Richard C Mcnealy

US Patent:

7414395, Aug 19, 2008

Filed:

Mar 27, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/277523

Inventors:

Ming Gao - Houston TX, US
Sergio Limon - Bountiful UT, US
Richard Clark McNealy - Houston TX, US
Ron Sherstan - Cypress TX, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01N 27/72

US Classification:

324220, 324228, 324238

Abstract:

The method for detecting stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pipelines, comprising the steps of: identifying pipeline locations and pipeline conditions that are amenable to inspection by a magnetic flux inline tool and by a TFI tool; performing two inspections on the pipeline, one inspection performed using the magnetic flux inline (MFL) tool and an other inspection performed using the TFI tool; aligning signal features resulting from the two inspections; identifying TFI signals occurring above a specified threshold; identifying MFL signals for a section of pipeline corresponding to the identified TFI signals; for the identified TFI signals, determining whether the MFL signals are below a second threshold level; designating the sections of the pipeline corresponding to identified TFI signals above the threshold and below the second threshold as a potential corrosion feature; identifying TFI signals that exceed a defined metal loss percentage; measuring a width and length of the signal features, and if the width and length of the signal feature exceed threshold crack width and length values, designating as a potential corrosion feature section of pipeline corresponding to the identified TFI signals.

US Patent:

7706988, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Mar 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/075903

Inventors:

Richard Clark McNealy - Houston TX, US
Ming Gao - Houston TX, US

Assignee:

Blade Energy Partners, Inc. - Frisco TX

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G01N 27/00

US Classification:

702 51, 702 35, 324220, 324228, 73623, 73643

Abstract:

A method of predicting at least one physical change in crack geometry of a crack in a pipeline based on in-line inspection operating pressure is presented. In one method, a first test on a pipeline is performed at a first pressure, which obtains a first set of test data. A second test is performed on the pipeline at a second pressure, obtaining a second set of test data. The first and second sets of test data are compared for any difference. A run comparison software processing device may be employed. In other methods, finite element analysis of crack-like dimensions is performed to predict Crack Mouth Opening Displacement (CMOD) for a given set of crack dimensions for a surface-breaking crack and inline pipe inspection operating run pressure. Another method predicts probability of detection of a crack associated with a given CMOD as a function of pressure in successive inspections.

US Patent:

20110106457, May 5, 2011

Filed:

Nov 21, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/285337

Inventors:

Richard C. McNealy - Katy TX, US
Ming Gao - Houston TX, US
Mohammed Jaarah - Dubai, AE

International Classification:

G06F 19/00
G01N 29/04

US Classification:

702 39, 73592

Abstract:

Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing structural screening. Methods include applying pre-defined filter criteria to measurements resulting from an inspected structure operable for eliminating measurement data falling below a designated threshold. Methods further include identifying a baseline defect size associated with the inspected structure. The baseline defect size indicates a largest defect capable of being undetected during inspection. Methods also include identifying tolerance levels relating to the inspected structures factoring in the baseline defect size and attributes of the inspected structure, comparing results of the applying pre-defined filter criteria with tolerance levels identified, and determining a risk of cracking for the inspected structure based upon the comparing.