Patents by Inventor Paula Guimaraes

Paula Guimaraes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9482359
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher Flidh
  • Patent number: 9103459
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher A. Flidh
  • Patent number: 8807224
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Olav Hande, Bjornar Bakken, Paula Guimaraes
  • Publication number: 20130056658
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher Flidh
  • Publication number: 20120234410
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Vecto Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Christian Borchgrevink, Jon Flidh, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher A. Flidh
  • Publication number: 20120227972
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Olav Hånde, Bjørnar Bakken, Jon Flidh, Paula Guimaraes, Christopher A. Flidh