Patents by Inventor Preston W. Grounds, III

Preston W. Grounds, III 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).

  • Patent number: 10494909
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array of coupled well pipe segments is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is converted to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array of coupled well pipe segments includes a switch to selectively activate coupled well pipe segments and is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the leas of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Highland Light management Corp
    Inventors: Preston W Grounds, III, Daniel Moos
  • Publication number: 20180363433
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is convened to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the legs of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Preston W. Grounds, III, Daniel Moos
  • Patent number: 9970276
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is converted to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the legs of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Highland Light Management Corp
    Inventors: Preston W Grounds, III, Alan C Kepple, Harold D Ladouceur
  • Publication number: 20160047213
    Abstract: A system and method are provided that use RF energy to enhance the extraction of oil and gas from hydrocarbon bearing strata. A three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array is used to guide RF energy to where that energy is converted to heat in the hydrocarbon bearing strata. The three dimensional underground electromagnetic array is a guided wave structure, as opposed to an antenna structure, to minimize the unwanted effects of the near fields associated with antennas. In one embodiment, the legs of the three-dimensional underground electromagnetic array are composed of production well pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2015
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Inventors: Preston W. Grounds, III, Alan C. Kepple, Harold D. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 5939958
    Abstract: Disclosed is a planar dual mode microstrip filter with the coupling between similar modes on different patches governed by the spacing between the patches rather than by microstrip coupling lines between the patches. The patches are shaped to allow dual mode coupling. The materials used in building this filter were an alumina substrate with gold metalization. The filter is encased in a conducting box made from a conducting material. One advantage of the proximity coupled structure is that it reduces the number of parts, complexity and allows the filter to be realized in a smaller space than in previous dual mode designs. This filter is useful in satellite communications, radar, and cellular communications. High temperature superconductor materials can be used in a planar microstrip form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Preston W. Grounds, III, Kawthar A. Zaki