Patents by Inventor Melinda Sims

Melinda Sims 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: 20240109110
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20240100578
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11872610
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20230311175
    Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20230234112
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11673171
    Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 11602778
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20220062960
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew J. Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 11084074
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20210178436
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2021
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 11007555
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 10946420
    Abstract: A control system for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill via a gas extraction system comprising well piping, the landfill gas having a first temperature when extracted, the control system comprising: a gas composition chamber coupled to the well piping and comprising at least one sensor configured to measure one or more characteristics of a landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber; a temperature control mechanism configured to heat the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber to a second temperature at least a threshold amount greater than the first temperature; and a controller configured to control the at least one sensor to measure the one or more characteristics of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber when a temperature of the landfill gas sample in the gas composition chamber is at least the threshold amount greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Quigley, Ian Martin, Joseph G. Michels, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20210062625
    Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Patent number: 10851627
    Abstract: A system for extracting landfill gas from a landfill is provided. According to some embodiments, a control system for landfill gas extraction is provided. The control system uses a throttle to control flow of landfill gas extracted from the landfill. The throttle is actuated in use to vary the flow of gas between a well and a gas collection system, in accordance with a control algorithm that adjusts flow as a parameter in controlling gas extraction. The throttle is configured to ensure that there is at least some flow of landfill gas from the landfill to a gas output throughout operation. The extraction system provides an efficient system for landfill gas extraction, while mitigating a risk of creating undesired or unpleasant conditions and/or of violating regulations during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike Hale, Keith Hale, Melinda Sims
  • Publication number: 20200254497
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 10682678
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: 10639687
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Publication number: 20200130033
    Abstract: Devices and techniques related to landfill gas extraction are disclosed. A technique for controlling extraction of landfill gas from a landfill through a gas extraction system is described. The method may include measuring a plurality of values indicating conditions associated with the landfill; computing, based at least in part on the plurality of values and on a model of the landfill, a predicted future state of the landfill; determining, based at least in part on the predicted future state of the landfill, one or more control parameters for one or more respective control devices configured to control operation of the gas extraction system; applying the one or more control parameters to the one or more respective control, and with the one or more control devices, controlling extraction of the landfill gas from the landfill based, at least in part, on the one or more respective control parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Publication date: April 30, 2020
    Applicant: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Campanella, Melinda Sims, Nathan Pallo, Ian Martin
  • Patent number: D983150
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Melinda Sims, Mike Hale, Brian Hale
  • Patent number: D994617
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Loci Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Melinda Sims, Mike Hale, Brian Hale