Patents by Inventor Verlin Hibner

Verlin Hibner 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: 9822622
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source. The elongate RF antenna may have a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may further include a first choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna, and a second choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the distal end of the RF antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Trautman, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 9784083
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source, with the elongate RF antenna having a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may also include a choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna to define a common mode current choke at the proximal end of the RF antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mark Trautman, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
  • Publication number: 20170114623
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source. The elongate RF antenna may have a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may further include a first choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna, and a second choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the distal end of the RF antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: Mark TRAUTMAN, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 9441472
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, an RF source, a cooling fluid source, and a transmission line coupled between the RF antenna and the RF source. A plurality of ring-shaped choke cores may surround the transmission line, and a sleeve may surround the ring-shaped choke cores and define a cooling fluid path for the ring-shaped choke cores and in fluid communication with the cooling fluid source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond C Hewit, Verlin Hibner, Mark Trautman, John Emory White
  • Publication number: 20160160622
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a choke fluid source, and an elongate RF antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore and coupled to the RF source, with the elongate RF antenna having a proximal end and a distal end separated from the proximal end. The system may also include a choke fluid dispenser coupled to the choke fluid source and positioned to selectively dispense choke fluid into adjacent portions of the subterranean formation at the proximal end of the RF antenna to define a common mode current choke at the proximal end of the RF antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2014
    Publication date: June 9, 2016
    Inventors: Mark TRAUTMAN, Verlin Hibner, Murray Hann, Brian Wright
  • Patent number: 9322256
    Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator therebetween. The dielectric isolator includes a dielectric tube having opposing first and second open ends, a first tubular connector having a first slotted recess receiving therein the first open end of the dielectric tube, and a second tubular connector having a second slotted recess receiving therein the second open end of the dielectric tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian Wright, Murray Hann, Raymond Hewit, Verlin Hibner
  • Publication number: 20150211336
    Abstract: A system for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein may include a radio frequency (RF) antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, an RF source, a cooling fluid source, and a transmission line coupled between the RF antenna and the RF source. A plurality of ring-shaped choke cores may surround the transmission line, and a sleeve may surround the ring-shaped choke cores and define a cooling fluid path for the ring-shaped choke cores and in fluid communication with the cooling fluid source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2014
    Publication date: July 30, 2015
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: BRIAN WRIGHT, Murray Hann, Raymond C. Hewit, Verlin Hibner, Mark Trautman, John Emory White
  • Publication number: 20140262223
    Abstract: An RF antenna assembly is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation for hydrocarbon resource recovery. The RF antenna assembly includes first and second tubular conductors and a dielectric isolator therebetween. The dielectric isolator includes a dielectric tube having opposing first and second open ends, a first tubular connector having a first slotted recess receiving therein the first open end of the dielectric tube, and a second tubular connector having a second slotted recess receiving therein the second open end of the dielectric tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HARRIS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brian WRIGHT, Murray HANN, Raymond HEWIT, Verlin HIBNER
  • Patent number: 6563472
    Abstract: A composite antenna reflector architecture for improving beam-to-beam isolation in a multi-spot illuminated reflector antenna employs a plurality of annular rings surrounding a central reflective dish and having respectively different controlled reflectivity profiles. The reflectivity-tailored reflector rings alter illumination taper and reduce selected sidelobe energy, and minimize degradation in coverage performance and gain slope in the radiation profile of the antenna. A respective ring employs a frequency selective surface laminate of layers containing different elements that resonate at different frequencies spectrally spaced to provide at least one composite frequency response characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy Durham, Yves Patenaude, Jay Kralovec, Verlin Hibner
  • Publication number: 20020018023
    Abstract: A composite antenna reflector architecture for improving beam-to-beam isolation in a multi-spot illuminated reflector antenna employs a plurality of annular rings surrounding a central reflective dish and having respectively different controlled reflectivity profiles. The reflectivity-tailored reflector rings alter illumination taper and reduce selected sidelobe energy, and minimize degradation in coverage performance and gain slope in the radiation profile of the antenna. A respective ring employs a frequency selective surface laminate of layers containing different elements that resonate at different frequencies spectrally spaced to provide at least one composite frequency response characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy E. Durham, Yves Patenaude, Jay Kralovec, Verlin Hibner