Patents by Inventor Howard Schmidt

Howard Schmidt 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: 20230313657
    Abstract: A method for generating self-propped hydraulic fractures. In one embodiment, the method comprises injecting three fluid stages sequentially, each with successively higher viscosity, comprising a pad, a sealing slurry, and a displacement fluid which may be referred to as a sweep. Compositions of each of the three fluid stages are provided, each of which may be selected based upon characteristics of the formation being treated or upon one or more characteristics of the desired fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Quidnet Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Schmidt, Scott Wright, Bunker Hill, Henry Lau
  • Patent number: 11060014
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt, Yun Chang
  • Patent number: 10743923
    Abstract: System and method for fixing a distal femur having a Hoffa fracture. The system may comprise a main plate, an outrigger plate, and a coupling member that mounts the outrigger plate to the main plate. In an exemplary method, an elongated body portion of the main plate may be secured to a shaft region of the distal femur, and a wider head portion of the main plate may be secured to an end region of the distal femur. The outrigger plate may be mounted on the head portion of the main plate, and an arm of the outrigger plate may be fastened to a condylar fragment of the femur with one or more fasteners, such that the outrigger plate spans and stabilizes the Hoffa fracture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Acumed LLC
    Inventors: Bharadwaj Ananthan, Thomas R. Lyon, Amir Meir Matityahu, Andrew Howard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10675071
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation using a plate straddled by a retainer. In an exemplary system, the plate may be an elongated plate configured to be disposed longitudinally on a bone. The retainer may have a body interconnecting a pair of mounting regions. The body may define a recess, and each mounting region may define a first aperture and a second aperture. The retainer may be configured to be mated with the plate to position a section of the plate in the recess such that the retainer straddles the plate. The first apertures may be configured to define through-axes that are tangential to the bone, to enable use with a line including wire and/or cable, and each second aperture may be configured to define a through-axis that extends through opposite sides of the bone while avoiding a medullary canal thereof, to enable use with a threaded fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Acumed LLC
    Inventors: Bharadwaj Ananthan, Matthew Peter Gephart, Thomas R. Lyon, Amir Meir Matityahu, Andrew Howard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10675072
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for fixing a bone using a plate and a coupler that are connected to one another with flexible members. The plate may be configured to be attached to a shaft region of a bone. The coupler may be configured to be disposed on an end region of the bone, and may define a bore and an aperture. The flexible members may include a first flexible member and a second flexible member, each including a wire or cable. The first flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate, through the bore, and back to the plate. The second flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate to the coupler on a path that approaches the coupler transverse to a line that is parallel to the bore. The apparatus and method may be used to stabilize the greater trochanter of a femur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Acumed LLC
    Inventors: Bharadwaj Ananthan, Amir Meir Matityahu, Thomas R. Lyon, Andrew Howard Schmidt, David William Vanvleet
  • Publication number: 20190345374
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2019
    Publication date: November 14, 2019
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz AL-OTAIBI, Sunil KOKAL, Howard SCHMIDT, Yun CHANG
  • Patent number: 10400158
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt, Yun Chang
  • Publication number: 20190201064
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for fixing a bone using a plate and a coupler that are connected to one another with flexible members. The plate may be configured to be attached to a shaft region of a bone. The coupler may be configured to be disposed on an end region of the bone, and may define a bore and an aperture. The flexible members may include a first flexible member and a second flexible member, each including a wire or cable. The first flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate, through the bore, and back to the plate. The second flexible member may be configured to extend from the plate to the coupler on a path that approaches the coupler transverse to a line that is parallel to the bore. The apparatus and method may be used to stabilize the greater trochanter of a femur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Bharadwaj ANANTHAN, Amir Meir MATITYAHU, Thomas R. LYON, Andrew Howard SCHMIDT, David William VANVLEET
  • Patent number: 10287877
    Abstract: A fracture interrogation system includes an antenna adapted for placement in a subterranean wellbore and a plurality of pseudoparticles adapted for distribution with a proppant material into hydraulic fractures along the wellbore. The presence of the pseudoparticles in the hydraulic fractures is detectable by the antenna. The pseudoparticles can include a magnetoelastic resonator having a resonant frequency. An interrogation field excites the resonators at the resonant frequency for detection by the antenna. The same or a different antenna can act as the interrogation field source, and the system can be configured to operate in a talk-and-listen mode to better separate the response signal from the interrogation signal. Electromagnetic, mechanical, or acoustic impulses can be used to excite resonators of the pseudoparticles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignees: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN, SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Yogesh Gianchandani, Scott Green, Kamal Sarabandi, Mazen Kanj, Howard Schmidt, Jun Tang, Jiangfeng Wu
  • Publication number: 20180258341
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: September 13, 2018
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz AL-OTAIBI, Sunil KOKAL, Howard SCHMIDT, Yun CHANG
  • Patent number: 10047276
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Yun Chang, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20180098802
    Abstract: Systems and methods for bone fixation using a plate straddled by a retainer. In an exemplary system, the plate may be an elongated plate configured to be disposed longitudinally on a bone. The retainer may have a body interconnecting a pair of mounting regions. The body may define a recess, and each mounting region may define a first aperture and a second aperture. The retainer may be configured to be mated with the plate to position a section of the plate in the recess such that the retainer straddles the plate. The first apertures may be configured to define through-axes that are tangential to the bone, to enable use with a line including wire and/or cable, and each second aperture may be configured to define a through-axis that extends through opposite sides of the bone while avoiding a medullary canal thereof, to enable use with a threaded fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Bharadwaj ANANTHAN, Matthew Peter GEPHART, Thomas R. LYON, Amir Meir MATITYAHU, Andrew Howard SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20180092676
    Abstract: System and method for fixing a distal femur having a Hoffa fracture. The system may comprise a main plate, an outrigger plate, and a coupling member that mounts the outrigger plate to the main plate. In an exemplary method, an elongated body portion of the main plate may be secured to a shaft region of the distal femur, and a wider head portion of the main plate may be secured to an end region of the distal femur. The outrigger plate may be mounted on the head portion of the main plate, and an arm of the outrigger plate may be fastened to a condylar fragment of the femur with one or more fasteners, such that the outrigger plate spans and stabilizes the Hoffa fracture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Bharadwaj ANANTHAN, Thomas R. LYON, Amir Meir MATITYAHU, Andrew Howard SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20170088768
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Yun Chang, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20170030189
    Abstract: A fracture interrogation system includes an antenna adapted for placement in a subterranean wellbore and a plurality of pseudoparticles adapted for distribution with a proppant material into hydraulic fractures along the wellbore. The presence of the pseudoparticles in the hydraulic fractures is detectable by the antenna. The pseudoparticles can include a magnetoelastic resonator having a resonant frequency. An interrogation field excites the resonators at the resonant frequency for detection by the antenna. The same or a different antenna can act as the interrogation field source, and the system can be configured to operate in a talk-and-listen mode to better separate the response signal from the interrogation signal. Electromagnetic, mechanical, or acoustic impulses can be used to excite resonators of the pseudoparticles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Publication date: February 2, 2017
    Inventors: Yogesh GIANCHANDANI, Scott GREEN, Kamal SARABANDI, Mazen KANJ, Howard SCHMIDT, Jun TANG, Jiangfeng WU
  • Patent number: 9546316
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, Yun Chang, Sunil Kokal, Howard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8948576
    Abstract: An air handler system comprising a cabinet housing a blower unit and a heat exchange unit. The blower unit and the heat exchange unit are located in a substantially same lateral dimension in the cabinet. The blower unit and the heat exchange unit are separated by a distance that provides for a substantially uniform flow of air through a vertically-orientated plane of the heat exchange unit when the blower unit is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: Colby Logan, Howard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20140131046
    Abstract: This invention generally relates to the field of oil recovery from reservoirs. More specifically, it relates to the recovery of oil from sandstone and carbonate reservoirs using a process for preparing a dispersion of capsules for use downhole including the steps of providing capsules containing a dense liquid, each capsule having a capsule wall defining an inner area, the capsule wall having an outer side. The capsules are functionalized by adding a carbon dioxide-philic compound compound to the outer side of the capsule wall. A dispersion is then prepared by adding the functionalized capsules to supercritical carbon dioxide such that a stable dispersion of capsules in supercritical carbon dioxide is achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Fawaz Al-Otaibi, YUN CHANG, SUNIL KOKAL, HOWARD SCHMIDT
  • Publication number: 20130058984
    Abstract: The present invention includes single-walled carbon nanotube compositions for the delivery of siRNA and methods of making such single-walled carbon nanotube compositions. A single-walled carbon nanotube composition for delivery of siRNA includes a nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube; and siRNA noncovalently complexed with the nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube, wherein the siRNA solubilizes such nonfunctionalized single-walled carbon nanotube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Garth Powis, Jeffrey Bartholomeusz, James Tour, Howard Schmidt, Paul Cherukuri, R. Bruce Weisman
  • Publication number: 20120168133
    Abstract: An air handler system comprising a cabinet housing a blower unit and a heat exchange unit. The blower unit and the heat exchange unit are located in a substantially same lateral dimension in the cabinet. The blower unit and the heat exchange unit are separated by a distance that provides for a substantially uniform flow of air through a vertically-orientated plane of the heat exchange unit when the blower unit is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Inventors: Colby Logan, Howard Schmidt