Patents by Inventor Tom O'Dell

Tom O'Dell 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: 11499940
    Abstract: An eddy current instrument for non-destructive testing of a tubular metallic object, the instrument comprising a probe head with probe coils and probe coil signal conditioning and analog to digital conversion electronics and a probe connector module with a processor and probe coil excitation signal generation electronics. The probe connector processor is configured to interface to an external computing device, which may be a personal computer. The probe head and probe connector module may be connected by a rigid shaft or by a flexible coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Zetec, Inc.
    Inventor: Tom O'Dell
  • Patent number: 11499941
    Abstract: A flexible eddy current probe for non-destructive testing of a metallic object may include one or more plus-point coils and a flexible printed circuit having first and second parallel sides, third and fourth parallel sides, and a number of adjacent strips. The strips have first and second ends that are contiguous with the first and second parallel sides, respectively. Each of the strips may contain a pair of coils oriented along the length of the strip, a first coil being proximate to the first end and a second coil being proximate to the second end, and each of the coils is configured to excite an eddy current in the metal object or to sense an eddy current. Each of the strips may also be independently flexible from one another. The eddy current sensor array is configured to be scanned over the metal object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Zetec, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Timm, Evan Lloyd, Tom O'Dell, Bill Ziegenhagen, Evans Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20200232947
    Abstract: An eddy current instrument for non-destructive testing of a tubular metallic object, the instrument comprising a probe head with probe coils and probe coil signal conditioning and analog to digital conversion electronics and a probe connector module with a processor and probe coil excitation signal generation electronics. The probe connector processor is configured to interface to an external computing device, which may be a personal computer. The probe head and probe connector module may be connected by a rigid shaft or by a flexible coupling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventor: Tom O'Dell
  • Publication number: 20200191748
    Abstract: An flexible eddy current probe for non-destructive testing of a metallic object, the probe having a flexible printed circuit containing eddy current drive and sense coils and one or more plus-point coil pairs arranged for inspection of the toe area of a raised bead weld.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2019
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Steve Timm, Evan Lloyd, Tom O'Dell, Bill Ziegenhagen, Evans Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7733084
    Abstract: An eddy current acquisition system integrates traditional elements of a nuclear steam generator tubing inspection into a single modular system comprising three subsystems: the take-up reel subsystem, the acquisition instrument, which is located in the hub of the take-up reel, and the pusher head subsystem. All of the control electronics are respectively enclosed in bases of the pusher head and the take-up reel subsystems in water-resistant and dust proof enclosures. Simplified setup is achieved by employing a single communication bus linking an identification (“ID”) chip in each component to a host computer. The ID chip stores and reports product part numbers, descriptions and serial numbers and revision or upgrade status and may also store statistical information such as device duty cycles, performance statistics, repair history, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventors: Tom O'Dell, Florian Hardy
  • Patent number: 6442322
    Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber management device that allows optical fiber to be placed in very restricted areas such as small modules. This device also provides an embedded conduit system that prevents the optical fibers from over bending and inhibits optical transmission. Moreover, the device of the present invention allows free movement of the optical fibers therethrough, if necessary. The result is a flexible and useful way to manage the location of the optical fibers and facilitate the connection of optical adapters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: JDS Uniphase Corporation
    Inventors: Jianyao Chen, Tom O'Dell, Sam Huang, Matthew Derstine
  • Publication number: 20020081087
    Abstract: This invention relates to an optical fiber management device that allows optical fiber to be placed in very restricted areas such as small modules. This device also provides an embedded conduit system that prevents the optical fibers from over bending and inhibits optical transmission. Moreover, the device of the present invention allows free movement of the optical fibers therethrough, if necessary. The result is a flexible and useful way to manage the location of the optical fibers and facilitate the connection of optical adapters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jianyao Chen, Tom O'Dell, Sam Huang, Matthew Derstine