Indicating, Testing Or Measuring A Condition Of The Formation Patents (Class 175/50)
  • Patent number: 12158047
    Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product for controlling flushing in rock drilling, and a rock drilling rig. The apparatus includes a control unit and a computer program for controlling feeding of a liquid component in an air mist flushing system in response to detected penetration rate of executed drilling. An operator may set a desired moisture target value for drilling cuttings removed from a drill hole and the control system automatically adjusts the flushing system to control the feeding of the liquid component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Anttonen, Timo Setala, Tuomo Kivela, Sirpa Launis
  • Patent number: 12146407
    Abstract: A method for generation of a boom trajectory for automated boom positioning includes the steps of receiving target pose data indicative of at least target position of a first boom object of the boom for positioning a work machine of the mine vehicle to a target pose in accordance with a mine work plan, receiving geometry data of the first boom object, the geometry data being mapped with start pose data indicative of the start position and orientation of the first boom object, receiving obstacle data, selecting trajectory generation locations for the first boom object, and generating, before starting positioning of the work machine for the target pose, a positioning trajectory for each of the selected trajectory generation locations on the basis of the target pose data, the geometry data, the start pose data, and the obstacle data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2024
    Assignee: Sandvik Mining and Construction Oy
    Inventor: Mikko Pesola
  • Patent number: 12104489
    Abstract: Geosteering can be used in a drilling operation to create a wellbore that is used to extract hydrocarbons from a defined zone within the subterranean formation. According to some aspects, generating paths for the wellbore may include using path-planning protocols and pure-pursuit protocols. The pure-pursuit protocol may be executed to output a plurality of candidate drilling paths. The output may also include control parameters for controlling the drill bit. A trajectory optimizer may determine a result of multi-objective functions for each candidate path. A cost function may represent a cost or loss associated with a candidate path. Additionally, the trajectory optimizer may perform an optimization protocol, such as Bayesian optimization, on the cost functions to determine which candidate path to select. The selected candidate path may correspond to new control parameters for controlling the drill bit to reach the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Raja Vikram Raj Pandya, Srinath Madasu, Keshava Prasad Rangarajan, Shashi Dande, Yashas Malur Saidutta
  • Patent number: 12098619
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an autonomous chemical treatment system and method for drilling and completion probes, so that it allows the probe to carry out chemical treatments in subsea wells, dispensing the need to use the WSSV, which has a limited treatment capacity due to tank volumetry, generally smaller that the marine probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2024
    Assignee: PETRÓLEO BRASILEIRO S.A.—PETROBRAS
    Inventors: Fernando Antonio Moreira Da Silva, Mario Germino Ferreira Da Silva, Valtair Marcos Cristante
  • Patent number: 12084959
    Abstract: This disclosure presents a method and process to improve the accuracy of the calculations for true vertical depth and Eastings and Northings pair of a borehole while drilling operations are in progress. The method utilizes continuous survey parameters that are collected while drilling operations are in progress, and that have been collected between two neighboring stationary survey parameters. The stationary survey parameters are assumed to be ground truth and are fused with an invertible solution to a low order polynomial to generate the true vertical depth and an Eastings and Northings pair at each continuous survey location. An objective function can be used to optimize and solve the polynomial. The method can be performed on a well site controller, a geo-steering system, a bottom hole assembly, or other computing system capable of receiving the collected measurements, performing the method steps, and communicating the resultant borehole position parameters to other systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Vincent Collins, Umut Zalluhoglu, Wei Zhang
  • Patent number: 12024961
    Abstract: A remote intelligent active drilling pressure control system and method. The system includes a drilling pump, a rotary blowout preventer, a ground simple throttle control manifold, a wellhead back pressure compensation manifold, a graded filling device, a downhole storage-type pressure measuring device, a ground multi-parameter online monitoring system, a drilling hydraulic calculation system, an MPD intelligent control platform and a remote monitoring and control system. The present invention provides a wellbore pressure control thought of “plugging and control integration”, improves the pressure resistance of a formation by circularly plugging while drilling, realizes active control of a wellbore pressure, effectively broadens a “drilling safety density window” of the formation, and reduces the requirements on the pressure control precision of a wellbore pressure control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2023
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Gao Li, Hongtao Li, Yijian Chen, Dong Xiao, Jun Jiang, Wenhe Xia, Yongjie Li
  • Patent number: 12006770
    Abstract: A method for estimating wear of a drill bit in percussive rock drilling. A percussion device is configured for generating shock waves in a drill bit for breaking rock. The method includes, during drilling determining a percussion frequency of the percussion device; and estimating wear of the drill bit based on the determined percussion frequency of the percussion device and a model representation of the wear of the drill bit as a function of percussion frequency, wherein the model representation is configured to output the estimated wear of the drill bit utilizing the determined percussion frequency as input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: Epiroc Rock Drills Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Goran Stenberg, Erik Rosendal
  • Patent number: 11859452
    Abstract: A latch system including a plurality of rocker latches, a rocker support, supporting the plurality of rocker latches, and a movement restrictor in operative connection with each rocker latch of the plurality of rocker latches, the movement restrictor allowing or restricting movement of each rocker latch of the plurality of rocker latches relative to the rocker support. A downhole tool including a sleeve movable relative to other portions of the tool, the sleeve having a profile at an uphole end thereof, an actuator runnable into contact with the sleeve, the actuator including the latch. A borehole system including a borehole in a subsurface formation, a string in the borehole, and a latch system disposed within or as a part of the string.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: David Bishop, Ronald J. Garr
  • Patent number: 11855447
    Abstract: A downhole power supply and method for supplying downhole power are disclosed. In some embodiments a downhole power supply includes a source power supply including a supply cable coupled to an electric energy source. The downhole power supply further includes at least one downhole distribution network to which the supply cable is configured to couple the electric energy source. The at least one downhole distribution network includes, multiple load supplies providing regulated power levels to multiple downhole loads and a network controller configured to individually connect and disconnect each of the load supplies in response to a failure within the downhole distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Joachim Alexander Pihl, Rodrigo de Carvalho Mendez, Davi Luciano Figueiredo
  • Patent number: 11846697
    Abstract: A linear actuator includes a piston, a transmitter, and a receiver. The piston is configured to linearly extend and retract (such as within a cover tube). The transmitter is configured to generate a transmit electromagnetic waveform and direct the transmit electromagnetic waveform along a length of the piston. The receiver is configured to receive a return electromagnetic waveform that includes the transmit electromagnetic waveform after travelling to an extended end of the piston and returning to the receiver and determine a position of the piston based on a phase difference between the transmit electromagnetic waveform and the return electromagnetic waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Markus Dietl, Siva RaghuRam Prasad Chennupati
  • Patent number: 11846183
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are aspects of a method, 3D modeling apparatus, and a computer program product for determining parameters of a perforated core sample. In one embodiment, a method for determining parameters of a perforated core sample comprises providing a 3D mapping of a crush zone of a perforated core sample; and determining a permeability value for the crush zone of the perforated core sample based on a permeability of a representative unperforated core sample and the 3D mapping of the crush zone of the perforated core sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jacob Andrew McGregor
  • Patent number: 11840912
    Abstract: This disclosure presents processes for controlling a hydraulic fracturing operation at a wellbore. The processes can (1) determine a system rate-of-change of power limit (ROCL) to be supplied to one or more loads, where the system ROCL is based on an individual ROCL for one or more individual power sources; (2) determine an allowable rate-of-change (ROCA) for the one or more loads such that the system ROCL is not exceeded; and (3) control the hydraulic fracturing operation based on the ROCA for the one or more loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn Howard Weightman, Timothy Holiman Hunter, Madhur Kohli
  • Patent number: 11828165
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11821272
    Abstract: There is described an automated method of detecting a mud motor stall. During a drilling operation, a potential mud motor stall is determined to have occurred, based on drilling parameter data. In response thereto, potential mud motor stall data obtained from the drilling parameter data is compared to stored mud motor stall data associated with mud motor stalls. Based on the comparison, the potential mud motor stall may be confirmed or not confirmed as a mud motor stall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Inventors: Choon-Sun James Ng, Sean William Scotvold, John Aaron Eddy
  • Patent number: 11775567
    Abstract: A method includes, for each of a plurality of channels at a well site, converting channel data from a source data format to a common data format in real-time as the channel data is generated. The common data format includes a plurality of elements organized into a plurality of sets. Each element includes a minimum collection of fields. The method further includes, for each of the plurality of channels, storing the converted channel data in a data store as part of the at least one element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Petrolink International Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard Abraham, Mark Patrick Farnan
  • Patent number: 11732570
    Abstract: A drilling system includes an internal assembly comprising a chassis, a flow diverter, or both, and a strain gauge coupled to the chassis, the flow diverter, or both, in which the strain gauge is configured to output a signal associated with a strain deformation of the internal assembly. The drilling system also includes a drill collar coupled to the internal assembly, in which the internal assembly extends along the drill collar, and the drill collar encloses the internal assembly of the internal assembly such that a strain deformation of the drill collar causes the strain deformation of the internal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joachim Sihler, John George Allen Charlesworth, Adam Ian Bowler, Michael Hayes Kenison, John Mervyn Cook
  • Patent number: 11713669
    Abstract: Certain aspects and features relate to a system that determines a result or outcome of a diverter drop in terms of whether far field or near-wellbore bridging, plugging, or diversion has been achieved. The system can provide for real-time measurements and real-time decision making in terms of an optimized diverter to be used in a wellbore. A system for diverter diagnostics can includes a pressure sensor and a processing device communicatively coupled to the pressure sensor. A non-transitory memory device includes instructions that are executable by the processing device to measure an onset of diversion pressure response (DPR) waveform and output or store indications of a result or results of a diverter drop. These results can then be used to adjust a particle size distribution for the diverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chaitanya Mallikarjun Karale, Vladimir Martysevich
  • Patent number: 11702928
    Abstract: A method of imaging a wellbore casing using an ultrasonic sensing system through the material of a drill string as the drill string is tripped out of the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: WWT NORTH AMERICA HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventor: Rob Nordlander
  • Patent number: 11668185
    Abstract: An instrumented cutter including a polycrystalline diamond table bonded to a substrate with a sensor, for monitoring the condition of the polycrystalline compact diamond table, embedded in the substrate. Further the instrumented cutter includes a wireless transmitter equipped with a power supply to power to the wireless transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Guodong Zhan, Timothy Eric Moellendick, Chinthaka P. Gooneratne, Jianhui Xu, Arturo Magana Mora
  • Patent number: 11650169
    Abstract: A system and methods for measuring soil properties characteristics, the system comprising: at least one probe configured to be inserted into the soil, the probe comprising a plurality of antennas; a radio link characterization unit for transmitting a radio signal from at least one of the antennas and receiving a propagated radio signal from at least one of the antennas to yield at least one radio link; and a processor for converting the radio link characteristics into the soil properties characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: VAYYAR IMAGING LTD.
    Inventors: Harel Golombek, Shachar Shayovitz
  • Patent number: 11649716
    Abstract: A borescope may include a housing including a transparent viewing window, a bumper surrounding at least a portion of a periphery of the transparent viewing window, wherein the bumper is configured to be pressurized by a fluid, and at least one imaging assembly configured to visualize a field of view exterior of the housing through the transparent viewing window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Aver Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Swamy Kumar V. Avasarala, Pranav Avasarala, Pallavi Avasarala, Sohan Kumar Sunku, Sahiti Rachakonda
  • Patent number: 11608731
    Abstract: A mechanical automatic vertical drilling tool, with ends that are connected with an upper drilling tool and a bit by a detachable thread, is disclosed. The tool comprises a control device, an actuator and an auxiliary part. The control device detects status of wellbore and controls operations of the actuator when the wellbore leans. The actuator pushes a block out against the well wall to generate a radial force, which pushes against the drill bit to prevent deviation and modify the wellbore trajectory. The auxiliary part transmits the indispensable bit pressure and torque for drilling to assist the control device and the actuator to achieve the function. This disclosure can get automatic deviation correction with only mechanical structures. It is simple and reliable, and unlikely to fail in complicated wells without any manual operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignees: Southwest Petroleum University, Sichuan Jutingzao Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jialin Tian, Tongxu Ge, Zhichao Hu, Lin Yang, Chunyu Xing, Lei Tang
  • Patent number: 11585202
    Abstract: A method for optimizing a drilling roadmap may include identifying an optimal bottom hole assembly (BHA) setup and drilling parameters for a well located in a field. The BHA setup may be based on historical simulation data of the field and drilling roadmap information. The drilling roadmap information may include initial drilling instructions for implementing the drilling roadmap. The method may include implementing and tracking the drilling roadmap at the well. The drilling roadmap may be based on a location of the well on the field and a type of other applications being performed on the field. The method may include obtaining sensor collected data to determine an accuracy of implementation of the drilling roadmap. The accuracy may be determined based on a comparison between tracked drilling parameters and simulated drilling parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Krzysztof Karol Machocki, Chinthaka Gooneratne, Ayodeji Abegunde, Arturo Magana-Mora
  • Patent number: 11585209
    Abstract: A drilling system, comprising a drill string; and a ranging tool mounted on the drill string, the ranging tool comprising a magnetic sensor pair comprising a first magnetic sensor and a second magnetic sensor mounted radially opposite one another on the ranging tool, wherein each of the magnetic sensors is structured and configured to detect at least a radial component and a tangential component of a magnetic field; a rotatable assembly, comprising a motor structured and arranged to actuate rotation of the magnetic sensor pair around the drill string; and an electronics package connected to at least one of the magnetic sensor pair, and the motor, wherein the electronics package comprises a controller and a wireless telemetry device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Chase Griffing, Wenquan Li, Jesse Kevin Hensarling, John Harrison Farrah
  • Patent number: 11579135
    Abstract: A downhole tool may comprise a mandrel, wherein the mandrel is a structural support for the downhole tool; one or more arms, wherein the one or more arms are attached to the mandrel; and a pad, wherein the pad is connected to the one or more arms. The pad may comprise a material, where the material expands or contracts from an external electromagnetic field; an insulator, wherein the insulator is connected at a first end to the material; and an electrode, wherein the electrode is connected to the insulator. A method may comprise applying a time varying biasing voltage to a material, wherein the material exhibits mechanical strain; taking a first measurement and a second measurement with at least one operating frequency with an electrode; calculating a mud property based at least in part on the first measurement and the second measurement; and applying a mud effect removal algorithm to the mud property.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ilker R. Capoglu, Baris Guner
  • Patent number: 11578564
    Abstract: Systems and methods for determining shear failure of a rock formation are disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a plurality of parameters related to physical properties of the rock formation, applying the plurality of parameters to a predetermined failure criterion, and determining shear failure of the rock formation based on the failure criterion. In some embodiments the failure criterion is a modified Hoek-Brown failure criterion that takes into consideration an intermediate principal stress, and the difference between normal stresses and an average confining stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chao Liu, Younane Abousleiman, Hui-Hai Liu, Yanhui Han
  • Patent number: 11543283
    Abstract: A flow metering system includes a flow meter coupled to a plurality of sensors and configured to measure volume of fluid flowing through the flow meter. The system also includes a metrology computer coupled to the flow meter and the sensors. The metrology computer is configured to receive live values from a plurality of sensors during a first time period, train an artificial intelligence engine based on the live values received during the first time period, and detect a sensor failure based on a deviation between a live value from the sensor and a predicted value for the sensor. The predicted value is based on live values from other of the plurality of sensors and the artificial intelligence engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Emerson Automation Solutions Measurement Systems & Services LLC
    Inventors: Gary Thomson Collister, Christudas Philipose Anchuturuthen, Bharatkumar Bhupal Patil
  • Patent number: 11536874
    Abstract: Methods for simulation of hydrocarbon systems having a sharply varying viscosity gradient include receiving, by a computer system, Neutron Magnetic Resonance (NMR) logs for hydrocarbon wells in an oilfield. The computer system identifies viscosity regions of hydrocarbons present within the hydrocarbon wells based on the NMR logs. The computer system determines equation of state (EOS) parameters based on compositional analysis of pressure-volume-temperature (PVT) samples obtained from the hydrocarbon wells. The computer system generates a three-dimensional (3D) model of the oilfield, using as inputs, the viscosity regions, the EOS parameters, and a fluid composition gradient with respect to a depth within each viscosity region. The computer system determines a landing depth from the surface of the Earth for operation of peripheral water injectors based on simulating the 3D viscosity model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Babatope Kayode, Gabor Hursan
  • Patent number: 11513248
    Abstract: A method and system for locating a reflector in a formation. The method may comprise broadcasting a sonic waveform as a shear formation body wave or a compressional formation body wave into the formation, recording a reflected wave from a reflector with the one or more receivers as dipole data by the dipole receiver and quadrupole data by the quadrupole receiver, and processing the dipole data and the quadrupole data with an information handling system to determine a location of the reflector from the borehole sonic logging tool. The system may comprise a borehole sonic logging tool and an information handling system. The borehole sonic logging tool may comprise one or more transmitters configured to transmit a sonic waveform into a formation and one or more receivers configured to record a reflected wave as a dipole receiver for dipole data and a quadrupole receiver for quadrupole data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Ruijia Wang, Brian Edward Hornby
  • Patent number: 11481706
    Abstract: An abnormal trend detection system for detecting one or more hazards may provide for a safe and effective drilling operation as any of the one or more hazards may be avoided. Several indicators may be defined including a first, second, third and fourth indicator. The indicators are used to identify in a trend analysis abnormal trends. One or more thresholds may be defined. When a trend analysis indicates that a threshold has been reached or exceeded an alarm may be triggered, a drilling operation may be altered or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Hewei Tang, Shang Zhang, Feifei Zhang, Suresh Venugopal, Youli Mao
  • Patent number: 11434748
    Abstract: A rotary tool for operation within an underground borehole or within tubing in a borehole has a tool body and at least one sensor-containing unit attached to the tool body and positioned to contact the conduit wall. The sensor-containing unit includes an exterior portion to contact the borehole or tubing wall and one or more sensors is located in a cavity between the exterior portion and the tool body. The sensor-containing unit may be formed from the exterior portion, an attachment portion for attachment to the tool body, and one or more connecting portions extending between the attachment and exterior portions, with the sensor-containing cavity between the attachment and exterior portions. Possible rotary tools include drill bits, reamers, mills, stabilizers, and rotary steerable systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan Robert Hird, Ashley Bernard Johnson, Michael Paul Barrett, Walter David Aldred, Tomas Rosinski, Jarek Rosinski
  • Patent number: 11401803
    Abstract: A system and method to determine effective fracture surface-area per cluster of hydraulic fractures of a hydraulically-fractured well by estimating total effective fracture-area associated with a wellbore and estimating relative distribution of effective fracture surface-area along the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Huseyin Onur Balan, Anuj Gupta
  • Patent number: 11346968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying non-elastic indicators for a subsurface region, the method including obtaining seismic data for the subsurface region; generating a best-fit elastic model from the seismic data; and identifying non-elastic indicators from the seismic data and the best-fit elastic model. The method and apparatus may also include estimating reservoir flow properties from the non-elastic indicators based on a poroelastic interpretation of the seismic response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Brent D. Wheelock, Mehmet D. Ertas
  • Patent number: 11332910
    Abstract: This description provides an autonomous or semi-autonomous excavation vehicle that is capable of navigating through a dig site and carrying an excavation routine using a system of sensors physically mounted to the excavation vehicle. The sensors collect one or more of spatial, imaging, measurement, and location data representing the status of the excavation vehicle and its surrounding environment. Based on the collected data, the excavation vehicle executes instructions to perform an excavation routine by excavating earth from a hole using an excavation tool positioned at a single location within the site. The excavation vehicle is also able to carry out numerous other tasks, such as checking the volume of excavated earth in an excavation tool, navigating the excavation vehicle over a distance while continuously excavating earth from a below surface depth, and preparing a digital terrain model of the site as part of a process for creating the excavation routine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Built Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah Austen Ready-Campbell, Gaurav Jitendra Kikani, Andrew Liang, Pradeesh Suganthan, James Alan Emerick, Sarah Marie Thornton, Ammar Idris Kothari, Edward Joseph Garza
  • Patent number: 11248463
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method of performing aspects of a downhole operation includes receiving a measurement value from a first sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the downhole operation, receiving measurement data from a different sensor, the measurement data related to the downhole operation, and performing, by a sensor evaluation module, an evaluation of the first sensor. The evaluation includes determining a condition of the first sensor based on the measurement data from the different sensor, selecting a rule that prescribes a set of one or more measurement values of the parameter that are plausible if the condition is met, and determining whether the measurement value from the first sensor is plausible based on comparing the measurement value to the prescribed set of one or more measurement values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Ingo Forstner, Christian Fulda
  • Patent number: 11225865
    Abstract: A method of testing mechanical properties of an earth formation can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, impacting the probe against a wall of the wellbore, and measuring a parameter related to at least one of a displacement, displacement rate, strain, and strain rate, of at least one of the probe and the formation. Another method can include disposing a probe and a known material in a wellbore, and after the disposing, penetrating the known material with the probe. Another method can include disposing a probe in a wellbore, measuring a displacement of the probe into a wall of the wellbore while measuring a load applied to the probe, and applying fluid pressure to the formation via the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel D. Gleitman, Gang Li
  • Patent number: 11199089
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of using drilling vibrations generated by the deformation of a rock formation in response to forces acting on the rock formation, where the forces are related to a drill bit and/or drilling fluid system, to identify the nature and occurrence of fractures, fracture swarms and other mechanical discontinuities (boundaries) such as bedding planes and/or faults that offset or otherwise separate rock formations with different mechanical rock properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Fracture ID, Inc.
    Inventors: R. Christopher Neale, James D. Lakings
  • Patent number: 11174725
    Abstract: A calibration system for an electromagnetic (EM) tool includes a processor. The processor employs the EM tool to measure responses at each of a plurality of channels. The processor records the measured responses at each of the channels in an EM data log for the channel. The processor selects one or more calibration points from the EM data log for a particular channel, based on a difference between the nominal value of the particular channel and the measured response at the calibration point being greater than a particular threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Reza Khalaj Amineh, Burkay Donderici, Luis Emilio San Martin
  • Patent number: 11092573
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus detects one or more characteristics of a material sample and includes a transmitter to transmit an initial signal to the material sample, and a receiver to receive a detected signal from the material sample associated with the initial signal. The detected signal has at least a first harmonic signal component and a second harmonic signal component. Data processing circuitry determines a resonant frequency of the first harmonic signal component and an amplitude of the first harmonic signal component at the resonant frequency, and filters the detected signal using a first filter signal having a frequency corresponding to the first harmonic signal component and a second filter signal having a frequency corresponding to the second harmonic signal component. A frequency analysis is performed in the frequency domain on the filtered first and second signals to determine corresponding first and second amplitudes. The first and second amplitudes may be compensated for nonlinearity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Luna Innovations Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthew Ryan Webster, Kevin Farinholt, Gheorghe Bunget
  • Patent number: 11048012
    Abstract: A formation characterization system can include a processor; memory accessibly by the processor; instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to instruct the system to: acquire induction measurements in a borehole in a formation using an induction tool; determine dielectric properties of the formation using the induction measurements; and generate a log that characterizes particles in the formation based on the dielectric properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Rasmus, Gong Li Wang, Dean M. Homan, Natalie Uschner-Arroyo
  • Patent number: 11018648
    Abstract: A sonic logging broadband impedance matching transformer modular design method and a module are related to sonic logging. The method includes the steps: obtaining component values of a multimodal equivalent circuit of a piezoelectric transducer by fitting actual impedance data of the piezoelectric transducer through a nonlinear regression method; selecting a T-type network structure composed of a matching capacitor and a matching inductor as a piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure; and presetting a to-be-matched frequency band and a reflection coefficient, and taking the multimodal equivalent circuit of the transducer as an artificial circuit load to optimize parameters of the piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure and a boosting transformer together so as to obtain final optimized parameters of the piezoelectric transducer impedance matching network structure and the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: INSTITUUTE OF GEOLOGY AND GEOPHYSICS, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: Xin Fu, Yuntao Sun, Yang Gou, Wenxuan Chen, Fuqiang Wei
  • Patent number: 11008823
    Abstract: Values for porosity and permeability of core samples in a borehole are estimated by generating radial waves with an acoustic source in fluid around the core sample, and measuring pressure in the fluid. Moreover, the acoustic source operates at frequency close to a resonant frequency of the core sample. After the acoustic source no longer operates at the resonant frequency, pressure in the fluid attenuates over time. The pressure attenuation is recorded by the pressure measurements, along with the pressure in the fluid at the first harmonic (spectral component). The pressure attenuation and spectral component each are dependent on porosity and permeability of the core sample. Thus values for the porosity and permeability are determined based on the arithmetic relationships between pressure attenuation and the spectral component and porosity and permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventors: Vitaly Nikolaevich Dorovsky, Yury Vadimovich Perepechko, Maxim Yuievich Podberezhny
  • Patent number: 10989049
    Abstract: Methods and systems for collecting high quality reservoir samples are disclosed. The systems and methods of the present invention are especially important in collecting samples of reservoir fluids in a manner that most closely resembles production fluids. The systems include an upper shoe and a lower shoe that are asymmetrically spaced along the axial length of probe module with respect to a sampling probe to allow for the placement of a component compartment proximate the probe. Sensors or modules for testing or analyzing reservoir fluids are positioned within the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Inventors: Michael Yuratich, Philip Powell
  • Patent number: 10953510
    Abstract: A method is provided for assessing wear of a drill bit throughout its use for carrying out the drilling of elements to be drilled constituted by at least one layer and at least one material. The wear of the drill bit expresses its capacity to perform a drilling that meets at least one criterion of quality of a drilling. The method includes at least: measuring or detecting at least one parameter having an effect on the wear of the drill bit, the parameter being chosen from: the depth of drilling performed by the drill bit, and the entry of the drill bit into the element to be drilled; and determining at least one state of wear of the drill bit, each state of wear being determined as a function of one of the parameters and being characteristic of one of the criteria of quality of a drilling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SETI-TEC
    Inventor: Sebastien Pereira
  • Patent number: 10908309
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for estimating interval anellipticity parameter by inversing effective anellipticity parameter in the depth domain using a least-squares method. One embodiment of interval anellipticity parameter estimator includes: 1) an interface configured to receive seismic data and borehole information; 2) a depth convertor configured to obtain a function of depth of effective anisotropy parameter based on said borehole information; 3) an inverse transformer configured to set up said function of depth of effective anisotropy parameter as a least-squares fitting problem based on said P-wave data; and 4) an iterative solver configured to use iterative methods to solve said least-squares fitting problem and to obtain an anisotropy model containing interval anellipticity parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventor: Fan Xia
  • Patent number: 10877173
    Abstract: An exploration system includes an artificial seismic source, sensor terminals, an environmental sensor, and a computer, wherein each of a plurality of sensor terminals is provided with a velocity or acceleration sensor which detects vibration generated by the artificial seismic source, and an identifier which is unique to the velocity or acceleration sensor; the environmental sensor detects an external environment which influences the velocity or acceleration sensor; and the computer stores a deterioration model which possibly indicates, as a degree of deterioration, performance deterioration of the velocity or acceleration sensor by providing information about the external environment as a variable, associates, with the identifier, the information about the external environment detected by the environmental sensor, stores the information about the external environment as a usage history, and determines a deterioration state of the velocity or acceleration sensor or the sensor terminal on the basis of the det
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Maeki, Tomonori Sekiguchi
  • Patent number: 10876396
    Abstract: A system, in some embodiments, comprises: a controller; and a mud pulse telemetry modulator coupled to the controller and configured to modulate a mud column using differential pulse position modulation (DPPM) code words comprising most significant bits and least significant bits, wherein the controller allocates the most significant bit in each of said code words to a first data parameter having a first importance value and the least significant bit in each of said code words to a second data parameter having a second importance value that is lower than the first importance value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Jianying Chu
  • Patent number: 10837240
    Abstract: A gap joint for use with a gap sub for electromagnetic telemetry. The gap joint has a replaceable uphole shoulder on the male gap joint component, which may be composed of a sacrificial material, to extend gap joint useful life where there is electrolysis of the component outside diameter. The gap joint also has a thicker outside diameter seal to reduce the risk of underlying O-ring extrusion and failure, again extending gap joint useful life. The thicker seal may also be able to withstand higher pressures before collapsing or experiencing punctures in unsupported areas. The replaceable shoulder and outside diameter seal can be used separately or together in a gap joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Evolution Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Robert Derkacz, Justin Christopher Logan, Aaron William Logan, Angelica J. B. Francoeur, Jason B. Wackett, Danick R. J. Normandeau, Riley J. Berry
  • Patent number: 10794178
    Abstract: Downhole assemblies comprise at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter relating to a downhole condition. The downhole assembly further includes a communications assembly having at least one device for controlling a characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly and a processor in communication with the at least one sensor. The processor is configured to selectively alter the characteristic of fluid flow through the downhole assembly with the at least one device in response to data received from the at least one sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Markus Hempel, Michell Schimanski, Bryan C. Dugas
  • Patent number: 10683747
    Abstract: A system includes a set of one or more electromagnetic (EM) field sensors deployed in a borehole formed in a downhole formation, wherein the set of EM field sensors provides sensitivity to EM fields. The system also includes an EM field source that emits an EM field into the downhole formation. The system also includes a data processing system that receives measurements collected by the set of EM field sensors in response to the emitted EM field. The data processing system models the subsurface EM field based on the received measurements and identifies a plurality of flood fronts corresponding to fluid approaching the borehole from the injection wells, and adjusts injection rates to prevent injection fluid breakthrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Priyesh Ranjan, Burkay Donderici, Ahmed Elsayed Fouda