# US 12,597,108 B2 · Method and apparatus to perform a wireline cable inspection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,597,108 B2 - Document ID: US12597108B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/453,818 - Filed: 2023-08-22 - Published: 2024-02-29 - Granted: 2026-04-07 - Earliest claimed: 2022-08-24 - Assignees: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Applicants: Schlumberger Technology Corporation - Inventors: Pablo Paiva; Pratyush Snehi; Gabriel Arrigo Morosini - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12597108B2 ## CPC - G06T 7/0002: {Inspection of images, e.g. flaw detection} - G06T 7/0004: {Industrial image inspection} - G01N 21/8851: {Scan or image signal processing specially adapted therefor, e.g. for scan signal adjustment, for detecting different kinds of defects, for compensating for structures, markings, edges (G01N21/8806 and G01N21/93 - G01N21/95692 take precedence; optical measurement of dimensions G01B11/00; optical scanning G02B26/10; image transformation G06T3/00; computerised image enhancement G06T5/00; image processing per se for flaw detection G06T7/0002)} - G06T 2207/20081: Training; Learning - G06T 2207/20084: Artificial neural networks [ANN] - G06T 2207/30184: Infrastructure - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract Aspects of the disclosure provide for a method and apparatus to quickly identify defects in a cable used in hydrocarbon recovery wireline operations. A series of high-speed cameras take pictures along a length of the wireline cable, while artificial intelligence data processing algorithms process the camera data. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for performing a wireline cable inspection, comprising: obtaining a wireline cable; progressing the wireline cable through a visual camera apparatus configured to take photographic data of the wireline cable at fixed spatial intervals along a length of the wireline cable as the wireline cable is progressed through the visual camera apparatus, such that the photographic data corresponds to specific locations along the wireline cable, wherein the photographic data is taken at shorter fixed spatial intervals at specific locations along the wireline cable identified as being more stressed; storing the photographic data of the wireline cable; comparing the photographic data to a set of defects using a machine learning model trained in advanced object detection through neural network processing techniques on the photographic data; and producing a defect report in response to a similarity indicated between the photographic data and the set of defects. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a speed of the progressing the wireline cable through the visual camera apparatus is chosen by an operator. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the visual camera apparatus has three cameras. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein an operator chooses both a speed of progressing the wireline cable through the visual camera apparatus and a number of the fixed spatial intervals along the length of the wireline cable. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the set of defects is a visual set of defects. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method according to claim 5, wherein the comparing the photographic data is performed through artificial intelligence. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the defect report indicates a linear position of a defect on the wireline cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method according to claim 7, wherein the defect report further indicates a type of defect on the wireline cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, further comprising: progressing the wireline cable again through the visual camera apparatus after a period of time has elapsed; and identifying defects in the wireline cable that have occurred after the period of time has lapsed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method according to claim 9, further comprising producing a second defect report with the identified defects in the wireline cable that have occurred after the period of time has lapsed. ### Claim 11 A method for performing a cable inspection, comprising: identifying specific locations of a cable indicative of the cable being stressed; passing the cable through a visual camera apparatus configured to obtain data of the cable at fixed spatial intervals along a length of the cable during motion, such that the data corresponds to specific locations along the cable, wherein the data is obtained at shorter fixed spatial intervals at the specific locations along the cable identified as being stressed; storing the data of the cable on one of a memory arrangement and a computing arrangement; comparing the data to a set of defects; and producing a defect report in response to the data being detected as faulty by a model after analyzing the set of defects. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein a speed of the passing the cable through the visual camera apparatus is chosen by an operator. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the visual camera apparatus has three cameras. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein an operator chooses both a speed of passing the cable through the visual camera apparatus and the fixed spatial intervals to obtain data along the length of the cable. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The method according to claim 11, wherein the set of defects is a visual set of defects.