Patents by Inventor Andrew P. Washabaugh
Andrew P. Washabaugh has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11959880Abstract: System and method for characterizing material condition. The system includes a sensor, impedance instrument and processing unit to collect measurements and assess material properties. A model of the system may be used to enable accurate measurements of multiple material properties. A cylindrical model for an electromagnetic field sensor is disclosed for modeling substantially cylindrically symmetric material systems. Sensor designs and data processing approaches are provided to focus the sensitivity of the sensor to localize material conditions. Improved calibration methods are shown. Sizing algorithms are provided to estimate the size of defects such as cracks and corrosion. Corrective measures are provided where the actual material configuration differs from the data processing assumptions. Methods are provided for use of the system to characterize material condition, and detailed illustration is given for corrosion, stress, weld, heat treat, and mechanical damage assessment.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2021Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Scott A Denenberg, Yanko K Sheiretov, Neil J Goldfine, Todd M Dunford, Andrew P Washabaugh, Don Straney, Brian L Manning
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Patent number: 11802851Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for measuring material properties. Segmented field sensors have multiple sensing elements at different spatial geometries to capture field components having substantially different depths of penetration. These sensors are excited and measured on these different sensing elements to facilitate characterization of unknown material properties. This is illustrated in some embodiments using eddy current sensors to characterize materials that are frequency dispersive and/or do not produce a measurable phase shifts. Only a single scalar quantity may provide independent information from one or more of the sensing elements. Property estimation techniques, such as those using precomputed databases of sensor responses are used to estimate the unknown material properties.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2022Date of Patent: October 31, 2023Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Todd M. Dunford, Zachary M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20230095662Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for measuring material properties. Segmented field sensors have multiple sensing elements at different spatial geometries to capture field components having substantially different depths of penetration. These sensors are excited and measured on these different sensing elements to facilitate characterization of unknown material properties. This is illustrated in some embodiments using eddy current sensors to characterize materials that are frequency dispersive and/or do not produce a measurable phase shifts. Only a single scalar quantity may provide independent information from one or more of the sensing elements. Property estimation techniques, such as those using precomputed databases of sensor responses are used to estimate the unknown material properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Todd M. Dunford, Zachary M. Thomas
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Publication number: 20220358630Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enhancing pit detection and sizing in a test object. Response signatures are created and stored in a signature library to characterize various sensor responses (liftoff, orientation) and pit properties (e.g., depth, width), possibly with or without additional considerations (e.g., edges, cracks). A sensor is placed on and scanned across a surface of interest on the test object. During scanning the sensor is measured repeatedly at regular intervals. An encoder may be used to record the sensor position for each measurement. The measurement results are then correlated with one or more signatures in the signature library. A threshold is used to determine if the correlation is indicative of the detection of a pit. If so additional processing may be performed to estimate pit properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: November 10, 2022Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Mark Windoloski
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Patent number: 11268931Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for measuring material properties. Segmented field sensors have multiple sensing elements at different spatial geometries to capture field components having substantially different depths of penetration. These sensors are excited and measured on these different sensing elements to facilitate characterization of unknown material properties. This is illustrated in some embodiments using eddy current sensors to characterize materials that are frequency dispersive and/or do not produce a measurable phase shifts. Only a single scalar quantity may provide independent information from one or more of the sensing elements. Property estimation techniques, such as those using precomputed databases of sensor responses are used to estimate the unknown material properties.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2019Date of Patent: March 8, 2022Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J Goldfine, Andrew P Washabaugh, Todd M Dunford, Zachary M Thomas
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Publication number: 20210372968Abstract: System and method for characterizing material condition. The system includes a sensor, impedance instrument and processing unit to collect measurements and assess material properties. A model of the system may be used to enable accurate measurements of multiple material properties. A cylindrical model for an electromagnetic field sensor is disclosed for modeling substantially cylindrically symmetric material systems. Sensor designs and data processing approaches are provided to focus the sensitivity of the sensor to localize material conditions. Improved calibration methods are shown. Sizing algorithms are provided to estimate the size of defects such as cracks and corrosion. Corrective measures are provided where the actual material configuration differs from the data processing assumptions. Methods are provided for use of the system to characterize material condition, and detailed illustration is given for corrosion, stress, weld, heat treat, and mechanical damage assessment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2021Publication date: December 2, 2021Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Scott A. Denenberg, Yanko K. Sheiretov, Neil J. Goldfine, Todd M. Dunford, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Don Straney, Brian L. Manning
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Publication number: 20190383771Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for measuring material properties. Segmented field sensors have multiple sensing elements at different spatial geometries to capture field components having substantially different depths of penetration. These sensors are excited and measured on these different sensing elements to facilitate characterization of unknown material properties. This is illustrated in some embodiments using eddy current sensors to characterize materials that are frequency dispersive and/or do not produce a measurable phase shifts. Only a single scalar quantity may provide independent information from one or more of the sensing elements. Property estimation techniques, such as those using precomputed databases of sensor responses are used to estimate the unknown material properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2019Publication date: December 19, 2019Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Todd M. Dunford, Zachary M. Thomas
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Patent number: 10444189Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing composite materials for manufacturing quality assurance (QA), periodic inspection during the useful life, or for forensic analysis/material testing. System are provided that relate eddy-current sensor responses to the fiber layup of a composite structure, the presence of impact damage on a composite structure with or without a metal liner, volumetric stress within the composite, fiber tow density, and other NDE inspection requirements. Also provided are systems that determine electromagnetic material properties and material dimensions of composite materials from capacitive sensor inspection measurements. These properties are related to the presence of buried defects in non-conductive composite materials, moisture ingress, aging of the material due to service or environmental/thermal exposure, or changes in manufacturing quality.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J Goldfine, Andrew P Washabaugh, Robert Lyons
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Publication number: 20170315095Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing composite materials for manufacturing quality assurance (QA), periodic inspection during the useful life, or for forensic analysis/material testing. System are provided that relate eddy-current sensor responses to the fiber layup of a composite structure, the presence of impact damage on a composite structure with or without a metal liner, volumetric stress within the composite, fiber tow density, and other NDE inspection requirements. Also provided are systems that determine electromagnetic material properties and material dimensions of composite materials from capacitive sensor inspection measurements. These properties are related to the presence of buried defects in non-conductive composite materials, moisture ingress, aging of the material due to service or environmental/thermal exposure, or changes in manufacturing quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2017Publication date: November 2, 2017Inventors: Neil J Goldfine, Andrew P Washabaugh, Robert Lyons
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Patent number: 9772309Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing composite materials for manufacturing quality assurance (QA), periodic inspection during the useful life, or for forensic analysis/material testing. System are provided that relate eddy-current sensor responses to the fiber layup of a composite structure, the presence of impact damage on a composite structure with or without a metal liner, volumetric stress within the composite, fiber tow density, and other NDE inspection requirements. Also provided are systems that determine electromagnetic material properties and material dimensions of composite materials from capacitive sensor inspection measurements. These properties are related to the presence of buried defects in non-conductive composite materials, moisture ingress, aging of the material due to service or environmental/thermal exposure, or changes in manufacturing quality.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 26, 2017Assignee: JENTEK SENSORS, INC.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Robert Lyons, Zachary Thomas, Christopher Martin
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Publication number: 20160274060Abstract: System and method for characterizing material condition. The system includes a sensor, impedance instrument and processing unit to collect measurements and assess material properties. A model of the system may be used to enable accurate measurements of multiple material properties. A cylindrical model for an electromagnetic field sensor is disclosed for modeling substantially cylindrically symmetric material systems. Sensor designs and data processing approaches are provided to focus the sensitivity of the sensor to localize material conditions. Improved calibration methods are shown. Sizing algorithms are provided to estimate the size of defects such as cracks and corrosion. Corrective measures are provided where the actual material configuration differs from the data processing assumptions. Methods are provided for use of the system to characterize material condition, and detailed illustration is given for corrosion, stress, weld, heat treat, and mechanical damage assessment.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2014Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Scott A Denenberg, Yanko K Sheiretov, Neil J Goldfine, Todd M Dunford, Andrew P Washabaugh, Don Straney, Brian L Manning
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Patent number: 9279784Abstract: A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2014Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, David C. Grundy, Darrell E. Schlicker, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Publication number: 20150212044Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing composite materials for manufacturing quality assurance (QA), periodic inspection during the useful life, or for forensic analysis/material testing. System are provided that relate eddy-current sensor responses to the fiber layup of a composite structure, the presence of impact damage on a composite structure with or without a metal liner, volumetric stress within the composite, fiber tow density, and other NDE inspection requirements. Also provided are systems that determine electromagnetic material properties and material dimensions of composite materials from capacitive sensor inspection measurements. These properties are related to the presence of buried defects in non-conductive composite materials, moisture ingress, aging of the material due to service or environmental/thermal exposure, or changes in manufacturing quality.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Robert Lyons, Zachary Thomas, Christopher Martin
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Publication number: 20150160144Abstract: The condition of internal or hidden material layers or interfaces is monitored and used for control of a process that changes a condition of a material system. The material system has multiple component materials, such as layers or embedded constituents, or can be represented with multiple layers to model spatial distributions in the material properties. The material condition changes as a result of a process performed on the material, such as by cold working, or from functional operation. Sensors placed proximate to the test material surface or embedded between material layers are used to monitor a material property using magnetic, electric, or thermal interrogation fields. The sensor responses are converted into states of the material condition, such as temperature or residual stress, typically with a precomputed database of sensor responses.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2015Publication date: June 11, 2015Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Ian C. Shay, Christopher A. Craven, David C. Grundy, Volker Weiss, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Publication number: 20150145510Abstract: A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, David C. Grundy, Darrell E. Schlicker, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 8981018Abstract: The condition of internal or hidden material layers or interfaces is monitored and used for control of a process that changes a condition of a material system. The material system has multiple component materials, such as layers or embedded constituents, or can be represented with multiple layers to model spatial distributions in the material properties. The material condition changes as a result of a process performed on the material, such as by cold working, or from functional operation. Sensors placed proximate to the test material surface or embedded between material layers are used to monitor a material property using magnetic, electric, or thermal interrogation fields. The sensor responses are converted into states of the material condition, such as temperature or residual stress, typically with a precomputed database of sensor responses.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, Ian C. Shay, Christopher A. Craven, David C. Grundy, Volker Weiss, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 8928316Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing composite materials for manufacturing quality assurance (QA), periodic inspection during the useful life, or for forensic analysis/material testing. System are provided that relate eddy-current sensor responses to the fiber layup of a composite structure, the presence of impact damage on a composite structure with or without a metal liner, volumetric stress within the composite, fiber tow density, and other NDE inspection requirements. Also provided are systems that determine electromagnetic material properties and material dimensions of composite materials from capacitive sensor inspection measurements. These properties are related to the presence of buried defects in non-conductive composite materials, moisture ingress, aging of the material due to service or environmental/thermal exposure, or changes in manufacturing quality.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2011Date of Patent: January 6, 2015Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Robert Lyons, Zachary Thomas, David A. Jablonski, Christopher Martin
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Patent number: 8803515Abstract: A substantially planar eddy-current sensor having durability enhancing pillars in an active region is provided. The pillars are distributed and sized so as to have limited effect on the sensor's performance. When the sensor is mounted on a component such that the sensor experiences forces on a top and bottom surface, the pillars bear the load reducing the load bore by the active elements (e.g., drive winding, sense elements). A sensor with redundant drive windings and/or redundant sense elements is disclosed. The redundant elements may be connected to separate electronics. Another aspect relates to providing a reference transformer for calibration of a sensor. The secondary windings of the reference transformer are connected in series with the sense elements of the sensor to be calibrated. Transimpedance measurements are made when the drive winding of the reference transformer is excited. The measurements are used to correct transimpedance measurements made when the drive winding of the sensor is excited.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2011Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignee: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, David C. Grundy, Darrell E. Schlicker, Andrew P. Washabaugh
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Patent number: 8494810Abstract: A framework for adaptively managing the life of components. A sensor provides non-destructive test data obtained from inspecting a component. The inspection data may be filtered using reference signatures and by subtracting a baseline. The filtered inspection data and other inspection data for the component is analyzed to locate flaws and estimate the current condition of the component. The current condition may then be used to predict the component's condition at a future time or to predict a future time at which the component's condition will have deteriorated to a certain level. A current condition may be input to a precomputed database to look up the future condition or time. The future condition or time is described by a probability distribution which may be used to assess the risk of component failure. The assessed risk may be used to determine whether the part should continue in service, be replaced or repaired.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2010Date of Patent: July 23, 2013Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Yanko K. Sheiretov, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Vladimir A. Zilberstein, David C. Grundy, Robert J. Lyons, David A. Jablonski, Floyd W. Spencer
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Patent number: 8415947Abstract: An apparatus for the nondestructive measurement of materials that includes at least two layers of electrical conductors. Within each layer, a meandering primary winding is used to create a magnetic field for interrogating a test material while sense elements or conducting loops within each meander provide a directional measurement of the test material condition. In successive layers extended portions of the meanders are rotated so that the sense elements provide material condition in different orientations without requiring movement of the test circuit or apparatus. Multidirectional permeability measurements are used to assess the stress or torque on a component. These measurements are combined in a manner that removes temperature effects and hysteresis on the property measurements. This can be accomplished through a correction factor that accounts for the temperature dependence.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Jentek Sensors, Inc.Inventors: Yanko K. Sheiretov, Neil J. Goldfine, Todd M. Dunford, Scott A. Denenberg, David C. Grundy, Darrell E. Schlicker, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Karen E. Walrath