Patents by Inventor Gene Joseph Descant

Gene Joseph Descant 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).

  • Patent number: 6220099
    Abstract: A surface scanner for conducting non-destructive inspection of complex surface structures and configurations. The scanner includes two flexible tracks, each fitted with a motor driven tractor assembly. A rigid beam track spans the two flexible tracks. The rigid beam track is coupled to each flexible track tractor assembly by articulating joints that permit movement at the joints along at least three independent axes. The rigid beam supports a third motorized tractor. This third tractor supports a compliant thruster assembly that deploys gimbaled mechanical impedance, ultrasonic and eddy current inspection probes. The movement of the scanner is controlled by a scan control system that includes both hardware and software for controlling the movement of the scanner over the surface to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2001
    Assignee: CE Nuclear Power LLC
    Inventors: David Kenneth Marti, Gene Joseph Descant, Steven M. Craig