Patents Assigned to Scan Systems, Corp.
  • Patent number: 11874253
    Abstract: High-speed tubular inspection systems include a frame at least one magnetic flux generator contained in a coil annulus and a detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through. The detector assembly has one or more magnetic detectors and one or more eddy current detectors configured to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member during an inspection. The detectors are each contained in one or more EMI detector shoes. A conveyor supports the frame and a drive mechanism configured to drive the tubular member through the coil annulus (or drive the coil annulus past the tubular member) at high-speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: SCAN SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: John Tolman, Danny Uselton, John Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11675086
    Abstract: A hand-held OCTG length measuring apparatus has hollow upper and lower bodies, a hand grip extending generally downward from the hollow upper body near the first end and including a source trigger, and a sensor housing extending generally downward from the hollow upper body. The sensor housing encloses a TOF source operatively connected to the source trigger. The hollow lower body shaped to include a frontal cavity positioned generally under the source housing, the frontal cavity having attached thereto a pipe end alignment bracket. The upper hollow body and the lower hollow body connected at a lower end of the hand grip and at a lower end of the sensor housing. The apparatus employs a minimum 40,000 lux laser (at 18 to 25 feet) and a polarized, diamond-grade reflector, to afford reliable, repeatable OCTG length measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: SCAN SYSTEMS, CORP.
    Inventors: Danny Uselton, Matt Rutledge
  • Publication number: 20230017106
    Abstract: High-speed tubular inspection systems include a frame at least one magnetic flux generator contained in a coil annulus and a detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through. The detector assembly has one or more magnetic detectors and one or more eddy current detectors configured to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member during an inspection. The detectors are each contained in one or more EMI detector shoes. A conveyor supports the frame and a drive mechanism configured to drive the tubular member through the coil annulus (or drive the coil annulus past the tubular member) at high-speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: SCAN SYSTEMS, CORP
    Inventors: DANNY USELTON, JOHN TOLMAN, JOHN ZEIGLER
  • Patent number: 11402352
    Abstract: Tubular member inspection apparatus, systems and methods for inspecting tubulars of a variety of diameters. An EMI inspection shoe includes a flexible, generally arcuate body having a leading end, a trailing end, a non-working major face, and a working major face. The leading end, trailing end, non-working major face, and working major face at least partially define an inspection zone therebetween. One or more magnetic flux detectors are carried by the flexible, generally arcuate body in the inspection zone. One or more pressure actuators removably attached to the non-working face are configured to exert pressure on one or more regions of the flexible, generally arcuate body in the inspection zone during an EMI inspection of a tubular, forcing the flexible, generally arcuate body to contort into a generally contoured shape as it passes over a contoured region of the tubular.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SCAN SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Danny Uselton, John Tolman, John Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11402351
    Abstract: High-speed tubular inspection systems include a frame at least one magnetic flux generator contained in a coil annulus and a detector assembly each having inlet and outlet openings for passing a tubular member there through. The detector assembly has one or more magnetic detectors and one or more eddy current detectors configured to be spaced a first distance from the tubular member during an inspection. The detectors are each contained in one or more EMI detector shoes. A conveyor supports the frame and a drive mechanism configured to drive the tubular member through the coil annulus (or drive the coil annulus past the tubular member) at high-speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: SCAN SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: John Tolman, Danny Uselton, John Zeigler
  • Patent number: 11307173
    Abstract: Tubular member end area inspection systems and methods. One system includes a frame, a movable carriage including a magnetic flux generator, and inner and outer detector assemblies. The movable carriage, magnetic flux generator, inner and outer detector assemblies each have an inlet opening for accepting an end area of a tubular member therein and between the inner and outer detector assemblies. The inner and outer detector assemblies each having one or more magnetic or eddy current detectors adapted to be spaced a distance from inner and outer surfaces of the end area of the tubular member. An actuator assembly connecting the frame and the movable carriage includes a sensor adapted to sense an end of the tubular member and direct the movable carriage from a rest position to an inspection position about the end area of the tubular member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: SCAN SYSTEMS CORP.
    Inventors: Danny Uselton, John Tolman
  • Patent number: 7622917
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Scan Systems Corp.
    Inventors: William T. Walters, Xiaowen Wu
  • Publication number: 20080272772
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Scan Systems, Corp
    Inventors: William T. Walters, Xiaowen Wu
  • Publication number: 20080258719
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for magnetic wall inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a main magnetic coil producing lines of magnetic flux able to traverse a section of a tubular member in a direction generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular member; and one or more magnetic focusing members positioned along the tubular and able to redirect certain flux lines so that they are more parallel to the tubular. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Applicants: The University of Houston, Scan Systems, Corp
    Inventors: Philip T. Putman, William T. Walters, Danny J. Uselton
  • Publication number: 20070024278
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for inspecting materials such as cylindrical and tubular members are disclosed. One apparatus includes a frame that supports a magnetic coil and a detector assembly, the detector assembly having one or more magnetic detectors adapted to be spaced a first distance from the material being inspected by one or more substantially frictionless members. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: Scan Systems, Corp
    Inventors: William Walters, Xiaowen Wu
  • Patent number: 7038445
    Abstract: A device and method is taught for detection of flaws and localized wall loss in pipes made of ferromagnetic-based material. The device utilizes a magnetic field generator to create a horizontal magnetic field of flux. A pipe is passed through the magnetic field where a magnetic fluctuation detector, for example multiple groups of hall units, identifies fluctuations in the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Scan Systems, Corp.
    Inventors: William T. Walters, Danny J. Uselton, Robert W. Speiser
  • Publication number: 20040041560
    Abstract: A device and method is taught for detection of flaws and localized wall loss in pipes made of ferromagnetic-based material. The device utilizes a magnetic field generator to create a horizontal magnetic field of flux. A pipe is passed through the magnetic field where a magnetic fluctuation detector, for example multiple groups of hall units, identifies fluctuations in the magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Scan Systems Corp.
    Inventors: William T. Walters, Danny J. Uselton, Robert W. Speiser