Patents by Inventor David L. Shanks

David L. Shanks 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).

  • Method of capturing vapor phase fluids from fluid returns in a tank
    Patent number: 10125557
    Abstract: A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Inventors: David L Shanks, Joseph Michael Vlosich, III
  • Method of Capturing Vapor Phase Fluids From Fluid Returns In A Tank
    Publication number: 20180119502
    Abstract: A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Inventors: David L Shanks, J. Michael Vlosich, III
  • Floating gas trap system using agitation
    Patent number: 9879489
    Abstract: A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Inventors: David L. Shanks, Joseph Michael Vlosich, III
  • Floating Gas Trap System Using Agitation
    Publication number: 20150211311
    Abstract: A gas trap system for releasing gas-phase fluids is provided herein. The gas trap system is designed to reside within a return fluids tank, such as at a drill site. The gas trap system first includes a gas trap. The gas trap is configured to agitate drilling fluids in the return tank, and then to release gases during agitation. Liquids are circulated and released through a liquids exhaust port while gases are released through a gas exhaust port near the top of the gas trap. The gas trap system is configured to float along vertical guide rods in response to changes in height, weight and viscosity of the drilling fluids in the return tank. A method of capturing gaseous phase fluids from a fluid return is also provided herein. The fluid return is preferably drilling fluids at a drill site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Inventors: David L. Shanks, Joseph Michael Vlosich, III
  • Impeller for fluid agitation
    Patent number: D749137
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2016
    Inventors: Joseph Michael Vlosich, III, David L. Shanks