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: 20250043671
    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: October 22, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Quidnet Energy Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Schmidt, Scott Wright, Bunker Hill, Henry Lau
  • Patent number: 12123293
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Quidnet Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Schmidt, Scott Wright, Bunker Hill, Henry Lau
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20110045080
    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: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Garth Powis, Jeffrey Bartholomeusz, James Tour, Howard Schmidt, Paul Cherukuri, R. Bruce Weisman
  • Patent number: 6584673
    Abstract: A planar carbon segment commutator assembly made by forming an annular conductor substrate with an annular front projection extending integrally and axially from a front surface of the substrate. An annular carbon disk is formed on the conductor substrate by overmolding a carbon compound onto the front surface of the conductor substrate and around the annular front projection. The conductor substrate is mounted on an insulating hub. Electrically isolated, circumferentially-spaced commutator segments and corresponding mechanically interlocked conductor sections are formed by making radial cuts through the annular carbon disk and the metal substrate, respectively. According to one embodiment, each of the front projections has a greater cross-sectional area at a distal end than at a base end to mechanically lock the commutator segments onto the conductor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: McCord Winn Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20020067098
    Abstract: A planar carbon segment commutator assembly made by forming an annular conductor substrate with an annular front projection extending integrally and axially from a front surface of the substrate. An annular carbon disk is formed on the conductor substrate by overmolding a carbon compound onto the front surface of the conductor substrate and around the annular front projection. The conductor substrate is mounted on an insulating hub. Electrically isolated, circumferentially-spaced commutator segments and corresponding mechanically interlocked conductor sections are formed by making radial cuts through the annular carbon disk and the metal substrate, respectively. According to one embodiment, each of the front projections has a greater cross-sectional area at a distal end than at a base end to mechanically lock the commutator segments onto the conductor sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventor: Howard Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6359362
    Abstract: A planar carbon segment commutator assembly made by forming an annular conductor substrate with an annular front projection extending integrally and axially from a front surface of the substrate. An annular carbon disk is formed on the conductor substrate by overmolding a carbon compound onto the front surface of the conductor substrate and around the annular front projection. The conductor substrate is mounted on an insulating hub. Electrically isolated, circumferentially-spaced commutator segments and corresponding mechanically interlocked conductor sections are formed by making radial cuts through the annular carbon disk and the metal substrate, respectively. According to one embodiment, each of the front projections has a greater cross-sectional area at a distal end than at a base end to mechanically lock the commutator segments onto the conductor sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: McCord Winn Textron Inc.
    Inventor: Howard Schmidt