Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110039520 | CREATING NEIGHBOUR CELL LISTS - A neighbour cell list is formed, for use in a basestation of a cellular communications network. For each of a plurality of neighbour cells, a value of a first component is assigned, depending on whether or not the basestation can detect signals transmitted from said neighbour cell. A value of a second component is assigned, depending on a history of successful or unsuccessful handover attempts to said neighbour cell. The values of the first and second components are combined to form a weighting parameter, for use in determining a handover priority to be given to said neighbour cell in the neighbour cell list. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039539 | SCRAMBLING CODE SELECTION - A basestation forms part of a group of basestations within a cellular communications network, and selects an identifying code for use in identifying transmissions from the basestation. The basestation receives from a management node a first list of identifying codes and a second list of identifying codes, wherein the identifying codes of the first list can appear in neighbour cell lists of basestations outside said group, and wherein the identifying codes of the second list can not appear in neighbour cell lists of basestations outside said group. The basestation determines whether there is at least one identifying code either in the first list of identifying codes or the second list of identifying codes that is not used by any other basestation in said group. If there is at least one identifying code in the first list of identifying codes and at least one identifying code in the second list of identifying codes that are not used by any other basestation in said group, an identifying code from the first list of identifying codes is selected in preference to an identifying code from the second list of identifying codes. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039570 | POWER SETTING - A downlink power is set for transmissions from a basestation of a cellular communications network, the cellular communications network comprising a group of such basestations. A target value for a signal strength with which the transmissions should be received, and a target value for a pathloss, based on measured values for pathlosses between basestations of the group, are both set. The downlink power is calculated, based on the target value for the signal strength, and on the target value for the pathloss. | 02-17-2011 |
20110039596 | BASESTATION POWER CONTROL - A basestation, for use in a cellular communications network, has a mechanism for reporting its transmit power. When the transmit power of the basestation is outside a reportable range, it reports an adjusted transmit power within the reportable range, and also transmits an adjustment factor, by which the adjusted transmit power differs from the transmit power. The basestation is also configured to adapt its power settings based on a reported transmit power of at least one other basestation, and is further configured to detect the reported transmit power of the at least one other basestation and to detect an adjustment factor transmitted separately by the at least one other basestation, and to adapt its power settings based on a sum of the reported transmit power and the adjustment factor. | 02-17-2011 |
20110081915 | SCRAMBLING CODE SELECTION - In a femtocell basestation of a cellular communications network, there is a potential difficulty that the basestation may be unable to select a scrambling code for its transmissions, without the risk of interference with other basestations using the same scrambling code. The femtocell basestation receives from a management system a list comprising at least one allowed scram-bling code for femtocell basestations, and also detects, in information broadcast by at least one macrocell basestation, at least one allowed scrambling code available in an area containing the basestation. If it is determined that use of each scrambling code that is allowed and is available in an area containing the basestation would cause interference with another femtocell basestation, a pa-rameter is set to ensure that a user equipment would perform a location update when moving between the coverage areas of said basestation and the other femtocell basestation. The parameter may be a MIB and/or SIB value tag. | 04-07-2011 |
20120046055 | ACCESS POINT POWER CONTROL - There is described a method of controlling a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising, within the basestation, autonomously and dynamically adapting a maximum value for a total transmit power of the basestation, such that interference between the basestation and other access points in the vicinity is minimized. | 02-23-2012 |
20130165175 | ACCESS POINT POWER CONTROL - There is described a method of controlling a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising, within the basestation, autonomously and dynamically adapting a maximum value for a total transmit power of the basestation, such that interference between the basestation and other access points in the vicinity is minimized. | 06-27-2013 |
20130165176 | ACCESS POINT POWER CONTROL - There is described a method of controlling a basestation in a cellular wireless communications network, the method comprising, within the basestation, autonomously and dynamically adapting a maximum value for a total transmit power of the basestation, such that interference between the basestation and other access points in the vicinity is minimized. | 06-27-2013 |
20130178212 | CREATING NEIGHBOUR CELL LISTS - A neighbour cell list is formed, for use in a basestation of a cellular communications network. For each of a plurality of neighbour cells, a value of a first component is assigned, depending on whether or not the basestation can detect signals transmitted from said neighbour cell. A value of a second component is assigned, depending on a history of successful or unsuccessful handover attempts to said neighbour cell. The values of the first and second components are combined to form a weighting parameter, for use in determining a handover priority to be given to said neighbour cell in the neighbour cell list. | 07-11-2013 |
20140004860 | SCRAMBLING CODE SELECTION | 01-02-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100158435 | SIDE-HOLE CANE WAVEGUIDE SENSOR - A side-hole optical cane for measuring pressure and/or temperature is disclosed. The side-hole cane has a light guiding core containing a sensor and a cladding containing symmetrical side-holes extending substantially parallel to the core. The side-holes cause an asymmetric stress across the core of the sensor creating a birefringent sensor. The sensor, preferably a Bragg grating, reflects a first and second wavelength each associated with orthogonal polarization vectors, wherein the degree of separation between the two is proportional to the pressure exerted on the core. The side-hole cane structure self-compensates and is insensitive to temperature variations when used as a pressure sensor, because temperature induces an equal shift in both the first and second wavelengths. Furthermore, the magnitude of these shifts can be monitored to deduce temperature, hence providing the side-hole cane additional temperature sensing capability that is unaffected by pressure. Additionally, the side-hole cane can be used to measure a differential pressure between a first pressure ported to the side-holes and a second external pressure. | 06-24-2010 |
20110116099 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETECTING PRESSURE SIGNALS - An apparatus for detecting data in a fluid pressure signal in a conduit comprises an optical fiber loop comprises a measurement section and a delay section wherein the measurement section is disposed substantially circumferentially around at least a portion of the conduit, and wherein the measurement section changes length in response to the fluid pressure signal in the conduit. A light source injects a first optical signal in a first direction into the measurement section and a second optical signal in a second direction opposite the first direction into the delay section. An optical detector senses an interference phase shift between the first optical signal and the second optical signal and outputs a first signal related thereto. | 05-19-2011 |
20110308788 | CONTROLLING WELL OPERATIONS BASED ON MONITORED PARAMETERS OF CEMENT HEALTH - A method of controlling a well operation can include monitoring at least one parameter of cement lining a wellbore, the monitoring being performed via at least one optical waveguide, and modifying the well operation in response to the parameter being outside of a predetermined acceptable range. A well monitoring system can include at least one optical waveguide which is used to sense at least one parameter of cement lining a wellbore, an optical interrogation system optically connected to the at least one optical waveguide, and a control system which controls operation of at least one item of well equipment in response to information received from the optical interrogation system. | 12-22-2011 |
20120013893 | COMMUNICATION THROUGH AN ENCLOSURE OF A LINE - A communication system can include a transmitter which transmits a signal, and at least one sensing device which receives the signal, the sensing device including a line contained in an enclosure, and the signal being detected by the line through a material of the enclosure. A sensing system can include at least one sensor which senses a parameter, at least one sensing device which receives an indication of the parameter, the sensing device including a line contained in an enclosure, and a transmitter which transmits the indication of the parameter to the line through a material of the enclosure. Another sensing system can include an object which displaces in a subterranean well. At least one sensing device can receive a signal from the object. The sensing device can include a line contained in an enclosure, and the signal can be detected by the line through a material of the enclosure. | 01-19-2012 |
20120205103 | Cement Slurry Monitoring - Various disclosed cement slurry monitoring methods include monitoring one or more parameter of the cement slurry at various positions along the borehole during the curing process and responsively identifying a span over which the slurry extends and whether there are any gaps or voids in that span. At least some system embodiments include a distributed sensing arrangement to provide parameter measurements as a function of position and time during the curing process. A computer analyzes the measurements to determine the span of the cement slurry and whether any gaps exist. Contemplated measurement parameters include temperature, pressure, strain, acoustic spectrum, acoustic coupling, and chemical concentration. Individually or in combination, these measurements can reveal in real time the state of the cement slurry and can enable remedial actions to be taken during or after the curing process if needed to address deficiencies in the annular seal being provided by the cement. | 08-16-2012 |
20120257475 | Optical Fiber Based Downhole Seismic Sensor Systems and Methods - Various optical fiber-based seismic monitoring system embodiments include a light source that drives an optical fiber positioned within a borehole. At least one light sensor analyzes Rayleigh backscattered light to obtain an acoustic signal for each of multiple points along the borehole. One or more processors operate to determine microseismic event direction, distance, and/or intensity based at least in part on phase information of said acoustic signals. The acoustic signal cross-correlations, semblances, or phase-sensitive similarity measures can be determined as a function of scanning direction to accurately determine the relevant microseismic event information. The optical fiber may be positioned in the cemented annulus of a cased borehole having a shape that extends along more than one dimension (e.g., an L-shaped borehole). | 10-11-2012 |
20130056197 | OPTICAL CASING COLLAR LOCATOR SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Disclosed are fiber optic enabled casing collar locator systems including a wireline sonde or a coil tubing sonde apparatus configured to be conveyed through a casing string by a fiber optic cable. The sonde includes at least one permanent magnet producing a magnetic field that changes in response to passing a collar in the casing string. Such magnetic field changes induce voltages changes within associated pick-up electrical coil conductors. Some embodiments include a cylinder configured to change its diameter in response to the changes in the magnetic field and/or impressed voltage, and an optical fiber wound around the cylinder to convert the cylinder diameter change into an optical path length change for light being communicated along the fiber optic cable. The cylinder may include a magnetostrictive material or a piezoelectric material. | 03-07-2013 |
20130056202 | Optical Casing Collar Locator Systems and Methods - Fiber optic enabled casing collar locator systems and methods include a wireline sonde or a coil tubing sonde apparatus configured to be conveyed through a casing string by a fiber optic cable. The sonde includes at least one permanent magnet producing a magnetic field that changes in response to passing a collar in the casing string, a coil that receives at least a portion of the magnetic field and provides an electrical signal in response to the changes in the magnetic field, and a light source that responds to the electrical signal to communicate light along an optical fiber to indicate passing collars. | 03-07-2013 |
20130245947 | DOWNHOLE SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WATER SOURCE DETERMINATION - A disclosed system for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes one or more downhole sensors that measure at least one analyte concentration in the downhole fluid, and a computer having analyte concentration characteristics for water from multiple sources. The computer uses the analyte concentration characteristics and the at least one analyte concentration measurement to determine an amount of water from at least one given source. A described method for determining sources of water in a downhole fluid includes associating with each of multiple sources of water a characteristic concentration of at least one analyte, obtaining measured concentrations of the at least one analyte with one or more downhole sensors, and deriving for at least one source of water a fraction of the downhole fluid attributable to that at least one source. The deriving may also be based upon measurements from distributed pressure and/or temperature sensors. | 09-19-2013 |
20130249705 | CASING COLLAR LOCATOR WITH WIRELESS TELEMETRY SUPPORT - Disclosed are wireline tool systems including a casing collar locator tool and one or more logging tool(s). The logging tool(s) collects information regarding a formation property or a physical condition downhole, and produces a modulated magnetic field to communicate at least some of the collected information. The casing collar locator tool includes a light source and a sensor. The light source transmits light along an optical fiber in accordance with a sensor signal. The sensor produces the sensor signal in response to magnetic field changes attributable to passing collars in a casing string, and to the modulated magnetic field produced by the logging tool(s). Related telemetry methods are also described. | 09-26-2013 |
20140111348 | Downhole Time Domain Reflectometry with Optical Components - A disclosed system for downhole time domain reflectometry (TDR) includes a surface electro-optical interface, a downhole electro-optical interface, a fiber-optic cable that couples the surface electro-optical interface and the downhole electro-optical interface, and an electrical transmission line that extends from the downhole electro-optical interface into a wellbore environment to enable TDR operations. A described method for downhole TDR includes transmitting an optical signal to a downhole environment, converting the optical signal to an electrical signal in the downhole environment, reflecting the electrical signal using an electrical transmission line in the downhole environment, analyzing data corresponding to the reflected electrical signal, and displaying a result of the analysis. | 04-24-2014 |
20140172302 | Downhole Treatment Monitoring Systems and Methods Using Ion Selective Fiber Sensors - A disclosed system includes a plurality of ion selective fiber sensors configured to measure treatment concentration variance, and a computer in communication with the plurality of ion selective fiber sensors. The computer determines treatment coverage for different downhole zones using information received from the plurality of ion selective fiber sensors. A disclosed method includes collecting data from a plurality of ion selective fiber sensors configured to measure treatment concentration variance. The method also includes determining treatment coverage for different downhole zones using information received from the plurality of ion selective fiber sensors. A disclosed downhole treatment management system includes a data analysis unit that collects data from a plurality of downhole ion selective fiber sensors configured to measure treatment concentration variance, and that determines treatment coverage for different downhole zones using the collected data. The downhole treatment management system also includes a treatment control interface in communication with the data analysis unit. The treatment control interface updates treatment operations using treatment coverage information determined by the data analysis unit. | 06-19-2014 |
20140175272 | Remote Work Methods and Systems Using Nonlinear Light Conversion - A disclosed remote work system includes a light source and a nonlinear converter optically coupled to and remote from the light source. The nonlinear light converter converts a narrowband light pulse received from the light source to a converted spectrum light pulse. The system also includes a work element coupled to the nonlinear light converter. The work element performs a work operation using the converted spectrum light pulse. A related remote work method includes generating a narrowband light pulse and conveying the narrowband light pulse to a remote location. The method also includes converting the narrowband light pulse to a converted spectrum light pulse at the remote location. The method also includes performing a sense operation or work operation at the remote location using the converted spectrum light pulse. | 06-26-2014 |
20140180592 | Downhole Fluid Tracking With Distributed Acoustic Sensing - Various disclosed distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) based systems and methods include embodiments that process the DAS measurements to detect one or more contrasts in acoustic signatures associated with one or more fluids flowing along a tubing string, and determine positions of the one or more contrasts as a function of time. The detected contrasts may be changes in acoustic signatures arising from one or more of: turbulence, frictional noise, acoustic attenuation, acoustic coupling, resonance frequency, resonance damping, and active noise generation by entrained materials. At least some of the contrasts correspond to interfaces between different fluids such as those that might be pumped during a cementing operation. Certain other method embodiments include acquiring DAS measurements along a borehole, processing the measurements to detect one or more acoustic signature contrasts associated with interfaces between different fluids in the borehole, and responsively displaying a position of at least one of said interfaces. | 06-26-2014 |
20140219056 | FIBEROPTIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACOUSTIC TELEMETRY - A disclosed acoustic telemetry system includes a downhole acoustic telemetry module that generates an acoustic uplink signal such as a pulsed fluid flow or compressional waves in a tubing string wall. An optical waveguide transports an optical signal representing the acoustic uplink signal to the surface interface. A related telemetry method includes acquiring measurements downhole, transmitting the measurements in the form of an acoustic signal, and sensing the acoustic signal via an optical waveguide. | 08-07-2014 |
20150114127 | DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS EMPLOYING UNDER-FILLED MULTI-MODE OPTICAL FIBER - An illustrative distributed acoustic sensing system includes a multi-mode optical fiber cable for distributed sensing and a distributed acoustic sensing interrogator coupled to the multi-mode optical fiber cable via a single mode optical fiber. The interrogator derives distributed acoustic measurements from Rayleigh backscattering light that is initiated with a substantially under-filled launch configuration that is designed to excite only the lowest-order modes of the multi-mode optical fiber. Mode conversion within the multi-mode optical fiber is anticipated to be negligible. For elastic scattering (i.e., Rayleigh scattering), it is further anticipated that the scattered light will be primarily returned in the incident propagation mode, thereby escaping the extraordinarily large coupling loss that would otherwise be expected from coupling a single-mode optical fiber to a multi-mode optical fiber for distributed sensing. Experiments with graded index multi-mode optical fiber have yielded positive results. | 04-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090249916 | STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH SHEARABLE JACKET CONNECTOR - A steering column assembly includes a first jacket defining a first bore and a second jacket defining a second bore aligned with the first bore prior to collapse of the first jacket and the second jacket. A jacket connector extends through the bores to interconnect the first jacket and the second jacket. The jacket connector includes a pre-determined shear resistance, above which the jacket connector is sheared to permit telescopic movement between the first jacket and the second jacket. Accordingly, in response to an axial load greater than the pre-determined shear resistance of the jacket connector being applied to one of the first jacket and the second jacket, the jacket connector shears, permitting the telescopic movement. The jacket connector includes a pin defining a pin bore. The pin bore defines a cross sectional area, with the pre-determined shear resistance depending upon the cross sectional area of the pin bore. | 10-08-2009 |
20130192409 | ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY - An adjustable steering column assembly comprises a column support bracket fixed to a vehicle structure and disposed about a steering column. A position lock selectively prevents or facilitates movement of the steering column relative to the column support bracket in an adjustment plane and defines an adjustment range of the steering column along a non-adjustment direction intersecting the adjustment plane. A lateral stabilizer biases the steering column toward a stabilized position lying within the adjustment range of the steering column along the non-adjustment direction. | 08-01-2013 |
20140260757 | STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED BEARING ASSEMBLY - A steering column bearing assembly is disposed between an upper column jacket and a steering control shaft, supporting the steering control shaft for rotation within the upper column jacket. The steering column bearing assembly comprises an inner race, an outer race, and a plurality of ball bearings disposed between the inner race and the outer race, each ball bearing having a ball bearing diameter. The inner race and the outer race define an annular cavity in which the plurality of ball bearings is disposed. The annular cavity has an interior column opening defined between an outer edge surface of the inner race and an inner edge surface of the outer race. The outer edge diameter is less than a sum of the inner edge diameter and the ball bearing diameter. | 09-18-2014 |
20150232117 | STEERING COLUMN HAVING ANTI-ROTATION FEATURE - A steering column for a vehicle having an anti-rotation feature is provided. The steering column includes a lower jacket and an upper jacket configured for telescopic movement relative to the lower jacket. A telescope drive bracket is coupled to the upper jacket. A telescope actuator is operably coupled to the telescope drive bracket and configured to telescopically move the upper jacket relative to the lower jacket. | 08-20-2015 |
20150251683 | ADJUSTABLE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY HAVING SELF-DE-LASHING POWER-RAKE MECHANISM - A self-de-lashing power-rake mechanism of an adjustable steering column assembly of a vehicle is provided. The power-rake mechanism includes a jacket, rake bracket coupled to the jacket, and rake bolt extending through the jacket and bracket. At least one pivot bushing is disposed between the jacket and bracket and configured to receive and radially constrict around the bolt. A fastener is configured to be positioned onto the bolt, tightened, and seated on the bracket. The bolt is forced through the fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. The bolt is seated on the bracket as the fastener is tightened and draws the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket together as the fastener is being seated on the bracket, thereby de-lashing respective interfaces defined between and among the bolt, fastener, bracket, bushing, and jacket. A steering column assembly including the mechanism is also provided. | 09-10-2015 |
20160046318 | TELESCOPE AND ADAPTIVE ENERGY ABSORPTION SYSTEM - A steering column assembly includes an upper jacket assembly received within a lower jacket assembly, and an energy absorption assembly. The energy absorption assembly includes a first energy absorption strap and a second energy absorption strap. The first energy absorption strap has a first portion defining an opening configured to receive a pin of an actuator and a second portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly. The second energy absorption strap has a third portion coupled to a telescope drive bracket and a fourth portion coupled to the upper jacket assembly. | 02-18-2016 |