Patents by Inventor Kyle E. Miller

Kyle E. Miller 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: 20250114754
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20250103069
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2024
    Publication date: March 27, 2025
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 12197238
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2025
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 12128369
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2024
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 12109543
    Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 12066843
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids and/or renewable liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline based on density or gravity. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes initiating a blending process. The blending process including continuously blending two or more liquids over a period of time, each of the two or more liquids stored in corresponding tanks, each of the corresponding tanks connected, via pipeline, to a blend pipe thereby blending the two or more liquids into a blended liquid. The method further includes determining a density of each of the two or more liquids to be blended during the blending process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20240269626
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from two or more sets of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof. In an embodiment of the in-line mixing system, hydrocarbon liquids stored in at least one tank of each of two or more sets of tanks positioned at a tank farm are blended into a blend flow pipe via in-line mixing and the blended mixture is pumped through a single pipeline. In one or more embodiments, the in-line mixing system employs a separate spillback or recirculation loop that is fluidly connected to each set of the two or more sets of tanks to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid/liquid from each set of tanks to the blend flow pipe. Associated methods of operating one or more embodiments of the system include regulation of spillback or recirculation loop flow rate and/or pressure to drive the actual blend ratio towards a desired blend ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2024
    Publication date: August 15, 2024
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 12011697
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from two or more sets of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof. In an embodiment of the in-line mixing system, hydrocarbon liquids stored in at least one tank of each of two or more sets of tanks positioned at a tank farm are blended into a blend flow pipe via in-line mixing and the blended mixture is pumped through a single pipeline. In one or more embodiments, the in-line mixing system employs a separate spillback or recirculation loop that is fluidly connected to each set of the two or more sets of tanks to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid/liquid from each set of tanks to the blend flow pipe. Associated methods of operating one or more embodiments of the system include regulation of spillback or recirculation loop flow rate and/or pressure to drive the actual blend ratio towards a desired blend ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2024
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230415106
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230347303
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from two or more sets of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof. In an embodiment of the in-line mixing system, hydrocarbon liquids stored in at least one tank of each of two or more sets of tanks positioned at a tank farm are blended into a blend flow pipe via in-line mixing and the blended mixture is pumped through a single pipeline. In one or more embodiments, the in-line mixing system employs a separate spillback or recirculation loop that is fluidly connected to each set of the two or more sets of tanks to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid/liquid from each set of tanks to the blend flow pipe. Associated methods of operating one or more embodiments of the system include regulation of spillback or recirculation loop flow rate and/or pressure to drive the actual blend ratio towards a desired blend ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2023
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11794153
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230333577
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230333578
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids and/or renewable liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline based on density or gravity. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes initiating a blending process. The blending process including continuously blending two or more liquids over a period of time, each of the two or more liquids stored in corresponding tanks, each of the corresponding tanks connected, via pipeline, to a blend pipe thereby blending the two or more liquids into a blended liquid. The method further includes determining a density of each of the two or more liquids to be blended during the blending process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11774990
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids and/or renewable liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline based on density or gravity. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes initiating a blending process. The blending process including continuously blending two or more liquids over a period of time, each of the two or more liquids stored in corresponding tanks, each of the corresponding tanks connected, via pipeline, to a blend pipe thereby blending the two or more liquids into a blended liquid. The method further includes determining a density of each of the two or more liquids to be blended during the blending process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11752472
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from two or more sets of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof. In an embodiment of the in-line mixing system, hydrocarbon liquids stored in at least one tank of each of two or more sets of tanks positioned at a tank farm are blended into a blend flow pipe via in-line mixing and the blended mixture is pumped through a single pipeline. In one or more embodiments, the in-line mixing system employs a separate spillback or recirculation loop that is fluidly connected to each set of the two or more sets of tanks to control the flow of the hydrocarbon fluid/liquid from each set of tanks to the blend flow pipe. Associated methods of operating one or more embodiments of the system include regulation of spillback or recirculation loop flow rate and/or pressure to drive the actual blend ratio towards a desired blend ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11662750
    Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20230129513
    Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11607654
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11596910
    Abstract: Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller
  • Patent number: 11565221
    Abstract: Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: MARATHON PETROLEUM COMPANY LP
    Inventor: Kyle E. Miller