Patents
US 12259094 B2: Pipeline following sensor arrangement
- Granted
- 2025-03-25
- Filed
- 2020-12-04 application 17112049
- Type
- Utility · 15 claims
- Elsewhere
- Google Patents ↗ · USPTO patent document ↗ · USPTO Patent Center record ↗
Abstract
A method and apparatus for installing a monitoring cable or other utility near an existing pipeline. An electromagnetic signal may be induced on the pipeline, either directly, or by transmitting a signal from a vehicle carrying a sensor array. The sensors disposed on the vehicle communicate with a processor to determine a distance and orientation of the vehicle relative to the pipeline. The signal may be electromagnetic, acoustic, capacitive, or the like. A plow or other digging tool may be on the vehicle or a secondary vehicle. Such a digging tool opens a trench and installs the cable along a path disposed next to the pipeline within an acceptable distance range from the pipeline. The vehicle may be remotely or automatically operated.
Source: PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 (ipg250325.xml).
Assignees
| Assignee | Type | Place | Also on furp.org | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Charles Machines Works, Inc. 255 patents | US company or organization | Perry, OK | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
Inventors
| Inventor | Place | Patents | Person page | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brian K. Bailey | Stillwater, OK | 17 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Kelvin P. Self | Stillwater, OK | 6 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Richard F. Sharp | Perry, OK | 9 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Scott B. Cole | Edmond, OK | 39 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 | |
| Michael F. Gard | Perry, OK | 18 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
CPC categories
| Subclass | Category | First group | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| F17D | Pipe-line systems; pipe-lines | F17D5/06 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
| B62D | Motor vehicles; trailers | B62D1/28 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
| E02F | Dredging; soil-shifting | E02F3/16 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
| F16L | Pipes; joints or fittings for pipes; supports for pipes, cables or protective tubing; means for thermal insulation in general | F16L1/11 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
| G01M | Testing static or dynamic balance of machines or structures; testing of structures or apparatus, not otherwise provided for | G01M3/18 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
| G05D | Systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables | G05D1/0212 | PVGPATDIS, file of 2026-04-10 |
Cooperative Patent Classification, as currently assigned (one row per subclass).
Assignments and security interests
No recorded assignments or security interests on file for this patent.
USPTO bulk data: PatentsView granted patents, disambiguated (PVGPATDIS) for patents, assignees, inventors, places and CPC categories; the USPTO Patent Assignment Dataset (ECORSEXC) for assignments and security interests. Patents filed in the last 20 years. No claims or full text. Links to other records are by name (and state): EXACT means the identical full name and state; FUZZY means a looser name match, with the confidence shown.