Patents Assigned to SPEIR HUNTER LTD
  • Publication number: 20250362269
    Abstract: A magnetic inspection system and method for detecting and mapping magnetic anomalies in a section of pipe. The inspection system includes a probe with first and second arrays of magnetic field sensors arranged in first and second layers such that the first and second arrays are spaced from the section of pipe under inspection by different radial distances. Data from the probe is used to create a graphical representation of the inspected area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    Applicant: Speir Hunter Ltd
    Inventors: Chau VO, Yongze GAN, David TWEDDLE, Hamed HABIBI
  • Publication number: 20230221283
    Abstract: A magnetic inspection system and method for detecting and mapping magnetic anomalies in a section of pipe. The inspection system includes a probe with first and second arrays of magnetic field sensors arranged in first and second layers such that the first and second arrays are spaced from the section of pipe under inspection by different radial distances. Data from the probe is used to create a graphical representation of the inspected area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2021
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Applicant: Speir Hunter Ltd
    Inventors: Chau VO, Yongze GAN, David TWEDDLE, Hamed HABIBI
  • Patent number: 10976285
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for determining the position of an elongate structure. A number of magnetic field sensors arranged at fixed spacing, each sensor being arranged to sense a magnetic field of a remote structure induced by the Earth's magnetic field in at least two orthogonal directions. In use, the magnetic field sensors are arranged remotely of an elongate structure having a longitudinal axis, such that the magnetic field sensors are spaced in a lateral direction relative to said longitudinal axis. An angular spacing for the magnetic field sensors about the longitudinal axis is determined according to the magnetic field readings in the two orthogonal directions and a distance between one or more of said magnetic field sensors and said elongate structure is determined based on said angular spacing determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Speir Hunter Ltd
    Inventors: Steven Freear, Chau Ky Vo, Ben Varcoe, David Matthew Joseph Cowell, Stephen George Henry Staples, Christopher Lee Cookson
  • Publication number: 20190212299
    Abstract: An apparatus and methods for determining the position of an elongate structure. A number of magnetic field sensors arranged at fixed spacing, each sensor being arranged to sense a magnetic field of a remote structure induced by the Earth's magnetic field in at least two orthogonal directions. In use, the magnetic field sensors are arranged remotely of an elongate structure having a longitudinal axis, such that the magnetic field sensors are spaced in a lateral direction relative to said longitudinal axis. An angular spacing for the magnetic field sensors about the longitudinal axis is determined according to the magnetic field readings in the two orthogonal directions and a distance between one or more of said magnetic field sensors and said elongate structure is determined based on said angular spacing determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Speir Hunter Ltd
    Inventors: Steven FREEAR, Chau Ky VO, Ben VARCOE, David Matthew Joseph COWELL, Stephen George Henry STAPLES, Christopher Lee COOKSON
  • Publication number: 20180188207
    Abstract: The invention concerns structural integrity assessment apparatus for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The apparatus allows particularly to detect defects in buried pipelines using magnetometric surveying where anomalies in the magnetic field around the pipelines are detected. The appar-atus has a plurality of triaxial magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to measure magnetic field components in a plurality of directions. A support is provided to maintain said sensors in a predetermined relative spacing and orientation. The support is moveable relative to a structure under assessment in use and may be portable. Three or more magnetic field sensors are provided which may be arranged in a linear, two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. The ap-paratus may include position determining means, such as a global positioning system (GPS), so that stress concentration zones can be located on the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2018
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: SPEIR HUNTER LTD
    Inventors: Steven Freear, Ben Varcoe, David Matthew Joseph Cowell, Stephen George Henry Staples, Chau Vo
  • Patent number: 9921185
    Abstract: The invention concerns structural integrity assessment apparatus for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The apparatus allows particularly to detect defects in buried pipelines using magnetometric surveying where anomalies in the magnetic field around the pipelines are detected. The apparatus has a plurality of triaxial magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to measure magnetic field components in a plurality of directions. A support is provided to maintain said sensors in a predetermined relative spacing and orientation. The support is moveable relative to a structure under assessment in use and may be portable. Three or more magnetic field sensors are provided which may be arranged in a linear, two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. The apparatus may include position determining means, such as a global positioning system (GPS), so that stress concentration zones can be located on the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: SPEIR HUNTER LTD
    Inventors: Steven Freear, Ben Varcoe, David Matthew Joseph Cowell, Stephen George Henry Staples, Chau Vo
  • Publication number: 20150042323
    Abstract: The invention concerns structural integrity assessment apparatus for determining stress concentration zones in a structure, such as a pipeline. The apparatus allows particularly to detect defects in buried pipelines using magnetometric surveying where anomalies in the magnetic field around the pipelines are detected. The apparatus has a plurality of triaxial magnetic field sensors, each sensor being arranged to measure magnetic field components in a plurality of directions. A support is provided to maintain said sensors in a predetermined relative spacing and orientation. The support is moveable relative to a structure under assessment in use and may be portable. Three or more magnetic field sensors are provided which may be arranged in a linear, two-dimensional or three-dimensional array. The apparatus may include position determining means, such as a global positioning system (GPS), so that stress concentration zones can be located on the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Applicant: SPEIR HUNTER LTD
    Inventors: Steven Freear, Ben Varcoe, David Matthew Joseph Cowell, Stephen George Henry Staples, Chau Vo