Patents by Inventor Dean Emerson Christie

Dean Emerson Christie 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).

  • Publication number: 20020178821
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection is provided. An automatic couplant delivery system that delivers and maintains a constant water supply to a single path chamber located at a transducer head. Any couplant run-off is removed and reclaimed by vacuum recovery. A transducer holder block that supports two transducers is used, and mounts to a manifold and brush subassembly. A manifold and brush subassembly includes a manifold block, a couplant containment/removal block, and gimbal. The manifold and brush subassembly has three sets of brushes that define three chambers for water or vacuum. An innermost chamber sets the water path, the middle chamber may provide water or regulated vacuum, and the outer chamber provides full vacuum for water removal. Couplant flow rate and vacuum are selectable and can be adjusted by an operator during initial set up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy John MacInnis, Willard Clark Nichols, Dean Emerson Christie
  • Patent number: 6481290
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection is provided. An automatic couplant delivery system that delivers and maintains a constant water supply to a single path chamber located at a transducer head. Any couplant run-off is removed and reclaimed by vacuum recovery. A transducer holder block that supports two transducers is used, and mounts to a manifold and brush subassembly. A manifold and brush subassembly includes a manifold block, a couplant containment/removal block, and gimbal. The manifold and brush subassembly has three sets of brushes that define three chambers for water or vacuum. An innermost chamber sets the water path, the middle chamber may provide water or regulated vacuum, and the outer chamber provides full vacuum for water removal. Couplant flow rate and vacuum are selectable and can be adjusted by an operator during initial set up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy John MacInnis, Willard Clark Nichols, Dean Emerson Christie