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).

  • Patent number: 8986423
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Kent Lang, Gilles Mathieu, Roland Banas, Robert A. Will
  • Publication number: 20140127769
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
  • Patent number: 8518673
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
  • Patent number: 8336226
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
  • Patent number: 8323500
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James A. Faulconbridge
  • Publication number: 20120297928
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Kent Lang, Gilles Mathieu, Roland Banas, Robert A. Will
  • Publication number: 20110088277
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
  • Patent number: 7857975
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Robert A. Wills, James Faulconbridge
  • Publication number: 20100307021
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties LLC.
    Inventor: Robert A. WILLS
  • Patent number: 7776218
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert A. Wills
  • Publication number: 20100159547
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
  • Patent number: 7513382
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
  • Publication number: 20090047720
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Applicant: KFI Intellectual Properties L.L.C.
    Inventors: James Faulconbridge, Robert Wills
  • Patent number: 7293681
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Inventor: Robert Wills
  • Lid
    Publication number: 20060213908
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Publication date: September 28, 2006
    Inventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
  • Publication number: 20060167380
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventors: John Morton, Robert Wills, Robert Timm, James Westmoreland
  • Patent number: 7063224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Solo Cup Operating Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Norman Clarke, Peter Robert Wills, Nigel Frank Taylor
  • Publication number: 20060124544
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: June 15, 2006
    Applicant: Karges-Faulconbridge, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Wills
  • Publication number: 20060086664
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Wills
  • Publication number: 20060057441
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 16, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Wills