John J O'Donnell

US Patent:

7194032, Mar 20, 2007

Filed:

Sep 3, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/390241

Inventors:

Venkat V. Easwar - Cupertino CA, US
John S. O'Donnell - Seattle WA, US
Ramachandran Natarajan - Santa Clara CA, US
Robert J. Grove - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

Equator Technologies, Inc. - Seattle WA

International Classification:

H04B 1/66

US Classification:

37524012

Abstract:

A video processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded image having first and second regions, decodes the first region of the image, modifies the decoded first region, and re-encodes the modified first region. Such a circuit allows one to modify a region of an image by decoding and re-encoding only that region instead of the entire image. For example, if one wishes to overlay an EPG on a bottom portion of a video frame, then the circuit can decode only the EPG and the bottom portion of the frame, overlay the decoded EPG on the bottom frame portion, and re-encode the overlaid bottom frame portion. Therefore, this technique often reduces the processing time, and thus the cost and complexity of the processing circuit, as compared to a circuit that decodes and re-encode the entire frame during an image overlay process.

US Patent:

20050092213, May 5, 2005

Filed:

Nov 4, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/701932

Inventors:

Wayne Wilson - Greenwood CA, US
John O'Donnell - El Dorado Hills CA, US

International Classification:

A47B023/00
A47B037/00

US Classification:

108044000

Abstract:

An apparatus comprising a plan table and a vertical element, said vertical element rotateably attached to said plan table.

US Patent:

20070132784, Jun 14, 2007

Filed:

Feb 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/674121

Inventors:

Venkat Easwar - Cupertino CA, US
John O'Donnell - Seattle WA, US
Ramachandran Natarajan - Santa Clara CA, US
Robert Gove - Los Gatos CA, US

Assignee:

EQUATOR TECHNOLOGIES, INC. - Campbell CA

International Classification:

G09G 5/00

US Classification:

345629000

Abstract:

A video processing circuit includes a processor that receives an encoded image having first and second regions, decodes the first region of the image, modifies the decoded first region, and re-encodes the modified first region. Such a circuit allows one to modify a region of an image by decoding and re-encoding only that region instead of the entire image. For example, if one wishes to overlay an EPG on a bottom portion of a video frame, then the circuit can decode only the EPG and the bottom portion of the frame, overlay the decoded EPG on the bottom frame portion, and re-encode the overlaid bottom frame portion. Therefore, this technique often reduces the processing time, and thus the cost and complexity of the processing circuit, as compared to a circuit that decodes and re-encode the entire frame during an image overlay process.

US Patent:

20130092153, Apr 18, 2013

Filed:

Jul 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/576652

Inventors:

John Setel O'Donnell - Palo Alto CA, US
Peter Emery von Behrens - San Francisco CA, US
Stuart M. Heisler - Bakersfield CA, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/54
F24J 2/12
F24J 2/05

US Classification:

126600, 126694, 126652

Abstract:

Solar energy generates steam in a “once-through” configuration without recirculation, with closely managed steam quality, to produce wet steam from high-contaminant feed water without scaling or fouling. Feed water is pressurized, preheated, and evaporated in a series of pipes exposed to concentrated solar energy to produce a water-steam mixture for direct distribution to an industrial process such as enhanced oil recovery or desalination. Water flow rates are managed based on measurements of solar energy and steam production to manage variations in the solar energy. Steam generator piping system uses continuous receiver pipe that is illuminated by segmented parabolic mirrors enabled to track the sun. Provisions for steam generator piping recurring maintenance are provided. Thermal energy from hot condensate and/or from low quality steam is recaptured and warms inlet water.

US Patent:

20130112394, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Jul 3, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/576623

Inventors:

John Setel O'Donnell - Palo Alto CA, US
Peter Emery Von Behrens - San Francisco CA, US
Stuart M. Heisler - Bakersfield CA, US
David Bruce Jackson - Bakersfield CA, US

International Classification:

F24J 2/42
E21B 43/24

US Classification:

166 57, 126684

Abstract:

Solar energy is collected and used for various industrial processes, such as oilfield applications, e.g. generating steam that is injected downhole, enabling enhanced oil recovery. Solar energy is indirectly collected using a heat transfer fluid in a solar collector, delivering heat to a heat exchanger that in turn delivers heat into oilfield feedwater, producing hotter water or steam. Solar energy is directly collected by directly generating steam with solar collectors, and then injecting the steam downhole. Solar energy is collected to preheat water that is then fed into fuel-fired steam generators that in turn produce steam for downhole injection. Solar energy is collected to produce electricity via a Rankine cycle turbine generator, and rejected heat warms feedwater for fuel-fired steam generators. Solar energy is collected (directly or indirectly) to deliver heat to a heater-treater, with optional fuel-fired additional heat generation.

US Patent:

20200124273, Apr 23, 2020

Filed:

Jun 5, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/432420

Inventors:

- Fremont CA, US
John Setel O'Donnell - Palo Alto CA, US

International Classification:

F22B 1/00
F22B 37/26
E21B 43/24
F22B 1/22
F01K 3/24

Abstract:

Separators and mixers for delivering controlled-quality solar-generated steam over long distances for enhanced oil recovery, and associated systems and methods. A representative method includes heating water to steam at a solar field, separating a liquid fraction from the steam, directing the steam toward a target steam user via a first, steam conduit, and directing the liquid fraction toward the target steam user in parallel with the steam via second, liquid fraction conduit. The method can further include mixing the liquid fraction and the steam before delivering the combined liquid fraction and steam to the target user.

US Patent:

20200088017, Mar 19, 2020

Filed:

Apr 29, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/397037

Inventors:

- Fremont CA, US
Peter Emery von Behrens - Oakland CA, US
John Setel O'Donnell - Palo Alto CA, US
Ali Hassan Ibrahim Mohammadi - Muscat, OM

International Classification:

E21B 43/24
E21B 36/00

Abstract:

Systems and methods for variable rate steam injection, including via solar power for enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed. Several embodiments include using the variable nature of solar-generated steam to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery processes. In particular embodiments, the variable rate injection can provide more uniform steam distribution in an oil-bearing formation, at a lower cost than if the same amount of steam were provided on a continuous basis.

US Patent:

20190331098, Oct 31, 2019

Filed:

Nov 30, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/206838

Inventors:

- Fremont CA, US
Justin Raade - Fremont CA, US
Hayden Graham Burvill - San Carlos CA, US
Christopher Jon Spindt - Fremont CA, US
John Setel O'Donnell - Oakland CA, US

International Classification:

F03G 6/06
F28D 20/00

Abstract:

Heat storage devices for solar steam generation, including recirculation and desalination, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A representative method includes directing a high temperature working fluid (a) from a thermal storage device to a solar field to heat the high temperature working fluid, and (b) back to the thermal storage device. The method can further include directing a first portion of the high temperature working fluid from the thermal storage device through a first branch of a high temperature working fluid loop to transfer heat to a process fluid at a first temperature. A second portion of the high temperature working fluid is directed from the thermal storage device through a second branch of the high temperature working fluid loop, in parallel with the first branch, to transfer heat to the process fluid at a second temperature less than the first temperature.