Patents by Inventor Alan C. Kepple

Alan C. Kepple 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).

  • Publication number: 20200055106
    Abstract: Method for mitigating stress corrosion cracking at an internal (i.e., wetted-side) weld area in piping of a nuclear power plant includes the steps of actuating a radially movable tool to produce a radial bad against the internal (i.e., normally wetted) surfaces at or near the weld area to create a deep residual compressive stress state at the wetted surface of the weld. The method permits post-process verification by physical measurements of surface distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: MPR Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James E Nestell, David W. Rackiewicz, Alan C Kepple
  • Patent number: 9970276
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is converted to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the legs of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Highland Light Management Corp
    Inventors: Preston W Grounds, III, Alan C Kepple, Harold D Ladouceur
  • Publication number: 20160047213
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is converted to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the legs of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Preston W. Grounds, III, Alan C. Kepple, Harold D. Ladouceur
  • Publication number: 20160030990
    Abstract: Method for mitigating stress corrosion cracking at an internal (i.e., welled-side) weld area in piping of a nuclear power plant includes the steps of actuating a radially movable tool to produce a radial bad against the internal (i.e., normally wetted) surfaces at or near the weld area to create a deep residual compressive stress state at the wetted surface of the weld. The method permits post-process verification by physical measurements of surface distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventors: James E. Nestell, David W. Rackiewicz, Alan C. Kepple
  • Publication number: 20150013425
    Abstract: Method for mitigating stress corrosion cracking at an internal (i.e., wetted-side) weld area in piping of a nuclear power plant includes the steps of actuating a radially movable tool to produce a radial load against the internal (i.e., normally wetted) surfaces at or near the weld area to create a deep residual compressive stress state at the wetted surface of the weld. The method permits post-process verification by physical measurements of surface distortion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: James E. Nestell, David W. Rackiewicz, Alan C. Kepple