Harris Corporation

Eagle Technology, LLC

Ryan Whitney

Ronald Edward Jackson, Jr

Mark Ernest Blue

John Anton Meyer

Keith Nugent

Lisa Patton Zastrow

Brian N Wright

Raymond C Hewit

Gustavo A Toledo

Robert M Taylor

Stephen J Kolvek

Michael R Winters

Arthur H White

Dana Monnier Rosennier

Murray Hann

Philip J Henderson

Richard I Harless

Francisco Torres

Shaun Kapples

Dana Monnier

Jessica Beahn

Kevin Szekely

Jonathan Boyles

Ronald Jackson

Brian A Moody

Charles W Kulisan

Arthur White

Extensible mast is comprised of multiple mast sections which are aligned along a mast axis. Each mast section is formed of an elongated tubular member disposed in a nested configuration when the mast is in a stowed condition. Each mast section is configured to slide along a direction aligned with the mast axis to facilitate a transition of the mast from the stowed condition to a deployed condition. In the deployed condition, adjacent mast sections are disposed substantially end to end so as to form a mast having an elongated length extending from a mast base to a mast tip. Mast sections includes one or more latches formed from a portion of the sidewall and resiliently engage a portion of an adjacent mast section.

Extensible telescoping mast assembly and deployment mechanism

Folded optics reflector system includes a hoop assembly configured to expand between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration to define a circumferential hoop. A mesh reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly such that when the hoop assembly is in the expanded configuration, the reflector surface is expanded to a shape that is configured to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern. The system also includes a mast assembly comprised of an extendible boom. The hoop assembly is secured by a plurality of cords relative to a top and bottom portion of the boom, whereby upon extension of the boom to a deployed condition, the hoop assembly is supported by the boom. A subreflector is disposed at the top portion of the boom.

Folded optics mesh hoop column deployable reflector system

An apparatus for hydrocarbon resource recovery from a subterranean formation includes a radio frequency (RF) source, an RF antenna to be positioned within the subterranean formation to deliver RF power to the hydrocarbon resource within the subterranean formation, and an RF transmission line extending between the RF source and the RF antenna. The RF transmission line may include RF transmission line sections coupled together in end-to-end relation. Each section may include an inner conductor, an outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and an outer load-carrying tubular member surrounding the outer conductor. A respective coupling assembly joins ends of adjacent sections together. Each coupling assembly may include an electrical coupler being fixedly connected to first ends of corresponding inner and outer conductors and being slidably connected to opposing second ends of adjacent inner and outer conductors, and a mechanical coupler connecting ends of adjacent load-bearing tubular members together.

Hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus including RF transmission line and associated methods

A radio frequency (RF) hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may include a first hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include a plurality of first RF power applicator stages coupled in series. Each first RF power stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade a hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough. The RF hydrocarbon resource upgrading device may also include a second hydrocarbon resource upgrading path that may include at least one second RF power applicator stage coupled in parallel with at least one of the first RF power applicator stages. The second RF power applicator stage is configured to apply RF power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource passing therethrough.

Radio frequency hydrocarbon resource upgrading apparatus including parallel paths and related methods

A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power.

Hydrocarbon emulsion separator system and related methods

A reflector system includes a hoop assembly, a collapsible mesh reflector surface and an extendible mast assembly. The hoop assembly includes a plurality of link members extending between a plurality of hinge members and the hoop assembly is moveable between a collapsed configuration wherein the link members extend substantially parallel to one another and an expanded configuration wherein the link members define a circumferential hoop. The reflector surface is secured to the hoop assembly and collapses and extends therewith. The hoop is secured by cords relative to top and bottom portions of a mast that maintains the hoop substantially in a plane. The mast is stored on a spool and extends to release the hoop, pull the mesh reflector surface into a shape that is intended to concentrate RF energy in a desired pattern, and tension the cords that locate the hoop.

Scalable high compaction ratio mesh hoop column deployable reflector system

A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a gas source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the gas source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of gas therefrom. At least one of the RF antenna and RF transmission line define a gas lift passageway coupled to the gas source to lift hydrocarbon resources within the wellbore.

Combined RF heating and gas lift for a hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus and associated methods

A hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus for a subterranean formation having a wellbore extending therein includes a radio frequency (RF) power source, a dielectric fluid source, and an RF antenna within the wellbore. An RF transmission line extends within the wellbore between the RF power source and the RF antenna and is coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be cooled and/or pressure balanced by a flow of dielectric fluid therefrom. A hydrocarbon resource recovery pump is within the wellbore and is also coupled to the dielectric fluid source to be powered by the flow of dielectric fluid therefrom.

Combined RF heating and pump lift for a hydrocarbon resource recovery apparatus and associated methods

A rigid RF coaxial transmission line is positioned within a wellbore in a subterranean formation. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a series of rigid coaxial sections coupled together in end-to-end relation and to be positioned within the wellbore of the subterranean formation. Each rigid coaxial section includes an inner conductor, a rigid outer conductor surrounding the inner conductor, and a dielectric therebetween. Each of the rigid outer conductors has threaded ends. The rigid RF coaxial transmission line includes a respective connector between adjacent ones of the series of rigid coaxial sections, each connector having a rigid outer layer threadingly secured to respective threaded ends of adjacent rigid outer conductors, and an electrically conductive liner carried by the rigid outer layer and defining an electrical joint between the adjacent rigid outer conductors.

Rigid coaxial transmission line sections joined by connectors for use in a subterranean wellbore

A device for transporting and upgrading a hydrocarbon resource may include a pair of pipeline segments configured to transport the hydrocarbon resource therethrough and a radio frequency (RF) upgrading device. The RF upgrading device may include an RF applicator comprising an inner tubular dielectric coupler between the pair of pipeline segments, and an electrically conductive outer housing surrounding the inner tubular dielectric coupler. The RF upgrading device may also include an RF source coupled to the electrically conductive outer housing and having an operating frequency and power to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource.

Apparatus for transporting and upgrading a hydrocarbon resource through a pipeline and related methods

A method for recovering a hydrocarbon resource from a subterranean formation may include applying radio frequency (RF) power to the hydrocarbon resource in the subterranean formation to upgrade the hydrocarbon resource and producing the upgraded hydrocarbon resource from the subterranean formation to a wellhead. The method may also include, at the wellhead, performing an additional upgrading operation on the upgraded hydrocarbon resource using RF power. The method may further include supplying the upgraded hydrocarbon resource to a pipeline for transportation therethrough.

Growing community of inventors

Indialantic, FL, United States of America

Ryan Whitney