Steven M Craig

US Patent:

62200992, Apr 24, 2001

Filed:

Jan 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/231668

Inventors:

David Kenneth Marti - Suffield CT
Gene Joseph Descant - Feeding Hills MA
Steven M. Craig - Terryville CT

Assignee:

CE Nuclear Power LLC - Windsor CT

International Classification:

G01N 2904

US Classification:

73633

Abstract:

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.

US Patent:

51471493, Sep 15, 1992

Filed:

May 16, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/701498

Inventors:

Steven M. Craig - Terryville CT
Douglas H. Warren - West Springfield MA
Lee M. Sandora - East Granby CT
Robert R. Masecar - Meriden CT
Norman W. Hein - Katy TX
Andrew F. Hunter - Houston TX

Assignee:

Conoco Inc. - Ponca City OK

International Classification:

E02B 1702

US Classification:

4052231

Abstract:

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 The pump fills the tank and then the assembly is withdrawn from the tension leg and the water is drained therefrom.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.