Patents by Inventor Joseph Anthony Traxler

Joseph Anthony Traxler 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: 7313961
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a gas turbine engine component includes positioning an ultrasonic probe assembly proximate to a surface of the component, wherein the ultrasonic probe assembly includes a body portion and an inspection bar, coupling the inspection bar to the body portion such that the inspection bar is substantially vertical with respect to the body portion, moving the ultrasonic probe assembly along a substantially horizontal axis while generating ultrasonic data of the component, coupling the inspection bar to the body portion such that the inspection bar is substantially horizontal with respect to the body portion, moving the ultrasonic probe assembly along a substantially vertical axis while generating ultrasonic data of the component, and utilizing the generated data to reconstruct an image of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brenda Catherine Tenley, Michael Leonard Dziech, Joseph Anthony Traxler, James Michael Donovan
  • Patent number: 7190162
    Abstract: A method for inspecting a gas turbine engine rotor disk, wherein the rotor disk includes a plurality of dovetail slots, includes providing a probe assembly including an eddy current probe and a probe fixture, wherein the eddy current probe includes a body portion and a tip portion including an eddy current probe coil. The method also includes inserting the eddy current probe into the probe fixture, coupling the probe fixture to the rotor disk such that at least a portion of the probe fixture is coupled to at least one of the dovetail slots, and such that the eddy current probe is positioned adjacent the rotor disk, generating an eddy current in the rotor disk using the eddy current probe coil, and inspecting the rotor disk using the probe assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brenda Catherine Tenley, Michael Leonard Dziech, Joseph Anthony Traxler
  • Patent number: 6608478
    Abstract: A rotor disk is inspected using an inspection apparatus including an inspection fixture which has a base, and at least one guide extending from the base. Each guide is slidably engagable to one of the rotor slots of the rotor disk and has a guide side shaped to slidably conform to the rotor slot side, and a guide bottom having a guide bottom surface which, in combination with a slot bottom surface, defines an elongated inspection cavity extending parallel to the axis of revolution of the rotor disk. The inspection fixture is mated to the rotor disk such that each guide slides into one of the rotor slots. A sensor apparatus includes a sensor, such as an eddy current sensor, sized to slide into the inspection cavity with a close facing relation thereto, and a sensor drive that moves the sensor parallel to a direction of elongation of the inspection cavity. Inspection is performed by inserting the sensor into the inspection cavity, and sensing the rotor slot bottom using the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Leonard Dziech, Joseph Anthony Traxler, Michael Wayne Fields
  • Patent number: 6414480
    Abstract: Calibration of an eddy current inspection system having an eddy current probe and a rotatable turntable is accomplished using a circular calibration standard having a notch of known dimensions formed therein. The calibration standard is mounted on the turntable for rotation therewith. The eddy current probe is positioned adjacent to the calibration standard, and the calibration standard is then rotated so that the probe scans the notch. By providing a rotating scan of the calibration standard, higher scan speeds and more accurate calibrations are achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph Anthony Traxler