Patents Assigned to LOCI
  • Publication number: 20220062960
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20220062959
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11235361
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20210372977
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Patent number: 11084074
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11072006
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11067549
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Publication number: 20210178436
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 11007555
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 10946420
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20210062625
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20210046524
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2020
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Patent number: 10882086
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of a control system that automatically (1) determines whether a gas extraction system is in a state in which landfill gas is being released into the atmosphere, and (2) automatically controls landfill gas flow to mitigate, prevent and/or stop the release of landfill gas. The control system may control a valve to control flow of landfill gas through well piping of the gas extraction system. The pressure of landfill gas in the well piping at a location upstream of the valve may indicate whether there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere. The control system may adjust a position of the valve in response to determining that the pressure at the location upstream of the valve indicates that there is a risk of landfill gas being released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20200405496
    Abstract: Bone joint implants are described herein. The bone joint implants may comprise a metallic proximal platform configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone; a distal stem configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone; an articulating coupling between the proximal platform and distal stem; and a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: LOCI ORTHOPAEDICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Filip Stockmans, Gerry Clarke, Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, Amy L. Ladd, Brendan Boland
  • Patent number: 10851627
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 10799365
    Abstract: Bone joint implants are described herein. The bone joint implants may comprise a metallic proximal platform configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone; a distal stem configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone; an articulating coupling between the proximal platform and distal stem; and a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Orthopaedics Limited
    Inventors: Filip Stockmans, Gerry Clarke, Arnold-Peter C. Weiss, Amy L. Ladd, Brendan Boland
  • Publication number: 20200306806
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20200306807
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Nicole Neff, Jack Rowbottom
  • Publication number: 20200306051
    Abstract: Bone joint implants are described herein. The bone joint implants may comprise a metallic proximal platform configured for translational motion on the trapezium bone; a distal stem configured for intramedullary engagement with an end of the first metacarpal bone; an articulating coupling between the proximal platform and distal stem; and a proximal non-metallic wear surface and a distal non-metallic wear surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Orthopaedics Limited
    Inventors: Filip STOCKMANS, Gerry CLARKE, Arnold-Peter C. WEISS, Amy L. LADD, Brendan BOLAND
  • Publication number: 20200254497
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin