Patents by Inventor David Vandor

David Vandor 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: 9316098
    Abstract: Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 9309759
    Abstract: Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 9260018
    Abstract: Systems and methods of semi-centralized energy storage and mobile power outflow for vehicle propulsion comprise at least one energy storage facility receiving energy via an electric grid and at least one mobile vehicle. The energy is generated at a first location, and the energy storage facility is at a second location different from the first location. The second location is closer to end users of the energy than the first location. The energy storage facility produces an energy storage medium at the second location and stores the energy from the first location at the second location in the energy storage medium. The energy storage medium comprises liquid air, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, or a combination thereof. The mobile vehicle includes a prime mover and a cryogenic storage vessel and is configured to carry at least a portion of the energy storage medium in the cryogenic storage vessel and use power from the energy storage medium for mobile vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20150084407
    Abstract: Systems and methods of semi-centralized energy storage and mobile power outflow for vehicle propulsion comprise at least one energy storage facility receiving energy via an electric grid and at least one mobile vehicle. The energy is generated at a first location, and the energy storage facility is at a second location different from the first location. The second location is closer to end users of the energy than the first location. The energy storage facility produces an energy storage medium at the second location and stores the energy from the first location at the second location in the energy storage medium. The energy storage medium comprises liquid air, liquid oxygen, liquid nitrogen, or a combination thereof. The mobile vehicle includes a prime mover and a cryogenic storage vessel and is configured to carry at least a portion of the energy storage medium in the cryogenic storage vessel and use power from the energy storage medium for mobile vehicle propulsion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Applicant: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8907524
    Abstract: Systems and methods of semi-centralized power storage and distributed power generation comprise at least one power storage facility at a first location, at least one distributed power generation facility at a second location different than the first location, and at least one mobile stored power transportation unit. The power storage facility includes a power storage medium comprising liquid air, nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof. The mobile stored power transportation unit is configured to carry at least a portion of the power storage medium to the distributed power generation facility. In exemplary embodiments, the power storage facility is an air separation plant. The power storage facility may also function as an energy service company.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20140333139
    Abstract: Systems and methods of semi-centralized power storage and distributed power generation comprise at least one power storage facility at a first location, at least one distributed power generation facility at a second location different than the first location, and at least one mobile stored power transportation unit. The power storage facility includes a power storage medium comprising liquid air, nitrogen, oxygen, or a combination thereof. The mobile stored power transportation unit is configured to carry at least a portion of the power storage medium to the distributed power generation facility. In exemplary embodiments, the power storage facility is an air separation plant. The power storage facility may also function as an energy service company.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20130263624
    Abstract: A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8501125
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. Methods and processes of environmental remediation and recovering metals from waste streams are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8342246
    Abstract: Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8252242
    Abstract: Systems of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising a carbon capture assembly including a mixing vessel, a reaction vessel, and a solvent regeneration assembly fluidly connected to the reaction vessel. The solvent regeneration assembly comprises at least one heat exchanger, a cryogenic drying vessel fluidly connected to the heat exchanger, and a hot distillation vessel fluidly connected to the cryogenic drying vessel. An alkali is mixed with a substantially non-aqueous solvent to form a suspension in the mixing vessel. The reaction vessel is fluidly connected to the mixing vessel such that the reaction vessel receives the suspension of alkali and solvent from the mixing vessel through a first input, receives flue gas containing carbon dioxide through a second input and receives water through a third input such that carbonic acid, carbonate, water and heat are formed in the reaction vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20120118566
    Abstract: Methods and systems of fracturing subterranean formations to are provided comprising pumping metacritical phase natural gas into a subterranean formation to create or extend one or more fissures in the formation. Methods and systems may further comprise maintaining or increasing pressure of the metacritical phase natural gas in the formation by pumping more metacritical phase natural gas into the fissures to hold the fissures open. Methods and systems may further comprise delivering a proppant into the subterranean formation. Disclosed methods and systems may be used to extract hydrocarbons from subterranean formations without the use of liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20120036888
    Abstract: A system for the production of LNG from low-pressure feed gas sources, at small production scales and at lower energy input costs. A system for the small-scale production of cold compressed natural gas (CCNG). A method of dispensing natural gas from stored CCNG, comprising: dispensing CCNG from a CCNG storage tank; pumping the CCNG by a cryogenic liquid pump to a pressure suitable for compressed natural gas dispensing and storage in on-vehicle compressed natural gas storage tanks; recovering cold from the CCNG by heat exchange with natural gas feeding the natural gas production plant to replace dispensed product. A system for the storage, transport, and dispensing of natural gas, comprising: means for handling natural gas in a CCNG state where the natural gas is a non-liquid, but is dense-enough to allow for pumping to pressure by a cryogenic liquid pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8063511
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly, a portion of moisture being removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop fluid warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop fluid such that the working loop fluid is substantially liquefied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8020404
    Abstract: System and method for storing and releasing energy comprising directing air into a vertical cold flue assembly. The assembly has an air inlet at or near the top and an air exit at or near the bottom. The air is cooled and a portion of moisture is removed from the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 8020406
    Abstract: A method and system for the small-scale production of LNG.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventors: David Vandor, Ralph Greenberg
  • Publication number: 20110214535
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat. Methods and processes of environmental remediation and recovering metals from waste streams are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC.
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20110209497
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: 7947240
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Publication number: 20110030332
    Abstract: Systems and methods for storing and releasing energy comprising directing inlet air into a vertical cold flue assembly, a portion of moisture being removed from the air within the cold flue assembly. The air is directed out of the cold flue assembly and compressed. The remaining moisture is substantially removed and the carbon dioxide is removed from the air by adsorption. The air is cooled in a main heat exchanger such that it is substantially liquefied using refrigerant loop air. The substantially liquefied air is directed to a storage apparatus. The refrigerant loop air is cooled by a mechanical chiller and by a plurality of refrigerant loop air expanders. In energy release mode, working loop fluid warms the released liquid air such that the released liquid air is substantially vaporized, and the released liquid air cools the working loop fluid such that the working loop fluid is substantially liquefied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Expansion Energy, LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor
  • Patent number: RE45309
    Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Expansion Energy LLC
    Inventor: David Vandor