Patents by Inventor Flavio Santos

Flavio Santos 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: 11959567
    Abstract: Systems: and methods for decreasing bending stress in flange bolting for a connection between a flange and an adjacent piece of equipment is provided. The flange connection includes a single flange with multiple bolts extending: therethrough. The bolts are threaded into the adjacent piece of equipment at one end, and a nut is disposed at an opposite end. of each bolt to provide a means for tightening and/or securing the flange connection. The equipment to which the flange is attached may include subsea well equipment with relatively large outer diameters. The disclosed flange connection utilizes: an initial region of a counterbored (or unthreaded) hole in the mating equipment piece just prior to the start of the thread formed through the equipment. Additionally, a compound hub flange connection is disclosed to further reduce the bending stress on the bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Manning, Justin Rye, Flavio Santos
  • Patent number: 11952853
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Andrew Mitchell, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, David Scantlebury, Matthew Crotwell, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Patent number: 11952854
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20240069004
    Abstract: The present invention refers to an online monitoring system for the gravitational separation of oil emulsions, more specifically, a monitoring system for the properties related to the emulsions, such as the drop size distribution (DSD) and the water content (WC), simultaneously, in pressurized and heated systems at high pressures and temperatures, respectively, using near-infrared region (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with optical microscopy. The online monitoring system is innovative as it overcomes the current need of the oil industry to remove aliquots from emulsified systems under high pressure and temperature, preferably up to 70 bar (7 MPa) and 150° C., respectively, for determination of the properties of emulsions, which causes disturbances and affects the physicochemical characteristics of emulsions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Flavio Cortinas ALBUQUERQUE, Simonise Figueiredo AMARANTE CUNHA, Ayslan Santos PEREIRA DA COSTA, Gustavo RODRIGUES BORGES, Cláudio DARIVA, Elton FRANCESCHI
  • Patent number: 11686172
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Patent number: 11686171
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20220364428
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20220364427
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20220364426
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20220090461
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Andrew Mitchell, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, David Scantlebury, Matthew Crotwell, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Patent number: 11206032
    Abstract: In an embodiment an analog-to-digital converter circuit has an input for receiving at least a first analog signal level, a ramp generator adapted to provide a ramp signal having a constant and adjustable starting level which splits into a first section which is rising and a second section which is falling concurrently to the first section's rising, wherein the starting level lies within an input range of the analog-to-digital converter circuit, a comparison unit which is coupled by its first input to the input of the analog-to-digital converter circuit and is coupled by its second input in a switchable manner to the ramp generator, a counter which is coupled to a control unit, and the control unit which is coupled to an output of the comparison unit, wherein the control unit is prepared to enable the counter depending on a comparison of the ramp signal with the first analog signal level and to determine a digital value as a function of a count of the counter reached at an intersection point of the ramp signal
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: AMS INTERNATIONAL AG
    Inventors: Rodolfo Rodrigues, Flavio Santos
  • Patent number: 11199066
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Andrew Mitchell, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, David Scantlebury, Matthew Crotwell, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20210198970
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2021
    Publication date: July 1, 2021
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20210164595
    Abstract: Systems: and methods for decreasing bending stress in flange bolting for a connection between a flange and an adjacent piece of equipment is provided. The flange connection includes a single flange with multiple bolts extending: therethrough. The bolts are threaded into the adjacent piece of equipment at one end, and a nut is disposed at an opposite end. of each bolt to provide a means for tightening and/or securing the flange connection. The equipment to which the flange is attached may include subsea well equipment with relatively large outer diameters. The disclosed flange connection utilizes: an initial region of a counterbored (or unthreaded) hole in the mating equipment piece just prior to the start of the thread formed through the equipment. Additionally, a compound hub flange connection is disclosed to further reduce the bending stress on the bolts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: Mark A. Manning, Justin Rye, Flavio Santos
  • Publication number: 20210099182
    Abstract: In an embodiment an analog-to-digital converter circuit has an input for receiving at least a first analog signal level, a ramp generator adapted to provide a ramp signal having a constant and adjustable starting level which splits into a first section which is rising and a second section which is falling concurrently to the first section's rising, wherein the starting level lies within an input range of the analog-to-digital converter circuit, a comparison unit which is coupled by its first input to the input of the analog-to-digital converter circuit and is coupled by its second input in a switchable manner to the ramp generator, a counter which is coupled to a control unit, and the control unit which is coupled to an output of the comparison unit, wherein the control unit is prepared to enable the counter depending on a comparison of the ramp signal with the first analog signal level and to determine a digital value as a function of a count of the counter reached at an intersection point of the ramp signal
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2018
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Rodolfo Rodrigues, Flavio Santos
  • Publication number: 20210087899
    Abstract: Systems and methods for coupling subsea tubular members together are provided. An apparatus may be used to properly orient and/or provide communication between a first subsea tubular member that is being landed on a second subsea tubular member. An apparatus for coupling subsea tubular members may include an alignment sub and a corresponding alignment member. The alignment sub includes: a generally cylindrical body having one or more fluid, electric, or fiber optic lines extending therethrough, one or more couplings coupled to at least one end of the alignment sub, and an orientation profile disposed on a surface of the alignment sub. The alignment member has a profile designed to interface with the orientation profile of the alignment sub. One of the alignment sub and the alignment member remains stationary while the other rotates relative to the stationary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Andrew Mitchell, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, David Scantlebury, Matthew Crotwell, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Patent number: 10947805
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20210025258
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Patent number: 10830015
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Dril-Quip, Inc.
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs
  • Publication number: 20190120008
    Abstract: Systems and methods for landing a tubing hanger in a wellhead and then orienting a tree (or spool, or flowline connection body) relative to the tubing hanger while landing the tree on the wellhead are provided. This alignment is accomplished without the use of either a tubing spool or a BOP stack with an orientation pin. The tubing hanger alignment devices may be used to orientate the tree as the tree is landed so that the couplings and stabs between the tree and the tubing hanger line up with each other just at the moment of landing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Blake T. DeBerry, Morris B. Wade, Flavio Santos, Gregory Norwood, Robert Buxton, Justin Rye, Todd L. Scaggs