Patents by Inventor Lorraine M. LaFreniere

Lorraine M. LaFreniere 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: 11180394
    Abstract: A method for treating chemicals below ground is provided. The system includes contacting the chemicals with a rhizosphere to maximize transpiration rate and minimize over-saturation of the rhizosphere. Also provided is a method for using contaminated groundwater as a sole source of irrigation. The method uses extracting the contaminated water and pumping the extracted water to an irrigation zone under the control of an autonomous irrigation system. Each zone includes some trees and the root system for each tree is modified to function as a treatment cell. The invention also provides a system for treating contaminated water, using a contaminated water source situated below ground surface. The system uses a pump for extracting contaminated water from the water source and prevents the contaminated water from directly contacting the atmosphere above the ground surface. Vegetation which defines an underground rhizosphere is adapted to directly receive the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Y. Eugene Yan, Louis E. Martino, Lorraine M. LaFreniere
  • Publication number: 20210094853
    Abstract: A method for treating chemicals below ground is provided. The system includes contacting the chemicals with a rhizosphere to maximize transpiration rate and minimize over-saturation of the rhizosphere. Also provided is a method for using contaminated groundwater as a sole source of irrigation. The method uses extracting the contaminated water and pumping the extracted water to an irrigation zone under the control of an autonomous irrigation system. Each zone includes some trees and the root system for each tree is modified to function as a treatment cell. The invention also provides a system for treating contaminated water, using a contaminated water source situated below ground surface. The system uses a pump for extracting contaminated water from the water source and prevents the contaminated water from directly contacting the atmosphere above the ground surface. Vegetation which defines an underground rhizosphere is adapted to directly receive the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: Y. Eugene Yan, Louis E. Martino, Lorraine M. LaFreniere
  • Patent number: 6814166
    Abstract: A power swivel provides the rotational force to drill consolidated subsurface strata while an unrestricted airflow through the swivel and down a drill string remove cuttings from the borehole. The power swivel is configured to mount on direct push/driven-vibrating equipment, such as a cone penetrometer, to eliminate the need for a conventional drilling rig when a consolidated layer is encountered during direct push/driven-vibrating operations. A drilling nipple and pack-off are provided near the surface to maintain the air flow during drilling and to direct the cuttings to a desired location. Also, a dual-valved air delivery system provides safe, remote-controlled air flow to the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: The University of Chicago
    Inventors: Lorraine M. LaFreniere, David H. Surgnier
  • Patent number: 6763901
    Abstract: A power swivel provides the rotational force to drill consolidated subsurface strata while an unrestricted airflow through the swivel and down a drill string remove cuttings from the borehole. The power swivel is configured to mount on direct push equipment, such as a cone penetrometer, to eliminate the need for a conventional drilling rig when a consolidated layer is encountered during direct push operations. A drilling nipple and pack-off are provided near the surface to maintain the air flow during drilling and to direct the cuttings to a desired location. Also, a dual-valved air delivery system provides safe, remote-controlled air flow to the swivel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: University of Chicago
    Inventors: Lorraine M. LaFreniere, David H. Surgnier