Patents Assigned to Deepflex, Inc.
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Patent number: 8967205Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a tubular assembly with gap control. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods for controlling gaps between helically wrapped layers in a pipe structure. A tubular assembly includes a fluid barrier, a first layer, and a second layer comprising a plurality of non-interlocking helical wraps and disposed on an outer surface of the first layer, in which the first layer is disposed between the fluid barrier and the second layer and configured to at least partially displace into a space created between adjacent non-interlocking helical wraps of the second layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2010Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventors: Mark Kalman, Liang Yu
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Publication number: 20140312612Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an end fitting and method to install the end fitting to a flexible pipe. The method includes disposing a shell mandrel at a free end of the flexible pipe external to a jacket of the flexible pipe and performing a cutback of layers of the flexible pipe to expose an internal pressure sheath of the flexible pipe. An armor layer of the flexible pipe is radially outward from an axial direction of the flexible pipe. At least one internal pressure containment transition component and at least one internal pressure sheath seal are installed on the exposed free end of the flexible pipe. The end fitting is assembled such that the at least one internal pressure containment transition component and at least one seal are assembled with non-radial fasteners having a backward facing direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2011Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Alok Dhagat, David Michael McCall
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Publication number: 20140290784Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a reinforcement stack of a spoolable pipe composed of a plurality of laminates stacked to form the reinforcement stack. At least one of the plurality of laminates includes an alignment feature configured to align adjacently stacked laminates. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to manufacture a reinforcement stack of a spoolable pipe. The method includes providing an alignment feature on at least one laminate of a plurality of laminates and arranging the plurality of laminates using the alignment feature to form the reinforcement stack. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an armor layer of an unbonded flexible pipe. The armor layer includes a plurality of laminates stacked to form a reinforcement stack of the armor layer in which each laminate of the plurality of laminates comprises an alignment feature to align adjacent laminates.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: DeepFlex Inc.Inventor: David Michael McCall
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Patent number: 8714204Abstract: A free venting pipe and method of forming same, comprising a permeable tubular core member with at least one permeable hoop reinforcement layer around the core member; a substantially non-permeable membrane layer positioned outside of the hoop reinforcement layer and at least one permeable tensile reinforcement layer positioned outside of the membrane layer whereby a free volume annulus does not exist between any of the layers of the free venting pipe. The hoop and tensile reinforcement layers are comprised of a laminate construction.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2006Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Bryant
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Patent number: 8656961Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods to make a reinforced flexible pipe. The reinforced flexible pipe includes a pipe structure, a first composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, and a second composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, in which the first composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a first orientation and the second composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a second orientation. One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming the same.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: February 25, 2014Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventor: Bin Chen
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Patent number: 8617331Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods to repair a flexible pipe. A method to repair damaged flexible fiber-reinforced pipe which includes a plurality of helically-wrapped stacks of laminated strips of material is disclosed. The method includes removing a portion of existing stacks from a damage location, applying an adhesive to a surface of replacement stacks, installing the replacement stacks to the damage location, binding the replacement stacks to remaining existing stacks with the applied adhesive, and installing a replacement jacket over the replacement stacks.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2010Date of Patent: December 31, 2013Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventors: Thomas J. Walsh, Richard Matthew Lutz, Michael J. Bryant, Ali Bryant, Michael Alan Seymour
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Publication number: 20130312862Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to manufacture an armor layer of a spoolable pipe. The method includes forming one or more laminates and wrapping the one or more laminates onto an underlying layer of the pipe. At least one of the laminates is composed of at least one reinforcement tape and at least one fabric tape. The laminates may be bonded to an adjacent laminate, thereby forming a reinforcement stack. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method to manufacture an armor layer of a spoolable pipe. The method includes providing a plurality of reinforcement tapes having fibers oriented in a first direction and disposing at least one fabric tape between at least two layers of the plurality of reinforcement tapes. The fibers of the at least one fabric tape may be oriented in at least a second direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: November 28, 2013Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Mark Douglas Kalman, Liang Yu, Duane Glenn Moosberg, David Michael McCall, Michael Alan Seymour
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Publication number: 20130263963Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to an armor layer of an unbonded flexible pipe. The armor layer includes a stack of reinforcement tapes wherein at least one of a top reinforcement tape and a bottom reinforcement tape of the stack comprises a resin rich surface. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to an armor layer of an unbonded flexible pipe. The armor layer includes a stack of reinforcement tapes wherein at least one of a top reinforcement tape and a bottom reinforcement tape in the stack comprises a radiused corner wherein the radiusing of the corner begins at a position along the vertical height of the reinforcement tape no more than one half the height of the reinforcement tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2010Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Mark Douglas Kalman, John R. Belcher
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Publication number: 20120160510Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a subsea catenary and a method of distributing ballast on a pipe. The subsea catenary includes a flexible pipe, and a selected amount of ballast attached to the flexible pipe, in which the ballast is distributed in a wave pattern on a sag bend of the subsea catenary. The method includes identifying a position of a sag bend in a flexible pipe of the subsea catenary, and applying ballast in a wave distribution along the subsea pipe at the identified position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2010Publication date: June 28, 2012Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Shankar Bhat, Kartik Sharma, Mark Kalman
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Publication number: 20120018025Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods to make a reinforced flexible pipe. The reinforced flexible pipe includes a pipe structure, a first composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, and a second composite tape member having a T-shaped cross section, in which the first composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a first orientation and the second composite tape member is wrapped on the pipe structure in a second orientation. One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventor: Bin Chen
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Publication number: 20120000596Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods to repair a flexible pipe. A method to repair damaged flexible fiber-reinforced pipe which includes a plurality of helically-wrapped stacks of laminated strips of material is disclosed. The method includes removing a portion of existing stacks from a damage location, applying an adhesive to a surface of replacement stacks, installing the replacement stacks to the damage location, binding the replacement stacks to remaining existing stacks with the applied adhesive, and installing a replacement jacket over the replacement stacks.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2010Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Thomas J. Walsh, Richard Matthew Lutz, Michael J. Bryant, Ali Bryant, Michael Alan Seymour
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Publication number: 20110226374Abstract: In one aspect, the present disclosure relates to a tubular assembly with gap control. Embodiments disclosed herein relate to one or more embodiments of and methods for controlling gaps between helically wrapped layers in a pipe structure. A tubular assembly includes a fluid barrier, a first layer, and a second layer comprising a plurality of non-interlocking helical wraps and disposed on an outer surface of the first layer, in which the first layer is disposed between the fluid barrier and the second layer and configured to at least partially displace into a space created between adjacent non-interlocking helical wraps of the second layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: DEEPFLEX INC.Inventors: Mark Kalman, Liang Yu
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Patent number: 7784723Abstract: A layered tape guide spool having a plurality of guide rods, each of which have a first and a second guide member. The gaps between adjacent guide rods and the gaps formed between the first and second guide members define a gap that urges the tape stacks together into a desirable rectangular shape. The resulting tape stacks are then wrapped onto a tubular core or onto existing layers on a tubular core.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventor: Marbert G. Moore, III
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Patent number: 7781040Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement over the flexible composite tubing described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,491,779, 6,804,942, and 7,073,978, wherein said improvement provides for void space or otherwise insulating region along the length of the tubing. The present invention is additionally directed to methods for implementing such improvement.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 24, 2010Assignee: DeepFlex Inc.Inventor: William G. Coyle
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Patent number: 7665685Abstract: A modular rotating carousel assembly for storage and unspooling of pipe or cable is provided that comprises a plurality of triangular subassemblies; each triangular subassembly comprises a base member and at least one pair of connecting members; the connecting members are connected together at one end to form an apex and are connected at the other end to the base member; the base members of the plurality of triangular subassemblies are rotatably connected together to form a first circle; wherein the apexes of the connecting members extend outwardly from said first circle; and a plurality of rotating caster members is positioned beneath the rotatable connection of a plurality of said base members. Additional sets of triangular subassemblies are built up on concentric circles until the desired size of carousel is formed. A drive mechanism is provided that includes a motor that rotates a perimeter drive chain that engages sprocket pads spaced about the circumference of the carousel.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: DeepFlex, Inc.Inventors: Marbert G. Moore, III, Thomas E. Gaffney
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Patent number: 7254933Abstract: A reinforced flexible pipe having a tubular core member and a plurality of reinforcing tape members wrapped on the core member; the innermost tape member includes a plurality of openings that communicate with the external surface of the core member; and a polymer material embedded in the openings in the tape such that the polymer material contacts the core member and the tape to improve the hoop strength and the collapse resistance of the pipe. The polymer layer may also be bonded to the outer reinforcing tape to provide abrasion resistance to the reinforced flexible pipe.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Deepflex Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Bryant
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Patent number: 7073978Abstract: A lightweight catenary system for deepsea operations in which a lightweight flexible pipe such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,779 is suspended in seawater from a vessel or platform, and having a positive or nearly positive buoyancy, and which is stabilized by disposing weight in proximity to or attached to the lower portion of the pipe at or near the seabed, whereby the weight and costs of supporting heavy pipe in offshore operations is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2004Date of Patent: July 11, 2006Assignee: Deepflex, Inc.Inventor: Michael J. Bryant