Patents by Inventor Brian N. Wright

Brian N. Wright 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: 10344578
    Abstract: An RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, a dielectric isolator, and first and second electrical contact sleeves respectively coupled between the first and second tubular conductors and the dielectric isolator. The RF antenna assembly may include an RF transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor extending within the first tubular conductor, and a feed structure coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line. The feed structure may include a first radially compressible connector coupled to the outer conductor of the RF transmission line to slidably engage adjacent portions of the first electrical contact sleeve, a second radially compressible connector coupled to the inner conductor of the RF transmission line to slidably engage adjacent portions of the second electrical contact sleeve, and a dielectric tube coupled between the first and second radially compressible connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Murray T. Hann, Brian N. Wright, Verlin A. Hibner
  • Patent number: 10260325
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray T. Hann, Mark Alan Trautman, Steven Stresau
  • Patent number: 10151187
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include an RF source, and an RF antenna assembly coupled to the RF source and extending laterally within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, and a dielectric isolator coupled between the first and second tubular conductors to define a dipole antenna. The hydrocarbon resource recovery system may include solvent injectors within respective laterally extending wellbores extending transverse and above the RF antenna assembly and configured to selectively inject solvent into the subterranean formation adjacent the RF antenna assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Warren MacPhail, Alan Watt
  • Publication number: 20180223639
    Abstract: An RF antenna assembly may include first and second tubular conductors, a dielectric isolator, and first and second electrical contact sleeves respectively coupled between the first and second tubular conductors and the dielectric isolator. The RF antenna assembly may include an RF transmission line having an inner conductor and an outer conductor extending within the first tubular conductor, and a feed structure coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line. The feed structure may include a first radially compressible connector coupled to the outer conductor of the RF transmission line to slidably engage adjacent portions of the first electrical contact sleeve, a second radially compressible connector coupled to the inner conductor of the RF transmission line to slidably engage adjacent portions of the second electrical contact sleeve, and a dielectric tube coupled between the first and second radially compressible connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2017
    Publication date: August 9, 2018
    Inventors: Murray T. HANN, Brian N. WRIGHT, Verlin A. HIBNER
  • Publication number: 20180198213
    Abstract: An antenna assembly may be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The antenna assembly includes a tubular antenna element to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF coaxial transmission line to be positioned within the tubular antenna element. The RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation, each coaxial section including an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the outer conductors has opposing threaded ends defining overlapping mechanical threaded joints with adjacent outer conductors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2018
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventors: BRIAN N. WRIGHT, DANIEL L. DICKEY, RAYMOND C. HEWIT
  • Patent number: 9863227
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore, and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include an anchoring device configured to selectively anchor the RF transmission line and the at least one RF contact within the tubular RF antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Patent number: 9856724
    Abstract: A device for hydrocarbon resource recovery from at least one well in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a solvent source, and a double-wall structure coupled to the RF source to define an RF antenna within the at least one well to provide RF heating to the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may absorb heat from adjacent portions of the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may also include inner and outer walls defining a solvent passageway therebetween coupled to the solvent source. The outer wall may have a plurality of openings therein to eject solvent into the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may transfer heat to the solvent so that the ejected solvent is in a vapor state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. White, Murray T. Hann, Brian N. Wright, Mark A. Trautman, Raymond C. Hewit
  • Patent number: 9797230
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a dielectric grease injector configured to inject dielectric grease around the at least one RF contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Patent number: 9765586
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) and fluid coupler is for a subterranean assembly. The assembly may have a fluid passageway therein, and may include an RF antenna and a coaxial transmission line connected thereto. The coupler may include an electrically conductive hollow body that includes electrically conductive segments connected together in end-to-end relation at respective joints to provide an outer electrical pathway to connect to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line. An elongate conductive member may extend within the electrically conductive hollow body to provide an inner electrical pathway to connect to the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line. A respective dielectric pressure barrier may be between the elongate conductive member and adjacent portions of the electrically conductive hollow body adjacent each of a pair of joints to define a fluid chamber to connect to the fluid passageway. A fluid port may be connected to the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Raymond C. Hewit, Nathan S. Denver, Stephen J. Kolvek, Arthur H. White, Brian P. Smith
  • Publication number: 20160319621
    Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) and fluid coupler is for a subterranean assembly. The assembly may have a fluid passageway therein, and may include an RF antenna and a coaxial transmission line connected thereto. The coupler may include an electrically conductive hollow body that includes electrically conductive segments connected together in end-to-end relation at respective joints to provide an outer electrical pathway to connect to the outer conductor of the coaxial transmission line. An elongate conductive member may extend within the electrically conductive hollow body to provide an inner electrical pathway to connect to the inner conductor of the coaxial transmission line. A respective dielectric pressure barrier may be between the elongate conductive member and adjacent portions of the electrically conductive hollow body adjacent each of a pair of joints to define a fluid chamber to connect to the fluid passageway. A fluid port may be connected to the fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Raymond C. Hewit, Nathan S. Denver, Stephen J. Kolvek, Arthur H. White, Brian P. Smith
  • Patent number: 9482080
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a guide member extending longitudinally outwardly from the distal end of the RF transmission line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary L. Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Patent number: 9416639
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a gas source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the gas source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of gas therefrom. At least one of the RF antenna and RF transmission line define a gas lift passageway coupled to the gas source to lift hydrocarbon resources within the wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Whitney, Keith Nugent, Raymond C. Hewit, Brian N. Wright
  • Patent number: 9376900
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a dielectric fluid source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of dielectric fluid therefrom. A hydrocarbon resource recovery pump is within the wellbore and is also coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be powered by the flow of dielectric fluid therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan Matthew Whitney, Keith Nugent, Raymond C. Hewit, Brian N. Wright
  • Publication number: 20160160623
    Abstract: A device for hydrocarbon resource recovery from at least one well in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a solvent source, and a double-wall structure coupled to the RF source to define an RF antenna within the at least one well to provide RF heating to the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may absorb heat from adjacent portions of the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may also include inner and outer walls defining a solvent passageway therebetween coupled to the solvent source. The outer wall may have a plurality of openings therein to eject solvent into the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may transfer heat to the solvent so that the ejected solvent is in a vapor state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: John E. White, Murray T. Hann, Brian N. Wright, Mark A. Trautman, Raymond C. Hewit
  • Publication number: 20150337637
    Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Publication date: November 26, 2015
    Inventors: BRIAN N. WRIGHT, MURRAY T. HANN, MARK ALAN TRAUTMAN, STEVEN STRESAU
  • Publication number: 20150198024
    Abstract: A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a dielectric fluid source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of dielectric fluid therefrom. A hydrocarbon resource recovery pump is within the wellbore and is also coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be powered by the flow of dielectric fluid therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: RYAN MATTHEW WHITNEY, Keith Nugent, Raymond C. Hewit, Brian N. Wright
  • Publication number: 20150129224
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a dielectric grease injector configured to inject dielectric grease around the at least one RF contact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brian N. WRIGHT, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Publication number: 20150129222
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore, and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include an anchoring device configured to selectively anchor the RF transmission line and the at least one RF contact within the tubular RF antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt
  • Publication number: 20150129223
    Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within said tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of said RF transmission line and biased in contact with said tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a guide member extending longitudinally outwardly from the distal end of said RF transmission line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Brian N. WRIGHT, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt