Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100330607 | PHOTOSWITCH-ENABLED ION CHANNEL ASSAY SYSTEM - The present invention provides a system for assaying ion-channels. In some embodiments, the ion-channel assay provides a reversible change to the membrane potential of a target, e.g., a cell, upon exposure to light. In some embodiments, the membrane potential readout is fed back through a control circuit to regulate the excitation intensity of the illumination sources that induce, respectively, hyperpolarizing and depolarizing currents, thereby effecting closed-loop control of the membrane potential. | 12-30-2010 |
20130344500 | TISSUE ADHESIVE SUBSTRATES - Described herein are tissue adhesive substrates and methods of making such substrates. Tissue adhesive substrates comprise a glass substrate and a silane covalently bound to the glass substrate. In some variations, the silane may be an amino silane, and may comprise an aryl or an alkyl moiety. In other variations, the silane may be coated with carbon. Silanes may be deposited onto the glass substrate by vapor deposition. Tissue adhesive substrates comprising carbon-coated silanized glass substrates may be capable of retaining a tissue section through multiple cycles of antibody staining and stripping without discernible or substantial damage to the tissue section. In addition, carbon-coated tissue adhesive substrates may also provide a fiduciary marker for closed-loop autofocussing mechanisms. | 12-26-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130103055 | CATHETER-BASED TISSUE REMODELING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member. | 04-25-2013 |
20160038130 | CATHETER-BASED TISSUE REMODELING DEVICES AND METHODS - Methods and systems for closing an opening or defect in tissue, closing a lumen or tubular structure, cinching or remodeling a cavity or repairing a valve preferably utilizing a purse string or elastic device. The preferred devices and methods are directed toward catheter-based percutaneous, transvascular techniques used to facilitate placement of the devices within lumens, such as blood vessels, or on or within the heart to perform structural defect repair, such as valvular or ventricular remodeling. In some methods, the catheter is positioned within the right ventricle, wherein the myocardial wall or left ventricle may be accessed through the septal wall to position a device configured to permit reshaping of the ventricle. The device may include a line or a plurality of anchors interconnected by a line. In one arrangement, the line is a coiled member. | 02-11-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080269685 | Solvent-cast microneedle arrays containing active - In an aspect of the invention, an array of microprotrusions is formed by providing a mold with cavities corresponding to the negative of the microprotrusions, casting atop the mold a first solution comprising a biocompatible material and a solvent, removing the solvent, casting a second solution atop the first cast solution, removing the solvent from the second solution, and demolding the resulting array from the mold. The first solution preferably contains an active ingredient. | 10-30-2008 |
20080269726 | Osmotic pump with self-retaining, fast-start membrane plug - An osmotic pump includes a capsule having at least one delivery port formed at a first end and a membrane plug retained in a second end of the capsule remote from the delivery port to provide a fluid-permeable barrier between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The membrane plug has a columnar body and at least one slot formed in the columnar body to vent pressure from the interior to the exterior of the capsule when the columnar body extends a predetermined distance relative to the second end of the capsule, thereby preventing expulsion of the membrane plug from the second end. | 10-30-2008 |
20090155330 | Vaccine Delivery via Microneedle Arrays - A microprojection array is provided, comprising an approximately planar base and a plurality of microprojections, wherein the array comprises a vaccine and a polymeric material. The array may have multiple layers. The vaccine may be placed in only one layer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of preventing a disease is provided, comprising insertion into the skin of a patient an array of microprojections comprising a layer which comprises a vaccine for that disease and a polymer. | 06-18-2009 |
20090183673 | Method and apparatus for coating skin piercing microprojections - An Apparatus and method are provided for selectively applying an agent-containing liquid coating to extremely tiny skin piercing microprojections ( | 07-23-2009 |
20110006458 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING MICROPROJECTION ARRAYS - Methods for the manufacture of a microprojection array are provided. In the methods, a formulation is introduced into cavities of a microprojection array mold by means that achieve a uniform amount of formulation retained in each cavity. | 01-13-2011 |
20110276027 | APPLICATORS FOR MICRONEEDLES - An applicator for a microprojection array is described. In one embodiment, the applicator comprises an energy-storing element. Application of force causes the compressed energy-storing element to extend or transition from first and second configurations, releasing stored energy to deploy a holding member in the application which is configured to hold an array of microprojections. In another embodiment, the applicator comprises an energy storing element with two stable configurations, a first stable configuration and second stable configuration. Application of force causes the energy-storing element to transition from the higher energy first stable configuration to the lower energy second stable configuration, releasing the difference in energies of the two states to deploy a holding member in the application which is configured to hold an array of microprojections. | 11-10-2011 |
20130131598 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING MICROPROJECTION ARRAYS - Methods for the manufacture of a microprojection array are provided. In the methods, a formulation is introduced into cavities of a microprojection array mold by means that achieve a uniform amount of formulation retained in each cavity. | 05-23-2013 |
20130292868 | SOLVENT-CAST MICROPROTRUSION ARRAYS CONTAINING ACTIVE INGREDIENT - In an aspect of the invention, an array of microprotrusions is formed by providing a mold with cavities corresponding to the negative of the microprotrusions, casting atop the mold a first solution comprising a biocompatible material and a solvent, removing the solvent, casting a second solution atop the first cast solution, removing the solvent from the second solution, and demolding the resulting array from the mold. The first solution preferably contains an active ingredient. | 11-07-2013 |
20130292886 | METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING MICROPROJECTION ARRAYS - Methods for the manufacture of a microprojection array are provided. In the methods, a formulation is introduced into cavities of a microprojection array mold by means that achieve a uniform amount of formulation retained in each cavity. | 11-07-2013 |
20140364801 | MICROPROTRUSION MEMBER RETAINER FOR IMPACT APPLICATOR - A retainer ( | 12-11-2014 |
20150079133 | METHOD OF VACCINE DELIVERY VIA MICRONEEDLE ARRAYS - A microprojection array is provided, comprising an approximately planar base and a plurality of microprojections, wherein the array comprises a vaccine and a polymeric material. The array may have multiple layers. The vaccine may be placed in only one layer. In another embodiment of the invention, a method of preventing a disease is provided, comprising insertion into the skin of a patient an array of microprojections comprising a layer which comprises a vaccine for that disease and a polymer. | 03-19-2015 |
20150297878 | SOLVENT-CAST MICROPROTRUSION ARRAYS CONTAINING ACTIVE INGREDIENT - In an aspect of the invention, an array of microprotrusions is formed by providing a mold with cavities corresponding to the negative of the microprotrusions, casting atop the mold a first solution comprising a biocompatible material and a solvent, removing the solvent, casting a second solution atop the first cast solution, removing the solvent from the second solution, and demolding the resulting array from the mold. The first solution preferably contains an active ingredient. | 10-22-2015 |
20160074644 | MICROBLADE ARRAY IMPACT APPLICATOR - An applicator device ( | 03-17-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130116705 | Steerable Delivery Sheaths - Steerable medical delivery devices and their methods of use. | 05-09-2013 |
20140107623 | Steerable Delivery Sheaths - A steerable delivery device comprising an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath, wherein the outer sheath includes a first tubular element, a steerable portion adapted to be steered, and wherein in a cross section along the steerable portion the first tubular element includes a first section of a first material with a first durometer and a second section of a second material with a second durometer different than the first durometer. | 04-17-2014 |
20140142418 | OCCLUSION ACCESS SYSTEM - A catheter system for accessing the central venous system through an occlusion in the neck region. | 05-22-2014 |
20150094656 | STEERABLE MEDICAL DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF USE - Steerable medical devices and methods of use. In some embodiments the steerable medical devices include a steerable portion with a stiffness that varies in the steerable portion. | 04-02-2015 |
20150182727 | OCCLUSION ACCESS SYSTEM - A catheter system for accessing the central venous system through an occlusion in the neck region. | 07-02-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140314394 | Video Frame Still Image Sequences - An electronic device may determine to present a video frame still image sequence version of a video instead of the video. The electronic device may derive a plurality of still images from the video. The electronic device may generate the video frame still image sequence by associating the plurality of still images. The electronic device may present the video frame still image sequence. The video frame still image sequence may be displayed according to timing information to resemble play of the video. In some cases, audio may also be derived from the video. In such cases, display of the video frame still image sequence may be performed along with play of the audio. | 10-23-2014 |
20150186343 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTENT SEGMENTS OF AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA EXPERIENCE AS WEBPAGES - Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for providing content segments of an interactive media experience as webpages. One example server apparatus includes a content storage module storing at least one interactive media experience, the interactive media experience including a plurality of content segments. The server apparatus also includes a communications module configured to provide a plurality of respective webpages corresponding to respective ones of the plurality of content segments of the at least one interactive media experience, each respective webpage including one or more links to others of the plurality of respective webpages. | 07-02-2015 |
20150213834 | Video Frame Still Image Sequences - An electronic device may determine to present a video frame still image sequence version of a video instead of the video. The electronic device may derive a plurality of still images from the video. The electronic device may generate the video frame still image sequence by associating the plurality of still images. The electronic device may present the video frame still image sequence. The video frame still image sequence may be displayed according to timing information to resemble play of the video. In some cases, audio may also be derived from the video. In such cases, display of the video frame still image sequence may be performed along with play of the audio. | 07-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120067572 | RADIO FREQUENCY ENHANCED STEAM ASSISTED GRAVITY DRAINAGE METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS - A method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. A radio frequency applicator is positioned to provide radiation within the hydrocarbon formation. A first signal sufficient to heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric current is applied to the applicator. A second or alternate frequency signal is then applied to the applicator that is sufficient to pass through the desiccated zone and heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric or magnetic fields. A method for efficiently creating electricity and steam for heating a hydrocarbon formation is also disclosed. An electric generator, steam generator, and a regenerator containing water are provided. The electric generator is run. The heat created from running the electric generator is fed into the regenerator causing the water to be preheated. The preheated water is then fed into the steam generator. The RF energy from power lines or from an on site electric generator and steam that is harvested from the generator or provided separately are supplied to a reservoir as a process to recover hydrocarbons. | 03-22-2012 |
20120118565 | Effective Solvent Extraction System Incorporating Electromagnetic Heating - A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir. | 05-17-2012 |
20120305239 | CYCLIC RADIO FREQUENCY STIMULATION - Production of heavy oil and bitumen from a reservoir is enhanced by cyclic radio frequency (RF) radiation of the well. The invention utilizes RF radiation to introduce energy to the hydrocarbon reservoir in cycles in order to heat the reservoir directly, yet conserves energy over the prior art processes that more or less continuously apply RF or microwave energy. The advantage of cyclic RF is it uses less electricity, and thus lowers operating costs. This is achieved by the soak cycle that allows heat to conduct into the formation and assists the heat penetration that is directly radiated into the formation by the antenna. The invention can also be advantageously combined with cyclic steam stimulation. | 12-06-2012 |
20130048277 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RESOURCE RECOVERY INCLUDING ACTUATOR OPERATED POSITIONING OF AN RF APPLICATOR AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) applicator coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include supplying RF energy to the RF applicator at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively heat at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair. | 02-28-2013 |
20130048278 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RESOURCE RECOVERY BY REPAIRING A FAILED HYDROCARBON RECOVERY ARRANGEMENT - A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation, each injector/producer well pair including a laterally extending producer well, and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include determining a failed injector/producer well pair from among the plurality thereof. The method may further include repairing the failed injector/producer well pair by at least forming a repair well adjacent the failed injector/producer well pair, and applying radio frequency (RF) heating from the repair well to the subterranean formation adjacent the failed injector/producer well pair. The method may further include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the repaired injector/producer well. | 02-28-2013 |
20130048297 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RESOURCE RECOVERY INCLUDING ACTUATOR OPERATED POSITIONING OF AN RF SENSOR AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) sensor coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include operating the RF sensor at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively sense at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair. | 02-28-2013 |
20140014324 | METHOD OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBON RESOURCES WHILE INJECTING A SOLVENT AND SUPPLYING RADIO FREQUENCY POWER AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. | 01-16-2014 |
20140069638 | RADIO FREQUENCY ENHANCED STEAM ASSISTED GRAVITY DRAINAGE METHOD FOR RECOVERY OF HYDROCARBONS - A method for heating a hydrocarbon formation is disclosed. A radio frequency applicator is positioned to provide radiation within the hydrocarbon formation. A first signal sufficient to heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric current is applied to the applicator. A second or alternate frequency signal is then applied to the applicator that is sufficient to pass through the desiccated zone and heat the hydrocarbon formation through electric or magnetic fields. A method for efficiently creating electricity and steam for heating a hydrocarbon formation is also disclosed. An electric generator, steam generator, and a regenerator containing water are provided. The electric generator is run. The heat created from running the electric generator is fed into the regenerator causing the water to be preheated. The preheated water is then fed into the steam generator. The RF energy from power lines or from an on site electric generator and steam that is harvested from the generator or provided separately are supplied to a reservoir as a process to recover hydrocarbons. | 03-13-2014 |
20140076556 | EFFECTIVE SOLVENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM INCORPORATING ELECTROMAGNETIC HEATING - A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir. | 03-20-2014 |
20140202686 | EFFECTIVE SOLVENT EXTRACTION SYSTEM INCORPORATING ELECTROMAGNETIC HEATING - A method of producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises pre-heating by exposure to electromagnetic radiation from a electromagnetic radiation source, injecting through at least one injection well a solvent into the reservoir to dilute the hydrocarbons contained in the pre-conditioned portion, and producing through at least one production well a mixture of hydrocarbons and solvent. An apparatus for producing hydrocarbons from a subterranean reservoir comprises at least one radio frequency antenna configured to transmit radio frequency energy into a subterranean reservoir, a power source to provide power to the at least one radio frequency antenna, at least one injection well configured to inject a solvent from a solvent supply source into the subterranean reservoir to lower the viscosity of the hydrocarbons, and at least one production well configured to produce a mixture comprising hydrocarbons and solvent from the subterranean reservoir. | 07-24-2014 |
20150088427 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RECOVERY WITH CHANGE DETECTION AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method for predicting hydrocarbon recovery in a subterranean formation may include generating pre-heating data associated with fracturing in a sample from the subterranean formation, heating the sample with RF power to cause additional fracturing in the sample, and generating post-heating data associated with additional fracturing in the sample after heating with RF power. The method may also include detecting change between the pre-heating data and post-heating data, and predicting hydrocarbon recovery from the subterranean formation based upon the detected change. | 03-26-2015 |
20150122477 | METHOD OF HYDROCARBON RESOURCE RECOVERY INCLUDING ACTUATOR OPERATED POSITIONING OF AN RF SENSOR AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation may include forming a plurality of spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation. Each injector/producer well pair may include a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may include forming an intermediate well adjacent a given injector/producer well pair, and operating a positioning actuator to position a radio frequency (RF) sensor coupled to the positioning actuator to at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well. The method may further include operating the RF sensor at the at least one predetermined location within the intermediate well to selectively sense at least one corresponding portion of the subterranean formation adjacent the given injector/producer well pair. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the plurality of injector/producer well pairs including the given injector/producer well pair. | 05-07-2015 |
20150211336 | HYDROCARBON RESOURCE HEATING SYSTEM INCLUDING COMMON MODE CHOKE ASSEMBLY AND RELATED METHODS - 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. | 07-30-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100077236 | Method, system, and apparatus for dynamic thermal management - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load. | 03-25-2010 |
20130159742 | Method, System, and Apparatus for Dynamic Thermal Management - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load. | 06-20-2013 |
20140108834 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND APPARATUS FOR DYNAMIC THERMAL MANAGEMENT - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load. | 04-17-2014 |
20160054787 | Method, System, and Apparatus for Dynamic Thermal Management - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system, the method including, in some embodiments, processing a computational load by a first core of a multi-core processor, and dynamically distributing at least a portion of the computational load to a second core of the multi-core processor to reduce a power density of the multi-core processor for the processing of the computational load. | 02-25-2016 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20100254090 | MULTI-LAYER MESH WICKS FOR HEAT PIPES - Methods for fabricating heat pipes and heat pipes therefrom are provided. The heat pipe ( | 10-07-2010 |
20120061080 | INLINE RF HEATING FOR SAGD OPERATIONS - The present invention provides a method for accelerating start-up for SAGD-type operation by providing radio frequency heating devices inside the lateral wells that can re-heat the injected steam after losing heat energy during the initial injection. The method also extends the lateral wells such that the drilling of vertical wells can be reduced to save capital expenses. | 03-15-2012 |
20120061081 | RF FRACTURING TO IMPROVE SAGD PERFORMANCE - A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage. The method begins by drilling a borehole into a heavy oil formation comprising a steam barrier between a first pay zone and a second pay zone, wherein the steam barrier prevents a steam chamber to be formed between the first pay zone and the second pay zone. The steam barrier is then heated with a radio frequency. The steam barrier is then fractured to permit a steam chamber to be formed within the first pay zone and the second pay zone. Heavy oil is then produced from the heavy oil formation with steam assisted gravity drainage. | 03-15-2012 |
20120085537 | HEAVY OIL RECOVERY USING SF6 AND RF HEATING - A method of producing heavy oil by first injecting water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules into a region. The method then introduces electromagnetic waves such as microwaves and/or radio frequencies into the region at a frequency sufficient to excite the water and the sulfur hexafluoride molecules and increase the temperature of at least a portion of the water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules within the region to produce heated water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules. At least a portion of the heavy oil is heated in the region by contact with the heated water and sulfur hexafluoride molecules to produce heated heavy oil. The heated heavy oil is then produced. | 04-12-2012 |
20120234537 | GRAVITY DRAINAGE STARTUP USING RF & SOLVENT - The method begins by forming a gravity drainage production well pair within a formation comprising an injection well and a production well. The pre-soaking stage begins by soaking at least one of the wellbores of the well pair with a solvent, wherein the solvent does not include water. The pre-heating stage begins by heating the soaked wellbore of the well pair to produce a vapor. The squeezing stage begins by introducing the vapor into the soaked wellbore of the well pair, and can thus overlap with the pre-heating stage. The gravity drainage production begins after the squeezing stage, once the wells are in thermal communication and the heavy oil can drain to the lower well. | 09-20-2012 |
20130153210 | SITU RF HEATING OF STACKED PAY ZONES - A method of heating stacked pay zones in a hydrocarbon formation by radio frequency electromagnetic waves is provided. In particular, radio frequency antenna array having multiple antenna elements are provided inside a hydrocarbon formation that has steam-impermeable structure. The antenna elements are so positioned and configured that the hydrocarbons in the place where conventional thermal methods cannot be used to heat due to the steam-impermeable structure can now be heated by radio frequency electromagnetic waves. | 06-20-2013 |
20130199774 | HEAVY OIL PRODUCTION WITH EM PREHEAT AND GAS INJECTION - An enhanced oil recovery technique that combines gas injection with EM radiation to heat and mobilize heavy oil at least until fluid communication is achieved. | 08-08-2013 |
20140043766 | MULTI-LAYER MESH WICKS FOR HEAT PIPES - Methods for fabricating heat pipes and heat pipes therefrom are provided. The heat pipe ( | 02-13-2014 |
20140216725 | APPARATUS FOR HEATING A HYDROCARBON RESOURCE IN A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION PROVIDING AN ADJUSTABLE LIQUID COOLANT AND RELATED METHODS - An apparatus is provided for heating a hydrocarbon resource in a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein. The apparatus includes a radio frequency (RF) source, an RE antenna configured to be positioned within the wellbore, and an RF transmission line configured to be positioned within the wellbore and couple the RE source to the RE antenna. The RE transmission line defines a liquid coolant circuit therethrough. The apparatus further includes a liquid coolant source configured to be coupled to the transmission line and to provide a liquid coolant through the liquid coolant circuit having an electrical parameter that is adjustable. | 08-07-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110042359 | PLASMA HEATING DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A heating device for an optical fiber may include a crucible body having an optical fiber receiving slotted passageway therein for receiving the optical fiber therein, and a heating element receiving passageway therein adjacent the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway and spaced apart therefrom. The heating device may further include a respective electrically powered plasma heating element enclosed within the heating element receiving passageway for heating the optical fiber within the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway. | 02-24-2011 |
20110042367 | FILAMENT HEATING DEVICE FOR AN OPTICAL FIBER AND RELATED METHODS - A heating device for an optical fiber may include a crucible body having an optical fiber receiving slotted passageway therein for receiving the optical fiber therein, and a heating element receiving passageway therein adjacent the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway and spaced apart therefrom. The heating device may include a respective electrically powered resistance heating element enclosed within the heating element receiving passageway for heating the optical fiber within the optical fiber receiving slotted passageway. | 02-24-2011 |
20120085533 | CYCLIC STEAM STIMULATION USING RF - A method of producing hydrocarbons from a well. The method begins by injecting steam into a well. The bitumen in the formation is then heated with the injected steam, followed by ceasing the injection of steam into the well and then by soaking the bitumen with the injected steam and collecting the heated oil. Steam that has condensed is revaporized by directing RF/MW radiation to the steam allowing for more bitumen to be produced without injecting more steam. In addition, some of the steam could become superheated, wherein the temperature of the superheated steam is greater than the temperature of the steam. The bitumen is heated by the revaporized steam and the superheated steam, followed by soaking the bitumen with the revaporized steam and the superheated steam. Hydrocarbons are then produced from the well. | 04-12-2012 |
20120090844 | SIMULTANEOUS CONVERSION AND RECOVERY OF BITUMEN USING RF - The present invention provides a method of producing upgraded hydrocarbons in-situ from a production well. The method begins by operating a subsurface recovery of hydrocarbons with a production well. An RF absorbent material is heated by at least one RF emitter and used as a heated RF absorbent material, which in turn heats the hydrocarbons to be produced. Hydrocarbons are upgraded in-situ and then produced from the production well. | 04-19-2012 |
20120234536 | ENHANCED RECOVERY AND IN SITU UPGRADING USING RF - A method for heating heavy oil inside a production well. The method raises the subsurface temperature of heavy oil by utilizing an activator that has been injected below the surface. The activator is then excited with a generated non-microwave frequency from 0.1 MHz to 300 MHz such that the excited activator heats the heavy oil. | 09-20-2012 |
20130008651 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RECOVERY USING SAGD AND INFILL WELLS WITH RF HEATING - A method for hydrocarbon resource recovery in a subterranean formation may include forming spaced apart injector/producer well pairs in the subterranean formation, with each well pair including a laterally extending producer well and a laterally extending injector well spaced thereabove. The method may also include forming laterally extending infill wells in the subterranean formation, with each infill well being located between respective adjacent injector/producer well pairs. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources from the producer wells based upon Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) via the injector/producer well pairs, and recovering hydrocarbon resources from the infill wells based upon RF heating regions of the subterranean formation surrounding the respective infill wells. | 01-10-2013 |
20130098610 | METHOD FOR HYDROCARBON RECOVERY USING HEATED LIQUID WATER INJECTION WITH RF HEATING - A method for hydrocarbon resource recovery in a subterranean formation includes forming a laterally extending injector well in the subterranean formation and forming a laterally extending producer well spaced below the injector well. The method may also include radio frequency (RF) heating the subterranean formation to establish hydraulic communication between the injector well and the producer well. The method may further include injecting heated liquid water into the injector well to recover hydrocarbon resources from the producer well based upon the hydraulic communication therebetween. | 04-25-2013 |
20140090834 | EM AND COMBUSTION STIMULATION OF HEAVY OIL - A method of producing heavy oil from a heavy oil formation by combining electromagnetic heating to achieve fluid communication between wells, following by in situ combustion to mobilize and upgrade the heavy oil. | 04-03-2014 |
20150068706 | HYDROCARBON RESOURCE PROCESSING APPARATUS FOR GENERATING A TURBULENT FLOW OF COOLING LIQUID AND RELATED METHODS - A device for processing hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include a radio frequency (RF) source, a dielectric cooling liquid source, and an RF applicator in the subterranean formation and coupled to the RF source to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resources. The RF applicator may include concentric tubular conductors defining cooling passageways therebetween coupled to the dielectric cooling fluid source. At least one property of the dielectric cooling liquid, a flow rate of the dielectric cooling liquid, and a configuration of the cooling passageways may be operable together to generate a turbulent flow of the dielectric cooling liquid adjacent surfaces of the plurality of concentric tubular conductors to enhance thermal transfer. | 03-12-2015 |
20150337637 | METHOD OF RECOVERING HYDROCARBON RESOURCES WHILE INJECTING A SOLVENT AND SUPPLYING RADIO FREQUENCY POWER AND RELATED APPARATUS - A method of recovering hydrocarbon resources in a subterranean formation may include injecting a solvent via a wellbore into the subterranean formation while supplying radio frequency (RF) power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. The method may also include recovering hydrocarbon resources via the wellbore and from the subterranean formation while supplying RF power from the wellbore and into the subterranean formation. | 11-26-2015 |