Patents by Inventor Richard F. Miller
Richard F. Miller 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: 20240071040Abstract: Methods and systems for implementing artificial intelligence enabled preparation end-pointing are disclosed. An example method at least includes obtaining an image of a surface of a sample, the sample including a plurality of features, analyzing the image to determine whether an end point has been reached, the end point based on a feature of interest out of the plurality of features observable in the image, and based on the end point not being reached, removing a layer of material from the surface of the sample.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Inventors: Thomas Gary Miller, John F. Flanagan, IV, Brian Routh, JR., Richard Young, Brad Larson, Aditee Shrotre
-
Publication number: 20120220807Abstract: An additive comprising, dissolved in a solvent, an asphaltene dispersant selected from the group consisting of ?-olefin/vinyl pyrrolidinone copolymers. The copolymer can comprise at least one ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of mono-?-olefins, at least one ?-olefin selected from the group consisting of linear ?-olefins and/or at least one ?-olefin is selected from the group consisting of 1-hexadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-eicosene, 1-docosene, 1-tetracosene, 1-hexacosene, 1-octacosene and 1-triacontene. The additive can comprise a copolymer of 2-pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl monomer. The copolymer can have a Hansen Solubility Parameter (HSP), ?, of greater than 16, 17 or 18 MPa1/2. The solvent can be selected from the group consisting of aromatic solvents, such as 1-methyl naphthalene, bis-(m-phenoxyphenyl)ether, o-xylene, toluene and heavy aromatic solvents.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2011Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: SHRIEVE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Richard F. Miller
-
Publication number: 20120028855Abstract: A method of using water-based drilling fluid in a subterranean formation containing shale which swells in the presence of water by circulating a water-based drilling fluid into the formation. The drilling fluid is made of an aqueous based continuous phase, a weighting material, and a shale hydration inhibition agent (SHIA) comprising deep eutectic solvents (DES) formed by the reaction of a first compound comprising an ammonium compound, and a second compound comprising at least one of amides, amines, diamines, cyclic amines, cyclic diamines, and combinations thereof. The SHIA is present in an amount sufficient to reduce shale swelling. A method of reducing shale swelling during wellbore drilling that includes providing a water-based drilling fluid comprising an aqueous based continuous phase, a weighting material, and a SHIA comprising DES formed by the reaction of a quaternary ammonium compound, and a diamine; and circulating the drilling fluid into the subterranean formation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2011Publication date: February 2, 2012Applicant: SHRIEVE CHEMICAL PRODUCTSInventor: Richard F. MILLER
-
Publication number: 20120010860Abstract: A computer program product including a program that causes the computer to perform operations when the computer executes the program includes instructions to provide an engine specification interface to a user over a web-based application, and to receive an application specification including a three-dimensional description of application space available to accommodate an engine and a parameter for an engine application. The instructions include accessing an engine specification in response to the parameter for the engine application, where the engine specification includes a three-dimensional digital description of an engine and specified additional hardware. The instructions include evaluating compatibility between the engine specification and the application specification, and providing a CAD file to the user, where the CAD file includes the three-dimensional digital description of an engine and specified additional hardware.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2011Publication date: January 12, 2012Inventors: Daniel R. Kirkling, Richard F. Miller, Deepak Khedkar
-
Patent number: 8026198Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid and method of using same are presented in this disclosure, which fluid is used in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale that swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid comprises an aqueous based continuous phase; a weighting material; and a shale hydration inhibition agent (SHIA) selected from the group consisting of propylamine derivatives, hydrogenated poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers (HPPID), and polyamine twin dendrimers (PTD). In some embodiments, the SHIA of this disclosure is not hydrolyzed at a temperature in the range of from about 100° F. to about 500° F. The drilling fluid may further comprise a fluid loss control agent, an encapsulating agent, other additives, and combinations thereof. A method of reducing shale swelling during wellbore drilling is also described. The method comprises circulating in the subterranean well a water-based drilling fluid comprising an aqueous based continuous phase, a weighting material, and a SHIA.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2009Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Inventor: Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 8022014Abstract: A method of solubilizing/removing cellulose or chemically-modified cellulosic polymers utilized in subterranean drilling operations such as fracturing. The method involves introducing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) into a subterranean region. Deep eutectic solvents useful as cellulose solvents include quaternary ammonium compounds, including choline chloride and chlorcholine chloride, reacted with a compound selected from amides, amines, carboxylic acids alcohols, and metal halides. The DES material can be pumped downhole after fracturing operations to remove cellulosic material used, for example, to thicken fracturing fluid which is left behind in the created fractures, on the face of the formation, along the wellbore, or elsewhere within the subterranean region. The DES can be used alone or in a sequential treatment protocol, whereby the DES is introduced into the subterranean region, followed by post-treatment introduction of water, caustic, acid or anhydride into the subterranean as a flush.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Inventor: Richard F. Miller
-
Publication number: 20110207633Abstract: A method of solubilizing/removing cellulose or chemically-modified cellulosic polymers utilized in subterranean drilling operations such as fracturing. The method involves introducing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) into a subterranean region. Deep eutectic solvents useful as cellulose solvents include quaternary ammonium compounds, including choline chloride and chlorcholine chloride, reacted with a compound selected from amides, amines, carboxylic acids alcohols, and metal halides. The DES material can be pumped downhole after fracturing operations to remove cellulosic material used, for example, to thicken fracturing fluid which is left behind in the created fractures, on the face of the formation, along the wellbore, or elsewhere within the subterranean region. The DES can be used alone or in a sequential treatment protocol, whereby the DES is introduced into the subterranean region, followed by post-treatment introduction of water, caustic, acid or anhydride into the subterranean as a flush.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2011Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: Shrieve Chemical Products, Inc.Inventor: Richard F. MILLER
-
Publication number: 20090247432Abstract: A method of solubilizing/removing cellulose or chemically-modified cellulosic polymers utilized in subterranean drilling operations such as fracturing. The method involves introducing a deep eutectic solvent (DES) into a subterranean region. Deep eutectic solvents useful as cellulose solvents include quaternary ammonium compounds, including choline chloride and chlorcholine chloride, reacted with a compound selected from amides, amines, carboxylic acids alcohols, and metal halides. The DES material can be pumped downhole after fracturing operations to remove cellulosic material used, for example, to thicken fracturing fluid which is left behind in the created fractures, on the face of the formation, along the wellbore, or elsewhere within the subterranean region. The DES can be used alone or in a sequential treatment protocol, whereby the DES is introduced into the subterranean region, followed by post-treatment introduction of water, caustic, acid or anhydride into the subterranean as a flush.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: Shrieve Chemical Products, Inc.Inventor: Richard F. MILLER
-
Publication number: 20090247429Abstract: A water-based drilling fluid and method of using same are presented in this disclosure, which fluid is used in drilling wells through a formation containing a shale that swells in the presence of water. The drilling fluid comprises an aqueous based continuous phase; a weighting material; and a shale hydration inhibition agent (SHIA) selected from the group consisting of propylamine derivatives, hydrogenated poly(propyleneimine) dendrimers (HPPID), and polyamine twin dendrimers (PTD). In some embodiments, the SHIA of this disclosure is not hydrolyzed at a temperature in the range of from about 100° F. to about 500° F. The drilling fluid may further comprise a fluid loss control agent, an encapsulating agent, other additives, and combinations thereof. A method of reducing shale swelling during wellbore drilling is also described. The method comprises circulating in the subterranean well a water-based drilling fluid comprising an aqueous based continuous phase, a weighting material, and a SHIA.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2009Publication date: October 1, 2009Applicant: SHRIEVE CHEMICAL PRODUCTS, INC.Inventor: Richard F. Miller
-
Publication number: 20010052520Abstract: An induction heating apparatus and method for heating a substantially continuous first bondline defined by a length of thermally responsive bonding material positioned between a first member and a second member. The first member or second member is made of an electrically conductive material or positioned adjacent an electrically conductive material. The inductive heating apparatus includes a flexible, reshapeable cable assembly operably positionable adjacent the first member along the first bondline. The flexible, reshapeable cable assembly is capable of being manually shaped to a first shape of the first bondline, and is capable of being manually re-shaped to a second shape of a second bondline different than the first shape of the first bondline. An alternating current power supply is electrically coupled to the flexible, reshapeable cable assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2001Publication date: December 20, 2001Applicant: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Larry R. Lappi, Robert J. Boettcher, David G. Miller, Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 6288375Abstract: An induction heating apparatus and method for heating a substantially continuous first bondline defined by a length of thermally responsive bonding material positioned between a first member and a second member. The first member or second member is made of an electrically conductive material or positioned adjacent an electrically conductive material. The inductive heating apparatus includes a flexible, reshapeable cable assembly operably positionable adjacent the first member along the first bondline. The flexible, reshapeable cable assembly is capable of being manually shaped to a first shape of the first bondline, and is capable of being manually re-shaped to a second shape of a second bondline different than the first shape of the first bondline. An alternating current power supply is electrically coupled to the flexible, reshapeable cable assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: Larry R. Lappi, Robert J. Boettcher, David G. Miller, Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 6179644Abstract: A network system is provided for transmitting electrical power and data signals between a plurality of device nodes. The system includes a trunk cable in which a pair of dedicated power conductors and a pair of dedicated signal conductors are embedded in an insulative cover. Modular connectors are electrically coupled to the cable conductors at each device node. Each connector includes a base module and an interface module. The base module is attached to the cable via insulation piercing members and thereafter remains resident on the cable. The interface module is mated with the base module and serves to transmit power and data signals between the base module and a networked device. Several types of interface modules may be utilized interchangeably to permit the base module and cable to accommodate various types of devices and device drop cables.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: January 30, 2001Assignee: Rockwell Technologies, LLCInventors: Shawn L. Adams, David D. Brandt, Robert E. Lounsbury, Dennis C. Mackey, Steven R. McLaughlin, Richard F. Miller, Brian J. Taylor
-
Patent number: 5537032Abstract: A wheel speed sensing device with shape-coupled sensor and exciter ring components reduces the effects of tolerance stack variances in the relative radial and axial locations of the sensor and exciter ring. Additionally, the assembly is readily adapted to installation within the sealed confines of the bearing area of a wheel.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: George L. Hurrell, II, Richard F. Miller, Edward R. Clark
-
Patent number: 5376749Abstract: A stabilized ammonium polysulfide solution comprising an aqueous solution of ammonium polysulfide and a stabilizing amount of a water soluble, stabilizing compound that can be an azacyclic compound, a compound having the formula R--O--(C.sub.n H.sub.2n)NH.sub.2 or a compound having the formula (CH.sub.3).sub.2 NR.sub.1, the pH of the composition being from 7 to 14, the stabilized composition being useful in controlling the cyanide concentration in aqueous streams.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: The Western Company of North AmericaInventors: Richard F. Miller, Eugene H. Morselander
-
Patent number: 5173213Abstract: The corrosion and fouling of metal surfaces in contact with corrosive acid fluids or acid salts in the presence of an aqueous medium is reduced by contacting the surfaces with a composition which comprises (a) an anti-fouling amount of a hydroxyl amine compound of the formulaR.sub.1 R.sub.2 N--OHwherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are independently hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl or inertly substituted hydrocarbyl or both R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are collectively a divalent hydrocarbyl combined with said nitrogen to form a heterocyclic ring, and (b) a corrosion-inhibiting amount of a reaction product of or a mixture for the purpose of a reaction product of a polyalkylene polyamine and an alkynediol. The polyalkylene polyamine is one that contains from 2-10 amine groups, each separated from another by an alkylene group having from 2-6 carbon atoms. The alkynediol has from 2 to 6 carbon atoms.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 1991Date of Patent: December 22, 1992Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Richard F. Miller, John Petersen
-
Patent number: 5022832Abstract: There is disclosed a valve assembly and a reciprocating type fluid pump having a piston cylinder and a cylinder head together which define a fluid chamber. A first ring valve having a seal surface on one side is disposed within the fluid chamber adjacent to the cylinder head to close at least one fluid intake passage. A bias means is provided for urging the first ring valve against the seat on the head by abutting the ring valve on the side opposite from the seal surface, and the bias means includes a peripheral region which is connected to the fluid pump and retains the first ring valve between the cylinder head and the bias means.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1988Date of Patent: June 11, 1991Assignee: Holset Engineering CompanyInventors: Jerre F. Lauterbach, Nathan Ritchie, Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 5011366Abstract: An automatic wafer handling system utilizing a vacuum pneumatic controlled cable driving mechanism. In principle, the necessary movements are provided by air cylinder actuation of pulley supported cables. This application of vacuum force is substituted in place of positive air pressure, offering simplicity, reliability and stability by its use. Further advantages include the elimination of electric motor driving elements, thereby providing significant reduction of particulate and dust contamination problems. System operation includes the use of vacuum in the pickup of wafers, in manipulation and transport by cable drive, and motion control by means of air cylinders using negative air pressure.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1989Date of Patent: April 30, 1991Inventor: Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 4993922Abstract: A compressor unloaded system for use in compressed air supply systems having reciprocating type air compressor means supplied with atmospheric or turbocharged air is shown. Means are provided to block off the air intake of such compressors, and to maintain back pressure against the exhaust valve of said air compressor during an unloading cycle, thereby preventing operation of the intake and exhaust valves of such compressor, and creating an "air spring" in the cylinder of such air compressor during an unloading cycle.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 1988Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Holset Engineering Company, Inc.Inventors: Jerre F. Lauterbach, Nathan Ritchie, Richard F. Miller
-
Patent number: 4806028Abstract: A self crimping retention sleeve is slipped over the end of a bearing shaft and closely over a pair of race piece keeper rings and deformed radially inwardly into a shaft retention groove by the application of an axial force inwardly on the sleeve, allowing the sleeve to be installed with very limited radial access.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 1988Date of Patent: February 21, 1989Assignee: General Motors CorporationInventors: Richard F. Miller, David A. Foster
-
Patent number: 4781748Abstract: The corrosive effects of liquid nitrogen-based fertilizer compositions on metal surfaces is reduced by adding to the fertilizer compositions small amounts of amine oxides.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1986Date of Patent: November 1, 1988Assignee: Pony Industries, Inc.Inventors: Richard F. Miller, Marilyn W. Blaschke