William Percy Curtis
Architects at Montrose, Houston, TX

5656786, Aug 12, 1997

May 3, 1996

8/642481

William W. Curtis - Houston TX
Kevin D. Logan - Humble TX
Michael K. Schoonover - Houston TX

ICO, Inc. - Houston TX

G01M 1900

738658

A system 10 for elongate metal goods comprises automated tubular inspection equipment 12 within an inspection area 13 for initially inspecting goods, and particularly oilfield tubulars, and a monitor 32 within a prove-up area 30 for viewing inspection data. An inspection computer 16 electronically records the inspection data and cooperates with a prove-up computer 38 to verify that all flagged suspect tubulars have been tested. Prove-up data may be input to the prove-up computer either directly from test equipment 40 or through a keypad 36. The prove-up report generated by the computer 38 may be electronically transmitted in real time to a monitor 24 outside the prove-up area for viewing the prove-up report data. According to the method of the invention, the prove-up operator may display inspection data on the monitor 32 to facilitate the inspection of suspect tubulars within the prove-up area. The prove-up operator electronically inputs prove-up data to the computer 38, which generates both interim and final prove-up reports which are then electronically transmitted to an inspection office and, if desired, to the customer of the tubular inspection service.

5867275, Feb 2, 1999

May 5, 1997

8/851584

William W. Curtis - Houston TX
Roy C. Grubbs - Houston TX
Kevin D. Logan - Humble TX
John A. Miller - Houston TX

ICO, Inc. - Houston TX

G01B 1108, G01B 1110

356384

A test apparatus 10 for testing the diameter of oilfield tubulars having various nominal diameters includes a machine frame 12 for successively receiving the axially movable tubulars, and upper and lower radially opposing carriages 16 and 18 each movable relative to the machine frame. First and second light generating sources 24 and 26 are each mounted on a respective carriage and transmit a wide light beam directed to intersect radially opposing sides in the oilfield tubular, such that the width of each light beams is reduced by engagement with the tubular. First and second light detectors 28 and 30 are each mounted on the carriages and are positioned for detecting the position of the reduced width light beams relative to the carriages and generating test signals in response thereto. Computer 32 is provided for receiving test signals from the sensors and generating a tubular diameter test measurement in response thereto. The test apparatus includes upper and lower optical shutters 52 and 54 each mounted on the carriages and movable from an active standardization check position to an inactive position.

5534775, Jul 9, 1996

Mar 16, 1993

8/033091

Clive C. Lam - Tomball TX
William W. Curtis - Houston TX
Roy C. Grubbs - Houston TX

ICO, Inc. - Houston TX

G01N 2784, G01N 2772, G01R 3312

324216

A plurality of magnetic field members are provided, each for selectively generating a time-varying magnetic field for combination into a o time-varying composite longitudinal magnetic field with magnetic flux lines which are substantially aligned with the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical ferromagnetic member. Additionally, a traverse magnetic field member is provided which selectively generates a time-varying traverse magnetic field with magnetic flux lines which are substantially traversed to the central longitudinal axis of the cylindrical ferromagnetic member. The plurality of magnetic field members and the traverse magnetic field member are maintained out of contact with the cylindrical ferromagnetic member. Magnetic particles are placed on selected portions of the cylindrical ferromagnetic member. A time-varying composite longitudinal magnetic field and a time-varying traverse magnetic field are applied to the cylindrical magnetic member, while it is being rotated.

6249119, Jun 19, 2001

Oct 6, 1999

9/413416

William W. Curtis - Houston TX
Roy C. Grubbs - Houston TX

ICO, Inc. - Houston TX

G01N 2782, G01R 3312

324242

The defect detection system of the present invention includes an encircling coil for providing a saturating DC magnetic fields to tubular goods. Also included is an encircling drive coil for applying a low level AC field using three-phase AC. Encircling pick up coils within the AC drive coils detect uniform, time varying magnetic fields to reveal defects within the tubular goods passing through the system.