Patents by Inventor Hong-Quan Zhang

Hong-Quan Zhang 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: 11028682
    Abstract: An eccentric pipe-in-pipe downhole gas separator apparatus for separation of gas from liquid in a downhole well. The separator apparatus includes an outer tube having an inner diameter and an inner tube having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the outer tube. The inner tube is eccentric to the outer tube wherein a conduit having a crescent shaped cross-section is formed between the inner diameter of the outer tube and the outer diameter of the inner tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventor: Hong-Quan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9932807
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlled geyser well with sustained periodical production includes a cap (16) which prevents gas from entering a well tubing (14) while allowing liquid to enter and accumulate in the tubing, means for compressing the gas, and means for injecting the gas in the annulus so that the gas enters the bottom end of the well tubing (14), thereby creating a controlled geyser effect which blows out most of the liquid residing in the well tubing (14). The gas being compressed can be a produced gas or a supplied gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventor: Hong-quan Zhang
  • Patent number: 9453398
    Abstract: A self-stabilizing gas lift valve apparatus for oil and gas production. The apparatus includes a valve body having at least one gas inlet in communication with an elongated gas chamber in the valve body. An impingement disk is moveable in the elongated gas chamber. A conical plug extends from the impingement disk with the conical plug having a valve plug extending axially therefrom. A conical cup terminates in a valve seat wherein the conical cup receives the conical plug therein. A valve closure force mechanism urges the valve plug toward the valve seat. Gas injected through the gas inlet provides a force upon the impingement disk to overcome the force of the valve closure force mechanism in order to open the valve plug. When the gas injected exceeds a predetermined force, the impingent disk is moved and a conical space between the conical plug and the conical cup is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Hong-Quan Zhang, Jose Luis Arellano
  • Publication number: 20140360733
    Abstract: A system and method for creating a controlled geyser well with sustained periodical production includes a cap (16) which prevents gas from entering a well tubing (14) while allowing liquid to enter and accumulate in the tubing, means for compressing the gas, and means for injecting the gas in the annulus so that the gas enters the bottom end of the well tubing (14), thereby creating a controlled geyser effect which blows out most of the liquid residing in the well tubing (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
    Inventor: Hong-quan Zhang
  • Patent number: 7546880
    Abstract: A process for extracting hydrocarbon gases from marine sediment hydrates. In one embodiment, the process includes drilling from a sea floor into a hydrate rich subsea sediment to form at least one opening therein. Electrical heaters are inserted into the opening or openings. The hydrate rich subsea sediment is heated with the electrical heaters in order to release hydrocarbon gas therefrom. The released hydrocarbon gas is collected in an overhead receiver. The hydrocarbon gas forms hydrates again when moving through the cold sea water and inside the overhead receiver. The overhead receiver is raised to a sea depth where pressure and temperature permit the hydrates to dissociate and to release the hydrocarbon gas. The hydrocarbon gas is then gathered from the top of the overhead receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2009
    Assignee: The University of Tulsa
    Inventors: Hong-Quan Zhang, James P. Brill, Cem Sarica
  • Publication number: 20080135257
    Abstract: A process for extracting hydrocarbon gases from marine sediment hydrates. In one embodiment, the process includes drilling from a sea floor into a hydrate rich subsea sediment to form at least one opening therein. Electrical heaters are inserted into the opening or openings. The hydrate rich subsea sediment is heated with the electrical heaters in order to release hydrocarbon gas therefrom. The released hydrocarbon gas is collected in an overhead receiver. The hydrocarbon gas forms hydrates again when moving through the cold seawater and inside the overhead receiver. The overhead receiver is raised to a sea depth where pressure and temperature permit the hydrates to dissociate and to release the hydrocarbon gas. The hydrocarbon gas is then gathered from the top of the overhead receiver. In another embodiment, the process includes partitioning subsea marine sediments and loading the sediments into a container covered with an overhead receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: THE UNIVERSITY OF TULSA
    Inventors: Hong-Quan Zhang, James P. Brill, Cem Sarica