Patents by Inventor Robert C. Hicks

Robert C. Hicks 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: 10604714
    Abstract: The lifetime of artificial lift systems, such as progressing cavity pumps (PCPs), used to transport aqueous slurries which contain fine particles, e.g. coal fines, may be prolonged by incorporation of at least one dispersant in the slurries. The dispersants act to inhibit or prevent the fine particles from agglomerating to plug the artificial lift intake and/or inhibit or prevent the agglomerated coal fines settling above the artificial lift system. The dispersant may also improve the lubricity of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Marc N. Lehmann, Robert C. Hicks, Alison R. Morris, Cheryl L. Licari
  • Publication number: 20180066198
    Abstract: The lifetime of artificial lift systems, such as progressing cavity pumps (PCPs), used to transport aqueous slurries which contain fine particles, e.g. coal fines, may be prolonged by incorporation of at least one dispersant in the slurries. The dispersants act to inhibit or prevent the fine particles from agglomerating to plug the artificial lift intake and/or inhibit or prevent the agglomerated coal fines settling above the artificial lift system. The dispersant may also improve the lubricity of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Applicant: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Marc N. Lehmann, Robert C. Hicks, Alison R. Morris, Cheryl L. Licari
  • Patent number: 9828560
    Abstract: The lifetime of artificial lift systems, such as progressing cavity pumps (PCPs), used to transport aqueous slurries which contain fine particles, e.g. coal fines, may be prolonged by incorporation of at least one dispersant in the slurries. The dispersants act to inhibit or prevent the fine particles from agglomerating to plug the artificial lift intake and/or inhibit or prevent the agglomerated coal fines settling above the artificial lift system. The dispersant may also improve the lubricity of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Marc N. Lehmann, Robert C. Hicks, Alison R. Morris, Cheryl L. Licari
  • Publication number: 20150159104
    Abstract: The lifetime of artificial lift systems, such as progressing cavity pumps (PCPs), used to transport aqueous slurries which contain fine particles, e.g. coal fines, may be prolonged by incorporation of at least one dispersant in the slurries. The dispersants act to inhibit or prevent the fine particles from agglomerating to plug the artificial lift intake and/or inhibit or prevent the agglomerated coal fines settling above the artificial lift system. The dispersant may also improve the lubricity of the slurry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 11, 2015
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventors: MARC N. LEHMANN, ROBERT C. HICKS, ALISON R. MORRIS, CHERYL L. LICARI
  • Patent number: 4941593
    Abstract: Cleaning equipment is connected to automatically clean conduits which deliver beer from a keg to a spigot. An operator may manually commence the cleaning operation by controlling valves connected to the keg and to a source of water. The spigot is then manually opened by the operator to permit the water to flow through the conduits being cleaned and dispensed at the spigot. The water pressure at the entrance to the conduits creates a vacuum effect to cause a chemical solution to be mixed with the water in accordance with the amount of water pressure. A gauge measures the water back pressure at the entrance to the conduits. The amount of chemical concentration in the solution may be determined when the cleaning equipment is installed from systems involving different numbers of conduits having different back pressure levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 17, 1990
    Inventors: Robert C. Hicks, Raymond M. Benyaker