Patents by Inventor William A Nicholas
William A Nicholas 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).
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Patent number: 8225944Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Publication number: 20120085699Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2011Publication date: April 12, 2012Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Patent number: 8096425Abstract: An extraction system and process for extracting bitumen from a slurry containing bitumen, solids and water. The system comprises a cyclone separation facility for separating the slurry into a solids component stream and a bitumen froth stream with the bitumen froth stream including water and fine solids. The bitumen froth stream is then delivered to a froth concentration facility for separating the bitumen froth stream into a final bitumen enriched froth stream, and a water and fine solids stream. The final bitumen enriched froth stream is suitable for further processing. The system of the present invention is preferably mobile so that the cyclone extraction facility and the froth concentration facility can move with the mine face at an oil sands mining site, however, it is also contemplated that the system can be retrofitted to existing fixed treatment facilities to improve the operational efficiency of such fixed facilities.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Bradford E. Bjornson, Craig Aaron Strand, William Nicholas Garner, John Khai-Quang Diep, Darwin Edward Kiel, Thomas Charles Hann
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Publication number: 20110278240Abstract: A pumpbox apparatus includes a reservoir volume having a first inlet for receiving a feedstock stream and a second inlet for receiving a water stream, the reservoir volume being in communication with a discharge outlet disposed to discharge accumulated liquid from the reservoir volume. The reservoir volume is operable to accumulate the feedstock stream and the water stream in the reservoir volume while withdrawing a discharge stream through the discharge outlet to cause a flow of liquid through the pumpbox. The first inlet defines a first flow velocity region between the first inlet and the second inlet and a second flow velocity region between the second inlet and the discharge outlet. The first flow velocity is lower than the second flow velocity to facilitate flotation of a low specific gravity portion of the feedstock through the first region toward an upper surface of the liquid accumulated in the reservoir volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2010Publication date: November 17, 2011Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Thomas Charles Hann, William Nicholas Garner
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Publication number: 20110174592Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190 ° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300 ° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: SUNCOR ENERGY INC.Inventors: Les Gaston, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand, Ian Noble, William Nicholas Garner, Mike Lam
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Patent number: 7914670Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Les Gaston, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand, Ian Noble, William Nicholas Garner, Mike Lam
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Publication number: 20100275794Abstract: A system that allows a material to be marked while still on the CNC tooling table and allows an operator to input marking information just prior to, or even during, the tooling cycle. The present invention comprises a sequence controller associated with a computer readable medium and adapted for communication with the CNC controller. An HMI device and a marker controller are also connected with the sequence controller. A lifter assembly is connected with the sequence controller to raise and lower a marker assembly. The lifter assembly is connected to the gantry of the CNC tooling system with an adaptor block. The present invention provides the advantage of reduced time when compared to marking the part at a separate station remotely located from the CNC system, and allows the operator to input marking information just prior to or during the CNC tooling cycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Inventors: Ed Silchenstedt, William A. Nicholas
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Publication number: 20100196141Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also include a first bearing supporting the carrier torque tube and a second bearing supporting the impeller shaft. Embodiments of the invention may also include a seal system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Applicant: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Nicholas Eybergen, Martin Dale Pryor, James Matthew Brown
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Patent number: 7736501Abstract: A system and process for concentrating hydrocarbons in a bitumen feed comprising bitumen, water and solids. The system comprises an inclined plate separator, a hydrocarbon cyclone and a centrifuge. The inclined plate separator separates the bitumen feed into a first overflow stream and a first underflow stream, the first overflow stream having a first bitumen concentration greater than that of the first underflow stream. The hydrocarbon cyclone separates the first underflow stream into a second overflow stream and a second underflow stream. The centrifuge separates the second overflow stream into a third overflow stream and a third underflow stream, the third overflow stream having a third bitumen concentration that is greater than that of the third underflow stream.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2007Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Kim Jonathan Wiwchar, Ian Mackay Noble, Iain William Elder, Michael Fong-Yin Lam
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Patent number: 7726491Abstract: An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2008Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand
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Patent number: 7722312Abstract: The invention provides a fuel cell compressor system that comprises a motor, including a motor shaft driven by the motor; a drive housing at least partially surrounding the motor shaft; a first gear set driven by the motor shaft; a carrier torque tube driven by the first gear set; and an impeller. The impeller includes an impeller shaft driven by the second gear set, so that the impeller shaft is configured to rotate at a speed greater than motor speed. Embodiments of the invention may also be used with a multi-stage compressor that allows, for example, first and second impellers to rotate at different speeds. Embodiments of the invention may also include removal of a gear set driving the carrier torque tube or the impeller shaft, so that the impeller shaft speed is divided between one or more bearings supporting the carrier torque tube and one or more bearings supporting the impeller shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2006Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Nicholas Eybergen, Martin Dale Pryor, James Matthew Brown
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Patent number: 7725817Abstract: A parser is generated for parsing a marked up document. A template of a sample marked up document chosen by a user is extracted. The template comprises elements of the structural markup of the sample document with their data contents removed. The parser for parsing a marked up document is generated. The parser is generated in the form of code based on the extracted template in such a manner that the parser is adapted to extract any elements and associated data content of the marked up document to be parsed corresponding to the elements of the extracted template.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Andrew McColl Krasun, John Brian Pickering, William Nicholas John Tindall
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Publication number: 20100006474Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system including steam injection and static mixing devices is provided. The system heats and de-aerates input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The system is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes steam with bitumen resulting in output bitumen material having temperature of about 190° F. The system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: Suncor Energy Inc.Inventors: Les Gaston, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand, Ian Noble, William Nicholas Garner, Mike Lam
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Publication number: 20090313121Abstract: An electronic system (30) includes several computers (32, 34, 36, 40) in data communication with one another. An electronic window sticker computer (EWS) (32) resides at each vehicle (28) on a dealership lot (22). The EWS computers (32) communicate with the remainder of the system (30) through an RF network (54). A book-in process (78) and/or a lot manager process (146) form a VIN record 96 for a vehicle (28) to which an EWS (32) has been assigned. The VIN record (96) includes a robust set of promotion presentation data (74) that are presented at the EWS (32) using a plurality of screens (112). User inputs are collected at the EWS (32) and routed to the lot manager process (146). Updates to the promotion presentation data (74) may be made frequently, and some updates may be made automatically (204). The updates are reflected at the EWS (32) in real time.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2008Publication date: December 17, 2009Applicant: CDMData Inc.Inventors: William Nicholas Post, John Wells Morrison, JR.
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Patent number: 7621263Abstract: A supercharger drive system that includes a shaft connected to a set of gears; a one-way clutch provided for connection to the shaft; and an actuation controller in communication with the one-way clutch. In an embodiment, the one-way clutch can disengage and rotors or impellers associated with the system are permitted to rotate independently of the one-way clutch.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: November 24, 2009Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventors: William Nicholas Eybergen, Daniel Robert Ouwenga, Christopher Wayne Creager
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Patent number: 7556715Abstract: An inline bitumen froth steam heater system is comprised of steam injection and static mixing devices. The steam heater system heats and de-aerates an input bitumen froth without creating downstream processing problems with the bitumen froth such as emulsification or live steam entrainment. The inline bitumen froth steam heater is a multistage unit that injects and thoroughly mixes the steam with bitumen resulting in an output bitumen material having a homogenous temperature of about 190° F. The heating system conditions a superheated steam supply to obtain saturated steam at about 300° F. The saturated steam is contacted with a bitumen froth flow and mixed in a static mixer stage. The static mixers provide a surface area and rotating action that allows the injected steam to condense and transfer its heat to the bitumen froth. The mixing action and the increase in temperature of the bitumen froth results in reduction in bitumen viscosity and also allows the release of entrapped air from the bitumen froth.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Assignee: Suncor Energy, Inc.Inventors: Les Gaston, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand, Ian Noble, William Nicholas Garner, Mike Lam
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Patent number: 7438807Abstract: Discloses apparatus to perform a process to remove water and minerals from a bitumen froth output of a oil sands hot water extraction process. A bitumen froth feed stream is diluted with a solvent and supplied to a primary inclined plate separator stage, which separates the bitumen into an overflow stream providing a bitumen product output from the circuit and a bitumen depleted underflow stream. A primary cyclone state, a secondary inclined plate separator stage and a secondary cyclone stage further process the underflow stream to produce a secondary bitumen recovery product stream and a recycle stream. The secondary bitumen recovery product stream is incorporated into and becomes part of the circuit bitumen product output stream. The recycle stream is incorporated into the bitumen froth feed stream for reprocessing by the circuit.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Suncor Energy, Inc.Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand
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Patent number: 7438189Abstract: An apparatus for separating bitumen from a bitumen froth output of a oil sands hot water extraction process comprises an inclined plate separator (IPS) for providing a first bitumen separation stage and a cyclone for providing a second bitumen separation stage. The cyclone overflow is recycled to the IPS inlet.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2006Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: Suncor Energy, Inc.Inventors: William Nicholas Garner, Donald Norman Madge, William Lester Strand
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Publication number: 20080254471Abstract: The present invention provides a sterile collection package and methods for sample procurement and manipulation including microbial and forensic testing. The collection package comprises a tissue or sample collection container with a sealable opening, at least one drain container, and at least one tubing set that connects the tissue or sample collection container and the drain container, the tubing set further optionally comprising a sampling hub for withdrawing sample fluid for microbial and forensic testing. Samples, such as donated tissues, diseased tissues and article and tissues for forensic analysis are mixed with a sampling solution in the collection container and aliquots of the sampling solution are withdrawn through the sampling hub for microbial and/or forensic testing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2005Publication date: October 16, 2008Applicant: ALAMO SCIENTIFICInventor: William Nicholas Bordano
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Publication number: 20080217212Abstract: An apparatus for processing bitumen froth comprising a cyclone body having an elongated conical inner surface defining a cyclone cavity extending from an upper inlet region with a diameter DC to a lower apex outlet with a diameter DU of not less than about 40 mm; an inlet means forming an inlet channel extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity; and a vortex finder forming an overflow outlet of a diameter DO extending into the upper inlet region of said cyclone cavity toward said lower apex outlet and having a lower end extending an excursion distance below said inlet channel, said excursion distance being operable to permit a portion of bitumen that passes through said inlet channel to exit said overflow outlet without having to make a spiral journey down said cyclone cavity, wherein a lower end of the vortex finder within the cyclone cavity is disposed a free vortex height (FVH) distance from said lower apex outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Inventors: WILLIAM NICHOLAS GARNER, DONALD NORMAN MADGE, WILLIAM LESTER STRAND