Patents by Inventor Carl R. Torres, Jr.

Carl R. Torres, Jr. 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).

  • Self tracking sensor suspension mechanism
    Patent number: 6640655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-tracking sensor mechanism for use with a smart pipeline inspection gauge, commonly termed a “smart pig”. The self-tracking sensor mechanism has a link pivotally attached to a body portion of the pig and a spring for urging the link in a direction away from the body portion of the pig and toward the wall of the pipeline being inspected. A trailing arm is pivotally connected to the link. The trailing arm has a sensor that is maintained in contact with the pipeline interior surface to be inspected during travel of the pig through the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Varco I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul T. Manzak, Carl R. Torres, Jr.
  • Variable speed pig for pipeline applications
    Patent number: 6370721
    Abstract: A variable speed pig for movement within a pipeline having a plurality of venturi-shaped through passages extending longitudinally to permit fluid within the pipeline to bypass the pig. The size and shape of these passages may be varied to vary fluid pressure drop through the passages and the pig to correspondingly vary the speed of the pig passing through the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Tuboscope I/P, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Torres, Jr., Paul T. Manzak, Jack E. Miller