Patents by Inventor Robert Duncan

Robert Duncan 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: 12571284
    Abstract: To regulate a wellhead control mechanism, an apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Additionally, a system may directly control an actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2026
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12560077
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the position of an actuator of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a housing, the housing comprising a first housing portion operatively coupleable to the actuator and a second housing portion configured to receive at least one sensor therewithin. The at least one sensor provides an output signal indicative of the position of the actuator. The position of the actuator is indicative of a valve position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Bradley Robert Martin
  • Patent number: 12553335
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for monitoring and supervision of operations that are being performed on a well. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide one or more systems and methods that allow a wellsite supervisor to monitor and supervise from a location that is physically distanced from where the operation is being conducted and, optionally, in real time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12553539
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the operational position of a valve of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. The mount is operatively coupled to a non-moving part of the valve and the housing portion is configured to receive a sensor therewithin. The sensor is configured to detect the position of a moving part of the valve and to provide an output signal indicative of the position of the moving part of the valve. The position of the moving part of the valve is indicative of the operational position of the valve. The apparatus includes an adapter for translating rotational movement of moving part of the valve into linear motion for detection by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2026
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Lindsey William Harper
  • Patent number: 12498278
    Abstract: An open calorimetry system comprising an active vessel, a passive vessel, and a first and second heat flux detector in thermal communication with the active vessel and passive vessel respectively. A thermal reservoir is connected to the first heat flux detector and the second heat flux detector, wherein data from the heat flux detectors is used in a differential analysis resulting in an energy measurement of an article in the active vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2025
    Assignee: TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
    Inventors: Shelby Lacouture, Trevor Dardik, Dennis van der Vliet, Robert Duncan
  • Publication number: 20250230727
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: July 17, 2025
    Applicant: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Publication number: 20250223886
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Applicant: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Publication number: 20250223885
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2025
    Publication date: July 10, 2025
    Applicant: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12326064
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2025
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Publication number: 20250116181
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system, the method comprising the steps of: establishing fluid communication between a pumping unit and a fracturing missile; determining if fluids are flowing between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; if fluids are determined to be flowing, stopping the fluid communication between the pumping unit and the fracturing missile; and establishing fluid communication between the pumping unit and a bleed-off receiver. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system for performing a hydraulic fracturing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2024
    Publication date: April 10, 2025
    Applicant: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Bradley Martin
  • Patent number: 12215566
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus is configured to control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable and when the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. When the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Other embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system that directly controls actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12209483
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus controls actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable. When the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. Additionally, when the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Further, a system may directly control actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12188329
    Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a process for regulating a wellhead control mechanism. The apparatus may control actuation of a wellhead control mechanism by moving a moveable body of the apparatus between a first position and a second position. When the apparatus is in the first position a valve actuator is actuatable. When the apparatus is in the second position the valve actuator is physically interfered from actuating. Additionally, when the apparatus is in the second position, the wellhead control mechanism cannot be actuated and is held in either an open, a partially open or a closed position. Further, a system may directly control actuation of a wellhead actuation mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2025
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 12168927
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the operational position of a valve of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. The mount is operatively coupled to a non-moving part of the valve and the housing portion is configured to receive a sensor therewithin. The sensor is configured to detect the position of a moving part of the valve and to provide an output signal indicative of the position of the moving part of the valve. The position of the moving part of the valve is indicative of the operational position of the valve. The system comprises one or more such apparatus for detecting and indicating the operational position of one or more valves on a wellsite or well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Lindsey William Harper
  • Publication number: 20240336446
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to tray processing units for processing CO2 capture media. In some aspects a tray processing unit can include a loading dock configured to receive a caddy including trays disposed thereon, a collection station configured to receive trays from the loading dock and collect a carbonated medium from the trays, a filling station configured to transfer a carbonation medium to the trays, a first tray mover configured to transport the trays from the caddy at the loading dock to the collection station, an unloading dock configured to support the caddy while loading the caddy with trays, a second tray mover configured to transport trays from the collection station to the filling station, and a third tray mover configured to transport trays from the filling station to the caddy supported by the unloading dock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2024
    Publication date: October 10, 2024
    Inventors: Rocky MAI, Hunter GARNIER, Isabel GUEBLE, Charlie KARR, Kristen PEDERSEN, Noah PAUL-GIN, Ruofei LIU, Maryam NASSAR, Shazib ELAHI, David DRENNAN, Tejas MANEM, Hugo SANCHEZ, Jennifer MILLS, Robert DUNCAN, Margaret KANE, Andy DUBEL, Noah MCQUEEN
  • Publication number: 20240309754
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the operational position of a valve of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. The mount is operatively coupled to a non-moving part of the valve and the housing portion is configured to receive a sensor therewithin. The sensor is configured to detect the position of a moving part of the valve and to provide an output signal indicative of the position of the moving part of the valve. The position of the moving part of the valve is indicative of the operational position of the valve. The system comprises one or more such apparatus for detecting and indicating the operational position of one or more valves on a wellsite or well pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Applicant: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Lindsey William Harper
  • Patent number: 12084944
    Abstract: Processes for determining if a well-operation tool is present within a wellhead, including receiving object-based sensory information by a controller circuit, where the object-based sensory information is generated by a sensor. The process also includes processing sensory information to determine if the signal has a property indicating that the well-operational tool is or is not present within the wellhead. The process further includes generating a visual signal which indicates that the well-operation tool is or is not present within the wellhead and generating an actuation command for a valve actuator control system configured to maintain an operational position of a wellhead control mechanism of the wellhead based upon the processing step if the well-operation tool is present within the wellhead and to change an operational position of the well control mechanism if the well-operation tool is not present within the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 11988065
    Abstract: A wellhead apparatus comprising a first part that is mountable to a portion of a wellhead or proximal to the wellhead and a second part that is mountable to a component of wellhead operation equipment, wherein the component is operatively connectible to the wellhead, wherein the wellhead identifier generates an identifier signal when the first part is proximal the second part and is receivable by a user to identify the wellhead from a plurality of wellheads when the wellhead and the component are operatively connected. A wellhead identifier system comprising a detectable signal generator mountable to a component of wellhead operation equipment, a sensor configured to detect the detectable signal for generating object-based sensory information, and a controller circuit for receiving the object-based sensory information and for identifying a wellhead on a well pad where a wellhead operation has or will commence on the wellhead.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley Robert Martin, Murad Mohammad, Sheldon Kryger, Robert Duncan
  • Patent number: 11988087
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus, a system, and a method for detecting and indicating the operational position of a valve of wellsite equipment. The apparatus comprises a mount portion and a housing portion. The mount is operatively coupled to a non-moving part of the valve and the housing portion is configured to receive a sensor therewithin. The sensor is configured to detect the position of a moving part of the valve and to provide an output signal indicative of the position of the moving part of the valve. The position of the moving part of the valve is indicative of the operational position of the valve. The system comprises one or more such apparatus for detecting and indicating the operational position of one or more valves on a wellsite or well pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: Intelligent Wellhead Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Duncan, Murad Mohammad, Lindsey William Harper
  • Patent number: 11974679
    Abstract: Food orders are divided into components or tasks. Systems and methods of food order preparation communicate instructions for automated actions to devices to carry out the automated actions. A toaster operates to toast a bun according to toaster settings. A bun magazine operates to deliver a bun into the toaster. A condiment dispenser receives the bun from the toaster and operates to dispense at least one portion of at least one condiment onto the bun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Marmon Foodservice Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Loren Veltrop, Arshad Baxamusa, Robert Duncan, Jacob Kane, Collin Psenka, Jonathan Sammon, Sathvik Sanagala, Nicole Szewczyk, Andrew Thompson