Patents by Inventor John Daniel Friedemann

John Daniel Friedemann 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: 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: 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
  • Patent number: 9372106
    Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, John Daniel Friedemann
  • Patent number: 9297679
    Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. A flowmeter can include an elongate body having a first end and a second end and a flow path extending between the first and second ends along a longitudinal axis. An ultrasonic transducer can be disposed in a measurement section of the flow path and configured to emit ultrasonic waves into a material flowing through the flow path. First and second protrusions can be formed in a conditioning section of the flow path upstream from the measurement section, the first and second protrusions extending radially inward from a sidewall of the flow path and being configured to reduce swirling flow through the measurement section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, John Daniel Friedemann, Colin James Mackenzie, Nataraja Aswathanarayana Nagaranavile
  • Publication number: 20160003255
    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: September 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Jorgen Harald Corneliussen, John Daniel Friedemann
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150198471
    Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, John Daniel Friedemann
  • Publication number: 20150198472
    Abstract: Flowmeters are disclosed herein that include one or more flow path features for improving the measurement accuracy or other aspects of the flowmeter. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a measurement section having a non-circular transverse cross-section in which one or more sensors for measuring flow are disposed. The non-circular measurement section can reduce distortion of ultrasonic waves, facilitate chordal measurements with flush-mounted transducers, and reduce the propagation distance between paired transducers. In some embodiments, the flowmeter includes a conditioning section with diametrically opposed longitudinal rib protrusions. The protrusions can reduce swirling flow, direct liquid components of a multi-phase flow towards the sidewalls of the flow path, and guide ballistic particles through the center of the flow path away from sensitive measurement devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward Randall Furlong, Xiaolei Shirley Ao, John Daniel Friedemann, Colin James Mackenzie, Nataraja Aswathanarayana Nagaranavile
  • Patent number: 8622067
    Abstract: A separator arrangement in a multiphase production system. A closed separator container includes a top and a bottom, an inlet for production fluids at an inlet level and at least one outlet for at least partly separated liquid at a level lower than the inlet level. The container outlet is connectable to a liquid pump arranged downstream of the container. A gas accumulator is arranged for by-passing the pump. The gas accumulator includes an inlet end connectable to a top region of the container and an outlet end connectable to a discharge side of the pump for flow communication between the container and the discharge side of the pump. A region near the inlet end the gas accumulator is connected to a supply of injection liquid that is controllable via a valve to be injected to the discharge side of the pump via the gas accumulator. A method for gas by-pass of a liquid pump in a multiphase production system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: John Daniel Friedemann, Bjørn Erik Kvilesjø
  • Patent number: 8327942
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for establishing a hydrate free regime in a subsea production flowline before discharging into the subsea production flowline a production flow of hydrate prone hydrocarbon product pursuant to a shutdown or at an initial start of production. The hydrate free regime is achieved by injecting into the flowline a heated water volume in advance of discharging the hydrocarbon product from the subsea production system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, Inge Wold, John Daniel Friedemann, Christian Borchgrevink
  • Patent number: 8256519
    Abstract: A technique is provided for producing a slurry of solid particulates and hydrocarbon production fluid for transport via a subsea flow line. The technique utilizes a cold flow system that cools production fluid to a temperature below the temperature at which hydrates and other substances precipitate from the production fluid and form solid particulates. An instrumentation and control system is used to receive and process data from sensors in the system. The instrumentation and control system then provides control signals to one or more components of the cold flow system to produce a slurry having solid particulates with desirable characteristics. In addition, a cooling gas may be used to facilitate sub-cooling of the production fluid. The cooling gas is compressed and cools the production fluid as the gas expands via Joule-Thompson expansion. Furthermore, a discharge pressure controller may be used to control flow through the cold flow system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: John Daniel Friedemann
  • Publication number: 20120087808
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to liquid ring compressors that can be employed to remove liquid from a wet gas and/or to compress a wet gas. In one embodiment, a liquid ring compressor includes a shaft, a main body inner casing disposed about the shaft to form a chamber between the shaft and the main body inner casing, and an inlet configured to remove a portion of liquid from a wet gas and to direct the wet gas into the chamber. The liquid ring compressor also includes an impeller rotatably disposed within the chamber and configured to direct a remaining portion of the liquid in the wet gas out towards the main body inner casing to form a liquid ring within the chamber to compress the wet gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christian Aalburg, Alexander Kimberley Simpson, John Daniel Friedemann, Vittorio Michelassi
  • Publication number: 20110259430
    Abstract: A separator arrangement in a multiphase production system. A closed separator container includes a top and a bottom, an inlet for production fluids at an inlet level and at least one outlet for at least partly separated liquid at a level lower than the inlet level. The container outlet is connectable to a liquid pump arranged downstream of the container. A gas accumulator is arranged for by-passing the pump. The gas accumulator includes an inlet end connectable to a top region of the container and an outlet end connectable to a discharge side of the pump for flow communication between the container and the discharge side of the pump. A region near the inlet end the gas accumulator is connected to a supply of injection liquid that is controllable via a valve to be injected to the discharge side of the pump via the gas accumulator. A method for gas by-pass of a liquid pump in a multiphase production system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: John Daniel Friedemann
  • Publication number: 20100044053
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for establishing a hydrate free regime in a subsea production flowline before discharging into the subsea production flowline a production flow of hydrate prone hydrocarbon product pursuant to a shutdown or at an initial start of production. The hydrate free regime is achieved by injecting into the flowline a heated water volume in advance of discharging the hydrocarbon product from the subsea production system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandanavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, Inge Wold, John Daniel Friedemann, Christian Borchgrevink
  • Publication number: 20100012325
    Abstract: A technique is provided for producing a slurry of solid particulates and hydrocarbon production fluid for transport via a subsea flow line. The technique utilizes a cold flow system that cools production fluid to a temperature below the temperature at which hydrates and other substances precipitate from the production fluid and form solid particulates. An instrumentation and control system is used to receive and process data from sensors in the system. The instrumentation and control system then provides control signals to one or more components of the cold flow system to produce a slurry having solid particulates with desirable characteristics. In addition, a cooling gas may be used to facilitate sub-cooling of the production fluid. The cooling gas is compressed and cools the production fluid as the gas expands via Joule-Thompson expansion. Furthermore, a discharge pressure controller may be used to control flow through the cold flow system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Vetco Gray Scandinavia AS
    Inventor: John Daniel Friedemann
  • Publication number: 20090120103
    Abstract: A method for generating power at sub sea level. An oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are fed separately for mixing at a sub sea station. The oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are chosen for chemical reaction in situ under the release of energy. The energy so produced is fed to drive means operated by at least one of heat, kinetic energy, pressure and electricity, and operative to drive sub sea processes or/and sub sea production equipment. An apparatus for generating power at sub sea level. The apparatus includes separate supplies of an oxidizing fluid and an oxidizer for mixing at a sub sea station. The oxidizing fluid and oxidizer are chosen for chemical reaction in situ under the release of energy. A feed for feeding the energy so produced to a drive operated by at least one of heat, kinetic energy, pressure and electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: VetcoGray Scandinavia AS
    Inventors: Tom Grimseth, John Daniel Friedemann, Christian Borchgrevink, Ivar Balk