Patents by Inventor Robert N. Ayres

Robert N. Ayres 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).

  • Publication number: 20180193769
    Abstract: A method for scavenging hydrogen sulfide from fluids produced into a well includes pressurizing a hydrogen sulfide scavenging reagent to a pressure above a pressure in the well. At selected times the pressurized hydrogen sulfide scavenging reagent is enabled to flow into the well. Fluid produced from the well is stored at a pressure extant on the well. At selected times an hydraulic connection is made between the stored, produced fluid and the well so that the produced fluid flows into the well by gravity. In some embodiments, the reagent is triazine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 9488041
    Abstract: A well chemical treatment system includes a chemical dispenser having a control signal input and a chemical outlet in fluid communication with a well. A chemical dispenser controller operates the dispenser and detects a well fluid lift pump controller signal. The chemical dispenser controller transmits a control signal to the chemical dispenser at selected times and is configured to increment the counter and inhibit transmission of the control signal when a selected time occurs and a pump in operation signal is not detected. When the chemical dispenser controller detects a pump in operation signal at one of the selected times, the chemical dispenser controller sends a control signal to the chemical dispenser to dispense an amount of chemical into the well equal to a product of a number in the counter plus one and an amount of chemical to be dispensed into the well at each selected time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Pro-Ject Chemicals, LLC
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Publication number: 20160186543
    Abstract: A well chemical treatment system includes a chemical dispenser having a control signal input and a chemical outlet in fluid communication with a well. A chemical dispenser controller operates the dispenser and detects a well fluid lift pump controller signal. The chemical dispenser controller transmits a control signal to the chemical dispenser at selected times and is configured to increment the counter and inhibit transmission of the control signal when a selected time occurs and a pump in operation signal is not detected. When the chemical dispenser controller detects a pump in operation signal at one of the selected times, the chemical dispenser controller sends a control signal to the chemical dispenser to dispense an amount of chemical into the well equal to a product of a number in the counter plus one and an amount of chemical to be dispensed into the well at each selected time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 9284822
    Abstract: A method for injecting treatment chemical into a well includes selecting times at which to operate a chemical dispenser to inject a selected amount of treatment chemical into a well. At each selected time whether a wellbore pump is operating is determined. If the pump is operating the selected amount of treatment chemical is dispensed into the well. If the pump is not operating, no chemical is dispensed and a counter is incremented. At each subsequent selected time, the determining whether the well pump is operating is repeated. When a subsequent selected time coincides with a time at which the well pump is determined to be operating, the chemical dispenser is operated to inject a product of the number in the counter plus one, and the selected amount of treatment chemical into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Publication number: 20150007987
    Abstract: A method for injecting treatment chemical into a well includes selecting times at which to operate a chemical dispenser to inject a selected amount of treatment chemical into a well. At each selected time whether a wellbore pump is operating is determined. If the pump is operating the selected amount of treatment chemical is dispensed into the well. If the pump is not operating, no chemical is dispensed and a counter is incremented. At each subsequent selected time, the determining whether the well pump is operating is repeated. When a subsequent selected time coincides with a time at which the well pump is determined to be operating, the chemical dispenser is operated to inject a product of the number in the counter plus one, and the selected amount of treatment chemical into the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 8893795
    Abstract: A wellbore chemical treating system include a storage vessel for containing a treating chemical. A chemical dispenser is in fluid communication between an outlet of the vessel and a well for selectively controlling the flow of the chemical from the vessel to the well. A liquid level sensor is disposed in the storage vessel. A controller is in signal communication with the liquid level sensor and is configured to operate the chemical dispenser. The controller is configured to adjust an operating time of the chemical dispenser based on changes in a liquid level measured by the liquid level sensor over a selected period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Publication number: 20130153231
    Abstract: A wellbore chemical treating system include a storage vessel for containing a treating chemical. A chemical dispenser is in fluid communication between an outlet of the vessel and a well for selectively controlling the flow of the chemical from the vessel to the well. A liquid level sensor is disposed in the storage vessel. A controller is in signal communication with the liquid level sensor and is configured to operate the chemical dispenser. The controller is configured to adjust an operating time of the chemical dispenser based on changes in a liquid level measured by the liquid level sensor over a selected period of time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 7721806
    Abstract: A wellbore chemical treating system includes a pressure vessel for containing a treating chemical. The pressure vessel is closed to atmospheric pressure. A first controllably operated valve is disposed in fluid communication between an outlet of the pressure vessel and a well for selectively controlling the flow of the chemical from the pressure vessel to the well. A pressurized gas is disposed in the pressure vessel wherein the pressure exerted by the pressurized gas causes the chemical to flow from the pressure vessel to the well through the first valve when the first valve is opened. A second controllably operated valve is disposed in fluid communication between the well and an outlet of a fluid tank for selectively controlling flow of fluid in the tank to the well. The fluid tank is replenished by fluid produced from the well. The system includes a controller for selectively operating the first valve and the second valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5246074
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for continually adding chemicals to a producing oil and gas well. A mixing chamber is provided having an inlet and an outlet. A subassembly is provided for diverting a flow of production fluid from the well and directing the flow of production fluid to the inlet of the mixing chamber. A subassembly is provided for admitting an amount of chemical into the mixing chamber. The fluid mixture of the production fluid and the chemical is exhausted from the mixing chambers through the outlet. A flow control system is provided, in fluid communication with the outlet of the mixing chamber, for permitting only a predetermined flow rate of the fluid mixture to exit from the mixing chamber. An adjustment control is provided for adjusting the flow rate of the fluid mixture through the mixing chamber to selectively increase and decrease the predetermined flow rate. An exhaust system is provided for conveying the fluid mixture from the outlet, through the flow control, and into the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5209301
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting chemicals into a hydrocarbon producing well is disclosed. The invention includes a first vessel for containing the chemical, a second vessel for containing a pressurized gas, a conduit for permitting the pressurized ga to pressurize the chemical, and a valve for selectively permitting the chemical to exit the first vessel The pressurized gas drives the chemical through the valve and into the well without releasing the chemical into the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5209300
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting chemicals into a hydrocarbon producing well is disclosed. The invention includes a vessel which holds the chemical and a pressurized gas which exerts a pressure on the chemical. A pressure regulator and a valve selectively control the injection of the chemical into the well as the pressurized gas urges the chemical out of the vessel. The pressurized gas drives the chemical through the regulator, valve, and into the well without venting the chemical or pressurized gas into the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5209298
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting chemicals into a hydrocarbon producing well is disclosed. The invention includes a valve attached to a vessel. A chemical is contained by the vessel, and a pressurized gas in the vessel pressurizes the chemical. The valve can be operated to selectively control the release of the chemical from the vessel and into the well. The pressurized gas drives the chemical through the valve and into the well without releasing the chemical into the ambient environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 5209299
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting chemicals into a hydrocarbon producing well is disclosed. The invention includes a vessel which is divided with a baffle into a first chamber and a second chamber. The chemical is installed in the first chamber, and a pressurized gas is injected in the second chamber. A valve is connected to the first chamber to selectively control the injection of chemical into the well as the pressurized gas urges the baffle to pressurize the chemical within the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 4896726
    Abstract: A device and method for continuously adding chemicals to a producing oil well to prevent the formation of paraffins, emulsions, scale and to prevent corrosion is described. The device includes an above ground mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A portion of the flow of production oil is diverted from the production tubing to the inlet. Chemical are added in the mixing chamber, and the mixture is then flushed down through the well casing to the bottom of the well to be pumped up the production tubing. The device includes a sight glass on the mixing chamber to visually observe the mixture, a bleed valve on the mixing chamber to remove samples and the like, and a pressure gauge for registering the internal pressure within the chamber. A line check valve is provided at the inlet to close the inlet in the case of excessive back pressure to prevent a flow of chemicals back through the inlet, and a choke with a predetermined orifice is provided at the outlet to regulate the flow rate therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 30, 1990
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres
  • Patent number: 4796697
    Abstract: A device for continuously adding chemicals to a producing oil well to prevent the formation of paraffins, emulsions, scale and to prevent corrosion is described. The device includes an above ground mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. A portion of the flow of production oil is diverted from the production tubing to the inlet. Chemicals are added in the mixing chamber, and the mixture is then flushed down through the well casing to the bottom of the well to be pumped up the production tubing. The device includes a sight glass on the mixing chamber to visually observe the mixture, a bleed valve on the mixing chamber to remove samples and the like, and a pressure gauge for registering the internal pressure within the chamber. A line check valve is provided at the inlet to close the inlet in the case of excessive back pressure to prevent a flow of chemicals back through the inlet, and a choke with a predetermined orifice is provided at the outlet to regulate the flow rate therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Inventor: Robert N. Ayres