Patents Assigned to Seescan, Inc.
  • Self-standing multi-leg attachment devices for use with utility locators
    Patent number: 10908311
    Abstract: Self-standing attachment devices for use with utility locator systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a self-standing attachment device includes a top assembly, three extendable legs coupled to the top assembly with a movable joint, and a bottom assembly, with the self-standing attachment device detachably coupleable to a locator of the system. A formed coupler in the top assembly allows for readily attaching and detaching the self-standing attachment device and the locator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S Olsson, James H Gruenbaum, Ryan B Levin
  • Pipe inspection systems with asymmetric drag force bearings
    Patent number: 10907690
    Abstract: An asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the need for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of a drum or other mechanism upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: James F. Kleyn, Eric M. Chapman, Mark S. Olsson, Michael E. Turgeon
  • Electronic marker devices and systems
    Patent number: 10859727
    Abstract: Buried utility locator systems, including a locator including an integrated marker device excitation transmitter for generating and sending a marker device excitation signal to one or more marker devices, are disclosed. In operation, the marker device excitation signal is sent from the locator at least partially simultaneously to receiving and processing a buried utility signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Stephanie M. Bench, Ray Merewether, Jan Soukup
  • Cable storage drum with moveable CCU docking apparatus
    Patent number: 10863064
    Abstract: Video inspection systems with moveable and dockable CCUs are disclosed. In one embodiment a video inspection system includes a tubular frame element, a camera control unit (CCU), and a docking apparatus mechanically coupled to the frame element so as to allow the CCU to rotate and/or be detached are attached via a user action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, James F. Kleyn, Michael E. Turgeon, Michael J. Martin, Ryan B. Levin
  • High bandwidth video push-cables for pipe inspection systems
    Patent number: 10855950
    Abstract: High bandwidth push-cables for high speed image or video data transmission between a camera head and a cable reel or camera control unit (CCU) are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Eric M. Chapman, Mark S. Olsson
  • Heat extraction architecture for compact video camera heads
    Patent number: 10848655
    Abstract: Compact camera heads as used in inspection systems having improved thermal extraction architectures are disclosed. Methods for assembling a camera head and associated components having improved thermal extraction architectures are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Warren, Mark S. Olsson
  • Phase-synchronized buried object transmitter and locator methods and apparatus
    Patent number: 10845497
    Abstract: Buried object locator systems including transmitters and associated buried object locators using phase-synchronized signals are disclosed. A transmitter may generate output current signals that are phase-synchronized with a corresponding locator for improved utility locating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Inho Shin, Jan Soukup, Stephanie M. Bench, David A. Cox
  • LED lights for deep ocean use
    Patent number: 10837633
    Abstract: An underwater LED light for use in high ambient pressure environments having a housing, a transparent pressure-bearing window, an MCPCB having one or more LEDs, and a multilayer stack of spacers for carrying loads applied to the window to the MCPCB and to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Jon E. Simmons, Aaron J. Steiner, John R. Sanderson, IV
  • Portable pipe inspection systems and methods
    Patent number: 10834364
    Abstract: An intelligent cable storage drum system for use in a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The system may include a cable storage drum, a video push-cable removably disposed on the cable storage drum, the video push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end, a video camera head having a camera output for providing analog or digital images or video output signals, and a transceiver module operatively coupled to the camera output for receiving the analog or digital images or video output signals and sending the received signals to a remote receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, James F. Kleyn, Michael E. Turgeon
  • Dual sensed locating systems and methods
    Patent number: 10809408
    Abstract: Utility locators for providing information about hidden or buried pipes or other cavities are disclosed. A locator may be configured to provide positional information associated with the buried utility based on signals received from a line trace signal and a sonde signal and present the positional information on a visual display or other output device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin
  • User interface devices, apparatus, and methods
    Patent number: 10788901
    Abstract: User interface devices using magnetic sensing to provide output signals associated with motion and/or deformation of an actuator element of the interface devices are described. The output signals may be provided to an electronic computing system to provide commands, controls, and/or other data or information. In one embodiment, a user interface device may include a plurality of permanent magnets and a plurality of multi-axis magnetic sensors to generate motion and/or deformation signals to be provided to a processing element to generate the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Michael J. Martin, Ray Merewether, Loni M. Heyenbruch, Austin Rutledge, Alexander L. Warren, Amos H. Jessup, George L. Jemmott
  • Multifunction buried utility locating clips
    Patent number: 10777919
    Abstract: Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clip includes a base assembly and a jaw assembly having a plurality of jaws coupled to the base assembly, wherein each jaw is independently movably openable and closeable to secure to a target utility, a handle element on the base assembly having a utility selector element for selecting a utility type, and a contact element on the jaw assembly to directly conductively couple electrical signals onto a utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Allen P. Hoover, Jan Soukup, James F. Kleyn
  • Magnetic sensing buried utility locator including a camera
    Patent number: 10761239
    Abstract: Portable locators for detecting buried objects and determining information therefrom based on sensing electromagnetic emissions are disclosed. In one implementation, a portable locator may include a magnetic field sensor array and associated signal processing circuitry to detect and determine information associated with the buried object, as well as a camera and image or video processing circuitry to process images or video received from the camera in conjunction with the buried object detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Paul G. Stuart, David A. Cox, Ray Merewether, Dawn E. Shaffer, Ryan B. Levin, Michael J. Martin
  • Coaxial video push-cables for use in inspection systems
    Patent number: 10764541
    Abstract: Visual pipe and cavity inspection systems including camera heads for video and/or image capture and associated coaxial video push-cables having increased durability and strength, for high frequency alternating current electrical power transmission as well as data and/or video signal communication between the camera heads and a display or control device, are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Alexander L. Warren, Stephanie M. Bench, Ray Merewether
  • Utility locator transmitter devices, systems, and methods with dockable apparatus
    Patent number: 10754053
    Abstract: Buried utility transmitters and associated locator devices, systems, and methods used for locating utility lines, pipes, and/or other conductors that are obscured from view are disclosed. In one embodiment a buried utility transmitter includes a module generating an output current for provision to the utility so as to generate a magnetic field for detection by a utility locator, with the output current signal having modulated signaling. The transmitter system may include a tray apparatus configured to be removably dockable to the transmitter module or element or a body or frame of the transmitter system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Jesse O. Casares, Jan Soukup, Stephanie M. Bench, Justin W. Taylor, Ray Merewether, David A. Cox
  • Systems and methods for locating buried or hidden objects using sheet current flow models
    Patent number: 10753722
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for determining an estimated depth of a buried object using sheet current flow models are disclosed. In one embodiment a buried object locator includes a processor to process magnetic signals emitted from the buried object using a closed form sheet current flow model taken from multiple spaced-apart positions to determine, store, and/or display estimated depth information of the buried object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventor: Ray Merewether
  • Self-leveling camera heads
    Patent number: 10715703
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a mechanically self-leveling camera head includes a rear housing assembly, an illumination window, an illumination window retainer having a forward end for holding the illumination window a threaded coupling ring for having the rear housing assembly screwed over a rear portion of the coupling ring and the illumination window retainer screwed over a forward portion of the coupling ring, and a camera module assembly supported inside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Bret D. Lobree, David A. Cox
  • User interfaces for utility locators
    Patent number: 10690796
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to utility locator and user interfaces for use with such locators. Such utility locators may include multiple antennas and sensors for determining and displaying information associated with a buried or otherwise inaccessible utility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventor: Mark S. Olsson
  • Locating devices, systems, and methods using frequency suites for utility detection
    Patent number: 10690795
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to utility locating systems, devices, and methods using frequency suites of simultaneously processed signals emitted from buried utilities to locate the buried utilities or other hidden or buried conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Stephanie M. Bench, Michael J. Martin, Ray Merewether, Paul Wisecaver, Austin Rutledge
  • Buried locators systems and methods
    Patent number: 10677820
    Abstract: Portable self-standing electromagnetic (EM) field sensing locator systems with attachments for finding and mapping buried objects such as utilities and with intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) displays are described. Accessories may include a ground penetrating radar (GPR) system with a rotating Tx/Rx antenna assembly, a leak detection system, a multi-probe voltage mapping system, a man-portable laser-range finder system with embedded dipole beacon, and other detachable accessory sensor systems are accepted for attachment to the locator system for simultaneous operation in cooperation with the basic locator system. The integration of the locator system with one or more additional devices, such as fault-finding, geophones and conductance sensors, may be used to facilitate the rapid detection and localization of many different types of buried objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: SEESCAN, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Olsson, Ray Merewether, Paul G. Stuart, Michael J. Martin, Christoph H Maier, Amos H. Jessup