Celebrity Inventors
Actor Marlon Brando has four patents, all named "Drumhead tensioning device and method."
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7497253 | Downhole steam generator In a downhole steam generator, hydrogen, oxygen, and water are separately injected into an oil well. The hydrogen and oxygen are made to react, either with the aid of a catalyst or due to an electric spark. Heat from the reaction converts the water in the area into ... | 03/03/2009 |
| 7360588 | Thermal processes for subsurface formations A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7353872 | Start-up of temperature limited heaters using direct current (DC) Certain embodiments provide a method for heating a subsurface formation. The method includes applying direct electrical current (DC) to a heater section below a first selected temperature to provide an electrically resistive heat output. The heater section includes ... | 04/08/2008 |
| 7351599 | High-powered light emitting device with improved thermal properties A light emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, an active region, and a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type. First and second contacts are connected to the first and second semiconductor layers. In some... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7350577 | Method and apparatus for injecting steam into a geological formation The present invention generally provides a method and apparatus for injecting a compressible fluid at a controlled flow rate into a geological formation at multiple zones of interest. In one aspect, the invention provides a tubing string with a pocket and a nozzle a... | 04/01/2008 |
| 7305912 | Chemically driven hydrogen gun An electrothermal gun uses an apparatus for generating high gas pressure. The apparatus includes a receiver having a combustion chamber for holding a propellant which produces a gas component and a particle component when the propellant undergoes an exothermic chemi... | 12/11/2007 |
| 7293606 | Heat exchanging apparatus A heat exchanging apparatus including a gas fuelled flameless heater and a heat exchanger loop. The heat exchanger loop includes a heat absorbing section which is contained within the flameless heater so that the flameless heater provides a heat source for the heat ... | 11/13/2007 |
| 7278477 | Cup tool, cup tool cup and method of using the cup tool A cup tool includes a cup tool tube having a threaded upper end for connection to a high-pressure mandrel, an outer surface over which an elastomeric cup is slidably mounted for reciprocal movement from an unset position for entry into a wellbore to a set position i... | 10/09/2007 |
| 7243733 | Cup tool for a high-pressure mandrel and method of using same A cup tool includes a cup tool tube having a threaded upper end for connection to a high-pressure mandrel. The cup tool has an outer surface over which an elastomeric cup is slidably mounted for movement from an unset position for entry into a wellbore to a set posi... | 07/17/2007 |
| 7185702 | Methods and compositions for the in-situ thermal stimulation of hydrocarbons using peroxide-generating compounds One embodiment provides a method for stimulating hydrocarbon production in a subterranean formation, comprising: introducing a peroxide-generating compound into a desired location in a subterranean formation, wherein the peroxide-generating compound is substantially... | 03/06/2007 |
| 7147057 | Loop systems and methods of using the same for conveying and distributing thermal energy into a wellbore Systems and methods are provided for treating a wellbore using a loop system to heat oil in a subterranean formation contacted by the wellbore. The loop system comprises a loop that conveys a fluid (e.g., steam) down the wellbore via a injection conduit and returns ... | 12/12/2006 |
| 7124820 | Exothermic tool and method for heating a low temperature metal alloy for repairing failure spots along a section of a tubular conduit An exothermic well tool and method of use for the repair of failure spots along a section of a first tubular conduit, such as casing, wherein the housing of the tool is heated to at least a temperature approximately in excess of that required to activate and melt an... | 10/24/2006 |
| 7121342 | Thermal processes for subsurface formations A process may include providing heat from one or more heaters to at least a portion of a subsurface formation. Heat may transfer from one or more heaters to a part of a formation. In some embodiments, heat from the one or more heat sources may pyrolyze at least some... | 10/17/2006 |
| 7086235 | Cascade ignition of catalytic combustors The present embodiment relates to a catalytic combustor for reducing the pollutant emissions of combustion. The catalytic combustor described herein employs a novel heat exchange system for rapidly and economically bringing the combustor to a temperature wherein cat... | 08/08/2006 |
| 7063145 | Methods and systems for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation in situ with an opening contacting the earth's surface at two locations In an embodiment, a method for heating a hydrocarbon containing formation may include providing heat from one or more heaters to an opening in the formation. A first end of the opening may contact the earth's surface at a first location and a second end of the openi... | 06/20/2006 |
| 7040400 | In situ thermal processing of a relatively impermeable formation using an open wellbore A method for treating a relatively low permeability formation containing heavy hydrocarbons in situ may include providing heat from one or more heat sources to a portion of the formation. The heat may be allowed to transfer from the heat sources to a selected sectio... | 05/09/2006 |
| 7032675 | Thermally-controlled valves and methods of using the same in a wellbore Methods of operating a downhole tool comprise thermally-controlling the tool by sensing a temperature and controlling the tool in response to the sensed temperature. Thermally-controlled downhole tools comprise a control element responsive to a change in temperature... | 04/25/2006 |
| 6978837 | Production of natural gas from hydrates Methods and apparatus for producing methane gas from a hydrate formation. A column of modified material substantially filling a wellbore extending into the hydrate formation. The column of modified material is permeable to gases. A heat source extends into the colum... | 12/27/2005 |
| 6938696 | Backpressure adapter pin and methods of use A tubing assembly including a tubing string and tubing hanger provides a fluid passage with backpressure threads for securing a backpressure plug in a fluid-tight seal below the tubing hanger, so that the tubing hanger can be removed from the tubing string. The back... | 09/06/2005 |
| 6923257 | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation to produce a condensate An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. Hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the formation to a pyro... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6923258 | In situ thermal processsing of a hydrocarbon containing formation to produce a mixture with a selected hydrogen content A hydrocarbon containing formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion o... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6918441 | Cup tool for high pressure mandrel A cup tool for use with a mandrel of a wellhead isolation tool has a substantially right-angled stepped shoulder over which an elastomeric sealing element is forced by elevated fluid pressures. A top end of the elastomeric sealing element is inhibited from extrusion... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6918442 | In situ thermal processing of an oil shale formation in a reducing environment An oil shale formation may be treated using an in situ thermal process. A mixture of hydrocarbons, H2, and/or other formation fluids may be produced from the formation. Heat may be applied to the formation to raise a temperature of a portion of the format... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6918439 | Backpressure adaptor pin and methods of use A tubing assembly including a tubing string and tubing hanger provides a fluid passage with backpressure threads for securing a backpressure plug in a fluid-tight seal below the tubing hanger, so that the tubing hanger can be removed from the tubing string. The back... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6491096 | Two phase heat generation system and method The present invention provides a two phase heat generation system (10) having a primary pressure vessel (108), an, interior vessel (122) spaced from the primary pressure vessel (108) defining a water jacket cavity (124) and a combustion chamber (125), the... | 12/10/2002 |
| 6328104 | Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens by in situ hydrovisbreaking A process is disclosed for the in situ conversion and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens from subsurface formations using either a continuous operation with one or more vertical injection boreholes and one or more vertical production boreho... | 12/11/2001 |
| 6269882 | Method for ignition of flameless combustor A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion with one or more of three improvements to enhance ignition of the flameless combustor. A catalytic surface can be provided within a combustion chamber to provide flamel... | 08/07/2001 |
| 6079499 | Heater well method and apparatus A method and apparatus is disclosed for heating of formations using fired heaters. The method includes the steps of: providing a wellbore within the formation to be heated, the wellbore comprising a casing within the formation to be heated, a tubular defining,... | 06/27/2000 |
| 6044907 | Two phase heat generation system and method The present invention provides a two phase heat generation system having a primary pressure vessel and an interior vessel spaced from the primary pressure vessel defining a water cavity and a combustion chamber, the water cavity delivering fluid into the ... | 04/04/2000 |
| 6019172 | Flameless combustor A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion with one or more of three improvements to enhance ignition of the flameless combustor. A catalytic surface can be provided within a combustion chamber to provide flamel... | 02/01/2000 |
| 6016867 | Upgrading and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens by in situ hydrovisbreaking A process is disclosed for the in situ conversion and recovery of heavy crude oils and natural bitumens from subsurface formations using either a continuous operation with one or more injection and production boreholes, which may include horizontal boreho... | 01/25/2000 |
| 6016868 | Production of synthetic crude oil from heavy hydrocarbons recovered by in situ hydrovisbreaking An integrated process is disclosed for treating, at the surface, production fluids recovered from the application of in situ hydrovisbreaking to heavy crude oils and natural bitumens deposited in subsurface formations. The production fluids include virgin... | 01/25/2000 |
| 5950728 | Method and apparatus for enhancing oil recovery An apparatus and method for enhancing recovery of oil from producing and dormant wells. The invention is embodied in an apparatus in which brine is mixed with a small amount of oil, and then passed through an alternating current flowing between a pair of ... | 09/14/1999 |
| 5899269 | Flameless combustor A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion with one or more of three improvements to enhance ignition of the flameless combustor. A catalytic surface can be provided within a combustion chamber to provide flamel... | 05/04/1999 |
| 5862858 | Flameless combustor A combustor method and apparatus is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant heat source and results in a more even temperature distribution throughout the length of the burner. Flameless... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5832999 | Method and assembly for igniting a burner assembly A method and assembly for igniting a burner using a pyrophoric liquid. A quantity of pyrophoric liquid is first transported from a container to a slug launching chamber and then transporting into a fuel gas stream for the burner. The slug launching chambe... | 11/10/1998 |
| 5769569 | In-situ thermal desorption of heavy hydrocarbons in vadose zone An in-situ thermal desorption system and process is utilized for mobilization and removal of nonvolatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons from contaminated soil in the vadose zone. Persistent hydrocarbons are thermally desorbed by direct heating of the cont... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5488990 | Apparatus and method for generating inert gas and heating injected gas A downhole burner that economically generates hot inert gas and injects this gas into a subterranean formation. The burner has a nipple attached to a first tubing string that carries an oxidizer to the burner. The first tubing string also contains a coil ... | 02/06/1996 |
| 5433271 | Heat injection process A method for heat injection into a subterranean diatomite formation is provided. The method utilizes a heater that is placed directly in the diatomite formation without cement around the heater. Diatomite is very soft, and will quickly fill in around the ... | 07/18/1995 |
| 5404952 | Heat injection process and apparatus A method for heat injection into a subterranean formation is provided. The method utilizes flameless combustion and a gas fired heater having an electrical heated surface for ignition of the gas. The absence of a flame eliminates the flame as a radiant he... | 04/11/1995 |