Patents by Inventor Stephen Karner

Stephen Karner 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: 8720466
    Abstract: A process is provided for accessing an underground pressurized gas main for retirement of replacement of the connection of a gas service pipe thereto. A gas main fixture that has a service tee adaptor and a pressurized chamber connected thereto is mounted onto the gas main with the tee adaptor above a tee plug on the gas service pipe. The chamber is closed against gas discharge and the tee plug is unscrewed from the gas service pipe while the pressure chamber is closed. The tee plug is removed through the service tee adapter and pressure chamber while minimizing gas discharged to atmosphere. The plug hole is preferably reamed through the pressure chamber while the chamber is closed to atmosphere, tapped for a straight fine thread, and a main plug with the fine thread is screwed into the tapped hole while limiting its depth of engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Tellus Underground Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank Russo, Robert Bentzoni, Lawrence Dowling, Stephen Karner
  • Publication number: 20140041732
    Abstract: A process is provided for accessing an underground pressurized gas main for retirement of replacement of the connection of a gas service pipe thereto. A gas main fixture that has a service tee adaptor and a pressurized chamber connected thereto is mounted onto the gas main with the tee adaptor above a tee plug on the gas service pipe. The chamber is closed against gas discharge and the tee plug is unscrewed from the gas service pipe while the pressure chamber is closed. The tee plug is removed through the service tee adapter and pressure chamber while minimizing gas discharged to atmosphere. The plug hole is preferably reamed through the pressure chamber while the chamber is closed to atmosphere, tapped for a straight fine thread, and a main plug with the fine thread is screwed into the tapped hole while limiting its depth of engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: TELLUS UNDERGROUND TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventors: Frank Russo, Robert Bentzoni, Lawrence Dowling, Stephen Karner
  • Publication number: 20130220604
    Abstract: A method of creating a network of fractures in a reservoir is provided. The method includes designing a desired fracture network system, and determining required in situ stresses to create the desired fracture network within the reservoir. The method further includes designing a layout of wells to alter the in situ stresses within the stress field, and then injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir to create an initial set of fractures within the reservoir. The method also includes monitoring the in situ stresses within the stress field, and modifying the in situ stresses within the stress field. The method then includes injecting a fracturing fluid under pressure into the reservoir in order to expand upon the initial set of fractures and to create the network of fractures. A method for producing hydrocarbons from a subsurface formation is also provided herein, wherein a fracture network is created from a single, deviated wellbore production.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Inventors: Abdel Wadood M. El-Rabaa, Leonard V. Moore, Michael E. McCracken, Chris E. Shuchart, Pavlin B. Entchev, Stephen Karner, Jose Oliverio Alvarez