay componentry adaptively aligns the reflected optical signals (or their electrical analogues) with the sampling points. Control over the sampling points can re-synchronise the sampling points with the returning reflections. Reflection equalisation componentry may reduce the dynamic range of the returning reflections.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2018Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignees: Silixa Ltd., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Sergey Shatalin, Julian Dajczgewand, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker
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Publication number: 20210072190Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a “tool-kit” of processing techniques which can be employed in different combinations depending on the circumstances. For example, flow speed can be found using eddy tracking techniques, or by using speed of sound measurements. Moreover, composition can be found by using speed of sound measurements and also by looking for turning points in the k-w curves, particularly in stratified multi-phase flows. Different combinations of the embodiments can therefore be put together to provide further embodiments, to meet particular flow sensing requirements, both on the surface and downhole. Once the flow speed is known, then at least in the case of a single phase flow, the flow speed can be multiplied by the interior cross-sectional area of the pipe to obtain the flow rate. The mass flow rate can then be obtained if the density of the fluid is known, once the composition has been determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: Mohammad Amir, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Daniel Finfer, Veronique Mahue, Tom Parker
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Patent number: 10927667Abstract: Externally generated noise can be coupled into a fluid carrying structure such as a pipe, well, or borehole so as to artificially acoustically “illuminate” the pipe, well, or borehole, and allow fluid flow in the structure or structural integrity to be determined. In the disclosed system, externally generated noise is coupled into the structure being monitored at the same time as data logging required to undertake the monitoring is performed. This has three effects. First, the externally generated sound is coupled into the structure so as to “illuminate” acoustically the structure to allow data to be collected from which fluid flow may be determined, and secondly the amount of data that need be collected is reduced, as there is no need to log data when the structure is not being illuminated. Thirdly, there are signal processing advantages in having the data logging being undertaken only when the acoustic illumination occurs.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignees: SILIXA LTD., CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Daniel Finfer, Veronique Mahue
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Patent number: 10883861Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system includes weak broadband reflectors inserted periodically along the fiber. The reflectors reflect only a small proportion of the light from the DAS incident thereon back along the fiber, typically in the region of 0.001% to 0.1%, but preferably around 0.01% reflectivity per reflector. In addition, to allow for temperate compensation to ensure that the same reflectivity is obtained if the temperature changes, the reflection bandwidth is relatively broadband. In some embodiments the reflectors are formed from a series of fiber Bragg gratings, each with a different center reflecting frequency, the reflecting frequencies and bandwidths of the gratings being selected to provide the broadband reflection. A chirped grating may also be used to provide the same effect. In preferred embodiments, the reflectors are spaced at half the gauge length i.e. the desired spatial resolution of the optical fiber DAS.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2016Date of Patent: January 5, 2021Assignee: Silixa Ltd.Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin
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Patent number: 10877001Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a “tool-kit” of processing techniques which can be employed in different combinations depending on the circumstances. For example, flow speed can be found using eddy tracking techniques, or by using speed of sound measurements. Moreover, composition can be found by using speed of sound measurements and also by looking for turning points in the k-? curves, particularly in stratified multi-phase flows. Different combinations of the embodiments can therefore be put together to provide further embodiments, to meet particular flow sensing requirements, both on the surface and downhole. Once the flow speed is known, then at least in the case of a single phase flow, the flow speed can be multiplied by the interior cross-sectional area of the pipe to obtain the flow rate. The mass flow rate can then be obtained if the density of the fluid is known, once the composition has been determined.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2016Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignees: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., SILIXA LTD.Inventors: Mohammad Amir, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Daniel Finfer, Veronique Mahue, Tom Parker
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Publication number: 20200386583Abstract: An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor system makes use of a specially designed optical fiber to improve overall sensitivity of the system by a factor in excess of 10. This is achieved by inserting into the fiber weak broadband reflectors periodically along the fiber. The reflectors reflect a small proportion of the light from the DAS incident thereon back along the fiber, typically in the region of 0.001% to 0.1%. To allow for temperate compensation to ensure that the same reflectivity is obtained if the temperature changes, the reflection bandwidth is relatively broadband. The reflectors are formed from a series of fiber Bragg gratings, each with a different center reflecting frequency, the reflecting frequencies and bandwidths of the gratings being selected to provide the broadband reflection. The reflectors are spaced at the desired spatial resolution of the optical fiber DAS.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2020Publication date: December 10, 2020Inventors: Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Tom Parker, Sergey Shatalin
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Patent number: 10704932Abstract: An optical fiber sensing system includes a sensing optical fiber and one or more optical amplifiers in series with the sensing fiber and arranged to increase the power of sensing pulses travelling along the fiber to thereby increase the range of the sensing system. The optical fiber sensing system is one selected from the group including an optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor (DAS), an optical fiber distributed temperature sensor (DTS), or an optical time domain reflectometry (OTDR) system.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2015Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignees: Silixa Ltd., Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Tom Parker, Mahmoud Farhadiroushan, Arran Gillies