Patents by Inventor Noah R. Heller

Noah R. Heller 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: 20230109552
    Abstract: A method and system for determining dynamic steady-state flow and chemistry of groundwater within a long-screened test well, includes (i) drilling a pilot hole through an aquifer; (ii) installing a test well within the pilot hole, including a well screen that is at least 40 feet in length; (iii) positioning a pump within the test well to move the groundwater within the test well; (iv) positioning a packer assembly within the test well to selectively provide a seal between the test well and the pilot hole; and (v) performing downhole testing at a plurality of different depths within the test well with miniaturized technologies that are equal to or less than 1.5 inches in diameter to determine a dynamic steady-state flow and chemistry profile of the groundwater within the test well. The pump is used at a first depth and then is moved to a second depth within the test well to perform stacked dynamic steady-state flow and chemistry profiles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Patent number: 11378494
    Abstract: A fluid sample collection system for directly collecting a fluid sample from a fluid source includes a fluid collector and a fluid line. The fluid collector includes (i) a sample vial including a sample vial body and a vial cap that is selectively coupled and sealed to the sample vial body; (ii) a collector body that defines a passenger vial chamber, the sample vial being positioned at least partially within the passenger vial chamber during collection of the fluid; and (iii) a cap access facilitator that is configured to engage a portion of the sample vial to enable a user to selectively couple the vial cap to the sample vial body to seal the sample vial so that the fluid is retained within the sample vial. The fluid line extends between the fluid source and the fluid collector to substantially directly transmit the fluid sample to the fluid collector without exposing the fluid sample to the ambient environment that surrounds the fluid sample collection system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Jacob Aman, Gaunt Murdock, Miles Koehler
  • Publication number: 20210010911
    Abstract: A fluid sample collection system for directly collecting a fluid sample from a fluid source includes a fluid collector and a fluid line. The fluid collector includes (i) a sample vial including a sample vial body and a vial cap that is selectively coupled and sealed to the sample vial body; (ii) a collector body that defines a passenger vial chamber, the sample vial being positioned at least partially within the passenger vial chamber during collection of the fluid; and (iii) a cap access facilitator that is configured to engage a portion of the sample vial to enable a user to selectively couple the vial cap to the sample vial body to seal the sample vial so that the fluid is retained within the sample vial. The fluid line extends between the fluid source and the fluid collector to substantially directly transmit the fluid sample to the fluid collector without exposing the fluid sample to the ambient environment that surrounds the fluid sample collection system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Publication date: January 14, 2021
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Jacob Aman, Gaunt Murdock, Miles Koehler
  • Patent number: 10801928
    Abstract: A fluid sample collection system for directly collecting a fluid sample from a fluid source without exposing the fluid sample to an ambient environment that surrounds the fluid sample collection system includes a fluid collector including (i) a sample vial that is configured to retain fluid from the fluid source, the sample vial including a sample vial body and a vial cap that is selectively coupled and sealed to the sample vial body; (ii) a collector body that defines a passenger vial chamber, the sample vial being positioned at least partially within the passenger vial chamber during collection of the fluid; and (iii) a cap access facilitator that is configured to engage a portion of the sample vial to enable a user to selectively couple the vial cap to the sample vial body to seal the sample vial so that the fluid is retained within the sample vial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Jacob Aman, Gaunt Murdock, Miles Koehler
  • Publication number: 20200292365
    Abstract: A flowmeter profiling system for measuring a flow profile of water in a subsurface environment includes a tracer injection system positioned at least partially within the subsurface environment. The tracer injection system includes an injection tube that contains a tracer material, and an injection port that is coupled to the injection tube near a bottom of the injection tube. Additionally, the injection port is configured to inject the tracer material substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment. The injection port can include a plurality of exit holes such that the tracer material is injected substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment through each of the plurality of exit holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: September 17, 2020
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Patent number: 10738603
    Abstract: A water sampling assembly for sampling water within a groundwater production well includes a primary pump and a water sampler. The primary pump is positioned within the groundwater production well. Additionally, the primary pump defines at least a portion of an annulus between the primary pump and one of the support casing and the well screen. The water sampler is configured to obtain a plurality of water samples from the groundwater production well without removal of the water sampler from the groundwater production well. Additionally, the water sampling assembly can further include a flow detection assembly that is conjoined with the water sampler within a single jacket to form a conjoined system. The flow detection assembly is configured to detect a flow, i.e. a dynamic flow and/or an ambient flow, of the water within the groundwater production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Patent number: 10677626
    Abstract: A flowmeter profiling system for measuring a flow profile of water in a subsurface environment includes a tracer injection system positioned at least partially within the subsurface environment. The tracer injection system includes an injection tube that contains a tracer material, and an injection port that is coupled to the injection tube near a bottom of the injection tube. Additionally, the injection port is configured to inject the tracer material substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment. The injection port can include a plurality of exit holes such that the tracer material is injected substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment through each of the plurality of exit holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Publication number: 20180231439
    Abstract: A fluid sample collection system for directly collecting a fluid sample from a fluid source without exposing the fluid sample to an ambient environment that surrounds the fluid sample collection system includes a fluid collector including (i) a sample vial that is configured to retain fluid from the fluid source, the sample vial including a sample vial body and a vial cap that is selectively coupled and sealed to the sample vial body; (ii) a collector body that defines a passenger vial chamber, the sample vial being positioned at least partially within the passenger vial chamber during collection of the fluid; and (iii) a cap access facilitator that is configured to engage a portion of the sample vial to enable a user to selectively couple the vial cap to the sample vial body to seal the sample vial so that the fluid is retained within the sample vial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Jacob Aman, Gaunt Murdock, Miles Koehler
  • Patent number: 10024142
    Abstract: A method for reducing the extent of treatment required for groundwater includes the step of determining one of groundwater flow and groundwater chemistry within at least one of a plurality of fluid zones within a subsurface well having a primary pump positioned at least partially therein. The method also includes modifying fluid dynamics within the subsurface well based on at least one of the groundwater flow and chemistry. The method further includes selectively extracting groundwater from at least one of the plurality of fluid zones with the primary pump. The method also includes removing one or more contaminants from the groundwater with a fluid treatment system. Additionally, the step of determining can include the use of miniaturized technologies, such as miniaturized flow profiling technologies, miniaturized water sampling technologies and miniaturized sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: BESST, INC.
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Publication number: 20170254687
    Abstract: A flowmeter profiling system for measuring a flow profile of water in a subsurface environment includes a tracer injection system positioned at least partially within the subsurface environment. The tracer injection system includes an injection tube that contains a tracer material, and an injection port that is coupled to the injection tube near a bottom of the injection tube. Additionally, the injection port is configured to inject the tracer material substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment. The injection port can include a plurality of exit holes such that the tracer material is injected substantially horizontally into the subsurface environment through each of the plurality of exit holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Publication number: 20170241263
    Abstract: A water sampling assembly for sampling water within a groundwater production well includes a primary pump and a water sampler. The primary pump is positioned within the groundwater production well. Additionally, the primary pump defines at least a portion of an annulus between the primary pump and one of the support casing and the well screen. The water sampler is configured to obtain a plurality of water samples from the groundwater production well without removal of the water sampler from the groundwater production well. Additionally, the water sampling assembly can further include a flow detection assembly that is conjoined with the water sampler within a single jacket to form a conjoined system. The flow detection assembly is configured to detect a flow, i.e. a dynamic flow and/or an ambient flow, of the water within the groundwater production well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Publication number: 20160160478
    Abstract: A method for reducing the extent of treatment required for groundwater comprises the steps of (A) determining one of groundwater (1) flow, and (2) chemistry within at least one of a plurality of fluid zones within a subsurface well having a primary pump positioned at least partially therein; (B) modifying fluid dynamics within the subsurface well based on at least one of the groundwater flow and chemistry; (C) selectively extracting groundwater from at least one of the plurality of fluid zones with the primary pump; and (D) removing one or more contaminants from the groundwater with a fluid treatment system. Additionally, the step of determining can include the use of miniaturized technologies, such as miniaturized flow profiling technologies, miniaturized water sampling technologies and miniaturized sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Patent number: 9284722
    Abstract: A method for reducing the extent of treatment required for groundwater comprises the steps of (A) determining one of groundwater (1) flow, and (2) chemistry within at least one of a plurality of fluid zones within a subsurface well having a primary pump positioned at least partially therein; (B) modifying fluid dynamics within the subsurface well based on at least one of the groundwater flow and chemistry; (C) selectively extracting groundwater from at least one of the plurality of fluid zones with the primary pump; and (D) removing one or more contaminants from the groundwater with a fluid treatment system. Additionally, the step of determining can include the use of miniaturized technologies, such as miniaturized flow profiling technologies, miniaturized water sampling technologies and miniaturized sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Publication number: 20140105760
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (51) for sensing one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a subsurface well (12) having a well fluid level (42W), a surface region (32) and a riser pipe (30) includes a sensor apparatus (52) and a pump assembly (54) that are positioned within the well (12). The sensor apparatus (52) includes a sensor (682) that senses one of the fluid properties. The pump assembly (54) can be positioned in an in-line manner relative to the sensor apparatus (52). The pump assembly (54) can be positioned between the sensor apparatus (52) and the surface region (32). Alternatively, the sensor apparatus (52) can be positioned between the pump assembly (54) and the surface region (32). In one embodiment, the sensor apparatus (52) is positioned above the well fluid level (42W). The pump assembly (54) can pump fluid toward the sensor apparatus (52) or the pump assembly (54) can pump fluid to draw more fluid to the sensor apparatus (52).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: BESST, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke
  • Patent number: 8636478
    Abstract: A sensor assembly (51) for sensing one or more fluid properties of a fluid in a subsurface well (12) having a well fluid level (42W), a surface region (32) and a riser pipe (30) includes a sensor apparatus (52) and a pump assembly (54) that are positioned within the well (12). The sensor apparatus (52) includes a sensor (682) that senses one of the fluid properties. The pump assembly (54) can be positioned in an in-line manner relative to the sensor apparatus (52). The pump assembly (54) can be positioned between the sensor apparatus (52) and the surface region (32). Alternatively, the sensor apparatus (52) can be positioned between the pump assembly (54) and the surface region (32). In one embodiment, the sensor apparatus (52) is positioned above the well fluid level (42W). The pump assembly (54) can pump fluid toward the sensor apparatus (52) or the pump assembly (54) can pump fluid to draw more fluid to the sensor apparatus (52).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke
  • Publication number: 20130333881
    Abstract: A method for reducing the extent of treatment required for groundwater comprises the steps of (A) determining one of groundwater (1) flow, and (2) chemistry within at least one of a plurality of fluid zones within a subsurface well having a primary pump positioned at least partially therein; (B) modifying fluid dynamics within the subsurface well based on at least one of the groundwater flow and chemistry; (C) selectively extracting groundwater from at least one of the plurality of fluid zones with the primary pump; and (D) removing one or more contaminants from the groundwater with a fluid treatment system. Additionally, the step of determining can include the use of miniaturized technologies, such as miniaturized flow profiling technologies, miniaturized water sampling technologies and miniaturized sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2013
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Inventor: Noah R. Heller
  • Patent number: 8151879
    Abstract: A zone isolation assembly for a fluid monitoring system in an existing subsurface well includes a fluid receiving pipe, a docking receiver, a docking apparatus and a first sealer. The fluid receiving pipe includes a pipe interior and a fluid inlet structure. The fluid receiving pipe receives a fluid through the fluid inlet structure into the pipe interior. The docking receiver is connected to the fluid receiving pipe. The docking apparatus moves between (i) a docked position wherein the docking apparatus is docked with the docking receiver, and (ii) an undocked position wherein the docking apparatus is undocked with the docking receiver. The first sealer is spaced apart from the docking apparatus. In certain embodiments, the first sealer selectively forms a fluid-tight seal between the fluid receiving pipe and the casing to divide the fluid zone into a first zone and a spaced apart second zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: BESST, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke
  • Patent number: 7918282
    Abstract: A zone isolation assembly array (794) for a well (712) includes a first zone isolation assembly (722A) and a second zone isolation assembly (722B). The first zone isolation assembly (722A) selectively inhibits fluid communication between a first zone (726) and a second zone (728) of the well (712). The second zone isolation assembly (722B) selectively inhibits fluid communication between the second zone (728) and a third zone (796) of the well (712). In another embodiment, the zone isolation assembly array (794) includes a first docking receiver (748A), a second docking receiver (748B), a first docking apparatus (750A) and a second docking apparatus (750B). The docking receivers (748A, 748B) can be positioned in an in-line manner. The second docking apparatus (750B) is coupled to the first docking apparatus (750A).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Besst, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke
  • Publication number: 20100044051
    Abstract: A zone isolation assembly array (794) for a well (712) includes a first zone isolation assembly (722A) and a second zone isolation assembly (722B). The first zone isolation assembly (722A) selectively inhibits fluid communication between a first zone (726) and a second zone (728) of the well (712). The second zone isolation assembly (722B) can be positioned between the first zone isolation assembly (722A) and a surface region (32) of the well (712) in an in-line manner. The second zone isolation assembly (722B) selectively inhibits fluid communication between the second zone (728) and a third zone (796) of the well (712). In another embodiment, the zone isolation assembly array (794) includes a first docking receiver (748A), a second docking receiver (748B), a first docking apparatus (750A) and a second docking apparatus (750B). The docking receivers (748A, 748B) can be positioned in an in-line manner. The second docking apparatus (750B) is coupled to the first docking apparatus (750A).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke
  • Patent number: 7665534
    Abstract: A zone isolation assembly (22) for a subsurface well (12) having a surface region (32), a first zone (26) and a second zone (28) includes a docking receiver (48) and a docking apparatus (50). The docking apparatus (50) is selectively moved relative to the docking receiver (48) between a disengaged position and an engaged position. In the disengaged position, the first zone (26) is in fluid communication with the second zone (28). In the engaged position, the first zone (26) is not in fluid communication with the second zone (28) during movement of a fluid between the first zone (26) and the surface region (32). The docking apparatus (50) can be maintained in the engaged position substantially by a force of gravity. The zone isolation assembly (22) can include a pump assembly (54) that pumps the fluid while the docking apparatus (50) is in the engaged position. The zone isolation assembly (22) can include a fluid collector (52) that collects the fluid when the docking apparatus (50) is in the engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Besst, Inc.
    Inventors: Noah R. Heller, Peter F. Moritzburke