Patents by Inventor Gary Burkhardt

Gary Burkhardt 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: 20080042646
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device and method for pipeline inspection, The inspection device may include an exciter coil capable of providing an alternating current magnetic field and producing eddy currents. A plurality of sensors may then be provided which are capable of sensing a magnetic field produced by the eddy currents and the sensors may be engaged with a sensor shoe. The sensors may then be capable of being positioned at a first distance D1 with respect to an inner pipe wall surface and capable of providing coupling to the magnetic field produced by the eddy currents. The sensor shoe may also be capable of retracting to a second distance D2, wherein D1<D2. The sensor shoe may be connected to a sensor support arm wherein the support arm may be pivotably attached to a fixed hub and to a control arm which control arm may then be pivotably attached to a driven hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary BURKHARDT, Alfred CROUCH, Albert PARVIN, Ronald PETERSON, Todd GOYEN, Richard TENNIS
  • Publication number: 20080012673
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a variable diameter electromagnetic coil. The coil may include a coil winding containing inner and outer winding layers. The coil may incorporate a first hub including one or a plurality of inner supports, one of the inner supports connected to a location on the inner winding layer. A second hub may then be provided including one or a plurality of outer supports, one of the outer supports connected to a location on the outer winding layer. One of the first or second hubs may be capable of rotating to cause the coil winding to wind or unwind. An interconnect hub may then be provided which may be capable of providing electrical connection to the coil winding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Applicant: SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Gary BURKHARDT, Albert PARVIN, Todd GOYEN
  • Publication number: 20060202688
    Abstract: A detection system including an eddy current inducing unit; at least one magnetic field data sensor electrically coupled to a biasing unit, wherein the biasing unit is adapted to maintain the at least one magnetic field data sensor within a predetermined operating range when applied to selected locations of a workpiece as a function of residual magnetic field of the workpiece; and a scanner to position the at least one magnetic field data sensor at the selected locations on the workpiece at various resolutions is disclosed. Methods for identifying an area of interest in a material are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Publication date: September 14, 2006
    Inventors: Kirby Woods, Steven Price, Kenneth Williamson, Gary Burkhardt