Patents by Inventor Alan Patrick John Finlay
Alan Patrick John Finlay 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: 20230375029Abstract: A sensor assembly for a fastener assembly comprising a nut and a bolt comprises a sensor unit mounted in a cavity in the nut of the fastener assembly having an internal opening in the internal thread of the nut. The sensor unit comprises an optical flow sensor arranged to capture an image of the external thread of the bolt through the internal opening and to sense relative movement of the external thread of the bolt.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2021Publication date: November 23, 2023Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Philip Samuel Pickles, John Mark Newton, Mathew William Davis
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Publication number: 20230152416Abstract: A location system for locating workers including a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations and configured to detect light from one or more workers, and a processing system configured to determine locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors. There is also disclosed a wearable device for locating a worker including a wireless transceiver, and a wearable device light source and/or one or more reflective elements. There is also disclosed a method for locating workers including detecting light from one or more workers using a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations, and determining locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2023Publication date: May 18, 2023Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Andrew Henry John Larkins
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Patent number: 11519230Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises a latch bracket and a latch rotatably supported on the latch bracket is mountable on the latch. The sensor unit comprises a sensor configured to sense an adjacent tubular, and a processor that processes the output of the sensor to provide a tubular monitor signal representing the presence or absence of an adjacent tubular A wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates the tubular monitor signal. This allows a wireless sensor unit to be provided that is suitable for operation in remote locations and can verify the presence or absence of tubular to ensure it is securely stored in a fingerboard.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2018Date of Patent: December 6, 2022Assignee: SALUNDA LIMITEDInventor: Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Patent number: 11402205Abstract: A sensor unit mountable on a rotatable element on a platform that is itself movable, and includes an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton, Andrew Henry John Larkins, Mathew William Davis, Grant Nicholls
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Publication number: 20220178399Abstract: There is provided a sensor unit for a fastener assembly, the sensor unit comprising a mounting arranged to rigidly attach the sensor unit to, or adjacent to, a fastener assembly; and a sensor, that is an optical flow sensor or an inductive sensor, configured to sense movement of the fastener assembly. The sensor unit may comprise a processor arranged to process the output of the sensor to detect loosening of the fastener assembly and to output a signal representing the status of the fastener assembly. The sensor unit may comprise a wireless communication unit arranged to communicate the signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2020Publication date: June 9, 2022Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Philip Samuel Pickles, John Mark Newton
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Patent number: 11280930Abstract: A sensor system for sensing the contents of a bore including a plurality of coils disposed behind a non-metallic lining. An oscillator circuit may be used to drive the coils to generate oscillating electromagnetic fields, and a detection circuit generates output signals from each coil representing a parameter of the electrical oscillations that depends on the contents of the bore. The coils may include a primary coil and a one secondary coil, wherein the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the secondary coil has a lesser degree of interaction with the contents of bore than the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the primary coil. The sensor system may use the output signal from the secondary coil to compensate the output signal from the primary coil for environmental effects.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2018Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Martin Roy Harrison, Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Publication number: 20220018926Abstract: A location system for locating workers including a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations and configured to detect light from one or more workers, and a processing system configured to determine locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors. There is also disclosed a wearable device for locating a worker including a wireless transceiver, and a wearable device light source and/or one or more reflective elements. There is also disclosed a method for locating workers including detecting light from one or more workers using a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations, and determining locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Andrew Henry John Larkins
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Patent number: 11079464Abstract: A location system for locating workers in including a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations and configured to detect light from one or more workers, and a processing system configured to determine locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors. There is also disclosed a wearable device for locating a worker including a wireless transceiver, and a wearable device light source and/or one or more reflective elements. There is also disclosed a method for locating workers including detecting light from one or more workers using a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations, and determining locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Andrew Henry John Larkins
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Patent number: 11015403Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2017Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton, Andrew Henry John Larkins, Mathew William Davis, Grant Nicholls
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Patent number: 10962392Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton
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Publication number: 20210010334Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises a latch bracket and a latch rotatably supported on the latch bracket is mountable on the latch. The sensor unit comprises a sensor configured to sense an adjacent tubular, and a processor that processes the output of the sensor to provide a tubular monitor signal representing the presence or absence of an adjacent tubular A wireless communication unit wirelessly communicates the tubular monitor signal. This allows a wireless sensor unit to be provided that is suitable for operation in remote locations and can verify the presence or absence of tubular to ensure it is securely stored in a fingerboard.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2018Publication date: January 14, 2021Inventor: Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Patent number: 10801319Abstract: An elongate component such as a drill string of drill pipes connected by joint sections inside a bore is sensed using at least one set of electromagnetic coils, the coils within the set being arranged at different angular positions around the bore facing the bore. There may be at least two sets of coils separated along the axial direction of the bore. Electrical oscillations are generated in the coils to produce oscillating electromagnetic fields that interact with the contents of the bore. A parameter of the electrical oscillations generated in each coil is detected. The detected parameters may be used to derive both (1) a measure of the axial position along the bore, and (2) a measure of the lateral position. The detected parameters may be used to derive a measure of electromagnetic properties of the contents of the pipe in a region adjacent each coil, thereby imaging the contents of the pipe.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Martin Roy Harrison, Philip Samuel Pickles, Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Patent number: 10597953Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2018Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton, Andrew Henry John Larkins, Mathew William Davis, Grant Nicholls
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Publication number: 20200064433Abstract: A location system for locating workers in including a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations and configured to detect light from one or more workers, and a processing system configured to determine locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors. There is also disclosed a wearable device for locating a worker including a wireless transceiver, and a wearable device light source and/or one or more reflective elements. There is also disclosed a method for locating workers including detecting light from one or more workers using a plurality of light detectors mounted at known locations, and determining locations of the workers using the light detected by the light detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2019Publication date: February 27, 2020Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, Andrew Henry John Larkins
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Publication number: 20200018867Abstract: A sensor system for sensing the contents of a bore including a plurality of coils disposed behind a non-metallic lining. An oscillator circuit may be used to drive the coils to generate oscillating electromagnetic fields, and a detection circuit generates output signals from each coil representing a parameter of the electrical oscillations that depends on the contents of the bore. The coils may include a primary coil and a one secondary coil, wherein the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the secondary coil has a lesser degree of interaction with the contents of bore than the oscillating electromagnetic field generated by the primary coil. The sensor system may use the output signal from the secondary coil to compensate the output signal from the primary coil for environmental effects.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Martin Roy Harrison, Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Publication number: 20190376787Abstract: A sensor unit mountable on a rotatable element on a platform that is itself movable, and includes an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, a processor arranged to derive a rotational position signal representing the orientation of the rotatable element from the measurements, and a buffer arranged to buffer a series of recent measurements taken by the orientation sensor over a predetermined period of time. The processor derives the rotational position signal making a correction to compensate for the effect of the motion of the platform on the measurements on the basis of the overall series of measurements buffered in the buffer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: December 12, 2019Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton, Andrew Henry John Larkins, Mathew William Davis, Grant Nicholls
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Publication number: 20190265086Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton
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Publication number: 20190211635Abstract: A sensor unit for a fingerboard latch assembly comprising a latch bracket and a latch rotatably mounted on the latch bracket comprises a sensor arranged to sense the orientation of the latch and a wireless, optical or other communication unit arranged to communicate the orientation of the latch sensed by the sensor. The sensor unit may be mountable on the latch and comprise an orientation sensor arranged to take measurements that are dependent on the orientation of the sensor unit, and a processor arranged to derive an orientation signal representing the orientation of the latch from the measurements, the communication unit being arranged to communicate the orientation signal. A monitoring system receives the sensed orientations from plural sensor units.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 4, 2017Publication date: July 11, 2019Inventors: Alan Patrick John Finlay, John Mark Newton, Andrew Henry John Larkins, Mathew William Davis, Grant Nicholls
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Patent number: 10337894Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2018Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: John Mark Newton, Alan Patrick John Finlay
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Patent number: 10247586Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided for a fingerboard latch assembly that comprises: a latch bracket; bolts for mounting the latch bracket to a fingerboard; a latch; and a bracket pin rotatably supporting the latch on the latch bracket to allow rotation of the latch between an open position and a closed position. The sensor assembly has a mounting arrangement that mounts to the bolts, holding a closed-position proximity sensor probe facing downwardly for sensing proximity of a crank portion of the latch and/or the piston head in the closed position, and also holding an open-position proximity sensor probe facing forwardly for sensing proximity of an arm of the latch in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2018Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Salunda LimitedInventors: John Mark Newton, Alan Patrick John Finlay