Patents by Inventor Robert E. Hermes

Robert E. Hermes 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: 9732266
    Abstract: An encapsulated composition for polymerization includes an initiator composition for initiating a polymerization reaction, and a capsule prepared from an elemental metal or fusible alloy having a melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 200° C. A fluid for polymerization includes the encapsulated composition and a monomer. When the capsule melts or breaks open, the initiator is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Publication number: 20160068734
    Abstract: An encapsulated composition for polymerization includes an initiator composition for initiating a polymerization reaction, and a capsule prepared from an elemental metal or fusible alloy having a melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 200° C. A fluid for polymerization includes the encapsulated composition and a monomer. When the capsule melts or breaks open, the initiator is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Patent number: 9217101
    Abstract: An encapsulated composition for polymerization includes an initiator composition for initiating a polymerization reaction, and a capsule prepared from an elemental metal or fusible alloy having a melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 200° C. A fluid for polymerization includes the encapsulated composition and a monomer. When the capsule melts or breaks open, the initiator is released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Patent number: 8673827
    Abstract: Method of selective quantitation of a polymerizable monomeric species in a well spacer fluid, said method comprising the steps of adding at least one solvent having a refractive index of less than about 1.33 to a sample of the complex mixture to produce a solvent phase, and measuring the refractive index of the solvent phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Publication number: 20140060818
    Abstract: Method of selective quantitation of a polymerizable monomeric species in a well spacer fluid, said method comprising the steps of adding at least one solvent having a refractive index of less than about 1.33 to a sample of the complex mixture to produce a solvent phase, and measuring the refractive index of the solvent phase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Patent number: 8651185
    Abstract: The uncontrolled flow of fluid from an oil or gas well may be reduced or stopped by injecting a composition including 2-cyanoacrylate ester monomer into the fluid stream. Injection of the monomer results in a rapid, perhaps instantaneous, polymerization of the monomer within the flow stream of the fluid. This polymerization results in formation of a solid plug that reduces or stops the flow of additional fluid from the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Publication number: 20120285683
    Abstract: The uncontrolled flow of fluid from an oil or gas well may be reduced or stopped by injecting a composition including 2-cyanoacrylate ester monomer into the fluid stream. Injection of the monomer results in a rapid, perhaps instantaneous, polymerization of the monomer within the flow stream of the fluid. This polymerization results in formation of a solid plug that reduces or stops the flow of additional fluid from the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Publication number: 20120258895
    Abstract: An encapsulated composition for polymerization includes an initiator composition for initiating a polymerization reaction, and a capsule prepared from an elemental metal or fusible alloy having a melting temperature from about 20° C. to about 200° C. A fluid for polymerization includes the encapsulated composition and a monomer. When the capsule melts or breaks open, the initiator is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Robert E. Hermes
  • Patent number: 8100179
    Abstract: The methods described herein generally relate to preparing and delivering a fluid mixture to a confined volume, specifically an annular volume located between two concentrically oriented casing strings within a hydrocarbon fluid producing well. The fluid mixtures disclosed herein are useful in controlling pressure in localized volumes. The fluid mixtures comprise at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one inhibitor. The processes and methods disclosed herein allow the fluid mixture to be stored, shipped and/or injected into localized volumes, for example, an annular volume defined by concentric well casing strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC, Baker Hughes Incorporated, Lucite International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Ronald Gene Bland, Ron Lee Foley, James B. Bloys, Manuel E. Gonzalez, John M. Daniel, Ian M. Robinson, Robert B. Carpenter
  • Patent number: 7963333
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Patent number: 7950460
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Patent number: 7870905
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys
  • Publication number: 20100236780
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Publication number: 20100163236
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Patent number: 7743830
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys
  • Publication number: 20100096138
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Publication number: 20090205828
    Abstract: The methods described herein generally relate to preparing and delivering a fluid mixture to a confined volume, specifically an annular volume located between two concentrically oriented casing strings within a hydrocarbon fluid producing well. The fluid mixtures disclosed herein are useful in controlling pressure in localized volumes. The fluid mixtures comprise at least one polymerizable monomer and at least one inhibitor. The processes and methods disclosed herein allow the fluid mixture to be stored, shipped and/or injected into localized volumes, for example, an annular volume defined by concentric well casing strings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicants: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC, Baker Hughes Incorporated, Lucite International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Ronald Gene Bland, Ron Lee Foley, James B. Bloys, Manuel E. Gonzalez, John M. Daniel, Ian M. Robinson, Robert B. Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20090204009
    Abstract: A diagnostic system detects abnormal physical properties of tissue in a patient based upon optical properties of the tissue. A probe includes light delivery and capture fibers, and polarizers. Optical properties detected relate to polarized and unpolarized light into, and scattering from, the tissue. The optical properties detected are processed and analyzed to produce results indicative of the physical property(s) evaluated. System operation is controlled against pressure monitored via a pressure sensor coupled to the probe-tissue interface. The analysis corrects for patient physical characteristics as user inputs, such as menopausal or menstrual condition of women patients. Physical properties diagnosed include cervical dysplasia conditions in women patients, such as HSIL, cervical cancer, LSIL, or cervicitis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL SECURITY
    Inventors: Tamara M. Powers, Judith R. Mourant, Robert E. Hermes
  • Publication number: 20090133878
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys, Don M. Coates
  • Patent number: 7441599
    Abstract: A process is described for replacing at least a portion of the liquid within the annular volume of a casing system within a wellbore with a second liquid. The second liquid is preselected to provide a measure of control of the pressure within the annular volume as the fluid within the volume is being heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignees: Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Los Alamos National Security, LLC
    Inventors: Robert E. Hermes, Manuel E. Gonzalez, Brian C. Llewellyn, James B. Bloys