Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110003896 | DIMERIC DOUBLE METAL SALTS OF (-)-HYDROXYCITRIC ACID, METHODS OF MAKING AND USES OF SAME - The present invention relates to soluble dimeric double metal salt compositions of (−)-hydroxycitric acid (“HCA”), as well as methods for making and using the same. The invention provides dimeric double metal salts of group IA and IIA of HCA (hereinafter, “DDM-HCAs”). The present invention provides methods to make DDM-HCAs of the invention which can be employed to alter the polar/ionic qualities of HCA salts and derivatives to improve solubility of HCA compositions. DDM-HCAs of the invention are soluble HCA-containing compositions useful as dietary supplements and suitable for manipulations under those conditions necessary for tabletting, encapsulation, and the production of dry powders, particularly for use as a beverage premix. Methods of use of the composition include treatment for suppression of appetite, for weight loss, for an increase in the rate of fat metabolism, for reduction in blood lipids and postprandial lipemia, and to increase the plasma level of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. | 01-06-2011 |
20130150448 | DIMERIC DOUBLE METAL SALTS OF (-) HYDROXYCITRIC ACID, METHODS OF MAKING AND USES OF SAME - The present invention relates to soluble dimeric double metal salt compositions of (−)-hydroxycitric acid (“HCA”), as well as methods for making and using the same. The invention provides dimeric double metal salts of group IA and IIA of HCA (hereinafter, “DDM-HCAs”). The present invention provides methods to make DDM-HCAs of the invention which can be employed to alter the polar/ionic qualities of HCA salts and derivatives to improve solubility of HCA compositions. DDM-HCAs of the invention are soluble HCA-containing compositions useful as dietary supplements and suitable for manipulations under those conditions necessary for tabletting, encapsulation, and the production of dry powders, particularly for use as a beverage premix. Methods of use of the composition include treatment for suppression of appetite, for weight loss, for an increase in the rate of fat metabolism, for reduction in blood lipids and postprandial lipemia, and to increase the plasma level of (−)-hydroxycitric acid. | 06-13-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120197500 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SPEED-BASED DOWNSPEED COASTING MANAGEMENT - A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197501 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION MANAGEMENT - A vehicle operating condition profile can be determined over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map and transmission to provide a recommended vehicle operating condition that optimizes fuel consumption in transitioning from one vehicle state to a target state. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability. | 08-02-2012 |
20120197504 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VEHICLE SPEED-BASED OPERATIONAL COST OPTIMIZATION - A vehicle speed-based operational cost optimization module provides an optimized velocity profile over a given route while also considering imposed constraints such as deviation from time targets, deviation from maximum governed speed limits, etc. Given current vehicle speed, engine state and transmission state, the present disclosure optimally manages the engine map to provide a recommended vehicle speed that optimizes fuel consumption. Exemplary embodiments provide for offline and online optimizations relative to fuel consumption. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability. | 08-02-2012 |
20120203434 | SUPERVISORY THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENGINE SYSTEM WARM UP AND REGENERATON - This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined. | 08-09-2012 |
20120221234 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF VEHICLE FUEL QUANTITY MANAGEMENT - Systems and methods of vehicle fuel quantity management are provided to assist in determining an optimal quantity of fuel to carry on-board a vehicle. Certain routes are sufficiently short so to not require a completely filled fuel tank to traverse. Additionally, most routes have an abundance of vehicle fueling stations that provide ample refueling opportunities, thus permitting an operator to carry less fuel than might be required to complete a route. Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure balance initial fuel loading and fuel stops to optimize the amount of freight weight that can be carried for a given route. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination while maintaining drivability. | 08-30-2012 |
20120239588 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING FREIGHT/LOAD DISTRIBUTION FOR MULTIPLE VEHICLES - Systems and methods of vehicle freight/load distribution are provided to assist in determining optimal freight distribution. Although it is standard practice to fill each vehicle to its maximum limit, due to the non-linear nature of engine fueling maps (that is, fueling maps vary non-linearly as a function of torque and speed), the optimal distribution may not be obtained by the standard practice. Finding a solution for the optimal freight distribution may also need to account for the cost of fueling and operator costs, particularly if the situation involves multiple vehicles not filled to capacity. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination amongst a fleet of vehicles. | 09-20-2012 |
20140052353 | Supervisory Thermal Management System and Method for Engine System Warm up and Regeneration - This disclosure provides a thermal management system and method that can recommend operational behavior to an operator of an engine system to optimize fuel economy over a period of time in which a components of the engine system is in a warm up and/or regeneration state. In one representative embodiment, the expected temperature change of the engine component at a later time is determined based on inefficient operation of the engine, such as a transmission down shift resulting in higher engine speed and lower engine torque, and the expected temperature change of the engine component resulting from operating the engine under current conditions or expected conditions at that later time is determined. A determination is made as to whether the inefficient engine operation is the optimal operation in view of fuel economy and a recommendation is generated for the operator based if optimal operation is determined. | 02-20-2014 |
20140336887 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SPEED-BASED DOWNSPEED COASTING MANAGEMENT - A velocity profile can be used in conjunction with vehicle operating condition data to determine a gear shift schedule that mitigates the amount of service brake effort required to slow a vehicle by making optimal use of engine speed, friction and engine brakes. The gear shift point drives the engine to a higher operating speed and greater frictional torque, slowing the vehicle, which can then coast to a desired speed. The gear shift point can be timed to minimize fuel consumption during the maneuver. Thus, a vehicle downshift event is created based on the transmission gear recommendation. The benefit is increased freight efficiency in transporting cargo from source to destination by minimizing fuel consumption and maintaining drivability. | 11-13-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090202711 | COMPOSITION FOR COATING SUBSTRATE TO PREVENT STICKING - A release agent composition to prevent sticking and facilitate separation of surfaces, such as patterns and core boxes from foundry molds and cores comprises (a) a styrene-diene block copolymer; (b) a functional silicone; (c) a solvent; and optionally, one or both of (d) a catalyst and (e) a crosslinking agent. Further is provided a method to facilitate separation of a workpiece from a substrate comprising applying the release agent composition to a surface of the workpiece, the substrate or both. In one particular embodiment, the method improves the release of a mold or a core from a pattern or a core box. | 08-13-2009 |
20100040747 | SILICA MICROGELS FOR REDUCING CHILL HAZE - The present invention provides a method of reducing chill haze in a protein containing liquid (especially beverages resulting from fermentation such as beer and wine) by contacting the liquid with silica microgels having an average microgel diameter of at least 18 nm, more preferably at least 45 nm, and most preferably at least 70 nm. It has now been discovered that microgels having an average microgel diameter of less than about 18 nm do not adequately reduce chill haze of a protein containing liquid. In particular, while microgels having an average microgel diameter of less than about 18 nm cause the coagulation of haze-forming components, these components remain suspended in liquid and continue to cause haze despite allowing the liquid to settle for long periods of time. Conversely, it has now been discovered that microgels having an average microgel diameter of at least about 18 nm cause the coagulation and precipitation of haze-forming components and the rapid settling thereof without the use of an organic polymer which acts as a flocculating agent. | 02-18-2010 |
20100101981 | BITUMEN EXTRACTION PROCESS - A process for the extraction and recovery of bitumen from oil sands and a process for the treatment of tailings are disclosed. Bitumen is recovered in a process comprising contacting a polysilicate microgel with an ore sand oil to produce a froth comprising bitumen and a tailings stream comprising water, sand and clay fines. Preferably the tailings stream is dewatered and recovered water may be recycled to the extraction process. Polysilicate microgel may be carried through to a dewatering step and enhances flocculation in dewatering said tailings. | 04-29-2010 |
20100104744 | TREATMENT OF TAILINGS STREAMS - A process for the treating a mature fine tailings stream is provided. Treatment comprises contacting an alkali metal silicate or polysilicate microgel and an activator with mature fine tailings, entrapping the sand and clay fines within a polysilicate microgel, spreading the silica microgel over a surface, and allowing the silica microgel to dry, and producing a trafficable surface. | 04-29-2010 |
20100126910 | PROCESS FOR FLOCCULATION OF A TAILINGS STREAM - A process for the treatment of a tailings stream is provided. The tailings stream comprises water, sand and clay fines and is produced from bitumen extraction process of an oil sands ore. The process for treating the tailings stream comprises contacting a polysilicate microgel, a polyacrylamide and one or both of a multivalent metal compound and a low molecular weight cationic organic polymer with a tailings stream to flocculate sand and clay fines. | 05-27-2010 |
20100127426 | FLUOROTELOMER/SILANE COMPOSITIONS - A composition and its use as a mold release composition are disclosed. The composition comprises a fluorotelomer, which comprises repeat units derived from a fluoroalkene, and optionally a comonomer, and has an endgroup derived from an alcohol, an alcohol derivative, or a combination thereof, and said fluorotelomer has or comprises a structure depicted as H(CX | 05-27-2010 |
20120318170 | TAILINGS STREAM TREATMENT PROCESSES - A process for treating a tailings stream comprises (a) contacting (1) a gelling agent and (2) an activator with said tailings stream to produce a gel; (b) entrapping solids including sand and clay, and other solid particles with the gel; and (c) allowing the gel to strengthen and solidify to produce a trafficable deposit; wherein the tailings stream comprises water and solids, which solids comprise sand, clay and other solids particles, and wherein 5% by volume to 100% by volume of the solids have a particle size less than 0.05 mm, based on the total volume of the solids. The process may further comprises spreading the gel produced in step (a) or the trafficable deposit produced in step (c) over a surface. The present invention is particularly useful to treat tailings streams produced in processes to extract bitumen from oil sands ores. | 12-20-2012 |
20130081981 | BITUMEN EXTRACTION PROCESS - A process for the extraction and recovery of bitumen from oil sands and a process for the treatment of tailings are disclosed. Bitumen is recovered in a process comprising contacting a polysilicate microgel with an ore sand oil to produce a froth comprising bitumen and a tailings stream comprising water, sand and clay fines. Preferably the tailings stream is dewatered and recovered water may be recycled to the extraction process. Polysilicate microgel may be carried through to a dewatering step and enhances flocculation in dewatering said tailings. | 04-04-2013 |
20140007795 | TREATMENT OF TAILINGS WITH DEIONIZED SILICATE SOLUTIONS - A process for treating a tailings stream comprises (a) contacting a deionized silicate solution with a tailings stream whereby the solids are entrapped within a gel produced from the silicate solution; and (b) allowing the gel to strengthen and solidify. The process may further comprise spreading the gel produced in step (a) over a surface. The present invention is particularly useful to treat tailings streams produced in processes to extract bitumen from oil sands ores. | 01-09-2014 |
20140251183 | TAILINGS STREAM TREATMENT PROCESSES - A process for treating a tailings stream comprises (a) contacting (1) a gelling agent and (2) an activator with said tailings stream to produce a gel; (b)entrapping solids including sand and clay, and other solid particles with the gel; and (c) allowing the gel to strengthen and solidify to produce a trafficable deposit; wherein the tailings stream comprises water and solids, which solids comprise sand, clay and other solids particles, and wherein 5% by volume to 100% by volume of the solids have a particle size less than 0.05 mm, based on the total volume of the solids. The process may further comprises spreading the gel produced in step (a) or the trafficable deposit produced in step (c) over a surface. The present invention is particularly useful to treat tailings streams produced in processes to extract bitumen from oil sands ores. | 09-11-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20110166843 | Method For Modeling Deformation In Subsurface Strata - A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh. | 07-07-2011 |
20130248172 | Communications Module For Alternate Path Gravel Packing, And Method For Completing A Wellbore - A communications module and methods for downhole operations having utility with production of hydrocarbon fluids from a wellbore, including at least one alternate flow channel and an electrical circuit. Generally, the electrical circuit is pre-programmed to (i) receive a signal and, in response to the received signal, deliver an actuating command signal. The communications module further has a transmitter-receiver. The communications module allows a downhole tool to be actuated within a completion interval of a wellbore without providing an electric line or a working string from the surface. The tool may be actuated in response to a reading from a sensing tool, or in response to a signal emitted in the wellbore by a downhole carrier, or information tag. | 09-26-2013 |
20130248179 | Packer For Alternate Flow Channel Gravel Packing and Method For Completing A Wellbore - Apparatus and method for completing a wellbore including providing a packer having an inner mandrel, alternate flow channels along the inner mandrel, and a sealing element external to the inner mandrel, including connecting packer to tubular body, then running the packer and connected tubular body into the wellbore. In one aspect, the packer and connected tubular body may be placed along an open-hole portion of the wellbore. Tubular body may be a sand screen, with the sand screen comprising a base pipe, a surrounding filter medium, and alternate flow channels. The method includes setting a packer and injecting a gravel slurry into an annular region formed between the tubular body and the surrounding wellbore, and then further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow the gravel slurry to at least partially bypass sealing element of the packer. | 09-26-2013 |
20130275101 | Method For Modeling Deformation In Subsurface Strata - A method for modeling deformation in subsurface strata, including defining physical boundaries for a geomechanical system. The method also includes acquiring one or more mechanical properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries, and acquiring one or more thermal properties of the subsurface strata within the physical boundaries. The method also includes creating a computer-implemented finite element analysis program representing the geomechanical system and defining a plurality of nodes representing points in space, with each node being populated with at least one of each of the mechanical properties and the thermal properties. The program solves for in situ stress at selected nodes within the mesh. | 10-17-2013 |
20130277053 | Wellbore Apparatus and Methods For Multi-Zone Well Completion, Production and Injection - Completing a wellbore in a subsurface formation with packer assembly having first mechanically-set packer as first zonal isolation tool, and second zonal isolation tool comprises internal bore for receiving production fluids, and alternate flow channels. First packer has alternate flow channels around inner mandrel, and sealing element external to inner mandrel and includes operatively connecting packer assembly to a sand screen, and running into wellbore. First packer set by actuating sealing element into engagement with surrounding open-hole portion of the wellbore. Thereafter, injecting a gravel slurry and further injecting the gravel slurry through the alternate flow channels to allow it to bypass the sealing element, resulting in a gravel packed wellbore within an annular region between sand screen and surrounding formation below packer assembly. | 10-24-2013 |
20140231083 | Fluid Filtering Device for a Wellbore and Method for Completing a Wellbore - A sand control device for restricting flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore, the device being divided into compartments along its length, each compartment comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment, also comprising a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe. | 08-21-2014 |
20140262260 | Sand Control Screen Having Improved Reliability - A sand control device is used for restricting the flow of particles from a subsurface formation into a tubular body within a wellbore during production operations. The sand control device is divided into compartments along its length that provide redundancy for particle filtration. Each compartment first comprises a base pipe. The base pipe defines an elongated tubular body having a permeable section and an impermeable section within each compartment. Each compartment also comprises a first filtering conduit and a second filtering conduit. The filtering conduits comprise filtering media and generally circumscribe the base pipe. The filtering conduits are arranged so that the first filtering conduit is adjacent to the non-permeable section of the base pipe, while the second filtering conduit is adjacent to the permeable section of the base pipe. | 09-18-2014 |
20140262322 | Apparatus and Methods for Well Control - A completion joint | 09-18-2014 |