Patents by Inventor John Tomblin

John Tomblin 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: 11836865
    Abstract: An augmented reality visualization system is disclosed for viewing non-destructive inspection (NDI) data of a component. The system comprises a component camera configured to capture a real time image of the component, a component display configured to display an AR image of the component, and an AR controller including an augmented reality processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium. The storage medium includes processor-executable instructions for controlling the AR processor when the instructions are executed by the AR processor. The instructions access the NDI data of the component and implement a component AR engine to generate the AR image in real time by overlaying the NDI data on the real time image. The AR engine is configured to detect one or more three-dimensional (3D) features of the component in the real-time image and generate the AR image based on the detected one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Waruna Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20230146701
    Abstract: A robot end effector for surface preparation in an automated inspection and repair system for composite parts has an end effector body and a plasma control unit and a plasma jet nozzle supported on the end effector body. The plasma control unit directs a jet of atmospheric plasma through the plasma jet nozzle. A slave tool changer is secured to the end effector body. The slave tool changer releasably and operatively connects the robot end effector to an industrial robot such that the industrial robot can move the robot end effector along a composite part as the plasma control unit directs a jet of atmospheric plasma through the plasma jet nozzle toward the composite part to clean the composite part and increase a surface free energy of the composite part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Caleb Saathoff, Upul Palliyaguru
  • Publication number: 20230146116
    Abstract: A laser shearography end effector for inspection in an automated inspection and repair system for composite parts. A laser shearography system including an excitation system and a laser shearography camera is supported on a frame for movement with the frame. A slave tool changer is secured to the frame for releasably and operatively connecting the inspection tool to an industrial robot such that the industrial robot can move the inspection tool along a work piece as the laser shearography system inspects the work piece and such that the laser shearography end effector is interchangeable with at least one other automatic inspection end effector or repair end effector of the automated inspection and repair system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Waruna Seneviratne, Caleb Saathoff, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20230139654
    Abstract: A system for digitally processing cash transaction between a vendor using a vendor device and a consumer using a consumer device, wherein the transaction comprises a transaction amount and a cash amount greater than the transaction amount defining a change amount that can be the difference between the cash amount and the transaction amount. The system comprising an accounting platform on a system device comprising at least one vendor account. A vendor application program on the vendor device associated with the at least one vendor profile and comprising a vendor interface, wherein the vendor can add money to the vendor account. A processor on the system device that credits and debits vendor accounts and consumer accounts and in response to requests received from at least one of the vendor application program.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Publication date: May 4, 2023
    Inventors: Austin Gurule, Charlotte Gurule, John Tomblin
  • Publication number: 20230131624
    Abstract: A surface analyst end effector for an automated inspection and repair system for composite parts. A surface analyst system and a tool changer are supported on a chassis. A control unit of the surface analyst system is configured to conduct a bond readiness test by which the control unit directs an inspection head to place a drop of liquid onto a surface of a composite part and directs the inspection head to capture an image of the drop on the surface. The slave tool changer releasably and operatively connects the end effector to an industrial robot such that the industrial robot can move the end effector along the composite part and the inspection and repair system can signal the surface analyst to conduct a bond readiness test. The surface analyst end effector is interchangeable with other end effectors of the inspection and repair system for performing inspection and repair methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: April 27, 2023
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Waruna Seneviratne, Caleb Saathoff, Upul Palliyaguru
  • Publication number: 20220092858
    Abstract: An augmented reality visualization system is disclosed for viewing non-destructive inspection (NDI) data of a component. The system comprises a component camera configured to capture a real time image of the component, a component display configured to display an AR image of the component, and an AR controller including an augmented reality processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium. The storage medium includes processor-executable instructions for controlling the AR processor when the instructions are executed by the AR processor. The instructions access the NDI data of the component and implement a component AR engine to generate the AR image in real time by overlaying the NDI data on the real time image. The AR engine is configured to detect one or more three-dimensional (3D) features of the component in the real-time image and generate the AR image based on the detected one or more features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Waruna Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20210291292
    Abstract: An induction welder for inductively welding two or more components has an induction coil for applying a magnetic field to a weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components together. The induction coil includes a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is positioned proximate the weld site of the two or more components to inductively weld the two or more components at the weld site. A press is disposed distally of the induction coil such that the press is disposed between the induction coil and the two or more components when the two or more components are being inductively welded together. The press is used to apply pressure to the two or more components and press the two or more components together at the weld site simultaneously with the application of the magnetic field at the weld site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Inventors: Waruna Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Brandon Saathoff
  • Patent number: 9919444
    Abstract: A system for generating a repair patch for a damaged area of a composite structure may include a scanning module, a repair patch model generator and a cutting tool. The scanning module may be deployed at the location of the damaged composite structure. The scanning module may be configured to scan the damaged area to generate scanned data indicative of a shape, size and/or contours of the damaged area. The repair patch model generator may include processing circuitry configured to obtain the scanned data, obtain parent ply information of the damaged composite structure, and generating a patch model of a repair patch including size and shape definition for each of a plurality of plies based on the scanned data and the parent ply information. The cutting tool may be configured to receive cutting files based on the patch model to generate a plurality of cut plies that combine to form the repair patch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Brian M. Brown, Lamia Salah
  • Publication number: 20170008184
    Abstract: A system for generating a repair patch for a damaged area of a composite structure may include a scanning module, a repair patch model generator and a cutting tool. The scanning module may be deployed at the location of the damaged composite structure. The scanning module may be configured to scan the damaged area to generate scanned data indicative of a shape, size and/or contours of the damaged area. The repair patch model generator may include processing circuitry configured to obtain the scanned data, obtain parent ply information of the damaged composite structure, and generating a patch model of a repair patch including size and shape definition for each of a plurality of plies based on the scanned data and the parent ply information. The cutting tool may be configured to receive cutting files based on the patch model to generate a plurality of cut plies that combine to form the repair patch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Brian M. Brown, Lamia Salah
  • Patent number: 7258016
    Abstract: A pressure sensing system and method includes a pressure sensor configured to include a pressure sensing diaphragm and a pressure port. A memory circuit incorporated can be incorporated into the pressure port. A high order polynomial component can also be provided. One or more excitation signals are then applicable to the pressure sensor such that a voltage output thereof is measured and recorded at a plurality of predefined temperatures and pressures in order to generate pressure sensor output data. Such output data is then automatically input to the high order polynomial component in order to generate a set of correction coefficients usable for improving the accuracy of the pressure sensor. The pressure sensing diaphragm is preferably based on an Advanced Thick Film (ATF) configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William D. Maitland, Jr., Ian N. Bentley, Kenneth R. Rastatter, William F. Rase, Stephen R. Vicars, Graham John Tomblin