Methods Of Determining Oil Presence, Contamination Or Concentration Patents (Class 250/301)
  • Patent number: 12085509
    Abstract: The disclosure describes systems, methods, and apparatuses for monitoring fluorescent peaks using a fluorometer, where the fluorometer comprises an instrument assembly, a circuit assembly, a casing, and a window set into the casing, wherein at least a portion of the instrument assembly is submerged within a liquid and above an analyte workspace; a buoy assembly; one or more emission sources electrically coupled to the circuit assembly, the emission sources configured to emit light in one or more frequencies or wavelength bands; a prism arranged in contact with the window, the prism configured to direct emissions from the emission sources towards the analyte workspace, the prism including at least one angled surface; at least one photosensor positioned above the window and configured to detect fluorescence emissions of analytes in the analyte workspace; and a filter array positioned between the window and the photosensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Inventor: Christopher Lee
  • Patent number: 12073566
    Abstract: A system for fluid flow verification comprises a video recording device that captures frames of actual fluid or fluid display, and a processor coupled to the recording device. The processor hosts fluid verification modules, including a fluid flow rate verification module, and a fluid color verification module. The fluid flow rate verification module is operative to receive the frames; binarize region of interest, and compute histogram of white/black pixels; count white pixels to detect actual fluid quantity; determine whether actual fluid quantity matches expected fluid quantity; if there is a match, measure fluid change rate; determine whether there is steady fluid flow; if not, report fluid flow rate anomaly. The fluid color verification module is operative to: receive binarized region of interest and histogram; detect fluid color by extracting sample color mask of pixels; determine whether detected fluid color matches expected fluid color; if not, report fluid color anomaly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Debabrata Pal, Abhishek Alladi, Parag Ravindra Rao, Luke M. Zeleznak
  • Patent number: 12031901
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring or detecting a level of biofilm growth in a fluid system and controlling operating parameters of the fluid system based a measured level of growth. The monitoring system and method comprises a dye injection system for periodically injecting dye into a portion of fluid from the fluid system, passing the portion of fluid though a narrow lumen tube to achieve laminar flow and using a light source and optical sensor to detect a transmission or emission indicating a level of biofilm growth in the tube corresponding to a level of growth on components in the fluid system. Information based upon the measurements or calculations made by the monitoring system may be used to manually or automatically alter various operating parameters to control the fluid system and aid in maintaining stable operation of the fluid system within preferred specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2024
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: David Vela, Adrian J. Denvir, Matthew C Holloway
  • Patent number: 11725489
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are described for intelligent, real-time monitoring and managing of changes in oilfield equilibrium to optimize production of desired hydrocarbons and economic viability of the field. In some examples, a method can involve generating, based on a topology of a field of wells, a respective graph for the wells, each respective graph including computing devices coupled with one or more sensors and/or actuators. The method can involve collecting, via the computing devices, respective parameters associated with one or more computing devices, sensors, actuators, and/or models, and identifying a measured state associated with the computing devices, sensors, actuators, and/or models.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Landmark Graphics Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph Blake Winston, Brent Charles Houchens, Feifei Zhang, Avinash Wesley, Andrew Shane Elsey, Jonathan Nguyen, Keshava Rangarajan, Olivier Germain
  • Patent number: 11262298
    Abstract: A system for determining an origin of a fluid from a machine may include a spectral measurement device configured to generate spectral data for a fluid, and a transmitter in communication with the spectral measurement device and configured to transmit the spectral data. The system may also include a receiver in communication with the transmitter and configured to receive a transmission indicative of the spectral data from the transmitter. The system may further include a processor in communication with the receiver and configured to cause execution of an analytical model configured to determine, based at least in part on the spectral data, fluidic information related to the fluid, the fluidic information including an indication of an origin of the fluid. The system may also include an output device in communication with the processor and configured to output the indication of the origin of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin John Hodel, Cynthia Marie Mann Rohde
  • Patent number: 11204439
    Abstract: The inelastic and capture ratio is optimized for porosity measurements in downhole applications. Pulsed-neutron data is acquired using a pulsed-neutron downhole tool. At each sampling point or log depth, the inelastic count rates and capture rates are computed. The inelastic count rate is corrected for the capture count background to increase porosity sensitivity. The capture count rate is computed by summing a range of time windows in the decay curve. In this process, the inelastic and capture responses are matched for borehole sensitivity. The ratio of inelastic and capture counts is computed. This ratio is the input to the characterized transform algorithm to compute measured porosity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 11143786
    Abstract: The disclosure provides methods of measuring an intrinsic CO ratio in a geological formation by disposing, proximate the formation, a petrophysical tool including at least one gamma-ray detector, reading a carbon gamma-ray peak for the geological formation and an oxygen gamma-ray peak for the geological formation, determining a measured CO ratio of the geological formation from the carbon gamma-ray peak and the oxygen gamma-ray peak, and correcting the measured CO ratio by applying a corrective algorithm specific for the petrophysical tool or the type of petrophysical tool to obtain an intrinsic CO ratio of the geological formation. The corrective algorithm is derived by a mathematical analysis of measured CO ratios of a sample with a known intrinsic CO ratio using the same petrophysical tool or a petrophysical tool representative of a same type of petrophysical tool. Additional methods and systems using this method are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc., Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Shouxiang Mark Ma, Nacer Guergueb, Weijun Guo
  • Patent number: 11131636
    Abstract: A device for measuring an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium. The device includes a sensing portion, a light source, and a light sensor. The sensing portion is miniaturized and includes a permeable material body defining a measuring cavity therein and is insertable in the porous medium to allow the porous medium solution to diffuse through the permeable material body. The light source illuminates the porous medium solution contained inside the measuring cavity. The light sensor detects a resulting light emanating from the porous medium solution, the resulting light having at least one spectral characteristic indicative of the ionic concentration of the ionic compound in the porous medium solution. There is also provided a method for measuring in situ an ionic concentration of an ionic compound in a porous medium solution contained in a porous medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: HORTAU INC.
    Inventors: Jean Caron, Rock Chabot, Philippe Saucier, Yann Périard-Larrivée, Frédéric Fortin
  • Patent number: 11105730
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring or detecting a level of biofilm growth in a fluid system and controlling operating parameters of the fluid system based a measured level of growth. The monitoring system and method comprises a dye injection system for periodically injecting dye into a portion of fluid from the fluid system, passing the portion of fluid though a narrow lumen tube to achieve laminar flow and using a light source and optical sensor to detect a transmission or emission indicating a level of biofilm growth in the tube corresponding to a level of growth on components in the fluid system. Information based upon the measurements or calculations made by the monitoring system may be used to manually or automatically alter various operating parameters to control the fluid system and aid in maintaining stable operation of the fluid system within preferred specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: NCH Corporation
    Inventors: David Vela, Adrian J. Denvir, Matthew C. Holloway
  • Patent number: 11041798
    Abstract: In the arrangement for determining the achievable adhesive strength before forming a connection having material continuity to a surface of a joining partner, a plurality of detectors are present and arranged that are configured for a spatially resolved spectral analysis of electromagnetic radiation within a wavelength interval and are connected to an electronic evaluation unit. They can detect radiation emitted from a broadband radiation source of a reflection incident on the surface of one of the joining partners, and/or after passing through joining partners transparent for the electromagnetic radiation on the detectors. A laterally and temporally homogeneous intensity of the electromagnetic radiation should be observed in this respect. The joining partner is formed from a material that does not 100% absorb the respective electromagnetic radiation and thus a transmission and/or reflection is possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V.
    Inventors: Florian Gruber, Wulf Graehlert, Philipp Wollmann
  • Patent number: 11017519
    Abstract: A sensor system for inspecting oil, which comprises a micromechanical cell defining a cavity for allowing the entrance/outcome of oil within/from said cavity through respective inlet and outlet. Inside said micromechanical cell there are: first and second transparent protective means; a light source configured to emit incoherent light towards said oil; an opaque plate disposed between said light source and said first transparent protective means, having a pin-hole configured to permit the passage of illumination towards said oil, said pin-hole being located at a first distance from a focussing plane defined by said oil in cavity; an image sensor to capture images of the oil disposed within said cavity located at a second distance from said focussing plane defined by said oil in cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Atten2 Advanced Monitoring Technologies S.L.
    Inventor: Jon Mabe
  • Patent number: 10996164
    Abstract: An oil state detection device includes an index member, a lighting device that illuminates the index member, and a photographing device that photographs the index member through oil in a machine device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Chikugo, Shuuji Hori, Haruna Higashi
  • Patent number: 10627306
    Abstract: The glass panel unit includes: a first glass panel; a second glass panel; a seal; an evacuated space; and a gas adsorbent. The seal with a frame shape hermetically bonds the first glass panel and the second glass panel to each other. The gas adsorbent is placed in the evacuated space. The gas adsorbent includes a getter. The gas adsorbent is visible through at least one of the first glass panel and the second glass panel. The gas adsorbent has properties of changing its color when adsorbing gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tasuku Ishibashi, Eiichi Uriu, Hiroyuki Abe, Kenji Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 10573094
    Abstract: Systems and methods for capturing fluid change history in a vehicle are provided. A method includes: detecting, by a computer device, a fill cap is removed from an inlet port of a fluid reservoir or a drain plug is removed from an outlet port of the fluid reservoir; activating, by the computer device and based on the detecting, one of a fill sensor and a drain sensor; obtaining, by the computer device, fluid characteristics data from one of the fill sensor and the drain sensor; determining, by the computer device, at least one fluid parameter based on the fluid characteristics data; and transmitting, by the computer device, the determined at least one fluid parameter to a remote system via a communication network that is external to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tamer E. Abuelsaad, Gregory J. Boss, John E. Moore, Jr., Randy A. Rendahl
  • Patent number: 10533944
    Abstract: A device and method of determining thermal maturity of oil source rocks by total scanning fluorescence including testing the organic solution of the extract from a series of oil source rock samples collected at different depths by total scanning fluorescence; building a model for interpretation of the oil source rock maturity according to the variation with depth of the TSF Intensity parameter and the TSF R1 parameter obtained by total scanning fluorescence, and identifying the stage of initial oil generation, the stage of major oil generation and the stage of major gas generation; and establishing the relationship between the TSF Intensity parameter and/or the TSF R1 parameter with the existing characteristic parameters that quantitatively characterize the maturity of oil source rocks, thereby accomplishing the analysis and determination of the maturity of the oil source rocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: PETROCHINA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Keyu Liu, Hua Tian, Caineng Zou, Shuichang Zhang, Shaobo Liu, Mengjun Zhao, Xuesong Lu, Junjia Fan, Xiuli Li, Lili Gui, Qingong Zhuo, Xingzhi Ma, Yanjie Gong, Zhichao Yu, Qingyang Meng
  • Patent number: 10369582
    Abstract: A spray visualization apparatus and method are disclosed. Unlike laser or Doppler techniques requiring costly instrumentation, the herein disclosed technique is much simpler. The apparatus comprises a hollow flow tube, an injector device coupled to the hollow flow tube, and at least one membrane surface material substantially positioned cross-flow in the hollow flow tube. The method relies on a fluorescent dye marking the spray droplets impinging on the membrane surface material. The image of spray droplets on the membrane reveals the distribution pattern of droplets in the oncoming flow as the droplets impinge on the membrane. A digital scan of the membrane is acquired. The scanned image is quantitatively analyzed for droplet size, amount and uniformity index. The disclosed technique is a low-cost alternative for study and testing spray patterns generated by automobile emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Emissol LLC
    Inventor: Mansour Masoudi
  • Patent number: 10365210
    Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on surface comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. A polarimeter records raw image data of a surface (e.g., the surface of water) to obtain polarized images of the surface. IR and polarization data products are computed from the polarized images. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Chenault
  • Patent number: 10281449
    Abstract: In a method of determining a deterioration state of an object, the deterioration state of the object is determined by determining whether a calculated value reaches a state determination threshold value or not, the calculated value utilizing at least one of brightness and a color component value calculated from a detection value detected by an optical sensor. The optical sensor includes an examination section containing liquid, a light emitting element emitting detection light toward the examination section, and a light receiving element detecting color information of the detection light traveled through the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: NABTESCO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshinori Onuma, Takuya Shirata, Yasuhito Ida
  • Patent number: 10203260
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for an oil filter-leak pressure-test station. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station comprises an air pump, a pressure gauge, a vent valve, an overflow reservoir, and a manifold configured to receive an oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is configured to apply a desired internal air pressure to an oil filter for observing the oil filter assembly for any potential leaks, such as along a seal ring, rolled seam or a nut-end. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station is also configured to be mounted in a vise or similar mechanical attachment for observation to determine the extent or existence of any leak in the oil filter. The oil filter-leak pressure-test station may also be submerged in water using a submersion reservoir, so as to determine the existence and location of any leaks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: K&N Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Joel Valles, Steve Williams, Jonathan Richard Fiello
  • Patent number: 10151197
    Abstract: A method for analyzing a geological formation having at least one hydrocarbon therein may include determining a total organic carbon mass over a depth range of the geological formation, and determining a mass fraction of the at least one hydrocarbon over the depth range of the geological formation based upon the total organic carbon mass. The method may further include determining a volume of the at least one hydrocarbon over the depth range of the geological formation, and determining a density of the at least one hydrocarbon over the depth range of the geological formation based upon the mass fraction and the volume of the at least one hydrocarbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Salman Khalid, Robert Allen Badry, Paul Ryan Craddock, Kenneth Faurschou, Andrew E. Pomerantz, Manuel Aboud
  • Patent number: 10094202
    Abstract: A segregated flow mechanism of oil and water usually takes place in the presence of strong gravity forces in subsurface environments, having specific geometrical and petrophysical properties undergoing simultaneous flow of multiphase fluids. The segregated flow of oil and water is modeled as a two-layer reservoir system, based on the observed data. Accurate estimates or measures of the values of phase mobility of oil and water, in addition to the actual flow capacity of the formation are provided. Reliable reservoir characterizations and reserve estimations are provided based on the in-situ conditions of oil and water in the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hasan A. Nooruddin, Noor M. Anisur Rahman
  • Patent number: 10041882
    Abstract: This relates to the field of real-time detection of chemical contamination of water in harsh environmental conditions by using laser remote sensing apparatus for detection of oil or oil products. In-time detection and localization of oil pollution in seawater are the measures to minimize potential damages to the marine and coastal environment. A technical solution for remote detection and classification of chemical pollution in water, to optimize operational parameters, weight, size and power consumption of such device, to make possible continuous unattended operation of such device on board of a moving or stationary platform and to provide data processing and reporting the results through communication channels is described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: Ocean Visuals AS
    Inventors: Sergey Babichenko, Leino Vint
  • Patent number: 10024835
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring oil in water for larger parts per million (ppm) of light-to-medium weight crude oils shown. The excitation signal and the fluorescent light being detected are provided and received through a single channel within the ultrasonic transducer. The target area for measuring the ppm's of oil in water is located just inside of the measurement window to prevent interference by turbidity or other oil droplets within the fluid stream. The angle between the excitation signal and the fluorescent light as transmitted and received from the single channel is very small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Advanced Sensors Limited
    Inventor: Jeyan Sreekumar
  • Patent number: 9970861
    Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Polaris Sensor Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David B. Chenault
  • Patent number: 9889475
    Abstract: A residue remaining on an object to be cleaned after cleaning is easily detected and observed on the object. Adhesive materials for use in residue confirmation, which are applied in advance to an object to be cleaned for confirmation of a residue remaining on the object after cleaning, are formed by coloring chips produced during cutting work. The adhesive materials are preferably formed by coating and coloring the chips with paint, the paint emitting visible light in an excited state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SUGINO MACHINE LIMITED
    Inventors: Toru Sumiyoshi, Toyoaki Mitsue, Yuichi Motoshima
  • Patent number: 9863887
    Abstract: The invention relates to a unit and method for detection of presence of oil on the water surface or in the water column. Unit comprises a sensor, whereby the sensor is connected to electronic compartment followed by microprocessor controller with embedded software for carrying out necessary analyses of reflected signals received by the sensor. The microprocessor controller is connected to communication means for transmitting an alarm signal through external communication line in case of oil pollution. All elements mentioned above are supplied by external power supply and are accommodated into a waterproof housing. The sensor comprises the probe light source formed by a pulsed UV LED, collimating optics and narrow band optical filter, at least one dichroic mirror, a projection-receiving lens, at least one optical filter, at least one photodetector and a reference photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: NEMOR TECHNOLOGIES OU
    Inventor: Sergey Babichenko
  • Patent number: 9840904
    Abstract: A christmas tree assembly for a subsea hydrocarbon extraction facility, the christmas tree assembly includes a fluid pipeline and a sensor assembly comprising a plurality of sensors configured to monitor a plurality of properties relating to hydrocarbon fluid flow through the fluid pipeline. The sensor assembly includes a differential pressure sensor that is disposed at one or more of across a choke, around a bend or restriction in the pipeline or a dedicated flow restrictor integrated within the pipeline, and a bulk density sensor that is disposed in one or more of a blind T, before or after a choke or in an upwards section of the flow pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Controls Limited
    Inventors: Raymond Phillips, Nicholas Josep Ellson
  • Patent number: 9638828
    Abstract: Method and system is described for marine surveying. The method involves operations for exploring and developing hydrocarbons with one or more unmanned vehicles. The unmanned vehicles are used to perform marine surveying and to obtain one or more samples that may be used to identify chemical, hydrocarbon and/or biologic information, which may be used for environmental monitoring of bodies of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Louise Levien, Amelia C. Robinson, Robert J. Pottorf, William E. Bond, Aaron B. Regberg, A Lucie N'Guessan, Kevin T. Corbett, Scott C. Hornbostel, William P. Meurer
  • Patent number: 9612187
    Abstract: The present invention provides an experimental apparatus for studying the gas invasion and migration mechanism in oil and gas wellbores, comprising: a wellbore; a wellbore pressure control unit, configured to control the pressure in the wellbore; a drilling fluid injection and discharge unit, configured to control the volume of a drilling fluid in the wellbore; a temperature control unit, configured to control the temperature in the wellbore; a rock core clamper, configured to clamp a rock core in a way that one side of the rock core is exposed to the drilling fluid in the wellbore; a gas invasion unit, configured to inject a gas into the rock core; and a measuring device, configured to measure the data related to one or more of the following items in the wellbore: gas bubble migration velocity, diffusion concentration and particle size distribution, gas bubble merging process, hydrate phase transition process, and migration velocity, diffusion concentration and particle size distribution of hydrate after pha
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: China University of Petroleum (East China)
    Inventors: Baojiang Sun, Yanli Guo, Hao Li, Linsong Song
  • Patent number: 9546966
    Abstract: A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product (C), preferably a cigarette (C), the process comprising adding a fluorescent taggant to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product (C), conveying (131) said product (C) past an infrared detection apparatus (140), irradiating said product (C) with infrared radiation from said detection apparatus (140) as it passes the detection apparatus (140), and detecting infrared radiation emitted from said irradiated product (C). The taggant can be in the form of a composition containing a Stokes-shifting taggant, which absorbs radiation at a first wavelength and emits radiation at a second wavelength, different from said first wavelength, dissolved or dispersed in an oil or lubricant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: ALTRIA CLIENT SERICES LLC
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, Jr., William James Faenza
  • Patent number: 9528929
    Abstract: A method using Infrared Imaging Polarimetry for detecting the presence of foreign fluids on water comprises estimating an expected polarization response for a foreign fluid desired to be detected. Oil from an oil spill is one such foreign fluid. An optimal position of a polarimeter to take images of the water's surface is determined from the expected polarization response. The polarimeter is positioned at the optimal position and records raw image data of the water's surface to obtain polarized images of the area. The polarized images are corrected, and IR and polarization data products are computed. The IR and polarization data products are converted to multi-dimensional data set to form multi-dimensional imagery. Contrast algorithms are applied to the multi-dimensional imagery to form enhanced contrast images, from which foreign fluids can be automatically detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: POLARIS SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: David B. Chenault
  • Patent number: 9476847
    Abstract: A spectroscopic sample analysis apparatus includes an actively controlled heat exchanger in serial fluid communication with a spectroscopic analyzer, and a controller communicably coupled to the heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is disposed downstream of a fluid handler in the form of a stream selection unit/stream switching unit (SSU), a solvent/standard recirculation unit (SRU), and/or an auto-sampling unit (ASU). The SSU selectively couples individual stream inputs to an output port. The SRU includes a solvent/standard reservoir, and selectively couples output ports to the heat exchanger, and returns the solvent/standard sample to the reservoirs. The ASU includes a sample reservoir having a sample transfer pathway with a plurality of orifices disposed at spaced locations along a length thereof. The controller selectively actuates the fluid handler, enabling sample to flow there through to the heat exchanger, and actuates the heat exchanger to maintain the sample at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Invensys Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Marcus Trygstad, Russell Jackson, Bruce A. Keen
  • Patent number: 9412027
    Abstract: A behavioral recognition system may include both a computer vision engine and a machine learning engine configured to observe and learn patterns of behavior in video data. Certain embodiments may be configured to detect and evaluate the presence of sea-surface oil on the water surrounding an offshore oil platform. The computer vision engine may be configured to segment image data into detected patches or blobs of surface oil (foreground) present in the field of view of an infrared camera (or cameras). A machine learning engine may evaluate the detected patches of surface oil to learn to distinguish between sea-surface oil incident to the operation of an offshore platform and the appearance of surface oil that should be investigated by platform personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Behavioral Recognition Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Wesley Kenneth Cobb
  • Patent number: 9341522
    Abstract: A temperature sensor includes a temperature probe, an adapter, a resilient device, and a visual indicator. The temperature probe includes a temperature sensing device disposed at a temperature probe tip. The adapter surrounds a portion of the temperature probe such that the temperature probe is movable within the adapter in a lengthwise direction. The adapter includes a physical reference. The resilient device is adapted to produce a force between the adapter and the temperature probe. The force being variable based on a position of the temperature probe within the adapter. The visual indicator is disposed on a surface of the temperature probe. Alignment of the visual indicator with the physical reference corresponds to a desired force produced by the resilient device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew John Kitzman, Andrew Steven Dierker, Kyle Steven Warren, Allen John Kassen, Dirk Willy Bauschke
  • Patent number: 9329302
    Abstract: A method is for detecting gamma rays using a gamma ray detector, and includes determining a first count of gamma rays having an energy in a first energy interval, using a controller coupled to the gamma ray detector. A second count of gamma rays having an energy in a second energy interval is determined, the second energy interval having a higher energy than the first energy interval, using the controller. A third count of gamma rays having an energy in a third energy interval is determined, the third energy interval having a higher energy than the second energy interval, using the controller. The second count of gamma rays is compensated for noise based upon a ratio of the second count and the third count, using the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Christian Stoller
  • Patent number: 9285317
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the total amount of two or more substances in a liquid, at least one of said substances comprising a fluorescent substance, said apparatus comprising: a mass spectrometer device; a fluorometer device; and a processing means; wherein said mass spectrometer device is adapted to obtain a periodic measurement of the total amount of said two or more substances in the liquid, said fluorometer device being adapted to detect the fluorescent response of said at least one fluorescent substance in said liquid to an excitation signal, said processing means being programmed to determine a calibration factor by comparing a measurement obtained by the fluorometer device with said periodic measurement of the total amount of said two or more substances present obtained by the mass spectrometer device, the processing means subsequently using said calibration factor to determine measurements representative of the total amount of both fluorescent and non-fluorescent substances present in the liquid b
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Advanced Sensors Limited
    Inventors: Khalid Thabeth, Stephen Taylor
  • Patent number: 9104918
    Abstract: A behavioral recognition system may include both a computer vision engine and a machine learning engine configured to observe and learn patterns of behavior in video data. Certain embodiments may be configured to detect and evaluate the presence of sea-surface oil on the water surrounding an offshore oil platform. The computer vision engine may be configured to segment image data into detected patches or blobs of surface oil (foreground) present in the field of view of an infrared camera (or cameras). A machine learning engine may evaluate the detected patches of surface oil to learn to distinguish between sea-surface oil incident to the operation of an offshore platform and the appearance of surface oil that should be investigated by platform personnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: BEHAVIORAL RECOGNITION SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventor: Wesley Kenneth Cobb
  • Patent number: 9091774
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a geologic formation having a borehole therein may include operating at least one tool within the borehole to collect respective borehole dimensions at different depths in the borehole, and collect respective total values for a given element at the different depths in the borehole. Each total value may be based upon both a value for an adjacent portion of the geologic formation and a value for material within the borehole. The method may also include determining each value of the given element in the adjacent portion of the geologic formation based upon the total value and the corresponding borehole dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Miles, Robert Badry, James A. Grau
  • Patent number: 9014991
    Abstract: A system and method for quantitatively characterizing moisture content of an at least partially hydrophobic fluid sample. The method includes providing a dry solution of an aprotic solvent, adding at least a part of the fluid sample to the solvent to produce an extract-sample, performing infrared spectroscopic testing on the extract-sample to generate absorbance data representing at least one absorbance characteristic of the extracted sample, and generating moisture data for the sample based on the extracted sample data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Thermal-Lube, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederik R. van de Voort, David Pinchuk
  • Patent number: 8853619
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for surveying a subsurface formation containing hydrocarbons, comprising: injecting at least one tracer compound into the subsurface formation; recovering a fluid derived from the subsurface formation; detecting the tracer compound in the fluid by liquid chromatography analysis coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analysis, the liquid chromatography analysis being conducted with a stationary phase composed of particles having a mean size equal to or less than 2.1 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventors: Hugues Preudhomme, Coralie Serres Piole, Annie Commarieu, Fabrice Aubertin
  • Patent number: 8742346
    Abstract: A plasma system for changing a microscopy material sample comprises a microscopy material sample holder for holding a microscopy material sample in place in a desired orientation, and a receptacle holder for receiving the sample holder and an RF antenna. The microscopy sample is positioned relative to the antenna so that no point on the antenna is in direct line-of-sight contact with the microscopy sample. This feature of avoiding direct line-of-sight contact between the antenna and the sample assists in preventing, or at least minimizing, ion sputtering of system component material onto the specimen or sample 10 that is being trimmed. Moreover, portions of the system which are in direct line-of-sight contact with the sample are comprised of material having a low sputtering yield, preferably carbon. The material may comprise graphite, and may be in the form of a carbon coating or a carbon paint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: South Bay Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott D. Walck
  • Patent number: 8742340
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for determining and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The methods rely on trial-and-error mixing of the fuel ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure, the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target fuel blend. The methods can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ezzat Mahmoud Hegazi, Abdullah H. Al-Grainees
  • Patent number: 8704174
    Abstract: In situ monitoring of a degradation level of refined oil during use is provided. An excitation light irradiation unit varies intensity of excitation light to irradiate the excitation light onto the refined oil with a resulting fluorescence. A fluorescence intensity detection unit detects the intensity of fluorescence generated by the irradiation of the excitation light, and a time lag characteristic calculation unit calculates a time lag characteristic of a fluorescence intensity variation with respect to the intensity variation of the excitation light. A degradation index value acquisition unit provides to a predetermined correlation between a degradation index value indicating a degradation level of the refined oil and the time lag characteristic is used to acquire a degradation index value from a time lag characteristic calculated in the time lag characteristic calculation unit to determine the current degradation status of the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Horiba, Ltd.
    Inventors: Juichiro Ukon, Toshiyuki Tsujimoto
  • Patent number: 8629414
    Abstract: Present embodiments generally relate to a novel clear or colorless overcoat composition that may be used for overcoating, for example, ink based images and xerographic images. The overcoat composition, which may be used as a base for a clear solid ink, comprises one or more ultraviolet (UV) absorbing additives. Also included in the present embodiments is a method for using and detecting the overcoat composition in connection with a substrate, for example, a substrate that includes printed images thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Xerox Corporation
    Inventors: Gabriel Iftime, Martin E. Hoover, Peter G. Odell
  • Patent number: 8521445
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus relate to measuring corrosion rate. Flowing corrosive fluid contacts a metal coupon or object and results in an effluent stream. The effluent stream contains metal from the object due to reaction of constituents in the fluid with the metal. Analysis of the effluent stream measures concentration of the metal therein. Since the concentration of the metal in the effluent stream is indicative of mass loss from the object, calculations provide the corrosion rate utilizing weight of the metal that is eluted, surface area of the object and exposure time of the object with the corrosive fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ricky Eugene Snelling, Donald Ray Engelbert, Omar Jesus Yepez
  • Patent number: 8481930
    Abstract: Described herein are methods and an apparatus to determine and replicate unknown ratios of original target liquid blends, such as hydrocarbon fuel blends or contaminants, by using an in-process fluorescence-monitored procedure. The method relies on trial-and-error mixing of the liquid ingredients into a single container. At the end of the trial-and-error procedure the formed blend becomes an exact replica of the target blend. The method can also be used to build calibration curves without employing sets of previously prepared standard solutions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ezzat Mahmoud Hegazi, Abdullah H. Al-Grainees
  • Patent number: 8455845
    Abstract: A method for detecting polymer-based drag reducer additives in gasoline includes placing a sample in a high UV-transmittance receptacle having at least two transparent adjacent sides and irradiating the same with a pulsed laser beam; detecting laser-induced fluorescence wavelength resolved spectrum at a 90° angle relative to the laser beam through the adjacent side of the receptacle and a slit in a diffraction screen adjusting the position of the receptacle and de-focusing the collimating lenses so that the low resolution fluorescence wavelength-resolved spectrum appears with a first peak at about 380 nm and a second peak at about 430 nm; recording the laser-induced fluorescence wavelength-resolved spectra within a defined time-gate starting at the end of the temporal span of the laser pulse; and comparing the percentage intensity of the first peak relative to the second peak to that of a gasoline sample free of any polymer-based drag reducer additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ezzat M. Hegazi, Maha A. Al-Sayegh
  • Publication number: 20130082173
    Abstract: A process for detecting oil or lubricant contamination in a manufactured product, the process comprising adding a fluorescent taggant to oils or lubricants contained in processing machinery for said product, conveying said product past an infrared detection apparatus, irradiating said product with infrared radiation from said detection apparatus as it passes the detection apparatus, and detecting infrared radiation emitted from said irradiated product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: ALTRIA CLIENT SERVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Edmond J. Cadieux, JR., William James Faenza
  • Patent number: 8395119
    Abstract: An airborne/spaceborne oil spill detection method includes the step of providing a moderate-resolution-imaging-spectroradiometer and sensing the spectral reflections from two optical bands one of which is in the near infrared range. The spectral contrast shift from two adjacent areas of water are calculated and a warning issued when an oil spill or other contaminant is detected. A system for detecting an oil spill or other contaminant on the surface of water is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Fahad A. M. I. Alawadi
  • Patent number: 8362429
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting the presence of hydrocarbons near an unmanned offshore oil platform. The method steps include monitoring reflected atmospheric and thermal radiation, detecting the presence of hydrocarbons, and generating an alert based on the presence of hydrocarbons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Albert Ballard Andrews, Wei-Chuan Shih, Matthew Clayton, Oliver C. Mullins