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).

  • 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: 20220362723
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: Brine Masters, LLC
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Andrew John Humke
  • 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: 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10766010
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Nesheim, Clay Hildreth, Grant Nesheim, Peter Nelles
  • Patent number: 10544340
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Nesheim, Clay Hildreth, Grant Nesheim, Peter Nelles
  • Patent number: 10376854
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
  • Patent number: 9156013
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
  • Publication number: 20150273417
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Clay HILDRETH, Michael HOERLE, Scott AKSAMIT
  • Patent number: 8870444
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20140251177
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: HENDERSON PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Gary NESHEIM, Clay HILDRETH, Grant NESHEIM, Peter NELLES
  • Patent number: 8382364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20120269026
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth
  • Patent number: 8251569
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20100329071
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: CARGILL, INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Clay HILDRETH
  • Patent number: 7810987
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Cargill, Incorporated
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth
  • Publication number: 20090155914
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Clay HILDRETH
  • Publication number: 20090092001
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: April 9, 2009
    Inventors: Clay Hildreth, Michael Hoerle, Scott Aksamit
  • Publication number: 20070025179
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Inventor: Clay Hildreth