Patents by Inventor Todd R. Mendenhall
Todd R. Mendenhall 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: 20230096829Abstract: Embodiments of an inline inspection (“ILI”) tool (10) of this disclosure include a plurality of composite field systems (20) arranged circumferentially about the body of the ILI tool, each composite field system including multiple magnetic circuits (60) to produce a composite or resultant angled field © relative to the target, along with a sensor array or circuit (40) configured for magnetic flux leakage (“MFL”) or magnetostrictive electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (“EMAT”) implementations. In embodiments, the pole magnets (61) of the magnetic circuits are oriented in the axial direction of the tool body rather than in the direction of the resultant angled field. The same is true of the sensors (43). This composite field system approach provides options to design geometries that were not previously possible in prior art single-circuit helical MFL designs and EMAT designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 3, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, David C. Rees
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Patent number: 11579118Abstract: An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arm (50) having a sensor head (30) located at its distal end (51), the sensor head including an arched-shaped pipe contacting portion (33) between its forward and rearward ends (32, 34), the pipe contacting portion having a radius R and a width WC; and at least one triaxial sensor element (31) having at least a portion located directly below the arched-shaped pipe contacting portion and having a width WS, WC<WS. During the tool's travel through a pipeline, contact of the sensor head with the pipe wall lies along a single line of travel substantially equal to the width WC. Because of its shape, the sensor head better traces and maintains contact with the pipe wall to detect dents, wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anomalies in the pipe wall.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2020Date of Patent: February 14, 2023Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, Blake Owen, Ed Maynard
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Patent number: 11460442Abstract: Embodiments of an inline inspection (“ILI”) tool (10) of this disclosure include a plurality of composite field systems (20) arranged circumferentially about the body of the ILI tool, each composite field system including multiple magnetic circuits (60) to produce a composite or resultant angled field © relative to the target, along with a sensor array or circuit (40) configured for magnetic flux leakage (“MFL”) or magnetostrictive electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (“EMAT”) implementations. In embodiments, the pole magnets (61) of the magnetic circuits are oriented in the axial direction of the tool body rather than in the direction of the resultant angled field. The same is true of the sensors (43). This composite field system approach provides options to design geometries that were not previously possible in prior art single-circuit helical MFL designs and EMAT designs.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, David C. Rees
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Publication number: 20200378923Abstract: An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arm (50) having a sensor head (30) located at its distal end (51), the sensor head including an arched-shaped pipe contacting portion (33) between its forward and rearward ends (32, 34), the pipe contacting portion having a radius R and a width WC; and at least one triaxial sensor element (31) having at least a portion located directly below the arched-shaped pipe contacting portion and having a width WS, WC<WS. During the tool's travel through a pipeline, contact of the sensor head with the pipe wall lies along a single line of travel substantially equal to the width WC. Because of its shape, the sensor head better traces and maintains contact with the pipe wall to detect dents, wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anomalies in the pipe wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2020Publication date: December 3, 2020Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, Blake Owen, Ed Maynard
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Publication number: 20200326310Abstract: Embodiments of an inline inspection (“ILP”) tool (10) of this disclosure include a plurality of composite field systems (20) arranged circumferentially about the body of the IL1 tool, each composite field system including multiple magnetic circuits (60) to produce a composite or resultant angled field © relative to the target, along with a sensor array or circuit (40) configured for magnetic flux leakage (“MFL”) or magnetostrictive electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (“EMAT”) implementations. In embodiments, the pole magnets (61) of the magnetic circuits are oriented in the axial direction of the tool body rather than in the direction of the resultant angled field. The same is true of the sensors (43). This composite field system approach provides options to design geometries that were not previously possible in prior art single-circuit helical MFL designs and EMAT designs.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 10, 2020Publication date: October 15, 2020Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, David C. Rees
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Patent number: 7472937Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2006Date of Patent: January 6, 2009Assignee: Wayne Engineering CorporationInventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd R. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 7350636Abstract: A door assembly for a chute system comprising a door pivotally connected to a frame assembly mountable around an opening in a chute system. The door is manufactured from stainless steel and is free of welds. The door includes an automatic closer mounted to its interior surface and being directly connected to the frame assembly at one end and to the door at the other end. When the door is opened, the closer moves with the door out of the opening to the chute system, thereby increasing the usable space for inserting articles into the chute. The closer does not intrude into the interior of the chute when the door is in a closed position. The door may also include a deflector plate mounted proximate the door hinge to protect the hinge and prevent debris from articles inserted into the chute from dropping into the gap between the door and frame and interfering with the action of the hinge.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2005Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Chutes International Manufacturing, LLCInventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd R. Mendenhall, Hadi C. Boustani
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Patent number: 7066514Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2001Date of Patent: June 27, 2006Assignee: Wayne Engineering CorporationInventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd R. Mendenhall
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Publication number: 20040057820Abstract: An apparatus and method for gripping containers, each having a circumference, for dumping material in a material collection vehicle including more than one gripping mechanisms, wherein each of the gripping mechanisms can engage a container around at least one-half of the circumference of the container. In one embodiment, the gripping mechanism is attached to a base member and includes an outer gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an inner gripping member pivotally attached to the base member and an actuating mechanism for moving at least one gripping member toward the other gripping member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 21, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventors: Fred P. Smith, Todd R. Mendenhall
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Patent number: 6338682Abstract: An artificial putting green provides an architected green lie adjustable by a user in accordance with the true contouring elements available on a real golfing green. A user actually stands on the green itself, and may position himself or herself above or below the cup with an intervening swell or rise between the user and a cup. A break to the left or the right may be provided between the cup and the deck. The deck may actually be canted from side to side. Moreover, the deck may be elevated front to back or back to front. Accordingly, by independent adjustment of multiple feet, the deck may be a proper part of the green as will be encountered in actual practice on a real green. Multiple contours from left-to-right and right-to-left may be adjusted in the intervening distance between a user and the cup.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 15, 2002Assignee: PuttGolf.com, LLCInventors: H. Andrew Torchia, Todd R. Mendenhall, Frank M. Rowe