Patents by Inventor Clay Hildreth
Clay Hildreth 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: 11796437Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: BRINE MASTERS, LLCInventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas
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Publication number: 20220362723Abstract: A brine maker is provided having a substantially cuboid shape. The brine maker may include: a hopper having a top opening configured to receive a solute from above the brine maker; a partition screen separating a solute side of the hopper from a brine side of the hopper; and a plurality of solvent ports located along a bottom floor of the hopper, the solvent ports configured to direct a solvent across the bottom floor of the hopper toward the partition screen.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2022Publication date: November 17, 2022Applicant: Brine Masters, LLCInventors: Clay Hildreth, Andrew John Humke
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Publication number: 20210404930Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: Brine Masters, LLCInventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas
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Publication number: 20210316260Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Brine Masters, LLCInventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
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Publication number: 20210316256Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2021Publication date: October 14, 2021Applicant: Brine Masters, LLCInventors: Clay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
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Patent number: 10766010Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank having an upper opening configured for receiving salt crystals to fill the tank. A divider separates a tank volume into an upper portion adapted for holding salt crystals a lower portion adapted for holding a brine solution. The divider is adapted to resist movement of salt crystals into the lower portion but is permeable to allow the brine solution to fall into the lower portion. A fluid conduit disposed within the upper portion includes at least one water jet for injecting water in a direction towards the salt crystals. The tank further includes an outlet positioned in the lower portion of the tank for withdrawing brine.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Gary Nesheim, Clay Hildreth, Grant Nesheim, Peter Nelles
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Patent number: 10544340Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank unit having a tank body and a divider which separates the tank into an upper portion for holding salt crystals and a lower portion for holding brine. The divider is adapted to resist the movement of salt crystals greater than a predetermined size and to permit the brine solution to pass from the upper portion through the divider to the lower portion by the effect of gravity. The divider includes a sump channel having an opening in communication with the upper portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is adapted to collect non-soluble particles greater than a predetermined size and permit the brine solution in the sump channel to pass therethrough to the lower portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is in communication with a sediment discharge port defined in the tank body.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2014Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Gary Nesheim, Clay Hildreth, Grant Nesheim, Peter Nelles
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Patent number: 10376854Abstract: A solution making system and apparatus are described. The solution maker mixes a chemical or slurry with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by one or more methods. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2015Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
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Patent number: 9156013Abstract: A solution making system and apparatus are described. The solution maker mixes a chemical or slurry with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by one or more methods. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 13, 2015Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATEDInventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
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Publication number: 20150273417Abstract: A solution making system and apparatus are described. The solution maker mixes a chemical or slurry with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by one or more methods. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2015Publication date: October 1, 2015Inventors: Clay HILDRETH, Michael HOERLE, Scott AKSAMIT
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Patent number: 8870444Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventor: Clay Hildreth
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Publication number: 20140251177Abstract: A brine generation system includes a tank unit having a tank body and a divider which separates the tank into an upper portion for holding salt crystals and a lower portion for holding brine. The divider is adapted to resist the movement of salt crystals greater than a predetermined size and to permit the brine solution to pass from the upper portion through the divider to the lower portion by the effect of gravity. The divider includes a sump channel having an opening in communication with the upper portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is adapted to collect non-soluble particles greater than a predetermined size and permit the brine solution in the sump channel to pass therethrough to the lower portion of the tank unit. The sump channel is in communication with a sediment discharge port defined in the tank body.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Gary NESHEIM, Clay HILDRETH, Grant NESHEIM, Peter NELLES
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Patent number: 8382364Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventor: Clay Hildreth
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Publication number: 20120269026Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATEDInventor: Clay Hildreth
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Patent number: 8251569Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2010Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventor: Clay Hildreth
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Publication number: 20100329071Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2010Publication date: December 30, 2010Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATEDInventor: Clay HILDRETH
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Patent number: 7810987Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2005Date of Patent: October 12, 2010Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventor: Clay Hildreth
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Publication number: 20090155914Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventor: Clay HILDRETH
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Publication number: 20090092001Abstract: A solution making system and apparatus are described. The solution maker mixes a chemical or slurry with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by one or more methods. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2006Publication date: April 9, 2009Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
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Publication number: 20070025179Abstract: An automated solution maker is provided. The automated solution maker mixes a chemical with a solvent to a desired concentration. The concentration of the solution is monitored by measuring the conductivity of the solution. Based upon this measurement, the concentration of the solution may be adjusted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2005Publication date: February 1, 2007Inventor: Clay Hildreth