William C Mathews

US Patent:

7836840, Nov 23, 2010

Filed:

Sep 7, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/579359

Inventors:

Mark E. Ehrhardt - Houston TX, US
William S. Mathews - The Woodlands TX, US
Dawn Rymer - Pearland TX, US
W. Brett Wilson - Spring TX, US

Assignee:

ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company - Houston TX

International Classification:

B63B 22/02

US Classification:

11423013, 141 82, 141231, 141387, 441 5, 62 501

Abstract:

The current invention includes to systems and methods of transferring cryogenic fluids between two locations. More particularly, some embodiments of the invention are related to systems and methods of using cryogenic risers and rotatable connections for transferring cryogenic fluids, including liquefied natural gas, from an ocean going vessel to a second location. One embodiment of the invention includes a system for transporting a cryogenic fluid between a floating vessel and a second location. The system including a cryogenic riser, a submersible turret connector. The being riser adapted to allow the vertical position of the first end of the riser to be changed, the second end of the first riser located in a body of water and in fluid communication with the second location. The submersible turret connector connected to the first end of the first riser. The first connector adapted for releasably connecting to a first floating vessel located on the body of water so that a cryogenic fluid can be communicated between the first vessel and the first end of the first riser, the first connector being moored to the bottom of the body of water such that the vertical position of the first connector can be changed, and the first connector adapted to allow the first vessel to rotate around the first connector upon the surface of the body of water while the first vessel is connected to the first connector.

US Patent:

20080180275, Jul 31, 2008

Filed:

Jan 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/668588

Inventors:

Michael K. Whitaker - Humble TX, US
William K. Mathews - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Cimarron Systems, LLC - Humble TX

International Classification:

G08C 15/06

US Classification:

34087003

Abstract:

An automated meter reading system and communications network. The system comprises a multi-tiered network for obtaining information from utility meters and communicating the information to a central database. A plurality of terminal units are each operatively connected to a utility meter to sense operational data of the utility meter and transmit the data through the network when polled. A plurality of primary units are each operatively connected to a utility meter to sense operational data of the utility meter and transmit the data through the network. The primary units also request data from one or more of the terminal units by polling the terminal units, and transmit that data through the network. Data collection units receive data from the primary units and transmit the data to a central host computer. The network is configurable so that status information or requests can be transmitted from the terminal units to the host computer or from the host computer to any of the terminal units.

US Patent:

20090272126, Nov 5, 2009

Filed:

Jul 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/375926

Inventors:

William S. Mathews - The Woodlands TX, US
Mark E. Ehrhardt - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F17C 9/00
F17C 9/02

US Classification:

62 502, 62 501, 62 532

Abstract:

The present application is directed to methods and systems for transporting or importing LNG via vessels. Under the present techniques, SRTs, which are equipped with regasification equipment, LNG offloading equipment (e.g. marinized mechanical loading arms), LNG storage tanks, and equipment to transfer natural gas to an import terminal are utilized as temporary interchangeable FSRUs (TIFs). Two or more TIFs in conjunction with transport vessels (e.g. LNGCs) are utilized to transfer LNG between an export terminal and an import terminal. A first of the TIFs is utilized at an import terminal to offload LNG from LNGCs, while the second of the TIFs is utilized as a LNGC, carrying LNG between the export terminal and import terminal. The first of the TIFs may be replaced by the second of the TIFs to maintain operations for the import terminal. The use of multiple TIFs in combination with LNGCs provides an alterative LNG delivery approach in comparison to having a permanently moored FSRU located at the import terminal or using a fleet of SRT vessels to transport LNG between an export terminal and an import terminal.

US Patent:

20110297346, Dec 8, 2011

Filed:

Dec 15, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/145972

Inventors:

Moses Minta - Missouri City TX, US
Bruce T. Kelley - Kingwood TX, US
William S. Mathews - The Woodlands TX, US
Eric D. Nelson - Houston TX, US
Mark E. Ehrhardt - Houston TX, US

International Classification:

F28D 19/00

US Classification:

165 10, 165164

Abstract:

The present disclosure teaches apparatuses, systems, and methods for improving energy efficiency using high heat capacity materials. Some embodiments include a phase change material (PCMs). Particularly, the systems may include a re-gasification system, a liquefaction system, or an integrated system utilizing a heat exchanger with a regenerator matrix, a shell and tube arrangement, or cross-flow channels (e.g. a plate-fin arrangement) to store cold energy from a liquefied gas in a re-gasification system at a first location for use in a liquefaction process at a second location. The regenerator matrix may include a plurality of PCMs stacked sequentially or may include a continuous phase material comprised of multiple PCMs. Various encapsulation approaches may be utilized. Reliquefaction may be accomplished with such a system. Natural gas in remote locations may be made commercially viable by converting it to liquefied natural gas (LNG), transporting, and delivering it utilizing the disclosed systems and methods.