Patents by Inventor David A. Palandro

David A. Palandro has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9875421
    Abstract: Methods and systems described herein are useful for determining a thickness of a substance on a surface of a body of water, in particular through the use of a thickness detection apparatus that includes a body and at least one camera. The body has a plurality of sides with at least a portion of one of the sides comprising a light transmitting material. At least one camera is disposed within the body and configured to generate at least one image through the light transmitting material of the substances extending a depth below an air-substance interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: David A. Palandro, Timothy J. Nedwed, Timothy A. Thornton
  • Patent number: 9834460
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The method and system for managing a hydrocarbon release includes one or more vessels configured to collect mineral fines, to transfer the mineral fines to a hydrocarbon, and inject the mineral fines into the hydrocarbons at or near the hydrocarbon release location. The method may include subsea dredging or sediment collection in the vicinity of the mineral fines injection. This approach may be utilized to provide a continuous supply of material without interruption to injection operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro, Amy C. Tidwell
  • Patent number: 9810522
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes an airborne detection device equipped with measurement components and communication components. The system may utilize various measurement techniques to determine the thickness of the oil slick. This remote detection method may provide a dedicated airborne detection device for each response vessel and that can identify the location and thickness of the oil slick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro
  • Patent number: 9719978
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting oil proximate to a body of ice is disclosed herein. An example system includes an energy emitter disposed proximate to a first surface of a body of ice. An energy detector is disposed proximate to a second surface of the body of ice. The energy detector is used to map a distribution of oil proximate to the body of ice based, at least in part, on differences in energy transmitted through the body of ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, Changyong Zhang, David A. Palandro
  • Publication number: 20170082593
    Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting oil proximate to a body of ice is disclosed herein. An example system includes an energy emitter disposed proximate to a first surface of a body of ice. An energy detector is disposed proximate to a second surface of the body of ice. The energy detector is used to map a distribution of oil proximate to the body of ice based, at least in part, on differences in energy transmitted through the body of ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, Changyong Zhang, David A. Palandro
  • Patent number: 9320931
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes remote controlled devices equipped with herder delivery components. The system may utilize herders to perform in-situ burning of the oil slick. This method may provide dedicated remote control device for each response vessel to further enhance the response to oil slicks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: ExxoMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro, Amy C. Tidwell
  • Publication number: 20150253126
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining a thickness of a substance on a surface of a body of water are described. The methods and systems utilize a thickness detection apparatus that includes a body and at least one camera. The body has a plurality of sides with at least a portion of one of the sides comprising a light transmitting material. At least one camera is disposed within the body and configured to generate at least one image through the light transmitting material of the substances extending a depth below an air-substance interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: David A. Palandro, Timothy J. Nedwed, Timothy A. Thornton
  • Publication number: 20150175452
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The method and system for managing a hydrocarbon release includes one or more vessels configured to collect mineral fines, to transfer the mineral fines to a hydrocarbon, and inject the mineral fines into the hydrocarbons at or near the hydrocarbon release location. The method may include subsea dredging or sediment collection in the vicinity of the mineral fines injection. This approach may be utilized to provide a continuous supply of material without interruption to injection operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro, Amy C. Tidwell
  • Publication number: 20150047420
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes an airborne detection device equipped with measurement components and communication components. The system may utilize various measurement techniques to determine the thickness of the oil slick. This remote detection method may provide a dedicated airborne detection device for each response vessel and that can identify the location and thickness of the oil slick.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro
  • Publication number: 20140357929
    Abstract: Method and system is described to enhance operations for managing the hydrocarbon release. The system utilizes remote controlled devices equipped with herder delivery components. The system may utilize herders to perform in-situ burning of the oil slick. This method may provide dedicated remote control device for each response vessel to further enhance the response to oil slicks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventors: Timothy J. Nedwed, David A. Palandro, Amy C. Tidwell