Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090015254 | Demagnetizer to Eliminate Residual Magnetization Produced by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Logs - An apparatus and method is disclosed for measuring a parameter of an earth formation surrounding a wellbore. A Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) tool and at least one second tool are conveyed in the wellbore on a wireline, the NMR tool having a magnetic influence on a region of the wellbore. The magnetic influence of the NMR tool is removed from the region of the wellbore using a demagnetizing device. The parameter of the earth formation is measured using the at least one second tool. A second demagnetizing device may be used to remove the magnetic influence of the at least one second tool from the region of the wellbore. | 01-15-2009 |
20090292473 | Real-Time NMR Distribution While Drilling - NMR spin echo signals are acquired downhole. Principal Component Analysis is used to represent the signals by a weighted combination of the principal components and these weights are telemetered to the surface. At the surface, the NMR spin echo signals are recovered and inverted to give formation properties. Real-time displays may be used for determining formation properties and for altering the acquisition parameters | 11-26-2009 |
20100188080 | NMR-LWD IMAGING TOOL - An apparatus for estimating a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) property of an earth formation penetrated by a borehole, the apparatus including: a logging tool having a source of a static magnetic field configured to polarize a region of investigation in the earth formation; a transmitter antenna disposed at the logging tool and configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the region of investigation; at least one receiver sensor disposed at the logging tool and configured to receive NMR signals from the region of investigation in response to an interaction between the static magnetic field and the transmitted electromagnetic energy; and a processor configured to: receive the NMR signals from the at least one receiver sensor; associate the NMR signals received from the at least one receiver sensor with an azimuthal direction at which the NMR signals were received; and estimate the property from the NMR signals and the associated azimuthal directions. | 07-29-2010 |
20100283459 | Method and Apparatus for NMR Measurements in Underbalanced Drilling - NMR spin echo signals are measured in a borehole during underbalanced drilling. A magnetic field gradient in the region of examination is selected to suppress an effect of a formation fluid flow on the produced signals, the fluid flow being caused by the excess of the formation pressure over the borehole fluid pressure. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283460 | Method and Apparatus for NMR Measurements in Small Boreholes - NMR spin echo signals are measured in a small borehole during drilling. Signals measured in a plurality of regions of investigation are combined to increase the signal strength. | 11-11-2010 |
20100283461 | Method and Apparatus for NMR Measurements While Drilling with Multiple Depths of Investigation - NMR spin echo signals are measured in a borehole during drilling. Signals measured in a plurality of regions of investigation with different depths of investigation in the borehole are processed to give a radial profile of formation properties, including a potential gas kick. | 11-11-2010 |
20110139434 | Method and Apparatus for Demagnetizing a Borehole - A demagnetizing sub having an electromagnet or a rotating magnet is used for demagnetizing magnetized material in a wellbore. By gradually reducing the magnetic field, the magnetized material within the borehole is demagnetized. | 06-16-2011 |
20110187372 | Acoustic Excitation With NMR Pulse - NMR measurements are made along with acoustic measurements using one tool. The antenna of the NMR sensor is used to create acoustic signals. Interference between the acoustic and NMR measurements is avoided due to the frequency difference, and by having the acoustic excitation during a wait time of the NMR pulse sequence. | 08-04-2011 |
20120032560 | Apparatus and Method for Downhole Energy Conversion - An apparatus for generating electrical energy in downhole tool is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, such apparatus includes a tubular configured to flow a fluid within the tubular and an energy conversion device at a selected location inside the tubular, wherein the energy conversion device comprises an active material configured to convert received pressure pulses in the fluid into electrical energy. | 02-09-2012 |
20120092016 | Antenna Apparatus and Method for Insulating - In one aspect, a method for insulating an antenna apparatus is provided, the method including coupling a transition piece to a bulkhead, wherein the bulkhead includes a first conductive path electrically coupled to a second conductive path in the transition piece and coupling an antenna cable to the transition piece, wherein the antenna cable includes a third conductive path electrically coupled to the second conductive path. The method further includes disposing an electrically insulating polymer on the bulkhead, transition piece, and antenna cable, wherein the insulating polymer is disposed by extrusion. | 04-19-2012 |
20120205122 | FLOW CONTROL DEVICE AND METHODS FOR USING SAME - An apparatus for controlling flow of a fluid includes a closure member, a biasing member applying a biasing force to the closure member, and a sealing member receiving the closure member. A dampener is operatively connected to the closure member and may resist a force applied to the closure member. A fluid seal may be formed when the biasing member presses the closure member against the sealing member. The apparatus may include a wellbore tubular in which the fluid conduit is formed and the closure member and sealing member may cooperate to control fluid flow along the fluid conduit. The apparatus may include an actuator configured to control the force applied to the closure member. The actuator may adjust the biasing force, and/or the dampening force. Also, a controller may control the actuator and may be responsive to a signal generated at a surface location, a signal generated at a downhole location, and/or a signal generated by a sensor. | 08-16-2012 |
20120227483 | ELECTROMAGNETIC VISCOSITY SENSOR - An apparatus for estimating a property of a downhole fluid includes: a flexural mechanical resonator having at least one magnetic permeable element traversing a pressure-retaining wall with a portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid, the portion of the magnetic permeable element protruding into the fluid being configured to oscillate; and a monitor for receiving a response of the flexural mechanical resonator to estimate the property. | 09-13-2012 |
20120235677 | CORRECTION FOR GAIN VARIATION DUE TO FAST CHANGING NMR SENSOR GAIN - An apparatus for performing nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements of a material of interest includes an NMR tool and a processor. The NMR tool includes a transmitter antenna; a transmitter coupled to the transmitter antenna; and a receiver antenna configured to receive NMR signals in response to transmitted pulses of electromagnetic energy transmitted by the transmitter antenna. The NMR signals include at least a first signal and a second signal of a phase-alternated group of signals. The processor is configured to receive the NMR signals; receive a first system gain related to the first signal and a second system gain related to the second signal, each system gain being related to a system comprising the NMR tool and the material of interest; and calibrate the NMR signals using the first system gain and the second system gain. | 09-20-2012 |
20120285178 | Desorption of a Desiccant By Radio Waves or Microwaves For a Downhole Sorption Cooler - A method, apparatus and system for cooling a component of a downhole tool is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first desiccant configured to adsorb a refrigerant gas. A transmitter is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the first desiccant to enable desorption of the refrigerant gas from the first desiccant. A condenser condenses the desorbed refrigerant gas into a liquid phase. The condensed refrigerant evaporates from a liquid phase to a gaseous phase to cool the component. A second desiccant can be used, wherein the processor is configured to operate the cooling system in a first mode of operation in which the first desiccant is in thermal communication with the component and the second desiccant is thermally isolated from the component and a second mode of operation in which the second desiccant is in thermal communication with the component and the first desiccant is thermally isolated from the component. | 11-15-2012 |
20120291454 | Thermoelectric Devices Using Sintered Bonding - A device for conducting heat from a source to a sink is provided that, in one embodiment, includes a thermoelectric element coupled to a substrate via sintered material that includes nano and/or micro particles. In one aspect, the sintered material includes silver particles and in another aspect the sintered material also includes an additive to control the coefficient of thermal expansion of the sintered material. | 11-22-2012 |
20120292009 | Method and Apparatus for Joining Members for Downhole and High Temperature Applications - A method of attaching members is provided. In one aspect, the method includes placing a bonding material comprising at least one of silver micro particles)and silver nano particles on a surface of a first member; placing the first member with the surface of the first member having the bonding material thereon on a surface of a second member; heating the bonding material to a selected temperature while applying a selected pressure on at least one of the first member and second member for a selected time period to sinter the bonding material to attach the first member to the second member. | 11-22-2012 |
20130181706 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO ESTIMATE A PROPERTY OF A FLUID FLOW - An apparatus and method estimate a property of a fluid flow. The apparatus includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool performing an NMR measurement on the fluid in a sensitive volume. The apparatus also includes a processor receiving the NMR measurement from the NMR tool, determining a frequency or phase change of the spin echo signals from the NMR measurement, and estimating the property using the frequency or phase change. | 07-18-2013 |
20130181707 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT A FLUID FLOW - An apparatus detects a fluid flow. The apparatus includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool configured to perform an NMR measurement on the fluid in a sensitive volume by establishing a magnetic field in the sensitive volume and transmitting a sequence of refocus pulses, without a tipping pulse, the NMR measurement comprising spin echo signals. The apparatus also includes a processor configured to detect a presence of the fluid flow in the sensitive volume based on the spin echo signals. | 07-18-2013 |
20140116071 | Apparatus and Methods for Cooling Downhole Devices - An apparatus for cooling a downhole device is provided that in one embodiment includes a refrigerant having a saturation vapor pressure and stored in a chamber, an outlet configured to allow the refrigerant to discharge from the chamber and vaporize to cool the downhole device, and a force application device configured to apply pressure on the refrigerant in the chamber to maintain the refrigerant in the chamber at or above the saturation vapor pressure of the refrigerant. In another aspect, a method of cooling a device is provided that in one embodiment includes providing a chamber containing a refrigerant therein, the refrigerant having a saturation vapor pressure, discharging the refrigerant from the chamber to cause the refrigerant to evaporate to cause a cooling effect proximate the device to be cooled, and maintaining the refrigerant at or above the saturation vapor pressure of the refrigerant. | 05-01-2014 |
20140208790 | COMPACT DESSICANT AND ZEOLITE BODIES FOR USE IN A DOWNHOLE SORPTION COOLING SYSTEM - A sorption cooling apparatus for cooling a region in a downhole tool deployed on a wellbore conveyance device includes a container having an interior chamber in which a first region is formed, a liquid refrigerant residing in the interior chamber, a chamber located in a second region of the downhole tool, a compact desiccant body in the chamber, and a refrigerant passage between a first region containing the liquid refrigerant and the second region containing the compact desiccant body. The vapor generated during evaporation of the liquid refrigerant passes through the vapor passage to the compact desiccant in the second region. | 07-31-2014 |
20140279772 | NEURONAL NETWORKS FOR CONTROLLING DOWNHOLE PROCESSES - An apparatus for processing signals downhole includes a carrier configured to be conveyed through a borehole penetrating an earth formation and a container disposed at the carrier and configured to carry biological material. A cultured biological neural network is disposed at the container, the neural network being capable of processing a network input signal and providing a processed network output signal. One or more electrodes are in electrical communication with the neural network, the one or more electrodes being configured to communicate the network input signal into the neural network and to communicate the network output signal out of the neural network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140290351 | Magnetic Debris and Particle Detector - A system, method and apparatus for determining wear on a component of a tool is disclosed. An oscillating member receives a particle freed from the component as a result of the wear on the component. A measuring device measures a change in a parameter of the oscillating member resulting from receiving the particle. A processor determines the wear on the component from the change in the parameter. In one embodiment, the component may include a component of a downhole tool. | 10-02-2014 |
20140300889 | Apparatus and Method for Determining a Fluid Property Downhole Using a Bulk Reading Refractometer - In one aspect, an apparatus for determining a property of a fluid is disclosed that in one embodiment may include a transparent member having an axis and a first end substantially perpendicular to the axis and a second end having an outer surface at a first angle to the axis, a light source directing light at the first end, a detector placed spaced from the second end, the space between the second end and the detector containing a fluid, wherein the detector detects light exiting from the outer surface at a second angle to the axis and passing through the fluid, and a controller for determining the second angle from the light detected by the detector. A processor determines the bulk fluid refractive index from the light detected by the detector and a property of the fluid therefrom. | 10-09-2014 |
20140367120 | DOWNHOLE FUEL CELL WITH STEAM ADSORPTION AND PRESSURE COMPENSATION - A fuel cell for use in downhole applications stores steam created by the chemical reaction in a desiccant like Zeolite. The fuel cell also uses ambient hydrostatic pressure to increase cell voltage and power-density. | 12-18-2014 |
20140374088 | HYBRID BATTERY FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE APPLICATIONS - An apparatus for supplying power at the surface and in a wellbore may include a downhole tool conveyed into the wellbore and a battery bank conveyed by the downhole tool. The battery bank may include a plurality of battery cells, wherein at least two cells of the plurality of battery cells have substantially different power responses to a change in an ambient temperature at the downhole tool. | 12-25-2014 |
20150021034 | SWITCHABLE MAGNETIC PARTICLE FILTER - Systems, devices and methods for strands of conductor oriented in a first direction; and strands of soft magnetic material oriented in a second direction that is different from the first direction evaluating a downhole fluid from a borehole intersecting an earth formation. The method may include filtering magnetic particles in the downhole fluid by activating a switchable magnetic filter when the downhole fluid enters a sample chamber in the borehole. The downhole fluid may include formation fluid. The filter may include a wire mesh comprising strands of conductor oriented in a first direction; and strands of soft magnetic material oriented in a second direction. The method may also include cleaning the switchable magnetic filter by deactivating the switchable magnetic filter. Cleaning the switchable magnetic filter may include removing filtered particles using a fluid. The fluid may be at least one of: i) the downhole fluid; and ii) engineered fluid. The method may further include estimating a parameter of interest of the downhole fluid in the sample chamber. | 01-22-2015 |
20150077103 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT A FLUID FLOW WITHOUT A TIPPING PULSE - An apparatus and method to detect a fluid flow. The apparatus includes a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) tool to perform an NMR measurement on the fluid in a sensitive volume by establishing a magnetic field in the sensitive volume that exhibits a change in magnitude in a direction of the fluid flow when the fluid flow is radial with respect to the NMR tool and by transmitting refocus pulses, without any tipping pulse, to obtain the NMR measurement comprising spin echo signals. The system also includes a processor to receive the NMR measurement from the NMR tool and determine whether the fluid flow exists based on an amplitude of the NMR measurement. | 03-19-2015 |
20150083418 | Well Stimulation Methods and Proppant - A well stimulation method includes using a well formation containing fractures and placing proppant in the fractures. A plurality of individual particles of the proppant includes a core containing a swellable material. The method includes swelling the core and increasing a size of the fractures using the swelling core. A proppant particle includes a core containing a swellable material and a dissolvable layer encapsulating the core. | 03-26-2015 |