Patents Assigned to Loci Controls, Inc.
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Patent number: 12285787Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 22, 2023Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
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Patent number: 12282006Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2024Date of Patent: April 22, 2025Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
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Patent number: 12263511Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include receiving user input indicating an upper methane concentration threshold and a lower methane concentration threshold, and obtaining a measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample of landfill gas. At least one processor may be used to determine whether to control an actuator to control the flow control mechanism to adjust the flow rate of the landfill gas being extracted from the landfill. The determining whether to adjust the flow rate may be performed by determining whether the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample is greater than the upper methane concentration threshold and determining whether the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample is less than the lower methane concentration threshold. The flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from the landfill may be adjusted based on the determining.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
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Patent number: 12263512Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include obtaining a measurement of concentrations of oxygen, carbon, and methane in a sample of landfill gas. At least one processor may be used to determine based on the measurement of the concentration of oxygen in the sample, the measurement of the concentration of methane in the sample, and the measurement of the concentration of carbon dioxide in the sample, a balance gas concentration in the sample. Further, the at least one processor may be used to determine whether the determined balance gas concentration in the sample is greater than a balance gas concentration threshold. Responsive to determining that the determined balance gas concentration in the sample is greater than the balance gas concentration threshold, an actuator controls the flow control mechanism to decrease the flow rate of the landfill gas being extracted from the landfill.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2023Date of Patent: April 1, 2025Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
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Patent number: 12251744Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2023Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
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Publication number: 20250050390Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
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Publication number: 20250050395Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2024Publication date: February 13, 2025Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, lan Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
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Publication number: 20250033099Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2024Publication date: January 30, 2025Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
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Patent number: 12162050Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
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Patent number: 12162053Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 10, 2023Date of Patent: December 10, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
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Publication number: 20240390961Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
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Publication number: 20240390958Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2024Publication date: November 28, 2024Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
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Patent number: 12151271Abstract: Techniques are provided for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill. The techniques include obtaining a measure of pressure in the gas extraction system upstream of a flow control mechanism, wherein the measure of pressure is obtained at a point between at least one well and the at least one flow control mechanism. Further, at least one processor may be used to determine that the measure of pressure in the gas extraction system relative to a measure of atmospheric pressure outside of the gas extraction system is not negative. In response to determining that the measure of pressure in the gas extraction system relative to the measure of atmospheric pressure is not negative, the flow rate of landfill gas being extracted from the at least one well is adjusted using the at least one flow control mechanism to achieve a negative pressure in the gas extraction system.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2023Date of Patent: November 26, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
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Publication number: 20240316605Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with 10 the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
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Publication number: 20240316606Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2024Publication date: September 26, 2024Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
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Patent number: 12090532Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 17, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Jack Rowbottom, Nicole Neff
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Patent number: 12083565Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 4, 2022Date of Patent: September 10, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
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Patent number: 12036589Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2023Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
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Patent number: 12036590Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2023Date of Patent: July 16, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
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Patent number: D1055873Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2023Date of Patent: December 31, 2024Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.Inventors: Melinda Sims, Mike Hale, Brian Hale