Patents by Inventor Giuseppe Giunta

Giuseppe Giunta 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: 11442043
    Abstract: A monitoring system of the integrity of a pressurised pipe by at least one pressure pulses generator that is hydraulically connected to the fluid in the pipe. Each generator comprises: one first tank and a second tank that maintain the fluid respectively at a first and a second pressure values. The first value is smaller, and the second value is greater than the predefined pressure value of the fluid in the pipe. The first and second tanks generate respectively a negative pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the pipe to the first tank, and a positive pressure pulse, caused by the passage of the fluid from the second tank to the pipe. A pressure transducer is designed to measure the pressure values of the fluid in the pipe and to convert the negative or positive pressure pulses generate by the generator into respective recorded acoustic signals. A measurement station is placed along the pipe to detect the acoustic signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Giancarlo Bernasconi, Massimo Signori
  • Publication number: 20200309741
    Abstract: A description is given of a system and a method of monitoring of a pipe for the transportation of a fluid at a predefined pressure value. The system comprises at least one pressure pulses generator device hydraulically connected to the fluid transported by the pipe. Each pressure pulses generator device comprises at least one first tank, designed to contain fluid coming from the pipe and to maintain it at a first pressure value which is smaller than the predefined pressure of the fluid transported by the pipe, and at least one second tank, designed to contain fluid coming from the pipe and to maintain it at a second pressure value which is greater than the predefined pressure value of the fluid transported by the pipe. The first tank and the second tank generate respectively a negative pressure pulse, caused by the passage of fluid from the pipe to the first tank, and a positive pressure pulse, caused by the passage of fluid from the second tank to the pipe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2018
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Giancarlo BERNASCONI, Massimo SIGNORI
  • Patent number: 10401254
    Abstract: A method and system for continuous remote monitoring of integrity of pressurized pipelines and properties of fluids transported, the method including: installing plural measurement stations along the pipeline, connected to vibroacoustic sensors configured to simultaneously and continuously measure elastic signals propagating in walls of the pipeline, and acoustic signals propagating in the transported fluid; synchronizing the signals measured from different measurement stations, with absolute time reference; continuously transmitting the measured and synchronized signals to a central unit configured to process them in a multichannel mode; calculating, by the central unit, plural transfer functions that can define vibroacoustic propagation in sections of pipeline between consecutive measurement stations; filtering relevant acoustic and elastic signals from the different measurement stations subtracting the contribution relating to the passive sources; creating an equivalent descriptive model of the system incl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Giancarlo Bernasconi
  • Patent number: 10132823
    Abstract: A method and system are described for the continuous remote monitoring of the position and advance speed of a pig device inside a pipeline suitable for transporting a pressurized fluid, wherein the pipeline consists of a plurality of pipe sections joined to each other by welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Giancarlo Bernasconi, Silvio Del Giudice
  • Patent number: 10006988
    Abstract: A method and system are described for measuring displacements and vibrations of an object/structure. The method includes transmission of at least one radar wave by a single radar device positioned at a predefined distance from a receiver device applied on the object/structure, reception, by the radar device, of a complex signal consisting of the sum of the signal reflected from said receiver device and of one or more interfering signals generated by one or more corresponding targets substantially stationary and substantially positioned at the same distance from the radar device, separation of the interfering signals from the reflected signal. The separation includes calibration by induction, for a pre-determined period of time, of a vibrational motion having a known frequency and duration in the receiver device, which consequently operates as a calibration device, for obtaining an estimated value of the interfering signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Andrea Monti-Guarnieri
  • Patent number: 9927514
    Abstract: A method and system for remote monitoring of a two/three-dimensional field of displacements and vibrations of an object, the method including transmitting of a plurality of radar waves by a plurality of corresponding radar devices positioned at a predefined distance from a plurality of corresponding receiver devices applied on the object, obtaining a first distance value between each radar device and the corresponding receiver or target device, the first distance value being affected by an error consisting of the sum between an electromagnetic propagation disturbance in the atmosphere of the radar waves and a reciprocal interference between the single receiver or target devices and one or more fixed reflectors positioned in the proximity of the receiver devices, and obtaining, simultaneously with respect to the first distance value, a second distance value between each radar device and a plurality of corresponding calibration devices positioned at predefined distances from said radar devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Andrea Monti-Guarnieri
  • Patent number: 9921129
    Abstract: A method and system are described, for the continuous remote monitoring of deformations in a pipeline (10) suitable for the transportation of a pressurized fluids, such as, for example, pipelines designed for the transportation of low- and high-pressure fluids (natural gas, crude oil, water, oil products) that cannot be controlled by using Intelligent Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) systems, or sections of pipeline exposed to the risk of landslides and/or earthquakes in which catastrophic breakages can be generated, with a consequent interruption in the transportation service. The method and system envisage the application of the guided wave technique for the remote-controlled monitoring of the tensional state of the pipeline (10) also on extensive sections, having a length equal to hundreds of meters, using a relatively reduced number of sensors (12) installed on the outer surface of the pipeline (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Francesco Bertoncini, Florin Octavian Turcu, Marco Raugi
  • Patent number: 9897243
    Abstract: A method and a system remotely detect the position of a pig device inside a pipeline for transporting pressurized fluids, like for example long distance oil and gas pipelines having a strategic international value. The method foresees equipping the pipeline with pressure sensors in contact with the fluid, located at at least one of the two terminals of the pipeline, and the sending and processing of signals by a control unit. The operation of the system is that of identifying and locating, in real time and continuously, a pig device that moves intermittently inside the pipeline, for example during cleaning, monitoring, measurement and non-destructive control operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Giancarlo Bernasconi
  • Patent number: 9267648
    Abstract: A system and method for continuous detection of impacts on pipelines for fluid transportation, particularly on pipelines placed on the seabed. The system includes at least two sensors each installed in correspondence with an end of a section subject to detection of a pipeline. A first sensor of the at least two sensors is configured to detect first acoustic waves, which propagate along a first transmission phase associated with the pipeline, and a second sensor of the at least two sensors is configured to detect second acoustic waves which propagate along a second transmission phase associated with the pipeline. The second acoustic waves have different elastic features with respect to the first acoustic waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mauro Gianni Dalmazzone, Gianpietro De Lorenzo, Giuseppe Giunta
  • Publication number: 20150331007
    Abstract: A method and system are described for the continuous remote monitoring of the position and advance speed of a pig device inside a pipeline suitable for transporting a pressurized fluid, wherein the pipeline consists of a plurality of pipe sections joined to each other by welding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Publication date: November 19, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Giancarlo BERNASCONI, Silvio DEL GIUDICE
  • Publication number: 20150323119
    Abstract: A method and a system remotely detect the position of a pig device inside a pipeline for transporting pressurised fluids, like for example long distance oil and gas pipelines having a strategic international value. The method foresees equipping the pipeline with pressure sensors in contact with the fluid, located at at least one of the two terminals of the pipeline, and the sending and processing of signals by a control unit. The operation of the system is that of identifying and locating, in real time and continuously, a pig device that moves intermittently inside the pipeline, for example during cleaning, monitoring, measurement and non-destructive control operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2013
    Publication date: November 12, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Giancarlo BERNASCONI
  • Publication number: 20150309161
    Abstract: A method and system are described, for the remote monitoring of the two/three-dimensional field of displacements and vibrations of an object/structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Andrea MONTI-GUARNIERI
  • Publication number: 20150309160
    Abstract: A method and system are described for measuring displacements and vibrations of an object/structure (P). The method comprises the following steps: transmission of at least one radar wave by a single radar device (Q) positioned at a predefined distance (R) from a receiver device (10) applied on the object/structure (P); reception, by the radar device (Q), of a complex signal (s(t)) consisting of the sum of the signal reflected from said receiver device (10) and of one or more interfering signals (I) generated by one or more corresponding targets (I1, I2) substantially stationary and substantially positioned at the same distance (R) from the radar device (Q); separation of the interfering signals (I) from the reflected signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 29, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Andrea MONTI-GUARNIERI
  • Publication number: 20150300909
    Abstract: A method and system are described, for the continuous remote monitoring of deformations in a pipeline (10) suitable for the transportation of a pressurized fluids, such as, for example, pipelines designed for the transportation of low- and high-pressure fluids (natural gas, crude oil, water, oil products) that cannot be controlled by using Intelligent Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) systems, or sections of pipeline exposed to the risk of landslides and/or earthquakes in which catastrophic breakages can be generated, with a consequent interruption in the transportation service. The method and system envisage the application of the guided wave technique for the remote-controlled monitoring of the tensional state of the pipeline (10) also on extensive sections, having a length equal to hundreds of meters, using a relatively reduced number of sensors (12) installed on the outer surface of the pipeline (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Francesco BERTONCINI, Florin Octavian TURCU, Marco RAUGI
  • Publication number: 20150300907
    Abstract: A method and system for continuous remote monitoring of integrity of pressurized pipelines and properties of fluids transported, the method including: installing plural measurement stations along the pipeline, connected to vibroacoustic sensors configured to simultaneously and continuously measure elastic signals propagating in walls of the pipeline, and acoustic signals propagating in the transported fluid; synchronizing the signals measured from different measurement stations, with absolute time reference; continuously transmitting the measured and synchronized signals to a central unit configured to process them in a multichannel mode; calculating, by the central unit, plural transfer functions that can define vibroacoustic propagation in sections of pipeline between consecutive measurement stations; filtering relevant acoustic and elastic signals from the different measurement stations subtracting the contribution relating to the passive sources; creating an equivalent descriptive model of the system incl
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe GIUNTA, Giancarlo BERNASCONI
  • Publication number: 20150193713
    Abstract: A method is described for the weather-climatic temperature forecasting, from short to long term, comprising the phases of acquiring meteorological parameters of a large-scale (SG) geographical area having a pre-determined amplitude; decomposing the large-scale geographical area (SG) into a base area and a regional area (SR); determining the temperature close to the surface of the base area, starting from the parameters available on the large-scale geographical area (SG), using an empirical-statistical model (statistical down-scaling); determining the tendencies of the meteorological parameters in the regional area (SR), starting from the meteorological parameters available on the large-scale geographical area (SG), using a dynamic numerical model (dynamic down-scaling); performing the combination (ensemble down-scaling), through an applicative model, of the empirical-statistical model (statistical down-scaling) and the dynamic numerical model (dynamic down-scaling) to obtain in continuous, from short term to
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2013
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Giuseppe Giunta, Raffaele Salerno
  • Patent number: 8872698
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring spatial movements of plant structures, such as pipes, due for example to movement of the ground in presence of landslide phenomena, subsidence, collapse, or differential settling. The measuring apparatus includes at least one ground station that communicates with at least one corresponding signal-sending satellite station, the ground station being connected in a movable manner to a support constrainable in a fixed manner to the plant structure, the ground structure having an initial azimuthal orientation and an initial azimuthal height. The ground station is moved with respect to the support via a mechanism for adjusting the orientation and height of the same to compensate for an instantaneous orientation and height that are different from the initial orientation and height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro De Lorenzo, Giuseppe Giunta
  • Publication number: 20130325347
    Abstract: A method for medium-long term meteorological forecast starting from meteorological parameters of a large-scale geographical area having a predefined extent. The method: decomposes the meteorological parameters of the large-scale geographical area into a base component and a part arising as a variation on a regional scale, wherein the variation on a regional scale is defined as the difference between the large-scale geographical area and the base area; determines the temperature close to a surface of a base area, starting from the parameters available on the large-scale geographical area, using an empirical-statistical model; determines deviation in the meteorological parameters on a regional scale, starting from the parameters available on the large-scale geographical area, using a dynamic numerical model; effects combination, through an applicative model, of the empirical-statistical model and the dynamic numerical model to obtain the medium and long-term temperature forecast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Michela Giorgetti, Giuseppe Giunta, Raffaele Salerno, Roberto Vernazza
  • Patent number: 8549938
    Abstract: With a certain pipeline, either buried or deposited on a sea/lake bottom, the formation of critical faults is determined and localized, which arise in the walls of the pipeline, or the development of an already localized fault is monitored, through sensors regularly distributed along the pipeline, and fixed to the same by means of a plate equipped with a pass-through hole in which the sensor is inserted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro De Lorenzo, Giuseppe Giunta
  • Patent number: 8381593
    Abstract: With a certain pipeline, either underground or deposited on a sea/lake bottom, the formation of critical faults is determined and localized, which arise in the walls of the pipeline, or the growth of an already localized fault is monitored, through a method which detects, by acoustic sensors regularly distributed along the pipeline, the ultrasounds diffused along the walls of the pipeline itself upon the formation of a critical fault, or when a controlled fault increases, and processing, by a remote processor, the digital signals associated with the sound waves to identify the position or evaluate the development of a critical fault.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventors: Gianpietro De Lorenzo, Giuseppe Giunta, Alfredo Montini