Patents by Inventor Hans Paul Hopper

Hans Paul Hopper 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: 10655455
    Abstract: A system includes a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a drilling system or a production system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes at least one sensor positioned along the channel and configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of the fluid as the fluid flows through the channel. The system further includes a pump positioned along the channel and configured to adjust a flow rate of the fluid through the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Emanuel Gottlieb, Omar M. Kabir
  • Patent number: 10472949
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring system includes, a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a mineral extraction system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes an actuator assembly positioned along the channel and configured to isolate a portion of the fluid within a chamber of the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to expand a volume of the chamber to reduce a pressure while the portion of the fluid is within the chamber to facilitate identification of an indicator of dissolved gas within the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: CAMERON INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Emanuel Gottlieb, Omar M. Kabir
  • Patent number: 10450831
    Abstract: A choke assembly. In some embodiments, the choke assembly includes a choke element having a fluid flow passage therethrough. The choke element includes a cage having a plurality of apertures therethrough for the passage of fluid and a plug moveable with respect to the cage. The plug has an end surface that defines a boundary of the fluid flow passage through the choke and is moveable to open or close each of the apertures through the cage, whereby the flow of fluid through the cage is controlled. The apertures in the cage are disposed in a first portion and a second portion separated by a land. Each of the first and second portions has a least one aperture therein. The plug may be positioned with its end surface disposed to intersect the land, such that each aperture is fully open or fully closed to the flow of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Derek Meek
  • Patent number: 10337895
    Abstract: An assembly for the control of the flow of a fluid stream is provided, the assembly comprising a fluid flow conduit having a longitudinal axis; an inlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; an outlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; a control fluid feed assembly having an inlet for a control fluid; wherein the conduit comprises a control portion having one or more apertures therein, the control portion being disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the conduit, the one or more apertures being in flow communication with the inlet for the control fluid in the flow control assembly and extending in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow conduit; whereby in use the control fluid supplied to the inlet of the control fluid assembly is caused to flow into the conduit through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 10260654
    Abstract: A valve assembly that includes a main valve having a valve member moveable between a closed position and an open position. The main valve has an upstream side and a downstream side. The valve assembly includes a pressure equalizing assembly for equalizing the fluid pressure across the main valve. The pressure equalizing assembly includes a line extending from the upstream side of the main valve to the downstream side of the main valve and a pressure equalizing valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Coporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 10253593
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; a closure assembly having a first closure member disposed within the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the first closure member closes the innermost end of all of the apertures in the cage, and a second open position, in which the innermost end of all the apertures in the cage are open; and a second closure member disposed outside the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the second closure member closes the outermost end of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Fergal Finn
  • Patent number: 10125571
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet, the cage having a longitudinal axis and an outlet end, in use fluid generally flowing within the cage in a downstream direction towards the outlet end; a closure assembly moveable with respect to the cage to open or close each of the apertures through the cage, to thereby control the flow of fluid through the cage; wherein the apertures in the cage extend through the cage at a first angle being an angle to the longitudinal axis of the cage in the upstream direction. A cage for use in a valve assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 10125570
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly, the assembly includes a gate valve having a gate assembly moveable between a closed position and an open position. The gate assembly includes a pressure equalizing assembly coupled to the gate valve that equalizes the fluid pressure across the gate valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 10100604
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet, the cage having an outlet end, in use fluid flowing within the cage in a downstream direction towards the outlet; a closure assembly moveable with respect to the cage to open or close each of the apertures through the cage, to thereby control the flow of fluid through the cage; wherein the apertures in the cage extend through the cage at a first angle to the radial direction of the cage and at a second angle to the radial direction of the cage, such that, in use, fluid entering the cage through each aperture is directed into t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Fergal Finn
  • Publication number: 20180217101
    Abstract: A fluid monitoring system includes, a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a mineral extraction system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes an actuator assembly positioned along the channel and configured to isolate a portion of the fluid within a chamber of the actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is configured to expand a volume of the chamber to reduce a pressure while the portion of the fluid is within the chamber to facilitate identification of an indicator of dissolved gas within the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Publication date: August 2, 2018
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Emanuel Gottlieb, Omar M. Kabir
  • Publication number: 20180080317
    Abstract: A system includes a channel having a first end configured to be fluidly coupled to a first portion of a conduit of a drilling system or a production system to enable fluid to flow from the conduit into the channel and a second end configured to be fluidly coupled to a second portion of the conduit to enable return of the fluid from the channel into the conduit. The system also includes at least one sensor positioned along the channel and configured to generate a signal indicative of a characteristic of the fluid as the fluid flows through the channel. The system further includes a pump positioned along the channel and configured to adjust a flow rate of the fluid through the channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Emanuel Gottlieb, Omar M. Kabir
  • Publication number: 20180073901
    Abstract: An assembly for the control of the flow of a fluid stream is provided, the assembly comprising a fluid flow conduit having a longitudinal axis; an inlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; an outlet in the conduit for the fluid stream being processed; a control fluid feed assembly having an inlet for a control fluid; wherein the conduit comprises a control portion having one or more apertures therein, the control portion being disposed between the inlet and the outlet of the conduit, the one or more apertures being in flow communication with the inlet for the control fluid in the flow control assembly and extending in a direction at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the fluid flow conduit; whereby in use the control fluid supplied to the inlet of the control fluid assembly is caused to flow into the conduit through the one or more apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 9845654
    Abstract: A subsea support system comprises: at least one component (501) which is configured to be fixedly connected to a pressure conductor (101) in a seabed; and a subsea support (601) which is configured to compliantly support the at least one component (501); wherein, when the at least one component (501) is fixedly connected to the pressure conductor (101), substantially all of a mechanical load (T) which is applied to the subsea support (601) is transmitted by the subsea support (601) to the seabed while the at least one component (501) is substantially free of the mechanical load and remains fixed relative to the pressure conductor (101).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Johnnie Kotrla, John T. Evans
  • Publication number: 20170284182
    Abstract: A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Applicant: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Publication number: 20170266586
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Applicant: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 9714561
    Abstract: A method of separating a multiphase fluid, the fluid including a relatively high density component and a relatively low density component, that includes introducing the fluid into a separation region; imparting a rotational movement into the multiphase fluid; forming an outer annular region of rotating fluid of predetermined thickness within the separation region; and forming and maintaining a core of fluid in an inner region. Fluid entering the separation vessel is directed into the outer annular region and the thickness of the outer annular region is such that the high density component is concentrated and substantially contained within this region, the low density component being concentrated in the rotating core. A separation system employing the method is also provided. The method and system are particularly suitable for the separation of solid debris from the fluids produced by a subterranean oil or gas well at wellhead flow pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2017
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 9636605
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for separating a multiphase fluid stream that includes a heavier fluid component and a lighter fluid component. The fluid flows along a first helical flowpath with a first pitch. The first helical flowpath is sufficiently long to establish a stabilised rotating fluid flow pattern for the stream. The uniform rotating fluid also flows along a second helical flowpath, the second helical flowpath having a second pitch greater than the first pitch. The lighter fluid is removed from a radially inner region of the second helical flowpath. The method and apparatus are particularly suitable for the separation of oil droplets from water, especially from water for reinjection into a subterranean formation as part of an oil and gas production operation. The method and apparatus are conveniently applied on a modular basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper
  • Patent number: 9506310
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flow block for use as a T-Block, tree block, manifold block or valve block, the method including: machining a main bore in a body; forming an opening in the body in a side wall of the main bore; providing an insert including a first bore intersecting with a second bore and being in fluid communication with each other; forming a substantially curved surface on at least part of the intersection between the first bore and the second bore; and inserting the insert into the opening, such that the first bore is substantially aligned with the main bore in order to provide a fluid flow path between the main bore and the second bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: OneSubsea IP UK Limited
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Andrew Bean
  • Publication number: 20160186869
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided, the valve assembly comprising a valve housing; an inlet for fluid entering the valve housing; an outlet for fluid leaving the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the inlet and the outlet, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; a closure assembly having a first closure member disposed within the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the first closure member closes the innermost end of all of the apertures in the cage, and a second open position, in which the innermost end of all the apertures in the cage are open; and a second closure member disposed outside the cage and moveable with respect to the cage between a first closed position, in which the second closure member closes the outermost end of
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Hans Paul Hopper, Fergal Finn
  • Publication number: 20160186877
    Abstract: A gate valve assembly is provided, the assembly comprising a gate valve having a gate assembly moveable between a closed position and an open position, in use the gate valve having an upstream side and a downstream side; the gate assembly comprising a pressure equalizing assembly for equalizing the fluid pressure across the gate valve, the pressure equalizing assembly comprising a pressure equalizing valve assembly; wherein the pressure equalizing valve assembly comprises a valve housing; a first port for fluid to enter or leave the valve housing; a second port for fluid to leave or enter the valve housing; a flow control assembly disposed within the valve housing between the first and second ports, whereby fluid entering the valve housing is caused to flow through the flow control assembly, the flow control assembly comprising a cage having apertures therethrough to provide passage for fluid passing from the inlet to the outlet; and a closure assembly having a closure member moveable with respect to the cage
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventor: Hans Paul Hopper