Patents by Inventor Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon

Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon 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: 11723171
    Abstract: Embodiments of an enclosure assembly to enhance cooling of a hydraulic fracturing direct drive unit (DDU) during operation are included. The enclosure assembly may include an enclosure body extending at least partially around an enclosure space to house the DDU for driving a fluid pump. The enclosure assembly may include one or more heat exchanger assemblies connected to the enclosure body for cooling a process fluid associated with one or more of the DDU and the fluid pump, and which may be configured to draw air into the enclosure space from and external environment, toward one or more radiator assemblies to cool the process fluid, and along an airflow path through the enclosure space. One or more outlet fan assemblies may be operative to discharge air from the enclosure space to the external environment to maintain a desired temperature of the enclosure space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Guillermo Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 11719085
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating hydraulic fracturing units, each including a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead and an internal combustion engine to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump, may include receiving signals indicative of operational parameters. The systems and methods also may include determining an amount of required fracturing power sufficient to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation, determining an available power to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation and a difference between the available power and the required power, and controlling operation of the hydraulic fracturing units based at least in part on the power difference. When the power difference is indicative of excess power available, the system and methods may include causing at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units to idle, and when the power difference is indicative of a power deficit, increasing a power output of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230243307
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for the removal of a direct drive unit (DDU) housed in an enclosure, such as a direct drive turbine (DDT) connected to a gearbox for driving a driveshaft connected to a pump for use in hydraulic fracturing operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 3, 2023
    Applicant: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster, Nicholas Tew
  • Publication number: 20230235736
    Abstract: A methods and system to operate hydraulic fracturing units may include utilizing hydraulic fracturing unit profiles. The system may include hydraulic fracturing units may include various components. The components may include an engine and associated local controller and sensors, a transmission connected to the engine, transmission sensors, and a pump connected to the transmission and powered by the engine via the transmission and associated local controller and sensors. A supervisory controller may control the hydraulic fracturing units. The supervisory controller may be in communication with components of each hydraulic fracturing unit. The supervisory controller may include instructions to, for each hydraulic fracturing units, obtain hydraulic fracturing unit parameters, determine a hydraulic fracturing unit health assessment, and build a hydraulic unit profile including the health assessment and parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Andres Alvarez, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230235698
    Abstract: A system, as well as associated methods, for increasing the efficiency of a gas turbine including an inlet assembly and a compressor may include a housing configured to channel airstream towards the inlet assembly, an air treatment module positioned at a proximal end the housing, and at least one air conditioning module mounted downstream of the air treatment module for adjusting the temperature of the airstream entering the compressor. The air treatment module may include a plurality of inlet air filters and at least one blower configured to pressurize the air entering the air treatment module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2023
    Publication date: July 27, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon
  • Patent number: 11708829
    Abstract: Embodiments of a high-pressure, high power, reciprocating positive displacement fluid pumping system and methods are included. The system may include a high-pressure, high power, reciprocating positive displacement pump including a pump plunger, a fluid end block assembly, and a fluid cover. The fluid end block assembly may include a fluid end block body, a suction port, a discharge port, a pump bore positioned in and extending through the fluid end block body, and a fluid chamber positioned in the fluid end block body and in fluid communication with each of the suction port, the discharge port, and the pump bore. The fluid chamber has an open end portion, and the pump plunger may be positioned to move in the pump bore to pressurize one or more fluids in the fluid chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Guillermo Rodriguez, Heber Martinez, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Tony Yeung
  • Publication number: 20230228179
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating hydraulic fracturing units, each including a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead and an internal combustion engine to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump, may include receiving signals indicative of operational parameters. The systems and methods also may include determining an amount of required fracturing power sufficient to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation, determining an available power to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation and a difference between the available power and the required power, and controlling operation of the hydraulic fracturing units based at least in part on the power difference. When the power difference is indicative of excess power available, the system and methods may include causing at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units to idle, and when the power difference is indicative of a power deficit, increasing a power output of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11698028
    Abstract: An exhaust energy recovery system (EERS) and associated methods for an engine are disclosed. An embodiment of an EERS, for example, includes an inlet duct that is configured to divert exhaust gas from an exhaust duct of the engine into the recovery system and an outlet duct configured to return the exhaust gas to the exhaust duct downstream of the inlet duct. The recovery system is configured to heat components or fluids associated with engine to operating temperatures. The recovery system may be part of a mobile power system that is mounted to a single trailer and includes an engine and a power unit such as a high pressure pump or generator mounted to the trailer. Methods of operating and purging recovery systems are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230212932
    Abstract: Embodiments of drive equipment for mobile hydraulic fracturing power units and methods for changing and controlling the drive equipment are disclosed. The mobile power units include a gas turbine engine that provides mechanical power to drive shaft which is connected to the drive equipment such that the drive equipment is driven by the engine. The drive equipment may be a hydraulic fracturing pump or an electrical generator. The drive shaft is rotated at a speed suitable for the hydraulic fracturing pump and the electrical generator includes a step up gearbox to increase a rotational speed of the drive shaft for use by the electrical generator. The drive equipment may be secured to a skid that is field changeable with a crane or a fork lift to change the drive equipment at a well pad based on the demands of the well pad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230212992
    Abstract: Methods and systems for supply of fuel for a turbine-driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing may be configured to identify when the supply pressure of primary fuel to a plurality of gas turbine engines of a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units falls below a set point, identify a gas turbine engine of the fleet of hydraulic fracturing units operating on primary fuel with highest amount of secondary fuel available, and to selectively transfer the gas turbine engine operating on primary fuel with the highest amount of secondary fuel from primary fuel operation to secondary fuel operation. Some methods and systems may be configured to transfer all gas turbine engines to secondary fuel operation and individually and/or sequentially restore operation to primary fuel operation and/or to manage primary fuel operation and/or secondary fuel operation for portions of the plurality of gas turbine engines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2023
    Publication date: July 6, 2023
    Applicant: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11692422
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, detecting, and/or intervening with respect to cavitation and pulsation events during hydraulic fracturing operations may include a supervisory controller. The supervisory controller may be configured to receive pump signals indicative of one or more of pump discharge pressure, pump suction pressure, pump speed, or pump vibration associated with operation of the hydraulic fracturing pump. The supervisory controller also may be configured to receive blender signals indicative of one or more of blender flow rate or blender discharge pressure. Based on one or more of these signals, the supervisory controller may be configured to detect a cavitation event and/or a pulsation event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230203926
    Abstract: Systems and methods for exchanging fracturing components of a hydraulic fracturing unit and may include an exchangeable fracturing component section to facilitate quickly exchanging a fracturing component of a hydraulic fracturing unit. The fracturing component section may include a section frame including a base, and a fracturing component connected to the base. The fracturing component section also may include a component electrical assembly and a component fluid assembly connected to the section frame. The fracturing component section further may include a coupling plate connected to the section frame. The fracturing component section also may include one or more of a plurality of quick-connect electrical couplers or a plurality of quick-connect fluid couplers connected to a coupling plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230203927
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods disclosed provide a hydraulic fracturing unit that includes a reciprocating plunger pump configured to pump a fracturing fluid and a powertrain configured to power the reciprocating plunger pump. The powertrain includes a prime mover and a drivetrain, the prime mover including a gas turbine engine. The hydraulic fracturing unit also includes auxiliary equipment configured to support operation of the hydraulic fracturing unit including the reciprocating plunger pump and the powertrain. A power system is configured to power the auxiliary equipment. The power system includes a power source and a power network. The power source is configured to generate power for the auxiliary equipment. The power network is coupled to the power source and the auxiliary equipment, and configured to deliver the power generated by the power source to the auxiliary equipment. Associated systems including a plurality of hydraulic fracturing units are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2023
    Publication date: June 29, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster, Nicholas Tew
  • Publication number: 20230193897
    Abstract: A pump system may include a pump, a driveshaft, driving equipment, and a vibration dampening assembly configured to reduce pump-imposed high frequency/low amplitude and low frequency/high amplitude torsional vibrations. The pump may have an input shaft connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may include an output shaft having an output flange connected to the driveshaft. The driving equipment may be configured to rotate the driveshaft to rotate the input shaft of the pump therewith. The vibration dampening assembly may include one or more flywheels operably connected to the input shaft and configured to rotate therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Guillermo Rodriguez, Samir Nath Seth
  • Publication number: 20230184074
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system, controller, and method for operating a plurality of pumps for a turbine driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of operating a plurality of pumps associated with a hydraulic fracturing system includes receiving a demand Hydraulic Horse Power (HHP) signal. The demand HHP signal may include the Horse Power (HP) required for the hydraulic fracturing system to operate and may include consideration for frictional and other losses. The method further includes operating available pump units at a percentage of rating below Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) level, based at least in part on the demand HHP signal. Furthermore, the method may include receiving a signal for loss of power from one or more pump units. The method further includes operating one or more units at MCP level and operating one or more pump units at Maximum Intermittent Power (MIP) level to meet the demand HHP signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2023
    Publication date: June 15, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Diankui Fu, Warren Zemlak, Samir Nath Seth, Joseph Foster
  • Publication number: 20230175374
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Andres Alvarez
  • Publication number: 20230175373
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a fleet of pumps for a turbine driven fracturing pump system used in hydraulic fracturing is disclosed. In an embodiment, a method of operating a fleet of pumps associated with a hydraulic fracturing system includes receiving a demand Hydraulic Horse Power (HHP) signal. The demand HHP signal may include the Horse Power (HP) required for the hydraulic fracturing system to operate and may include consideration for frictional and other losses. The method further includes operating all available pump units at a percentage of rating below Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) level, based at least in part on the demand HHP signal. Furthermore, the method may include receiving a signal for loss of power from one or more pump units. The method further includes operating one or more units at MCP level and operating one or more units at Maximum Intermittent Power (MIP) level to meet the demand HHP signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Diankui Fu, Warren Zemlak, Samir Nath Seth, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11668175
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a status of components of hydraulic fracturing units including a prime mover and a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead via a manifold may include a diagnostic control assembly. The diagnostic control assembly may include sensors associated with the hydraulic fracturing units or the manifold, and a supervisory control unit to determine whether the sensors are generating signals outside a calibration range, determine whether a fluid parameter associated with an auxiliary system of the hydraulic fracturing units is indicative of a fluid-related problem, determine whether lubrication associated with the prime mover, the hydraulic fracturing pump, or a transmission of the hydraulic fracturing units has a lubrication fluid temperature greater than a maximum lubrication temperature, or determine an extent to which a heat exchanger assembly associated with the hydraulic fracturing units is cooling fluid passing through the heat exchanger assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Andres Alvarez
  • Patent number: 11661832
    Abstract: Systems and methods for operating hydraulic fracturing units, each including a hydraulic fracturing pump to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead and an internal combustion engine to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump, may include receiving signals indicative of operational parameters. The systems and methods also may include determining an amount of required fracturing power sufficient to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation, determining an available power to perform the hydraulic fracturing operation and a difference between the available power and the required power, and controlling operation of the hydraulic fracturing units based at least in part on the power difference. When the power difference is indicative of excess power available, the system and methods may include causing at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units to idle, and when the power difference is indicative of a power deficit, increasing a power output of at least one of the hydraulic fracturing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster
  • Patent number: 11655763
    Abstract: Described herein are embodiments of systems and methods for the removal of a direct drive unit (DDU) housed in an enclosure, such as a direct drive turbine (DDT) connected to a gearbox for driving a driveshaft connected to a pump for use in hydraulic fracturing operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: BJ Energy Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Tony Yeung, Ricardo Rodriguez-Ramon, Joseph Foster, Nicholas Tew