Patents by Inventor Trond Melhus
Trond Melhus 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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Publication number: 20220127178Abstract: A filtration apparatus for filtrating particles from fluid, the filtration apparatus comprising a filtration vessel; at least one filtering element for removing particles from fluid passing therethrough, the at least one filtering element being arranged to move along a path into the filtration vessel, and out from the filtration vessel; a filtration inlet arranged to convey a mixture of particles and fluid to the at least one filtering element within the filtration vessel; and a filtration outlet arranged to convey fluid, filtrated by the at least one filtering element, out from the filtration vessel; wherein the filtration apparatus is configured to establish a differential pressure over the at least one filtering element inside the filtration vessel. A method of filtrating particles from fluid is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: PRO-FLO ASInventor: Trond MELHUS
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Patent number: 10626855Abstract: Lifting device (10) for vertically lifting liquids, where the lifting device (10) comprises: a lifting line arrangement (18) for guiding a liquid from an open lower reservoir (16) to an upper reservoir (14); a lowering line arrangement (20) for guiding the liquid from the upper reservoir (14) to the lower reservoir (16); a pressure converter (12) with an actuating member (36), the pressure converter (12) being configured to convert a liquid pressure in the lowering line arrangement (20) into a liquid pressure in the lifting line arrangement (18) by means of a substantially linear movement of the actuating member (36); and a pump member (38) for pumping the liquid in the lifting line arrangement (18) towards the upper reservoir (14) and/or for pumping the liquid in the lowering line arrangement (20) towards the pressure converter (12).Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2015Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: ENERGY HARVEST ASInventor: Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20200041011Abstract: Rotary valve device for sequentially connecting an first line to a plurality of second lines, the rotary valve device comprising: a stationary structure comprising a first port for connection to the first line and at least two second ports for connection to a respective second line and a distribution rotor rotatably arranged within the stationary structure, the distribution rotor comprising at least one rotor opening, wherein the rotary valve device is configured such that the rotor opening sequentially establishes a fluid communication between the first port and the second ports as the distribution rotor rotates.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: ENERGY HARVEST ASInventor: Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20180320671Abstract: Lifting device (10) for vertically lifting liquids, where the lifting device (10) comprises: a lifting line arrangement (18) for guiding a liquid from an open lower reservoir (16) to an upper reservoir (14); a lowering line arrangement (20) for guiding the liquid from the upper reservoir (14) to the lower reservoir (16); a pressure converter (12) with an actuating member (36), the pressure converter (12) being configured to convert a liquid pressure in the lowering line arrangement (20) into a liquid pressure in the lifting line arrangement (18) by means of a substantially linear movement of the actuating member (36); and a pump member (38) for pumping the liquid in the lifting line arrangement (18) towards the upper reservoir (14) and/or for pumping the liquid in the lowering line arrangement (20) towards the pressure converter (12).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: November 8, 2018Inventor: Trond MELHUS
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Publication number: 20150118088Abstract: A valve for regulating the fluid pressure and/or the fluid flow in a fluid distribution network. The valve comprises a stator (10, 110) defining an interior space (14, 114); at least one inlet port (15, 131a, 132a) and at least one outlet port (15, 133a, 134a). The inlet port and outlet port are arranged for being connected to a fluid duct. A rotor (20, 120) is arranged rotatable about a rotational axis in the interior space and is provided with a rotor core (21, 121) and a number of vanes (23, 123), which are movable in relation to the core. The rotor continuously divides, in sealing relation with the stator, upon rotation of the rotor the interior space into at least two mutually separated chambers (14a, 14b, 114a-d). Each chamber comprises an inlet opening (17a, 17b, 112a) and an outlet opening (18a, 18b, 112b).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventors: Trond Melhus, Per Hassel Sörensen
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Patent number: 8813499Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method of converting a portion of the specific energy of a fluid in gas phase into mechanical work are described, the apparatus (1) comprising: at least one housing (3, 3?) which is provided with at least one gas-supply portion (7, T) and at least one exhaust portion (9, 9?)/each of the at least one housing (3, 3?) comprising: a blade wheel (5) which is rotatably arranged in the housing (3, 3?) and which includes: a shaft (51) enclosed by a drum (53); at least two blades (55) which are movably arranged to the drum (53) so that a portion (57) of the blades (55) is arranged to be moved towards the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3, 3?) in such a way that the drum (53), the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3) and the blades (55) define chambers (59) arranged to contain gas, an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the exhaust portion (9, 9?) being larger than an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the gas-supplyType: GrantFiled: May 26, 2010Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: Home Investering ASInventor: Trond Melhus
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Patent number: 8746460Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus (1) for the sieving and fluid separation of a material containing fractions of a solid and fluid, the material being placed on an upper side of at least one sieving element (13), and the apparatus (1) being provided with at least one fluid-flow-generating device (5) for the production of a fluid flow through a portion of the material-carrying sieving element (13). The invention also describes a method of using the apparatus (1).Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: Cubility ASInventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20140007577Abstract: A method of extracting energy from an external heat source. The method comprises the steps of: a) compressing a medium in the liquid phase using an external power source to obtain a compressed liquid medium; b) heating the compressed liquid medium from step a) using heat at least partly derived from the external heat source to expand the medium and obtain it in the supercritical state; c) reducing the pressure of the heated medium from step b) to a controlled degree by applying a variable load to generate electric power of a frequency; d) converting the frequency of step c) to a desired output frequency; and e) reducing the temperature and volume of the medium from step c) to obtain the medium in the liquid phase for recycling to step a), wherein the degree of compression in step a) is controlled independently of the load applied in step c). A corresponding system is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2011Publication date: January 9, 2014Inventor: Trond Melhus
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Patent number: 8511886Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method for ad-mixing an additive for a drilling fluid for use in the drilling of a petroleum well are described. The apparatus (1) includes: a mixing chamber (3) which is connected, in terms of fluid, to an inlet line (5) for drilling fluid, an outlet line (7) for drilling fluid and at least one dosing device (9, 9?) for an additive, the dosing device (9, 9?) being arranged to supply the additive from a container (11, 11?) to the mixing chamber (3) and to form a pressure-tight barrier between the mixing chamber (3) and the container (11, 11?); and a pumping device (13) arranged downstream of the mixing chamber (3), which is arranged to suck drilling fluid through the mixing chamber (3).Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2009Date of Patent: August 20, 2013Assignee: Cubility ASInventors: Jan Kristians Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Patent number: 8394270Abstract: A system and method for the treatment of a fluid comprising at least two of the fractions solid particles, liquid and/or gas is described having at least one inlet portion and two or more outlet portions, and being arranged to separate solid particles over a predetermined size from the liquid by at least one screening apparatus and then carrying the fractions out of the system. The system (1) being substantially fluid-tight between the at least one inlet and outlet inlet portions and being provided with at least one underpressure-generating device arranged to provide an underpressure in the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2007Date of Patent: March 12, 2013Assignee: Cubility ASInventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Patent number: 8348623Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus (1) and a method for use in regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) including two impellers (2), either one including a rotatable shaft (6) which is provided with a plurality of vanes or plate-shaped blades (8), the impellers (2) being disposed in a housing (4) which constitutes a portion of the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) communicating with a load (19, 21) and/or an energy source, so that the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1) are arranged to influence the movement of the fluid column within the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) being arranged to receive the fluid column between the shafts (6) of the impellers (2), the centre axis of said shafts (6) being substantially in the same plane as wall portions of the housing (4) upstream and downstream of the vanes, whereby the rate of the fluid column through the apparatus substantially corresponds to the rate of the fluid column immediately upstream andType: GrantFiled: June 28, 2007Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: Energreen ASInventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20120219433Abstract: There is described an apparatus (1) and a method to facilitate a hydrostatic pressure increase in a fluid flowing in a first pipe (22), where the hydrostatic pressure increase is provided by means of a pumping device (3) being supplied with energy, the apparatus including: —an energy harvester (5) arranged to be able to draw a portion of an energy carried by a fluid flowing in a second pipe (28); and —a mechanical or hydraulic energy transfer device (9, 60) arranged to be able to transfer a portion of the energy absorbed by the energy harvester (5) to the pumping device (3).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2010Publication date: August 30, 2012Inventor: Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20120073297Abstract: An apparatus (1) and a method of converting a portion of the specific energy of a fluid in gas phase into mechanical work are described, the apparatus (1) comprising: at least one housing (3, 3?) which is provided with at least one gas-supply portion (7, T) and at least one exhaust portion (9, 9?)/each of the at least one housing (3, 3?) comprising: a blade wheel (5) which is rotatably arranged in the housing (3, 3?) and which includes: a shaft (51) enclosed by a drum (53); at least two blades (55) which are movably arranged to the drum (53) so that a portion (57) of the blades (55) is arranged to be moved towards the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3, 3?) in such a way that the drum (53), the internal casing surface (31) of the housing (3) and the blades (55) define chambers (59) arranged to contain gas, an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the exhaust portion (9, 9?) being larger than an effective area of a blade (55) which is immediately upstream of the gas-supplyType: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2010Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventor: Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20110299357Abstract: An apparatus and a method for admixing an additive for a drilling fluid. for use in the drilling of a petroleum well are described. The apparatus includes a mixing chamber which is connected, in terms of fluid, to an inlet line for drilling fluid, an outlet line for drilling fluid and at least one dosing device for an additive. The dosing device being arranged to supply the additive from a container to the mixing chamber and to form a pressure-tight barrier between the mixing chamber and the container. A pumping device is arranged downstream of the mixing chamber, which is arranged to suck drilling fluid through the mixing chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2009Publication date: December 8, 2011Inventors: Jan Kristians Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Patent number: 8025152Abstract: An apparatus and a method of screening a material containing a solid and fluid where the material is placed on an upper side of a screen element and the material is at least being acted on by vibrations produced by at least one acoustic sound source. The at least one acoustic sound source is arranged to transmit pressure waves to at least a portion of an underside of the screen element.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2006Date of Patent: September 27, 2011Assignee: Virdrill ASInventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus, Harald Knutsen
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Publication number: 20110041489Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing liquid flow in a pipeline which is provided with at least one turbine device to extract energy from the liquid flow, wherein stream is used to produce liquid flow in the pipeline and through the turbine.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2009Publication date: February 24, 2011Inventor: Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20100089128Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (1) for leakage testing and/or pressure testing a portion of a pipe (7), the apparatus (1) including at least two spaced-apart packer elements (3, 5) which are arranged to define a volume (10) of fluid in an annulus between said at least two packer elements (3, 5) and the internal jacket surface of the pipe (7), and the apparatus (1) being provided with a means for providing a differential pressure between the fluid volume (10) and a fluid located immediately upstream and downstream of the apparatus (1), and with a means for sensing the pressure of the fluid volume (10). The invention also relates to a method of using the apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2007Publication date: April 15, 2010Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Geir Ueland, Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20090314353Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus (1) and a method for use in regulation of the energy potential in a fluid column located within a pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) including two impellers (2), either one including a rotatable shaft (6) which is provided with a plurality of vanes or plate-shaped blades (8), the impellers (2) being disposed in a housing (4) which constitutes a portion of the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) communicating with a load (19, 21) and/or an energy source, so that the impellers (2) of the apparatus (1) are arranged to influence the movement of the fluid column within the pipeline (13), the apparatus (1) being arranged to receive the fluid column between the shafts (6) of the impellers (2), the centre axis of said shafts (6) being substantially in the same plane as wall portions of the housing (4) upstream and downstream of the vanes, whereby the rate of the fluid column through the apparatus substantially corresponds to the rate of the fluid column immediately upstream andType: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2007Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: ENERGREEN ASInventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20090107931Abstract: A system (1) for the treatment of a fluid comprising at least two of the fractions solid particles, liquid and/or gas is described, the system (1) being defined by at least one inlet portion (3) and two or more outlet portions (5, 7, 9), and the system (1) being arranged to separate solid particles over a predetermined size from the liquid by means of at least one screening apparatus (23, 25) and then carry said fractions out of the system (1), the system (1) for the treatment of fluid being substantially fluid-tight between said at' least one inlet portion (3) and the outlet portions (5, 7, 9) and being provided with at least one underpressure-generating device (11, 13) which is arranged to provide an underpressure in the system (1) between said at least one inlet portion (3) and the outlet portions (5, 7, 9), the at least one screening apparatus (23, 25) being arranged to separate the fluid into fractions substantially including solids, liquid and/or gas, the fractions of the fluid being kept separate as thType: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2007Publication date: April 30, 2009Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus
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Publication number: 20080223777Abstract: The present invention describes an apparatus (1) for the sieving and fluid separation of a material containing fractions of a solid and fluid, the material being placed on an upper side of at least one sieving element (13), and the apparatus (1) being provided with at least one fluid-flow-generating device (5) for the production of a fluid flow through a portion of the material-carrying sieving element (13). The invention also describes a method of using the apparatus (1).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2006Publication date: September 18, 2008Inventors: Jan Kristian Vasshus, Trond Melhus