With Source And Detector Patents (Class 250/269.1)
  • Patent number: 11920458
    Abstract: A downhole tool includes a window cap located in a cover that is positioned between an electromagnetic radiation detector in the downhole tool and a geological formation into which a borehole is formed and where the downhole tool is to be positioned. The electromagnetic radiation detector is to detect an electromagnetic radiation from the geological formation. The downhole tool includes a window core positioned behind the window cap relative to an external environment of the downhole tool, wherein the window core is positioned between the window cap and the electromagnetic radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Inventors: Ricardo Ortiz, Minh Dang Nguyen
  • Patent number: 11906503
    Abstract: Methods for identifying hydrocarbon contamination sources may include fingerprinting hydrocarbons using isotopocule analyses for BTEX compounds. For example, methods for identifying hydrocarbon contamination sources may comprise: extracting BTEX compounds from a sample; measuring the isotopocule composition of the BTEX compounds; and determining a characteristic of the sample based on the isotopocule composition. Such characteristics may include, but are not limited to, the characteristic of the sample comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of: a source of the sample, a condition at which the sample formed or was last equilibrated, a migration time from a source to a sample location, weathering of the sample, and degree to which the sample is anthropogenic and naturally-occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Technology and Engineering Company
    Inventors: David T. Wang, Muhammad Asif, Michael J. Formolo
  • Patent number: 11874222
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) radiation sensor for detection of an analyte in a fluid. The IR sensor comprises: i) a housing; ii) a reservoir disposed in the housing and configured to contain the fluid; iii) a fluid channel in communication with the reservoir; and iv) a preconcentration material associated with the fluid channel. The preconcentration material enhances IR bands in an IR spectra. The IR sensor also includes a photonic integrated circuit disposed in the housing. The photonic integrated circuit includes an IR source configured to transmit IR light toward the fluid channel and the preconcentration material. A spectral characteristic of the IR light is changed by the analyte in the fluid in the fluid channel that is trapped in the preconcentration material. The photonic IC also includes an IR detector configured to receive IR light transmitted through or reflected off the preconcentration material and detect the spectral characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Max-IR Labs, Incorporated
    Inventor: Ecatherina Roodenko Fuchs
  • Patent number: 11821857
    Abstract: Methods for determining mineral compositions of materials are described. The methods include obtaining elemental data associated with a geologic sample, calculating a measurement correlation matrix of the geologic sample from the elemental data, calculating an artificial correlation matrix, comparing the measurement correlation matrix and the artificial correlation matrix to determine an error value, minimizing the error value by updating the artificial correlation matrix and comparing the measurement correlation matrix to the updated artificial correlation matrix, and determining a mineral composition of the geologic sample based on the minimized measurement correlation matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Robert Krumm, Ryan Antle, Haifeng Jiang
  • Patent number: 11814956
    Abstract: A technique facilitates fluid analysis in situ at a downhole location. According to an embodiment, a sample of fluid, e.g. oil, is obtained from a reservoir at the downhole location in a borehole. A downhole sampling system is used to determine contamination of the sample of fluid and to determine other selected characteristics of the sample. The data obtained is then processed to determine a true phase transition property of a native fluid in the sample of fluid. The sample analysis may be performed at selected stations along the borehole during, for example, a well cleanup operation. The immediate analysis of fluid samples downhole facilitates rapid development of an understanding of fluid characteristics in the reservoir, thus enabling an improved oil recovery strategy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sophie Mansour, Shu Pan, Younes Jalali
  • Patent number: 11796494
    Abstract: Elemental composition of a pipe is determined by a fluorescence x-ray detector device. An outer housing of the device is inserted into the pipe via a flexible insertion member. A radioactive x-ray source is encompassed by a shield within the housing. A shutter selectively opens to enable radiation from the x-ray source to exit the shield and illuminate an inner wall of the pipe. An x-ray detector within the housing detects fluorescence x-rays emitted from the pipe upon illumination by the x-ray source. A controller then determines the presence of one or more elemental materials contained within the pipe based on the fluorescence x-rays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Viken Detection Corporation
    Inventor: Peter J. Rothschild
  • Patent number: 11796527
    Abstract: Systems and methods of the present disclosure generally relate to reporting carbon and hydrogen isotopic ratios during a wellbore operation. A method for detecting isotopic ratios during the wellbore operation, comprises receiving a fluid sample from a wellbore during the wellbore operation; passing the fluid sample to an analytical instrument operable to determine isotopic ratios in the fluid sample; outputting data comprising isotopic ratios for at least carbon and hydrogen; assigning a depth to the data; and transmitting the data based on isotopic ratios encountered during the wellbore operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Mathew Dennis Rowe
  • Patent number: 11668643
    Abstract: A pressure cell includes a metal pressure chamber, a heating stage, disposed in the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that heats the liquid sample, a chamber pump, connected to the interior of the metal pressure chamber, that pressurizes the interior of the metal pressure chamber, a salinity control system including a membrane coupled to the sample inlet, where the membrane is configured to reduce a salinity level of the liquid sample, and a controller that controls the chamber pump, the salinity control system, and the heating stage to control a pressure of the interior of the metal pressure chamber, a salinity level of the liquid sample, and a temperature of the liquid sample, respectively. The metal pressure chamber includes a liquid sample holder, a removable lid, a window in the removable lid, a sample inlet, and a sample outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Dong kyu Cha, Mohammed Badri AlOtaibi, Subhash C. Ayirala, Salah H. Alsaleh, Ali Abdallah Al-Yousef
  • Patent number: 11661845
    Abstract: A downhole fluid analysis system includes an optical sensor comprising, which includes a light source configured to emit light comprising a plurality of wavelengths, a light detector, and an optical tip through which at least a portion of the light travels and returns to the detector, wherein the incident angle of the light causes total internal reflection within the optical tip. The system further includes a piezoelectric helm resonator that generates a resonance response in response to an applied current, and an electromagnetic spectroscopy sensor positioned symmetrically with respect to the piezoelectric helm resonator in at least one direction. The light may be reflected in the optical tip at one or more reflection points, and each reflection point may generate an evanescent wave in a medium surrounding the optical tip. The light may be internally reflected in the optical tip at a plurality of reflection points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventors: Sandip Maity, Otto Fanini, Dwight Swett, Rocco DiFoggio, Mohamed Nabil Noui-Mehidi, Jana Mohamed Aljindan
  • Patent number: 11543557
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems that determine the carbon content of a subterranean formation by analyzing samples of drill cuttings obtained from a subterranean formation with a laser-induced breakdown spectrometer and an autocalcimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Juliana Teotonio Da Silva
  • Patent number: 11530611
    Abstract: A downhole tool has a tool body with an outer diameter equal to a borehole diameter, at least one cavity formed in and opening to an outer surface defining the outer diameter of the tool body, a light source, a filter, and a light detector mounted in the at least one cavity, and a window disposed at the opening of the at least one cavity, wherein the window encloses the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Harold Pfutzner, Bastian Sauerer
  • Patent number: 11500121
    Abstract: A well image logging tool assembly comprising at least one sensor unit, at least one spatial positioning device, and a cylindrical outer sheath that extends around and contains the sensor unit and the spatial positioning device. The sensor unit includes a solid cylindrical sensor body formed of a gamma ray shielding material and including at least one longitudinal sensor cavity extending through at least one of the top end and the bottom end of the sensor body. A window corresponds to each sensor cavity and extends through the sensor body from the outside surface thereof to the corresponding sensor cavity. A sensor assembly is disposed in each sensor cavity. Each sensor assembly includes a gamma ray radiation sensor and associated photomultiplier tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Rock Visualization Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Godard Kuespert
  • Patent number: 11493662
    Abstract: A nuclear density tool may comprise a gamma source, a gamma detector, wherein the gamma detector and the gamma source are disposed on a longitudinal axis of the nuclear density tool, and a housing, wherein the gamma source and the gamma detector are disposed in the housing. The nuclear density tool may further comprise a first cutout in the housing positioned to allow the gamma source to emit an energy through the housing and a second cutout in the housing posited to allow the gamma detector to detect the energy through the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mayir Mamtimin, Jeffrey James Crawford
  • Patent number: 11441413
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a power swivel system includes a smart box comprising a processing device electrically associated with a memory, communication technology and least one of a local display device or a remote display device where the communication technology. The smart box is associated with a power swivel system comprising a power swivel unit in fluid communication with a hydraulic pump system driven by a motor. The hydraulic pump system is configured to pump a hydraulic fluid through the power swivel unit to activate rotating elements. A plurality of sensors are connected to the processing device and various components of the power swivel system including the rotating elements to monitor such elements and minimize the possibility of an over speed and/or over torque condition. Data providing a status of the power swivel system components is transmitted to a remote device and presented to a user via a GUI.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventors: Barry J. Nield, George A. Nield
  • Patent number: 11441422
    Abstract: A method (and corresponding downhole tool) is provided for downhole fluid analysis of formation fluids. The downhole tool is operated to draw live fluid from the formation through the downhole tool and acquire observed sensor measurements of the live fluid (which includes filtrate contamination) that flows through the downhole tool. The observed sensor measurements are used in an inversion process that solves for a set of input parameter values of a computational model that predicts level of filtrate contamination in the live fluid that flows through the downhole tool. The set of input parameter values includes at least one endpoint value for the observed sensor measurements. The set of input parameter values solved by the inversion process can be stored and output for different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Morten Kristensen, Nikita Chugunov
  • Patent number: 11275195
    Abstract: A first example azimuthal neutron porosity tool for imaging formation and cement volumes surrounding a borehole is provided, the tool including at least an internal length comprising a sonde section, wherein said sonde section further comprises one sonde-dependent electronics; a slip-ring and motor section; and a plurality of tool logic electronics and PSUs. An alternative azimuthal neutron porosity tool for imaging formation and cement volumes surrounding a borehole is also provided, the tool including at least a far space detector; a near space detector; and a source located within a moderator shield that rotates around an internal tool axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Visuray Intech Ltd (BVI)
    Inventors: Philip Teague, Alex Stewart
  • Patent number: 11194074
    Abstract: A system for downhole optical imaging includes a housing forming at least a portion of a tool string. The system also includes a source arranged within the housing, the source emitting light through a window formed in the housing. The system further includes an imager arranged within the housing, the imager receiving imaging data through the window. The system also includes a control system communicatively coupled to the imager, the control system processing the image data using one or more algorithms, the one or more algorithms modifying the imaging data based at least in part on a scattering material surrounding the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLC
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 10865638
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a species which is a component of a fluid. The sensor includes an internal reflection window which, in use, is in direct contact with the fluid. The sensor further includes a mid-infrared light source which directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into said window for attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the fluid. The sensor further includes a first narrow bandpass filter which preferentially transmits mid-infrared radiation over a band of wavelengths corresponding to an absorbance peak of the species. The sensor further includes an infrared detector which detects filtered mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter and a processor for measuring the intensity of the detected mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter, and determines therefrom an amount of the species in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Jones, Nathan Lawrence, Go Fujisawa, Sheng Chao, Rolf Rustad
  • Patent number: 10539500
    Abstract: An integrated approach for cleaning an active surface of a petrochemical sensor. Sensors in the petrochemical industry are often deployed in locations where they are prone to fouling. By heating the active surface fouling substances may be removed from the active surface. Heating the surface above a supercritical point of a fluid being sensed may create a fluid that may serve to clean the active surface. Limiting the duration of the applied heating and/or pulsing the heating may mitigate adverse effects of use of high temperatures. A doped active surface, such as a doped diamond window may be designed to have conductive areas in the window that may be used for resistive heating of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Jones, Nathan Lawrence, Go Fujisawa, Sheng Chao, Steven Gahlings
  • Patent number: 10487646
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring a species which is a component of a fluid. The sensor includes an internal reflection window which, in use, is in direct contact with the fluid. The sensor further includes a mid-infrared light source which directs a beam of mid-infrared radiation into said window for attenuated internal reflection at an interface between the window and the fluid. The sensor further includes a first narrow bandpass filter which preferentially transmits mid-infrared radiation over a band of wavelengths corresponding to an absorbance peak of the species. The sensor further includes an infrared detector which detects filtered mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter and a processor for measuring the intensity of the detected mid-infrared radiation transmitted through the first filter, and determines therefrom an amount of the species in the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Timothy Jones, Nathan Lawrence, Go Fujisawa, Sheng Chao
  • Patent number: 10473813
    Abstract: A system may include a pulsed neutron generator designed to emit neutrons into a borehole of a geological formation using a pulsing scheme. The system may also include a gamma-ray detector designed to take measurements of capture gamma-rays during a time period during the pulsing scheme. The system may also include data processing circuitry designed to calculate one or more sigma values based at least in part on the measurements of the capture gamma-rays taken during the time period during the pulsing scheme. The data processing circuitry may also calculate a factor of yields to weights value based at least in part on the one or more sigma values and convert a plurality of relative yields of corresponding elements in the geological formation to a plurality of elemental relative weights based at least in part on the factor of yields to weights.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tong Zhou
  • Patent number: 10466172
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for distributed acoustic sensing in a multimode optical fiber. The system includes a transmitter for simultaneously propagating a sequence of M light pulses through the multimode optical fiber using a spatial mode selected from a set of N spatial modes provided by a spatial mode selector for the transmitter that is coupled to an input to the multimode optical fiber, with M and N being respective integers greater than one. The system further includes a receiver for receiving the sequence of M light pulses at an output of the multimode optical fiber and detecting an environmental perturbation in the multimode optical fiber based on an evaluation of a propagation of the sequence of M light pulses through the multimode optical fiber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Fatih Yaman, Giovanni Milione, Shaoliang Zhang, Yue-Kai Huang
  • Patent number: 10392926
    Abstract: A measurement apparatus for non-invasively logging the flow of perforations in a well casing lining a wellbore. The measurement apparatus includes a plurality of transducers arranged adjacent an outer surface of the measurement apparatus and at predefined azimuthal angular positions with respect to a longitudinal axis of the measurement apparatus, where the transducers are adapted to transmit and detect an acoustic pulse, and where each transducer is arranged at a different azimuthal angle with respect to each of the remaining transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Pierre Vigneaux, Andrew William Meredith, Andrew Colin Whittaker
  • Patent number: 10392913
    Abstract: A method can include, during a treatment process, receiving vibration data acquired over a length of a fiber cable sensor disposed in a well that includes perforations; filtering the vibration data as to traveling waves to generate filtered data; analyzing the filtered data to generate fluid flow information; and adjusting the treatment process based at least in part on the fluid flow information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Colin Allan Wilson, Joel Herve Le Calvez
  • Patent number: 10379253
    Abstract: A method for determining formation hydrogen index includes using as input to a computer measurements of numbers of burst gamma rays (gamma rays detected during operation of a pulsed neutron source) and numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays made at two different axial spacings from the pulsed neutron source. A ratio of the numbers of burst gamma rays and a ratio of the numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays is determined. A corrected ratio of the numbers of thermal neutron capture gamma rays using the ratio of numbers of burst gamma rays is determined. The formation hydrogen index is determined from the corrected ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Sicco Beekman, Timothy M. Quinlan
  • Patent number: 10330659
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining for determining a presence, type, quality and/or volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation from a sample related thereto. The method may include determining a noble gas signature of a sample and at least one or more of determining a clumped isotope signature of the sample and characterizing the ecology signature of the sample. Then, the method integrates signatures to determine information about the subsurface accumulation, such as the location, fluid type and quality, and volume of a subsurface hydrocarbon accumulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Sebastien L. Dreyfus, Michael Lawson, Aaron B. Regberg, A. Lucie N'Guessan, Robert J. Pottorf, Steven R. May, Amelia C. Robinson, William G. Powell, Sumathy Raman
  • Patent number: 10209393
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and apparatus, as well as an article, may operate to estimate a property of an earth formation by generating at least one shale model to represent an earth formation comprised of a non-zero percentage of shale. The shale model includes two curves to represent a relationship between a porosity parameter and a pulsed neutron measurement at two different corresponding percentages of gas saturation, respectively. A matrix model representing an earth formation with 0% shale is combined with one or more shale models to create a formation model. Measured pulsed neutron data is compared with the formation model to estimate a property of the earth formation. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John Andrew Quirein, Natasa Mekic, Weijun Guo, Daniel F. Dorffer, Christopher S. McIlroy
  • Patent number: 10114128
    Abstract: Technology for estimating the density of a material is disclosed. A radiation sensor includes at least two radiation detectors each configured to produce electronic signals having a characteristic time parameter, a pulse-shape discriminator to distinguish amongst the detector signals using the characteristic time parameters, and radiation shielding that is configured to provide different radiation paths to the detectors wherein the different radiation paths include at least some different material. A method includes providing at least two detectors and two radiation paths through a radiation shield, measuring the intensity of radiation at each of the detectors, and combining the measures of intensity to estimate a density of a material found in greater amounts in one radiation path than in the other radiation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Hunter Well Science, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Odom, Jimmy Don Starnes
  • Patent number: 10094214
    Abstract: Methods, systems, devices, and products for estimating a parameter of interest of a downhole fluid in a borehole intersecting an earth formation. Apparatus include evanescent wave measurement instruments, which may include a substrate configured for contact with a downhole fluid such that at least a portion of the substrate is immersed in the downhole fluid; a waveguide formed in an interior of the substrate and having a configuration geometrically configured to generate an interaction between the downhole fluid and an evanescent wave arising from electromagnetic energy propagating in a segment of the waveguide; and a detector configured to generate measurement information indicative of the downhole fluid in response to electromagnetic signals received from the waveguide responsive to the interaction. The interaction may result in absorption of at least a portion of the electromagnetic energy propagating in the waveguide. The waveguide may be written in the substrate using laser pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Gunnar Tackmann, Sebastian Jung, Thomas Kruspe
  • Patent number: 9958570
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a reservoir fluid comprising: providing an analyzer, wherein the analyzer is a molecular factor computational system; and determining at least one property of the reservoir fluid using the analyzer, wherein the step of determining comprises: causing or allowing energy to interact with the reservoir fluid; and detecting the interaction between the energy and the reservoir fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Megan R. Pearl, William C. Pearl, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9939549
    Abstract: A method and system for determining at least one property of a geological formation employs at least one forward model to derive at least one synthetic detector measurement that relates to neutron-induced gamma-ray emission from geological formation. The forward model is also used to infer at least one property of the geological formation including bulk density of the geological formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Miles, Mathilde Luycx
  • Patent number: 9823385
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for downhole logging. The system comprises a photon source configured to generate photons at different endpoint energies; at least one radiation detector configured to detect photons after interactions with a wellbore, a geological formation surrounding the wellbore, or both; an energy detection system configured to determine an endpoint energy of the photon source; and a processing system configured to determine properties of a wellbore, a geological formation, or both, based on photons detected at the at least one radiation detector and the endpoint energy determined by the energy detection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sicco Beekman, Avtandil Tkabladze, Matthieu Simon
  • Patent number: 9791389
    Abstract: A gamma densitometer window is provided along with a method of fabrication thereof. The window comprises a plate of non-metallic, preferably gamma transparent, material having a first face and a second face opposing one another and having an outer edge defined therebetween. The window further comprises a metallic frame member fitted around the outer edge of the plate and adapted to pre-load the plate with a compressive stress that is sufficiently high such that the sum of the compressive stress, tensile stress and shear stress components generated in the plate under high-pressure conditions is always compressive. The method of fabrication shrink fitting the metallic frame member around the outer edge of the plate at a shrink-fit temperature such that the metallic frame member applies a compressive stress to the plate at any temperature below the shrink-fit temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rolf Rustad, Paal Bratland, Jean-Francois Noel
  • Patent number: 9791592
    Abstract: A radiation generator may include an elongate generator housing having a proximal end and a distal end, a target electrode within the elongate generator housing at the distal end thereof, a charged particle source within the elongate generator housing at the proximal end thereof to direct charged particles at the target electrode. A plurality of accelerator electrodes may be spaced apart within the elongate generator housing between the target electrode and the charged particle source to define a charged particle accelerator section. Each accelerator electrode may include an annular portion having a first opening therein, and a frustoconical portion having a base coupled to the first opening of the annular portion and having a second opening so that charged particles from the charged particle source pass through the first and second openings to reach the target electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jani Reijonen
  • Patent number: 9752432
    Abstract: Methods of evaluating a downhole fluid with a downhole tool. The downhole tool is positionable in a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, and has a probe positionable adjacent a wall of the wellbore and pumps, the probe having a sampling inlet and a contamination inlet to draw fluid from the formation into the downhole tool with the pumps. The methods involve pumping fluid into the downhole tool through the sampling inlet and the contamination inlet, varying the pumping of the fluid through the sampling inlet and the contamination inlet at a plurality of flow rates, measuring parameters of the fluid passing through the sampling inlet and the contamination inlet (the fluid parameters comprising optical density), and determining cleanup of contamination during sampling by examining changes in optical density of the fluid entering the sampling inlet at the flow rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony Smits
  • Patent number: 9746583
    Abstract: A well integrity inspection system configured to inspect a well structure including multiple concentric layers. The well integrity inspection system includes an inspection probe positioned in the well structure. The inspection probe includes a plurality of excitation assemblies for transmitting a plurality of radiation emissions into the well structure. The plurality of excitation assemblies includes at least a neutron excitation assembly and an X-ray excitation assembly. The inspection probe also includes a plurality of detection assemblies configured to receive a plurality of backscatter radiation returns from the well structure. The plurality of detection assemblies includes at least a neutron detection assembly and an X-ray detection assembly. The well integrity inspection system further including a processor operatively coupled to the inspection probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Inventors: Ertugrul Berkcan, John Scott Price, Edward James Nieters, William Robert Ross, Clifford Bueno, Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Susanne Madeline Lee
  • Patent number: 9670775
    Abstract: Example systems described herein to perform downhole fluid analysis include a depressurizer to be positioned downhole in a geological formation to depressurize a formation fluid in the geological formation. In such example systems, the depressurization of the formation fluid is to cause bubbles to nucleate in the formation fluid. Such example systems also include an imaging processor to be positioned downhole in the geological formation. In such example systems, the imaging processor is to capture imaging data associated with the formation fluid and to detect nucleation of the bubbles in the formation fluid based on the imaging data. Such example systems further include a controller to report measurement data via a telemetry communication link to a receiver to be located outside the geological formation. In such example systems, the measurement data includes a bubble point of the formation fluid calculated based on the detected nucleation of the bubbles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignees: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO
    Inventors: Theodorus Tjhang, Masatoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 9638681
    Abstract: Accurate, real-time formation fluids analysis can be accomplished using the systems and techniques described herein. A fluid analyzer includes a first mode of analysis, such as an optical analyzer, configured to determine a physical (optical) property of a fluid sample. The fluid analyzer also includes another mode of analysis, such as a composition analyzer, such as a gas chromatograph, configured to determine a component composition of the fluid sample. A data processor is configured to determine a quantity, such as a weight percentage, of a target component of the fluid sample in response results obtained from the first and second modes of analysis. Beneficially, the results are obtained at least in near real-time, allowing for interim results, such as results from the first analyzer to be used for one or more of tuning the compositional analyzer and for implementing quality control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oleg Zhdaneev, Christopher Harrison, Youxiang Zuo, Dingan Zhang, William H. Steinecker, Gordon R. Lambertus, Neil Bostrom
  • Patent number: 9594161
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device and a method for determining whether a living person has been buried in collapsed ground. The device consists of a rod provided with a receiver unit and a signal processing unit. The receiver unit is intended to receive reflected radar signals transmitted from a radar transmitting antenna and transfer these signals to the signal processing unit. The signal processing unit which is provided with specific detection units determines whether the received signal have been Doppler shifted. By determining that the device can decide whether the Doppler shift depends on the moving chest of a breathing person buried alive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignee: TOTALFORSVARETS FORSKNINGSINSTITUT
    Inventor: Staffan Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 9568640
    Abstract: An embodiment of an apparatus for estimating a parameter includes a multi-wavelength electromagnetic source configured to emit electromagnetic radiation beams having multiple wavelengths at a fixed angle relative to an interferometer, the multi-wavelength source having a stabilizer configured to lock each beam to one of a plurality of discrete wavelength ranges. The apparatus also includes the interferometer, which has a fixed reference reflector and a moveable reflecting assembly coupled to a moveable mass, the mass configured to move in response to the parameter. The apparatus further includes a detector configured to detect an interference pattern generated by the interferometer for each beam, and a processor configured to combine the interference patterns and estimate the parameter based on the combined interference pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sebastian Csutak, Carl M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 9568419
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a gas sample conveyed in a drilling fluid involves liberating the gas sample from the drilling fluid, irradiating the gas sample with infrared radiation spanning a wavelength range in the near-infrared range, detecting absorption spectra associated with irradiating the gas sample, and determining a composition of the gas sample from the absorption spectra. The gas sample includes one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, the detected absorption spectra are associated with irradiating each of the one or more of methane, ethane, propane, and butane, and the composition includes a concentration of any one or more of the methane, ethane, propane, and butane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2017
    Assignee: PASON SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Alexander DeGreeve, Sean William Lyons Unrau, Marceau Ernest van Beurden, Ryan Henricus van Beurden
  • Patent number: 9541668
    Abstract: A method for estimating an aspect of a formation using a nuclear spectroscopy tool includes placing a nuclear spectroscopy tool into a borehole and emitting neutrons such that some of the neutrons generate gamma rays from a formation adjacent the nuclear spectroscopy tool and some of the neutrons generate gamma rays from elements within the nuclear spectroscopy tool. An energy spectrum of gamma rays induced by the emitted neutrons can be detected. The energy spectrum includes a background having a plurality of measured spectral components. A background ratio between at least one spectral component of the background and another measured spectral component can be determined or estimated in accordance with environmental measurements. The detected gamma ray spectra can be analyzed using a combination of standard spectra and subtracting at least one spectral component of the background in accordance with the background ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: James A. Grau, Jeffrey Miles, Markus Berheide
  • Patent number: 9426876
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems and methods for interleaving operation of a linear accelerator that use a magnetron as the source of electromagnetic waves for use in accelerating electrons to at least two different ranges of energies. The accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. In certain embodiments, the accelerated electrons can be used to generate x-rays of at least two different energy ranges. The systems and methods are applicable to traveling wave linear accelerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Accuray Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Dennis Treas, Roger Heering Miller
  • Patent number: 9395464
    Abstract: A scintillator detector package includes a housing, with a scintillator in the housing. There is a radioactive reflective material between at least a portion of the scintillator and the housing. The radioactive reflective material may be a naturally occurring material, such as Lu2O3, and may be in powdered form. A photodetector may be optically coupled to the scintillator package, and gain stabilization circuitry may perform gain stabilization based upon detecting scintillations of the scintillator caused by radiation emitted by the radioactive reflective material striking the scintillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Stephenson, Wolfgang Ziegler
  • Patent number: 9285307
    Abstract: A system and a method for calculating the cetane number, pour point, cloud point and aniline point of a gas oil fraction of crude oil from the density and ultraviolet visible spectroscopy of a sample of the crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Omer Refa Koseoglu, Adnan Al-Hajji, Gordon Jamieson
  • Patent number: 9284836
    Abstract: A method and system for determining a property of a sample of fluid in a borehole. A fluid sample is collected in a downhole tool. While collecting, X-rays are transmitted proximate the fluid from an X-ray source in the tool and an X-ray flux that is a function of a property of the fluid is detected. The detected X-ray flux data is processed to determine the property of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul F. Rodney, Ronald L. Spross, Jerome Allen Truax, Daniel David Gleitman
  • Patent number: 9169727
    Abstract: Obtaining in-situ, at a first time, first optical spectral data associated with a formation fluid flowing through a downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus, and then obtaining in-situ, at a second time after the first time, second optical spectral data associated with the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus. A wavelength-independent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is then determined based on the first and second optical spectral data, and a wavelength-dependent scattering intensity within the formation fluid flowing through the downhole formation fluid sampling apparatus is determined based on the first and second optical spectral data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kai Hsu, Kentaro Indo, Julian Pop
  • Publication number: 20150144776
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring fluid characteristics includes: a solid transparent body including a plurality of internally reflective surfaces defining a n-sided base having a polygonal shape and having at least three sides, each reflective surface forming a side of the polygonal shape, the plurality of surfaces configured to direct the electromagnetic radiation beam along a path within the solid transparent body from an entry area to an exit area on the solid transparent body; an electromagnetic radiation source coupled to the entry area on the solid transparent body; and a detector coupled to the exit area on the solid transparent body and configured to receive at least a fraction of the reflected electromagnetic radiation beam, the detector configured to generate a signal based on the received electromagnetic radiation beam and transmit the signal to a processor for at least one of analysis of material characteristics and data storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Sebastian Jung, Felix Wellmann, Thomas Kruspe
  • Patent number: 9029762
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid. The method for measuring the characteristics of a downhole fluid includes passing a downhole fluid sample through an analyzer, analyzing the downhole fluid sample by illuminating the downhole fluid sample with light from a light source and detecting light that interacts with the fluid sample. The method is applicable to detecting carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide directly in a downhole environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Shen, Christopher M Jones, Michael T Pelletier, Robert Atkinson, Mark Proett
  • Publication number: 20150122984
    Abstract: Fiber optic sensing systems and methods. In a described embodiment, a fiber optic sensing system includes an optical fiber transmitting energy to a chemical vapor deposited diamond material proximate a substance in a well. The diamond material is deposited as a coating on a substrate. The substrate and coating are heated when the energy is transmitted by the optical fiber. This heats the substance in the well, which is detected to determine a property of the substance. In another embodiment, light energy is transmitted through the diamond material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel D. GLEITMAN