Norman N Macleod

US Patent:

46302433, Dec 16, 1986

Filed:

Mar 21, 1983

Appl. No.:

6/477262

Inventors:

Norman C. MacLeod - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

MacLeod Laboratories, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G01V 140
G01V 318

US Classification:

367 82

Abstract:

Measurement while drilling apparatus for detecting and communicating information relative to downhole parameters and/or characteristics of the earth strata via an electrically conductive drill string composed of a plurality of lengths of metallic pipe connected end-to-end in series and through which a drilling fluid is caused to flow and then return to the surface through the well cavity formed between the exterior wall of the drill string and the interior wall of the well comprising a DC voltage supply for establishing a unidirectional biasing current passing through the electrically conductive drill string, drill bit and surrounding earth strata, a colloidal suspension of ferro-magnetic particles coated with a non-conductive coating forming a part of the drilling fluid and carried by the drilling fluid through the well cavity wherein the ferromagnetic particles are caused by the magnetic field to migrate toward the outer surface of the drill string and to form an insulative coating thereon, a downhole module for detecting downhole parameters and/or characteristics of the surrounding earth strata and for developing a communication current flow commensurate therewith in the conductive drill string, and a communication electronics coupled to the drill string at a point remote from the module for receiving the communicative current flow.

US Patent:

45786755, Mar 25, 1986

Filed:

Sep 30, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/429823

Inventors:

Norman C. MacLeod - San Jose CA

Assignee:

MacLeod Laboratories, Inc. - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G01V 100
G01V 310
E21B 2902

US Classification:

340855

Abstract:

An information while drilling apparatus and method for characterizing strata in the vicinity of a drill bit at the lower end of a drill string, including a down-hole module unit and surface receiving and control units. Excitation currents are caused to pass through the drill string, drill bit and surrounding strata and the current flowing through the drill bit is sensed by a first toroidal transformer that encircles the drill string immediately above the drill bit. The sensed current, which characterizes the strata adjacent to and below the drill bit, is detected to form logging signals. A second toroidal transformer couples the logging signals to the electrically conductive drill string for transmission to the surface receiving unit. The frequency of the excitation current is adjustable to permit characterization of the strata at various distances from the drill bit. The frequency of the transmitting signal is also adjustable to compensate for varying degrees of signal attenuation along the transmission path.

US Patent:

42075688, Jun 10, 1980

Filed:

Jun 26, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/919248

Inventors:

Norman C. MacLeod - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Technology Development Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04B 1302

US Classification:

340852

Abstract:

An improved method and apparatus for underwater communication, the apparatus comprising two dipoles disposed in a common body of water, both dipoles including a pair of separated electrodes, a transmitter connected to one dipole, a receiver connected to the other dipole and a nonconducting hose or tube extending between one of the electrodes of a first dipole and one of the electrodes of the second dipole.

US Patent:

48213268, Apr 11, 1989

Filed:

Nov 16, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/121659

Inventors:

Norman MacLeod - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Macrowave Technology Corporation - San Jose CA

International Classification:

G10L 702

US Classification:

381 51

Abstract:

A non-audible speech generation apparatus and method for producing non-audible speech signals which includes an ultrasonic transducer or vibrator for projecting a series of glottal shaped ultrasonic pulses to the vocal track of a speaker. The glottal pulses, in the approximate frequency spectrum extending from fifteen kilohertz to one hundred five kilohertz, contain harmonics of approximately 30 times the frequency of the acoustical harmonics generated by the vocal cords, but which may nevertheless be amplitude modulated to produce non-audible speech by the speaker's silently mouthing of words. The ultrasonic speech is then received by an ultrasonic detector disposed outside of the speaker's mouth and electrically communicated to a translation device which down converts the ultrasonic signals to corresponding signals in the audible frequency range and synthesizes the signals into artificial speech.

US Patent:

41236220, Oct 31, 1978

Filed:

Apr 14, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/787342

Inventors:

Norman C. MacLeod - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

Technology Development Corporation - Sunnyvale CA

International Classification:

H04R 102

US Classification:

179 1UW

Abstract:

A moisture protective housing for a sound transducer located inside the face mask of a diver which face mask is vented to a breathing apparatus, such as a scuba tank with regulator, to maintain the air breathed by the diver at substantially the same pressure as the water surrounding the diver. The housing includes a deformable portion having pin prick perforations or pores therethrough to make that portion porous when formed. The number of perforations or pores, as well as their size, are selected such that the porous portion becomes permeable to air and/or water only if the pressure differential across it exceeds a preselected value.

US Patent:

47393254, Apr 19, 1988

Filed:

Mar 6, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/838639

Inventors:

Norman C. MacLeod - Sunnyvale CA

Assignee:

MacLeod Laboratories, Inc. - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

G01V 100
G01V 310

US Classification:

340854

Abstract:

An MWD EM data/control telemetry link between down-hole instruments and ground surface instruments dynamically adapts to the underground electrical environment utilizing a down-hole microprocessor unit and a surface data processing unit (computer) each of which continuously monitors, probes and sweeps the frequency spectrum with EM signals to determine an optimum frequency for signal transmission between the respective units via either the drill string, the surrounding strata, or both, and then generates and digitally modulates a carrier signal at such optimum frequency with data/control signals. A particular feature of the communication system is a combination of a sensing toroid and insulated gaps interrupting electrical continuity so as to force all currents propagating in the strata and pipe string to flow through the axial opening of the sensing toroid via a conduction path dictated by considerations of electrical design rather than by mechanical constraints, thus enabling the effective electrical length of the drill string below the down-hole module to be optimized.