Patents by Inventor Joseph G. Michels

Joseph G. Michels 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: 20240109110
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20240066572
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20240066573
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11885784
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Patent number: 11872610
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 11850639
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11845115
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20230324353
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Publication number: 20230302508
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20230302509
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20230271234
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11602777
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20220062959
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20210372977
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Patent number: 11072006
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11067549
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Publication number: 20210178436
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 10946420
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 10705063
    Abstract: An apparatus for sampling landfill gas from a landfill flowing through a pipe. The apparatus may comprise: an enclosure configured to receive a section of the pipe; a gas sampling port in the section of the pipe; at least one sensor device disposed in a region of the enclosure, the at least one sensor being coupled to the section of the pipe through the gas sampling port; and thermal insulation positioned to retain heat from the section of the pipe in the region of the enclosure. A method of operating a landfill gas recovery system. The method may comprise: flowing gas from a well riser pipe through a sampling subsystem to a collection system; and heating a portion of the sampling subsystem with the gas flowing from the well riser pipe to the collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Nathan Pallo, Peter Quigley
  • Publication number: 20200197990
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas, comprising: at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of landfill gas; at least one flow control mechanism disposed in well piping and configured to control flow of the landfill gas through the well piping; and at least one processor configured to: obtain a measured concentration of a first gas in landfill gas; determine whether the measured concentration of the first gas is either less than a first threshold concentration or greater than a second threshold concentration; when it is determined that the measured concentration is less than the first threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to reduce flow rate of landfill gas; and when it is determined that the concentration is greater than the second threshold concentration, control the at least one flow control mechanism to increase the flow rate of landfill gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Joseph G. Michels, Peter Quigley, Ian Martin