Patents by Inventor Gary Lane Burkhardt

Gary Lane 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: 20160025682
    Abstract: A flexible eddy current probe and a method of use are provided. A flexible eddy current probe (300) includes at least one substantially planar eddy current array (304) capable of measuring an electromagnetic condition of a portion of a test object (202), wherein the at least one eddy current array (304) is disposed on a flexible substrate (316), and wherein the flexible substrate (316) is conformable to a portion of the test object (202). The flexible eddy current probe includes at least one elongated electrical conductor (312) capable of electrically connecting the at least one eddy current array (304) to a test instrument, and a glove (402) capable of being fitted to an operator's hand and capable of carrying the eddy current array (304) and conforming the array in testing communication with the test object (202).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 28, 2016
    Inventors: Stanley Maurice WALKER, Gary Lane BURKHARDT, Matthew Louis CAPPS, Jonathan Dale BARTLETT
  • Patent number: 7733466
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring radial strain on powder or other granular material while the powder is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The powder is contained within a pliable sleeve. As pressure is applied to the powder, the sleeve changes diameter. An optical emitter emits a beam of light, which is intersected by the entire diameter of the sleeve. An optical sensor receives the intersected beam, and generates a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve. This change in diameter can be related to a constitutive property such as strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Alexander Beltran Bernardo, Gary Lane Burkhardt, Arthur Edwin Nicholls, Walter Mac Gray
  • Patent number: 7683611
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gary Lane Burkhardt, Alfred Eugene Crouch, Albert Joseph Parvin, Jr., Ronald Herbert Peterson, Todd Hegert Goyen, Richard Franklin Tennis
  • Publication number: 20090128801
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring radial strain on powder or other granular material while the powder is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The powder is contained within a pliable sleeve. As pressure is applied to the powder, the sleeve changes diameter. An optical emitter emits a beam of light, which is intersected by the entire diameter of the sleeve. An optical sensor receives the intersected beam, and generates a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve. This change in diameter can be related to a constitutive property such as strain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Alexander Beltran Bernardo, Gary Lane Burkhardt, Arthur Edwin Nicholls, Walter Mac Gray
  • Patent number: 7469596
    Abstract: A method and system for measuring constitutive properties, such as radial strain, on a specimen of power or other granular material while the specimen is subject to compressive axial and radial loading. The specimen fills a pliable sleeve that has a conductive band around its circumference. An eddy current coil is placed around the sleeve, and used to provide a response signal that indicates the diameter of the sleeve, which in turn indicates radial strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Alexander Beltran Bernardo, Gary Lane Burkhardt, Arthur Edwin Nicholls, Walter Mac Gray
  • Patent number: 7459999
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gary Lane Burkhardt, Albert Joseph Parvin, Jr., Todd Hegert Goyen