Patents by Inventor Volker Frueh

Volker Frueh 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: 10545121
    Abstract: Pipeline inspection systems are provided. In one embodiment, a pipeline inspection system can include at least one sensor module having a module body and a plurality of sensor holders mounted to the module body. Each sensor holder can include a holder body with a first body end, a second body end, and a plurality of sensors positioned therebetween, and a plurality of rotational guides that can be coupled to the holder body and configured to be biased towards an interior surface of the pipeline wall so as to define a standoff distance between each sensor and the interior surface of the pipeline wall. Each sensor holder can be at least partially pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the holder body extending between the first body end and the second body end. Methods of inspecting a pipeline are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: PII Pipetronix GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Frueh, Heiko Witte
  • Patent number: 10533914
    Abstract: A sensor carrier module for use in a pipeline pig may include a plurality of skids arranged about an axis of the sensor carrier module, and a flexible section. Each skid typically includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and at least one sensor between the upstream end and the downstream end. Each sensor may be configured to sense a parameter of a wall of a pipeline. The flexible section may be attached to the downstream ends of the skids and to a flange. The flexible section may include wheels configured to roll along the interior surface of the pipeline as the sensor carrier module passes through the pipeline, and a force system to apply a radial force that urges the wheels to interface with the interior surface of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Volker Frueh
  • Publication number: 20190360976
    Abstract: Pipeline inspection systems are provided. In one embodiment, a pipeline inspection system can include at least one sensor module having a module body and a plurality of sensor holders mounted to the module body. Each sensor holder can include a holder body with a first body end, a second body end, and a plurality of sensors positioned therebetween, and a plurality of rotational guides that can be coupled to the holder body and configured to be biased towards an interior surface of the pipeline wall so as to define a standoff distance between each sensor and the interior surface of the pipeline wall. Each sensor holder can be at least partially pivotable about a longitudinal axis of the holder body extending between the first body end and the second body end. Methods of inspecting a pipeline are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Volker Frueh, Heiko Witte
  • Publication number: 20180292285
    Abstract: A sensor carrier module for use in a pipeline pig may include a plurality of skids arranged about an axis of the sensor carrier module, and a flexible section. Each skid typically includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and at least one sensor between the upstream end and the downstream end. Each sensor may be configured to sense a parameter of a wall of a pipeline. The flexible section may be attached to the downstream ends of the skids and to a flange. The flexible section may include wheels configured to roll along the interior surface of the pipeline as the sensor carrier module passes through the pipeline, and a force system to apply a radial force that urges the wheels to interface with the interior surface of the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Volker Frueh
  • Patent number: 10036680
    Abstract: A sensor carrier module for use in a pipeline pig may include a plurality of skids arranged about an axis of the sensor carrier module, and a flexible section. Each skid typically includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and at least one sensor between the upstream end and the downstream end. Each sensor may be configured to sense a parameter of a wall of a pipeline. The flexible section may be attached to the downstream ends of the skids and to a flange. The flexible section may include wheels configured to roll along the interior surface of the pipeline as the sensor carrier module passes through the pipeline, and a force system to apply a radial force that urges the wheels to interface with the interior surface of the pipeline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Inventor: Volker Frueh
  • Publication number: 20160273992
    Abstract: A sensor carrier module for use in a pipeline pig may include a plurality of skids arranged about an axis of the sensor carrier module, and a flexible section. Each skid typically includes an upstream end, a downstream end, and at least one sensor between the upstream end and the downstream end. Each sensor may be configured to sense a parameter of a wall of a pipeline. The flexible section may be attached to the downstream ends of the skids and to a flange. The flexible section may include wheels configured to roll along the interior surface of the pipeline as the sensor carrier module passes through the pipeline, and a force system to apply a radial force that urges the wheels to interface with the interior surface of the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Publication date: September 22, 2016
    Inventor: Volker Frueh
  • Patent number: D899775
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: PII Pipetronix GmbH
    Inventors: Volker Frueh, Heiko Witte