Patents Assigned to Smart Pipe Company, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11841293
    Abstract: A system and method to inspect and monitor stress, strain, leakage, corrosion and disjointing of rigid metallic and non-metallic connector fittings used to join sections of non-metallic flexible reinforced thermoplastic pipe (RTP), as well as inspecting and monitoring the structural health of RTP in the area of connections with casement shields concentrically mounted on and adhered to the outer surface of the RTP at or adjacent to connection with a rigid connector fitting, monitoring sensors installed in the casement shields, a management system for receiving, processing and transmitting information gathered from the sensors via SCADA or other computerized means for monitoring and regulating strain impact, determining stress level and direction, potential leaks and temperature spikes at connector fitting areas, and a mechanism for acoustical detection or simulation, with a computer system for receiving, processing and transmitting information gathered from acoustical micro packs on the casement shields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Dean Littlestar, Christopher Dean Littlestar, Aron Robert Ekelund, Ivan Capistran Mandich
  • Patent number: 11112049
    Abstract: A device and method to mitigate transient events in a transported medium of fluids and gases subjected to surges, and over pressure events caused by the transient state of a transported medium in a continuous pipeline, where the device has one or more concentrically positioned multilayered composite pipes encased in an outer spool pipe with an annulus space between the spool pipe and the multilayered composite pipes, with flanged adaptors at each end of the device for inline installation in a pipeline, with a management system for receiving, processing and transmitting information gathered in combination with existing pipeline monitoring, and acoustical detection system for receiving and processing of acoustic transmission due to an acoustical wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Dean Littlestar, Chris Dean Littlestar, Aron Robert Ekelund, Ivan Capistran Mandich
  • Patent number: 10436667
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing inline inspections of pipelines of composite structure installed in a host pipeline or standing alone comprising a multiplicity of sensor/transducers located on or within the pipe structure to measure and record various pipeline properties, an activation/reading/storage device to activate read and collect measurement results from the sensor transducers, an automatic launch and recovery system for the activation/reading/storage device, and a database/storage/analytical device to receive, analyze and interpret results from collected data and transmit appropriate instructions to a pipeline operator or remotely activated system for action. The remote reading of sensor/transducers may be accomplished by a device running through the pipeline or passing over or near the pipeline, where ground-level handheld or wheeled vehicle mounted, fixed wing or rotary aircraft, hovercraft watercraft or satellite based instrumentation can record the location and condition of a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Littlestar, Chris Littlestar
  • Patent number: 10288207
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing inline inspections of pipelines of composite structure installed in a host pipeline or standing alone comprising a multiplicity of sensor/transducers located on or within the pipe structure to measure and record various pipeline properties, an activation/reading/storage device to activate read and collect measurement results from the sensor transducers, an automatic launch and recovery system for the activation/reading/storage device, and a database/storage/analytical device to receive, analyze and interpret results from collected data and transmit appropriate instructions to a pipeline operator or remotely activated system for action. The remote reading of sensor/transducers may be accomplished by a device running through the pipeline or passing over or near the pipeline, where ground-level handheld or wheeled vehicle mounted, fixed wing or rotary aircraft, hovercraft watercraft or satellite based instrumentation can record the location and condition of a pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Gary Littlestar, Chris Littlestar
  • Patent number: 9453606
    Abstract: Movable systems and methods for making pipe, e.g., non-metallic pipe, either for stand-alone use as produced or for use as a pipe liner, the pipe made at a site at which it is to be used; and, in certain aspects, a transportable factory for simultaneous mobile field manufacturing and installation for making pipe, e.g., reinforced thermoplastic composite pipe, either for stand-alone use or for use as a pipe liner, the pipe made, in one aspect, at a site of use of the pipe. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Crockett Catha, Ivan C. Mandich, Aron Robert Ekelund, Kenneth Ray Charboneau, Justin Michael Reed, William D. Stringfellow
  • Publication number: 20140197264
    Abstract: A method and structural inventive system-construction or mechanism for the figure eight coiling for non-metallic pipelines and conduits, preferred to be of the composite structure and instrumented with detection inventive systems, the coiling which was not previously available and specifically indicated for the means of the long lengths, up to 10 miles, continuous pipelines coiling, transportation and installation at the site. The figure eight inventive system provides for a natural assumption of the bending repose for the pipeline and relaxation of the stresses and preservation of the pipeline's properties from the manufacturing, through the transportation and installation all the way to the site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: KENNETH R. CHARBONEAU, STEPHEN C. CATHA, ARON R. EKELUND, GARY LITTLESTAR, IVAN G. MANDICH, JUSTIN M. REED
  • Publication number: 20140176344
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing inline inspections of pipelines of composite structure installed in a host pipeline or standing alone comprising a multiplicity of sensor/transducers located on or within the pipe structure to measure and record various pipeline properties, an activation/reading/storage device to activate read and collect measurement results from the sensor transducers, an automatic launch and recovery system for the activation/reading/storage device, and a database/storage/analytical device to receive, analyze and interpret results from collected data and transmit appropriate instructions to a pipeline operator or remotely activated system for action. The remote reading of sensor/transducers may be accomplished by a device running through the pipeline or passing over or near the pipeline, where ground-level handheld or wheeled vehicle mounted, fixed wing or rotary aircraft, hovercraft watercraft or satellite based instrumentation can record the location and condition of a pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: SMART PIPE COMPANY, INC.
    Inventors: GARY LITTLESTAR, CHRIS LITTLESTAR
  • Patent number: 8567448
    Abstract: A liner or core pipe which is suitable for insertion into a host pipe, the core pipe including, in certain aspects, a pipe made of temperature-resistant corrosion-resistant material and having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end and a second end and a flow channel therethrough from the first end to the second end; first and second strengthening wraps around the pipe; a plurality of spaced-apart pulling tapes on the pipe; the pipe deformable to facilitate insertion into a host pipe, and a protective outer wrap on the pipe. This abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims, 37 C.F.R. 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Smart Pipe Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Stringfellow, Stephen C. Catha, Kenneth R. Charboneau
  • Patent number: 7374127
    Abstract: An apparatus for wrapping material onto and around a pipe, the apparatus including a shaft, the shaft rotatable by a driving apparatus, a payout core containing material to be wrapped onto a pipe, the payout core releasably mounted on the shaft, a deflection arm assembly secured to the shaft for rotation by the shaft, rotation of the shaft rotating the deflection arm assembly with respect to the payout core so that the deflection arm assembly takes material from the payout core and wraps the material onto a pipe adjacent the deflection arm assembly, each of the shaft and deflection arm assembly having a central opening through which is movable the pipe as the pipe is being wrapped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Smart Pipe Company, Inc.
    Inventors: James L. Gallagher, William D. Stringfellow, Kenneth R. Charboneau, Stephen C. Catha