Patents by Inventor Fathi Hassan Ghorbel

Fathi Hassan Ghorbel 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: 8134360
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a pipe profile comprising a diameter, a nominal thickness, and a material, receiving a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) indication for a pipe associated with the pipe profile, and determining a wall thickness for the pipe using the pipe profile and the MFL indication. Also disclosed is a method comprising modeling an apparatus comprising a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field in a pipe, and determining a wall thickness measurement (WTM) for the pipe using a model of the apparatus and the pipe, a detected MFL signal, and a simulated MFL signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Sushant Madhukul Dutta, Fathi Hassan Ghorbel
  • Publication number: 20090243604
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a processor configured to implement a method comprising obtaining a pipe profile comprising a diameter, a nominal thickness, and a material, receiving a magnetic flux leakage (MFL) indication for a pipe associated with the pipe profile, and determining a wall thickness for the pipe using the pipe profile and the MFL indication. Also disclosed is a method comprising modeling an apparatus comprising a magnet configured to induce a magnetic field in a pipe, and determining a wall thickness measurement (WTM) for the pipe using a model of the apparatus and the pipe, a detected MFL signal, and a simulated MFL signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Sushant Madhukul Dutta, Fathi Hassan Ghorbel
  • Patent number: 7210364
    Abstract: The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a drive module having a plurality of wheels inclined at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, a driver module having a plurality of wheels aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and a power module. The driver module is preferably connected to the drive module such that the drive and driver modules are capable of providing the locomotive motion of the robot. The power module preferably provides the power to the drive and driver modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Inventors: Fathi Hassan Ghorbel, James Bruster Dabney, J. Ryan Steger, Cliff Avery Thomas, Demetri Polychronis Spanos, Nathan Christopher Lowry, Betty Wingyi Seto
  • Patent number: 7182025
    Abstract: The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a plurality of wheels inclined at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, a plurality of wheels aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and a power system for causing relative rotation of the sections bearing the pitched and non-pitched wheels. The robot may include internal fluid flow passages, notched wheels, multiple retractable wheels, and is configured so as to have an operating diameter less than six and preferably less than two inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignees: William Marsh Rice University, University of Houston Clear Lake
    Inventors: Fathi Hassan Ghorbel, James Bruster Dabney
  • Publication number: 20040173116
    Abstract: The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a plurality of wheels inclined at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, a plurality of wheels aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and a power system for causing relative rotation of the sections bearing the pitched and non-pitched wheels. The robot may include internal fluid flow passages, notched wheels, multiple retractable wheels, and is configured so as to have an operating diameter less than six and preferably less than two inches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Fathi Hassan Ghorbel, James Bruster Dabney
  • Publication number: 20030089267
    Abstract: The specification discloses a robot for inspection adapted to travel virtually unlimited distances through small-diameter enclosed spaces such as conduits or ducts, preferably using a fluid-driven screw-drive propulsion system. The robot preferably includes a drive module having a plurality of wheels inclined at an angle greater than zero degrees and less than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, a driver module having a plurality of wheels aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, and a power module. The driver module is preferably connected to the drive module such that the drive and driver modules are capable of providing the locomotive motion of the robot. The power module preferably provides the power to the drive and driver modules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: William Marsh Rice University
    Inventors: Fathi Hassan Ghorbel, James Bruster Dabney