Patents by Inventor Nicole Neff

Nicole Neff 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).

  • Publication number: 20240109111
    Abstract: A method for use by a system coupled to at least one sensor and at least one flow control mechanism of a gas extraction system, the system comprising at least one controller and configured for use in connection with a landfill gas extraction process for extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via the gas extraction system, the method comprising: using the at least one controller to perform: obtaining, based on at least one measurement made by the at least one sensor, at least one current value indicative of a selected characteristic of the landfill gas extraction process, determining, at discrete time intervals, whether the at least one current value satisfies at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, and when it is determined that the at least one current value does not satisfy the at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, performing a corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20240091831
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising a plurality of wells are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a concentration of a greenhouse gas measured a distance above a surface of a region comprising the plurality of wells; determining whether the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than a first threshold; and in response to determining that the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than the first threshold, increasing a flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from at least one well of the plurality of wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 21, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 11883864
    Abstract: A method for use by a system coupled to at least one sensor and at least one flow control mechanism of a gas extraction system, the system comprising at least one controller and configured for use in connection with a landfill gas extraction process for extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via the gas extraction system, the method comprising: using the at least one controller to perform: obtaining, based on at least one measurement made by the at least one sensor, at least one current value indicative of a selected characteristic of the landfill gas extraction process, determining, at discrete time intervals, whether the at least one current value satisfies at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, and when it is determined that the at least one current value does not satisfy the at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, performing a corrective action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20240017311
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: January 18, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Patent number: 11865594
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising a plurality of wells are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a concentration of a greenhouse gas measured a distance above a surface of a region comprising the plurality of wells; determining whether the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than a first threshold; and in response to determining that the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than the first threshold, increasing a flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from at least one well of the plurality of wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20230114970
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising well piping for coupling a plurality of wells to a gas output. The control system comprises a controller configured to: obtain a value indicating measured energy content of landfill gas collected at the gas output from the plurality of wells; determine whether the measured energy content is different from a target energy content; and in response to determining that the measured energy content is different from the target energy content: control a plurality of valves disposed in the well piping to change flow rates of landfill gas being extracted from at least some of the plurality of wells at least in part by changing degrees to which the plurality of valves are open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2022
    Publication date: April 13, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 11623256
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Patent number: 11491521
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising well piping for coupling a plurality of wells to a gas output. The control system comprises a controller configured to: obtain a value indicating measured energy content of landfill gas collected at the gas output from the plurality of wells; determine whether the measured energy content is different from a target energy content; and in response to determining that the measured energy content is different from the target energy content: control a plurality of valves disposed in the well piping to change flow rates of landfill gas being extracted from at least some of the plurality of wells at least in part by changing degrees to which the plurality of valves are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 11484919
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising well piping for coupling a plurality of wells to a gas output. The control system comprises a controller configured to: obtain a value indicating measured energy content of landfill gas collected at the gas output from the plurality of wells; determine whether the measured energy content is different from a target energy content; and in response to determining that the measured energy content is different from the target energy content: control a plurality of valves disposed in the well piping to change flow rates of landfill gas being extracted from at least some of the plurality of wells at least in part by changing degrees to which the plurality of valves are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20220176422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising a plurality of wells are provided herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining a concentration of a greenhouse gas measured a distance above a surface of a region comprising the plurality of wells; determining whether the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than a first threshold; and in response to determining that the measure of the concentration of the greenhouse gas is greater than the first threshold, increasing a flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from at least one well of the plurality of wells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 11273473
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising well piping for coupling a plurality of wells to a gas output. The control system comprises a controller configured to: obtain a value indicating measured energy content of landfill gas collected at the gas output from the plurality of wells; determine whether the measured energy content is different from a target energy content; and in response to determining that the measured energy content is different from the target energy content: control a plurality of valves disposed in the well piping to change flow rates of landfill gas being extracted from at least some of the plurality of wells at least in part by changing degrees to which the plurality of valves are open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 11235361
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20220008973
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20220008971
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20220008970
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20220008972
    Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system are provided herein. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided site-level control methods for globally controlling one or more wells based on one or more characteristics of aggregate landfill gas collected from a plurality of wells at a gas output. According to some aspects of the technology, there is provided well-level control methods for locally controlling a first well based on or more characteristics of landfill gas collected from the first well. According to further aspects of the technology, there is provided hybrid control methods for making adjustments to a respective well based on both site-level and well-level control methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20210229142
    Abstract: A method for use by a system coupled to at least one sensor and at least one flow control mechanism of a gas extraction system, the system comprising at least one controller and configured for use in connection with a landfill gas extraction process for extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via the gas extraction system, the method comprising: using the at least one controller to perform: obtaining, based on at least one measurement made by the at least one sensor, at least one current value indicative of a selected characteristic of the landfill gas extraction process, determining, at discrete time intervals, whether the at least one current value satisfies at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, and when it is determined that the at least one current value does not satisfy the at least one compliance criterion for the selected characteristic, performing a corrective action.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
  • Publication number: 20210046524
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 10882086
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20200306806
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system, the gas extraction system comprising well piping for coupling a plurality of wells to a gas output. The control system comprises a controller configured to: obtain a value indicating measured energy content of landfill gas collected at the gas output from the plurality of wells; determine whether the measured energy content is different from a target energy content; and in response to determining that the measured energy content is different from the target energy content: control a plurality of valves disposed in the well piping to change flow rates of landfill gas being extracted from at least some of the plurality of wells at least in part by changing degrees to which the plurality of valves are open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom