Patents Assigned to Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
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Patent number: 9482359Abstract: An electrically operated valve actuator effective for shifting a valve (10) between open and closed positions is disclosed, the valve actuator comprising a movable member in the form of a valve stem (21) connected to a valve body (14), the movable member being driven by an electric motor (22) in linear motion between valve closing and valve opening positions, wherein electrical power to the motor is supplied via a current (25) control including a supplied current detection device. The movable member is designed for an idling length of travel (L) in the opening and closing directions during which the valve (10) is either fully open or fully closed, and the movable member is associated with buffer means (30) that during the idling length of travel gradually increases the torque and power required to move the movable member further in the open and closed positions of the valve (10), respectively.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher Flidh
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Patent number: 9435330Abstract: A compensated barrier and lubrication fluids pressure regulation system for a subsea motor and pump module is disclosed. The system comprises a hydraulic fluid supply, a barrier fluid circuit, and a lubrication fluid circuit. Hydraulic fluid in the barrier fluid circuit is pre-tensioned towards a motor by a first separating pressure compensator which is responsive to the pressure in the lubrication fluid circuit and which applies the sum of the pressure in the lubrication fluid circuit and an inherent pre-tensioning pressure to the barrier fluid circuit. Hydraulic fluid in the lubrication fluid circuit is pre-tensioned towards a pump by a second separating pressure compensator which is responsive to a pumped medium pressure at a suction side or at a discharge side of the pump and which applies the sum of the pumped medium pressure and an inherent pre-tensioning pressure to the lubrication fluid circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2011Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Ole Petter Tomter
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Patent number: 9360146Abstract: A pipe assembly comprising an outer pipe in surrounding relation about an inner pipe, wherein the inner pipe is suspended in free inner ends of legs extended in an annular space that is formed between the outer and inner pipes, the legs reaching radially towards the inner pipe from an inner periphery of the outer pipe. At least one of the legs carries in its inner end a support foot that is formed with a recess facing towards the inner pipe. The recess forms a tunnel that is defined through an outer periphery of the inner pipe and opposite tunnel walls that reach from the leg to the inner pipe.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Odd Marius Rosvold
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Patent number: 9297236Abstract: A device for thermally insulating at least one element of a subsea installation from ambient cold sea water, the device comprising an external casing which encloses an internal fluid chamber. The fluid chamber accommodates a fluid having heat-storing capacity, the element being received in the fluid chamber with the fluid surrounding the element so as to allow the fluid to delay cooling of the element by means of heat stored in the fluid. A heat storing member is mounted in the fluid chamber so as to be surrounded by the fluid. The heat storing member contains a medium having heat-storing capacity so as to allow transfer of heat from the fluid to the medium in the heat storing and vice versa to thereby allow the heat storing member to delay cooling of the fluid by means of heat stored in the medium in the heat storing member.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Olav Hånde
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Patent number: 9284831Abstract: Apparatus and method for operating a subsea compression system. The subsea compression system comprising a separator, a compressor and a pump, wherein the compressor is operable for compression and discharge of gas that is separated from a well stream fed into the separator, and the pump is operable for pumping liquid that is separated from the well stream. The compressed gas is recycled from the compressor discharge side to the compressor intake side via a turbo-expander unit which is drivingly connected to the pump, the pump operable in response to circulation of compressed gas from the compressor discharge side to the compressor intake side.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Ole Petter Tomter, Jorgen Wessel
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Patent number: 9228677Abstract: A subsea arrangement for connecting an end of a first tubular member to an end of a second tubular member, comprising a base structure, a landing structure which rests on or is configured to be fixed to the base structure using connecting members. The subsea arrangement further comprises a holding structure, to which the end of a tubular member is fixed and which is connectable to the landing structure by being lowered downwards onto the landing structure. The connecting members are configured to give the landing structure a limited movability in a horizontal plane in relation to the base structure so as to allow the landing structure to move horizontally in relation to the base structure and the holding structure, when the landing structure and the holding structure are guided into a correct position in relation to each other.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia.ASInventor: Steinar Hestetun
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Patent number: 9217303Abstract: An apparatus for connecting or disconnecting a threaded coupling between two riser joints, comprising: —a frame (11) provided with a space (12) for receiving the coupling; —a first drive wheel set (20) carried by the frame and comprising one or more drive wheels (21, 22) driven by a first drive motor (23) for rotating a main nut of the coupling; and —a second drive wheel set (40) carried by the frame and comprising one or more drive wheels (41, 42) driven by a second drive motor (43) for rotating a locking nut of the coupling. The drive wheels of the second drive wheel set are located on a level above the drive wheels of the first drive wheel set to allow them to engage with and rotate the locking nut when the drive wheels of the first drive wheel set are in engagement with the main nut.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2011Date of Patent: December 22, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Jon Olav Aarhus, Øystein Windsland
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Patent number: 9103473Abstract: A connection appliance for connecting an end section of a first conduit to an end section of a second conduit that is fixed to a holding unit of a subsea support structure. The connection appliance comprises a base structure that is connectable to a base frame of the subsea support structure; a sliding unit, to which the end section of the first conduit is to be fixed and which is slidably mounted to the base structure, and an actuating unit configured to act between the base structure and the sliding unit in order to push the sliding unit and the end section of the first conduit axially forwards in relation to the base structure so as to bring the end sections of the conduits into contact with each other.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Steinar Hestetun
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Patent number: 9103459Abstract: A subsea valve actuator is disclosed, comprising an override shaft (6) reaching from inside a fluid filled and pressure compensated actuator housing (1) to the exterior thereof via a bearing and sealing arrangement (7), wherein a visual valve position indicator (14) is arranged exterior to the actuator housing. The visual indicator (14) is pivotally mounted to the override shaft and guided non-rotatably to be forced in axial displacement on the override shaft when the override shaft is rotated, wherein the mounting of the visual indicator (14) on the override shaft (6) is encased in a fluid filled, pressure compensated indicator mounting enclosure (19) surrounding the override shaft (6) in sealing (26) relation outside of the actuator housing (1).Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2010Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher A. Flidh
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Patent number: 9091127Abstract: A safety joint to be included in a riser between a floating structure and a subsea installation at a location in the riser above a stress joint where it will be subjected to minimum bending loads. The safety joint includes a first riser coupling at its upper end for connection to a corresponding riser coupling of a riser joint and a second riser coupling at its lower end for connection to a corresponding riser coupling of a riser joint or stress joint. An emergency disconnect package with an emergency disconnect coupling and a retainer valve unit is arranged between the upper end and the lower end of the safety joint. A riser including such a safety joint.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: July 28, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Robert Olsen
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Patent number: 9010434Abstract: A method for connecting coupling parts of a subsea coupling arrangement, the coupling parts having at least one sealing surface, in which the coupling parts are connected by displacing the coupling parts towards each other, wherein a watertight seal is formed when the coupling parts are connected, feeding filtered sea water through a channel into a space between the coupling parts during the displacement, flowing the filtered sea water over the sealing surfaces to prevent particles and dirt from being trapped between the sealing surfaces, and discharging the filtered sea water from the space into surroundings of the subsea coupling arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Svend Erik Rocke
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Patent number: 8936481Abstract: A power cable termination arrangement is disclosed, comprising an electrically conductive closed-end sleeve (10) configured to be inserted on an end of the power cable. The sleeve is internally formed with a constriction (13) that separates a forward sleeve section (11) from a rearward sleeve section (14), wherein the forward sleeve section (11) is configured to establish, by radial crimping, electrical and mechanical connection between the sleeve and a bare end (5) of a power cable conductor (2), the rearward sleeve section (14) reaching from said constriction towards an insert end configured to receive the power cable in sealing contact between an insulated portion (3) of the power cable and a sealing ring (16) carried internally in the rear sleeve section (14).Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: January 20, 2015Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Marius Asak, Erik Raad, Odd Are Haugen, Knut Arne Henjum
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Patent number: 8881828Abstract: A bore selector for coupling a monobore riser to a dual bore subsea installation, the bore selector comprising a lower base part comprising a first and a second through bores connected to the respective bore of the dual bore subsea installation, an upper selector part comprising a through bore connected to a bore of the monobore riser, the upper selector part is movable relating to the lower base part to and fro between a first and a second positions, an actuator configured to move the upper selector part relating to the lower base part between the first and the second positions, and a connector sleeve slidably mounted in the through bore, wherein the connector sleeve is configured to selectively engage with the first and the second through bores, and is movable in the axial direction of the through bore to and fro between a raised and a lowered position.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Vidar Strand
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Patent number: 8882389Abstract: A pipeline termination skid to be mounted to a pipeline end section in order to support a pipeline hub of the pipeline end section during and after the connection of the pipeline hub to a corresponding spool piece hub. The termination skid comprises a base frame having a downwardly directed opening for a pipeline end section, and at least one holding unit provided with a downwardly directed seat having a downwardly directed entrance opening so as to allow the pipeline end section to be moved into contact with the seat by being lifted upwards through the entrance opening. The holding unit is provided with a locking device for securing the pipeline end section to the holding unit in a lifted position in contact with the seat of the holding unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Rolf Sigvald Bastesen, Steinar Thorsen
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Publication number: 20140320055Abstract: An electrical gear configured to supply electrical drive power to a machinery to be rotated at high speed, such as a subsea motor/pump or a subsea motor/compressor assembly, the electrical gear including a high input voltage AC-motor having a low pole number, the AC-motor drivingly connected to a medium output voltage AC-generator having inverted design, wherein in the AC-generator the field windings are supported on a rotor which is journalled for rotation inside an outer stator carrying a high number of magnet poles, the AC-motor is configured to run on high voltage alternating current at a first frequency, and the AC-generator is configured to deliver medium voltage alternating current at a second frequency, higher than said first frequency, to an AC-motor to be energized having a low pole number.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Applicant: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA ASInventor: Ole Petter Tomter
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Patent number: 8863844Abstract: A subsea arrangement comprising an external casing and a pressure equalizing valve for equalization of the fluid pressure in an internal space of the casing. The pressure equalizing valve comprises a swing arm and a valve member arranged inside the casing. The swing arm carries the valve member and is pivotable about a pivot axis, under the effect of an external fluid pressure acting on the valve member, from a resting position, in which the valve member covers an opening provided in the casing and prevents fluid flow through this opening, to a raised position, in which the valve member uncovers said opening and allows fluid flow through it from the surroundings into said space for equalization of the fluid pressure therein when the arrangement is lowered into the sea. The swing arm is pivotable from the raised position to the resting position under the effect of gravity.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Olav Hande
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Patent number: 8866631Abstract: A system for remote control of operation control elements that are arranged in a well to control recovery of gas and/or oil from the well. A first system part is located outside the well and connected to a second system part that is located in the well and operatively connected to the operation control elements. All semiconductor components are housed in the first system part. The second system part houses electromechanical components that actuate the operation control elements upon command from the first system part. A method for remote control of down-hole operation control elements in an oil and/or a gas well completion. A first system part located outside the well is equipped with all semiconductor components that are included in the system. A second down-hole system part is equipped with electromechanical components that are actuated from the first system part for actuation of the operation control elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2007Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Tom Grimseth
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Publication number: 20140290902Abstract: A device for thermally insulating at least one element of a subsea installation from ambient cold sea water, the device comprising an external casing which encloses an internal fluid chamber. The fluid chamber accommodates a fluid having heat-storing capacity, the element being received in the fluid chamber with the fluid surrounding the element so as to allow the fluid to delay cooling of the element by means of heat stored in the fluid. A heat storing member is mounted in the fluid chamber so as to be surrounded by the fluid. The heat storing member contains a medium having heat-storing capacity so as to allow transfer of heat from the fluid to the medium in the heat storing and vice versa to thereby allow the heat storing member to delay cooling of the fluid by means of heat stored in the medium in the heat storing member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA.ASInventor: Olav Hånde
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Publication number: 20140270608Abstract: A method for axial support of a pump or compressor rotor shaft during start-up or shut-down of a vertical fluid displacement module for subsea operation including a motor and a pump or compressor. Lubrication fluid is momentarily supplied for hydrostatic operation of hydrodynamic thrust bearing(s) from a topside or land-based fluid supply via a flow control module arranged in conjunction with a subsea pressure control unit configured for controlling the supply and discharge of barrier and lubrication fluids to/from the fluid displacement module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventor: Ole Petter TOMTER
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Patent number: 8807224Abstract: A subsea arrangement comprising an external casing and a pressure equalizing valve for equalization of the fluid pressure in an internal space of the casing. The pressure equalizing valve is provided with a valve body including a base section displaceably received in an opening provided in the casing; and a valve member secured to the base section and arranged inside the casing, the valve member facing a valve seat surrounding said opening. The valve body is displaceable upwards, under the effect of an external fluid pressure, from a resting position, in which the valve member prevents fluid flow into and out of said internal space, to a raised position, in which the valve member allows fluid flow from the surroundings into said internal space for equalization of the fluid pressure therein when the subsea arrangement is lowered into the sea.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2011Date of Patent: August 19, 2014Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia ASInventors: Olav Hande, Bjornar Bakken, Paula Guimaraes