Patents by Inventor Charles Collins
Charles Collins 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).
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Patent number: 11918638Abstract: Reported herein are novel recombinant respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV) having an attenuated phenotype in which the native positions of the NS1 and/or NS2 genes in the RSV genome are shifted to a higher position, that is at positions that are more distal to the promoter. The changes in the gene positions may be present in combination with mutations at other loci to achieve desired levels of attenuation and immunogenicity. The recombinant RSV strains described here are suitable for use as live-attenuated RSV vaccines. Also provided are polynucleotide sequences capable of encoding the described viruses, as well as methods for producing and using the viruses.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2021Date of Patent: March 5, 2024Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human ServicesInventors: Peter L. Collins, Thomas Charles McCarty
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Publication number: 20240060502Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes a lower chamber, an upper chamber and an intermediate guide section between the lower chamber and the upper chamber. The lower chamber includes a seal bag assembly that has a seal bag containing motor oil and an exterior space around the seal bag that contains high density oil that is denser than the motor oil. The upper chamber includes a volume of the high density oil at the bottom of the upper chamber and a gravity trap connected to the exterior space through an intermediate passage in the intermediate guide section. The gravity trap includes an opening submerged in the volume of high density oil in the upper chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2023Publication date: February 22, 2024Applicant: Baker Hughes Oilfield Operations LLCInventors: Charles Collins, Ryan Semple, Aron Meyer, David Tanner
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Patent number: 11802469Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: Baker Hughes ESP, Inc.Inventor: Charles Collins
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Publication number: 20230231505Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring and suppressing a back EMF generated by an ESP motor when the ESP system is moved in a well. Embodiments provide both electrical braking to reduce the rotation of the motor (and corresponding back EMF) and warnings to alert users to hazardous conditions caused by the back EMF. One embodiment includes an ESP system having a permanent magnet motor, a back EMF safety system, and a power cable connected between them. The proximal ends of the cable's conductors are connected terminals of the back EMF safety system, which has switches that are closed to short circuit the conductors so that back EMF currents from rotation of the motor induce electrical braking in the motor. Currents and phase-to-phase voltages on the conductors are monitored to detect overcurrent and overvoltage conditions that may trigger alarms or other actions.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 18, 2022Publication date: July 20, 2023Inventors: Yong Li, Zheng Ye, Charles Collins
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Publication number: 20230035369Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Baker Hughes ESP, Inc.Inventor: Charles Collins
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Publication number: 20220414277Abstract: A computing system may include an object representation engine and an object incarnation engine. The object representation engine may be configured to define a computer-aided design (CAD) object in a CAD model as a combination of an object boundary comprised of bounding faces that encapsulate the CAD object and a microstructure that defines an internal geometry of the CAD object in a procedural representation. The procedural representation may be a representation of the internal geometry of the CAD object in a non-incarnated form. The object incarnation engine may be configured to incarnate, via the procedural representation of the microstructure, the internal geometry of the CAD object into a geometric representation to perform a CAD operation on the CAD object.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2019Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventors: Richard Charles Collins, Peter Philip Lonsdale Nanson
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Patent number: 11486243Abstract: A gas mitigation system for controlling the amount of gas that reaches a submersible pumping system deployed in a wellbore includes a well zone isolation device disposed in the wellbore between the submersible pumping system and a gas collecting region. The gas mitigation system further includes a back pressure control module and a gas vent line extending from the gas collecting region through the well zone isolation device to the back pressure control module. A liquid intake line extends from the well zone isolation device to an area of the wellbore upstream from the gas collecting region.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2016Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: Baker Hughes ESP, Inc.Inventor: Charles Collins
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Patent number: 11459604Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing samples, including for example, samples containing nucleic acids, antibodies, and/or antigens are described. The apparatus may include a frame having a cartridge receiver, two optical devices, thermal cycler, lysis assembly, hybridization heater, and sample transfer assembly. In use, the apparatus may perform multiple sample preparation and analysis processes within the same disposable cartridge including, for example, performing a PCR assay and immunoassay in the same cartridge.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATIONInventors: Charles Collins, Dave Smith, Anthony Salvaggio, Alpar Erdei, Gray Mack
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Patent number: 11365809Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes one or more fluid separation mechanisms, a shaft, a mechanical seal chamber and a mechanical seal inside the mechanical seal chamber. The seal section further comprises a mechanical seal protector around the mechanical seal. The mechanical seal protector includes a cap that surrounds a portion of the mechanical seal and a filter screen. The cap may also include one or more expulsion ports extending through the cap. The cap may be stationary or connected to the shaft and configured for rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2014Date of Patent: June 21, 2022Assignee: Baker Hughes ESP, Inc.Inventors: Charles Collins, James Le
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Patent number: 11118582Abstract: A submersible pumping system has an electric motor, a rotary hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a linear hydraulic pump that is configured to move a production fluid. The rotary hydraulic pump produces a pressurized working fluid that drives the linear hydraulic pump. In another aspect, a method is disclosed for controlling the temperature of an electric motor within a submersible pumping system disposed in a wellbore. The method includes the steps of circulating motor lubricant through a hydraulically driven production pump to reduce the temperature of the motor lubricant.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2019Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Baker Hughes ESP, Inc.Inventors: Brian Reeves, Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes, Eric Rohlman
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Publication number: 20210097218Abstract: A method for representing a product using data in different data processing formats comprises deriving data relating to one or more first parts of the product in a first format and deriving data relating to one or more second parts of the product in a second format. The first format includes mesh data and the second format includes a classic geometric representation. In a data processing system, at least one first part of the product including mesh data is selected and at least one second part of the product including classic geometric representation data is selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Applicant: SIEMENS INDUSTRY SOFTWARE INC.Inventors: George A. Allen, Richard Charles Collins, Diana Cox, Lloyd Husbands, David Jackson, Peter Philip Lonsdale Nanson
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Patent number: 10851336Abstract: Methods and systems for magnetic mixing. Particular embodiments relate to applying a magnetic field to move a magnetically responsive component in a chamber.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: LUMINEX CORPORATIONInventors: Doug Whitman, James Heisler, Colin Bozarth, Germaine Siew, Charles Collins, Eric Smith
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Patent number: 10830024Abstract: A method of operating a submersible pumping system includes the steps of placing the pumping system in a normal mode of operation and then detecting the possible presence of a gas slug in proximity to the pumping system by measuring a decrease in the load on the motor. Once the possibility of a gas slug has been detected, the method continues by placing the pumping system in a reduced speed cycle. The pumping system is kept in the reduced speed cycle until the absence of a gas slug in proximity to the pumping system is detected by evaluating two independent conditions within the pumping system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2017Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Charles Collins, Stacy Wade, Darrel Clark, Eric Rohlman
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Publication number: 20200017901Abstract: Apparatus and methods for analyzing samples, including for example, samples containing nucleic acids, antibodies, and/or antigens are described. The apparatus may include a frame having a cartridge receiver, two optical devices, thermal cycler, lysis assembly, hybridization heater, and sample transfer assembly. In use, the apparatus may perform multiple sample preparation and analysis processes within the same disposable cartridge including, for example, performing a PCR assay and immunoassay in the same cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2019Publication date: January 16, 2020Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATIONInventors: Charles COLLINS, Dave SMITH, Anthony SALVAGGIO, Alpar ERDEI, Gray MACK
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Publication number: 20190323499Abstract: A submersible pumping system has an electric motor, a rotary hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a linear hydraulic pump that is configured to move a production fluid. The rotary hydraulic pump produces a pressurized working fluid that drives the linear hydraulic pump. In another aspect, a method is disclosed for controlling the temperature of an electric motor within a submersible pumping system disposed in a wellbore. The method includes the steps of circulating motor lubricant through a hydraulically driven production pump to reduce the temperature of the motor lubricant.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2019Publication date: October 24, 2019Applicant: GE Oil & Gas ESP, Inc.Inventors: Brian Reeves, Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes, Eric Rohlman
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Patent number: 10371214Abstract: An adapter is used to connect a first component within a downhole pumping system to a second component within the downhole pumping system. The adapter includes an upstream section adjacent the first component and a downstream section adjacent the second component. The adapter further includes an articulating joint that permits the angular movement of the first component with respect to the second component. The articulating joint includes a flexible metal casing extending between the upstream section and the downstream section.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2017Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: GE Oil & GAs ESP, Inc.Inventors: Charles Collins, Aaron Noakes
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Patent number: 10301915Abstract: An electric submersible pumping system is configured to pump fluids from a wellbore. The electric submersible pumping system includes a motor filled with dielectric motor lubricant and a pump driven by the motor. The electric submersible pumping system further includes an upper seal section connected to the motor and filled with seal section oil. The electric submersible pumping system also includes a lower seal section connected to the motor. In preferred embodiments, the lower seal section includes an expansible bladder that isolates the dielectric motor lubricant from wellbore fluids. The upper seal section is in fluid isolation from the motor. The lower seal section is in fluid communication with the motor.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2013Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: GE Oil & Gas Esp, Inc.Inventor: Charles Collins
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Patent number: 10253883Abstract: A seal section for use in a downhole submersible pumping system includes one or more fluid separation mechanisms, a shaft and one or more primary mechanical seals. Each of the one or more primary mechanical seals is disposed along the shaft. The seal section also includes one or more redundant shaft seals that each substantially surrounds a corresponding one of the one or more primary mechanical seals. In another aspect, a seal section for use in a pumping system includes one or more fluid separation mechanisms, a shaft, a primary mechanical seal and a redundant shaft seal. The redundant shaft seal substantially surrounds the primary mechanical seal. The seal section further includes an internal seal chamber defined by the annular space between the primary mechanical seal and the redundant shaft seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: GE OIL & GAS ESP, INC.Inventors: Charles Collins, James Le
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Publication number: 20190093061Abstract: Methods and systems for magnetic mixing. Particular embodiments relate to applying a magnetic field to move a magnetically responsive component in a chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Applicant: LUMINEX CORPORATIONInventors: Doug WHITMAN, James HEISLER, Colin BOZARTH, Germaine SIEW, Charles COLLINS, Eric SMITH
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Patent number: D897755Type: GrantFiled: May 22, 2019Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Inventor: Charles Collins Garrison, Jr.