Patents by Inventor Carl W. LAM

Carl W. LAM 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).

  • Systems and methods for treating contaminated solid material
    Patent number: 12208297
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for treating contaminated material. The material is heated by nonconductive and nonconvective heating in a vacuum chamber such that the surface of the material is heated without significant heating of the air within the chamber. The surface of the material is heated to at least a volatilization temperature of the contaminants or to a decomposition temperature of one or more compounds in intimate contact with the contaminants, so that the concentration of contaminants in the material is reduced. Exhaust is removed from the chamber and cooled. A solids and/or liquids collector removes condensed solids and/or liquids and has a gas outlet connected to a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2024
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hoelen, Cesar Ovalles, Adam J. Dassey, Carl W. Lam, Russell E. Cooper, Janelle L. Lewis
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CONTAMINATED SOLID MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20240424334
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for treating contaminated material. The material is heated by nonconductive and nonconvective heating in a vacuum chamber such that the surface of the material is heated without significant heating of the air within the chamber. The surface of the material is heated to at least a volatilization temperature of the contaminants or to a decomposition temperature of one or more compounds in intimate contact with the contaminants, so that the concentration of contaminants in the material is reduced. Exhaust is removed from the chamber and cooled. A solids and/or liquids collector removes condensed solids and/or liquids and has a gas outlet connected to a vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2024
    Publication date: December 26, 2024
    Inventors: Thomas P. Hoelen, Cesar Ovalles, Adam J. Dassey, Carl W. Lam, Russell E. Cooper, Janelle L. Lewis
  • Sonication for separation of materials in fluids
    Patent number: 11414327
    Abstract: A system can include a multi-material fluid having a mixture of a first material and a second material. The system can also include a first vessel into which the multi-material fluid is disposed. The system can further include a first sonication device disposed, at least in part, in the multi-material fluid in the first vessel. The first sonication device, when operating, can emit ultrasound waves into the multi-material fluid. The ultrasound waves separate the first material and the second material from each other in the first vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC., ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Carl W. Lam, Hong Luo, Yuanming Guo, Emmy Pruitt, Paul Dahlen
  • SONICATION FOR SEPARATION OF MATERIALS IN FLUIDS
    Publication number: 20210387870
    Abstract: A system can include a multi-material fluid having a mixture of a first material and a second material. The system can also include a first vessel into which the multi-material fluid is disposed. The system can further include a first sonication device disposed, at least in part, in the multi-material fluid in the first vessel. The first sonication device, when operating, can emit ultrasound waves into the multi-material fluid. The ultrasound waves separate the first material and the second material from each other in the first vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Carl W. Lam, Hong Luo, Yuanming Guo, Emmy Pruitt, Paul Dahlen
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TREATING CONTAMINATED SOLID MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20210106860
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for treating contaminated material. The material is heated by nonconductive and nonconvective heating in a vacuum chamber such that the surface of the material is heated without significant heating of the air within the chamber. The surface of the material is heated to at least a volatilization temperature of the contaminants or to a decomposition temperature of one or more compounds in intimate contact with the contaminants, so that the concentration of contaminants in the material is reduced. Exhaust is removed from the chamber and cooled. A solids and/or liquids collector removes condensed solids and/or liquids and has a gas outlet connected to a vacuum pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Inventors: Thomas P. HOELEN, Cesar OVALLES, Adam J. DASSEY, Carl W. LAM, Russell E. COOPER, Janelle L. LEWIS