Patents by Inventor Murray Hann
Murray Hann 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: 10508524Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include an RF transmission line and an RF antenna coupled to the RF transmission line. The RF antenna assembly may also include an adjustable balun that may include a tubular balun housing surrounding the RF transmission line and defining a space therebetween. The adjustable balun may further include an adjustable shorting body slidably movable within the space and contacting the tubular balun housing and the RF transmission line at an adjustable shorting position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Verlin A. Hibner
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Patent number: 10153572Abstract: A transmission line segment coupler is for coupling together first and second coaxial transmission line segments each including an inner tubular conductor and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the inner tubular conductor and a dielectric therebetween. The coupler apparatus includes an outer tubular bearing body to be positioned within adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments, and an inner tubular bearing body configured to slidably move within the outer tubular bearing body to define a linear bearing therewith. The inner tubular bearing body is configured to define a fluid passageway in communication with the adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Tim Dittmer, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Brian Wright
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Patent number: 9863227Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore, and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include an anchoring device configured to selectively anchor the RF transmission line and the at least one RF contact within the tubular RF antenna.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt
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Patent number: 9822622Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source. The elongate RF antenna may have a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may further include a first choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna, and a second choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the distal end of the RF antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2016Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Trautman, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
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Hydrocarbon resource heating apparatus including RF contacts and grease injector and related methods
Patent number: 9797230Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a dielectric grease injector configured to inject dielectric grease around the at least one RF contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: October 24, 2017Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary Linc Alexander Linkewich, Alan Watt -
Patent number: 9784083Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source, with the elongate RF antenna having a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may also include a choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna to define a common mode current choke at the proximal end of the RF antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: October 10, 2017Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Mark Trautman, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
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Publication number: 20170114623Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source. The elongate RF antenna may have a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may further include a first choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna, and a second choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the distal end of the RF antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2016Publication date: April 27, 2017Inventors: Mark TRAUTMAN, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
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Publication number: 20160329648Abstract: A transmission line segment coupler is for coupling together first and second coaxial transmission line segments each including an inner tubular conductor and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the inner tubular conductor and a dielectric therebetween. The coupler apparatus includes an outer tubular bearing body to be positioned within adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments, and an inner tubular bearing body configured to slidably move within the outer tubular bearing body to define a linear bearing therewith. The inner tubular bearing body is configured to define a fluid passageway in communication with the adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: TIM DITTMER, MURRAY HANN, RAYMOND HEWIT, BRIAN WRIGHT
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Patent number: 9482080Abstract: A device for heating hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation having a wellbore therein may include a tubular radio frequency (RF) antenna within the wellbore and a tool slidably positioned within the tubular RF antenna. The tool may include an RF transmission line and at least one RF contact coupled to a distal end of the RF transmission line and biased in contact with the tubular RF antenna. The tool may also include a guide member extending longitudinally outwardly from the distal end of the RF transmission line.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian N. Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Zachary L. Linkewich, Alan Watt
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Patent number: 9474108Abstract: A device for processing hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a dielectric cooling liquid source, and an RF applicator in the subterranean formation and coupled to the RF source to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources. The RF applicator may include concentric tubular conductors defining cooling passageways therebetween coupled to the dielectric cooling fluid source. At least one property of the dielectric cooling liquid, a flow rate of the dielectric cooling liquid, and a configuration of the cooling passageways may be operable together to generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors to enhance thermal transfer.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Murray Hann, Mark Alan Trautman, John E. White, Brian Wright
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Patent number: 9441472Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, an RF source, a cooling fluid source, and a transmission line coupled between the RF antenna and the RF source. A plurality of ring-shaped choke cores may surround the transmission line, and a sleeve may surround the ring-shaped choke cores and define a cooling fluid path for the ring-shaped choke cores and in fluid communication with the cooling fluid source.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C Hewit, Verlin Hibner, Mark Trautman, John Emory White
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Patent number: 9404352Abstract: A transmission line segment coupler is for coupling together first and second coaxial transmission line segments each including an inner tubular conductor and an outer tubular conductor surrounding the inner tubular conductor and a dielectric therebetween. The coupler apparatus includes an outer tubular bearing body to be positioned within adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments, and an inner tubular bearing body configured to slidably move within the outer tubular bearing body to define a linear bearing therewith. The inner tubular bearing body is configured to define a fluid passageway in communication with the adjacent open ends of the inner tubular conductors of the first and second coaxial transmission line segments.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Tim Dittmer, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Brian Wright
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Publication number: 20160194943Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include an RF transmission line and an RF antenna coupled to the RF transmission line. The RF antenna assembly may also include an adjustable balun that may include a tubular balun housing surrounding the RF transmission line and defining a space therebetween. The adjustable balun may further include an adjustable shorting body slidably movable within the space and contacting the tubular balun housing and the RF transmission line at an adjustable shorting position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2016Publication date: July 7, 2016Inventors: BRIAN WRIGHT, MURRAY HANN, RAYMOND HEWIT, VERLIN A. HIBNER
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Patent number: 9376897Abstract: An RF antenna assembly may be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a feed structure therebetween defining a dipole antenna to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line extending within one of the tubular conductors. The feed structure includes a dielectric tube, a first connector coupling the RF transmission line to the first tubular conductor, and a second connector coupling the RF transmission line to the second tubular conductor.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Schuyler R. Ayers, Tim W. Dittmer, Murray Hann, Verlin A. Hibner, Brian Wright
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Patent number: 9377553Abstract: A rigid RF coaxial transmission line is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation and to be positioned within the wellbore of the subterranean formation. Each rigid coaxial section includes an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors has threaded ends. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a respective connector between adjacent ones of the series of rigid coaxial sections, each connector having a rigid outer layer threadingly secured to respective threaded ends of adjacent rigid outer conductors, and an electrically conductive liner carried by the rigid outer layer and defining an electrical joint between the adjacent rigid outer conductors.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Ryan Whitney
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Patent number: 9376899Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors to be positioned within the wellbore, and having adjacent joined together ends, and first and second RF transmission line segments extending within the first and second tubular conductors and having adjacent joined together ends aligned with the joined together adjacent ends of the first and second tubular conductors. The RF antenna assembly includes a tubular sheath surrounding the first RF transmission line segment and having an outer surface, and a spacer received on the outer surface of the tubular sheath and extending between the tubular sheath and adjacent portions of the first tubular conductor.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit
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Publication number: 20160160622Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source, with the elongate RF antenna having a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may also include a choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna to define a common mode current choke at the proximal end of the RF antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 4, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Mark TRAUTMAN, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
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Patent number: 9322256Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator therebetween. The dielectric isolator includes a dielectric tube having opposing first and second open ends, a first tubular connector having a first slotted recess receiving therein the first open end of the dielectric tube, and a second tubular connector having a second slotted recess receiving therein the second open end of the dielectric tube.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Verlin Hibner
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Patent number: 9309757Abstract: A radio frequency (RF) antenna assembly configured to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery may include an RF transmission line and an RF antenna coupled to the RF transmission line. The RF antenna assembly may also include an adjustable balun that may include a tubular balun housing surrounding the RF transmission line and defining a space therebetween. The adjustable balun may further include an adjustable shorting body slidably movable within the space and contacting the tubular balun housing and the RF transmission line at an adjustable shorting position.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2013Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Verlin A. Hibner
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Patent number: 9181787Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is to be positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes a series of tubular dipole antennas to be positioned within the wellbore, each tubular dipole antenna having a pair of dipole elements, and an RF transmission line extending within the series of tubular dipole antennas. The RF antenna assembly includes a respective coupling structure between each pair of dipole elements and between the series of tubular dipole antennas, each coupling structure including a dielectric tube mechanically coupling adjacent dipole elements, and a tap connector carried by the dielectric tube and electrically coupling the RF transmission line to a corresponding dipole element.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATIONInventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Ronald Edward Jackson, Jr.