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).
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Publication number: 20190094124Abstract: A method for identifying corrosion under insulation (CUI) in a structure comprises receiving thermographs from the structure using an infrared camera, applying filters to the thermograph using a first machine learning system, initially determining a CUI classification based on output from the filters, and validating the initial CUI classification by an inspection of the structure. The first machine learning system is trained using results of the validation. Outputs of the first machine learning system and additional structural and environmental data are fed into a second machine learning system that incorporates information from earlier states into current states. The second machine learning system is trained to identify CUI according to changes in the outputs of the first machine learning system and the additional data over time until a second threshold for CUI classification accuracy is reached. CUI is thereafter identified using the first and second machine learning systems in coordination.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2017Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: Ayman Amer, Ali Al Shehri, Brian Parrott, Muhammad Sarraj
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Patent number: 10239347Abstract: A multidirectional wheel for traversing a surface is provided that includes a magnet and a plurality of rollers disposed around an outer periphery of each of the hubs of the wheels. The rollers are mounted for rotation in a second axial direction that is perpendicular to a first axial direction of the wheel. The rollers are supported by a plurality of magnetically-inducible brackets attached to the hub. The brackets are optimally sized and shaped to reduce the space between the magnetized materials of the wheel and the surface upon which the wheel travels.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2016Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company, HiBot CorporationInventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Shigeo Hirose, Michele Guarnieri, Paulo Debenest, Ali Outa, Brian Parrott
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Publication number: 20190086365Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting insulated equipment for corrosion under insulation are provided. The system includes an autonomous unmanned vehicle having aerial and ground locomotive capabilities. The vehicle includes an infrared detector and a pulsed eddy current sensor. In the method, infrared waves emitted from the equipment are detected along the equipment with the infrared detector. Using the infrared detector, at least one image of an inner surface of the equipment is developed based on the detected infrared waves. At least one area that is susceptible to corrosion is determined based on the at least one image. The susceptible area is inspected with the pulsed eddy current sensor, which induces an eddy current in the inner wall of the equipment. Based on a rate of the decay in strength of the eddy current, it is determined whether corrosion exists at the susceptible area using a processor configured by code.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2018Publication date: March 21, 2019Inventors: Ayman Amer, Ali Shehri, Brian Parrott
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Patent number: 10228321Abstract: A method for protecting an inspected structure from external infrared emissions comprises shielding the inspected structure using a protective sheet so as to block infrared emissions from an external infrared radiation source from reaching the inspected structure, positioning the at least one protective sheet using at least one support so as to block a maximal amount of radiation from the external radiation source, and capturing infrared radiation from the inspected structure using an infrared camera.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventor: Brian Parrott
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Publication number: 20190017656Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Ali Outa
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Publication number: 20190015971Abstract: A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces is provided. The vehicle is comprised of a chassis supporting a magnetic drive wheel for driving and steering the vehicle and a stabilization mechanism. The magnetic wheel comprises two flux concentrator yokes and an axially magnetized hub extending therebetween. The hub includes a central housing configured to house a sensor probe and enhance the magnetic pull force of the wheel by providing a continuous pathway of high magnetic permeability material for magnetic flux to flow axially through the drive wheel. The stabilization mechanism comprises a front and rear facing support element moveably coupled to the chassis and configured to contact the surface and move symmetrically relative to the chassis thereby maintaining the vehicle and probe normal to the surface and providing stability to the vehicle while traversing surfaces regardless of surface curvature and vehicle orientation.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2017Publication date: January 17, 2019Inventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Abdullah Arab, Brian Parrott
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Publication number: 20190001484Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for configuring a group of mobile field devices using a configuration device (an HMI) is provided. In particular, the HMI is programmed to configure identically programmed field devices that are arbitrarily arranged in an application-dependent formation by defining and providing configuration parameters to the devices via wired and/or wireless communication. In particular, the HMI assigns a unique identifier to respective robots as a function of the position of the robot within the formation or the layout of the environment. Accordingly each robot can be efficiently configured by the HMI to operate independently yet as a coordinated member of the group and without requiring the robots to be placed in specific positions during the initial deployment. This obviates the need for constant independent control commands for each robot by a central controller or providing a customized control program to each robot during deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2018Publication date: January 3, 2019Inventors: Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini
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Patent number: 10139372Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting insulated equipment for corrosion under insulation are provided. The system includes an autonomous unmanned vehicle having aerial and ground locomotive capabilities. The vehicle includes an infrared detector and a pulsed eddy current sensor. In the method, infrared waves emitted from the equipment are detected along the equipment with the infrared detector. Using the infrared detector, at least one image of an inner surface of the equipment is developed based on the detected infrared waves. At least one area that is susceptible to corrosion is determined based on the at least one image. The susceptible area is inspected with the pulsed eddy current sensor, which induces an eddy current in the inner wall of the equipment. Based on a rate of the decay in strength of the eddy current, it is determined whether corrosion exists at the susceptible area using a processor configured by code.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ayman Amer, Ali Shehri, Brian Parrott
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Publication number: 20180335404Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting insulated equipment for corrosion under insulation are provided. The system includes an autonomous unmanned vehicle having aerial and ground locomotive capabilities. The vehicle includes an infrared detector and a pulsed eddy current sensor. In the method, infrared waves emitted from the equipment are detected along the equipment with the infrared detector. Using the infrared detector, at least one image of an inner surface of the equipment is developed based on the detected infrared waves. At least one area that is susceptible to corrosion is determined based on the at least one image. The susceptible area is inspected with the pulsed eddy current sensor, which induces an eddy current in the inner wall of the equipment. Based on a rate of the decay in strength of the eddy current, it is determined whether corrosion exists at the susceptible area using a processor configured by code.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2017Publication date: November 22, 2018Inventors: Ayman Amer, Ali Shehri, Brian Parrott
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Patent number: 10133277Abstract: A deployable docking station for supporting at least one mobile robot is provided. The deployable docking station includes a housing and an anchor connected to the housing. The anchor can engage with a surface to maintain the position of the deployable docking station. The deployable docking station is further configured to couple and decouple with the at least one mobile robot. The deployable docking station can be configured to selectively alternate between a first and second condition. In the first condition, the deployable docking station is coupled with the at least one mobile robot and the at least one mobile robot can transport the deployable docking station to a desired location on the surface. In the second condition, the deployable docking station is de-coupled from the at least one mobile robot.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2018Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Ali Outa, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Sahejad Patel, Hassane Trigui, Ayman Amer, Ali Shehri
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Patent number: 10118655Abstract: A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2017Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Ali Outa, Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott
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Patent number: 10118292Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for configuring a group of mobile field devices using a configuration device (an HMI) is provided. In particular, the HMI is programmed to configure identically programmed field devices that are arbitrarily arranged in an application-dependent formation by defining and providing configuration parameters to the devices via wired and/or wireless communication. In particular, the HMI assigns a unique identifier to respective robots as a function of the position of the robot within the formation or the layout of the environment. Accordingly each robot can be efficiently configured by the HMI to operate independently yet as a coordinated member of the group and without requiring the robots to be placed in specific positions during the initial deployment. This obviates the need for constant independent control commands for each robot by a central controller or providing a customized control program to each robot during deployment.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2016Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini
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Publication number: 20180316305Abstract: A method and device for cleaning and pretreating solar panels is provided. The device comprises a brush having cleaning elements made from silicone foam rubber material. The cleaning elements can be flaps of silicone foam rubber material. A sheet of silicone foam rubber material having two free ends can be attached to a core member such that the two free ends extend away from the core member to form flaps. The solar panels can be cleaned by brushing the solar panel surfaces with the flaps of silicone foam rubber material. The solar panels can also be pretreated by brushing the solar panel surfaces with silicone foam rubber material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Pablo CARRASCO ZANINI, Brian PARROTT, Ali SHEHRI
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Publication number: 20180316304Abstract: A method and device for cleaning and pretreating solar panels is provided. The device comprises a brush having cleaning elements made from silicone foam rubber material. The cleaning elements can be flaps of silicone foam rubber material. A sheet of silicone foam rubber material having two free ends can be attached to a core member such that the two free ends extend away from the core member to form flaps. The solar panels can be cleaned by brushing the solar panel surfaces with the flaps of silicone foam rubber material. The solar panels can also be pretreated by brushing the solar panel surfaces with silicone foam rubber material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2018Publication date: November 1, 2018Inventors: Pablo CARRASCO ZANINI, Brian PARROTT, Ali SHEHRI
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Publication number: 20180306628Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for calibrating the volume of storage containers using mechanical or acoustic wave-based inspection techniques. The exemplary calibration system comprises an array of measurement devices controllably deployed in respective positions on the outside surface of the container. The measurement devices include a transducer for sending signals along the surface of the container and sensors configured to detect the signals. The measurement devices are in communication with a diagnostic computing device that controls the positioning and the operation of the measurement devices and is further configured to determine the time time-of-flight of the signals that travel between the various devices. Moreover, according to the specific arrangement of the measurement devices and the measured signal information, the control computer is configured to calculate the dimensions of the container and its internal volume.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2017Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventors: Brian Parrott, Fadl Abdellatif
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Patent number: 10054950Abstract: A deployable docking station for supporting at least one mobile robot is provided. The deployable docking station includes a housing and an anchor connected to the housing. The anchor can engage with a surface to maintain the position of the deployable docking station. The deployable docking station is further configured to couple and decouple with the at least one mobile robot. The deployable docking station can be configured to selectively alternate between a first and second condition. In the first condition, the deployable docking station is coupled with the at least one mobile robot and the at least one mobile robot can transport the deployable docking station to a desired location on the surface. In the second condition, the deployable docking station is de-coupled from the at least one mobile robot.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2016Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANYInventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Ali Outa, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Sahejad Patel, Hassane Trigul, Ayman Amer, Ali Shehri
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Patent number: 10020775Abstract: A method and device for cleaning and pretreating solar panels is provided. The device comprises a brush having cleaning elements made from silicone foam rubber material. The cleaning elements can be flaps of silicone foam rubber material. A sheet of silicone foam rubber material having two free ends can be attached to a core member such that the two free ends extend away from the core member to form flaps. The solar panels can be cleaned by brushing the solar panel surfaces with the flaps of silicone foam rubber material. The solar panels can also be pretreated by brushing the solar panel surfaces with silicone foam rubber material.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2017Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Brian Parrott, Ali Shehri
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Publication number: 20180178861Abstract: A robotic vehicle chassis is provided. The robotic vehicle chassis includes a first chassis section, a second chassis section, and a hinge joint connecting the first and second chassis sections such that the first and second chassis sections are capable of rotation with respect to each other in at least a first direction. The vehicle includes a drive wheel mounted to one of the first and second chassis sections and an omni-wheel mounted to the other of the first and second chassis sections. The omni-wheel is mounted at an angle orthogonal with respect to the drive wheel. The hinge joint rotates in response to the curvature of a surface the vehicle is traversing.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2017Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: Ali Outa, Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott
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Publication number: 20180050450Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for configuring a group of mobile field devices using a configuration device (an HMI) is provided. In particular, the HMI is programmed to configure identically programmed field devices that are arbitrarily arranged in an application-dependent formation by defining and providing configuration parameters to the devices via wired and/or wireless communication. In particular, the HMI assigns a unique identifier to respective robots as a function of the position of the robot within the formation or the layout of the environment. Accordingly each robot can be efficiently configured by the HMI to operate independently yet as a coordinated member of the group and without requiring the robots to be placed in specific positions during the initial deployment. This obviates the need for constant independent control commands for each robot by a central controller or providing a customized control program to each robot during deployment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Inventors: Brian Parrott, Pablo Carrasco Zanini
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Patent number: 9863919Abstract: A modular inspection vehicle having at least first and second motion modules is provided. The first and second motion modules are connected to a chassis. The first motion module includes a first wheel mounted to the chassis. The second motion module includes second wheel mounted to the chassis, the second wheel being at an angle to the first wheel. The vehicle further includes a navigation module configured to collect position data related to the position of the vehicle, an inspection module configured to collect inspection data related to the vehicle's environment, and a communication module configured to transmit and receive data. The vehicle can also include a control module configured to receive the inspection data and associate the inspection data with received position data that corresponds to the inspection data collect at a corresponding position for transmission via the communication module.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Pablo Carrasco Zanini, Fadl Abdellatif, Brian Parrott, Hassane Trigui, Sahejad Patel, Ayman Amer, Ali Outa