Patents by Inventor Andre Ramiro Amorim
Andre Ramiro Amorim 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).
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Patent number: 12006776Abstract: A method of installing a wave-configuration subsea riser of unbonded flexible pipe comprises lowering the riser progressively into the sea from an installation vessel while suspending an elongate clump weight in a catenary shape that comprises first and 5 second limbs extending upwardly from a conjoining bottom portion. An upper end of the first limb, at a distal end of the clump weight, is attached to the riser and an upper end of the second limb, at a proximal end of the clump weight, is suspended from a winch or crane of the vessel. While lowering the riser from the vessel, the weight load applied to the riser by the clump weight is controlled by adjusting the relative lengths of the first 0 and second limbs of the clump weight.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2020Date of Patent: June 11, 2024Assignee: SUBSEA 7 DO BRASIL SERVICOS LTDAInventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Davi Couto Neves Junior, Alberto Lima Dos Santos, Mauricio Suarez de Oliveira
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Patent number: 11828113Abstract: An end fitting for a subsea riser comprises an engagement head to be engaged with a subsea foundation in a vertically downward longitudinal direction. A structure of the end fitting surrounds a longitudinally extending flow axis and is arranged to bear a tensile load on a load path extending longitudinally from the engagement head parallel to the flow axis. The structure includes a pivot joint assembly having a first part attached to or integral with the engagement head and a second part pivotable relative to the first part about a centre of rotation substantially aligned with the flow axis. The structure can be fixed to the engagement head or removably attached to the engagement head. The engagement head supports an upwardly facing connector hub that is offset laterally from the flow axis. A connector pipe in fluid communication with the connector hub extends from the flow axis to the connector hub. A counterweight is opposed to the connector hub and the connector pipe about the flow axis.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2019Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: Subsea 7 do Brasil Servicos LTDAInventors: Luiz Carlos De Lemos Junior, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Frederico Nicoletti de Fraga, Joao Carlos Carvalho Gouveia, Ivan Carlos Pimentel da Cruz, Yann Brouard, Daniel Karunakaran
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Publication number: 20230112210Abstract: A method of installing a subsea riser comprises placing an elongate negatively-buoyant support on the seabed and, when laying the riser on the seabed, guiding a riser portion onto the support to extend along and be cradled by the support. A hogbend region of 5 the riser is then formed by conferring positive buoyancy on the support to lift the support and the riser portion away from the seabed. An element of the support comprises a riser support disposed in a longitudinally-extending open-ended gap between buoyancy volumes disposed on opposite sides of 0 the gap. Coupling formations such as hinge portions can couple the element to a like element. When so coupled, the gaps of those elements align to define an upwardly-opening, longitudinally-extending groove to receive the riser.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2022Publication date: April 13, 2023Inventors: Nelson Bittar Romeu, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Marcio Nogueira Barcellos, Daniel Sahonero Rodrigues, Flavio Lage Bormann
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Patent number: 11549314Abstract: A pliant link to mitigate fatigue-inducing motion of a subsea catenary riser has an articulated spine having a longitudinal series of interconnected rigid segments. The spine can be coupled to upper and lower sections of the riser to transmit loads along the riser through the link on a load path that extends through the segments. The link also has a pliant pipe terminating in end fittings that can be joined, respectively, to the upper and lower sections of the riser for fluid communication along the riser through the link.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2018Date of Patent: January 10, 2023Assignee: Subsea 7 do Brasil Servicos LtdaInventors: Luiz Carlos De Lemos Junior, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Joao Carlos Carvalho Gouveia, Frederico Nicoletti de Fraga, Ivan Carlos Pimentel da Cruz, Daniel Karunakaran
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Publication number: 20220195809Abstract: A method of installing a wave-configuration subsea riser of unbonded flexible pipe comprises lowering the riser progressively into the sea from an installation vessel while suspending an elongate clump weight in a catenary shape that comprises first and 5 second limbs extending upwardly from a conjoining bottom portion. An upper end of the first limb, at a distal end of the clump weight, is attached to the riser and an upper end of the second limb, at a proximal end of the clump weight, is suspended from a winch or crane of the vessel. While lowering the riser from the vessel, the weight load applied to the riser by the clump weight is controlled by adjusting the relative lengths of the first 0 and second limbs of the clump weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 15, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Davi Couto Neves Junior, Alberto Lima Dos Santos, Mauricio Suarez de Oliveira
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Publication number: 20220106844Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination composes an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Luiz Carlos de Lemos Junior
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Publication number: 20220081977Abstract: An end fitting for a subsea riser comprises an engagement head to be engaged with a subsea foundation in a vertically downward longitudinal direction. A structure of the end fitting surrounds a longitudinally extending flow axis and is arranged to bear a tensile load on a load path extending longitudinally from the engagement head parallel to the flow axis. The structure includes a pivot joint assembly having a first part attached to or integral with the engagement head and a second part pivotable relative to the first part about a centre of rotation substantially aligned with the flow axis. The structure can be fixed to the engagement head or removably attached to the engagement head. The engagement head supports an upwardly facing connector hub that is offset laterally from the flow axis. A connector pipe in fluid communication with the connector hub extends from the flow axis to the connector hub. A counterweight is opposed to the connector hub and the connector pipe about the flow axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2019Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Luiz Carlos De Lemos Junior, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Frederico Nicoletti de Fraga, Joao Carlos Carvalho Gouveia, Ivan Carlos Pimentel da Cruz, Yann Brouard, Daniel Karunakaran
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Patent number: 11274504Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination comprises an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: March 15, 2022Assignee: Subsea 7 do Brasil Servicos LtdaInventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Luiz Carlos de Lemos Junior
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Publication number: 20220065049Abstract: A method of installing a subsea riser includes placing an elongate negatively-buoyant support on the seabed and, when laying the riser on the seabed, guiding a riser portion onto the support to extend along and be cradled by the support. A hogbend region of the riser is then formed by conferring positive buoyancy on the support to lift the support and the riser portion away from the seabed. An element of the support includes a riser support disposed in a longitudinally extending open-ended gap between buoyancy volumes disposed on opposite sides of the gap. Coupling formations such as hinge portions can couple the element to a like element. When so coupled, the gaps of those elements align to define an upwardly opening, longitudinally extending groove to receive the riser.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2019Publication date: March 3, 2022Inventors: Nelson Bittar Romeu, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Marcio Nogueira Barcellos, Daniel Sahonero Rodrigues, Flavio Lage Bormann
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Patent number: 11199058Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination comprises an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2020Date of Patent: December 14, 2021Assignee: Subsea 7 do Brasil Servicos LtdaInventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Luiz Carlos de Lemos Junior
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Publication number: 20210348455Abstract: A top connection arrangement for a subsea riser comprises a pivot or joint combination disposed between, and fluidly connecting, upper and lower sections of rigid pipe. The pivot combination comprises an upper ball joint about which the upper pipe section is pivotable. A lower joint, being a flexible joint or a tapered stress joint to which the lower pipe section is attached, is fixed to the ball joint in series. A sleeve is fixed to the ball joint and surrounds the upper pipe section to permit limited pivotal movement of that pipe section about the ball joint. The sleeve may seat into the bellmouth of an I- or J-tube of a surface facility or may be omitted if the lower joint is seated in a hang-off formation. A locking mechanism is capable of locking the ball joint and hence preventing pivotal movement of the upper pipe section.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2020Publication date: November 11, 2021Inventors: Andre Ramiro Amorim, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Luiz Carlos de Lemos Junior
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Publication number: 20200224503Abstract: A pliant link to mitigate fatigue-inducing motion of a subsea catenary riser has an articulated spine having a longitudinal series of interconnected rigid segments. The spine can be coupled to upper and lower sections of the riser to transmit loads along the riser through the link on a load path that extends through the segments. The link also has a pliant pipe terminating in end fittings that can be joined, respectively, to the upper and lower sections of the riser for fluid communication along the riser through the link.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2018Publication date: July 16, 2020Inventors: Luiz Carlos De Lemos Junior, Gustavo Queiroz Hepner, Andre Ramiro Amorim, Joao Carlos Carvalho Gouveia, Frederico Nicoletti de Fraga, Ivan Carlos Pimentel da Cruz, Daniel Karunakaran