Abstract: A system and method for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein, include the use of a radio frequency (RF) source, an RF antenna to be positioned within the wellbore and a transmission line coupling the RF source and the RF antenna. A tunable choke is positioned on the transmission line between the RF source and RF antenna, and a controller is coupled to the tunable choke. The controller may be configured to tune the tunable choke to reduce a common mode current from propagating on an outside of the transmission line toward the RF source.

Abstract: A method for using RF energy to facilitate the production of oil from formations separated from the RF energy source by a rock stratum comprises operating an antenna to transmit RF energy into a hydrocarbon formation, the hydrocarbon formation comprised of a first hydrocarbon portion above and adjacent to the antenna, a second hydrocarbon portion above the first hydrocarbon portion, and a rock stratum between the first hydrocarbon portion and the second hydrocarbon portion. The operation of the antenna heats water in the hydrocarbon formation to produce steam in the hydrocarbon formation, and the steam heats hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon formation and fractures the rock stratum to produce fissures in the rock stratum. The heated hydrocarbons in the second hydrocarbon portion flows into the first hydrocarbon portion through the fissures in the rock stratum.

Abstract: A dipole antenna may be created by surrounding a portion of the continuous conductor with a nonconductive magnetic bead, and then applying a power source to the continuous conductor across the nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic bead creates a driving discontinuity without requiring a break or gap in the conductor. The power source may be connected or applied to the continuous conductor using a variety of preferably shielded configurations, including a coaxial or twin-axial inset or offset feed, a triaxial inset feed, or a diaxial offset feed. A second nonconductive magnetic bead may be positioned to surround a second portion of the continuous conductor to effectively create two nearly equal length dipole antenna sections on either side of the first nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic beads may be comprised of various nonconductive magnetic materials, and preformed for installation around the conductor, or injected around the conductor in subsurface applications.

Abstract: An electromagnetic heating applicator is disclosed. The applicator includes a first strand and a second strand, each of which has an insulated portion, a bare portion, and is made up of at least one wire. The first and second strands are braided, twisted, or both braided and twisted together such that the bare portion of each strand is adjacent to the insulated portion of the other strand. A system and method for heating a geological formation are also disclosed. The system includes an applicator in a bore that extends into a formation, an extraction bore connected to a pump and positioned under the first bore, and transmitting equipment connected to the applicator. The method includes the steps of providing the components of the system, connecting the applicator to RF power transmitting equipment, applying RF power to the applicator using the transmitting equipment, and pumping hydrocarbons out of the extraction bore.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a material that is susceptible to RF heating by an RF antenna array. The apparatus includes a source of RF power connected to an antenna array having a plurality of loop antenna sections connected to each other by dipole antenna sections wherein the loop antenna sections and dipole antenna sections create a magnetic near field and an electric near field such that the ratio of magnetic field strength to electric field strength is approximately a predetermined value. Material is heated by the apparatus by placing the material in the near fields of the antenna array and creating magnetic near fields and electric near fields that approximate a ratio that is predetermined to efficiently heat the material and connecting the antenna array to an RF power source.

Abstract: A method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. A radio frequency applicator is positioned to provide radiation within the hydrocarbon formation. A first signal sufficient to heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric current is applied to the applicator. A second or alternate frequency signal is then applied to the applicator that is sufficient to pass through the desiccated zone and heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric or magnetic fields. A method for efficiently creating electricity and steam for heating a hydrocarbon formation is also disclosed. An electric generator, steam generator, and a regenerator containing water are provided. The electric generator is run. The heat created from running the electric generator is fed into the regenerator causing the water to be preheated. The preheated water is then fed into the steam generator.

Abstract: An electronic device may include a substrate and a stacked arrangement of layers thereon. The stacked arrangement of layers may include a visual display layer, and a patch antenna above the visual display layer. The patch antenna may include an optically transmissive electrically conductive mesh.

Abstract: A method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. A radio frequency applicator is positioned to provide radiation within the hydrocarbon formation. A first signal sufficient to heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric current is applied to the applicator. A second or alternate frequency signal is then applied to the applicator that is sufficient to pass through the desiccated zone and heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric or magnetic fields. A method for efficiently creating electricity and steam for heating a hydrocarbon formation is also disclosed. An electric generator, steam generator, and a regenerator containing water are provided. The electric generator is run. The heat created from running the electric generator is fed into the regenerator causing the water to be preheated. The preheated water is then fed into the steam generator.

Abstract: A dipole antenna may be created by surrounding a portion of the continuous conductor with a nonconductive magnetic bead, and then applying a power source to the continuous conductor across the nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic bead creates a driving discontinuity without requiring a break or gap in the conductor. The power source may be connected or applied to the continuous conductor using a variety of preferably shielded configurations, including a coaxial or twin-axial inset or offset feed, a triaxial inset feed, or a diaxial offset feed. A second nonconductive magnetic bead may be positioned to surround a second portion of the continuous conductor to effectively create two nearly equal length dipole antenna sections on either side of the first nonconductive magnetic bead. The nonconductive magnetic beads may be comprised of various nonconductive magnetic materials, and preformed for installation around the conductor, or injected around the conductor in subsurface applications.

Abstract: A control system for use in extracting hydrocarbons from an underground deposit is disclosed that comprises an electromagnetic heating system and a processor. The electromagnetic heating system is configured to heat the underground deposit to facilitate fluid flow of a resource for extraction from the underground deposit. The processor is configured to control the electromagnetic heating system in response to temperature data and pressure data for the underground deposit. The processor correlates the temperature data and pressure data with predetermined water phase characteristics to control the electromagnetic heating system so that substantially all water in the underground deposit is maintained in a liquid state. The control system may also generate voxel data corresponding to spatial characteristics of the underground deposit. The spatial characteristics may be presented as a map on a display.

Abstract: A method for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a laterally extending wellbore therein may include supplying radio frequency (RF) power at a settable frequency from an RF radiator positioned within the laterally extending wellbore to heat the hydrocarbon resource and start formation of a steam bubble adjacent the laterally extending wellbore while sensing an impedance matching value of the RF radiator. The method may also include lowering the settable frequency at least one time based upon the sensed impedance matching value as the steam bubble grows. The frequency may rise after the steam bubble is formed and induction heating operation occurs.

Abstract: A method for forming a radio frequency (RF) radiator in a laterally extending wellbore in a subterranean formation containing a hydrocarbon resource water may include positioning at least one electrically conductive member within the laterally extending wellbore. The method may also include supplying a solidifiable material adjacent the at least one electrically conductive member, and solidifying the solidifiable material to form a dielectric material layer over the at least one electrically conductive member to form the RF radiator.

Abstract: The antenna assembly includes first and second adjacent antenna elements each having a tapered or conical antenna body with a base and an apex opposite the base. An elongated or cylindrical antenna body extends from the base of the conical antenna body, and includes a plurality of adjacent elongated or cylindrical antenna body portions, and a respective dielectric member separating adjacent cylindrical antenna body portions. Each of the first and second adjacent antenna elements are aligned along a common longitudinal axis with respective apexes in opposing relation to define a dipole antenna. Increased radiation pattern bandwidth and satisfactory pattern on the horizon may be achieved in such a biconical-type antenna.

Abstract: A wireless communications device may include wireless communications circuitry and a waveguide transducer coupled to the wireless communications circuitry. The waveguide transducer may include a loop electrical conductor having a plurality of spaced apart gaps therein defining a plurality of respective spaced apart coupling points. The waveguide transducer may also include a feed assembly that may include at least one waveguide feed, and a feed network coupled between the at least one waveguide feed and the plurality of coupling points. The waveguide transducer may further include a waveguide surrounding the loop electrical conductor and extending outwardly therefrom. The waveguide may include a tubular body having an open end and an opposing closed end carrying the loop electrical conductor.

Abstract: A wireless communications device may include wireless communications circuitry and an antenna coupled to the wireless communications circuitry. The antenna may include a loop electrical conductor having four spaced apart gaps therein defining four respective spaced apart coupling points, and a feed assembly. The feed assembly may include at least one antenna feed, and a feed network coupled between the at least one antenna feed and the four coupling points. The antenna may also include a reflector surrounding the loop electrical conductor.

Abstract: A wireless communications device includes wireless communications circuitry and an antenna coupled to the wireless communications circuitry. The antenna includes a loop electrical conductor having four spaced apart gaps therein defining four respective spaced apart coupling points, and a feed assembly. The feed assembly includes at least one antenna feed, and four signal feed lines, each signal feed line coupled between the at least one antenna feed and a respective one of the four coupling points. The antenna may provide linear polarization, circular polarization, and dual polarization.

Abstract: A device for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having at least one pair of laterally extending upper and lower wellbores therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source. The device may also include an upper wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending upper wellbore and including a plurality of first terminals. The device may further include a lower wellbore RF radiator to be positioned in the laterally extending lower wellbore and comprising a plurality of second terminals. The device may also include an interconnection arrangement configured to couple the RF source and the first and second terminals so that at least one of the upper and lower wellbore RF radiators heat the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing conditions in a subsurface geologic formation heated for the extraction of hydrocarbons is disclosed. A time domain reflectometer in conjunction with an open wire transmission line is employed in real time to determine impedance discontinuities in the geologic formation. These impedance discontinuities correspond to physical conditions in the geologic formation. The open wire transmission line can include pipes running into the subsurface geologic formation or other conductors, including a split tube well casing. The method may operate in the low frequency window for subsurface electromagnetic propagation.

Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof.

Abstract: A food pasteurization device may include a food pasteurization chamber having a pair of opposing first and second ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween, and a first electrically conductive layer adjacent the first opposing end of the food pasteurization chamber. The food pasteurization device may also include a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the food pasteurization chamber and coupled to the first electrically conductive layer. A radio frequency (RF) source may be coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor.