Patents by Inventor Erik Mele

Erik Mele 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: 11098726
    Abstract: A system and modular compressor for raising the pressure in production gas is disclosed, wherein in a set of compressor modules each second module is a rotor module carrying an impeller driven in rotation relative to an adjacent stationary module, a rotor module and a stationary module in combination providing a compressor stage in which production gas is accelerated through a flow duct that passes an interface between the rotor module and the stationary module, wherein at the interface at least one bearing for axial and/or radial load is provided for journaling the rotor module on the stationary module. The at least one bearing is a gas bearing, wherein a passage is arranged in the stationary module to lead an extracted portion of production gas at raised pressure from the compressor to the gas bearing(s).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: VETCO GRAY SCANDINAVIA AS
    Inventors: Giacomo Landi, Lorenzo Bergamini, Dante Tommaso Rubino, Erik Mele, Michael Catanzaro
  • Patent number: 10578128
    Abstract: An energy-dissipating device and fluid processing system is provided containing a compressor, a motor, a secondary fluid re-circulation loop, a purge line, and a fluid conduit. The compressor is configured to receive a hot fluid including condensable and non-condensable components, and produce therefrom a primary compressed fluid stream and a secondary fluid stream. The motor is configured to drive the compressor and for ingress and egress of the secondary fluid stream. The secondary fluid re-circulation loop is configured to control an operating temperature of the motor. The secondary fluid re-circulation loop includes a first energy-dissipating device configured to remove excess heat from the secondary fluid stream. The purge line separates a first portion of the secondary fluid stream in the fluid re-circulation loop from a second portion of the secondary fluid stream being returned to the motor. The fluid conduit receives the primary compressed fluid stream from the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Daniel Friedemann, Erik Mele, Albert Erik Johannes Ericsson
  • Publication number: 20190136862
    Abstract: A system and modular compressor for raising the pressure in production gas is disclosed, wherein in a set of compressor modules each second module is a rotor module carrying an impeller driven in rotation relative to an adjacent stationary module, a rotor module and a stationary module in combination providing a compressor stage in which production gas is accelerated through a flow duct that passes an interface between the rotor module and the stationary module, wherein at the interface at least one bearing for axial and/or radial load is provided for journaling the rotor module on the stationary module. The at least one bearing is a gas bearing, wherein a passage is arranged in the stationary module to lead an extracted portion of production gas at raised pressure from the compressor to the gas bearing(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2017
    Publication date: May 9, 2019
    Inventors: Giacomo LANDI, Lorenzo BERGAMINI, Dante Tommaso RUBINO, Erik MELE, Michael CATANZARO
  • Publication number: 20170254828
    Abstract: A flow angle probe is provided having (a) a probe flap for contacting a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) a probe body mechanically coupled to the probe flap; (c) a force sensor disposed within the probe body and operationally coupled to the probe flap; and optionally (d) a probe shaft coupled to the probe body. A deflection of the probe flap caused by contact with the moving fluid produces a corresponding force sensor signal output which is minimized by rotation of the probe flap. The angle between this point of minimum deflection and a reference position is taken to be the flow angle of the moving fluid in the vicinity of the probe flap. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, and in flow assurance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Andreas Herrig, Carsten Michael Schneider, Erik Mele, Siddharth Navinchandra Ashar
  • Patent number: 9752905
    Abstract: A fluid transport system includes a housing defining a passageway for fluid to flow through the fluid transport system and a probe extending in the passageway. The probe includes a first end defining a plurality of sensing ports for the fluid to flow into the probe and a second end opposite the first end. The fluid flows through a plurality of conduits and a plurality of tubes. A differential pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes such that the differential pressure sensor determines a differential pressure of the fluid in the plurality of tubes. A purge system is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes. The purge system includes a source of purge liquid and is configured to direct the purge liquid through the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carsten Michael Schneider, Erik Mele, Christian Aalburg, Andreas Herrig
  • Patent number: 9689886
    Abstract: A flow angle probe is provided comprising: (a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) an optional probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled either to the optional probe mounting or the probe vane; (d) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (f) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, as well as in flow assurance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Carsten Michael Schneider, Vittorio Michelassi, Andreas Herrig, Erik Mele, Nathaniel David Varano, Brent David Michalowski, Kenton Travis Shonhor
  • Publication number: 20170167903
    Abstract: A fluid transport system includes a housing defining a passageway for fluid to flow through the fluid transport system and a probe extending in the passageway. The probe includes a first end defining a plurality of sensing ports for the fluid to flow into the probe and a second end opposite the first end. The fluid flows through a plurality of conduits and a plurality of tubes. A differential pressure sensor is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes such that the differential pressure sensor determines a differential pressure of the fluid in the plurality of tubes. A purge system is in fluid communication with the plurality of tubes. The purge system includes a source of purge liquid and is configured to direct the purge liquid through the plurality of tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Carsten Michael Schneider, Erik Mele, Christian Aalburg, Andreas Herrig
  • Publication number: 20160356805
    Abstract: A flow angle probe is provided comprising: (a) a probe vane configured to contact a moving fluid within a fluid conduit; (b) an optional probe mounting mechanically coupled to the probe vane; (c) a rotary shaft coupled either to the optional probe mounting or the probe vane; (d) a rotary encoder coupled to the rotary shaft; (e) a sensor hermetically isolated from the probe vane and configured to sense a change in position of the rotary encoder; and (f) a probe housing encompassing at least a portion of the rotary shaft, the rotary encoder and the sensor. The novel flow angle probes disclosed herein may be used in a wide variety of turbomachines and fluid processing systems, and applications, including turbomachine design and operational control, as well as in flow assurance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Carsten Michael Schneider, Vittorio Michelassi, Andreas Herrig, Erik Mele, Nathaniel David Varano, Brent David Michalowski, Kenton Travis Shonhor
  • Publication number: 20160237800
    Abstract: An energy-dissipating device and fluid processing system is provided containing a compressor, a motor, a secondary fluid re-circulation loop, a purge line, and a fluid conduit. The compressor is configured to receive a hot fluid including condensable and non-condensable components, and produce therefrom a primary compressed fluid stream and a secondary fluid stream. The motor is configured to drive the compressor and for ingress and egress of the secondary fluid stream. The secondary fluid re-circulation loop is configured to control an operating temperature of the motor. The secondary fluid re-circulation loop includes a first energy-dissipating device configured to remove excess heat from the secondary fluid stream. The purge line separates a first portion of the secondary fluid stream in the fluid re-circulation loop from a second portion of the secondary fluid stream being returned to the motor. The fluid conduit receives the primary compressed fluid stream from the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: John Daniel Friedemann, Erik Mele, Albert Erik Johannes Ericsson
  • Publication number: 20160003558
    Abstract: A heat exchange sub-system and fluid processing system is provided containing an inlet header; an outlet header; a plurality of heat exchange tubes in fluid communication with the inlet header and outlet header. The heat exchange tubes are configured to exchange heat with a cold ambient environment. A liquid-gas separator is coupled to the outlet header. The heat exchange sub-system is configured to receive a hot gaseous fluid comprising condensable and non-condensable components, and to condense at least a portion of the condensable components. The system is configured such that the cold ambient subsea environment serves as a heat sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Guillaume Becquin, William Joseph Antel, JR., Erik Mele, John Daniel Friedemann, Jorgen Harald Corneliussen