Patents by Inventor Richard Alloo

Richard Alloo 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).

  • Systems and methods for detecting defects in coatings utilizing color-based thermal mismatch
    Patent number: 8204294
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a thermal image of a coated substrate to determine the presence of defects includes determining a defect temperature range based on a color of the coated substrate and the maximum temperature of the coated substrate in the thermal image. Thereafter, the thermal image is processed by determining a signal value of a pixel of interest based on a temperature of the pixel of interest, temperatures of pixels in a kernel of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest, and the color of the coated substrate. The signal value of the pixel of interest is then compared to the lower temperature threshold of the defect temperature range, wherein the pixel of interest is a defect location when the signal value of the pixel of interest is greater than or equal to the lower temperature threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., University of Kentucky Research Foundation
    Inventors: Richard Alloo, Kozo Saito, Belal Gharaibeh, Keng Chuah, Nelson Akafuah, Ahmad Salaimeh
  • SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN COATINGS UTILIZING COLOR-BASED THERMAL MISMATCH
    Publication number: 20110123093
    Abstract: A method of analyzing a thermal image of a coated substrate to determine the presence of defects includes determining a defect temperature range based on a color of the coated substrate and the maximum temperature of the coated substrate in the thermal image. Thereafter, the thermal image is processed by determining a signal value of a pixel of interest based on a temperature of the pixel of interest, temperatures of pixels in a kernel of pixels surrounding the pixel of interest, and the color of the coated substrate. The signal value of the pixel of interest is then compared to the lower temperature threshold of the defect temperature range, wherein the pixel of interest is a defect location when the signal value of the pixel of interest is greater than or equal to the lower temperature threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Alloo, Kozo Saito, Belal Gharaibeh, Keng Chuah, Nelson Akafuah, Ahmad Salaimeh
  • Devices and methods for atomizing fluids
    Patent number: 7617993
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a fluid. This apparatus includes an atomizing nozzle assembly. The atomizing nozzle assembly includes: a spray applicator enclosure having a fluid entry zone, a flow shape profiler region, a transducer, and a cavitation enhancer module, wherein the cavitation enhancer module includes a residence modulation zone and the residence modulation zone includes a backward facing step region. The apparatus is configured such that fluid can enter the fluid entry zone to the nozzle profiler, the transducer and the cavitation enhancer module. Other embodiments relate to methods for atomizing fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignees: Toyota Motor Corporation, University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Vedanth Srinivasan, Abraham J. Salazar, Kozo Saito, Richard Alloo, Masahito Sakakibara
  • Devices and Methods for Atomizing Fluids
    Publication number: 20090140067
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention is directed to an apparatus for atomizing a fluid. This apparatus includes an atomizing nozzle assembly. The atomizing nozzle assembly includes: a spray applicator enclosure having a fluid entry zone, a flow shape profiler region, a transducer, and a cavitation enhancer module, wherein the cavitation enhancer module includes a residence modulation zone and the residence modulation zone includes a backward facing step region. The apparatus is configured such that fluid can enter the fluid entry zone to the nozzle profiler, the transducer and the cavitation enhancer module. Other embodiments relate to methods for atomizing fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventors: Vedanth Srinivasan, Abraham J. Salazar, Kozo Saito, Richard Alloo, Masahito Sakakibara