Patents by Inventor Deirdre Alphenaar
Deirdre Alphenaar 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).
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Publication number: 20160019482Abstract: A method for monitoring a production facility for a renewable fuel comprises the steps of: identifying certain operating parameters for the production facility; establishing a transform which models the production facility or a functional subsection thereof as a function of at least one operating condition, wherein the transform is based, in part, on the certain operating parameters; monitoring the at least one operating condition of the production facility by collecting data from a sensor; applying the transform to the data collected from the sensor to determine a status of the production facility; and communicating the status of the production facility to an interested party. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether the production rate over an defined time period is consistent with the registration of Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs) for the defined time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2015Publication date: January 21, 2016Inventors: George J. Venhoff, Creed Taylor Morgan Gann, Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar
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Patent number: 8842874Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity stored in a tank comprises the steps of: receiving, at a central processing facility, volume capacity information associated with the tank and storing the volume capacity information in a database; receiving, at the central processing facility, one or more images of the tank; analyzing the one or more images of the tank to determine a liquid level for the tank; calculating the amount of the liquid energy commodity in the tank based on the determined liquid level and the volume capacity information retrieved from the database; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in the tank to a third-party market participant.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2011Date of Patent: September 23, 2014Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Deirdre Alphenaar, Walter F. Jones
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Publication number: 20140200936Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Deirdre Alphenaar, Walter F. Jones, Abudi Zein
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Patent number: 8717434Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 2012Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Deirdre Alphenaar, Walter F. Jones, Abudi Zein
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Patent number: 8676520Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
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Publication number: 20130261997Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
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Patent number: 8473227Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2012Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
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Publication number: 20120226450Abstract: A method for determining an amount of a liquid energy commodity in storage in an underground cavern generally comprises the steps of: establishing a volume function for a brine pond associated with the underground cavern; acquiring an image of the brine pond; transmitting the acquired image to a central processing facility; analyzing the acquired image to calculate a depth of the brine in the brine pond; estimating the volume of the brine in the brine pond based on the calculated depth and using the volume function; determining the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage in the underground cavern associated with the brine pond based on the estimated volume of the brine in the brine pond; and communicating information about the amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage to a third-party market participant.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: September 6, 2012Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Susan Olson, Deirdre Alphenaar, Abudi Zein, Jason Fuchs
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Publication number: 20120206595Abstract: A method for collecting and analyzing operational information from a network of components associated with a liquid energy commodity comprises the steps of: (a) measuring an amount of the liquid energy commodity in storage at one or more storage facilities in the network, and storing that measurement data; (b) determining a flow rate of the liquid energy commodity in one or more selected pipelines in the network, and storing that flow rate data; (c) ascertaining an operational status of one or more processing facilities in the network, and storing that operational status information; (d) analyzing the measurement data, the flow rate data, and the operational status information to determine a balance of the liquid energy commodity in the network or a selected portion thereof at a given time; and (e) communicating information about the balance of the liquid energy commodity to a third-party market participant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2012Publication date: August 16, 2012Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Deirdre Alphenaar, Walter F. Jones, Abudi Zein
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Patent number: 7571028Abstract: A method and system allows for substantially real-time monitoring of the operational dynamics of power plants and other components comprising an AC power grid, by using information collected from a network of power grid frequency detection and reporting devices. The invention allows for the substantially real-time detection and reporting of certain power grid events such as power plant trips.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2005Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar
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Patent number: 7398168Abstract: A conductor configuration and a power flow of an electric power transmission line set is determined at a location along the line set, and positions in a substantially planar area that is transverse to the line set are determined where a predetermined change in the power flow results in a maximum change in the magnetic field at the positions. A system for monitoring power flow includes a plurality of magnetic field monitors placed at the selected positions, and a central processing facility for communicating the power flow to an end user. A method for monitoring power flow includes selecting positions for placement of a plurality of magnetic field monitors, placing the monitors, determining a power flow, and communicating the power flow to an end user.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: July 8, 2008Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar, Stephen Deese
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Patent number: 7376522Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of a method and system for determining the direction of fluid flow, one or more sound transducers are positioned in proximity to a conduit, each such sound transducer generating a signal representative of a selected characteristic of acoustic waves emanating from the conduit. Such signals are collected and analyzed to determine a threshold value for the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) indicative of a change in the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. Based on whether subsequent measurements of the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) are above or below the threshold value, the direction of fluid flow can be predicted and/or a change in the operational state of a component associated with the conduit can be identified.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar, Susan Olson
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Publication number: 20070294041Abstract: In an exemplary implementation of a method and system for determining the direction of fluid flow, one or more sound transducers are positioned in proximity to a conduit, each such sound transducer generating a signal representative of a selected characteristic of acoustic waves emanating from the conduit. Such signals are collected and analyzed to determine a threshold value for the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) indicative of a change in the direction of fluid flow through the conduit. Based on whether subsequent measurements of the selected characteristic (e.g., frequency) are above or below the threshold value, the direction of fluid flow can be predicted and/or a change in the operational state of a component associated with the conduit can be identified.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2006Publication date: December 20, 2007Applicant: GENSCAPE INTANGIBLE HOLDING, INC.Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar, Susan Olson
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Patent number: 7274996Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fluid flow, such as fluid flow through pipelines or similar conduits for delivering natural gas, crude oil, and other similar liquid or gas energy commodities, relies on the measurement of acoustic waves generated by the fluid, thus allowing for monitoring of the flow rate without direct access to the fluid. Furthermore, the method and system allows for estimation of the operational dynamics of components or facilities of the production, transportation, storage, and distribution systems for the energy commodities.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: Genscape Intangible Holding, Inc.Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, John Carroll Hill, Deirdre Alphenaar
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Publication number: 20070052493Abstract: A conductor configuration and a power flow of an electric power transmission line set is determined at a location along the line set, and positions in a substantially planar area that is transverse to the line set are determined where a predetermined change in the power flow results in a maximum change in the magnetic field at the positions. A system for monitoring power flow includes a plurality of magnetic field monitors placed at the selected positions, and a central processing facility for communicating the power flow to an end user. A method for monitoring power flow includes selecting positions for placement of a plurality of magnetic field monitors, placing the monitors, determining a power flow, and communicating the power flow to an end user.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2005Publication date: March 8, 2007Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar, Stephen Deese
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Publication number: 20060235574Abstract: A method and system allows for substantially real-time monitoring of the operational dynamics of power plants and other components comprising an AC power grid, by using information collected from a network of power grid frequency detection and reporting devices. The invention allows for the substantially real-time detection and reporting of certain power grid events such as power plant trips.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2005Publication date: October 19, 2006Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, Deirdre Alphenaar
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Publication number: 20050086012Abstract: A method and system for monitoring fluid flow, such as fluid flow through pipelines or similar conduits for delivering natural gas, crude oil, and other similar liquid or gas energy commodities, relies on the measurement of acoustic waves generated by the fluid, thus allowing for monitoring of the flow rate without direct access to the fluid. Furthermore, the method and system allows for estimation of the operational dynamics of components or facilities of the production, transportation, storage, and distribution systems for the energy commodities.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2004Publication date: April 21, 2005Inventors: Sterling Lapinski, John Hill, Deirdre Alphenaar