Patents by Inventor Robert A. Frantz III

Robert A. Frantz 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: 10760387
    Abstract: A system and methods for reducing the operating temperature of a solid state pumping system for lifting liquids from a wellbore. The pumping system and methods utilizing a solid state electrical actuator system. The cooling systems and methods including a heat sink for cooling the solid state actuator. The heat sink comprising at least one of; (i) a dielectric oil bath, (ii) a thermoelectric cooling element, (iii) an aperture within the at least one solid state actuator for conveying a cooling fluid through the aperture, and (iv) combinations thereof. The pumping system including and an electrical power source for powering the solid state pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Robert A. Frantz, III, Conal H. O'Neill, Michael C. Romer
  • Patent number: 10648303
    Abstract: A system for removing wellbore liquids from a wellbore, the wellbore traversing a subterranean formation and having a tubular that extends within at least a portion of the wellbore. The system includes a positive-displacement solid state pump comprising a fluid chamber, an inlet and an outlet port, each in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, at least one solid state actuator, a first one-way check valve positioned between the inlet port and the fluid chamber, and/or a second one-way check valve positioned between the outlet port and the fluid chamber, the at least one solid state actuator configured to operate at or near its resonance frequency, the solid state pump positioned within the wellbore; and means for powering the solid state pump. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman, Robert A. Frantz, III, Conal H. O'Neill
  • Publication number: 20190390538
    Abstract: A pump includes a solid state pump including a solid state actuator actuatable to pressurize a hydraulic fluid, and a secondary pump in fluid communication with the solid state pump via a fluid circuit. The secondary pump is actuatable with the hydraulic fluid received from the solid state pump, and actuating the secondary pump draws in an external fluid into the secondary pump, pressurizes the external fluid within the secondary pump, and discharges a pressurized external fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Publication date: December 26, 2019
    Inventors: Robert A. Frantz, III, Conal H. O'Neill, Lucas Marrero, Michael C. Romer, Timothy J. Hall
  • Publication number: 20180313196
    Abstract: System and methods for reducing the operating temperature of a solid state pumping system for lifting liquids from a wellbore, the pumping system utilizing a solid state electrical actuator system, the cooling systems and methods including a heat sink for cooling the solid state actuator, the heat sink comprising at least one of; (i) a dielectric oil bath, (ii) a thermoelectric cooling element, (iii) an aperture within the at least one solid state actuator for conveying a cooling fluid through the aperture, and (iv) combinations thereof; and an electrical power source for powering the solid state pump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Robert A. Frantz, III, Conal H. O'Neill, Michael C. Romer
  • Publication number: 20180313195
    Abstract: A system for removing wellbore liquids from a wellbore, the wellbore traversing a subterranean formation and having a tubular that extends within at least a portion of the wellbore. The system includes a positive-displacement solid state pump comprising a fluid chamber, an inlet and an outlet port, each in fluid communication with the fluid chamber, at least one solid state actuator, a first one-way check valve positioned between the inlet port and the fluid chamber, and/or a second one-way check valve positioned between the outlet port and the fluid chamber, the at least one solid state actuator configured to operate at or near its resonance frequency, the solid state pump positioned within the wellbore; and means for powering the solid state pump. A method for removing fluids from a subterranean well is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Michael C. Romer, Randy C. Tolman, Robert A. Frantz III, Conal H. O'Neill