Patents by Inventor Janet S. Kania

Janet S. Kania 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).

  • Apparatus and method for detecting fatigue cracks using infrared thermography
    Patent number: 5111048
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a defect in a workpiece are disclosed. The workpiece is positioned with a surface of the workpiece to be inspected in an optical path of an infrared radiation detector. A selected portion of the workpiece is heated by scanning with electromagnetic radiation for a selected duration to cause an increase in radiance from any defect present in the selected portion. Any defects, present in the workpiece selected portion, which may cause a failure of the workpiece, may be detected and distinguished from minor surface anomalies by analyzing a transient response of the irradiance received by the infrared radiation detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John W. Devitt, Thomas E. Bantel, Joseph M. Sparks, Janet S. Kania