Patents by Inventor Conner S. George
Conner S. George 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: 20240025051Abstract: A system for detecting radial movement of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising distance sensors configured to measure a distance between their respective fixed positions and a surface of the pipe, and a processor configured to detect a change and determine whether the change is indicative of radial movement. A system for tracking a position of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising mirrored, freely-rotating mecanum wheels, a sensor(s) configured to measure rotation of the mecanum wheels, and a processor configured to calculate a linear displacement of each mecanum wheel and resulting axial and circumferential positions of the robotic apparatus. A method for navigating a bend or curve of a pipe, comprising generating computer models of the robotic apparatus and the pipe, performing a computer simulation to identify a combination of wheel speeds that keeps the wheels in constant contact with the pipe, and operating the wheels accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Hassan Zargarzadeh, Dianna D. Liu
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Patent number: 11826916Abstract: A system for detecting radial movement of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising distance sensors configured to measure a distance between their respective fixed positions and a surface of the pipe, and a processor configured to detect a change and determine whether the change is indicative of radial movement. A system for tracking a position of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising mirrored, freely-rotating mecanum wheels, a sensor(s) configured to measure rotation of the mecanum wheels, and a processor configured to calculate a linear displacement of each mecanum wheel and resulting axial and circumferential positions of the robotic apparatus. A method for navigating a bend or curve of a pipe, comprising generating computer models of the robotic apparatus and the pipe, performing a computer simulation to identify a combination of wheel speeds that keeps the wheels in constant contact with the pipe, and operating the wheels accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2021Date of Patent: November 28, 2023Assignee: ARIX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Hassan Zargarzadeh, Dianna D. Liu
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Publication number: 20230373578Abstract: A robotic apparatus having first and second wheels with rollers coupled by a frame, third and fourth wheels with rollers circumferentially offset from the first and second wheels, and a clamping assembly coupled to the frame and configured to apply a force for urging the third and fourth wheels towards the pipe to secure the robotic apparatus thereon. Another robotic apparatus having first and second wheels with rollers on a first side of a pipe, third and fourth wheels with rollers on a second, opposing side of the pipe, and a clamping member coupling the first and second wheels to the third and fourth wheels and configured to apply a force for urging the wheels towards the pipe to secure the robotic apparatus thereon. The robotic apparatuses may have a modular design in which different sized clamping members/assemblies can be swapped out to accommodate pipes of different diameters.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Jakob R. Salazar, Curtis Woods Belknap, JR., Gail Paulin Murray
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Publication number: 20230366837Abstract: A radiography system for use on a pipe traversing robot, including a mechanism configured to automatically adjust the position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a diameter of the pipe. Another radiography system including a computer vision system configured to process radiography imagery to define a measured interface between the pipe and insulation surrounding the pipe, and a control system configured to automatically adjust a position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a location of or non-presence of the measured interface in the radiography imagery. A computer vision system for detecting potential anomalies in a pipe's surface. A fail safe mechanism configured to prevent a robot from falling off a pipe while allowing the robot to traverse obstacles extending from or tangential to the pipe. A robot having one or more fail safe mechanisms configured to be selectably extended and retracted.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2023Publication date: November 16, 2023Inventors: Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Karl Petter Wehlin, Dianna D. Liu
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Patent number: 11754514Abstract: A radiography system for use on a pipe traversing robot, including a mechanism configured to automatically adjust the position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a diameter of the pipe. Another radiography system including a computer vision system configured to process radiography imagery to define a measured interface between the pipe and insulation surrounding the pipe, and a control system configured to automatically adjust a position(s) of a radiation source and/or an imager thereof based on a location of or non-presence of the measured interface in the radiography imagery. A computer vision system for detecting potential anomalies in a pipe's surface. A fail safe mechanism configured to prevent a robot from falling off a pipe while allowing the robot to traverse obstacles extending from or tangential to the pipe. A robot having one or more fail safe mechanisms configured to be selectably extended and retracted.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2022Date of Patent: September 12, 2023Assignee: ARIX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Karl Petter Wehlin, Dianna D. Liu
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Publication number: 20210402609Abstract: A system for detecting radial movement of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising distance sensors configured to measure a distance between their respective fixed positions and a surface of the pipe, and a processor configured to detect a change and determine whether the change is indicative of radial movement. A system for tracking a position of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising mirrored, freely-rotating mecanum wheels, a sensor(s) configured to measure rotation of the mecanum wheels, and a processor configured to calculate a linear displacement of each mecanum wheel and resulting axial and circumferential positions of the robotic apparatus. A method for navigating a bend or curve of a pipe, comprising generating computer models of the robotic apparatus and the pipe, performing a computer simulation to identify a combination of wheel speeds that keeps the wheels in constant contact with the pipe, and operating the wheels accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2021Publication date: December 30, 2021Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Hassan Zargarzadeh, Dianna D. Liu
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Patent number: 11154989Abstract: A system for detecting radial movement of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising distance sensors configured to measure a distance between their respective fixed positions and a surface of the pipe, and a processor configured to detect a change and determine whether the change is indicative of radial movement. A system for tracking a position of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising mirrored, freely-rotating mecanum wheels, a sensor(s) configured to measure rotation of the mecanum wheels, and a processor configured to calculate a linear displacement of each mecanum wheel and resulting axial and circumferential positions of the robotic apparatus. A method for navigating a bend or curve of a pipe, comprising generating computer models of the robotic apparatus and the pipe, performing a computer simulation to identify a combination of wheel speeds that keeps the wheels in constant contact with the pipe, and operating the wheels accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: October 26, 2021Assignee: ARIX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Hassan Zargarzadeh, Dianna D. Liu
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Publication number: 20210094186Abstract: A system for detecting radial movement of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising distance sensors configured to measure a distance between their respective fixed positions and a surface of the pipe, and a processor configured to detect a change and determine whether the change is indicative of radial movement. A system for tracking a position of a robotic apparatus on a pipe, comprising mirrored, freely-rotating mecanum wheels, a sensor(s) configured to measure rotation of the mecanum wheels, and a processor configured to calculate a linear displacement of each mecanum wheel and resulting axial and circumferential positions of the robotic apparatus. A method for navigating a bend or curve of a pipe, comprising generating computer models of the robotic apparatus and the pipe, performing a computer simulation to identify a combination of wheel speeds that keeps the wheels in constant contact with the pipe, and operating the wheels accordingly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: April 1, 2021Inventors: Karl Petter Wehlin, Bryan R. Duerfeldt, Conner S. George, Hassan Zargarzadeh, Dianna D. Liu
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Patent number: 9828826Abstract: An isolation system is disclosed that contains a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one control line. Further at least one control line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that includes conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including a lower wet connect portion, at least one control line, a central production tubing, and an isolation device, and routing the at least one control line through an inside diameter of the isolation device. Further completion system is disclosed that contains a lower completion system and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2016Date of Patent: November 28, 2017Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: David S. Bishop, John E. Britt, Kim Tijerina, Kirby Glen Schrader, Conner S. George, Marc N. Samuelson, Kelly D. Ireland, Rockni Van Clief, Christian F. Bayne, David A. Bilberry
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Publication number: 20160305214Abstract: In one aspect, an isolation system is disclosed that in one embodiment contains a lower wet connect portion; a central production tubing; an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one control line, wherein the at least one control line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In another aspect, a method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that includes conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including a lower wet connect portion, at least one control line, a central production tubing, and an isolation device, and routing the at least one control line through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In another aspect, a completion system is disclosed that in one embodiment contains a lower completion system and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Applicant: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: David S. Bishop, John E. Britt, Kim Tijerina, Kirby Glen Schrader, Conner S. George, Marc N. Samuelson, Kelly D. Ireland, Rockni Van Clief, Christian F. Bayne, David A. Bilberry
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Publication number: 20160010420Abstract: In one aspect, an isolation system is disclosed that contains: a lower wet connect portion, a central production tubing, an isolation device associated with the central production tubing, and at least one communication line, wherein the at least one communication line is associated with the lower wet connect portion and is disposed through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In another aspect, a method for isolating a lower completion is disclosed that in one embodiment includes: conveying an isolation assembly to the lower completion, the isolation assembly including: a lower wet connect portion, at least one communication line, a central production tubing, and an isolation device; and routing the at least one communication line through an inside diameter of the isolation device. In another aspect, a completion system is disclosed that in one embodiment contains a lower completion system and an isolation system associated with the lower completion system.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2014Publication date: January 14, 2016Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATEDInventors: David S. Bishop, John E. Britt, Kim Tijerina, Kirby G. Schrader, Conner S. George, Marc N. Samuelson, Kelly D. Ireland, Rockni Van Clief, Christian F. Bayne, David A. Bilberry