Seescan, Inc.

Baker Hughes Corporation

Seektech, Inc.

Seesoon, Inc.

James F Kleyn

Mark S Olsson

Eric M Chapman

Michael E Turgeon

Jan Soukup

Ryan B Levin

Lisa E Latimer

Allen P Hoover

Dawn E Shaffer

Loni M Canepa

William John Wilkie

Michael J Martin

Alexander Logan Warren

Jeffrey A Prsha

Nicholas A Smith

Location systems and methods for locating paint and other markings on a surface are disclosed. A paint marking stick may include a magnetic field sonde that is actuated in conjunction with dispensing of paint or other markers, where the sonde generates a magnetic field signal in conjunction with dispensing of paint or placement of a marker. A corresponding utility locator may receive the sonde magnetic field dipole signal and determine and store positional information and type information associated with the paint or other marker.

Trackable dipole devices, methods, and systems

Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed.

Multifunction buried utility locating clips

Trackable dipole devices, methods, and systems for use with marking paint sticks

The disclosure is directed to utility locators and associated antenna node support structure devices for allowing a utility locator to self-stand in an upright position without being held or otherwise supported by a user.

Utility locator apparatus and methods

A pipe inspection system includes a cable storage drum and a housing configured to removably receive and rotatably support the cable storage drum. A push-cable with a plurality of conductors is stored in the cable storage drum. A camera head is connected to a distal end of the push-cable. A slip-ring assembly has first and second mating portions that when mated provide conductive paths between the plurality of conductors at a proximal end of the push-capable and a display device. The first portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the housing and the second portion of the slip-ring assembly is mounted on the removable cable storage drum. The system connection cable joining the inspection system with a display unit is removable and may be replaced with cables compatible with various alternate image display systems.

Pipe inspection system with replaceable cable storage drum

Push-cables and associated apparatus for pipe inspection systems are disclosed. In one embodiment a pipe inspection system includes a camera head, a push-cable including an outer covering enclosing a plurality of electrical conductors for transmitting signals and/or power between the camera head and an electronic device operatively coupled to the push-cable, and a spring assembly disposed about the push-cable near the distal end where the spring assembly comprises a spring with a tapered flex section having a varying cross-sectional area and/or a varying cross-sectional shape.

Spring assemblies with variable flexibility for use with push-cables and pipe inspection systems

Utility locators with retractable support structures and applications thereof

An asymmetric bearing device automatically decreases, without the need for manual adjustment, an amount of friction exerted against rotation of a drum or other mechanism upon reversal of the direction of rotation of the drum.

Pipe inspection systems with asymmetric drag force bearings

Video inspection systems with moveable and dockable CCUs are disclosed. In one embodiment a video inspection system includes a tubular frame element, a camera control unit (CCU), and a docking apparatus mechanically coupled to the frame element so as to allow the CCU to rotate and/or be detached are attached via a user action.

Cable storage drum with moveable CCU docking apparatus

An intelligent cable storage drum system for use in a pipe inspection system is disclosed. The system may include a cable storage drum, a video push-cable removably disposed on the cable storage drum, the video push-cable having a proximal end and a distal end, a video camera head having a camera output for providing analog or digital images or video output signals, and a transceiver module operatively coupled to the camera output for receiving the analog or digital images or video output signals and sending the received signals to a remote receiver.

Portable pipe inspection systems and methods

Electrical contact clips for use in utility locating operations to couple signals from a transmitter to a hidden or buried utility via direct electrical contact are disclosed. In one embodiment, a clip includes a base assembly and a jaw assembly having a plurality of jaws coupled to the base assembly, wherein each jaw is independently movably openable and closeable to secure to a target utility, a handle element on the base assembly having a utility selector element for selecting a utility type, and a contact element on the jaw assembly to directly conductively couple electrical signals onto a utility.

Push-cables and associated apparatus and systems are disclosed. In one embodiment, a push-cable assembly for use with a pipe inspection system may include a push-cable element having a proximal end and a distal end, with a spring assembly having varying flexibility coupled to or near the distal end. The spring assembly may include an outer coiled spring having a proximal and a distal end, and an inner coiled spring nested at least partially within the outer coiled spring. A camera head and/or other elements such as a cutting or jetting apparatus may be coupled at or near the distal end.

Growing community of inventors

Santee, CA, United States of America

James F Kleyn