Patents by Inventor Trevor Wayne MacDougall
Trevor Wayne MacDougall 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: 20190086243Abstract: A system for monitoring events using fiber optics has a length of fiber optic cable having a first end, a second end and a detection length disposed between the first end and the second end. An optical signal source introduces an optical signal into the first end of the fiber optic cable. A detector detects a strength of the optical signal at the second end of the fiber optic cable.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Trevor Wayne MACDOUGALL, Yi YANG
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Patent number: 9696135Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus illuminates nested optical cavities by a broadband light source, such as a tunable laser. A composite interference signal is obtained from light reflected from the nested optical cavities, partial interference spectra are recovered from the composite interference signal, cavity depths are measured based on the partial interference spectra, and electrical signals are provided based on the final measured cavity depths.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2014Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: PETROSPEC ENGINEERING LTD.Inventors: Yi Yang, Trevor Wayne MacDougall
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Patent number: 9335224Abstract: A sensing cable includes a pair of sensing fibers that are connected to one another by a U-shaped turnaround section. The turnaround section is a section of sensing fiber coated with a jacket that includes metallic components. The turnaround section is bent and, then, annealed according to a method of the present invention. The turnaround section is robust and reduced in size (i.e., radius). The sensing cable also includes an inner sleeve that surrounds the sensing fibers and an elongated outer armor casing (i.e., including an armor tube and a sealing cap) that encases a terminating end thereof. The armor tube and the sealing cap protect the sensing fiber from mechanical and chemical harm, are reduced in size and facilitate insertion of the sensing cable into downhole environments. The sensing cable has improved operating range up to 300° C.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20150168133Abstract: An optical sensor apparatus illuminates nested optical cavities by a broadband light source, such as a tunable laser. A composite interference signal is obtained from light reflected from the nested optical cavities, partial interference spectra are recovered from the composite interference signal, cavity depths are measured based on the partial interference spectra, and electrical signals are provided based on the final measured cavity depths.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2014Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: Petrospec Engineering Ltd.Inventors: Yi Yang, Trevor Wayne MacDougall
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Patent number: 8973445Abstract: A holographic pressure sensing apparatus includes a first optical fiber with a diffractive element at its end face, and a light-coupling component for receiving from the first optical fiber end face first and second images respectively formed by interaction with the diffractive element of a first light of a first wavelength and a second light of a second wavelength. Displacement of the light-coupling component, toward or away from the first optical fiber end face, will adjust an overlap of the first and second images, such that a change in a measurement of said overlap will indicate a change of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the casing.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Qorex LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Patent number: 8864374Abstract: A sensing cable has a sensing fiber assembly, which includes a pair of sensing fibers joined by a turnaround section with a modal filter, at a terminating end of the sensing fibers. The sensing cable also includes an inner sleeve that surrounds the sensing fiber assembly and an armored casing that caps the terminating end of the inner sleeve. The sensing cable has a low profile and its components are each made of high temperature and hydrogen tolerant materials and are capable of prolonged operation at high temperatures, such as up to 300° C., in hydrogen environments over long lengths of fiber. A distributed thermal sensing (DTS) interrogator is connected to the sensing cable and performs DTS measuring according to protocols and algorithms that leverage the modal filter of the turnaround section to calculate temperature readings along the sensing fiber assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Qorex LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20140060199Abstract: A holographic pressure sensing apparatus includes a first optical fiber with a diffractive element at its end face, and a light-coupling component for receiving from the first optical fiber end face first and second images respectively formed by interaction with the diffractive element of a first light of a first wavelength and a second light of a second wavelength. Displacement of the light-coupling component, toward or away from the first optical fiber end face, will adjust an overlap of the first and second images, such that a change in a measurement of said overlap will indicate a change of the pressure in the fluid surrounding the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 5, 2012Publication date: March 6, 2014Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Patent number: 8646968Abstract: A method for calculating a temperature along a length of a sensing fiber of a distributed thermal sensing (DTS) system. The sensing fiber, which has two ends, is heat resistant for operation up to 300° C. The DTS system includes a two-channel DTS interrogator that is attached to each of the two ends of the sensing fiber. The DTS interrogator interrogates the sensing fiber from both ends, calculates a temperature difference between co-located positions along the length of the sensing fiber for each end, and determines an error associated with the temperature difference. Based on the determined error, a corrected temperature value along the length of the sensing fiber is calculated and outputted.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2011Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Qorex LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20120039359Abstract: A sensing cable has a sensing fiber assembly, which includes a pair of sensing fibers joined by a turnaround section with a modal filter, at a terminating end of the sensing fibers. The sensing cable also includes an inner sleeve that surrounds the sensing fiber assembly and an armored casing that caps the terminating end of the inner sleeve. The sensing cable has a low profile and its components are each made of high temperature and hydrogen tolerant materials and are capable of prolonged operation at high temperatures, such as up to 300° C., in hydrogen environments over long lengths of fiber. A distributed thermal sensing (DTS) interrogator is connected to the sensing cable and performs DTS measuring according to protocols and algorithms that leverage the modal filter of the turnaround section to calculate temperature readings along the sensing fiber assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: TREVOR WAYNE MacDOUGALL, PAUL ERIC SANDERS
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Publication number: 20120039561Abstract: A sensing cable includes a pair of sensing fibers that are connected to one another by a U-shaped turnaround section. The turnaround section is a section of sensing fiber coated with a jacket that includes metallic components. The turnaround section is bent and, then, annealed according to a method of the present invention. The turnaround section is robust and reduced in size (i.e., radius). The sensing cable also includes an inner sleeve that surrounds the sensing fibers and an elongated outer armor casing (i.e., including an armor tube and a sealing cap) that encases a terminating end thereof. The armor tube and the sealing cap protect the sensing fiber from mechanical and chemical harm, are reduced in size and facilitate insertion of the sensing cable into downhole environments. The sensing cable has improved operating range up to 300° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20120039360Abstract: A method for calculating a temperature along a length of a sensing fiber of a distributed thermal sensing (DTS) system. The sensing fiber, which has two ends, is heat resistant for operation up to 300° C. The DTS system includes a two-channel DTS interrogator that is attached to each of the two ends of the sensing fiber. The DTS interrogator interrogates the sensing fiber from both ends, calculates a temperature difference between co-located positions along the length of the sensing fiber for each end, and determines an error associated with the temperature difference. Based on the determined error, a corrected temperature value along the length of the sensing fiber is calculated and outputted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2011Publication date: February 16, 2012Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Patent number: 7894061Abstract: A flow monitoring system includes a pipe for transporting a fluid therethrough. An optical fiber generally spirals about the pipe along a longitudinal portion having a predetermined length to serve as a single transducer for detecting flow information from the longitudinal portion. A linear polarizer/analyzer circuit communicates with the optical fiber. A light source communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit and generates a light signal along the optical fiber at a frequency greater than a period of a disturbance to flow past the predetermined length of the transducer. A reflector is disposed along the optical fiber for reflecting the light signal along the optical fiber. An optical detector communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit. The optical detector determines from the light signal dynamic events along the optical fiber indicative of flow disturbances passing by the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2008Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Qorex LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20090314102Abstract: A flow monitoring system includes a pipe for transporting a fluid therethrough. An optical fiber generally spirals about the pipe along a longitudinal portion having a predetermined length to serve as a single transducer for detecting flow information from the longitudinal portion. A linear polarizer/analyzer circuit communicates with the optical fiber. A light source communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit and generates a light signal along the optical fiber at a frequency greater than a period of a disturbance to flow past the predetermined length of the transducer. A reflector is disposed along the optical fiber for reflecting the light signal along the optical fiber. An optical detector communicates with the linear polarizer/analyzer circuit. The optical detector determines from the light signal dynamic events along the optical fiber indicative of flow disturbances passing by the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2008Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20090290147Abstract: An optical fiber sensor system includes an optical fiber. A linear polarizing component is configured to communicate with the optical fiber. The linear polarizing component includes a polarization sensing fiber to be disposed adjacent to and preferably collinear with the optical fiber. A light source communicates with the linear polarizing component for generating a light signal along the optical fiber. A reflector is disposed along the optical fiber for reflecting back the light signal along the optical fiber. An optical detector communicates with the linear polarizing component. A signal processor communicating with the optical detector and configured for determining from the reflected light signal dynamic events along the optical fiber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2008Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Patent number: 7526149Abstract: An optical fiber strain-temperature sensing system includes first and second optical sources respectively generating first and second light signals having different wavelengths. Optical circulators direct the light signals to an external sensing cable for the respective generation of first and second Brillouin scattered light signals. First and second frequency mixers have a first input respectively coupled to the first and second optical light sources. The optical circulators direct the first and second Brillouin scattered light signals respectively to second inputs of the first and second frequency mixers. First and second transducers are respectively coupled to an output of the first and second frequency mixers and are respectively configured for generating first and second electrical signals indicative of a Brillouin frequency shift of the first and second light signals.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2008Date of Patent: April 28, 2009Assignee: Qorex, LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Patent number: 7496255Abstract: A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bryon James Cronk, Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Moses Mekala David, Brian John Gates, James Francis Brennan, III
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Publication number: 20080253428Abstract: A distributed temperature sensing system and method includes an optical sensing waveguide. The optical sensing waveguide is a single mode waveguide having a substantially pure silica core and a large outer diameter. The system further includes an optical instrument optically connected to the optical sensing waveguide. The optical instrument is configured for generating an optical excitation signal along the optical sensing waveguide, and is also configured for receiving a return optical signal indicative of the temperature at one or more locations along the optical sensing waveguide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: QOREX LLCInventors: Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Paul Eric Sanders
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Publication number: 20040228578Abstract: A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bryon James Cronk, Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Moses Mekala David, Brian John Gates, James Francis Brennan
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Patent number: 6795636Abstract: A glass article comprising a glass substrate and a diamond-like film deposited on the substrate is disclosed. The glass article is desirably responsive to actinic radiation, such as being capable of demonstrating a change in refractive index upon exposure to actinic radiation. The film permits passage of the actinic radiation. through the film and into the substrate. In specific implementations, the film comprises at least about 30 atomic percent carbon, from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent silicon, and from about 0 to about 50 atomic percent oxygen on a hydrogen-free basis.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2000Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Bryon James Cronk, Trevor Wayne MacDougall, Moses Mekala David, Brian John Gates, Brian Kenneth Nelson, James Francis Brennan, III
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Patent number: 5999668Abstract: An annealing mold and fiber retaining device includes a fiber holding plate having fiber channels and an annealing insert. Retainers are provided for attachment to the plate to retain fibers in the channels. After annealing, the annealing insert is replaced by a packaging insert. The fiber holding plate is mounted between a support plate and a cover plate. The mounted plates include a coextensive current conductor port and the plates are mounted in a housing which includes vibration mounts for isolating the plates from vibration within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 1999Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Edward Hernandez, Trevor Wayne MacDougall