The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 04, 2003
Filed:
Oct. 03, 2000
Applicant:
Inventors:
Paul T. Manzak, Houston, TX (US);
Carl R. Torres, Jr., Kingwood, TX (US);
Assignee:
Varco I/P, Inc., Houston, TX (US);
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 4/708 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
E21B 4/708 ;
Abstract
The invention relates to a self-tracking sensor mechanism for use with a smart pipeline inspection gauge, commonly termed a “smart pig”. The self-tracking sensor mechanism has a link pivotally attached to a body portion of the pig and a spring for urging the link in a direction away from the body portion of the pig and toward the wall of the pipeline being inspected. A trailing arm is pivotally connected to the link. The trailing arm has a sensor that is maintained in contact with the pipeline interior surface to be inspected during travel of the pig through the pipeline.