Patents by Inventor Robert Palma

Robert Palma 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: 20130133429
    Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection, the apparatus comprising a body comprising a longitudinal axis, an array of ultrasonic sensors configured to inspect a pipe wall, a skid comprising an outer surface configured to run adjacent to, or in contact with, the pipe wall, wherein the array of ultrasonic sensors are arranged at a stand off from the outer surface of the skid, and a chamber comprising an ultrasonic couplant, wherein the ultrasonic couplant permits ultrasound communication between the array of ultrasonic sensors and an inner surface of the pipe wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventors: Robert Palma, William Herron
  • Publication number: 20130025370
    Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection, the apparatus having a longitudinal axis, is provided. The apparatus comprises: a plurality of ultrasonic sensor units arranged for inspection of a pipe wall, each ultrasonic sensor unit comprising an array of ultrasonic sensors, wherein the plurality of ultrasonic sensor units defines two or more groups of ultrasonic sensor units, wherein the groups of ultrasonic sensor units are axially offset from one another with respect to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, the ultrasonic sensor units in each group being spaced circumferentially from one another, and wherein the ultrasonic sensor units are arranged out of phase, to provide inspection coverage for the circumferential spacing between the sensor units in the groups of ultrasonic sensor units so that the combined output from the groups of sensor units provides 360 degrees of inspection coverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: William HERRON, Robert PALMA
  • Publication number: 20120325004
    Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection is provided. The apparatus comprising a body comprising a longitudinal axis a sensor unit in association with the body, wherein the sensor unit comprises an array of ultrasonic sensors configured to inspect a pipe wall and a skid comprising an outer surface configured to run adjacent to, or in contact with, the pipe wall, wherein the array of ultrasonic sensors are arranged at a stand off from the outer surface of the skid, and a mechanism configured to bias the outer surface of the skid into contact with the pipe wall, and to move the sensor unit between a first radial position and a second radial position in response to changes in pipe diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventors: William HERRON, Robert PALMA
  • Publication number: 20120297882
    Abstract: An apparatus for pipeline inspection includes a body including a longitudinal axis and a sensor unit in association with the body. The sensor unit has an array of ultrasonic sensors configured to inspect a pipe wall. The sensor unit includes a skid having an outer surface intended to run adjacent or in contact with a pipe wall. The sensor unit also includes a recess, wherein the sensors are arranged in the recess at a predetermined stand off from the outer surface of the skid. The sensor unit also includes a flushing system configured to direct pipeline fluid through the recess to flush debris from the recess when the outer surface of the skid is in contact with a pipe wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Robert Palma, Willliam Herron