Bruce W Maxfield

US Patent:

20140028300, Jan 30, 2014

Filed:

Jul 26, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/952341

Inventors:

Zhiyong Wang - Missouri City TX, US
Bruce Maxfield - Buford WY, US

Assignee:

itRobotics, Inc. - Stafford TX

International Classification:

G01N 27/82

US Classification:

324220

Abstract:

Systems, devices, and methods of inspecting a body of a tubular, are provided. An exemplary electro-magnetic acoustic transducers (EMAT) tubular inspection system for inspecting a body of a tubular includes an EMAT in-line tubular inspection device. The device can include a spine having a longitudinal support body and radially projecting rails, and multiple telescoping sections each connected to the radially projecting rails. The telescoping sections can include a magnetic back panel, one or more wheels positioned to engage an inner surface of a body of a tubular during inspection, and signal propagating and receiving modules carried by the magnetic back panel. Each module can include a magnet and different types of EMAT inspection transducer coil arrangements connected to the magnet. The different types of EMAT inspection transducer coil arrangements provide for the generation of NBSH, SW, and SV waves.

US Patent:

56366353, Jun 10, 1997

Filed:

Mar 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/398789

Inventors:

Norbert A. Massie - San Ramon CA
Bruce W. Maxfield - San Leandro CA

Assignee:

Massie Research Laboratories, Inc. - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

A61B 316

US Classification:

128646

Abstract:

A non-contact tonometer is described for measuring the intraocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. An ultrasonic power transducer directs an ultrasonic beam onto the eye and the force generated by the radiation pressure causes indentation or applanation which is detected with an ultrasonic or optical detector. An optical system provides an image of the eye with appropriate alignment beams injected through a beam splitter for positioning the device with respect to the eye. An additional ultrasonic beam may be used to measure the range to the eye. Another optical detector, is utilized to measure applanation or indentation; alternatively, an additional ultrasonic transducer and beam could be used. Operation of the device may be through continuous wave or pulsed excitation of the ultrasound. Feed-back control of the ultrasound power level is possible using an additional ultrasonic transducer for measuring the power levels to augment measurement accuracy.

US Patent:

53968883, Mar 14, 1995

Filed:

Feb 7, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/192784

Inventors:

N. A. Massie - San Ramon CA
Bruce W. Maxfield - Oakland CA

Assignee:

Massie Research Laboratories, Inc. - San Ramon CA

International Classification:

A61B 316

US Classification:

128649

Abstract:

A non-contact tonometer is described for measuring the intra-ocular pressure (IOP) of the eye. An ultrasonic power transducer directs an ultrasonic beam onto the eye and the force generated by the radiation pressure causes indentation or applanation which is detected by ultrasonic or optical means. An optical system provides an image of the eye with appropriate alignment beams injected through a beam splitter for positioning the device with respect to the eye. An additional ultrasonic beam may be used to measure the range to the eye. Another optical means is utilized to measure applanation or indentation; alternatively, an additional ultrasonic transducer and beam could be used. Operation of the device may be through continuous wave or pulsed excitation of the ultrasound. Feed-back control of the ultrasound power level is possible using an additional ultrasonic transducer for measuring the power levels to augment measurement accuracy.

US Patent:

55149561, May 7, 1996

Filed:

Oct 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/320326

Inventors:

Bruce W. Maxfield - Oakland CA
Pamela C. Fitzgerald - Berkeley CA

Assignee:

Industrial Sensors and Actuators - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

G01N 2783

US Classification:

324262

Abstract:

Tank bottom inspection apparatus of the magnetic flux leakage type having a powered release mechanism for reducing the magnetic attraction of the apparatus to the tank bottom. The apparatus is wheeled over the tank bottom surface and includes a magnet assembly disposed over the surface for inducing magnetic flux in the material under inspection and a sensor assembly for detecting magnetic flux leakage from the material indicative of magnetic anomalies. A powered actuator permits the operator to retract the magnet assembly away from the surface, reducing the magnetic attraction to the surface and thereby reducing magnetic resistance to movement of the apparatus over the surface. The operator retracts the magnet assembly for maneuvering the apparatus over and around obstacles on the surface with greatly reduced magnetic attraction to the surface. The operator is then able to return the magnet assembly to a precise inspection position for continued inspection of the surface. In one embodiment an actuator is coupled to the magnet assembly so as to move the magnet assembly relative to the apparatus wheels, which remain in contact with the surface.

US Patent:

56148259, Mar 25, 1997

Filed:

Nov 28, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/345901

Inventors:

Bruce W. Maxfield - Oakland CA
Pamela C. Fitzgerald - Berkeley CA

Assignee:

Industrial Sensors and Actuators - San Leandro CA

International Classification:

G01R 3312
G01N 2772

US Classification:

324242

Abstract:

Magnetic flux leakage inspection apparatus systems with independently suspended magnetic sensor blocks. The apparatus includes a magnet and a sensor assembly. The magnet is disposed over a surface of a magnetizable material under inspection for inducing magnetic flux in the material, and the sensor assembly is disposed in a predetermined inspection position over the surface for detecting magnetic flux leakage from the material that may indicate a magnetic anomaly in the material. The magnet and sensor assembly are moved along over the surface while the sensor assembly scans for magnetic leakage flux. The sensor assembly is formed with one or more independently suspended sensor blocks, each block including a plurality of sensors rigidly held in the block for detecting magnetic flux leakage. Each sensor block is independently mounted to permit the block to move perpendicular to the surface under inspection during the course of measurement as the sensor assembly and the surface are moved in scanning relation to one another. To avoid contamination of the measurement results by the normally present parallel flux leakage components, each block is subject to stringent constraints on the permitted departures of the perpendicular movement from perpendicularity, that is, on the amount by which the block may tilt as it undergoes its perpendicular movement.