Patents by Inventor Michael D. Mercer

Michael D. Mercer 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: 20240125277
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for blending first and second fuels for use by a combustion mechanism, such as a motor vehicle. The first and second fuels are stored in storage vessels of a fuel storage pod in a fuel storage ratio of total respective volumes established by a storage controller circuit of a storage module responsive to a predicted demand level. A blended fuel ratio is selected by a blend controller circuit of a blend module in response to an imminent demand parameter of a selected combustion mechanism, with the blended fuel ratio being different from the fuel storage ratio. A blend of the first and second fuels is thereafter dispensed to the selected combustion mechanism at the blended fuel ratio. The first fuel may be hydrogen (H2), and the second fuel may be a selected hydrocarbon, such as propane, butane, methane, hexane, gasoline or diesel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20240125278
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for adaptively adjusting the storage of fuels for use in a fuel blending process. First and second fuels are stored in storage vessels at an initial volumetric fuel storage ratio. A storage controller executes a performance strategy to adaptively adjust at least one storage parameter in response to a predicted or detected change in operating conditions of the system. The performance strategy can include increasing a storage pressure of at least one of the fuels and/or changing a total number of storage vessels used to store the respective fuels. A dispensing mechanism transfers a blended fuel formed from the first and second fuels in accordance with the execution of the performance strategy. The fuels can take a variety of forms including hydrogen (H2), oxygen (O2), hydrocarbons, etc. The blended fuel may be dispensed by a fueling station to a motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 11927144
    Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 11885270
    Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20230250923
    Abstract: A subsurface storage container for a volume of a small molecular gas. An outer casing is axially aligned with an inner liner to define an annulus filled with a non-hardening, incompressible liquid. Sealing assemblies respectively seal upper and lower ends of the annulus and an interior storage space within the inner liner. In some embodiments, the interior storage space stores hydrogen gas at a pressure of about 10,000 psi or higher, and the liquid in the annulus comprises propylene glycol at a selected concentration which is pre-charged at a pressure such as around 3,000 psi. The liquid transfers compressive force from the inner liner to the outer casing to facilitate motor vehicle refueling operations without the need for a compressor to provide the gas at required delivery pressures. The storage container may be arranged into a group or pod that is supported by a support member over a well bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20230213151
    Abstract: An apparatus in the form of a subterranean storage container configured to store a volume of a small molecular gas, such as hydrogen or methane. In some embodiments, a casing is arranged to extend into a subterranean formation. A top end of the casing is connected to a top cap structure. The top cap structure includes an adapter flange connected to an inner liner which extends within the casing and is separated therefrom by a circumferentially extending annulus. The annulus is configured to be filled with a fluid at a predetermined pressure. The fluid may be an uncompressible liquid such as propylene glycol. The small molecular gas is stored within an interior of the inner liner at a selected pressure, such as above 1000 pounds per square inch (psi).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Patent number: 11680684
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Bedrock Gas Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20230088217
    Abstract: An intelligent fuel storage system can consist of a storage pod connected to a storage module with the storage pod having a plurality of separate storage vessels each residing below a ground level. The storage pod may concurrently store a first volume of a first fuel and a second volume of a second fuel prior to altering the first and second volumes in accordance with a performance strategy generated by the storage module to provide a predetermined blend of the first fuel and second fuel with at least a threshold volume and at least a threshold pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20230086470
    Abstract: An energy utilization system can initially store a plurality of different fuels in a fuel storage pod before choosing a fuel ratio with a blend module connected to the fuel storage pod. The fuel ratio chosen in response to an electrical generation parameter tracked by the blend module. The supply of at least two of the plurality of different fuels to a power generator with the chosen fuel ratio allows for the combustion of the supplied fuels with the electrical power generator to create electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer
  • Publication number: 20220333743
    Abstract: Various embodiments are generally directed to a casing connected to a top cap structure that consists of an adapter flange extending to an adapter barrel that is configured to fit wholly within the casing. The adapter barrel can be separated from the casing by an annulus that is filled to a predetermined annulus pressure while an internal chamber defined by the adapter barrel contains a gas having a small molecular size at a storage pressure that is greater than the predetermined annulus pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2021
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Inventors: Michael D. Mercer, Ronald R. Mercer