Patents by Inventor Michael D. Lockhart
Michael D. Lockhart 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: 10125587Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the in situ recovery of hydrocarbonaceous products from nonrubilized oil shale and/or oil sands. The inventive system comprises a closed loop, in-ground radiator that is suspended from a support cable (or rod) along with support bracket(s) and perforated outer casing sections into a borehole, in order to target and heat kerogen and/or bitumen within oil shale and/or oil sand deposits, and to collect the resultant hydrocarbonaceous product gases from the borehole without the need for separating processing gases and/or liquids. The inventive system avoids the drawbacks associated with “open” systems including the mixing of processing and product gases, and the problems historically associated with control and management of prior art in situ recovery systems.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Fire Rock Energy, LLCInventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20160084060Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2015Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8893793Abstract: Hydrocarbonaceous and additional products are recovered from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. A hole is formed in a body of oil shale or oil sand. A heater is positioned into the hole generating a temperature sufficient to convert kerogen in oil shale or bitumen in oil sand to hydrocarbonaceous products, these products are extracted from the hole as effluent gas. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. The subsequent condensation steps may be carried out in at least one cooled chamber having a sequence of critical orifices maintained at a negative pressure. Carbon sequestration steps may be performed wherein recovered carbon dioxide is delivered down the hole following the recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: November 25, 2014Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8381814Abstract: To protect an underground aquifer from pollution due to the extraction of subsurface products from a recovery well or other subsurface mining operation, a plurality of barrier injection wells are formed around the recovery well/subsurface operation, each barrier injection well terminating in a groundwater layer to be protected. A polymer matrix material is then into the injection wells such that the material exiting each injection well expands and overlaps with material exiting from adjacent wells prior to solidification, thereby forming an isolation barrier within the groundwater layer. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer matrix material is a cellulose polymer hydrogel matrix material which is injected in gel form. Following recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products from the recovery well(s), the injected polymer matrix material may be reheated and subsequently liquefied allowing full groundwater flow to occur.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20130000349Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2012Publication date: January 3, 2013Applicant: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8312927Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. The effluent gas is maintained under a negative pressure from the hole and through the initial and subsequent condensation steps. This provides numerous advantages, including the adjustment of various physical parameters during the extraction process. Such adjustment allows the ratio of oils types to be varied, the ratio of hydrocarbonaceous products to non-crude products to be varied, contamination control, and other disclosed advantages.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8312928Abstract: Apparatus and methods for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from a combustor may be routed through a heat exchanger to produce the processing gas, the composition of which may be adjusted so that it contains approximately 1% oxygen or less. The subsequent condensation steps may be carried out in at least one cooled chamber having a sequence of critical orifices maintained at a negative pressure. Carbon sequestration steps may be performed wherein recovered carbon dioxide is delivered down the hole following the recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products. Various physical parameters may be adjusted to vary the recovery of crude oil or other products or contaminants from the effluent gas.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8262866Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 8261831Abstract: Apparatus and methods recover hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands. The method includes the steps of forming a hole in a body of oil or tar sand, positioning an apertured sleeve within the hole to minimize fill-in of the sand, positioning a gas inlet conduit into the apertured sleeve, and introducing a heated, pressurized processing gas into the sleeve through the gas inlet conduit, such that the heated, pressurized processing gas penetrates into the sand through the apertures, thereby converting bitumen within the sand into hydrocarbonaceous products. The processing gas and hydrocarbonaceous products are withdrawn as effluent gas through the hole under relative negative pressure. A mesh screen may be supported between the apertured sleeve and the body of oil or tar sand.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Publication number: 20120097550Abstract: Apparatus and methods dissociate water into hydrogen and oxygen gases on a more efficient basis. By modifying the environmental conditions of the water through increased covalent and hydrogen bond movement, increasing the rate of self ionization, and with enhanced induced magnetic susceptibility, water electrolysis is achieved with reduced energy input. In the preferred embodiments, electrolysis is performed by the individual and balanced cumulative application of acoustic cavitation, a high-energy magnetic field to support enhanced magnetic susceptibility, and specific wavelength infrared energy to increase bond vibrational modes of water molecules. It has been discovered that the combination of acoustic cavitation, vibrational enhancement, and increased magnetic susceptibility significantly enhances proton-hopping and electric field fluctuations leading to an enhanced return on energy invested water electrolysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2010Publication date: April 26, 2012Inventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20110198084Abstract: To protect an underground aquifer from pollution due to the extraction of subsurface products from a recovery well or other subsurface mining operation, a plurality of barrier injection wells are formed around the recovery well/subsurface operation, each barrier injection well terminating in a groundwater layer to be protected. A polymer matrix material is then into the injection wells such that the material exiting each injection well expands and overlaps with material exiting from adjacent wells prior to solidification, thereby forming an isolation barrier within the groundwater layer. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer matrix material is a cellulose polymer hydrogel matrix material which is injected in gel form. Following recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products from the recovery well(s), the injected polymer matrix material may be reheated and subsequently liquefied allowing full groundwater flow to occur.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20110198083Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. A hole is formed in a body of oil shale or oil sand. A heater is positioned into the hole generating a temperature sufficient to convert kerogen in oil shale or bitumen in oil sand to hydrocarbonaceous products, these products are extracted from the hole as effluent gas. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. The subsequent condensation steps may be carried out in at least one cooled chamber having a sequence of critical orifices maintained at a negative pressure. Carbon sequestration steps may be performed wherein recovered carbon dioxide is delivered down the hole following the recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: August 18, 2011Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Publication number: 20100258316Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. The effluent gas is maintained under a negative pressure from the hole and through the initial and subsequent condensation steps. This provides numerous advantages, including the adjustment of various physical parameters during the extraction process. Such adjustment allows the ratio of oils types to be varied, the ratio of hydrocarbonaceous products to non-crude products to be varied, contamination control, and other disclosed advantages.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Publication number: 20100258317Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from a combustor may be routed through a heat exchanger to produce the processing gas, the composition of which may be adjusted so that it contains approximately 1% oxygen or less. The subsequent condensation steps may be carried out in at least one cooled chamber having a sequence of critical orifices maintained at a negative pressure. Carbon sequestration steps may be performed wherein recovered carbon dioxide is delivered down the hole following the recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products. Various physical parameters may be adjusted to vary the recovery of crude oil or other products or contaminants from the effluent gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Publication number: 20100258315Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands. The method includes the steps of forming a hole in a body of oil or tar sand, positioning an apertured sleeve within the hole to minimize fill-in of the sand, positioning a gas inlet conduit into the apertured sleeve, and introducing a heated, pressurized processing gas into the sleeve through the gas inlet conduit, such that the heated, pressurized processing gas penetrates into the sand through the apertures, thereby converting bitumen within the sand into hydrocarbonaceous products. The processing gas and hydrocarbonaceous products are withdrawn as effluent gas through the hole under relative negative pressure. The apertured sleeve may be installed in sections into the hole as the hole is formed. The apertures in the sleeve may be holes with a circular or other geometry or elongate cuts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Publication number: 20100258476Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Synfuels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Lockhart, Ron McQueen
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Patent number: 6974673Abstract: An evanescent-wave optical biosensor includes a hollow optical waveguide, preferably in the form of a light-conductive capillary, surrounding a central waveguide preferably in the form of an optical fiber to create a sealed cavity. A source of optical energy as from a laser is directed into one or both of the light-input ends of the capillary and fiber, such that an evanescent field extends into the cavity from one or both of the inner surface of the capillary and the outer surface of the fiber. A first biomolecular constituent is attached to one or both of the inner wall of the hollow optical waveguide and the outer surface of the second optical waveguide, such that the first biomolecular binding partner is substantially within the evanescent field if present.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: December 13, 2005Assignee: Veridian Systems DivisionInventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Patent number: 6924138Abstract: Single-mode and multi-mode fibers to achieve modal splitting and greater sensitivity in an optical fiber coupler for evanescent-wave biosensor applications. A source of light having multiple modes is coupled to the input to one of the multi-mode fibers, with the geometry of necked-down section being such that a limited number of modes may be carried by the multi-mode fiber as the light emerges from the coupler. At least one of the single-mode fibers is supported adjacent the multi-mode fiber to receive and carry one of the limited modes. A biomolecule enveloped by the evanescent field, exhibits a direct or indirect affinity to a binding partner, such that attachment of the binding partner is at least partially responsible for the limited number of modes carried by the multi-mode fiber as the light emerges from the coupler.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2002Date of Patent: August 2, 2005Assignee: Veridian Systems DivisionInventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Patent number: 6577780Abstract: An improved biosensor cell comprises a fluid-carrying chamber and a fixture configured to receive the chamber. The chamber includes one or more optical waveguides immersed in the fluid, each waveguide having an input end and an output end, both of which are optically accessible from outside the chamber. The fixture includes a first coupling or optical path for routing the source of light to one end of one of the optical waveguides, and a second coupling or optical path for routing the other end of the optical waveguide to the optical detector. The relationship between the fluid-carrying chamber and the fixture is such that the fluid-carrying chamber may be removed and replaced with the alignment of the ends of the waveguide and the optical coupling being physically maintained. The preferred embodiment uses a plurality of optical couplers, with partitions to establish a serpentine path around the couplers for comprehensive exposure to the fluid.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: June 10, 2003Assignee: Veridian SystemsInventor: Michael D. Lockhart
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Publication number: 20030059853Abstract: An evanescent-wave optical biosensor includes a hollow optical waveguide, preferably in the form of a light-conductive capillary, surrounding a central waveguide preferably in the form of an optical fiber to create a sealed cavity. A source of optical energy as from a laser is directed into one or both of the light-input ends of the capillary and fiber, such that an evanescent field extends into the cavity from one or both of the inner surface of the capillary and the outer surface of the fiber. A first biomolecular constituent is attached to one or both of the inner wall of the hollow optical waveguide and the outer surface of the second optical waveguide, such that the first biomolecular binding partner is substantially within the evanescent field if present.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2001Publication date: March 27, 2003Inventor: Michael D. Lockhart