Patents by Inventor Ed Maynard

Ed Maynard 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).

  • Patent number: 11579118
    Abstract: An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arm (50) having a sensor head (30) located at its distal end (51), the sensor head including an arched-shaped pipe contacting portion (33) between its forward and rearward ends (32, 34), the pipe contacting portion having a radius R and a width WC; and at least one triaxial sensor element (31) having at least a portion located directly below the arched-shaped pipe contacting portion and having a width WS, WC<WS. During the tool's travel through a pipeline, contact of the sensor head with the pipe wall lies along a single line of travel substantially equal to the width WC. Because of its shape, the sensor head better traces and maintains contact with the pipe wall to detect dents, wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anomalies in the pipe wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, Blake Owen, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20220325844
    Abstract: A re-settable pipeline gauging tool (10) of this disclosure includes a cylindrical tool body (11) that includes a deformable portion (13) with a plurality of sensors (25) located near or on an external circumferential surface (12) of the deformable portion. A sealed unit (60) contains a corresponding signal source (25). Pipeline gauging relies upon the compressibility and elasticity inherent in the deformable portion as it encounters anomalies in pipeline geometry and moves between a first size and a second size, the signal strength of the source detected by the sensors changing as a result. The sensors may be arrayed in a circumferential band (47) about the deformable portion or along its length. In some embodiments, the sensors and source are magnetic or acoustic (e.g., transceivers or radar integrated chips). In other embodiments, the sensors and source are light or fiber optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2022
    Publication date: October 13, 2022
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Joseph Alan Morton
  • Patent number: 11280440
    Abstract: A re-settable pipeline gauging tool (10) of this disclosure includes a cylindrical tool body (11) that includes a deformable portion (13) with a plurality of sensors (25) located near or on an external circumferential surface (12) of the deformable portion. A sealed unit (60) contains a corresponding signal source (25). Pipeline gauging relies upon the compressibility and elasticity inherent in the deformable portion as it encounters anomalies in pipeline geometry and moves between a first size and a second size, the signal strength of the source detected by the sensors changing as a result. The sensors may be arrayed in a circumferential band (47) about the deformable portion or along its length. In some embodiments, the sensors and source are magnetic or acoustic (e.g., transceivers or radar integrated chips). In other embodiments, the sensors and source are light or fiber optic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Joseph Alan Morton
  • Publication number: 20210207758
    Abstract: A re-settable pipeline gauging tool (10) of this disclosure includes a cylindrical tool body (11) that includes a deformable portion (13) with a plurality of sensors (25) located near or on an external circumferential surface (12) of the deformable portion. A sealed unit (60) contains a corresponding signal source (25). Pipeline gauging relies upon the compressibility and elasticity inherent in the deformable portion as it encounters anomalies in pipeline geometry and moves between a first size and a second size, the signal strength of the source detected by the sensors changing as a result. The sensors may be arrayed in a circumferential band (47) about the deformable portion or along its length. In some embodiments, the sensors and source are magnetic or acoustic (e.g., transceivers or radar integrated chips). In other embodiments, the sensors and source are light or fiber optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Joseph Alan Morton
  • Patent number: 10911158
    Abstract: A method and system of high speed radio frequency communication between an outside of a metallic pipeline or vessel and an interior volume contained by the metallic pipeline or vessel includes passing a high speed radio frequency signal through a communication portal having a high speed radio frequency permittive material exposed to the interior volume of the metallic pipeline and to the outside. The high speed radio frequency signal may be transmitted from the interior volume to the outside or from the outside to the interior volume. The communication portal may be a cylindrical- or planar-shaped body connected to the metallic pipeline. A tool located within the interior volume may transmit, receive, or transmit and receive the high speed radio frequency signal. The high speed radio frequency signal may be configured according to a 2.45 GHz standard protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Philip M. Maltby
  • Publication number: 20200378923
    Abstract: An inline inspection tool of this disclosure includes at least one sensor arm (50) having a sensor head (30) located at its distal end (51), the sensor head including an arched-shaped pipe contacting portion (33) between its forward and rearward ends (32, 34), the pipe contacting portion having a radius R and a width WC; and at least one triaxial sensor element (31) having at least a portion located directly below the arched-shaped pipe contacting portion and having a width WS, WC<WS. During the tool's travel through a pipeline, contact of the sensor head with the pipe wall lies along a single line of travel substantially equal to the width WC. Because of its shape, the sensor head better traces and maintains contact with the pipe wall to detect dents, wrinkles, weld intrusions, and other defects or anomalies in the pipe wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Todd R. Mendenhall, Blake Owen, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20200252139
    Abstract: A method and system of high speed radio frequency communication between an outside of a metallic pipeline or vessel and an interior volume contained by the metallic pipeline or vessel includes passing a high speed radio frequency signal through a communication portal having a high speed radio frequency permittive material exposed to the interior volume of the metallic pipeline and to the outside. The high speed radio frequency signal may be transmitted from the interior volume to the outside or from the outside to the interior volume. The communication portal may be a cylindrical- or planar-shaped body connected to the metallic pipeline. A tool located within the interior volume may transmit, receive, or transmit and receive the high speed radio frequency signal. The high speed radio frequency signal may be configured according to a 2.45 GHz standard protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2020
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Philip M. Maltby
  • Patent number: 10567090
    Abstract: A method and system of high speed radio frequency communication between an outside of a metallic pipeline or vessel and an interior volume contained by the metallic pipeline or vessel includes passing a high speed radio frequency signal through a communication portal having a high speed radio frequency permittive material exposed to the interior volume of the metallic pipeline and to the outside. The high speed radio frequency signal may be transmitted from the interior volume to the outside or from the outside to the interior volume. The communication portal may be a cylindrical- or planar-shaped body connected to the metallic pipeline. A tool located within the interior volume may transmit, receive, or transmit and receive the high speed radio frequency signal. The high speed radio frequency signal may be configured according to a 2.45 GHz standard protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: TDW Delaware, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Philip M. Maltby
  • Patent number: 10522033
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: INTHINC LLC
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20190123835
    Abstract: A method and system of high speed radio frequency communication between an outside of a metallic pipeline or vessel and an interior volume contained by the metallic pipeline or vessel includes passing a high speed radio frequency signal through a communication portal having a high speed radio frequency permittive material exposed to the interior volume of the metallic pipeline and to the outside. The high speed radio frequency signal may be transmitted from the interior volume to the outside or from the outside to the interior volume. The communication portal may be a cylindrical- or planar-shaped body connected to the metallic pipeline. A tool located within the interior volume may transmit, receive, or transmit and receive the high speed radio frequency signal. The high speed radio frequency signal may be configured according to a 2.45 GHz standard protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Roger L. Poe, Ed Maynard, Philip M. Maltby
  • Publication number: 20180233039
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 9847021
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Inthinc LLC
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20150039214
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 8890717
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 8630768
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle, comprising a housing having an accelerometer unit, and a global positioning system (GPS) unit, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted in a window of the vehicle, and wherein the system is adapted to be powered by an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Ed Maynard, Eric Capps, Gib Larson, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Carleton Watkins, Vinh Vo, Jason Litzinger, Steve Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20110267205
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: November 3, 2011
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Patent number: 7859392
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: IWI, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard
  • Publication number: 20080262670
    Abstract: System and method for monitoring the operation of a vehicle, comprising a housing having an accelerometer unit, and a global positioning system (GPS) unit, wherein the housing is adapted to be mounted in a window of the vehicle, and wherein the system is adapted to be powered by an on-board diagnostic system of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Ed Maynard, Eric Capps, Gib Larson, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Carleton Watkins, Vihn Vo, Jason Litzinger, Steve Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20080252487
    Abstract: System and method for identifying speeding violations, comprising determining a current speed and a current location of a vehicle, determining a posted speed limit for the current location from a speed-by-street database, comparing the current speed of the vehicle to the posted speed limit, and evaluating whether the current speed exceeds the posted speed limit. Errors are identified in the speed-by-street database by storing a plurality of speeding violation records, wherein the speeding violation records each include a speeding event location; analyzing the speeding violation records to identify one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations; comparing a posted speed limit at the one or more speeding event locations having multiple speeding violations to corresponding speed limit data in the speed-by-street database; and identifying one or more speed limit entries in the speed-by-street database that do not match the posted speed limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2007
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventors: Scott McClellan, Todd Follmer, Jonathan C. Catten, Eric Capps, Dave Ord, Richard Eyre, Verlin Russon, Ed Maynard