Richard Louis Lopushansky

US Patent:

7355684, Apr 8, 2008

Filed:

Apr 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/106750

Inventors:

Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US
Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Davidson Instruments, Inc. - The Woodlands TX

International Classification:

G01L 1/24

US Classification:

356 355, 356480

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for quantitatively measuring the distance of an unknown variable gap is disclosed. Light is provided to two Fabry-Perot interferometers arranged in a series, one spanning the unknown gap and the other spanning a controllably variable gap. Means for verifying the positioning of the Fabry-Perot interferometer having the controllably variable gap work in conjunction with a signal processor, a correlation burst signal detector and means for conveying the light to the various system elements to perform a comparison of detector signals from the two interferometers and quantitatively establish the gap distance. The invention may also be varied to function on a time basis, include more than one source of light, possess filter means to distinguish between light sources and/or include one or more reference interferometers.

US Patent:

7434472, Oct 14, 2008

Filed:

Feb 22, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/709669

Inventors:

Travis W. Leitko - The Woodlands TX, US
Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US

International Classification:

G01L 13/02

US Classification:

73716, 73706, 73715, 73753, 3612834

Abstract:

The present invention pertains to differential pressure transducers. In an embodiment of the invention, a differential pressure transducer includes a transducer housing, a diaphragm, a bellows, and a sensing assembly. The transducer housing, diaphragm, and bellows are coupled to form a pressure chamber. The pressure chamber is separated into two portions by the diaphragm, with each portion arranged to be filled with a process fluid. A pressure differential across the diaphragm causes displacement of the diaphragm. Such displacement is measured by the sensing assembly and used to calculate the pressure differential between the two process fluids.

US Patent:

7443510, Oct 28, 2008

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314952

Inventors:

Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US

Assignee:

Davidson Instruments Inc. - The Woodlands TX

International Classification:

G01B 9/02

US Classification:

356480, 356519

Abstract:

A method for monitoring changes in a gap which corresponds to changes in a particular environmental parameter using a tunable laser and interferometer at high frequency is disclosed. The laser light provided to the interferometer is swept through a small range of wavelengths. Light modulated by the interferometer is detected and a non-sinusoidal light intensity output curve is created, a reference point on the curve identified and subsequent sweep of the laser performed. The difference in time, wavelength, or frequency at the occurrence of the reference point between the two sweeps allows for measuring the relative changes in the gap and, as a result, the change in the environmental parameter.

US Patent:

7492463, Feb 17, 2009

Filed:

Apr 14, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/105651

Inventors:

Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US

Assignee:

Davidson Instruments Inc. - The Woodlands TX

International Classification:

G01B 9/02
G01B 11/26

US Classification:

356480, 356506

Abstract:

A pressure measurement system and method are described. The system uses a tunable laser and a Fabry-Perot sensor with integrated transducer. A detector senses the light modulated by the Fabry-Perot sensor. A signal conditioner, which can be located up to 15 km away, then uses the detector signal to determine the displacement of the diaphragm, which is indicative of pressure exerted against the diaphragm. Use of a temperature sensor to generate a signal, fed to the signal conditioner, to compensate for temperature is also contemplated.

US Patent:

7502531, Mar 10, 2009

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314729

Inventors:

Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G02B 6/00
G01J 1/04
G01J 5/08

US Classification:

385 12, 385 15, 385 27, 385 39, 25022711, 25022714, 25022718

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more environmental parameters using interferometric sensor(s), a cross-correlator, a two-dimensional photosensitive array and optical focusing means are described. The method and apparatus allows for near simultaneous monitoring of the parameter(s) of interest.

US Patent:

7782465, Aug 24, 2010

Filed:

Feb 4, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/365700

Inventors:

William N. Gibler - The Woodlands TX, US
Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
Frederick J. Gillham - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK

International Classification:

G01B 9/02
G01L 1/24

US Classification:

356480, 356519, 356 355

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting seismic vibrations using a series of MEMS units, with each MEMS unit including an interferometer is described. The interferometers on the MEMS units receive and modulate light from two differing wavelengths by way of a multiplexing scheme involving the use of Bragg gratings and light circulators, and an optoelectronic processor receives and processes the modulated light to discern vibrational movement of the system, which in turn allows for monitoring and calculation of a specified environmental parameter, such as seismic activity, temperature or pressure.

US Patent:

7787128, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Jan 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/011057

Inventors:

Richard Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK

International Classification:

G01B 9/02

US Classification:

356480

Abstract:

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with measuring environmental parameters are described herein. In one embodiment, a transducer comprises a tube, an elongated member, a first reflective surface, a second reflective surface, and an optical fiber. The tube has a first end and a second end, and the elongated member also has a first end and a second end, with the first end of the elongated member secured to the tube. The second reflective surface is secured to the second end of said elongated member, and the first reflective surface is spaced apart from the second reflective surface and secured to the second end of the tube. The optical fiber is positioned to direct light towards the first and second reflective surfaces and to collect the reflected light from these two surfaces.

US Patent:

7835598, Nov 16, 2010

Filed:

Dec 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/314729

Inventors:

Richard L. Lopushansky - The Woodlands TX, US
Larry A. Jeffers - Minerva OH, US
John W. Berthold - Salem OH, US

Assignee:

Halliburton Energy Services, Inc. - Duncan OK

International Classification:

G02B 6/00
G01J 1/04
G01J 5/08

US Classification:

385 12, 385 15, 385 27, 385 39, 25022711, 25022714, 25022718

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for monitoring one or more environmental parameters using interferometric sensor(s), a cross-correlator, a two-dimensional photosensitive array and optical focusing means are described. The method and apparatus allows for near simultaneous monitoring of the parameter(s) of interest.