Affecting Flow By The Addition Of Material Or Energy Patents (Class 137/13)
  • Patent number: 11852301
    Abstract: A pipeline system includes a pipeline, and a liner arranged within the pipeline, and a pipeline fluid is conveyed within the interior of the pipeline and a portion of the pipeline fluid permeates the liner as permeated fluid and enters an annulus defined between the liner and the pipeline. A venting system includes an active reinjection system that includes a reinjection line that receives the permeated fluid from the annulus, a suction line extending from the reinjection line to receive a portion of the permeated fluid, and a fluid pump that receives the portion of the permeated fluid and discharges the permeated fluid into the interior of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mazen A. Al-Juaid, Ashiff Khan, Abdullah Al-Nami
  • Patent number: 11813793
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for additively manufacturing a composite structure. The system may include a support, and a print head operatively connected to and moveable by the support. The print head may include a first supply configured to hold a continuous reinforcement, a second supply configured to hold a matrix separate from the continuous reinforcement, and a wetting mechanism in separate communication with the first and second supplies and configured to discharge the continuous reinforcement wetted with the matrix. The system may also include a controller programmed to selectively pressurize the second supply to direct the matrix to the wetting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Continuous Composites Inc.
    Inventors: Trevor David Budge, Brock Adam Jahner, Jeremiah R. Smith, Nathan Andrew Stranberg, Andrew Michael Stulc, Samuel VanDenBerg, Stephen Tyler Wilson, Andrew John Overby
  • Patent number: 11752466
    Abstract: A system for dispersing sorbents to treat or remove flue gas pollutants can include a dispersion device with a venturi having an inlet, a throat, and an outlet. A sorbent supply can provide sorbent material to the dispersion device. A flue gas duct carrying flue gas streams traveling through the flue gas duct can include a port for attachment of the dispersion device to the port. In operational use, the dispersion device may be attached to the duct such that ambient air is drawn into the dispersion device and through the venturi. The air moving through the dispersion device can interact with and disperse the sorbent material into the duct for treating pollutants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: 3BI Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Brent Lee, William Stevick, II
  • Patent number: 11749437
    Abstract: On-platform pumps provide greater flexibility and design freedom and are a key feature of organs-on-chip platforms. On-platform electromagnetic (EM) pumps have been developed for use with the organ-on-chip platforms. The EM pump uses electrical energy, which may be supplied by a battery, making the pump portable. The EM pump uses an EM actuator having a low energy consumption. The actuator's low energy consumption is achieved by a latching design which requires only a short pulse of energy to switch its state and where springs store some of the actuator kinetic energy, which is then recovered in the reverse stroke. This further reduces the energy consumption of the actuator. Also provided are injection-molded, single-use platforms with onboard diaphragm micro-pumps and various valve and pump geometries. The EM actuators easily integrate with these platforms, demonstrating pumping at a constant flowrate, no measurable temperature rise, and valve sealing against varying back-pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Brij Mohan Bhushan, Daniel R. Rathbone, David L. Trumper, Minkyun Noh, Jun Young Yoon
  • Patent number: 11724257
    Abstract: The application relates to microfluidic apparatus and methods of use thereof. Provided in one example is a microfluidic device comprising: a first fluidic input and a second fluidic input; and a fluidic intersection channel to receive fluid from the first fluidic input and the second fluidic input, wherein the fluidic intersection channel opens into a first mixing chamber on an upper region of a first side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the first mixing chamber has a length, a width, and a depth, wherein the depth is greater than about 1.5 times a depth of the fluidic intersection channel; an outlet channel on an upper region of a second side of the first mixing chamber, wherein the outlet channel has a depth that is less than the depth of the first mixing chamber, and wherein an opening of the outlet channel is offset along a width of the second side of the first mixing chamber relative to the fluidic intersection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: NUTCRACKER THERAPEUTICS, INC.
    Inventors: Benjamin Eldridge, Ximiao Wen
  • Patent number: 11549052
    Abstract: The subject invention provides compositions and methods for simultaneously enhancing oil recovery, improving the quality of oil and gas through reduction in sulfur-containing compounds, and preventing and/or reducing corrosion of oil and gas production equipment. A multi-functional composition is provided comprising an antimicrobial biosurfactant component, a first ammonium salt, and ammonium hydroxide. In some embodiments, the efficiency of the composition is further enhanced by the addition of a chelating agent, a phenol (e.g., carbolic acid or phenolic acid), and/or an H2S scavenger. In some embodiments, the composition is further enhanced for use in cold climates by the addition of an antifreeze mixture comprising one or more of a second ammonium salt, sodium chloride and glycerol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: LOCUS SOLUTIONS IPCO, LLC
    Inventors: Sean Farmer, Ken Alibek, Kent Adams, Karthik N. Karathur, Alibek Moldakozhayev, Anthony Nerris
  • Patent number: 11506588
    Abstract: A portable air quality monitoring device is disclosed that can identify the type of particles in the air. This device takes images of particles in the air and compares them with a library of particles in its memory to identify the type of particles. The device has a housing that draws ambient air into the system and takes microscopic images of the flowing particles and droplets using flash photography. The device can be stand alone or can connect to the back of a mobile phone and use the mobile phone camera and light. People can upload their local air quality data online for all to see the local air quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventors: Mostafa Abdollahi, Farzam Keshavarzi, Mehrdad Hooshmand, Hossein Varmazyar, Mojtaba Falahatinezhad
  • Patent number: 11458223
    Abstract: Provided is a discharge device that can improve the efficiency of generating reactive species. The discharge device includes a discharging unit, which has a tip end and discharges from the tip end in response to an application of a voltage, an induction electrode, which forms an electric field between the induction electrode end the discharging unit, and a second electrode, which is disposed between the discharging unit and the induction electrode and receives a voltage having a polarity the same as a polarity of the voltage applied to the discharging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2022
    Assignee: SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ezaki, Nobuyuki Ohe, Takahiro Matsuyama
  • Patent number: 11448332
    Abstract: A chip includes a first chamber that stores a fluid, a second chamber that stores a mixing target which is to be mixed with the fluid, a flow path that allows a communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, and a valve that is provided in the flow path and capable of changing the flow path by change in shape by heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Usami, Yasuyuki Ishii, Yuki Inoue, Aya Ouchi
  • Patent number: 11424165
    Abstract: In a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a fin structure is formed over a substrate, an isolation insulating layer is formed over the substrate such that an upper portion of the fin structure protrudes from the isolation insulating layer, a first dielectric layer is formed on the upper portion of the fin structure, a cover layer is formed on the first dielectric layer, the cover layer is partially removed from an upper part of the upper portion of the fin structure with the first dielectric layer, the first dielectric layer is removed from the upper part of the upper portion of the fin structure, a second dielectric layer is formed on the upper part of the upper portion of the fin structure, and a gate electrode is formed on the second dielectric layer and the first dielectric layer disposed on an lower part of the upper portion of the fin structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jen-Chun Chou, Tung-Wen Cheng
  • Patent number: 11396083
    Abstract: Provided is technical means capable of supplying a polishing liquid having a uniform slurry flow rate to a CMP polishing device. There is a blending flow channel 40 communicating with a flow channel in which a slurry, ultra-pure water, a chemical, and hydrogen peroxide water are transferred. In this blending flow channel 40, a plurality of types of liquids are blended, and the blended liquid is supplied to the CMP polishing device 8 as a plurality of polishing liquid. A blending tank 52A storing the polishing liquid obtained by blending the liquids is included. A flow channel reaching the CMP polishing device 8 is a circulation flow channel that returns to the blending tank 52A via a branching point 17A from the blending tank 52A toward the CMP polishing device 8.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: NISHIMURA CHEMITECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takuji Kaneshige
  • Patent number: 11318487
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing serial crystallography by providing an aqueous suspension of a crystal sample to a T-junction at a first flow rate and providing an immiscible oil fluid to the T-junction at a second flow rate. The aqueous suspension and the oil are combined at the T-junction to produce a co-flow output fluid including a parallel co-flow of the aqueous suspension and the oil in the same output channel. The co-flow output fluid is ejected as a jet stream through a nozzle and the sample flow rate in the crystal sample in the jet stream is adjusted by adjusting the first flow rate of the aqueous suspension and the second flow rate of the oil. By combining the aqueous sample and the oil in this manner, the output of the jet stream can be regulated for compatibility with X-ray free electron laser serial crystallography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS ON BEHALF OF ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Alexandra Ros, Daihyun Kim, Austin Echelmeier, Jorvani Cruz Villarreal, Diandra Doppler, Richard Kirian, Reza Nazari
  • Patent number: 11311883
    Abstract: Aniosotropic Ratchet Conveyor (“ARC”)-based biomolecule processing devices and related methods are described. The ARC-based biomolecule processing devices include (i) a substrate having an ARC track defined on or within the substrate and including a biomolecule receiving area, which is designed to receive biomolecule, and a reconstituting area, which is designed to contain dry reagents and is designed to receive a transport solution such that at the reconstituting area, dry reagents are reconstituted with transport solution; and (ii) a microheater area disposed at or near the biomolecule receiving area, fitted with a microheater, which is designed to heat biomolecule that is received through the biomolecule receiving area and designed to process heated biomolecule and dry reagents reconstituted with transport solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignees: CONSERVATION X LABS, INC., NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
    Inventors: David Baisch, Hallie Ray Holmes, Karl F. Bohringer
  • Patent number: 11242303
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an additive composition for controlling and inhibiting polymerization of monomers, wherein the composition comprises a combination of (a) a phenol compound comprising catechol compound with (b1) an aliphatic tertiary amine, (b2) oxide treated derivative of the aliphatic tertiary amine, or (b2) a mixture thereof, wherein the aliphatic tertiary amine contains one or more hydroxyl groups in the alkyl chain of the aliphatic tertiary amine. In one embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method for controlling and inhibiting polymerization of monomers by employing the additive composition of the present invention. In another embodiment, the present invention also relates to a method of using the additive composition of the present invention for controlling and inhibiting polymerization of monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Dorf Ketal Chemicals (India) Private Limited
    Inventor: Mahesh Subramaniyam
  • Patent number: 11221077
    Abstract: A flow control valve apparatus switches a circulation direction of cooling medium according to a rotated position of a valve, and a disc provided in the valve controls the flow rate of the cooling medium flowing through a plurality of flow paths, so that the flow rate control of the cooling medium is diversified according to various conditions to improve cooling performance by efficiently circulating the cooling medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, GMB Korea Corp., NTM Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Cheol Soo Park, Bong Sang Lee, Jun Sik Park, Tae Ho Han, Seok Yoon Chang, Ho Young Jang, Jae Sung Bae, Jae Kyun Cho
  • Patent number: 11098684
    Abstract: A fuel supply device includes a fuel pump, a pump case, a cap, an O-ring, and a connection assembly. The pump case includes a case main body configured to receive the fuel pump and a discharge port connector. The cap includes a suction port connector. The O-ring is interposed between a fuel discharge port of the fuel pump and discharge port connector. The connection assembly includes a plurality of engagement projections and a plurality of engagement pieces configured to mate and engage with the engagement projections. The fuel discharge port of the fuel pump is configured to reach the O-ring coupled to the discharge port connector of the pump case simultaneous with the engagement between the engagement projections and the engagement pieces when the fuel suction port of the fuel pump and the suction port connector of the cap are connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: AISAN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morihiro Takemura, Koji Yoshida, Kensuke Niwa, Satoshi Nakamura
  • Patent number: 11090698
    Abstract: Method for increasing the ability of at least one droplet to slide over a medium. An ultrasonic surface wave is generated in the medium with a sufficient amplitude to cause the droplet to deform in an inertio-capillary eigen-vibration mode, thus decreasing the attachment of the droplet to the medium, so as to make it easier for the droplet to move under the effect of an external force, the amplitude of the ultrasonic surface wave being insufficient to cause the droplet to deform asymmetrically to the point that it moves in the absence of the external force in the direction of propagation of the ultrasonic surface wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignees: UNIVERSITÉ DE LILLE, CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE, ECOLE CENTRALE DE LILLE
    Inventors: Adrien Bussonniere, Olivier Bou Matar-Lacaze, Michaël Baudoin, Philippe Brunet
  • Patent number: 11084969
    Abstract: Implementations described herein generally relate to a drag reducing agent (DRA) for improving flow of crude oils having high asphaltene content through pipelines. The DRA is a terpolymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 6 degrees Celsius or below. The terpolymer is formed by a first monomer, a second monomer, and a third monomer. The first and second monomers are chosen based on the glass transition temperatures of corresponding homopolymers. The glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the first monomer is at least 120 degrees Celsius higher than the glass transition temperature of the homopolymer formed with the second monomer. The DRA comprised of the terpolymer formed with the second monomer produces softer solids and fewer solids due to the low glass transition temperature of the terpolymer. The softer solids are more easily handled by the pump to keep the injection system clear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc.
    Inventor: Stuart N. Milligan
  • Patent number: 11085274
    Abstract: A system for optimising injection of a diluent to one, some or all of one or more wells comprising a downhole pump and holding means for the diluent, said holding means being connected to the or each well via one or more injection lines through which the diluent may be pumped by diluent injection means, characterised in that said system comprises measurement means for real time measurement of one or more production performance parameters, and measurement of the rate of injection of the diluent; and means for optimising the injection of the diluent to at least one of said one or more wells on the basis of: (i) means for making controlled variations of the diluent injection into the at least or each well; (ii) means for the processing of the real time measurements of the production performance parameters affected by these variations to determine any necessary adjustment of the injection of the diluent towards an optimal value; and (iii) if required, making the corresponding physical adjustment of the injection
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Alexey Pavlov, Kjetil Fjalestad
  • Patent number: 11052438
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to washing or rinsing of packages, containers, and associated lids. More particularly, the disclosure pertains to a washing or rinsing apparatus for cleaning packaging for biocides. A rinsing apparatus is that includes a housing, which has a wash section and a drain section. The rinsing apparatus includes a stop plate disposed within the housing that divides the wash section from the drain section. The apparatus includes a solution distribution nozzle disposed within the wash section of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Amit Gupta, Brian Pawlik
  • Patent number: 11039553
    Abstract: A cold air outlet assembly can include one or more cold air outlets arranged to channel cold air to a contained cold region or cold aisle, and one or more bypass ducts arranged to fluidly connect a hot external environment with the cold region adjacent the cold air outlets. The bypass ducts include backdraft dampers arranged to allow flow of hot air from the hot environment to the cold region and restrict flow of cold air from the cold region to the hot environment so that, in operation, limited mixing of hot air and cold air within the cold region occurs under low pressure conditions in the cold region. The temperature of the mixed hot and cold air can be sensed and used for controlling airflow to the cold region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Joseph Lachapelle
  • Patent number: 11013942
    Abstract: A pressure maintenance device is connected to a fire protection sprinkler system having downstream piping that is exposed to freezing temperatures, and supplies a pressurized fluid to the downstream piping when the sprinkler system is in an inactivated state. When an outlet pressure sensor near an outlet of the pressure maintenance device detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of an outlet regulator falls below a first predetermined pressure, the pressure maintenance device supplies the pressurized fluid in a primary supply mode or a secondary supply mode. The pressure maintenance device automatically switches from the primary supply mode to the secondary supply mode if a supply pressure sensor detects that a pressure of the pressurized fluid downstream of a first pressurized fluid valve, and upstream of the outlet pressure regulator, falls below a second predetermined pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: The Reliable Automatic Sprinkler Co. Inc.
    Inventors: Juan Jimenez, Thomas Multer, Steven Wolin
  • Patent number: 11001747
    Abstract: Embodiments relates to a bitumen recovery process from oil sands. The oil sands may be surface mined and transported to a treatment area or may be treated directly by means of an in situ process of oil sand deposits that are located too deep for strip mining. Specifically, the present invention involves the step of treating oil sands with a composition comprising an alkanolamine and an ethylene oxide capped glycol ether.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Vikram Prasad, Carol Lyons Bell, Biplab Mukherjee
  • Patent number: 11001550
    Abstract: The invention discloses a method for producing bio-fuel (BF) from a high-viscosity biomass using thermo-chemical conversion of the biomass in a production line (10) with pumping means (PM), heating means (HM) and cooling means (CM). The method has the steps of 1) operating the pumping means, the heating means and the cooling means so that the production line is under supercritical fluid conditions (SCF) to induce biomass conversion in a conversion zone (CZ) within the production line, and 2) operating the pumping means so that at least part of the production line is in an oscillatory flow (OF) mode. The invention is advantageous for providing an improved method for producing biofuel from a high-viscosity biomass. This is performed by an advantageous combination of two operating modes: supercritical fluid (SCF) conditions and oscillatory flow (OF).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: IBJ Technology APS
    Inventor: Ib Johannsen
  • Patent number: 10995294
    Abstract: Fouling components within a fluid may be prevented from accumulating when an additive contacts the fluid, e.g. by coating the wellbore with the additive prior to the production of the fluid or adding the additive directly to the fluid, etc.. The additive may include, but is not limited to, a block copolymer having at least two components. The first component may be a charged monomer, and the second component may be a long chain fatty alcohol acrylate monomer. In one alternative embodiment, the fluid may be an oil-based fluid produced through a wellbore or an oil-based wellbore fluid, and the fouling components may be or include, but are not limited to, wax, paraffins, asphaltene, resins, and combinations thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Richard Duffy
  • Patent number: 10961477
    Abstract: An additive composition for use in a fuel for a spark-ignition internal combustion engine comprises an octane-boosting additive and one or more further fuel additives. The octane-boosting additive has a chemical structure comprising a 6-membered aromatic ring sharing two adjacent aromatic carbon atoms with a 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring, the 6- or 7-membered saturated heterocyclic ring comprising a nitrogen atom directly bonded to one of the shared carbon atoms to form a secondary amine and an atom selected from oxygen or nitrogen directly bonded to the other shared carbon atom, the remaining atoms in the 6- or 7-membered heterocyclic ring being carbon. The additive composition increases the octane number of the fuel, thereby proving the auto-ignition characteristics of a fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: BP OIL INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
    Inventors: Rana Ali, Sorin Vasile Filip
  • Patent number: 10940478
    Abstract: In order to expand capabilities of anisotropic ratchet conveyor (ARC) systems beyond those of the simple systems that include only a single track of consistent rung spacing, disclosed herein are ARC devices, systems, and methods related to ARC gates that can selectively pause droplet transport; ARC switches that can select the direction of droplet transport between two tracks, each moving away from an intersection between the two tracks; and ARC junctions that can move a droplet towards, and then through, an intersection between two tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: University of Washington
    Inventors: Hallie R. Holmes, Karl F. Bohringer
  • Patent number: 10914392
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved assembly for transporting flammable fluids. In an example, the assembly comprises a conduit, a liner, and a core. The liner comprises a material that contracts in response to an elevation in temperature. In an example, the liner comprises a material that expands in response to an elevation in temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: Thomas R. Crane
  • Patent number: 10914723
    Abstract: A method for separating particles in a biofluid includes pretreating the biofluid by introducing an additive, flowing the pretreated biofluid through a microfluidic separation channel, and applying acoustic energy to the microfluidic separation channel. A system for microfluidic separation, capable of separating target particles from non-target particles in a biofluid includes at least one microfluidic separation channel, a source of biofluid, a source of additive, and at least one acoustic transducer coupled to the microfluidic separation channel. A kit for microfluidic particle separation includes a microfluidic separation channel connected to an acoustic transducer, a source of an additive, and instructions for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THE CHARLES STARK DRAPER LABORATORY, INC.
    Inventors: Jason O. Fiering, Kenneth T. Kotz
  • Patent number: 10890055
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inverting oil continuous flow to water continuous flow and reaching one or more desired production parameters in a well producing fluid containing oil and water or inverting oil continuous flow to water continuous flow and reaching one or more desired transport parameters in a pipeline transporting fluid containing oil and water wherein there is a pump in the well or transport pipeline, comprising the following steps: (a) reducing the pump frequency until either inversion from oil continuous production to water continuous flow is achieved or a predefined stopping condition is reached; (b) if inversion has not been achieved in step (a), adjusting the wellhead pressure in the well or the pressure at the reception side of the transport line to achieve the inversion; (c) stabilising the flow at the condition reached in steps (a) or (b); and (d) carefully adjusting one or both of the wellhead pressure and pump frequency to reach the one or more desired production paramet
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: STATOIL PETROLEUM AS
    Inventors: Alexey Pavlov, Kjetil Fjalestad
  • Patent number: 10870789
    Abstract: Provided is a composition that includes (i) at least one compound represented by formula (I) as defined herein or a salt thereof and (ii) a nonionic surfactant. The composition is useful for limiting or preventing the formation and/or agglomeration of gas hydrates, by combining the composition and a production fluid that includes an aqueous phase and one or more gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: ARKEMA FRANCE
    Inventors: Tong Eak Pou, Frédéric Moser, Gilles Barreto, Jean-Philippe Gillet
  • Patent number: 10860753
    Abstract: A method is provided for characterizing fluid flow in a pipe where the fluid includes a drag reducing polymer of a particular type and particular concentration. A computational model is configured to model flow of a fluid in a pipe. The computational model utilizes an empirical parameter for a drag reducing polymer of the particular type and the particular concentration. The computational model can be used to derive information that characterizes the flow of the fluid in the pipe. The empirical parameter for the particular type and the particular concentration of the drag reducing polymer can be identified by solving another computational model that is configured to model turbulent Couette flow in a Couette device for a fluid that includes a drag reducing polymer of the particular type and the particular concentration. The empirical data needed for identification of the empirical parameter are obtained from Couette device experiments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Evgeny Borisovich Barmatov, Dmitry Eskin
  • Patent number: 10807176
    Abstract: In order to achieve as highly accurate an alignment of the reamer as possible and therefore as high a drilled hole quality as possible during the precision machining of a drilled hole, the cutting edges of the reamer are divided into two cutting groups, the cutting edges of which are spaced apart with respect to one another in each case by an axial spacing from one another. Here, the axial spacing is selected in such a way that, at a predefined first, slower feed speed, merely the cutting edges of the first cutting edge group are in engagement with the workpiece and, at a higher, predefined second feed speed, all cutting edges are in engagement with the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: KENNAMETAL INC.
    Inventor: Michael Hacker
  • Patent number: 10793770
    Abstract: A dry composition of dry polyacrylamide and dry guar; or a liquid suspension made from the dry composition for treating subterranean formations and methods for enhancing proppant transport in fracturing fluids using the composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Inventors: Abdelaziz Rahy, DeWitt Knox, Mohand Melbouci, Christopher Alameddin, Joel F. Siegel, Benjamin J. Poppel, Leendert Weijers, Ronald Gusek
  • Patent number: 10788062
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards electro-fluid transducers that may influence the flow of a fluid in and around a channel. In one such embodiment, a system comprises a first electrode at least partially encapsulated by a first dielectric; a second electrode at least partially encapsulated by a second dielectric, wherein a portion of a channel exists between the first dielectric and the second dielectric; a third electrode positioned in the channel; and a fourth electrode positioned in the channel, wherein the electrodes influence a flow of a fluid in the channel upon the electrodes being energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: Subrata Roy, Nicholas S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 10787616
    Abstract: A process for facile separation of lighter hydrocarbon fractions from the heavier fractions of hydrocarbon oil feedstocks is disclosed, which utilizes novel sparging and reverse distillation techniques. The present invention can be utilized for the facile “topping” of crude oil extracted on-site. Moreover, while heavier hydrocarbon fractions may be shipped to refineries for further processing, this invention will also prove useful for quick separation of light fractions produced by cracking processes off-site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: NexCrude Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald A. Seccombe, Shujuan Wang
  • Patent number: 10774709
    Abstract: The present invention describes a fluid which is suitable for the decontamination of heat engines which can carry out, at the same time, both the catalytic reduction of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) contained in exhaust gases and assist in the regeneration of the particulate filter (PF). The invention also describes several embodiments of said fluid consisting of producing an oil-in-water type emulsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: FP ENERGIES NOUVELLES
    Inventors: Christine Dalmazzone, Stephane Raux
  • Patent number: 10753076
    Abstract: Problem: To provide a flush toilet wherein anomalous sounds can be suppressed from occurring when flush water is spouted from the rim spout port together with air accumulated in the upper portion within the rim conduit, and quietness can be improved. Solution: The flush toilet of the present invention includes: a bowl portion 20 having a bowl-shaped waste receiving surface 14 and a rim portion 18 formed on a top edge of a waste receiving surface; a rim spout port 26 configured to spout flush water from the rim portion onto the bowl portion; a rim conduit 24 disposed in the rim portion extending from a rear side region of the bowl portion to the rim spout port; and a stirring portion 44 configured to agitate flush water which is supplied into the rim conduit 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: TOTO LTD.
    Inventors: Shu Kashirajima, Makoto Bekki, Hironori Yamasaki
  • Patent number: 10746678
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for automatically monitoring the liquid content in a gas, and in particular the gas leaving a scrubber and entering a compressor. In the method, a sample of fluid is taken from the outlet of the compressor, its temperature and pressure are automatically varied, and the pressure and temperature at which condensation forms is automatically detected. The pressure and temperature thus detected can be used to determine the liquid content in the gas. In a variant method, the temperature and pressure of the sample are automatically varied, and the rate of liquid condensation is measured to determine the liquid content. The invention also extends to a device for cooling a gas so that the liquid content of the gas can be determined, including a cooled housing with a cavity therein, and means for measuring the temperature and pressure within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: EQUINOR ENERGY AS
    Inventors: Pablo Matias Dupuy, Audun Faanes, Oddbjørn Rekaa Nilssen, Torbjørn Vegard Løkken
  • Patent number: 10730050
    Abstract: The combined value of integrating optical forces and electrokinetics allows for the pooled separation vectors of each to be applied, providing for separation based on combinations of features such as size, shape, refractive index, charge, charge distribution, charge mobility, permittivity, and deformability. The interplay of these separation vectors allow for the selective manipulation of analytes with a finer degree of variation. Embodiments include methods of method of separating particles in a microfluidic channel using a device comprising a microfluidic channel, a source of laser light focused by an optic into the microfluidic channel, and a source of electrical field operationally connected to the microfluidic channel via electrodes so that the laser light and the electrical field to act jointly on the particles in the microfluidic channel. Other devices and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Sean J. Hart, Sarah J. R. Staton, Alexander V. Terray, Gregory E. Collins
  • Patent number: 10731070
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl lactam compound in a polymerization solvent system comprising an alkylene carbonate and/or an alkyl lactate and a polymerization initiator. The poly(vinyl caprolactam) polymer, in admixture with the polymerization solvent system, may be used as a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor to prevent or inhibit formation of natural gas and/or liquid hydrocarbon hydrates in a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: INDORAMA VENTURES OXIDES LLC
    Inventors: John Clements, Marek K. Pakulski, Jay Riethmeyer, David C. Lewis
  • Patent number: 10711935
    Abstract: A method of managing the heating of fluids flowing in an undersea pipe network (2-1) providing a connection between a surface installation (6) and at least one undersea production well (4). The method releasably connecting at least one fluid heater station (14a, 14b) to an undersea pipe and controlling the heater station as a function of the mode of operation of the pipe network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Saipem S.A.
    Inventors: Narimane Settouti, Philippe Muguerra, Damien Spudic
  • Patent number: 10688466
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for extracting stranded gas (such as natural gas or hydrogen) or a mixture of oil and natural gas from a subterranean environment such as beneath the ocean floor and converting it into a solid hydrate such as a clathrate featuring a) extracting stranded gas (such as natural gas or hydrogen) or a mixture of oil and natural gas; b) optionally separating the natural gas from the mixture of oil and natural gas in a first tank or vessel; c) transporting the stranded gas to a second tank or vessel; d) introducing sea water into the second tank or vessel; e) mixing the stranded gas and water to form a clathrate hydrate/water slurry; f) removing excess water from the clathrate hydrate slurry to form a solid comprising a clathrate hydrate; and g) processing the solid comprising a clathrate hydrate into a transportable form; and h) optionally collecting the gas into a transportable vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: CENTURY FATHOM, INC.
    Inventors: Stuart L. Phoenix, Michael T. Kezirian
  • Patent number: 10604714
    Abstract: The lifetime of artificial lift systems, such as progressing cavity pumps (PCPs), used to transport aqueous slurries which contain fine particles, e.g. coal fines, may be prolonged by incorporation of at least one dispersant in the slurries. The dispersants act to inhibit or prevent the fine particles from agglomerating to plug the artificial lift intake and/or inhibit or prevent the agglomerated coal fines settling above the artificial lift system. The dispersant may also improve the lubricity of the slurry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Baker Hughes, a GE company, LLC
    Inventors: Marc N. Lehmann, Robert C. Hicks, Alison R. Morris, Cheryl L. Licari
  • Patent number: 10600523
    Abstract: A system that utilizes a very thin arrangement of transparent sub panels containing embedded very small distributed electromagnet wires to control the distribution of very fine magneto-rheological fluid particles suspended in a very thin panel sandwiched between the electromagnet wire panels. The current applied to specific electromagnets may be used to control the amount of electromagnetic energy, such as visible light, that can be transmitted through the panel system. The system may also be used to increase or decrease the rigidity of the multi-panel structure as a function of current applied to the electromagnets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Michael D. Heibel, Luke D. Czerniak
  • Patent number: 10583896
    Abstract: Provided is a fuel composition prepared by adding gas-to-liquid oil and water to light cycle oil to conduct emulsification. The fuel composition is used as a fuel for a diesel engine (12) in a ship (10). The ship (10) includes a fresh water tank (15), an LCO tank (13), and a GTL tank (14) configured to store water, light cycle oil, and gas-to-liquid oil, respectively, and a mixer (16) configured to mix the water, the light cycle oil, and the gas-to-liquid oil fed from the respective tanks to produce the fuel composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Oshima Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuo Takaishi, Koji Takasaki
  • Patent number: 10584277
    Abstract: A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation that includes: providing a water-in-oil emulsion, inverting the water-in-oil emulsion to form a friction reducing treatment solution, and introducing the treatment solution into the portion of the subterranean formation. The water-in-oil emulsion has an oil phase, an aqueous phase and surfactants. The oil phase (O) and an aqueous phase (A) are present at an O/A ratio of from about 1:8 to about 10:1. The oil phase is present as a continuous phase and contains an inert hydrophobic liquid. The aqueous phase is present as a dispersed phase of distinct particles in the oil phase and includes water and a water soluble polymer. The water soluble polymer makes up from 10 to 25 weight percent of the water-in-oil emulsion. The water-in-oil emulsion is inverted by adding it to water to form a friction reducing treatment solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: SOLVAY USA INC.
    Inventors: Kevin W Frederick, Shih-Ruey T Chen
  • Patent number: 10577536
    Abstract: A method of treating in a subterranean formation including combining an aqueous base fluid, an oil based fluid, a hydrophobic proppant, and a non-hydrophobic proppant to form an immiscible fluid system; and introducing the immiscible fluid system into the subterranean formation. A method of treating includes combining an aqueous base fluid, an oil based fluid, a hydrophobic proppant, and a non-hydrophobic proppant to form an immiscible fluid system; introducing the immiscible fluid system into a fracture in the formation; allowing the immiscible fluid system to separate into at least two separate phases, wherein the oil based fluid and hydrophobic proppant to form proppant aggregates and the aqueous based fluid to act as a spacer fluid surrounding at least a portion of the proppant aggregates; and removing the spacer fluid from the fracture during flowback stage or well production to form proppant-free channels between proppant aggregates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Prashant D. Chopade, Dipti Singh, Travis Hope Larsen, Philip D. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 10550382
    Abstract: Devices for separating materials from a host fluid are disclosed. The devices include a flow chamber, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector. The ultrasonic transducer and reflector create an angled acoustic standing wave oriented at an angle relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber. The angled acoustic standing wave results in an acoustic radiation force having an axial force component that deflects the materials, so that the materials and the host fluid can thus be separated. The angled acoustic standing wave can be oriented at an angle of about 20° to about 70° relative to the direction of mean flow through the flow chamber to deflect, collect, differentiate, or fractionate the materials from the fluid flowing through the device at flow rates of about 400 mL/min up to about 700 mL/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: FloDesign Sonics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bart Lipkens, Walter M. Presz, Jr., Kedar Chitale, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, Ben Ross-Johnsrud
  • Patent number: 10544352
    Abstract: Methods including mixing a treatment fluid slurry in a storage tank, the treatment fluid slurry comprising an insulative base fluid, an ambient-reactive subterranean formation additive (ARA), wherein the ARA reacts at an ambient temperature, the reaction resulting in surface modification of the ARA, degradation of the ARA, or a combination of surface modification and degradation of the ARA, and wherein the insulative base fluid maintains the treatment fluid slurry at a temperature different from the ambient temperature to prevent the ARA from reacting; and introducing the treatment fluid slurry into a subterranean formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Chad Adam Fisher