Michael D Lockhart

US Patent:

6577780, Jun 10, 2003

Filed:

Dec 6, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/013064

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA

Assignee:

Veridian Systems - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

G02B 600

US Classification:

385 12, 385 30, 385 50, 25022725

Abstract:

An improved biosensor cell comprises a fluid-carrying chamber and a fixture configured to receive the chamber. The chamber includes one or more optical waveguides immersed in the fluid, each waveguide having an input end and an output end, both of which are optically accessible from outside the chamber. The fixture includes a first coupling or optical path for routing the source of light to one end of one of the optical waveguides, and a second coupling or optical path for routing the other end of the optical waveguide to the optical detector. The relationship between the fluid-carrying chamber and the fixture is such that the fluid-carrying chamber may be removed and replaced with the alignment of the ends of the waveguide and the optical coupling being physically maintained. The preferred embodiment uses a plurality of optical couplers, with partitions to establish a serpentine path around the couplers for comprehensive exposure to the fluid. Each coupler features a necked-down, fused region generating an evanescent field that extends into the fluid.

US Patent:

6924138, Aug 2, 2005

Filed:

Mar 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/095733

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Veridian Systems Division - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

C12M001/34

US Classification:

4352871, 385 11, 385 12, 385 15, 385 27, 385 28, 385 30, 385 31, 385 39, 385 42, 385 43, 356318, 356364, 422 8205, 422 8211, 4352872, 4352887, 435808, 436164, 436165, 436518, 436527, 436805

Abstract:

Single-mode and multi-mode fibers to achieve modal splitting and greater sensitivity in an optical fiber coupler for evanescent-wave biosensor applications. A source of light having multiple modes is coupled to the input to one of the multi-mode fibers, with the geometry of necked-down section being such that a limited number of modes may be carried by the multi-mode fiber as the light emerges from the coupler. At least one of the single-mode fibers is supported adjacent the multi-mode fiber to receive and carry one of the limited modes. A biomolecule enveloped by the evanescent field, exhibits a direct or indirect affinity to a binding partner, such that attachment of the binding partner is at least partially responsible for the limited number of modes carried by the multi-mode fiber as the light emerges from the coupler. A system-level implementation of the invention further includes instrumentation for receiving the light from the single-mode fiber carrying one of the limited modes, and determining a characteristic of the binding partner in accordance with the detected mode. The attachment of the binding partner may also causes a change in other detectable optical attributes, such as the magnitude or polarization of the light at one or both of the fiber outputs.

US Patent:

6974673, Dec 13, 2005

Filed:

Sep 24, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/961464

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

Veridian Systems Division - Charlottesville VA

International Classification:

G01N021/64

US Classification:

435 7, 2504581, 422 57, 422 58, 422 59, 422 68, 435288, 435291, 436518, 436524, 436528, 356317

Abstract:

An evanescent-wave optical biosensor includes a hollow optical waveguide, preferably in the form of a light-conductive capillary, surrounding a central waveguide preferably in the form of an optical fiber to create a sealed cavity. A source of optical energy as from a laser is directed into one or both of the light-input ends of the capillary and fiber, such that an evanescent field extends into the cavity from one or both of the inner surface of the capillary and the outer surface of the fiber. A first biomolecular constituent is attached to one or both of the inner wall of the hollow optical waveguide and the outer surface of the second optical waveguide, such that the first biomolecular binding partner is substantially within the evanescent field if present. A first optoelectric detector is supported to receive light from the light-output end of the capillary and convert the light received into a first electrical signal, and a second optoelectric detector is supported to receive light from the light-output end of the fiber and convert the light received into a second electrical signal. A fluid within the cavity which may contain a second biomolecular constituent having a binding affinity to the first biomolecular constituent, such that if binding occurs between the biomolecular constituents, a representative change occurs in the light emerging from one or both of the output ends of the hollow and second optical waveguides and the electrical signals from the optoelectric detectors.

US Patent:

8261831, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421251

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US
Ron McQueen - Park City UT, US

Assignee:

General Synfuels International, Inc. - Delta CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166303, 166 7512

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods recover hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from oil/tar sands. The method includes the steps of forming a hole in a body of oil or tar sand, positioning an apertured sleeve within the hole to minimize fill-in of the sand, positioning a gas inlet conduit into the apertured sleeve, and introducing a heated, pressurized processing gas into the sleeve through the gas inlet conduit, such that the heated, pressurized processing gas penetrates into the sand through the apertures, thereby converting bitumen within the sand into hydrocarbonaceous products. The processing gas and hydrocarbonaceous products are withdrawn as effluent gas through the hole under relative negative pressure. A mesh screen may be supported between the apertured sleeve and the body of oil or tar sand.

US Patent:

8262866, Sep 11, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421306

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US
Ron McQueen - Park City UT, US

Assignee:

General Synfuels International, Inc. - Delta CO

International Classification:

B01D 5/00

US Classification:

196138, 196139, 2021851, 2021852, 2021855, 2021856

Abstract:

A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.

US Patent:

8312927, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421289

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US
Ron McQueen - Park City UT, US

Assignee:

General Synfuels International, Inc. - Delta CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166303, 166 7512

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are described for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. The effluent gas is maintained under a negative pressure from the hole and through the initial and subsequent condensation steps. This provides numerous advantages, including the adjustment of various physical parameters during the extraction process. Such adjustment allows the ratio of oils types to be varied, the ratio of hydrocarbonaceous products to non-crude products to be varied, contamination control, and other disclosed advantages.

US Patent:

8312928, Nov 20, 2012

Filed:

Apr 9, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/421325

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US
Ron McQueen - Park City UT, US

Assignee:

General Synfuels International, Inc. - Delta CO

International Classification:

E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166303, 166 7512

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods for recovering hydrocarbonaceous and additional products from nonrubilized oil shale and oil/tar sands. One or more initial condensation steps are performed to recover crude-oil products from the effluent gas, followed by one or more subsequent condensation steps to recover additional, non-crude-oil products. At least a portion of the exhaust gas from a combustor may be routed through a heat exchanger to produce the processing gas, the composition of which may be adjusted so that it contains approximately 1% oxygen or less. The subsequent condensation steps may be carried out in at least one cooled chamber having a sequence of critical orifices maintained at a negative pressure. Carbon sequestration steps may be performed wherein recovered carbon dioxide is delivered down the hole following the recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products. Various physical parameters may be adjusted to vary the recovery of crude oil or other products or contaminants from the effluent gas.

US Patent:

8381814, Feb 26, 2013

Filed:

Feb 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/704852

Inventors:

Michael D. Lockhart - Charlottesville VA, US

Assignee:

General Synfuels International, Inc. - Delta CO

International Classification:

E21B 33/13

US Classification:

166292, 166268, 1663051

Abstract:

To protect an underground aquifer from pollution due to the extraction of subsurface products from a recovery well or other subsurface mining operation, a plurality of barrier injection wells are formed around the recovery well/subsurface operation, each barrier injection well terminating in a groundwater layer to be protected. A polymer matrix material is then into the injection wells such that the material exiting each injection well expands and overlaps with material exiting from adjacent wells prior to solidification, thereby forming an isolation barrier within the groundwater layer. In the preferred embodiment, the polymer matrix material is a cellulose polymer hydrogel matrix material which is injected in gel form. Following recovery of the hydrocarbonaceous products from the recovery well(s), the injected polymer matrix material may be reheated and subsequently liquefied allowing full groundwater flow to occur.