Patents by Inventor Michael Dean Fullington

Michael Dean Fullington 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).

  • Publication number: 20230271723
    Abstract: A method for inspecting and repairing a surface of a component of a gas turbine engine, the method including: inserting an inspection and repair tool into an interior of the gas turbine engine; inspecting the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool; performing a repair of the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool from within the interior of the gas turbine engine, the inspection and repair tool remaining within the interior of the gas turbine engine between inspecting the component and performing the repair of the surface of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Todd William Danko, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Margeaux Wallace, Hrishikesh Keshavan, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, JR., Michael Dean Fullington, Andrew Crispin Graham, Trevor Owen Hawke, Julian Matthew Foxall, Ahmed M. ELKady
  • Patent number: 11724335
    Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on a machine and coupled to a laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Dean Fullington, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Jacob Cole Hay, Stanley Louis Ream, Craig Thompson Walters
  • Patent number: 11679898
    Abstract: A method for inspecting and repairing a surface of a component of a gas turbine engine, the method including: inserting an inspection and repair tool into an interior of the gas turbine engine; inspecting the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool; performing a repair of the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool from within the interior of the gas turbine engine, the inspection and repair tool remaining within the interior of the gas turbine engine between inspecting the component and performing the repair of the surface of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignees: General Electric Company, Oliver Crispin Robotics Limited
    Inventors: Todd William Danko, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Margeaux Wallace, Hrishikesh Keshavan, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Michael Dean Fullington, Andrew Crispin Graham, Trevor Owen Hawke, Julian Matthew Foxall, Ahmed M ELKady
  • Publication number: 20220161357
    Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on a machine and coupled to a laser system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2022
    Publication date: May 26, 2022
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Dean Fullington, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Jacob Cole Hay, Stanley Louis Ream, Craig Thompson Walters
  • Patent number: 11273520
    Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on an automated machine and coupled to a laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Dean Fullington, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Jacob Cole Hay, Stanley Louis Ream, Craig Thompson Walters
  • Publication number: 20210387746
    Abstract: A method for inspecting and repairing a surface of a component of a gas turbine engine, the method including: inserting an inspection and repair tool into an interior of the gas turbine engine; inspecting the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool; performing a repair of the surface of the component with the inspection and repair tool from within the interior of the gas turbine engine, the inspection and repair tool remaining within the interior of the gas turbine engine between inspecting the component and performing the repair of the surface of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Todd William Danko, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Margeaux Wallace, Hrishikesh Keshavan, Bernard Patrick Bewlay, Byron Andrew Pritchard, Jr., Michael Dean Fullington, Andrew Crispin Graham, Trevor Owen Hawke, Julian Matthew Foxall, Ahmed M ELKady
  • Publication number: 20210388737
    Abstract: An insertion tool is provided for an engine defining an access opening and including a component defining at least in part a cavity. The insertion tool includes: an insertion tool arm having a plurality of segments, the insertion tool arm configured for insertion through the access opening into the cavity and the plurality of segments configured to be in a fixed position relative to one another within the cavity; and a base coupled to the insertion tool arm and configured to be positioned outside the cavity and to move the insertion tool arm along at least two degrees of freedom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 16, 2021
    Inventors: Julian Matthew Foxall, Trevor Owen Hawke, Andrew Crispin Graham, Chiara Mellucci, Todd William Danko, Ambarish Jayant Kulkarni, Michael Dean Fullington, Margeaux Wallace
  • Patent number: 10988268
    Abstract: A system is provided for performing an operation on a component of an engine. The component includes a first side positioned within an interior of the engine. The system includes a first robotic arm defining a first distal end and including a first utility member positioned at the first distal end, the first robotic arm moveable to the interior of the engine to a location operably adjacent to the first side of the component; and a second robotic arm defining a second distal end and including a second utility member positioned at the second distal end, the second robotic arm also moveable to the interior of the engine to facilitate the first and second utility members performing the operation on the component of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Todd Stowe
  • Patent number: 10935460
    Abstract: A system for performing ultrasonic procedures within a turbomachine. The system includes a bladder and a probe assembly. The bladder includes a bladder body for positioning within the turbomachine. Further, the bladder is inflatable to at least partially define an ultrasonic tank within the turbomachine for containing a fluid medium. The probe assembly includes an extension member and ultrasonic transmitter coupled to or positioned within the extension member. The extension member is insertable into the ultrasonic tank for positioning the ultrasonic transmitter within the ultrasonic tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Todd Stowe, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky
  • Patent number: 10822997
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine including a component and defining an opening and an interior, the component including a first side and an opposite second side, the second side positioned within the interior of the engine. The engine assembly also includes an inspection tool having a first member including at least one of a receiver or a transmitter and directed at the first side of the component. The inspection tool also includes a second member including the other of the receiver or the transmitter and positioned at least partially within the interior of the engine and directed at the second side of the component to communicate a signal with the first member through the component, the second member being a robotic arm extending through the opening of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky
  • Publication number: 20200246912
    Abstract: A system and method for automated laser ablation includes an end effector for performing laser ablation at a location with restricted access. The systems and methods of the present disclosure specifically provide for a miniature laser end effector which may be inserted through a port or bore in order to ablate the surface of an internal component of a complex assembly. In several embodiments of the present subject matter, the end effector is mounted on an automated machine and coupled to a laser system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2019
    Publication date: August 6, 2020
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Dean Fullington, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Jacob Cole Hay, Stanley Louis Ream, Craig Thompson Walters
  • Publication number: 20200025649
    Abstract: A system for performing ultrasonic procedures within a turbomachine. The system includes a bladder and a probe assembly. The bladder includes a bladder body for positioning within the turbomachine. Further, the bladder is inflatable to at least partially define an ultrasonic tank within the turbomachine for containing a fluid medium. The probe assembly includes an extension member and ultrasonic transmitter coupled to or positioned within the extension member. The extension member is insertable into the ultrasonic tank for positioning the ultrasonic transmitter within the ultrasonic tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 23, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Todd Stowe, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky
  • Publication number: 20190382138
    Abstract: A system is provided for performing an operation on a component of an engine. The component includes a first side positioned within an interior of the engine. The system includes a first robotic arm defining a first distal end and including a first utility member positioned at the first distal end, the first robotic arm moveable to the interior of the engine to a location operably adjacent to the first side of the component; and a second robotic arm defining a second distal end and including a second utility member positioned at the second distal end, the second robotic arm also moveable to the interior of the engine to facilitate the first and second utility members performing the operation on the component of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky, Michael Todd Stowe
  • Publication number: 20190383161
    Abstract: An engine assembly includes an engine including a component and defining an opening and an interior, the component including a first side and an opposite second side, the second side positioned within the interior of the engine. The engine assembly also includes an inspection tool having a first member including at least one of a receiver or a transmitter and directed at the first side of the component. The inspection tool also includes a second member including the other of the receiver or the transmitter and positioned at least partially within the interior of the engine and directed at the second side of the component to communicate a signal with the first member through the component, the second member being a robotic arm extending through the opening of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Andrew Crispin Graham, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, David Scott Diwinsky
  • Publication number: 20190383158
    Abstract: A system for compensating for a relative motion between a probe and an apparatus. The system includes a probe assembly, a sensor, and a computer. The probe assembly includes an actuator pack positioned exterior to the apparatus and a probe insertable into the apparatus. The probe includes a first end coupled to the actuator pack, a second end, and an elongated body extending therebetween. The sensor senses data indicative of a relative motion between the apparatus and the probe assembly. The computer is operably coupled with the sensor and the probe assembly to move the probe of the probe assembly in response to the sensor sensing the data indicative of the relative motion between the apparatus and the probe assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: David Scott Diwinsky, Herbert Chidsey Roberts, Lyle Timothy Rasch, Michael Dean Fullington, Wayne Ray Grady, Andrew Crispin Graham
  • Patent number: 10053228
    Abstract: The example embodiments are directed to a device and method for matching together aircraft status reports. In one example, the method includes detecting, via a user interface, a selection of an aircraft from among a plurality of aircraft that have provided aircraft status reports, determining a group of aircraft status reports, from among the received status reports, which were generated by the respective aircraft during a flight of the respective aircraft, based on metadata of the received aircraft status reports, and displaying, via the user interface, the group of aircraft status reports determined to be provided by the respective aircraft during the flight. By linking together status reports from an entire flight, analysis may be performed on data from across an entire flight instead of an individual status report thereby improving flight data analysis and subsequent actions taken based on that analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Samuel Kahn, Laird Eldon Becker, III, Michael Dean Fullington, Roopa Gidugu
  • Publication number: 20180170574
    Abstract: The example embodiments are directed to a device and method for matching together aircraft status reports. In one example, the method includes detecting, via a user interface, a selection of an aircraft from among a plurality of aircraft that have provided aircraft status reports, determining a group of aircraft status reports, from among the received status reports, which were generated by the respective aircraft during a flight of the respective aircraft, based on metadata of the received aircraft status reports, and displaying, via the user interface, the group of aircraft status reports determined to be provided by the respective aircraft during the flight. By linking together status reports from an entire flight, analysis may be performed on data from across an entire flight instead of an individual status report thereby improving flight data analysis and subsequent actions taken based on that analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Samuel KAHN, Laird Eldon BECKER, III, Michael Dean FULLINGTON, Roopa GIDUGU
  • Patent number: 8116936
    Abstract: A system for collecting and storing performance data for an engine is provided. The system includes one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data signals representative of one or more engine data performance parameters. The system further includes a data sampling component, a data quantizing component, a data storage sampling rate component, a data encoding component and a data storage component. The data sampling component is configured to sample the sensor data signals at a data sampling rate. The data quantizing component is configured to generate quantized data samples corresponding to the sampled sensor data signals. The data storage sampling rate component is configured to determine a data storage sampling rate for the quantized data samples, based on an analysis of at least a subset of the quantized data samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Jeanette Marie Bruno, Brock Estel Osborn, Naresh Sundaram Iyer, Charles Larry Abernathy, Michael Dean Fullington
  • Patent number: 7577549
    Abstract: A method for estimating a trend in exhaust gas temperature in a turbine engine includes sampling exhaust gas temperature and a plurality of variables associated with the exhaust gas temperature over a set of observation times for a turbine engine to acquire exhaust gas temperature data. A trend in the exhaust gas temperature for the specific turbine engine is identified by removing the effect of the plurality of variables on the exhaust gas temperature data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Brock Estel Osborn, John Erik Hershey, Michael Dean Fullington, James Ernest Dockendorff, William Lee Herron, Carl Harold Hansen
  • Publication number: 20090082919
    Abstract: A system for collecting and storing performance data for an engine is provided. The system includes one or more sensors configured to generate sensor data signals representative of one or more engine data performance parameters. The system further includes a data sampling component, a data quantizing component, a data storage sampling rate component, a data encoding component and a data storage component. The data sampling component is configured to sample the sensor data signals at a data sampling rate. The data quantizing component is configured to generate quantized data samples corresponding to the sampled sensor data signals. The data storage sampling rate component is configured to determine a data storage sampling rate for the quantized data samples, based on an analysis of at least a subset of the quantized data samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: John Erik Hershey, Jeanette Marie Bruno, Brock Estel Osborn, Naresh Sundaram Iyer, Charles Larry Abernathy, Michael Dean Fullington