Conoco Inc.

Ce Nuclear Power LLC

Steven M Craig

Andrew F Hunter

Norman W Hein, Jr

Douglas H Warren

David Kenneth Marti

Lee M Sandora

Gene Joseph Descant

Robert R Masecar

A surface scanner for conducting non-destructive inspection of complex surface structures and configurations. The scanner includes two flexible tracks, each fitted with a motor driven tractor assembly. A rigid beam track spans the two flexible tracks. The rigid beam track is coupled to each flexible track tractor assembly by articulating joints that permit movement at the joints along at least three independent axes. The rigid beam supports a third motorized tractor. This third tractor supports a compliant thruster assembly that deploys gimbaled mechanical impedance, ultrasonic and eddy current inspection probes. The movement of the scanner is controlled by a scan control system that includes both hardware and software for controlling the movement of the scanner over the surface to be inspected. The software also includes a teach mode that permits an operator to preprogram the scan pattern for the surface to be inspected using a global coordinate system, referencing points on the surface and the data display using an identical coordinate system. The scanner also includes a data acquisition and analysis system that control scanner functions and operations.

Apparatus and method for performing non-destructive inspections of large area aircraft structures

An apparatus and method are provided for dewatering an interior of a hollow tension leg connecting a tension leg platform to a floor of a body of water. The apparatus includes a pump having a suction inlet defined on its lower end and a discharge outlet on its upper end. An elongated storage tank is attached to the upper end of the pump above the pump and has a tank interior communicated with the discharge outlet. The assembly is lowered on an electric wireline through which power is conducted to the pump. The pump fills the tank and then the assembly is withdrawn from the tension leg and the water is drained therefrom. The assembly can be repeatedly lowered into the tension leg and withdrawn therefrom until the tension leg is substantially completely dewatered. Solid debris can be removed from the tension leg prior to dewatering.

Tension leg dewatering apparatus and method

Growing community of inventors

Terryville, CT, United States of America

Steven M Craig