Patents by Inventor Mark Patton

Mark Patton 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: 20240132384
    Abstract: Methods and systems for carbon sequestration in conjunction with oil and gas operations. Carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles is used to supersaturate treated produced water. The supersaturated produced water is then injected into Class II injection wells for effective storage in underground formations in conjunction with enhanced recovery operations or the storage and disposal of produced water from production operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11944919
    Abstract: An improved surface evaporation system where droplet size and spray configuration is controlled and modified based upon ambient conditions in order to prevent the spreading of salts and other contaminants outside of a treatment pit or specific area. Water droplet size can be controlled by adjustment of the spray nozzle side. Increasing the nozzle size to increase droplet size results in a reduction of mist travel direction (i.e., drift distance). Reducing the nozzle size decreases the droplet size, and increases drift distance. Similarly, changing the configuration of the spray will affect drift distance. For example, changing the spray direction and height from a vertical spray direction to a flatter, more horizontal direction (with resulting greater area) results in a substantially decreased drift distance. In addition, the system also takes into account the effects of wind speed and direction and humidity. Evaporation modules may use standard spray nozzles, or ultrasonic evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20240083788
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system. Ozone and/or nitrogen micro-bubbles and/or nano-bubbles may be introduced for friction reduction in oil and gas operations. Carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles is used to supersaturate treated produced water. The supersaturated produced water is then injected into Class II injection wells for effective storage in underground formations in conjunction with enhanced recovery operations or the storage and disposal of produced water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Publication number: 20240076216
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system. Carbon dioxide in the form of nanobubbles is used to supersaturate treated produced water. The supersaturated produced water is then injected into Class II injection wells for effective storage in underground formations in conjunction with enhanced recovery operations or the storage and disposal of produced water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 7, 2024
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11835279
    Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing noise in a cryogenic cooling system associated with a mechanical refrigerator forming part of said cooling system. The method comprises: monitoring vibrations in the cooling system during operation of the mechanical refrigerator; and modulating an operating frequency of the mechanical refrigerator based on the monitored vibrations so as to reduce the amplitude of said vibrations. This allows noise within the cooling system to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited
    Inventors: Anthony J. Matthews, Mark Patton, Jeremy White
  • Patent number: 11721514
    Abstract: An anode for an X-ray tube is provided. The anode has a shape configured such that, in use: an electron beam impinges upon the anode at a focal spot on the surface of the anode, and the anode is heated by the electron beam from a first state to a predetermined second state and undergoes resulting thermal expansion causing a change in the location of the focal spot on the surface of the anode, wherein the configured shape of the anode is such that the spatial position of the focal spot with respect to the X-ray tube is substantially the same for the first state and the second state. A method of producing an anode for an X-ray tube is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments X-Ray Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher K. McKenzie, Yahya Alivov, Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20230192516
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system, that draws a portion of produced water from the produced water pipeline and injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture back into the pipeline with disrupting or slowing normal operations. Disinfectants or other additives may also be injected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Publication number: 20230169439
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automated management of compliance training. One or more events triggered from one or more platforms that a user uses to carry out a job function is received via one or more adapters. In response to and based at least on the one or more events, a change of status of the user in the one or more platforms may be identified. Whether or not the change of status is to be allowed may be determined in each of the one or more platforms before the user completes a training. Responsive to the determination, the change of status of the user in the one or more platforms may be controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 1, 2023
    Applicant: KnowBe4, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex Callihan, Constantin Spatoulas, Mark Patton, Matthew Duren
  • Publication number: 20230032611
    Abstract: An improved surface evaporation system where droplet size and spray configuration is controlled and modified based upon ambient conditions in order to prevent the spreading of salts and other contaminants outside of a treatment pit or specific area. Water droplet size can be controlled by adjustment of the spray nozzle side. Increasing the nozzle size to increase droplet size results in a reduction of mist travel direction (i.e., drift distance). Reducing the nozzle size decreases the droplet size, and increases drift distance. Similarly, changing the configuration of the spray will affect drift distance. For example, changing the spray direction and height from a vertical spray direction to a flatter, more horizontal direction (with resulting greater area) results in a substantially decreased drift distance. In addition, the system also takes into account the effects of wind speed and direction and humidity. Evaporation modules may use standard spray nozzles, or ultrasonic evaporators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11492278
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system, that draws a portion of produced water from the produced water pipeline and injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture back into the pipeline with disrupting or slowing normal operations. Disinfectants or other additives may also be injected. The treatment system may be wholly or partially contained in mobile containers or trailers, for on-the-fly use in existing produced water treatment facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2022
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20220344121
    Abstract: An anode for an X-ray tube is provided. The anode has a shape configured such that, in use: an electron beam impinges upon the anode at a focal spot on the surface of the anode, and the anode is heated by the electron beam from a first state to a predetermined second state and undergoes resulting thermal expansion causing a change in the location of the focal spot on the surface of the anode, wherein the configured shape of the anode is such that the spatial position of the focal spot with respect to the X-ray tube is substantially the same for the first state and the second state. A method of producing an anode for an X-ray tube is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Christopher K. McKenzie, Yahya Alivov, Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20220332598
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for treating and disposing of produced water in conjunction with gas turbine exhaust gas, thereby avoiding problems associated with injecting produced water back into subsurface strata. The system is installed at or near the wellhead where produced water being treated is at a higher temperatures. Produced water is treated with ozone injection in a scrubber with heat applied through introduction of gas turbine exhaust gas. A wet scrubber unit with scrubber packing is used to clean emissions. A produced water pump is used to circulate produced water, and pump produced water through spray nozzles in the scrubber unit for use as the wet scrubbing agent. As produced water evaporates, evaporated salts and solids are continuously removed from the evaporator/scrubber unit by appropriate means, such as an auger system. The evaporated salts and solids are then treated via chemical stabilization in a mixing system with chemical reagents to prevent the residual form from being hazardous.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11333404
    Abstract: A cryogenic cooling system is provided comprising: a mechanical refrigerator, a heat pipe and a heat switch assembly. The mechanical refrigerator has a first cooled stage and a second cooled stage. The heat pipe has a first part coupled thermally to the second cooled stage and a second part coupled thermally to a target assembly. The heat pipe is adapted to contain a condensable gaseous coolant when in use. The heat switch assembly comprises one or more gas gap heat switches, a first end coupled thermally to the second cooled stage and a second end coupled thermally to the target assembly. The cryogenic cooling system is adapted to be operated in a heat pipe cooling mode in which the temperature of the second cooled stage is lower than the first cooled stage and wherein the temperature of the target assembly causes the coolant within the second part of the heat pipe to be gaseous and the temperature of the second cooled stage causes the coolant in the first part of the heat pipe to condense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: Oxford Instruments Nanotechnology Tools Limited
    Inventors: Anthony Matthews, Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20220065076
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system, that draws a portion of produced water from the produced water pipeline and injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture back into the pipeline with disrupting or slowing normal operations. Disinfectants or other additives may also be injected. The treatment system may be wholly or partially contained in mobile containers or trailers, for on-the-fly use in existing produced water treatment facilities. Ozone and/or nitrogen micro-bubbles and/or nano-bubbles may be introduced for friction reduction in oil and gas operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11168544
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system, that draws a portion of produced water from the produced water pipeline and injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture back into the pipeline with disrupting or slowing normal operations. Disinfectants or other additives may also be injected. The treatment system may be wholly or partially contained in mobile containers or trailers, for on-the-fly use in existing produced water treatment facilities. Ozone and/or nitrogen micro-bubbles and/or nano-bubbles may be introduced for friction reduction in oil and gas operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Patent number: 11162330
    Abstract: A system and apparatus for treating and disposing of produced water in conjunction with flared gas, thereby avoiding problems associated with injecting produced water back into subsurface strata. The system is installed at or near the wellhead where produced water being treated is at a higher temperatures. Produced water is treated with ozone injection in a scrubber with heat applied through a flare gas field burner, which uses field gas from oilfield operations. A wet scrubber unit with scrubber packing is used to clean emissions. A produced water pump is used to circulate produced water, and pump produced water through spray nozzles in the scrubber unit for use as the wet scrubbing agent. As produced water evaporates, evaporated salts and solids are continuously removed from the evaporator/scrubber unit by appropriate means, such as an auger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Patton
  • Publication number: 20210310710
    Abstract: There is provided a method of reducing noise in a cryogenic cooling system associated with a mechanical refrigerator forming part of said cooling system. The method comprises: monitoring vibrations in the cooling system during operation of the mechanical refrigerator; and modulating an operating frequency of the mechanical refrigerator based on the monitored vibrations so as to reduce the amplitude of said vibrations. This allows noise within the cooling system to be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2019
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Anthony J. Matthews, Mark Patton, Jeremy White
  • Publication number: 20210261451
    Abstract: A combined aeration system supplemented with a nanobubble delivery system to capture and store carbon, typically in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) (i.e., “carbon capture”). Produced water is generated as a byproduct of oil and gas extraction. Carbon dioxide is introduced to produced water in the form of nanobubbles. Aeration is used as a pre-treatment to oxidation and to preserve disinfection in produced water, and also reduces the higher temperature of produced water from the wellhead This reduction in temperature allows more carbon dioxide to be absorbed by the produced water, and the absorption process is accelerated by adding carbon dioxide to the airstream used in the aeration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 26, 2021
    Inventor: MARK PATTON
  • Patent number: 11084975
    Abstract: A system and process for defining, blending and monitoring fresh water with subterranean produced formation fluids, with particular constituents of the blended waters being controlled for proper use in gel-type hydraulic fracturing operations. On-site measurements and calculations of clay stabilization replacement, through a Potassium Chloride (KCl) Equivalency calculation, provide feedback on water constituent adjustments that may be needed just prior to the gel-based hydraulic fracturing process. This assures adequate gel cross-linking times, delayed gel cross-linking times, and clay stabilization in the formation to be fractured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: HYDROZONIX, LLC
    Inventors: Mark Patton, Jinxuan Hu, Barry Hinton, Ed Keenan
  • Patent number: 11040900
    Abstract: An automated produced water treatment system that injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture upstream of produced water separators, with the dose rate changing dynamically as the produced water quality changes, as determined by continuous monitoring of the produced water quality by a plurality of sensors that detect water quality parameters in real time. The system may operate as a “slipstream” injection system, that draws a portion of produced water from the produced water pipeline and injects ozone or an ozone-oxygen mixture back into the pipeline with disrupting or slowing normal operations. Disinfectants or other additives may also be injected. The treatment system may be wholly or partially contained in mobile containers or trailers, for on-the-fly use in existing produced water treatment facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventor: Mark Patton