Patents by Inventor Brian Parrott

Brian Parrott 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).

  • Publication number: 20230405925
    Abstract: An apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) printing of an object comprises a print head having at least one inlet for receiving material to be extruded and an outlet. The print head is configured, when the outlet is completely unblocked, to extrude a sheet of material of the width and height of the outlet. One or more actuators are positioned along the width of the print head and arranged to controllably block one or more sections along the width to prevent material from being extruded through the blocked sections, enabling selective extrusion of material through sections that are not blocked in order to selectively print a width of an entire layer of the object in a single pass. The print head and the object move relative to one another via one motion of the print head or of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Brian PARROTT
  • Patent number: 11731281
    Abstract: An automated system for performing multiple operations on one or more weld joints of a pipe string includes a main controller including a user interface; and a first robotic device that is in communication with the main controller and is configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and detect and uniquely identify each weld joint within the pipe string based on a vision-based weld detection module that is executed on a first onboard computer. The vision-based weld detection module provides at least one of: (1) images captured within the pipe string and (2) a live video feed within the pipe string that is displayed on the user interface for allowing a user to review and approve detection of the weld joint, whereupon once the user confirms the approval, the first robotic device automatically positions itself a predefined distance from the detected weld joint and automatically begins to perform at least one operation on the weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mohamed Abdelkader, Sahejad Patel, Hassane Trigui, Brian Parrott, Abdoulelah Al-Hannabi
  • Patent number: 11603214
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a target gas sensor inside a drone comprises receiving air flow at the target sensor due to least one of diverted propeller air flow or diverted air flow caused by drone flight, measuring a concentration of the target gas, receiving equivalent air flow at a sensor of at least one reference gas having known atmospheric concentration positioned in or on the drone, measuring a concentration of the at least one reference gas, and calibrating the measured concentration of the target gas based on the measured concentration of the at least one reference gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11590624
    Abstract: A method for treating an interior weld joint located along an inner surface of a pipe includes the steps of: (a) advancing an internal grinder device within the pipe to the interior weld joint, wherein the internal grinder device includes a hollow housing that has a first open end and a first grinding implement that is disposed within the hollow housing and coupled thereto with a first biasing member; and (b) controllably rotating the hollow housing to at least a threshold speed at which time and under centrifugal force, the first grinding implement moves from an at rest retracted position to a deployed position in which the first grinding implement extends radially beyond the first open end for contacting and grinding the interior weld joint as the hollow housing and the first grinding implement are rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Mohamed Abdelkader, Hassane Trigui
  • Publication number: 20230030198
    Abstract: An apparatus for three-dimensional printing includes a print head having at least one inlet for receiving material to be extruded, and an outlet. The print is configured, when the outlet is unblocked, to extrude a sheet of material of the width and height of the outlet. Actuators positioned along the width of the print head are arranged to controllably block one or more sections along the width of the outlet in such a manner to prevent material from being extruded, thus enabling selective extrusion of material through a remainder of sections of the outlet that are not blocked to selectively print a width of an entire layer of the object in a single pass. The apparatus includes an extrusion drive for material to be extruded to the print head. An electronic controller controls an amount and rate of material to be provided to the print head via the extrusion drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2022
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Parrott
  • Publication number: 20230031850
    Abstract: An apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) printing of an object comprises a print head having at least one inlet for receiving material to be extruded and an outlet. The print head is configured, when the outlet is completely unblocked, to extrude a sheet of material of the width and height of the outlet. One or more actuators are positioned along the width of the print head and arranged to controllably block one or more sections along the width to prevent material from being extruded through the blocked sections, enabling selective extrusion of material through sections that are not blocked in order to selectively print a width of an entire layer of the object in a single pass. The print head and the object move relative to one another via one motion of the print head or of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Parrott
  • Publication number: 20230031400
    Abstract: An apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) printing of an object comprises a print head having at least one inlet for receiving material to be extruded and an outlet. The print head is configured, when the outlet is completely unblocked, to extrude a sheet of material of the width and height of the outlet. One or more actuators are positioned along the width of the print head and arranged to controllably block one or more sections along the width to prevent material from being extruded through the blocked sections, enabling selective extrusion of material through sections that are not blocked in order to selectively print a width of an entire layer of the object in a single pass. The print head and the object move relative to one another via one motion of the print head or of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 2, 2023
    Inventor: Brian Parrott
  • Patent number: 11565794
    Abstract: A fixed wing drone comprises an air channel embedded therein. The air channel has an upstream an air inlet. A microcontroller mounted within the drone is configured to control navigation of the drone. An air scoop having a section positioned adjacent the inlet to the air channel is adjustable between a first position to capture and divert air into the inlet and thereby to air channel and a second position to block air flow into the air inlet. The air scoop is positioned to divert air flow into the air channel and to the gas sensor during forward flight of the drone. In one embodiment, the fixed wing drone comprises an aircraft having a fuselage and at least two wings. In another embodiment, the fixed wing drone has a flying wing construction, that is, is a tailless design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11454572
    Abstract: A multirotor drone comprises a main body and an air channel embedded within the main body having an air inlet on the surface of the main body, multiple propellers that induce an air flow toward the air inlet and into the air channel, a microcontroller positioned and configured to control navigation of the drone by actuation of the plurality of propellers, an air scoop having a section positioned at the outer surface of the main body adjacent to the air inlet which is adjustable so as to capture and divert air into the air inlet and air channel or to block air flow into the air inlet, and a gas sensor positioned within the air channel. The air scoop is positioned to capture air flow from at least one of the plurality of propellers into the air channel and to the gas sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott
  • Patent number: 11344974
    Abstract: A system for performing multiple operations on one or more weld joints of a pipe string includes a robotic scanning device that is configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and detect, scan and uniquely identify each weld joint within the pipe string. The system further includes a plurality of secondary robotic devices that are each configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and perform one or more specific operations on the one or more weld joints of the pipe string. The robotic scanning device includes a processor that is configured to generate a work plan for the plurality of secondary robotic devices. The robotic scanning device transmits work plan commands to each of the plurality of secondary robotic devices and receive transmissions from the plurality of secondary robotic devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Hassane Trigui, Sahejad Patel, Brian Parrott, Mohamed Abdelkader, Abdoulelah Hannabi
  • Publication number: 20220138622
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for predictive volumetric and structural evaluation of petroleum product containers. The system includes a computing device in communication with data input devices and implementation tools including calibration devices for measuring tank volume among other physical parameters bearing on tank volume. The computing device receives sets of historical physical parameter data for a plurality of tanks and, using machine learning (ML), generates predictive ML models for estimating volumetric parameters of tanks. The predictive model is applied by the system to historical and current data values to estimate current volumetric parameters for a given tank and, based on the results, the system performs or coordinates further operations for the given tank using an implementation tool. The further operations can include inventory management, physical calibration, maintenance and inspection as well as system evaluation and control operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Publication date: May 5, 2022
    Inventors: Sahejad Patel, Hassane Trigui, Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11283399
    Abstract: A brush suitable for performing at least one of a cleaning, buffing, and polishing action on a surface without requiring water comprises a core member, the core member having a central axis surrounded by a plurality of C-channel grooves and a plurality of sheets of material, each sheet of material comprised of closed-cell silicone foam rubber, being folded to define a double-sided flap, and secured to a respective one of the plurality of C-channel grooves. The sheet of material is secured to the core member to permit relative movement of the double-sided flap with respect to the surface in at least a first direction, and the relative movement of the double-sided flap produces at least one of the cleaning, buffing and/or polishing action on the surface without requiring water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Brian Parrott, Ali Shehri
  • Patent number: 11242880
    Abstract: A method and device for attaching and detaching material to a c-channel groove, including attachment and detachment between first and second objects already attached to the groove. The device comprises a coil-shaped element that is resiliently compressible and connected to a desired material. Through biasing, the coil-shaped element is navigable into an aperture of the c-channel groove at a point along the c-channel groove between the ends of the c-channel groove and positionable such that at least a portion of the biased coil-shaped element is in the c-channel groove. Upon restoring the biased coil-shaped element toward a second, larger dimension, it is secured in the c-channel groove and the material connected to the coil-shaped element is attached to the c-channel groove, including between the first object and the second object, if present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ali Shehri, Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini
  • Publication number: 20220001548
    Abstract: An automated system for performing multiple operations on one or more weld joints of a pipe string includes a main controller including a user interface; and a first robotic device that is in communication with the main controller and is configured to controllably travel inside of the pipe string and detect and uniquely identify each weld joint within the pipe string based on a vision-based weld detection module that is executed on a first onboard computer. The vision-based weld detection module provides at least one of: (1) images captured within the pipe string and (2) a live video feed within the pipe string that is displayed on the user interface for allowing a user to review and approve detection of the weld joint, whereupon once the user confirms the approval, the first robotic device automatically positions itself a predefined distance from the detected weld joint and automatically begins to perform at least one operation on the weld joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Mohamed Abdelkader, Sahejad Patel, Hassane Trigui, Brian Parrott, Abdoulelah Al-Hannabi
  • Publication number: 20210381934
    Abstract: A multirotor drone comprises a main body and an air channel embedded within the main body having an air inlet on the surface of the main body, multiple propellers that induce an air flow toward the air inlet and into the air channel, a microcontroller positioned and configured to control navigation of the drone by actuation of the plurality of propellers, an air scoop having a section positioned at the outer surface of the main body adjacent to the air inlet which is adjustable so as to capture and divert air into the air inlet and air channel or to block air flow into the air inlet, and a gas sensor positioned within the air channel. The air scoop is positioned to capture air flow from at least one of the plurality of propellers into the air channel and to the gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott
  • Publication number: 20210380272
    Abstract: A method for calibrating a target gas sensor inside a drone comprises receiving air flow at the target sensor due to least one of diverted propeller air flow or diverted air flow caused by drone flight, measuring a concentration of the target gas, receiving equivalent air flow at a sensor of at least one reference gas having known atmospheric concentration positioned in or on the drone, measuring a concentration of the at least one reference gas, and calibrating the measured concentration of the target gas based on the measured concentration of the at least one reference gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Publication number: 20210380228
    Abstract: A fixed wing drone comprises an air channel embedded therein. The air channel has an upstream an air inlet. A microcontroller mounted within the drone is configured to control navigation of the drone. An air scoop having a section positioned adjacent the inlet to the air channel is adjustable between a first position to capture and divert air into the inlet and thereby to air channel and a second position to block air flow into the air inlet. The air scoop is positioned to divert air flow into the air channel and to the gas sensor during forward flight of the drone. In one embodiment, the fixed wing drone comprises an aircraft having a fuselage and at least two wings. In another embodiment, the fixed wing drone has a flying wing construction, that is, is a tailless design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11183966
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a cleaning vehicle for cleaning a surface of an object includes first and second carriages (that define a frame). The vehicle also includes first and second wheels coupled to the first and second carriages to form a drive assembly and at least one motor is operatively coupled to at least one of the first and second wheels. A cleaning element extends between and is supported by the first and second carriages at a location forward of the first and second wheels. The vehicle also includes third and fourth wheels. The third wheel is adjustably mounted relative to the first wheel and the second traveler wheel is adjustably mounted relative to the second wheel. The third and fourth wheels are configured such that the object is received between the third and fourth wheels and the respective first and second carriages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Ali AlShehri
  • Patent number: 11098854
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces is provided. The vehicle is comprised of a front chassis section including a magnetic drive wheel for driving and steering the vehicle and a front support point configured to contact the surface. The vehicle also includes a rear chassis section supporting a follower wheel. The front and rear chassis sections are connected by joints including a hinge joint and a four-bar linkage. The hinge is configured to allow the trailing assembly to move side-to-side while the four-bar linkage allows the trailing assembly to move up and down relative to the front chassis. Collectively, the rear facing mechanism is configured to maintain the follower wheel in contact with and normal to the surface and also maintains the front support in contact with the surface and provides stability and maneuverability to the vehicle while traversing surfaces regardless of surface curvature and vehicle orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Ali Outa
  • Patent number: 11060669
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces is provided. The vehicle is comprised of a front chassis section including a magnetic drive wheel for driving and steering the vehicle and a front support point configured to contact the surface. The vehicle also includes a rear chassis section supporting a follower wheel. The front and rear chassis sections are connected by joints including a hinge joint and a four-bar linkage. The hinge is configured to allow the trailing assembly to move side-to-side while the four-bar linkage allows the trailing assembly to move up and down relative to the front chassis. Collectively, the rear facing mechanism is configured to maintain the follower wheel in contact with and normal to the surface and also maintains the front support in contact with the surface and provides stability and maneuverability to the vehicle while traversing surfaces regardless of surface curvature and vehicle orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Ali Outa