Patents by Inventor Krystian K. Maskos
Krystian K. Maskos 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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Patent number: 9650865Abstract: An autonomous active flow control valve system for regulating and controlling flow across well segments is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the valve system includes a central control unit and one or more flow control devices communicatively coupled to the central control unit. Each flow control device includes at least one valve and at least one sensor for sensing various well or flow parameters. The central control unit receives sensor data from the sensor and controls the valve according to a pre-programmed control protocol. The valve may be opened, closed, and adjusted in response to detected well or flow parameters in order to maintain a desirable flow profile across well segments either in production or injection well.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 16, 2017Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Namhyo Kim, Kai Sun, Luis Phillipe Costa Ferreira Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Thomas Gary Corbett
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Publication number: 20160170417Abstract: A wirelessly controlled active inflow control valve system. The valve system includes at least one downhole zonal production control unit. The at least one zonal production control unit includes a valve configured to control an inflow of fluid, at least one sensor configured to sense at least one parameter, and a central downhole control and data acquisition unit communicatively coupled to the valve and the at least one sensor. The central downhole control and data acquisition unit sends an actuation signal to the valve and receives at least one data output from the at least one sensor. The central downhole control and data acquisition unit transmits the at least one data output to a surface control and data acquisition unit via a wireless communication protocol and receives a control command from the surface downhole control and data acquisition unit via the wireless communication protocol.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: June 16, 2016Applicants: CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Kai Sun, JR., Namhyo Kim, Luis Phillipe Costa Ferreira Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Jeffery Lawrence Hall, Stewart Sherrit, Harish M. Manohara, Mohammad Mehdi Mojarradi, Eric Dean Archer, Allen Roy Sirota, Erik J. Brandon
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Publication number: 20160123111Abstract: An autonomous active flow control valve system for regulating and controlling flow across well segments is disclosed. In one example embodiment, the valve system includes a central control unit and one or more flow control devices communicatively coupled to the central control unit. Each flow control device includes at least one valve and at least one sensor for sensing various well or flow parameters. The central control unit receives sensor data from the sensor and controls the valve according to a pre-programmed control protocol. The valve may be opened, closed, and adjusted in response to detected well or flow parameters in order to maintain a desirable flow profile across well segments either in production or injection well.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: May 5, 2016Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Namhyo Kim, Kai Sun, Luis Phillipe Costa Ferreira Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Thomas Gary Corbett
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Patent number: 9318680Abstract: An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Scott Wagstaff
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Publication number: 20150312411Abstract: A method for providing interactive voice response (IVR) includes providing, by an IVR telephone system, to a telephone caller connected to the IVR telephone system, an auditory prompt informing the user of the availability of a visual menu system useable in lieu of the IVR telephone system. The caller is forwarded, by the IVR telephone system, to a passive telephone access point (PTAP). A notification is sent, by the PTAP, to the caller via a communication channel distinct from the voice communication channel via which the caller connected to the IVR telephone system. The notification includes information for directing the caller to connect to the visual menu system. The caller connects to the visual menu system using the information provided in the notification.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 23, 2015Publication date: October 29, 2015Applicant: APROLIX SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Victor A. Miller, II, Krystian K. Maskos, Alejandro J. De Simone
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Publication number: 20130061899Abstract: An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Scott Wagstaff
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Patent number: 8353351Abstract: Pressure within a subsea well is managed as temperature within the well fluctuate. The management of the pressure mitigates stress to the structure of the well caused by the pressure. To manage the pressure, fluid is received from and/or provided to the well to reduce and/or increase pressure within the well.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Robert B. Carpenter, Omid Oujani, Krystian K. Maskos, John Lofton
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Patent number: 8297368Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for initiating annular obstructions in wells used in, or in support of, enhanced oil recovery operations—particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efforts involving steam injection (e.g., steam flooding). In at least some instances, system and method embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more passively-activated annular obstruction devices (and/or hybrid active/passive devices) for inducing annular obstruction, wherein the associated passive or hybrid activation is at least partially controlled by thermal means such that it can be deemed to be thermally-directed or thermally-controlled. Such thermally-directed passive activation can afford considerably more control over the annular obstruction process and, correspondingly, over the overall steam injection into the formation and associated reservoir—thereby providing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Corbett, Larry J. Chrusch, Jackie C. Sims, Krystian K. Maskos, Luis C. Bianco
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Patent number: 8066074Abstract: The present invention is embodied in systems and methods for mitigating temperature-related pressure buildup in the trapped annulus of an oil or gas well, wherein such systems and methods employ production and/or tieback casing having one or more pressure mitigating chambers, and wherein such chambers make use of pistons, valves, and burst disks to mitigate pressure increases within the annulus.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2008Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Krystian K. Maskos, Michael R. French
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Publication number: 20110284209Abstract: Pressure within a subsea well is managed as temperature within the well fluctuate. The management of the pressure mitigates stress to the structure of the well caused by the pressure. To manage the pressure, fluid is received from and/or provided to the well to reduce and/or increase pressure within the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2010Publication date: November 24, 2011Inventors: Robert B. Carpenter, Omid Oujani, Krystian K. Maskos, John Lofton
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Publication number: 20110094756Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for initiating annular obstructions in wells used in, or in support of, enhanced oil recovery operations—particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efforts involving steam injection (e.g., steam flooding). In at least some instances, system and method embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more passively-activated annular obstruction devices (and/or hybrid active/passive devices) for inducing annular obstruction, wherein the associated passive or hybrid activation is at least partially controlled by thermal means such that it can be deemed to be thermally-directed or thermally-controlled. Such thermally-directed passive activation can afford considerably more control over the annular obstruction process and, correspondingly, over the overall steam injection into the formation and associated reservoir—thereby providing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Thomas G. Corbett, Larry J. Chrusch, Jackie C. Sims, Krystian K. Maskos, Luis C. Bianco
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Publication number: 20110094755Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for initiating annular obstructions in wells used in, or in support of, enhanced oil recovery operations—particularly enhanced oil recovery (EOR) efforts involving steam injection (e.g., steam flooding). In at least some instances, system and method embodiments of the present invention utilize one or more passively-activated annular obstruction devices (and/or hybrid active/passive devices) for inducing annular obstruction, wherein the associated passive or hybrid activation is at least partially controlled by thermal means such that it can be deemed to be thermally-directed or thermally-controlled. Such thermally-directed passive activation can afford considerably more control over the annular obstruction process and, correspondingly, over the overall steam injection into the formation and associated reservoir—thereby providing more efficient recovery of hydrocarbons.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: THOMAS G. CORBETT, LARRY J. CHRUSCH, JACKIE C. SIMS, KRYSTIAN K. MASKOS, LUIS C. BIANCO
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Publication number: 20100122811Abstract: The present invention is generally directed to systems and methods for mitigating temperature-related pressure buildup in the trapped annulus of an oil or gas well, wherein such systems and methods employ production and/or tieback casing having one or more pressure mitigating chambers., and wherein such chambers make use of pistons, valves, and burst disks to mitigate pressure increases within the annulus. Such systems and methods can provide advantages over the prior art, particularly with respect to offshore wells.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 18, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Krystian K. Maskos, Michael R. French