James C Simek

US Patent:

8319494, Nov 27, 2012

Filed:

Dec 18, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/642031

Inventors:

James Simek - Sandy UT, US
Jed Ludlow - Bountiful UT, US
John H. Flora - Lynchburg VA, US
Syed M. Ali - Lynchburg VA, US
Huidong Gao - Forest VA, US

Assignee:

TDW Delaware Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01R 19/18
G01R 19/22

US Classification:

324220, 324219, 324228, 324229, 324232, 324233, 324234, 324236, 324237, 324238, 324239, 324240, 324241, 324242, 324243

Abstract:

A pipeline inspection tool includes two pole magnets oriented at an oblique angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body. An array of sensor coil sets is located between opposing edges of the two pole magnets and oriented perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis. Each sensor coil set includes a transmitter coil and two opposing pairs of receiver coils that are gated to receive reflections from the wall of a tubular member. Because the line of sensor coils is rotated relative to the magnetic bias field, the receiver coils are in-line with, and have the same angular orientation as, the transmitter coil. The tool provides improved sensitivity to small defects, substantial decrease in RF pulser power requirements, full circumferential coverage, self-calibration of the transmitted signals, and less interference between transmitter coils caused by acoustic ring around.

US Patent:

20100327859, Dec 30, 2010

Filed:

Oct 2, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/572752

Inventors:

James Simek - Sandy UT, US
Tod Barker - Clearfield UT, US
Mark Gregoire - Sandy UT, US

International Classification:

G01N 27/82

US Classification:

324240

Abstract:

A pipeline inspection tool has an even number “n” of spiraled pole magnets spaced equidistant apart and spanning the length of the tool. Each pole magnet, which preferably has a conformable upper surface, is rotated or spiraled about the tool body so that a second end of each pole magnet is offset a predetermined amount “α” relative to a first end of that same pole magnet. The amount of rotation α applied to each of the pole magnets produces a magnetic field oblique to the central longitudinal axis of the tool body (and therefore the pipe) and one that covers 360 of the internal wall surface of the pipe. A helical-shaped array of magnetic flux sensors may be arranged about the tool body and substantially equidistant between adjacent pairs of pole magnets. The tool detects axially oriented, circumferentially oriented, and volumetric anomalies and allows for single pass inspection.

US Patent:

55325874, Jul 2, 1996

Filed:

Dec 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/808425

Inventors:

Robert W. Downs - Houston TX
James C. Simek - Richmond TX

Assignee:

Vetco Pipeline Services, Inc. - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 2772
G01N 2782
G01R 3312

US Classification:

324220

Abstract:

The apparatus of the invention is a segmented pig body having an electrical instrumentation subassembly mounted thereto. The subassembly consists of a plurality sensors for electromagnetically coupling to the inner surface of the pipeline, each of which generates a signal that varies as the localized relative permeability of the pipeline metal; an odometer assembly for generating correlating data; and an instrument for recording the signal and data for later analysis. The method of the invention comprises passing the pig through the pipeline while it is electromagnetically coupled by the sensors to the inner surface of the pipeline. During the pass, signals varying with the localized magnetic permeability of the pipeline wall and correlative data are generated and recorded. After the pass, the correlative data is used to correlate the signals to wall locations to locate stress occurrences.

US Patent:

20210164941, Jun 3, 2021

Filed:

Dec 9, 2020

Appl. No.:

17/116740

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
James Simek - La Grange TX, US

International Classification:

G01N 27/90
G01N 27/87
G01N 27/904

Abstract:

Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.

US Patent:

20190162700, May 30, 2019

Filed:

Nov 27, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/201102

Inventors:

- Tulsa OK, US
JAMES SIMEK - SANDY UT, US

Assignee:

T.D. WILLIAMSON - Tulsa OK

International Classification:

G01N 27/87
B23K 31/12
G01B 7/06

Abstract:

Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.

US Patent:

20190093829, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Sep 19, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/135215

Inventors:

- Wichita KS, US
James Simek - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

KPL South Texas, LLC - Wichita KS

International Classification:

F17D 5/00
G01N 27/87
G01R 1/06
G08B 21/18
G08B 23/00

Abstract:

Embodiments related to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.

US Patent:

20190094182, Mar 28, 2019

Filed:

Sep 19, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/135348

Inventors:

- Wichita KS, US
James Simek - Sandy UT, US

Assignee:

KPL South Texas, LLC - Wichita KS

International Classification:

G01N 27/90

Abstract:

Embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting and remediating selective seam weld corrosion in conduits such as steel pipes that transport oil and gas products. In particular, a probe detects magnetic flux leakage in at least two orientations. Anomalies in the conduit are then identified and assessed for selective seam weld corrosion based on factors that include the magnetic flux leakage detection and the depth of the anomalies. For certain categories of assessed anomalies, the corresponding portions of the conduit are selectively remediated in accordance with these factors.