Patents by Inventor Luis Phillipe TOSI
Luis Phillipe TOSI 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).
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Patent number: 11316447Abstract: A flow energy harvesting system including a nozzle-diffuser defining a spline-shaped flow channel and a flow energy harvesting device in the spline-shaped flow channel of the nozzle-diffuser. The spline-shaped flow channel includes a converging portion, a diverging portion, and a constriction section between the converging and diverging portions. The flow energy harvesting device includes a flextensional member having a frame and a cantilever extending outward from the frame, and a stack of piezoelectric elements housed in an interior cavity defined in the frame. The cantilever is a non-piezoelectric material. The frame of the flextensional member is in the converging portion and the cantilever is in the constriction section of the spline-shaped flow channel. The frame is configured to deform and elongate the piezoelectric elements to generate a current based on the piezoelectric effect when a fluid flows through the spline-shaped flow channel and generates unbalanced forces on the cantilever due.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Stewart Sherrit, Hyeong Jae Lee, Tim Colonius, Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Publication number: 20190097548Abstract: A flow energy harvesting system including a nozzle-diffuser defining a spline-shaped flow channel and a flow energy harvesting device in the spline-shaped flow channel of the nozzle-diffuser. The spline-shaped flow channel includes a converging portion, a diverging portion, and a constriction section between the converging and diverging portions. The flow energy harvesting device includes a flextensional member having a frame and a cantilever extending outward from the frame, and a stack of piezoelectric elements housed in an interior cavity defined in the frame. The cantilever is a non-piezoelectric material. The frame of the flextensional member is in the converging portion and the cantilever is in the constriction section of the spline-shaped flow channel. The frame is configured to deform and elongate the piezoelectric elements to generate a current based on the piezoelectric effect when a fluid flows through the spline-shaped flow channel and generates unbalanced forces on the cantilever due.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Stewart Sherrit, Hyeong Jae Lee, Tim Colonius, Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Publication number: 20160245047Abstract: An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2016Publication date: August 25, 2016Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, Krystian Maskos, Scott Wagstaff, Jean-Pierre Fleurial, Andrew Kindler
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Patent number: 9318680Abstract: An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2011Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: CHEVRON U.S.A. INC.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Scott Wagstaff
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Patent number: 9068431Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for assessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well wherein electric current or electrostatic potential or both are measured to produce data correlating to at least one flow characteristic of a tubular segment in the well. In some embodiments, electric current and electrostatic potential are produced separately for a plurality of segments, and measured. The system further may adjust at least one flow characteristic of a segment of the well to increase hydrocarbon production from the well.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, William David Norman, David Reuel Underdown, Krystian Maskos
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Patent number: 9010441Abstract: A reservoir production management system includes a plurality of dielectric spectrometers disposed at different locations along the length of production tubing within a wellbore, each of the plurality dielectric spectrometers being in fluid communication with separate producing zones of the reservoir, wherein the plurality of dielectric spectrometers are configured to detect one or more dielectric properties by measuring the response of incident radio waves through fluids from each of the respectively separate producing zones, and a plurality of valves in the production tubing to selectively control production from each of the respectively separate producing zones in response to detected dielectric fluid properties.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2012Date of Patent: April 21, 2015Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Publication number: 20140319970Abstract: A flow energy harvesting device having a harvester pipe includes a flow inlet that receives flow from a primary pipe, a flow outlet that returns the flow into the primary pipe, and a flow diverter within the harvester pipe having an inlet section coupled to the flow inlet, a flow constriction section coupled to the inlet section and positioned at a midpoint of the harvester pipe and having a spline shape with a substantially reduced flow opening size at a constriction point along the spline shape, and an outlet section coupled to the constriction section. The harvester pipe may further include a piezoelectric structure extending from the inlet section through the constriction section and point such that the fluid flow past the constriction point results in oscillatory pressure amplitude inducing vibrations in the piezoelectric structure sufficient to cause a direct piezoelectric effect and to generate electrical power for harvesting.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Stewart Sherrit, Phillip E. Walkemeyer, Jeffrey L. Hall, Hyeong Jae Lee, Tim Colonius, Luis Phillipe Tosi, Namhyo Kim, Kai Sun, Thomas Gary Corbett, Alvaro Jose Arrazola
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Patent number: 8714239Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, David R. Underdown, Carol Ann Cornette
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Patent number: 8624419Abstract: Electrical power may be generated at a downhole position of a production well by way of electromagnetic induction through oscillating linear translation driven by the flow of a fluid being transported by the production well. In exemplary embodiments, a conductive coil is disposed in a fixed position along a length of a production pipe such that the conductive coil encircles the production pipe. A linear translation apparatus is disposed radially inward from the conductive coil and is configured to move linearly parallel to a longitudinal axis of the production pipe and within the conducting coil by harnessing mechanical energy from fluid flowing within the production pipe. Magnets are affixed to the linear translation apparatus to cause electrical power to be generated in the conductive coil by way of electromagnetic induction responsive to the magnets passing by the conductive coil when the linear translation apparatus is in motion.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2011Date of Patent: January 7, 2014Assignee: Chevron U.S.A., Inc.Inventor: Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Publication number: 20130284431Abstract: The present invention is directed to methods for assessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well wherein electric current or electrostatic potential or both are measured to produce data correlating to at least one flow characteristic of a tubular segment in the well. In some embodiments, electric current and electrostatic potential are produced separately for a plurality of segments, and measured. The system further may adjust at least one flow characteristic of a segment of the well to increase hydrocarbon production from the well.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, William David Norman, David Reuel Underdown, Krystian Maskos
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Publication number: 20130240205Abstract: A reservoir production management system includes a plurality of dielectric spectrometers disposed at different locations along the length of production tubing within a wellbore, each of the plurality dielectric spectrometers being in fluid communication with separate producing zones of the reservoir, wherein the plurality of dielectric spectrometers are configured to detect one or more dielectric properties by measuring the response of incident radio waves through fluids from each of the respectively separate producing zones, and a plurality of valves in the production tubing to selectively control production from each of the respectively separate producing zones in response to detected dielectric fluid properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2012Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: CHEVRON U.S.A., INC.Inventor: Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Patent number: 8511373Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2011Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, David R. Underdown, Carol Ann Cornette
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Publication number: 20130061899Abstract: An apparatus, system and method provides electrical power in a subterranean well. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be positioned and installed in a downhole location in a wellbore. The location of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator may be within a completion string. A radioisotope thermoelectric generator comprises a core having a radioisotope for producing heat, and a thermocouple. The thermocouple comprises at least two different metals, and is positioned adjacent to the core. The radioisotope thermoelectric generator flows heat from the core to the thermocouple to produce electricity that may be stored in an energy storage device, or used to power a component. The produced electrical power may be employed to activate downhole sensors, valves, or wireless transmitters associated with the operation and production of an oil or gas well.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe Tosi, Krystian K. Maskos, Scott Wagstaff
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Publication number: 20130056984Abstract: Electrical power may be generated at a downhole position of a production well by way of electromagnetic induction through oscillating linear translation driven by the flow of a fluid being transported by the production well. In exemplary embodiments, a conductive coil is disposed in a fixed position along a length of a production pipe such that the conductive coil encircles the production pipe. A linear translation apparatus is disposed radially inward from the conductive coil and is configured to move linearly parallel to a longitudinal axis of the production pipe and within the conducting coil by harnessing mechanical energy from fluid flowing within the production pipe. Magnets are affixed to the linear translation apparatus to cause electrical power to be generated in the conductive coil by way of electromagnetic induction responsive to the magnets passing by the conductive coil when the linear translation apparatus is in motion.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2011Publication date: March 7, 2013Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventor: Luis Phillipe Tosi
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Publication number: 20120273234Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe TOSI, H. Mitchell Cornette, Carol Ann Cornette, David R. Underdown
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Publication number: 20120273235Abstract: The present invention is directed to processes (methods) for harnessing flow-induced electrostatic energy in an oil and/or gas well and using this energy to power electrical devices (e.g., flowmeters, electrically-actuated valves, etc.) downhole. The present invention is also directed to corresponding systems through which such methods are implemented.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Luis Phillipe TOSI, H. Mitchell Cornette, Carol Ann Cornette, David R. Underdown