Patents by Inventor Gary Fout

Gary Fout 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).

  • Publication number: 20200408052
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which includes at least one feed line, a mixer including a first inlet configured to receive flow from the feed line and a second inlet configured to receive a flow from an external source, an outlet, at least one first conveyor to feed a first flow from the at least one feed hopper to the mixer, and at least one second conveyor to discharge a flow from the mixer via the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Inventors: Steven Shamblin, Gary Fout, Terrell Jensen
  • Patent number: 10246956
    Abstract: Systems and methods recycle liquid(s) by introducing at least a portion of a first liquid from a first centrifuge into a tank. At least a portion of a second liquid is introduced from a second centrifuge into the tank. The first liquid and the second liquid are mixed together in the tank to produce a mixed liquid. At least a portion of the mixed liquid is introduced from the tank into the second centrifuge. Particles from the mixed liquid are separated using the second centrifuge, thereby producing the at least a portion of the second liquid that is introduced from the second centrifuge into the tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Leonardo Renzo Vicentini
  • Publication number: 20180202245
    Abstract: Systems and methods recycle liquid(s) by introducing at least a portion of a first liquid from a first centrifuge into a tank. At least a portion of a second liquid is introduced from a second centrifuge into the tank. The first liquid and the second liquid are mixed together in the tank to produce a mixed liquid. At least a portion of the mixed liquid is introduced from the tank into the second centrifuge. Particles from the mixed liquid are separated using the second centrifuge, thereby producing the at least a portion of the second liquid that is introduced from the second centrifuge into the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 19, 2018
    Inventors: Gary FOUT, Leonardo Renzo VICENTINI
  • Patent number: 9518435
    Abstract: A method of processing a return oil-based drilling fluid includes centrifuging a primarily fluids phase at a first speed and separating the primarily fluids phase into a first effluent and a first residual, centrifuging the first effluent at a second speed and separating the first effluent into a second effluent and a second residual, and centrifuging the second effluent at a third speed and separating the second effluent into a third effluent and a third residual. A surfactant, a polymer, combinations of surfactant(s) and polymer(s) and/or a wash water may be added to one or more of the return oil-based drilling fluid, the primarily fluids phase, the primarily solids phase, the first effluent, the second effluent, and the third effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Michael Savoy
  • Publication number: 20140371113
    Abstract: A method of processing a return oil-based drilling fluid includes centrifuging a primarily fluids phase at a first speed and separating the primarily fluids phase into a first effluent and a first residual, centrifuging the first effluent at a second speed and separating the first effluent into a second effluent and a second residual, and centrifuging the second effluent at a third speed and separating the second effluent into a third effluent and a third residual. A surfactant, a polymer, combinations of surfactant(s) and polymer(s) and/or a wash water may be added to one or more of the return oil-based drilling fluid, the primarily fluids phase, the primarily solids phase, the first effluent, the second effluent, and the third effluent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Michael Savoy
  • Patent number: 7429327
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Patent number: 7380673
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Patent number: 7380672
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Publication number: 20080093281
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Patent number: 7332097
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Publication number: 20050279154
    Abstract: In general, in one aspect, the invention relates to a method for determining a system integrity of an oilfield machine operatively coupled to a magnetic drive, wherein the magnetic drive is configured to provide a controlled operational speed, comprising adjusting a control on the oilfield machine such that the oilfield machine operates at a baseline speed, recording a raw system integrity measurement while the oilfield machine is operating at the baseline speed, and calculating the system integrity using the raw system integrity measurement and a baseline system integrity measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Cong Wang
  • Publication number: 20050194853
    Abstract: A method and apparatus relates to incorporating a magnetic coupling for use in oilfield applications. The magnetic coupling is operatively coupled to an oilfield machine to provide a controlled operational speed. The magnetic coupling may be operatively connected to a motor and a drive shaft where a speed of rotation of the drive shaft is controlled by an operation of the magnetic coupling. The drive shaft is operatively connected to the oilfield machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 8, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Bruce Densmore
  • Publication number: 20050087501
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2004
    Publication date: April 28, 2005
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Publication number: 20050040027
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2004
    Publication date: February 24, 2005
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Patent number: 6838008
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignee: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Publication number: 20040251182
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Publication date: December 16, 2004
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Patent number: 6793814
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Patent number: 6746602
    Abstract: A flow diverter and a vacuum blower for vibrating screen separator assembly. The flow diverter decelerates and increases the exposed surface of materials. The exhaust blower removes vapors from the materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Roger Suter
  • Publication number: 20040065628
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for separating solid particles from a fluid. One preferred embodiment includes a tank for settling particles out of the fluid, a conical chamber at the bottom of the tank, an outlet connected to conical chamber, and a conical auger within the conical chamber. The tank may have a tangential inlet that creates a fluid circulation that exerts a centrifugal force on the solid particles to increase the settling of particles out of the fluid. The tank may have a static spiral on the inner wall that helps small particles coalesce into larger particles that settle faster out of the fluid. The fluid content of the solids removed from the tank may be controlled by varying the rotational speed of the conical auger. The rotational speed of the conical auger may be varied depending on the torque required to rotate the conical auger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Applicant: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Gary Fout, Neale Browne
  • Patent number: 6520341
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention, accordingly, is directed to a tensioning device for tensioning a screen relative to a wall of a separator in a manner so that the proper tension can be applied to the screen in a relatively quick manner and yet the screen can be easily removed and a new one installed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: M-I L.L.C.
    Inventors: Roger Suter, Gary Fout