Walter T Stephens

US Patent:

7976949, Jul 12, 2011

Filed:

Mar 12, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/075710

Inventors:

Kevin R. Dickson - Hudson OH, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US
Tihana Fuss - Marlborough MA, US

Assignee:

Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. - Worcester MA

International Classification:

B32B 5/16
B28B 1/00

US Classification:

428403, 428404, 428406, 501153

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

US Patent:

8283271, Oct 9, 2012

Filed:

Oct 31, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/262790

Inventors:

Laurie San-Miguel - Clinton MA, US
Kevin R. Dickson - Hudson OH, US
Tihana Fuss - Derry NH, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US

Assignee:

Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. - Worcester MA

International Classification:

C04B 35/00

US Classification:

501128, 501127, 501153, 501154

Abstract:

A sintered ceramic particle made from a ceramic material having a true density greater than 3. 5 g/cc and a composition having no more than 30 weight percent silicon oxide and at least 15 weight percent iron oxide, based on the combined weight of the oxides of aluminum, iron and silicon, is disclosed. A process that utilizes an externally applied compressive force to make a ceramic particle is also disclosed.

US Patent:

20090170731, Jul 2, 2009

Filed:

Dec 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343940

Inventors:

Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US

International Classification:

C09K 8/80

US Classification:

507200

Abstract:

A mixture of proppant particles and conductivity enhancing structures is disclosed. The spherically shaped proppant particles have convex surfaces. The conductivity enhancing structures include concave surfaces. The proppant particles' convex surfaces abut the conductivity enhancing structures concave surfaces.

US Patent:

20100167056, Jul 1, 2010

Filed:

Dec 31, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/650955

Inventors:

Tihana Fuss - Derry NH, US
Laurie San-Miguel - Cavaillon, FR
Kevin R. Dickson - Hudson OH, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US

International Classification:

C04B 35/10
B32B 3/26
C04B 35/00
C04B 33/00

US Classification:

428402, 501 1, 501153, 501141

Abstract:

Disclosed is a process for producing ceramic particles, such as proppants, that have at least 10 percent total porosity. The process includes forming a particle precursor that includes 5 percent to 30 percent of a first ceramic material and at least 40 percent of a second ceramic material. The sintering temperature of the first ceramic material may be lower than the sintering temperature of a second ceramic material. Heating the precursor to a maximum temperature above the sintering temperature of the first material and below the sintering temperature of the second material. Also disclosed is a ceramic article that has a particular combination of chemistry and alumina crystalline phase.

US Patent:

20100203336, Aug 12, 2010

Filed:

May 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/601169

Inventors:

Ming Liang Shiao - Collegeville PA, US
Keith C. Hong - Northborough MA, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US

International Classification:

C09D 5/33
C09D 1/00
B32B 1/00
B32B 37/24

US Classification:

428404, 1062865, 1062864, 428402, 156 622

Abstract:

Solar reflective roofing granules include a binder and inert mineral particles, with solar reflective particles dispersed in the binder. An agglomeration process preferentially disposes the solar reflective particles at a desired depth within or beneath the surface of the granules.

US Patent:

20110086201, Apr 14, 2011

Filed:

Sep 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/886721

Inventors:

Ming Liang Shiao - Collegeville PA, US
Tihana Fuss - Derry NH, US
Husnu M. Kalkanoglu - Swarthmore PA, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US

International Classification:

B32B 11/02
C04B 33/32
B32B 5/16
E04D 1/00

US Classification:

428148, 264679

Abstract:

A process for preparing roofing granules includes forming kaolin clay into green granules and sintering the green granules at a temperature of at least 900 degrees Celsius to cure the green granules until the crystalline content of the sintered granules is at least ten percent as determined by x-ray diffraction.

US Patent:

20110265995, Nov 3, 2011

Filed:

Jul 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/177798

Inventors:

Kevin R. DICKSON - Cuyahoga Falls OH, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US
Tihana Fuss - Stow OH, US

International Classification:

E21B 43/267

US Classification:

1662801

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.

US Patent:

20110268877, Nov 3, 2011

Filed:

Jul 7, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/177787

Inventors:

Kevin R. Dickson - Cuyahoga Falls OH, US
Walter T. Stephens - Cleveland OH, US
Tihana Fuss - Stow OH, US

International Classification:

B05D 3/02

US Classification:

427215

Abstract:

One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.