Patents by Inventor Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo

Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo 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: 11938564
    Abstract: This specification describes systems, methods, and architectures related to generating a plasma shield for laser operations. An example system for generating a plasma shield includes a laser head for directing a laser beam towards a target area on a workpiece. The path of the laser beam from the laser head to the target area on the workpiece is substantially surrounded by a plasma shield, which may form a gas-impermeable barrier. The plasma shield is configured to prevent the ingress of atmospheric or environmental gases, for example oxygen, into an area which would allow the gas to be in contact with the area of the workpiece being interacted with by a laser beam. The shape or location of the plasma shield may be controlled or altered using a magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Faris Hasan Tulbah, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Patent number: 11898418
    Abstract: A system is provided for use with an electrical submersible pump (ESP). The system includes an ESP mounted on a tubing and a magnetic field source positioned above the ESP. The magnetic field source generates a magnetic field configured to suspend iron-containing particles above a discharge of the ESP. The magnetic field prevents an accumulation of the iron-containing particles onto components of the ESP during a powered-off state of the ESP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohannad Abdelaziz, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Patent number: 11788391
    Abstract: A motorized pump including a motor and a pump around the motor. The pump rotor is integrated with the motor rotor, wherein the pump rotor has vanes. The motorized pump may be employed as an electrical submersible pump (ESP) in a wellbore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11767741
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) including a motorized pump having a motor and a pump and that may be employed in a wellbore. The pump rotor has vanes and the pump stator has vanes. The pump rotor is integrated with the motor rotor, wherein the pump rotor and the motor rotor rotate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Publication number: 20230296015
    Abstract: A diagnostics and control system (DCS) for an artificial lift system (ALS) in a well, comprising: a sensor network comprising a plurality of sensors for monitoring and obtaining measurements at a power source of the ALS and at a downhole pump of the ALS; a conditioning subsystem configured to measure ALS system performance data; a processing subsystem configured to receive communications from the conditioning subsystem and comprising a processor configured to process sensor data obtained by the sensor network; and a permanent local wellsite monitor that is controlled by the processing subsystem and is powered using a production controller of the ALS, wherein the permanent local wellsite monitor comprises a central surveillance center for transmitting commands and coordinating testing of the ALS among the sensor network, the conditioning subsystem, and the processing subsystem; wherein a condition of the ALS is evaluated by the permanent local wellsite monitor using the processed sensor data, testing results a
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: September 21, 2023
    Applicants: Aramco Overseas Company UK Ltd, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Shanks Tech Ltd
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Dave Shanks, Jinjiang Xiao, Christopher Wrighton
  • Publication number: 20230184234
    Abstract: A downhole magnetic pump system includes a tube positioned within a wellbore at least partially filled with a fluid. A conductive wire coil is helically wrapped around the tube and is configured to generate a magnetic field in response to an electrical current passing through the coil. A standing valve assembly including a one-way valve and a travelling valve assembly also including a one-way valve are both positioned in the tube, with the travelling valve assembly positioned uphole of the standing valve assembly. The traveling valve is configured to repetitively cycle between a first position uphole of the standing valve assembly and a second position uphole of the first position in response to the electrical current repetitively switching between a first state to a second state. In this way, a portion of the fluid is displaced in an uphole direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Faris Hasan Tulbah
  • Patent number: 11585163
    Abstract: A self-retaining shear pin tool and methods for connecting downhole tubulars in a wellbore are disclosed. The self-retaining shear pin tool includes a cap having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, the cap defining a first recess formed in the inner side of the cap, the first recess of the cap having a cylindrical portion and a frustoconical portion extending from the cylindrical portion towards the outer side of the cap, and a shear pin disposed partially in the first recess of the cap and extending out of the first recess of the cap. The shear pin includes a body, a first recess extending inward from a first end of the body, a second recess extending inward from a second end of the body, a first swage, and a second swage die.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Richard Mark Pye, Rae Andrew Younger, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Publication number: 20220389773
    Abstract: A self-retaining shear pin tool and methods for connecting downhole tubulars in a wellbore are disclosed. The self-retaining shear pin tool includes a cap having an inner side and an outer side opposite the inner side, the cap defining a first recess formed in the inner side of the cap, the first recess of the cap having a cylindrical portion and a frustoconical portion extending from the cylindrical portion towards the outer side of the cap, and a shear pin disposed partially in the first recess of the cap and extending out of the first recess of the cap. The shear pin includes a body, a first recess extending inward from a first end of the body, a second recess extending inward from a second end of the body, a first swage, and a second swage die.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Inventors: Richard Mark Pye, Rae Andrew Younger, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Publication number: 20220324055
    Abstract: This specification describes systems, methods, and architectures related to generating a plasma shield for laser operations. An example system for generating a plasma shield includes a laser head for directing a laser beam towards a target area on a workpiece. The path of the laser beam from the laser head to the target area on the workpiece is substantially surrounded by a plasma shield, which may form a gas-impermeable barrier. The plasma shield is configured to prevent the ingress of atmospheric or environmental gases, for example oxygen, into an area which would allow the gas to be in contact with the area of the workpiece being interacted with by a laser beam. The shape or location of the plasma shield may be controlled or altered using a magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2021
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Faris Hasan Tulbah, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Patent number: 11434905
    Abstract: One example of a gerotor pump includes an inner rotor comprising multiple teeth, the inner rotor configured to rotate about a first longitudinal gerotor pump axis. The gerotor pump also includes a hollow outer rotor including an outer surface and an inner surface having substantially identical contours, the inner surface configured to engage with the multiple teeth and to rotate about a second longitudinal gerotor pump axis. The pump includes a pump housing within which the inner rotor and the outer rotor are disposed, wherein the outer surface of the outer rotor defines gaps between the pump housing and the outer rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Jinjiang Xiao
  • Publication number: 20220243570
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) including a motorized pump having a motor and a pump and that may be employed in a wellbore. The pump rotor has vanes and the pump stator has vanes. The pump rotor is integrated with the motor rotor, wherein the pump rotor and the motor rotor rotate together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2022
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Publication number: 20220098961
    Abstract: A motorized pump including a motor and a pump around the motor. The pump rotor is integrated with the motor rotor, wherein the pump rotor has vanes. The motorized pump may be employed as an electrical submersible pump (ESP) in a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2021
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11268519
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump with adaptive pump stages includes an impeller configured to provide kinetic energy to fluid flow through the pump. The impeller has multiple geometric dimensions. The pump includes a diffuser connected to the impeller that is configured to convert the kinetic energy provided by the impeller into static pressure energy to flow the fluid through the pump. The pump includes an adaptive material attached to the impeller that is configured to modify, during operation of the pump, a geometric dimension to modify fluid flow through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11268520
    Abstract: A centrifugal pump with adaptive pump stages includes an impeller configured to provide kinetic energy to fluid flow through the pump. The impeller has multiple geometric dimensions. The pump includes a diffuser connected to the impeller that is configured to convert the kinetic energy provided by the impeller into static pressure energy to flow the fluid through the pump. The pump includes an adaptive material attached to the impeller that is configured to modify, during operation of the pump, a geometric dimension to modify fluid flow through the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim
  • Patent number: 11162493
    Abstract: One example of a gerotor pump includes an inner rotor comprising multiple teeth, the inner rotor configured to rotate about a first longitudinal gerotor pump axis. The gerotor pump also includes a hollow outer rotor including an outer surface and an inner surface having substantially identical contours, the inner surface configured to engage with the multiple teeth and to rotate about a second longitudinal gerotor pump axis. The pump includes a pump housing within which the inner rotor and the outer rotor are disposed, wherein the outer surface of the outer rotor defines gaps between the pump housing and the outer rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Jinjiang Xiao
  • Patent number: 11162339
    Abstract: A quick connect system includes: a female component including: a center bore longitudinally disposed therethrough; a tooth recess disposed around an interior circumference of the center bore; and teeth circumferentially disposed within the tooth recess. The system also includes a male component including at least one cylindrical portion disposed within the center bore. The teeth engage the cylindrical portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Faris Hasan Tulbah
  • Patent number: 11111925
    Abstract: A system is provided for use with an electrical submersible pump (ESP). The system includes an ESP mounted on a tubing and a magnetic field source positioned above the ESP. The magnetic field source generates a magnetic field configured to suspend iron-containing particles above a discharge of the ESP. The magnetic field prevents an accumulation of the iron-containing particles onto components of the ESP during a powered-off state of the ESP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohannad Abdelaziz, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Publication number: 20210246771
    Abstract: A pumping system for pumping downhole fluid is disclosed. The pumping system includes: a first electric submersible pump (ESP) and a second ESP, each of the first ESP and the second ESP including a motor, a pump inlet, and a pump outlet; a tubing fluidly coupled to the pump outlet of the first ESP and the pump outlet of the second ESP; a connector coupled to the first ESP; an electric cable coupled between an uphole power source and the connector to deliver electric power to the motor of the first ESP; and an electric cable extension coupled between the connector and the second ESP to deliver electric power to the motor of the second ESP. The first ESP and the second ESP are fluidly coupled to the tubing in parallel or in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Chidirim Enoch Ejim, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Publication number: 20210131232
    Abstract: A system is provided for use with an electrical submersible pump (ESP). The system includes an ESP mounted on a tubing and a magnetic field source positioned above the ESP. The magnetic field source generates a magnetic field configured to suspend iron-containing particles above a discharge of the ESP. The magnetic field prevents an accumulation of the iron-containing particles onto components of the ESP during a powered-off state of the ESP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2021
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Mohannad Abdelaziz, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo
  • Patent number: 10941778
    Abstract: An electrical submersible pump (ESP) and method for pumping fluid from a wellbore. The ESP has a motorized pump with an external rotor motor topology. The motorized pump fits into casing in the wellbore. The motorized pump includes a motor having a motor stator and a motor rotor. The motor stator is at a radial center of the motorized pump. The motorized pump has a centrifugal pump radially surrounding the motor stator. The centrifugal pump includes an impeller and a diffuser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Jinjiang Xiao, Rafael Adolfo Lastra Melo, Chidirim Enoch Ejim