Patents by Inventor Gene E. Kouba

Gene E. Kouba 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: 20180169598
    Abstract: A system for evolving and dissolving a gas with a liquid can include a pressure vessel in which a liquid mixed with a gas is disposed, and a gas source coupled to the pressure vessel. The system can also include at least one regulating device that regulates a parameter within the pressure vessel. The system can further include at least one sensor that measures at least one parameter as a function of time, where the at least one parameter is associated with the gas within the pressure vessel. The system can also include a controller that controls the regulating device based on measurements of the at least one parameter taken by the at least one sensor, to evolve and dissolve the gas within the pressure vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: David Michael Lavenson, Aniruddha V. Kelkar, Gene E. Kouba, Clint P. Aichele, Alden Brack Daniel, Sayeed Mohammad
  • Patent number: 8016920
    Abstract: A riser-based slug control system and a method of controlling slugging in a fluid flowing through a riser are provided. The system includes a gas-liquid separation separator that has a housing defining an internal volume. An inclined inlet is connected to the housing and configured to receive a flow of multiphase fluid and direct the flow of fluid into the housing so that the fluid flows spirally in the volume and separates, with gas from the fluid collecting in an upper portion of the volume and liquid from the fluid collecting in a lower portion of the volume. A tubular passage, which extends at least partially through the internal volume of the housing, defines a plurality of orifices. The tubular passage is configured to receive liquid from the lower portion of the volume and gas from upper portion of the volume, and deliver the mixture of the combined liquid and gas through an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gene E. Kouba, Shoubo Wang
  • Publication number: 20100147773
    Abstract: A riser-based slug control system and a method of controlling slugging in a fluid flowing through a riser are provided. The system includes a gas-liquid separation separator that has a housing defining an internal volume. An inclined inlet is connected to the housing and configured to receive a flow of multiphase fluid and direct the flow of fluid into the housing so that the fluid flows spirally in the volume and separates, with gas from the fluid collecting in an upper portion of the volume and liquid from the fluid collecting in a lower portion of the volume. A tubular passage, which extends at least partially through the internal volume of the housing, defines a plurality of orifices. The tubular passage is configured to receive liquid from the lower portion of the volume and gas from upper portion of the volume, and deliver the mixture of the combined liquid and gas through an outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: Gene E. Kouba, Shouba Wang
  • Publication number: 20080099946
    Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to methods and systems for mitigating flow assurance issues that arise in the pipe transport of hydrocarbon fluids, particularly wherein such hydrocarbon fluids are gas-dominated. Generally, such methods and systems rely on the formation and subsequent transport of a foam through an associated transport pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 1, 2008
    Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Gene E. Kouba, Alberto Montesi, Lee D. Rhyne