Patents by Inventor James H. Hedges

James H. Hedges 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: 11820939
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Patent number: 11814578
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11634626
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Publication number: 20220348817
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled by covalent crosslinking in a transamidation reaction, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicants: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Min CHENG, Riley B. Needham, James H HEDGES, Ramesh S SARATHI, Faye L SCULLY, Terry M CHRISTIAN, Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG
  • Publication number: 20220325170
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Applicants: ConocoPhillips Company, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, Min CHENG, Faye Lynn SCULLY, James H. HEDGES
  • Patent number: 11466198
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Min Cheng, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Ramesh S. Sarathi, Faye L. Scully, Terry M. Christian, Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang
  • Patent number: 11401455
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Patent number: 11396624
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Patent number: 11390795
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, David R. Zornes, Riley B Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, James P. Johnson, Faye L. Scully
  • Publication number: 20210403797
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Inventors: Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Publication number: 20210388255
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2021
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Ying-Ying LIN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY, David R. ZORNES
  • Patent number: 11186765
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles that can be used to deliver agents deep into hydrocarbon reservoirs. Methods of making and using said polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignees: CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY, UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
    Inventors: Ying-Ying Lin, Cory Berkland, Jenn-Tai Liang, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully, David R. Zornes
  • Patent number: 11136492
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignees: University of Kansas, Conocophilllips Company
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Publication number: 20210261854
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, James P. JOHNSON, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Publication number: 20200354625
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Publication date: November 12, 2020
    Inventors: Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, Min CHENG, Faye Lynn SCULLY, James H. HEDGES
  • Patent number: 10752826
    Abstract: The instant application relates to nanogels or compositions that hold multivalent metal ions until some level of nanogel degradation has occurred, then slowly release the multivalent metal ions for gelation with carboxylate containing polymers. Compositions comprising such nanogels, together with polymers that can be crosslinked with multivalent metal ions, allow the deployment of such mixtures in various applications, and greatly increased gelation times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, Min Cheng, Faye Lynn Scully, James H. Hedges
  • Publication number: 20200095496
    Abstract: The invention is directed to stable and labile crosslinked water swellable polymeric microparticles that can be further gelled, methods for making same, and their various uses in the hygiene and medical arts, gel electrophoresis, packaging, agriculture, the cable industry, information technology, in the food industry, papermaking, use as flocculation aids, and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to a composition comprising expandable polymeric microparticles having labile crosslinkers and stable crosslinkers, said microparticle mixed with a fluid and an unreacted tertiary crosslinker comprising PEI or other polyamine based tertiary crosslinker that is capable of further crosslinking the microparticle on degradation of the labile crosslinker and swelling of the particle, so as to form a stable gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Publication date: March 26, 2020
    Inventors: Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Min CHENG, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Ramesh S. SARATHI, Faye L. SCULLY, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Jenn-Tai LIANG
  • Publication number: 20190382646
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Huili GUAN, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, Terry M. CHRISTIAN, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, Faye L. SCULLY
  • Patent number: 10407612
    Abstract: The invention is directed to polymers that self-crosslink at acidic pH or can be crosslinked by phenolic agents in brine. Such polymers have lower viscosity and can be pumped deep into reservoirs, where they will cross link in situ, thus increasing their viscosity and/or form a gel and blocking thief zones. Methods of making and using such polymers are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, University of Kansas
    Inventors: Huili Guan, Cory Berkland, Ahmad Moradi-Araghi, Jenn-Tai Liang, Terry M. Christian, Riley B. Needham, James H. Hedges, Min Cheng, Faye L. Scully
  • Publication number: 20190256764
    Abstract: The invention is directed to delayed gelation agents comprising a degradable polymeric cage containing therein one or more gelation agents. The cage degrades in situ, e.g, in an oil reservoir, thus releasing the gelation agent(s), which can then crosslink second polymers in situ to form a gel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Inventors: Huili S. Guan, Cory BERKLAND, Ahmad MORADI-ARAGHI, Jenn-Tai LIANG, David R. ZORNES, Riley B. NEEDHAM, James H. HEDGES, Min CHENG, James P. JOHNSON, Faye L. SCULLY