Patents by Inventor David R. Zornes

David R. Zornes 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: 11814578
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11634626
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Patent number: 11390795
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Publication number: 20210388255
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ying-Ying LIN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY, David R. ZORNES
  • Patent number: 11186765
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Publication number: 20210261854
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, James P. JOHNSON, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Publication number: 20190256764
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, James P. JOHNSON, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Patent number: 10323174
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g., in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Faye L. Scully, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20190071598
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Ying-Ying LIN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY, David R. ZORNES
  • Patent number: 10093848
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Publication number: 20180066177
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g., in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. Zornes, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. Hedges, Min CHENG, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 9850425
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, James H. Hedges, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 9267075
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers and methods for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having anionic sites and labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid and a cationic crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the particle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and exposure of the anionic sites so as to form a gel. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into target zone and when the heat and/or suitable pH of the target zone cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and the particle expands, the cationic crosslinker crosslinks the polymer to form a gel, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, James H. Hedges, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Huili Guan, Jenn-Tai Liang, Cory Berkland, James P. Johnson, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully
  • Patent number: 9139762
    Abstract: The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, The University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, James H. Hedges, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Huili Guan, Jenn-Tai Liang, Cory Berkland, James P. Johnson, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully
  • Patent number: 9139760
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Everett L. Johnston, Faye L. Scully
  • Publication number: 20140209305
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicants: University of Kansas, ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ying-Ying LIN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY, David R. ZORNES
  • Publication number: 20140162912
    Abstract: The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicants: University of Kansas, ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, James H. HEDGES, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, Huili GUAN, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Cory BERKLAND, James P. JOHNSON, Min CHENG, Faye Lynn SCULLY
  • Publication number: 20140131043
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers and methods for making same. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having anionic sites and labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid and a cationic crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the particle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and exposure of the anionic sites so as to form a gel. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into target zone and when the heat and/or suitable pH of the target zone cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and the particle expands, the cationic crosslinker crosslinks the polymer to form a gel, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicants: University of Kansas, ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, James H. HEDGES, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, Huili GUAN, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Cory BERKLAND, James P. JOHNSON, Min CHENG, Faye Lynn SCULLY
  • Publication number: 20140102707
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. Hedges, Everett L. JOHNSTON, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 8691736
    Abstract: The invention is directed to long lasting crosslinked water-soluble swellable polymers, methods for making same, and their uses. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric particles having cationic sites as well as labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said particle mixed with a fluid. A particularly important use is as an injection fluid in petroleum production, where the expandable polymeric particles are injected into a target zones in the reservoirs and when the heat and/or a suitable pH in the reservoir cause degradation of the labile crosslinker and when the particle expands, the cationic sites in the polymer adsorb to negative sites of the rock in the formation, thus diverting water to lower permeability regions and improving oil recovery. However, many other uses are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, James H. Hedges, David R. Zornes, Riley B. Needham, Huili Guan, Jenn-Tai Liang, Cory Berkland, James P. Johnson, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully