Patents by Inventor Christopher Robert Thomas

Christopher Robert Thomas 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: 20240307832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for blending fluids are provided. A blended fluid may be obtained by mixing a first fluid from a first fluid source with a second fluid from a second fluid source. The blended fluid may be pumped by a pump arranged downstream of a point at which the first and second fluids are mixed, wherein no other pumps are upstream of the pump. First and second flow control valves that control the flow rate of the first and second fluids, respectively, are adjusted so as to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
  • Patent number: 12023634
    Abstract: Systems and methods for blending fluids are provided. A blended fluid may be obtained by mixing a first fluid from a first fluid source with a second fluid from a second fluid source. The blended fluid may be pumped by a pump arranged downstream of a point at which the first and second fluids are mixed, wherein no other pumps are upstream of the pump. First and second flow control valves that control the flow rate of the first and second fluids, respectively, are adjusted so as to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2024
    Assignee: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
  • Patent number: 11969698
    Abstract: A system for making a brine solution is provided comprising: a single conveyor; and a hopper assembly configured to receive a salt and a solvent, the hopper assembly comprising a lower hopper having a shape in which sides of the lower hopper direct any solid contents of the lower hopper, under a force of gravity, towards an entry point of the single conveyor, the hopper assembly further comprising a solvent inlet arranged to spray the salt, wherein the solvent inlet is configured to create a brine solution from a spray of the solvent combined with the salt in the hopper assembly, and wherein the single conveyor is configured to remove debris from the hopper assembly at the entry point of the single conveyor. A novel sediment tank is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: BRINE MASTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
  • Patent number: 11796437
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to detect a density and/or a concentration of a brine solution or any other solution flowing in a conduit. A diverted portion of the brine solution may be received from the conduit at a vertical pipe. The vertical pipe has a top and a bottom, where the diverted portion of the brine solution is received at the bottom of the vertical pipe and the top of the vertical pipe is at atmospheric pressure. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure of the brine solution in the vertical pipe. A processor may determine the density and/or the concentration of the brine solution based on the detected pressure of the brine solution and a property of a reference solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: BRINE MASTERS, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210404930
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided to detect a density and/or a concentration of a brine solution or any other solution flowing in a conduit. A diverted portion of the brine solution may be received from the conduit at a vertical pipe. The vertical pipe has a top and a bottom, where the diverted portion of the brine solution is received at the bottom of the vertical pipe and the top of the vertical pipe is at atmospheric pressure. A pressure sensor may detect a pressure of the brine solution in the vertical pipe. A processor may determine the density and/or the concentration of the brine solution based on the detected pressure of the brine solution and a property of a reference solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas
  • Publication number: 20210316256
    Abstract: A system for making a brine solution is provided comprising: a single conveyor; and a hopper assembly configured to receive a salt and a solvent, the hopper assembly comprising a lower hopper having a shape in which sides of the lower hopper direct any solid contents of the lower hopper, under a force of gravity, towards an entry point of the single conveyor, the hopper assembly further comprising a solvent inlet arranged to spray the salt, wherein the solvent inlet is configured to create a brine solution from a spray of the solvent combined with the salt in the hopper assembly, and wherein the single conveyor is configured to remove debris from the hopper assembly at the entry point of the single conveyor. A novel sediment tank is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
  • Publication number: 20210316260
    Abstract: Systems and methods for blending fluids are provided. A blended fluid may be obtained by mixing a first fluid from a first fluid source with a second fluid from a second fluid source. The blended fluid may be pumped by a pump arranged downstream of a point at which the first and second fluids are mixed, wherein no other pumps are upstream of the pump. First and second flow control valves that control the flow rate of the first and second fluids, respectively, are adjusted so as to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke