Patents by Inventor James Simek

James Simek 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: 20210164941
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 3, 2021
    Inventors: James R. Andrew, James Simek
  • Publication number: 20190162700
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Applicant: T.D. WILLIAMSON
    Inventors: JAMES ANDREW, JAMES SIMEK
  • Publication number: 20190094182
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: KPL South Texas, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Andrew, James Simek
  • Publication number: 20190093829
    Abstract: Embodiments related to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Applicant: KPL South Texas, LLC
    Inventors: Jim Andrew, James Simek
  • Patent number: 8653811
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool has an even number “n” of spiraled pole magnets spaced equidistant apart and spanning the length of the tool. Each pole magnet, which preferably has a conformable upper surface, is rotated or spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each pole magnet is offset a predetermined amount “?” relative to a first end of that same pole magnet. The amount of rotation ? applied to each of the pole magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body (and therefore the pipe) and one that covers 360° of the internal wall surface of the pipe. A helical-shaped array of magnetic flux sensors may be arranged about the tool body and substantially equidistant between adjacent pairs of pole magnets. The tool detects axially oriented, circumferentially oriented, and volumetric anomalies and allows for single pass inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.
    Inventors: James Simek, Tod Baker, Mark Gregoire
  • Patent number: 8319494
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two pole magnets and oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Each sensor coil set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of sensor coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil. The tool provides improved sensitivity to small defects, substantial decrease in RF pulser power requirements, full circumferential coverage, self-calibration of the transmitted signals, and less interference between transmitter coils caused by acoustic ring around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: TDW Delaware Inc.
    Inventors: James Simek, Jed Ludlow, John H. Flora, Syed M. Ali, Huidong Gao
  • Publication number: 20100327859
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool has an even number “n” of spiraled pole magnets spaced equidistant apart and spanning the length of the tool. Each pole magnet, which preferably has a conformable upper surface, is rotated or spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each pole magnet is offset a predetermined amount “?” relative to a first end of that same pole magnet. The amount of rotation ? applied to each of the pole magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body (and therefore the pipe) and one that covers 360° of the internal wall surface of the pipe. A helical-shaped array of magnetic flux sensors may be arranged about the tool body and substantially equidistant between adjacent pairs of pole magnets. The tool detects axially oriented, circumferentially oriented, and volumetric anomalies and allows for single pass inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: James Simek, Tod Barker, Mark Gregoire
  • Publication number: 20100327858
    Abstract: A pipeline inspection tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two pole magnets and oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Each sensor coil set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of sensor coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil. The tool provides improved sensitivity to small defects, substantial decrease in RF pulser power requirements, full circumferential coverage, self-calibration of the transmitted signals, and less interference between transmitter coils caused by acoustic ring around.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: James Simek, Jed Ludlow, John H. Flora, Syed M. Ali, Huidong Gao