Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Larson

Thomas R. Larson 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: 9339821
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Patent number: 9333511
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electric coil and magnets to create a magnetic field or electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20140305875
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electric coil and magnets to create a magnetic field or electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Patent number: 8795535
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a housing have a fluid inlet for the fluid mixture, at least one rotating disk having an electrode array positioned inside the housing to suspend a first material of the fluid mixture, and a mechanism configured to rotate the disk. A second and third material is separated from the fluid via use of the suspended first material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20140197030
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: NATIONAL OILWELL VARCO, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Patent number: 8715506
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density is controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20120168549
    Abstract: An enclosed hose reel 10 consists of a spool and two enclosure halves 14 comprising the frame 16. The power spring 18 is contained in the spool 12. Tension on the power spring 18 is transmitted to the frame 16 via a shaft 20 with a spring 30 loaded ratchet 22. The ratchet mechanism 24 engages the frame 16 via protrusions 26 that fit into cutouts 28 within the enclosure 14. The protrusions and cutouts 28 are designed so that a clockwise rotation is allowed to increase the tension of the power spring 18.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Zaixing You, Lihui Gao, Xueshui Wu, Jin Tian, Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20110017675
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density if controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense shiny, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20110017600
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system for separating minerals in drilling fluid based primarily on density. The separator creates and maintains a slurry with a controllable density for separating minerals from drill cuttings. The density if controlled through the use of an electrode array. The separator comprises a primary separation chamber containing the dense slurry, and a multiple number of secondary separation chambers used to separate cuttings from the drilling fluid. The invention also contains inlet hardware allowing the mixed mineral suspension to enter the first separation chamber, and hardware allowing the three outlet (separated) streams to exit the device. One of the three outlet streams carries the minerals that have a density greater than the user selectable density set point, while the second carries the minerals that have a density less than the density set point, and the third carries clean drilling fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.
    Inventor: Thomas R. Larson
  • Publication number: 20080307960
    Abstract: Absorbent magnetic particles are used to remove air pollutants. The adsorbent magnetic particles can adsorb various air pollutants, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and mercury, and may be regenerated for reuse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Inventors: David W. Hendrickson, Iwao Iwasaki, David J. Englund, Thomas R. Larson, Blair R. Benner, Donald R. Fosnacht, John Engesser
  • Patent number: 5123281
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically testing a part uses a transducer which emits sound waves to flow through a water column into contact with the part. The housing has sidewalls, a top, and a bottom, defining a reservoir. The transducer locates in the reservoir and points downward toward the bottom. A collar extends upward from the bottom in alignment with the transducer. The collar has an open upper end spaced a selected distance above the bottom. A tube mounts in the collar in alignment with the transducer. The tube will slide vertically relative to the collar. The lower end of the tube protrudes through an aperture in the bottom for contact with the part. Water is supplied to the reservoir, to flow over the upper end of the collar and through the tube against the part. A supporting surface on the housing supports the housing on the part and depends downward from the bottom of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1992
    Assignee: General Dynamics Corporation
    Inventors: Loran D. Cox, Thomas R. Larson
  • Patent number: D637067
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Graco Minnesota Inc.
    Inventors: Mark L. Bauck, Zaixing You, Lihui Gao, Xueshui Wu, Jin Tian, Brian J. Zumbolo, Anthony J. Gargano, Scott F. Hill, Qing Fu, Wade D. Palashewski, Thomas R. Larson