Patents by Inventor Brian Burks
Brian Burks 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: 20260079130Abstract: A non-direct drive cylinder defect detection system is disclosed. A non-direct drivetrain system may include a plurality of rollers rotatably driven by a shaft. The plurality of rollers can receive and cause a tube to spin while rested thereon. An encoder system is disclosed and is configured to detect a rotary position of a portion of the tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2025Publication date: March 19, 2026Inventors: Brian Burks, Gabriel Kalmar, William Charlesworth, Troy Otto, Phi Tran
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Publication number: 20250305638Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2025Publication date: October 2, 2025Inventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Publication number: 20250224291Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 27, 2025Publication date: July 10, 2025Inventors: Brian Burks, Zack Prather, John Eihusen, Joel R. Johnson, Tyler Perkins
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Patent number: 12352389Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2022Date of Patent: July 8, 2025Assignee: Hexagon Technology ASInventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Patent number: 12287252Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: April 29, 2025Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY ASInventors: Brian Burks, Zack Prather, John Eihusen, Joel R. Johnson, Tyler Perkins
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Patent number: 12253216Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2022Date of Patent: March 18, 2025Assignee: Hexagon Technology ASInventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Patent number: 12173848Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2022Date of Patent: December 24, 2024Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY ASInventors: Brian Burks, John Eihusen, Troy Otto
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Publication number: 20240328878Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2024Publication date: October 3, 2024Inventors: Brian Burks, Zack Prather, John Eihusen, Joel R. Johnson, Tyler Perkins
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Patent number: 12050146Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2023Date of Patent: July 30, 2024Assignee: Hexagon Technology ASInventors: Brian Burks, Zack Prather, John Eihusen, Joel R. Johnson, Tyler Perkins
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Patent number: 11927567Abstract: Disclosed is a system for monitoring a boss of a composite structure for a boss cracking event. The system includes a first sensor located on an outer surface of a neck of the boss and configured to detect first deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a second sensor located on the outer surface of the neck of the boss at a location diametrically opposite of the first sensor and configured to detect second deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to determine, based on the first deformation data and the second deformation data, whether a boss cracking event has occurred.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2021Date of Patent: March 12, 2024Assignee: HEXAGON TECHNOLOGY ASInventors: Brian Burks, Sulochana Shrestha, Zack Prather
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Publication number: 20240027288Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Inventors: Brian Burks, Zack Prather, John Eihusen, Joel R. Johnson, Tyler Perkins
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Publication number: 20230134300Abstract: Disclosed is a system for monitoring a boss of a composite structure for a boss cracking event. The system includes a first sensor located on an outer surface of a neck of the boss and configured to detect first deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a second sensor located on the outer surface of the neck of the boss at a location diametrically opposite of the first sensor and configured to detect second deformation data associated with the boss. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the first sensor and the second sensor and configured to determine, based on the first deformation data and the second deformation data, whether a boss cracking event has occurred.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2021Publication date: May 4, 2023Inventors: Brian Burks, Sulochana Shrestha, Zack Prather
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Patent number: 11619353Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Inventor: Brian Burks
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Publication number: 20230018389Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly incudes a pressure vessel and a gas density gauge. The pressure vessel includes a vessel wall defining an interior cavity. The gas density gauge includes a parallel plate capacitor having a pair of plates. Opposing surfaces of the plates are separated by a distance across an open gap. A capacitance of the capacitor is related to a density of a gas within the open gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 1, 2022Publication date: January 19, 2023Inventors: Brian Burks, John Eihusen, Troy Otto
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Publication number: 20220403986Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Publication number: 20220403985Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2022Publication date: December 22, 2022Inventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Publication number: 20220316967Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor for monitoring a composite structure. The sensor includes multiple sensing elements of different sizes, each configured for different respective monitoring tasks. Also disclosed are methods of fabricating the sensor, designing and manufacturing the sensor, and attaching the sensor to the composite structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 6, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventors: Brian Burks, ZACK PRATHER, JOHN EIHUSEN, JOEL R. JOHNSON, TYLER PERKINS
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Publication number: 20220316656Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for monitoring a cylinder. The system includes a plurality of sensors connected to the cylinder and configured to detect deformation data associated with the cylinder. The system includes a controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The controller is configured to determine a damage value based on the detected deformation data when the cylinder endures impact damage. The controller is configured to communicate a notification when the damage value exceeds an impact damage threshold. The system includes a filling controller communicatively coupled to the plurality of sensors. The filling controller is configured to control a valve for filling the cylinder with a fluid. The filling controller is configured to detect damage to the cylinder above a specified threshold as the cylinder is filled with the fluid. The filling controller is configured to automatically perform a safety action when the damage to the cylinder is detected.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2021Publication date: October 6, 2022Inventor: Brian Burks
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Patent number: 11448368Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2021Date of Patent: September 20, 2022Assignee: Hexagon Technology ASInventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker
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Publication number: 20210148516Abstract: A sensor mounting assembly is configured for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels. The assembly includes first and second elongated frame members, first and second rollers, and first and second sensors. The first sensor is attached to the first elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the first vessel upon actuation in a first direction. The second sensor is attached to the second elongated frame member and is configured to contact the surface of the second vessel upon actuation in a second direction that is substantially orthogonal to the first direction. This disclosure also describes a method of mounting at least six sensors for use with a vessel arrangement including at least four vessels, the vessel arrangement disposed in a container in a two-by-two stacked configuration having a central space.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 26, 2021Publication date: May 20, 2021Inventors: Ken Halvorsen, Brian Burks, Ryan Crocker