Patents by Inventor Kerry Kennedy
Kerry Kennedy 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).
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Publication number: 20230323193Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Inventors: Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Sumitra SUBRAHMANYAN, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sophany THACH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Dennis Arun ALEXIS, Harold Charles LINNEMEYER, Timothy P. THERIOT, Les Leszek JACKOWSKI, Francesca CIBOTTI
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Publication number: 20230257644Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polyanionic surfactants, surfactant mixtures, compositions derived thereof, and uses thereof in hydrocarbon recovery. Methods of making polyanionic surfactants are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 17, 2023Inventors: Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Varadarajan DWARAKANATH, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Robert George SHONG
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Publication number: 20230183578Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to polyanionic surfactants, surfactant mixtures, compositions derived thereof, and uses thereof in hydrocarbon recovery. Methods of making polyanionic surfactants are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: June 15, 2023Inventors: Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Varadarajan DWARAKANATH, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Robert George SHONG
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Patent number: 11591893Abstract: Described herein are methods of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. The method can include adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2019Date of Patent: February 28, 2023Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Sujeewa S. Palayangoda, Kerry Kennedy Spilker, Sumitra Subrahmanyan, Gayani W. Pinnawala, Sophany Thach, Gregory A. Winslow, Dennis Arun Alexis, Harold Charles Linnemeyer, Timothy P. Theriot, Les Leszek Jackowski, Francesca Cibotti
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Publication number: 20210395602Abstract: Embodiments of treating fluid comprising hydrocarbons, water, and polymer being produced from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation are provided. One embodiment comprises adding a concentration of a viscosity reducer to the fluid to degrade the polymer present in the fluid and adding a concentration of a neutralizer to the fluid to neutralize the viscosity reducer in the fluid. The viscosity reducer is buffered at a pH of 7 or less (e.g., at a pH of from 2 to 7, such as at a pH of from 3.5 to 7, or at a pH of from 5 to 7). The addition of the concentration of the viscosity reducer is in a sufficient quantity to allow for complete chemical degradation of the polymer prior to the addition of the concentration of the neutralizer in the fluid such that excess viscosity reducer is present in the fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2019Publication date: December 23, 2021Inventors: Sujeewa S. PALAYANGODA, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Sumitra SUBRAHMANYAN, Gayani W. PINNAWALA, Sophany THACH, Gregory A. WINSLOW, Dennis Arun ALEXIS, Harold Charles LINNEMEYER, Timothy P. THERIOT, Les Leszek JACKOWSKI, Francesca CIBOTTI
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Publication number: 20190043136Abstract: The system includes automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2018Publication date: February 7, 2019Applicant: AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.Inventors: Lynn Abbott, Gumer Alvero, Daniel Brooks, Douglas Dunning, Kerry Kennedy, William Kocken, Tamara Pollock, Stephen Wolfrath
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Publication number: 20150339781Abstract: Automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products is disclosed. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 4, 2015Publication date: November 26, 2015Applicant: AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.Inventors: Lynn Abbott, Gumer Alvero, Daniel Brooks, Douglas Dunning, Kerry Kennedy, William Kocken, Tamara Pollock, Stephen Wolfrath
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Publication number: 20140371496Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method for solvent liquefaction of biomass to produce liquid products such as transportation fuel. The method uses a novel solvent combination that promotes liquefaction relatively quickly, and it reduces the need to transport large amounts of hydrogen or hydrogen-carrying solvents. It operates at lower pressure than previous methods, does not require a catalyst or hydrogen gas or CO input, and provides very high conversion of biomass into a bio-oil that can be further processed in a petroleum refinery. It also beneficially provides a way to recycle a portion of the crude liquefaction product for use as part of the solvent combination for the biomass liquefaction reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: James Floyd STEVENS, JR., Michelle K. YOUNG, Daniel D. EUHUS, Alexander Bruce COULTHARD, Douglas G. NAAE, Kerry Kennedy SPILKER, Jason Christopher HICKS, Subhasis BHATTACHARYA, Paul M. SPINDLER
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Patent number: 8426071Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream. The apparatus includes an elongated housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a gas stream inlet that is tangential to the side wall of the housing so as to cause the entering gas stream to swirl within the housing. A gas stream outlet is located at the top of the housing and a liquid outlet at the bottom. The gas stream outlet can include an elongated tubular member that extends into the housing and has an opening that is located below the housing gas stream inlet. Liquid components of the gas stream separate from the stream under the influence of centrifugal forces that are created by the swirling flow path of the stream within the housing. A liquid outlet and liquid outlet valve are provided for maintaining a minimum level of liquid within the housing so as to maintain a liquid seal within the housing. A level indicator may optionally be provided to monitor the liquid level within the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2007Date of Patent: April 23, 2013Assignee: Texaco IncInventors: William Spencer Wheat, David Wayne Harrison, Sr., Daniel G. Casey, Kerry Kennedy Spilker
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Publication number: 20090150301Abstract: Automated methods for managing risk associated with investment products is disclosed. A logic engine executes portfolio realignment and contract benefit calculations according to timing rules or event-based triggers. The investment product may provide a guaranteed withdrawal benefit option that allows for a variety of investment, payment, withdrawal, fee and termination options.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2008Publication date: June 11, 2009Applicant: AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL, INC.Inventors: Lynn Abbott, Gumer Alvero, Daniel Brooks, Douglas Dunning, Kerry Kennedy, William Kocken, Tamara Pollock, Stephen Wolfrath
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Publication number: 20040197622Abstract: An apparatus for separating liquid from a gas stream. The apparatus includes an elongated housing having a cylindrical inner surface and a gas stream inlet that is tangential to the side wall of the housing so as to cause the entering gas stream to swirl within the housing. A gas stream outlet is located at the top of the housing and a liquid outlet at the bottom. The gas stream outlet can include an elongated tubular member that extends into the housing and has an opening that is located below the housing gas stream inlet. Liquid components of the gas stream separate from the stream under the influence of centrifugal forces that are created by the swirling flow path of the stream within the housing. A liquid outlet and liquid outlet valve are provided for maintaining a minimum level of liquid within the housing so as to maintain a liquid seal within the housing. A level indicator may optionally be provided to monitor the liquid level within the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2003Publication date: October 7, 2004Applicant: Texaco Inc.Inventors: William Spencer Wheat, David Wayne Harrison, Daniel G. Casey, Kerry Kennedy Spilker
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Publication number: 20020133362Abstract: A method for dispute resolution comprises the steps of receiving on a server a plurality of users connected to the server via a communications network, engaging, upon notification of a dispute by a first one of the users, software guiding the first user through procedures for initiating the dispute resolution process, wherein the software gathers plaintiff information from the first user corresponding to the dispute and receiving from the first user a first proposed a rule governing behavior in situations corresponding to the dispute in combination with the steps of notifying a second one of the users identified by the first user as a party to the dispute of the initiation of the dispute resolution process, soliciting from the second user defendant data corresponding to the dispute and one of a second proposed rule governing behavior in situations corresponding to the dispute and proposed modifications to the first proposed rule and determining a result of the dispute resolution process based upon the plaintiType: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: Elliot Karathanasis, Louis R. Pizante, Kerry A. Kennedy
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Patent number: 5780850Abstract: A method for evaluating the API gravity of a sample of underground formation includes steps of:Solvating a known volume of an underground formation sample in a known volume of a solvent which will solvate hydrocarbons;Quantitatively measuring with a changeable filter portable fluorometer the emission fluorescence of the solvated sample at a fixed excitation wavelength with measurements of emission intensities at two points;characterizing the oil by the ratio of two emission intensities obtained at a fixed excitation wavelength;determining the yield;applying regression analysis to a data base of oils to obtain an equation which results in an algorithm value; andinterpreting the value of the algorithm to give a value for API gravity and estimate in-situ oil concentration.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 1996Date of Patent: July 14, 1998Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Patrick Lee DeLaune, Kerry Kennedy Spilker, Alan Cameron Wright
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Patent number: 5686724Abstract: Methods are disclosed for evaluating wet cutting from a well borehole to determine the hydrocarbon content of the earth formations penetrated by the well borehole. The wet cuttings to be measured are mixed with a polar hydrocarbon solvent which has both hydrophilic and hydrophilic properties. The solution of the solvent and cutting is filtered and then its emission (fluorescence) spectrum is measured by irradiating it with ultraviolet radiation excitation at wavelengths at which most petroleum compounds fluoresce. The hydrocarbon content of the sample wet cuttings is then determined by comparing its fluorescence emission to the emission fluorescence of known samples.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 1996Date of Patent: November 11, 1997Assignee: Texaco Inc.Inventors: Kerry Kennedy Spilker, Patrick Lee DeLaune, Howard Lee McKinzie