Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Paulley

Thomas A. Paulley 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: 6755251
    Abstract: The invention is a method and system of separating a multi-component fluid in a wellbore. At least one fluid separation membrane comprising a feed side and a permeate side is incorporated in the wellbore. A flowing stream of the multi-component fluid obtained from a subterranean zone being in fluid communication with the wellbore is passed across the feed side of the membrane at a first pressure. A retentate stream depleted in at least one component compared to the multi-component fluid is withdrawn from the feed side of the membrane and passed to the earth's surface. A permeate stream at a second pressure is withdrawn from the permeate side, in which the permeate stream is enriched in at least one component compared with the multi-component fluid. The second pressure is controlled to maintain the second pressure below the first pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Eugene R. Thomas, Thomas A. Paulley, Donald J. Victory, Harry W. Deckman
  • Publication number: 20030047310
    Abstract: The invention is a method and system of separating a multi-component fluid in a wellbore. At least one fluid separation membrane comprising a feed side and a permeate side is incorporated in the wellbore. A flowing stream of the multi-component fluid obtained from a subterranean zone being in fluid communication with the wellbore is passed across the feed side of the membrane at a first pressure. A retentate stream depleted in at least one component compared to the multi-component fluid is withdrawn from the feed side of the membrane and passed to the earth's surface. A permeate stream at a second pressure is withdrawn from the permeate side, in which the permeate stream is enriched in at least one component compared with the multi-component fluid. The second pressure is controlled to maintain the second pressure below the first pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Eugene R. Thomas, Thomas A. Paulley, Donald J. Victory, Harry W. Deckman
  • Patent number: 4418570
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the thickness of an ice sheet floating on a body of sea water is disclosed. The electrical inductance of a coil embedded in an ice sheet is measured. This inductance is solely dependent on the geometrical factors of the coil and is minimally affected by variations in salinity of the sea water on which the ice sheet is floating. The measured inductance is the actual inductance only of the part of the coil in the ice. The other part of the coil, protruding in the sea water, is shorted out by the sea water. Hence, the thickness of the ice sheet is directly related to the measured inductance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 6, 1983
    Assignee: Exxon Production Research Co.
    Inventors: Hollie B. Warren, Jr., Thomas A. Paulley