Patents by Inventor Jimmy Bryan Randolph
Jimmy Bryan Randolph 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: 20230399915Abstract: A pitless adapter includes a casing having first, second and third ports, and a spool having a top plate, a bottom plate having first, second and third ports, a first middle plate between the top and bottom plates and a second middle plate between the first middle plate and the bottom plate. The casing, the top plate and the first middle plate define a first chamber that is open to the first port of the casing and the first port of the spool. The casing, the first middle plate and the second middle plate define a second chamber that is open to the second port of the casing and the second port of the spool. The casing, the second middle plate and the bottom plate define a third chamber that is open to the third port of the casing and the third port of the spool.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2021Publication date: December 14, 2023Inventors: Jimmy Bryan Randolph, David Philip Henrich, Ryan Matthew Martin-Wagar
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Publication number: 20230313650Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing reservoir at a first temperature; a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir; a working-fluid supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature heats the working fluid to a third temperature and at least a portion of the working fluid at the third temperature is produced as a production fluid; and an energy recovery system that converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity or heat, wherein the energy recovery system includes a waste heat recovery apparatus that recovers waste heat and uses it to heat the production fluid to a fourth temperature that is higher than the third temperature, wherein the waste heat is recovered from equipment of or a process stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Publication number: 20230314047Abstract: A groundwater heat exchanger includes a distributor, a collector, a plurality of heat exchange pipes, and a housing. The distributor includes a first interior chamber and a first port. The collector includes a second interior chamber and a second port. Each heat exchange pipe includes a first end attached to the distributor and a second end attached to the collector, and defines a fluid passageway between the first and second interior chambers. The housing surrounds the heat exchange pipes and defines a groundwater passageway along the heat exchange pipes that is configured to receive a groundwater flow. In one example, a loop fluid flow received at the first port flows into the first interior chamber, then flows from the first interior chamber to the second interior chamber through the plurality of heat exchange pipes, and flows from the second interior chamber out the second port.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2021Publication date: October 5, 2023Inventors: Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Ryan Matthew Martin-Wagar
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Patent number: 11598186Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing reservoir at a first temperature; a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir; a working-fluid supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature heats the working fluid to a third temperature and at least a portion of the working fluid at the third temperature is produced as a production fluid; and an energy recovery system that converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity or heat, wherein the energy recovery system includes a waste heat recovery apparatus that recovers waste heat and uses it to heat the production fluid to a fourth temperature that is higher than the third temperature, wherein the waste heat is recovered from equipment of or a process stream.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2020Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: TERRACOH INC.Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Publication number: 20220018577Abstract: A geothermal heat pump system includes a main heat exchanger, a borehole that penetrates an aquifer, and a ground loop. The main heat exchanger is configured to exchange heat between a ground loop flow and a heat distribution system. The ground loop includes a first and second groundwater heat exchangers, an input pipe and an output pipe. The groundwater heat exchangers are respectively contained in first and second zones within the borehole and are exposed to a groundwater flow within the aquifer. The input pipe is configured to deliver the ground loop flow from the main heat exchanger to the groundwater heat exchangers. The output pipe is configured to deliver the ground loop flow from the groundwater heat exchangers to the main heat exchanger. Heat exchange occurs between the ground loop flow within the groundwater heat exchangers and the groundwater flow.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2019Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Scott Alexander, Martin Saar
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Publication number: 20210025265Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing reservoir at a first temperature; a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir; a working-fluid supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature heats the working fluid to a third temperature and at least a portion of the working fluid at the third temperature is produced as a production fluid; and an energy recovery system that converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity or heat, wherein the energy recovery system includes a waste heat recovery apparatus that recovers waste heat and uses it to heat the production fluid to a fourth temperature that is higher than the third temperature, wherein the waste heat is recovered from equipment of or a process stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Publication number: 20180106138Abstract: A system comprises an injection well in communication with an underground reservoir that is at a first temperature and that contains a native fluid, a production well in communication with the reservoir, and a supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the working fluid to the first temperatures heats the working fluid to a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. At least a portion of the working fluid at the third temperature enters the production well and is produced from the reservoir as a production fluid. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the production well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or a combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2017Publication date: April 19, 2018Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Patent number: 9869167Abstract: A system comprises an injection well in communication with an underground reservoir containing a native methane-containing solution at a first temperature, a production well in communication with the reservoir, a supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the native fluid causes a portion of methane to come out of solution to form a production fluid of at least a portion of the working fluid and the portion of methane, and exposure to the first temperatures heats the production fluid to a third temperature higher than the second temperature, wherein the heated production fluid enters the production well, and an energy recovery apparatus in communication with the productions well for converting energy in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or a combination thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: January 16, 2018Assignee: TerraCOH Inc.Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Patent number: 8991510Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing a reservoir containing a native fluid comprising a hydrocarbon. The reservoir is located below one or more caprocks, is at a first temperature, and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The system further includes a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir, a supply apparatus configured to feed a non-water based working fluid at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature through the injection well to the reservoir. The working fluid mixes with the native fluid to form a production fluid comprising at least a portion of the working fluid and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon at a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the productions well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignees: Regents of the University of Minnesota, Heat Mining Company LLCInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn, Kenneth Carpenter
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Patent number: 8833475Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing an underground reservoir having a first temperature. The reservoir is located below a caprock and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The injection well includes an injection well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. The system also includes a production well having a production well reservoir opening in fluid communication with the reservoir. A working-fluid supply system provides a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the non-water based working fluid to the first temperature produces heated non-water based working fluid capable of entering the production well reservoir opening. An energy converting apparatus connected to the productions well converts thermal energy contained in the heated non-water based working fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2012Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20140130498Abstract: A system comprises an injection well in communication with an underground reservoir containing a native methane-containing solution at a first temperature, a production well in communication with the reservoir, a supply system providing a non-water based working fluid to the injection well at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, wherein exposure of the working fluid to the native fluid causes a portion of methane to come out of solution to form a production fluid of at least a portion of the working fluid and the portion of methane, and exposure to the first temperatures heats the production fluid to a third temperature higher than the second temperature, wherein the heated production fluid enters the production well, and an energy recovery apparatus in communication with the productions well for converting energy in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or a combination thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: May 15, 2014Inventor: Jimmy Bryan Randolph
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Publication number: 20130043678Abstract: A system comprises an injection well for accessing a reservoir containing a native fluid comprising a hydrocarbon. The reservoir is located below one or more caprocks, is at a first temperature, and is accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. The system further includes a production well in fluid communication with the reservoir, a supply apparatus configured to feed a non-water based working fluid at a second temperature that is lower than the first temperature through the injection well to the reservoir. The working fluid mixes with the native fluid to form a production fluid comprising at least a portion of the working fluid and at least a portion of the hydrocarbon at a third temperature that is higher than the second temperature. An energy recovery apparatus in fluid communication with the productions well converts energy contained in the production fluid to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2012Publication date: February 21, 2013Applicant: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn, Kenneth Carpenter
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Patent number: 8316955Abstract: A geothermal energy generation system comprises one or more injection wells for accessing one or more reservoirs having a first temperature, wherein the reservoirs are located below one or more caprocks and are accessible without using large-scale hydrofracturing. Each of the injection wells has an injection well reservoir opening, and one or more production wells each having a production well reservoir opening. A non-water based working fluid can be provided to the injection wells at a second temperature lower than the first temperature. Exposure of the working fluid to the first temperature can produce heated working fluid capable of entering one or more production wells. An energy converting apparatus is connected to each of the one or more injection wells and the one or more productions wells and thermal energy contained in the heated working fluid can be converted to electricity, heat, or combinations thereof, in the energy converting apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn
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Publication number: 20120001429Abstract: Novel carbon dioxide-based geothermal energy generation systems, i.e., carbon plume geothermal (CPG) systems, and methods are provided. With the novel systems and methods described herein, geothermal energy can now be provided at lower temperatures and at locations other than hot, dry rock formations, without negatively impacting the surrounding area through use of large-scale hydrofracturing. Use of a carbon dioxide-based geothermal system further provides a means for sequestering and storing excess carbon dioxide, rather than having it released to the atmosphere.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: Regents of the University of MinnesotaInventors: Martin O. Saar, Jimmy Bryan Randolph, Thomas H. Kuehn