Patents by Inventor Mark A. Trautman

Mark A. Trautman 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: 10954765
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a casing within the wellbore including electrically conductive pipes with a dielectric heel isolator coupled between adjacent electrically conductive pipes. Electrically conductive pipes from among the plurality thereof and downstream from the dielectric heel isolator define an RF antenna. The system may further include an RF transmission line extending within the casing and coupled between the RF source and RF antenna, a seal between the RF transmission line and adjacent portions of the casing adjacent the dielectric heel isolator to define an internal choke fluid chamber upstream of the seal, and an electrically conductive choke fluid contained within the internal choke fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Verlin A. Hibner, Brian N. Wright
  • Publication number: 20200190953
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, and a casing within the wellbore including electrically conductive pipes with a dielectric heel isolator coupled between adjacent electrically conductive pipes. Electrically conductive pipes from among the plurality thereof and downstream from the dielectric heel isolator define an RF antenna. The system may further include an RF transmission line extending within the casing and coupled between the RF source and RF antenna, a seal between the RF transmission line and adjacent portions of the casing adjacent the dielectric heel isolator to define an internal choke fluid chamber upstream of the seal, and an electrically conductive choke fluid contained within the internal choke fluid chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: MARK A. TRAUTMAN, VERLIN A. HIBNER, BRIAN N. WRIGHT
  • Publication number: 20200141216
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon resources from a subterranean formation may include heating the subterranean formation with at least one radio frequency (RF) antenna located in an upper well within the subterranean formation. The method may further include producing hydrocarbon resources from a lower well within the heated subterranean formation and vertically beneath the upper well to create a void within the subterranean formation, and injecting a solvent into the void within the heated subterranean formation from the lower well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: MARK A. TRAUTMAN, Brian N. Wright
  • Patent number: 10626711
    Abstract: A method of producing hydrocarbon resources from a subterranean formation may include heating the subterranean formation with at least one radio frequency (RF) antenna located in an upper well within the subterranean formation. The method may further include producing hydrocarbon resources from a lower well within the heated subterranean formation and vertically beneath the upper well to create a void within the subterranean formation, and injecting a solvent into the void within the heated subterranean formation from the lower well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: EAGLE TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Brian N. Wright
  • Patent number: 10078359
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Muralidhar Tirumala
  • Patent number: 9856724
    Abstract: A device for hydrocarbon resource recovery from at least one well in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a solvent source, and a double-wall structure coupled to the RF source to define an RF antenna within the at least one well to provide RF heating to the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may absorb heat from adjacent portions of the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may also include inner and outer walls defining a solvent passageway therebetween coupled to the solvent source. The outer wall may have a plurality of openings therein to eject solvent into the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may transfer heat to the solvent so that the ejected solvent is in a vapor state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. White, Murray T. Hann, Brian N. Wright, Mark A. Trautman, Raymond C. Hewit
  • Patent number: 9458709
    Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery technique that combines gas injection with EM radiation to heat and mobilize heavy oil at least until fluid communication is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Richard Treinen, Mark A. Trautman
  • Publication number: 20160160623
    Abstract: A device for hydrocarbon resource recovery from at least one well in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a solvent source, and a double-wall structure coupled to the RF source to define an RF antenna within the at least one well to provide RF heating to the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may absorb heat from adjacent portions of the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may also include inner and outer walls defining a solvent passageway therebetween coupled to the solvent source. The outer wall may have a plurality of openings therein to eject solvent into the subterranean formation. The double-wall structure may transfer heat to the solvent so that the ejected solvent is in a vapor state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: John E. White, Murray T. Hann, Brian N. Wright, Mark A. Trautman, Raymond C. Hewit
  • Publication number: 20160054787
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2015
    Publication date: February 25, 2016
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Muralidhar Tirumala
  • Patent number: 9267365
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) source, an RE antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line configured to be positioned within the wellbore and couple the RE source to the RE antenna. The RE transmission line defines a liquid coolant circuit therethrough. The apparatus further includes a liquid coolant source configured to be coupled to the transmission line and to provide a liquid coolant through the liquid coolant circuit having an electrical parameter that is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tim Dittmer, Brian Wright, Verlin A Hibner, Mark A Trautman
  • Patent number: 9222343
    Abstract: A method of heating stacked pay zones in a hydrocarbon formation by radio frequency electromagnetic waves is provided. In particular, radio frequency antenna array having multiple antenna elements are provided inside a hydrocarbon formation that has steam-impermeable structure. The antenna elements are so positioned and configured that the hydrocarbons in the place where conventional thermal methods cannot be used to heat due to the steam-impermeable structure can now be heated by radio frequency electromagnetic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Wendell P. Menard, Daniel R. Sultenfus, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
  • Patent number: 9182800
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Muralidhar Tirumala
  • Patent number: 9175912
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating heat pipes and heat pipes therefrom are provided. The heat pipe (400) includes a heat pipe body (402) having an inner cavity (408), and a wick structure (404) disposed in the inner cavity. The wick structure includes a first woven mesh layer (410) and a second woven mesh layer (412) disposed on the first woven mesh layer. In the heat pipe, the first woven mesh layer is a first weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers (103) having a first warp direction (W3 or W4) and the second woven mesh layer is a second weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers (105) having a second warp direction (W5 or W6). The second woven mesh layer is disposed on the first woven mesh layer such that the first and the second warp directions are rotationally offset by an inter-layer warp offset angle (?i).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Mark A. Trautman
  • Patent number: 9116690
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Muralidhar Tirumala
  • Patent number: 8978755
    Abstract: The method begins by forming a gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well. The pre-soaking stage begins by soaking at least one of the wellbores of the well pair with a solvent, wherein the solvent does not include water. The pre-heating stage begins by heating the soaked wellbore of the well pair to produce a vapor. The squeezing stage begins by introducing the vapor into the soaked wellbore of the well pair, and can thus overlap with the pre-heating stage. The gravity drainage production begins after the squeezing stage, once the wells are in thermal communication and the heavy oil can drain to the lower well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2015
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne Reid Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler, Jr., Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
  • Patent number: 8960286
    Abstract: A method of producing heavy oil by first injecting water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules into a region. The method then introduces electromagnetic waves such as microwaves and/or radio frequencies into the region at a frequency sufficient to excite the water and the sulfur hexafluoride molecules and increase the temperature of at least a portion of the water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules within the region to produce heated water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules. At least a portion of the heavy oil is heated in the region by contact with the heated water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules to produce heated heavy oil. The heated heavy oil is then produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: ConocoPhilips Company, Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Dwijen K. Banerjee, Tawfik N. Nasr, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman, Victor Hernandez
  • Patent number: 8936090
    Abstract: A method is described for accelerating start-up for SAGD-type operation by providing radio frequency heating devices inside the lateral wells that can re-heat the injected steam after losing heat energy during the initial injection. The method also extends the lateral wells such that the drilling of vertical wells can be reduced to save capital expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignees: ConocoPhillips Company, Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel R. Sultenfuss, Wayne R. Dreher, Jr., Thomas J. Wheeler, Francis E. Parsche, Mark A. Trautman
  • Publication number: 20140216725
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) source, an RE antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line configured to be positioned within the wellbore and couple the RE source to the RE antenna. The RE transmission line defines a liquid coolant circuit therethrough. The apparatus further includes a liquid coolant source configured to be coupled to the transmission line and to provide a liquid coolant through the liquid coolant circuit having an electrical parameter that is adjustable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: TIM DITTMER, Brian Wright, Verlin A Hibner, Mark A Trautman
  • Publication number: 20140108834
    Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Mark A. Trautman, Muralidhar Tirumala
  • Publication number: 20140043766
    Abstract: Methods for fabricating heat pipes and heat pipes therefrom are provided. The heat pipe (400) includes a heat pipe body (402) having an inner cavity (408), and a wick structure (404) disposed in the inner cavity. The wick structure includes a first woven mesh layer (410) and a second woven mesh layer (412) disposed on the first woven mesh layer. In the heat pipe, the first woven mesh layer is a first weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers (103) having a first warp direction (W3 or W4) and the second woven mesh layer is a second weave pattern of thermally conductive fibers (105) having a second warp direction (W5 or W6). The second woven mesh layer is disposed on the first woven mesh layer such that the first and the second warp directions are rotationally offset by an inter-layer warp offset angle (?i).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventor: MARK A. TRAUTMAN