Patents by Inventor James P. McCrickard

James P. McCrickard 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: 9528355
    Abstract: There is provided a system for producing oil from a well bore extending through a fossil fuel reservoir. The system includes a plurality of perforations defined in the casing proximate the fossil fuel reservoir. A gas flow tube is in communication with the annulus volume of the casing proximate the wellhead. A gas valve is coupled to the gas flow tube, with the gas valve configured to selectively open and close the gas flow tube. A controller, is coupled to the gas valve, with the controller configured to control the opening and closing of the gas valve. The opening and closing of the gas valve maximizes the volumetric rate of oil flow into the annulus volume through the perforations from the reservoir by displacing liquid in the annulus volume with a gas volume between the gas valve and the perforations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. McCrickard, Ronald G. Peterson, Thomas L. Beck, Michael D. Dry, Theresa Smigura
  • Patent number: 9494504
    Abstract: A dual component density sampler determines at least one of a density of water and a density of oil in a mixture of oil and water extracted from an oil well during production. A three-way valve is coupled to the oil well, with the three-way valve having a first output port and second output port. A dual-in-single-out manifold is coupled to the first output port. A segregation tank separates the water and oil, and has an entrance tank and exit tank. An entrance of the entrance tank is coupled to the second output port, and an exit of the entrance tank is coupled to an entrance end of the exit tank. An exit end of the exit tank is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold. A coriolis meter is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold, and is configured to selectively measure a density of the fluid mixture, the oil, and the water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. McCrickard, Ronald G. Peterson, Thomas L. Beck, Michael A. Macdonald, Michael D. Dry
  • Publication number: 20160178499
    Abstract: A dual component density sampler determines at least one of a density of water and a density of oil in a mixture of oil and water extracted from an oil well during production. A three-way valve is coupled to the oil well, with the three-way valve having a first output port and second output port. A dual-in-single-out manifold is coupled to the first output port. A segregation tank separates the water and oil, and has an entrance tank and exit tank. An entrance of the entrance tank is coupled to the second output port, and an exit of the entrance tank is coupled to an entrance end of the exit tank. An exit end of the exit tank is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold. A coriolis meter is coupled to the dual-in-single-out manifold, and is configured to selectively measure a density of the fluid mixture, the oil, and the water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. McCrickard, Ronald G. Peterson, Thomas L. Beck, Michael A. Macdonald, Michael D. Dry
  • Publication number: 20140262238
    Abstract: There is provided a system for producing oil from a well bore extending through a fossil fuel reservoir. The system includes a plurality of perforations defined in the casing proximate the fossil fuel reservoir. A gas flow tube is in communication with the annulus volume of the casing proximate the wellhead. A gas valve is coupled to the gas flow tube, with the gas valve configured to selectively open and close the gas flow tube. A controller, is coupled to the gas valve, with the controller configured to control the opening and closing of the gas valve. The opening and closing of the gas valve maximizes the volumetric rate of oil flow into the annulus volume through the perforations from the reservoir by displacing liquid in the annulus volume with a gas volume between the gas valve and the perforations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: James P. McCrickard, Ronald G. Peterson, Thomas L. Beck, Michael D. Dry, Theresa Smigura
  • Patent number: 7921689
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
  • Publication number: 20100269560
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: UNICO, INC.
    Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck
  • Patent number: 7748308
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus are provided for constructing and operating a linear actuator, and equipment incorporating a linear actuator, by operatively connecting a pressure biasing pneumatic arrangement between the driving member and the driven member of a mechanical linear actuator for applying a unidirectional biasing force between the driving and driven members, along an axis of motion, regardless of the location or movement of the driving and driven elements with respect to one another along the axis of motion. The pneumatic biasing arrangement is also configured, connected and operated to reduce the force which must be exerted by the driving and driven members in extending and retracting the linear actuator. The pneumatic biasing arrangement may further be configured for preferentially aiding extension or retraction of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Unico, Inc.
    Inventors: Robb G. Anderson, James P. McCrickard, Thomas L. Beck