Patents by Inventor Fabio de Souza Pires

Fabio de Souza Pires 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: 11746935
    Abstract: A flexible pipe body for a flexible pipe for transporting production fluid from a sub-sea location. The flexible pipe body includes an inner sheath layer for retaining fluid within a bore of the flexible pipe body and an outer sheath layer provided radially outwardly of the inner sheath layer. An abrasion layer is provided radially outwardly of the outer sheath layer for protecting the outer sheath layer against abrasion damage. A reinforcement layer is provided between the outer sheath layer and the abrasion layer, for protecting the outer sheath layer against impact damage. The reinforcement layer includes filaments that are woven, braided, knitted or otherwise intertwined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Energy Technology UK Limited
    Inventor: Fabio De Souza Pires
  • Publication number: 20210048123
    Abstract: A flexible pipe body for a flexible pipe for transporting production fluid from a sub-sea location. The flexible pipe body includes an inner sheath layer for retaining fluid within a bore of the flexible pipe body and an outer sheath layer provided radially outwardly of the inner sheath layer. An abrasion layer is provided radially outwardly of the outer sheath layer for protecting the outer sheath layer against abrasion damage. A reinforcement layer is provided between the outer sheath layer and the abrasion layer, for protecting the outer sheath layer against impact damage. The reinforcement layer includes filaments that are woven, braided, knitted or otherwise intertwined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2019
    Publication date: February 18, 2021
    Inventor: Fabio De Souza Pires
  • Patent number: 9927419
    Abstract: A test apparatus (12) and a method of testing a sample (30) are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a test sample (30) within a test chamber (14), the test chamber (14) containing two or more iron saturation elements (2) separated by a spacer (16); and filling the test chamber (14) with a test solution, the iron saturation elements (2) being arranged to saturate the test solution with iron. Each iron saturation element (2) is shaped such that it has a predetermined surface area such that the ratio of the volume of the test solution to the surface area of the iron saturation elements (2) and the test sample (30) exposed to the test solution can be calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Fabio de Souza Pires, Fabio Pinheiro dos Santos
  • Patent number: 9921127
    Abstract: An assembly and method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and a layer of flexible pipe body; energizing the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member; energizing the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Everton Vieira de Almeida, Andre Luis de Souza Breves
  • Patent number: 9909368
    Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Claudio Cezario de Barros, Rafael Goes
  • Patent number: 9708864
    Abstract: A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Zhimin Tan, Yucheng Hou, Yuan Tian, Yanqiu Zhang, Fabio de Souza Pires, George Karabelas
  • Patent number: 9645072
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement and a method for testing the integrity of a sealing arrangement of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first annular sealing element and a second annular sealing element in a joint between two elements of a flexible pipe, with a region of the joint therebetween; and pressurizing the region between the first sealing element and the second sealing element through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 0.2 MP or greater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Valdeir Tinoco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20170067296
    Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Claudio Cezario de Barros, Rafael Goes
  • Patent number: 9574690
    Abstract: A sleeve member, end fitting assembly, and a method of assembly of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The sleeve member includes a body comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a first pipe body layer for overlying the first pipe body layer; and a flange portion extending radially outwards from the body for locating between a further pipe body layer and an end fitting, the further pipe body layer being an armor layer, the flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the further pipe body layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Valdeir Tinoco da Silva
  • Patent number: 9383056
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for protecting an outer layer of a flexible pipe. The apparatus includes a protective sleeve body comprising a first end region and a further end region. At least one connector element is also provided which is securable to the first end region of the sleeve body for securing the sleeve body with respect to a flexible pipe located proximate to a wear hazard. The sleeve body is securable uncovered over a portion of an outer sheath of the flexible pipe between the outer sheath and the wear hazard to provide a protected portion of flexible pipe having a bending stiffness substantially equal to a bending stiffness of a remaining portion of the flexible pipe which is uncovered by the sleeve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Richard Clements, Fabio de Souza Pires, Judimar de Assis Clevelario
  • Publication number: 20160177633
    Abstract: A riser assembly for transporting fluids from a sub-sea location is disclosed. The riser assembly includes a riser having at least one segment of flexible pipe and a plurality of buoyancy compensating elements connected to the riser and connected together in an in-line configuration to form a mid-line buoyancy section. The riser assembly also includes at least one buoyancy aid connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the mid-line buoyancy section. The at least one buoyancy aid forms a first distributed buoyancy section and is sufficiently buoyant to maintain a tension load on the riser between the first distributed buoyancy section and the mid-line line buoyancy section. The riser assembly further includes at least one further buoyancy compensating element connected to the riser at a position above and spaced apart from the first distributed buoyancy section to form a second distributed buoyancy section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Zhimin Tan, Yucheng Hou, Yuan Tian, Yanqiu Zhang, Fabio de Souza Pires, George Karabelas
  • Publication number: 20150330890
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement and a method for testing the integrity of a sealing arrangement of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first annular sealing element and a second annular sealing element in a joint between two elements of a flexible pipe, with a region of the joint therebetween; and pressurising the region between the first sealing element and the second sealing element through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 0.2 MP or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: GE Oil & Gas UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Valdeir Tinoco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20150192232
    Abstract: A sleeve member, end fitting assembly, and a method of assembly of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The sleeve member includes a body comprising a substantially cylindrical portion having an inner diameter substantially equal to an outside diameter of a first pipe body layer for overlying the first pipe body layer; and a flange portion extending radially outwards from the body for locating between a further pipe body layer and an end fitting, the further pipe body layer being an armour layer, the flange portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the further pipe body layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: GE OIL & GAS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Valdeir Tinoco da Silva
  • Publication number: 20150143878
    Abstract: An assembly and method of testing the integrity of a sealing ring of a flexible pipe are disclosed. The method includes locating a first sealing ring adjacent a first collar member and a layer of flexible pipe body; energising the first sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards a primary pressure-retaining end fitting component, or by urging the pressure- retaining component towards the sealing ring; locating a second sealing ring adjacent the first collar member and a second collar member; energising the second sealing ring by urging the sealing ring towards the pressure-retaining component, or by urging the pressure-retaining component towards the sealing ring; and pressurising the region between the first sealing ring and the second sealing ring through a port extending towards the region to a predetermined pressure of 5 MPa or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: GE OIL & GAS UK Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Felipe Areas Vargas, Everton Vieira de Almeida, Andre Luis de Souza Breves
  • Publication number: 20150144351
    Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly. The riser or jumper assembly includes a first segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting, a further segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and an intermediate segment of flexible pipe comprising a portion of flexible pipe body and a first and second end fitting and at least one buoyancy element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Claudio Cezario de Barros, Rafael Goes
  • Publication number: 20140166146
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for protecting an outer layer of a flexible pipe. The apparatus includes a protective sleeve body comprising a first end region and a further end region. At least one connector element is also provided which is securable to the first end region of the sleeve body for securing the sleeve body with respect to a flexible pipe located proximate to a wear hazard. The sleeve body is securable uncovered over a portion of an outer sheath of the flexible pipe between the outer sheath and the wear hazard to provide a protected portion of flexible pipe having a bending stiffness substantially equal to a bending stiffness of a remaining portion of the flexible pipe which is uncovered by the sleeve body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: Wellstream International Limited
    Inventors: Richard Clements, Fabio de Souza Pires, Judimar de Assis Clevelario
  • Publication number: 20130340542
    Abstract: A test apparatus (12) and a method of testing a sample (30) are disclosed. The method comprises receiving a test sample (30) within a test chamber (14), the test chamber (14) containing two or more iron saturation elements (2) separated by a spacer (16); and filling the test chamber (14) with a test solution, the iron saturation elements (2) being arranged to saturate the test solution with iron. Each iron saturation element (2) is shaped such that it has a predetermined surface area such that the ratio of the volume of the test solution to the surface area of the iron saturation elements (2) and the test sample (30) exposed to the test solution can be calculated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Fabio de Souza Pires, Fabio Pinheiro dos Santos
  • Publication number: 20110192484
    Abstract: A riser or jumper assembly for transporting production, exportation or injection fluids is disclosed as is a method for providing buoyancy to such an assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2009
    Publication date: August 11, 2011
    Inventors: Judimar de Assis Clevelario, Fabio de Souza Pires, Claudio Cezario de Barros, Rafael Goes