Patents by Inventor Jeffrey R. Thompson

Jeffrey R. Thompson 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).

  • Rapid automated infrared thermography for inspecting large composite structures
    Patent number: 9645012
    Abstract: Systems and methods for infrared thermographic inspection of large-scale composite structures such as sections of an aircraft fuselage. Optical metrology is used to precisely locate the infrared images relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system of the composite structure. The optical metrology may comprise laser tracking or photogrammetry or both. In some embodiments, the optical metrology comprises laser tracking merged with photogrammetry. Once the infrared images have been precisely located relative to the coordinate system of the composite structure, structural data about the composite structure (e.g., thickness data) can be retrieved from a database containing a three-dimensional model of the composite structure. In the case of thermographic porosity measurements, the infrared imaging data can be correlated with thickness data to determine the porosity of the composite structure in the inspection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Gary E. Georgeson, Jeffrey R. Thompson
  • Rapid Automated Infrared Thermography for Inspecting Large Composite Structures
    Publication number: 20170052070
    Abstract: Systems and methods for infrared thermographic inspection of large-scale composite structures such as sections of an aircraft fuselage. Optical metrology is used to precisely locate the infrared images relative to a three-dimensional coordinate system of the composite structure. The optical metrology may comprise laser tracking or photogrammetry or both. In some embodiments, the optical metrology comprises laser tracking merged with photogrammetry. Once the infrared images have been precisely located relative to the coordinate system of the composite structure, structural data about the composite structure (e.g., thickness data) can be retrieved from a database containing a three-dimensional model of the composite structure. In the case of thermographic porosity measurements, the infrared imaging data can be correlated with thickness data to determine the porosity of the composite structure in the inspection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Bobby J. Marsh, Gary E. Georgeson, Jeffrey R. Thompson