Patents by Inventor Robert A. Will
Robert A. Will 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: 8986423Abstract: A method of heap leaching including forming a heap lift, installing a horizontal solution collection system between the heap layers including a horizontal tubing with a wireline data collection tool disposed therein, providing a heap leach model for modeling the heap leach operation including a solvent formulation and a irrigation setting, obtaining collected data from the wireline data collection tool while irrigating the heap lift, the collected data including in-situ material parameters of the heap layers and in-situ solution parameters of the solution flowing in the heap layers, modeling the heap leach operation using the collected data based on the heap leach model to generate a result, and adjusting the heap leach operation based on the result.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2010Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Schlumberger Technology CorporationInventors: Kent Lang, Gilles Mathieu, Roland Banas, Robert A. Will
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Publication number: 20140127769Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for processing a beer stream for the recovery of oil. The method include a step of extracting oil from a beer stream into an organic phase comprising an organic solvent to provide in the organic phase at least a portion of the oil. In general, a beer stream refers to a composition containing alcohol, water, oil, and particulates, and can be a result of a fermentation process. When the beer stream is a beer stream from a fermentation process, it can be referred to as a fermentation broth even if it is no longer being subjected to fermentation. The beer stream can contain other components commonly found in a stream coming off a fermentation process such as, for example, glycerol and acetic acid. A method for producing ethanol, and an ethanol production facility are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2013Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
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Patent number: 8518673Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for processing a beer stream for the recovery of oil. The method includes a step of extracting oil from a beer stream into an organic phase comprising an organic solvent to provide in the organic phase at least a portion of the oil. In general, a beer stream refers to a composition containing alcohol, water, oil, and particulates, and can be a result of a fermentation process. The beer stream can contain other components commonly found in a stream coming off a fermentation process such as, for example, glycerol and acetic acid.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2008Date of Patent: August 27, 2013Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
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Patent number: 8336226Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2010Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
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Patent number: 8323500Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to step-wise remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by step-wise replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each subsequent solvent has a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property then its predecessor.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2010Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James A. Faulconbridge
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Publication number: 20120297928Abstract: A method of heap leaching including forming a heap lift, installing a horizontal solution collection system between the heap layers including a horizontal tubing with a wireline data collection tool disposed therein, providing a heap leach model for modeling the heap leach operation including a solvent formulation and a irrigation setting, obtaining collected data from the wireline data collection tool while irrigating the heap lift, the collected data including in-situ material parameters of the heap layers and in-situ solution parameters of the solution flowing in the heap layers, modeling the heap leach operation using the collected data based on the heap leach model to generate a result, and adjusting the heap leach operation based on the result.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2010Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Kent Lang, Gilles Mathieu, Roland Banas, Robert A. Will
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Publication number: 20110088277Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to step-wise remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by step-wise replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each subsequent solvent has a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property then its predecessor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
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Patent number: 7857975Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material (10) using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction in an extraction system (100). Multiple solvents are used sequentially to replace the water with a first solvent, then replacing that solvent with a second solvent, etc., then eventually removing the last solvent from the solid materials. The solvents have progressively lower heats of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point or related property, so as to conserve use of thermal energy.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
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Publication number: 20100307021Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2010Publication date: December 9, 2010Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties LLC.Inventor: Robert A. WILLS
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Patent number: 7776218Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2005Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventor: Robert A. Wills
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Publication number: 20100159547Abstract: A method for separating oil from flour includes steps of: separating flour into a first stream comprising coarse flour and a second stream comprising fine flour; combining a first extraction solvent with the first stream and extracting oil from the first stream to provide a first miscella and coarse solids; combining a second extraction solvent with the second stream and extracting oil from the second stream to form a second miscella and fine solids; and recovering oil from the first miscella and the second miscella.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2009Publication date: June 24, 2010Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
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Patent number: 7513382Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage container. The lid has a mounting portion configured to connect the lid to the container and an annular side wall extending upward from the mounting portion. The lid also includes a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, wherein the top wall has both a circular outer periphery and a circular inner periphery. An upwardly extending protrusion is pivotally connected to the top wall by a hinge. A central portion is positioned radially inward of the top wall, wherein the central portion has a circular outer periphery. The central portion is vertically positioned between the mounting portion and the top wall. The protrusion is pivotable about the hinge between a sealed position and an open position to define a drink opening residing entirely within the top wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Solo Cup Operating CorporationInventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
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Publication number: 20090047720Abstract: The present disclosure includes a method for processing a beer stream for the recovery of oil. The method include a step of extracting oil from a beer stream into an organic phase comprising an organic solvent to provide in the organic phase at least a portion of the oil. In general, a beer stream refers to a composition containing alcohol, water, oil, and particulates, and can be a result of a fermentation process. When the beer stream is a beer stream from a fermentation process, it can be referred to as a fermentation broth even if it is no longer being subjected to fermentation. The beer stream can contain other components commonly found in a stream coming off a fermentation process such as, for example, glycerol and acetic acid. A method for producing ethanol, and an ethanol production facility are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 30, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
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Patent number: 7293681Abstract: A rack designed to provide convenient storage of doors optionally removable from “JEEP” style Sport Utility Vehicles. This allows a driver to operate the vehicle with the doors removed and thus free up interior space. The rack is mounted on the rear of the vehicle exteriorly of the rear-mounted spare tire. Mounted securely in the rack, the doors are spaced from the spare tire and are prevented from rubbing each other and the spare tire. The doors are therefore protected from scratches and abrasions.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Inventor: Robert Wills
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Publication number: 20060213908Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage container. The lid has a mounting portion configured to connect the lid to the container and an annular side wall extending upward from the mounting portion. The lid also includes a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall, wherein the top wall has both a circular outer periphery and a circular inner periphery. An upwardly extending protrusion is pivotally connected to the top wall by a hinge. A central portion is positioned radially inward of the top wall, wherein the central portion has a circular outer periphery. The central portion is vertically positioned between the mounting portion and the top wall. The protrusion is pivotable about the hinge between a sealed position and an open position to define a drink opening residing entirely within the top wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2006Publication date: September 28, 2006Inventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
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Publication number: 20060167380Abstract: The instant application relates to a collection kit for obtaining specimens from urine. The collection kit, according to instant invention, includes a collection receptacle, a denaturizing agent, an acid, a delivery device, a first cartridge, a resin cartridge including a resin, and a sterile packaging device. The first cartridge is adapted to filter out organic compounds, while the resin possesses an affinity to bind a nuclide. The sterile packaging device contains the collection receptacle, the denaturizing agent, the acid, the delivery device, the first cartridge, and the resin cartridge.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2005Publication date: July 27, 2006Inventors: John Morton, Robert Wills, Robert Timm, James Westmoreland
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Patent number: 7063224Abstract: The present invention provides a lid for a beverage cup. The lid has a generally annular side wall, a rib depending from the side wall, and a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall. The lid further includes a central region positioned radially inward of the top wall. The central region has a well with a notched portion. The lid also includes a projection extending from a portion of the side wall. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base of the projection permits the projection to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The central region has a shoulder portion that engages the tip of the projection to secure the projection in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2005Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Solo Cup Operating CorporationInventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
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Publication number: 20060124544Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material (10) using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction in an extraction system (100). Multiple solvents are used sequentially to replace the water with a first solvent, then replacing that solvent with a second solvent, etc., then eventually removing the last solvent from the solid materials. The solvents have progressively lower heats of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point or related property, so as to conserve use of thermal energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2003Publication date: June 15, 2006Applicant: Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc.Inventor: Robert Wills
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Publication number: 20060086664Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2005Publication date: April 27, 2006Inventor: Robert Wills
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Publication number: 20060057441Abstract: A technique that is usable with a fuel cell stack includes using a capacitance of the fuel cell stack as a main component of an input capacitance of an inverter. The technique may include, in some embodiments of the invention, using the capacitance of the fuel cell stack as a capacitance for a converter. For example, in these embodiments of the invention, the capacitance may be an input capacitance or an output capacitance of the converter.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2005Publication date: March 16, 2006Inventor: Robert Wills