Patents by Inventor William D. Flanagan

William D. Flanagan 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).

  • Publication number: 20090021392
    Abstract: A wireless data communication system for a down hole environment. The system includes a housing containing a sensor, positioned within a tubular, for collecting information and processing the information, a modulator for modulating the information from the sensor into an analog signal, and a sensor antenna electrically connected to the first modulator for generating a modulated electromagnetic wave. The system further includes a probe housing, concentrically disposed within the tubular, comprising a probe antenna for receiving the modulated electromagnetic wave and generating an output, and a demodulator for demodulating the electromagnetic wave received from the sensor to a digital record. A method of wirelessly communicating between a probe and a remote sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventor: William D. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 7411517
    Abstract: A wireless data communication system for a down hole environment. The system includes a housing containing a sensor, positioned within a tubular, for collecting information and processing the information, a modulator for modulating the information from the sensor into an analog signal, and a sensor antenna electrically connected to the first modulator for generating a modulated electromagnetic wave. The system further includes a probe housing, concentrically disposed within the tubular, comprising a probe antenna for receiving the modulated electromagnetic wave and generating an output, and a demodulator for demodulating the electromagnetic wave received from the sensor to a digital record. A method of wirelessly communicating between a probe and a remote sensor is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Ultima Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 7183771
    Abstract: A device and method for obtaining an electromagnetic propagation measurement of a subterranean geologic formation, with the formation being intersected by a borehole. The device comprises a transmitter for transmitting an electromagnetic signal, and a first and second receiver for receiving the transmitted signal. The device further comprises a circuit for injecting a calibration signal into the first receiver and the second receiver, and a processor for processing the uncalibrated receiver signal and the calibration signal to obtain electromagnetic propagation measurement that is free from errors introduced by the receiving elements of the system. The processor may include a receiver data acquisition circuit for correcting data acquisition errors related to the first receiver and the second receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Ultima Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 6822455
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for determining geologic formation resistivity while drilling and a new method providing compensation for the vertical asymmetries of the tool response and the effects of borehole rugosity. The apparatus and method allows the construction of a tool body considerably shorter in length than previous devices and provides more radial depths of investigation for a given number of transmitter and receiver antennas when compared to previous devices. A method for calibrating data acquisition errors of the system is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Ultima Labs, Inc.
    Inventor: William D. Flanagan
  • Publication number: 20040046559
    Abstract: The invention provides a system for determining geologic formation resistivity while drilling and a new method providing compensation for the vertical asymmetries of the tool response and the effects of borehole rugosity. The apparatus and method allows the construction of a tool body considerably shorter in length than previous devices and provides more radial depths of investigation for a given number of transmitter and receiver antennas when compared to previous devices. A method for calibrating data acquisition errors of the system is also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventor: William D. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 4800496
    Abstract: A method for determining a sonde error characteristic of an induction tool is disclosed. The method includes the step of measuring an electrical characteristic which may be the real or quadrature component of conductivity, at two or more different heights above the earth. The sonde error characteristic is determined as a function of a predetermined relationship between the desired sonde error characteristic and the measurements of that characteristic at two or more different heights above the earth. The method may be performed with the tool disposed substantially parallel to the earth. Alternatively, the tool may be disposed substantially perpendicularly to the earth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas D. Barber, William B. Vandermeer, William D. Flanagan