Patents by Inventor Robert William Tait
Robert William Tait 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).
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Patent number: 10192298Abstract: A device for identifying an end of a fiber tape rolling over a composite structure is presented. The device includes a light source disposed proximate to the composite structure and configured to project a line of light at a first angle on the fiber tape rolling over the composite structure. Also, the device includes an image capturing unit disposed proximate to the composite structure and configured to capture an image of the line of light on the fiber tape at a second angle. Further, the device includes a controller coupled to the image capturing unit and configured to process the captured image to detect a discontinuity in the line of light on the fiber tape and identify the end of the fiber tape based on the detected discontinuity in the line of light on the fiber tape.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2015Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kevin George Harding, Christopher Allen Nafis, Robert William Tait
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Patent number: 9724876Abstract: A method for assessment of operational performance of a 3D manufacturing apparatus is provided. Images are obtained, in real-time during a 3D polymer printing build process in which at least one structure is built by the 3D manufacturing apparatus, the images being of an area of a build platform on which the at least one structure is built. The obtained images are evaluating, and it is determined, based on the evaluating, whether an operational flaw with the 3D manufacturing apparatus has occurred. Operational flaws include errors in the operation of the 3D manufacturing apparatus and/or component thereof, as evidenced by, for instance, distortions or other errors in the structure(s) being built and/or materials being used.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Allen Cheverton, Christopher Allen Nafis, Robert William Tait, Russell Ryder Dennison
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Patent number: 9719766Abstract: A measurement system for determining dimensions of a measurement zone of a physical asset is presented. The system includes a telescoping gauge configured to determine one or more analog measurements corresponding to the measurement zone of the physical asset, where the telescoping gauge includes a sliding arm and a vertical arm. Furthermore, the system includes a data digitizer operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to convert the one or more analog measurements to corresponding one or more digital measurements. In addition, the system includes a wireless unit operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more digital measurements.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Juntao Wu, Robert William Tait, Chun Zhan, Maxine Marie Gibeau, John Brandon Laflen
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Publication number: 20170055106Abstract: According to some embodiments, system comprises a metrological device operative to collect and transmit measurement data; and a hands-free communication device operative to receive the collected data and communicate the data to a user. Numerous other aspects are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: February 23, 2017Inventors: Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, John Brandon Laflen, William Hendrix
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Publication number: 20160307310Abstract: A device for identifying an end of a fiber tape rolling over a composite structure is presented. The device includes a light source disposed proximate to the composite structure and configured to project a line of light at a first angle on the fiber tape rolling over the composite structure. Also, the device includes an image capturing unit disposed proximate to the composite structure and configured to capture an image of the line of light on the fiber tape at a second angle. Further, the device includes a controller coupled to the image capturing unit and configured to process the captured image to detect a discontinuity in the line of light on the fiber tape and identify the end of the fiber tape based on the detected discontinuity in the line of light on the fiber tape.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2015Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Christopher Allen Nafis, Robert William Tait
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Patent number: 9441937Abstract: An apparatus for measuring thickness of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a compression control system which further includes a movable platform, a compression sensor, and a switching device operatively coupled to the compression sensor. The apparatus also includes a measurement system operatively coupled to the switching device for receiving a signal representative of a toggle event at the switching device and configured to measure a gradient. The apparatus also includes a processing circuit operatively coupled to the switching device and the measurement system for measuring a thickness of the object upon receiving the signal representative of the toggle event at the switching device by using the gradient and a communication circuit for transmitting a measured thickness of the object to a remote database.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, William Judson Hendrix, Jr., Michael Francis Strong
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Publication number: 20160238364Abstract: A measurement system for determining dimensions of a measurement zone of a physical asset is presented. The system includes a telescoping gauge configured to determine one or more analog measurements corresponding to the measurement zone of the physical asset, where the telescoping gauge includes a sliding arm and a vertical arm. Furthermore, the system includes a data digitizer operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to convert the one or more analog measurements to corresponding one or more digital measurements. In addition, the system includes a wireless unit operatively coupled to the telescoping gauge and configured to wirelessly transmit the one or more digital measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2015Publication date: August 18, 2016Inventors: Juntao Wu, Robert William Tait, Chun Zhan, Maxine Marie Gibeau, John Brandon Laflen
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Patent number: 9255779Abstract: A taper gauge that includes an elongate taper assembly that has a tip section and an electronics section that includes a location determining element that collects data related to a measurement area when the tip section is inserted in the measurement area and a power source. An embodiment allows for increased precision, accuracy, and speed for wireless measurement of gaps. A method and system that uses the taper gauge.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2013Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: John Brandon Laflen, John William Herbold, William Judson Hendrix, Jason Harris Karp, Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, Steven William Wik, Juntao Wu
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Publication number: 20150165683Abstract: A method for assessment of operational performance of a 3D manufacturing apparatus is provided. Images are obtained, in real-time during a 3D polymer printing build process in which at least one structure is built by the 3D manufacturing apparatus, the images being of an area of a build platform on which the at least one structure is built. The obtained images are evaluating, and it is determined, based on the evaluating, whether an operational flaw with the 3D manufacturing apparatus has occurred. Operational flaws include errors in the operation of the 3D manufacturing apparatus and/or component thereof, as evidenced by, for instance, distortions or other errors in the structure(s) being built and/or materials being used.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Mark Allen CHEVERTON, Christopher Allen NAFIS, Robert William TAIT, Russell Ryder DENNISON
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Patent number: 9007689Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for forming multiple images of an object comprising a plurality of depth segments. An optical system comprises an infinity optical subsystem and a multi-image optical subsystem. The infinity optical subsystem is configured to receive light from the object and form a first image focussed at infinity. A multi-image optical subsystem is configured to receive the first image and form multiple images via multiple focussing lenses. Each multiple image can correspond to a different depth segment. A portion of the light from the first image can also be filtered before entering a focussing lens. Multiple images under different filtering conditions, corresponding to different depth segments or to the same depth segment, can be formed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2011Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Robert William Tait, Mark Marshall Meyers, Qingying Hu
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Publication number: 20150096183Abstract: A taper gauge that includes an elongate taper assembly that has a tip section and an electronics section that includes a location determining element that collects data related to a measurement area when the tip section is inserted in the measurement area and a power source. An embodiment allows for increased precision, accuracy, and speed for wireless measurement of gaps. A method and system that uses the taper gauge.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2013Publication date: April 9, 2015Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John Brandon Laflen, John William Herbold, William Judson Hendrix, Jason Harris Karp, Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, Steven William Wik, Juntao Wu
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Publication number: 20150096184Abstract: An apparatus for measuring thickness of an object is provided. The apparatus includes a compression control system which further includes a movable platform, a compression sensor, and a switching device operatively coupled to the compression sensor. The apparatus also includes a measurement system operatively coupled to the switching device for receiving a signal representative of a toggle event at the switching device and configured to measure a gradient. The apparatus also includes a processing circuit operatively coupled to the switching device and the measurement system for measuring a thickness of the object upon receiving the signal representative of the toggle event at the switching device by using the gradient and a communication circuit for transmitting a measured thickness of the object to a remote database.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2014Publication date: April 9, 2015Inventors: Yakov Polishchuk, Robert William Tait, William Judson Hendrix, JR., Michael Francis Strong
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Patent number: 8919004Abstract: The present application provides for feeler gauges. The feeler gauges include a plurality of elongate measuring leaves rotatably coupled on a common axis of rotation with an elongate housing. The leaves may be manually, selectively rotatable between a “home” position wherein the leaves are substantially aligned with the housing and an “extended” position wherein the leaves are spaced from the housing. The leaves may be relatively flexible and substantially flat such that they define a substantially constant thickness. One or more extended leaves may be used to measure the thickness of a clearance or gap. The gauges may be configured to detect, determine or measure the thickness of the leaves that are in the “home” position and/or the “extended” position, and thereby determine the total thickness of a clearance or gap measured by the extended leaves.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Juntao Wu, Robert William Tait, Cheryl (Chun) Zhan, John Brandon Laflen, Steven William Wik, John Herbold, S. M. Shajedul Hasan
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Publication number: 20120250159Abstract: Disclosed are method and apparatus for forming multiple images of an object comprising a plurality of depth segments. An optical system comprises an infinity optical subsystem and a multi-image optical subsystem. The infinity optical subsystem is configured to receive light from the object and form a first image focussed at infinity. A multi-image optical subsystem is configured to receive the first image and form multiple images via multiple focussing lenses. Each multiple image can correspond to a different depth segment. A portion of the light from the first image can also be filtered before entering a focussing lens. Multiple images under different filtering conditions, corresponding to different depth segments or to the same depth segment, can be formed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gil Abramovich, Kevin George Harding, Robert William Tait, Mark Marshall Meyers, Qingying Hu
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Patent number: 8244488Abstract: A thermal inspection system includes a fluid source configured to supply a warm flow and a cool flow, indirectly or directly, to internal passage(s) of a component. The system includes an imager configured to capture a time series of images corresponding to a transient thermal response of the component to the warm and cool flows. The system further includes at least one flow meter configured to measure the warm and cool flows supplied to the component and a processor operably connected to the imager. The processor determines the transient thermal response of the component around a transition time. The flow supplied to the component switches from the warm flow to the cool flow at the transition time. The processor compares the transient thermal response around the transition time with one or more baseline values or with an acceptable range of values to determine if the component meets a desired specification.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2010Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Jared Michael Crosby, Christopher Joseph Uhl, Michael Orlando Cimini, Bianca Mary McCartt, James Walter Caddell, Jared Reece Reynolds, Robert William Tait, Andrew Frank Ferro
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Publication number: 20120149281Abstract: A distance measurement system comprises an optical distance sensor configured to generate a light beam, a first optical module, and a processor. The first optical module is configured to receive the light beam, and generate and selectively transmit a plurality of light beams having different light channels for projection onto one or more points of an object to generate one or more reflected light beams scattered from the respective one or more points of the object, and capture and transmit the one or more reflected light beams into the optical distance sensor to retrieve a plurality of distance data to the respective one or more points of the object. The processor is configured to process the distance data to determine position information of the respective one or more points of the object. A distance measurement method is also presented.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Inventors: Xinjun WAN, Guju Song, Kevin George Harding, Shukuan Xu, Steven Robert Hayashi, Robert William Tait, James Joseph Hoffman, Charles Walter Muchmore, Matthew Michael Gluesenkamp
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Patent number: 8160832Abstract: An apparatus and methods for identifying a defect and/or an operating characteristic of a system being monitored (and/or one or more of the system's components) are described. In an embodiment, orthogonally related data monitored by two or more detectors may be fused to determine whether a component of a system is defective and/or malfunctioning. Additionally or alternatively, data from a first detector may be determined to be accurate using non-orthogonally related data outputted by a second detector. Both types of determinations may be made with minimal or no false indications, which lowers the cost of operating the system being monitored. Embodiments of the invention may also be configured to forecast and/or prevent accidents and/or damage to the system being monitored by predicting whether a defect and/or a malfunction will occur.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Progress Rail Services CorpInventors: Huageng Luo, Michael Richard Durling, Andrew Lawrence Ruggiero, Zongqi Sun, Harry Kirk Mathews, Jr., Robert William Tait, Benjamin Paul Church, Thomas Anthony Tougas
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Patent number: 8063385Abstract: The invention provides method for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support. The method involves the steps of transmitting light of a preselected wavelength onto a tissue sample, wherein the light induces the tissue sample to autofluoresce, identifying the center location of the tissue sample using the autofluoresced light, correlating the coordinates of the center location of the tissue sample on the solid support using an x, y-coordinate system, and mapping the coordinates of the tissue sample on the solid support to differentiate tissue sample containing regions from blank regions on the solid support. In a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert John Filkins, Robert William Tait, Kevin Bernard Kenny, Christina Chirappuram Royce
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Publication number: 20110125423Abstract: A thermal inspection system includes a fluid source configured to supply a warm flow and a cool flow, indirectly or directly, to internal passage(s) of a component. The system includes an imager configured to capture a time series of images corresponding to a transient thermal response of the component to the warm and cool flows. The system further includes at least one flow meter configured to measure the warm and cool flows supplied to the component and a processor operably connected to the imager. The processor determines the transient thermal response of the component around a transition time. The flow supplied to the component switches from the warm flow to the cool flow at the transition time. The processor compares the transient thermal response around the transition time with one or more baseline values or with an acceptable range of values to determine if the component meets a desired specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2010Publication date: May 26, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Jason Randolph Allen, Jared Michael Crosby, Christopher Joseph Uhl, Michael Orlando Cimini, Bianca Mary McCartt, James Walter Caddell, Jared Reece Reynolds, Robert William Tait, Andrew Frank Ferro
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Publication number: 20100301230Abstract: The invention provides method for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support. The method involves the steps of transmitting light of a preselected wavelength onto a tissue sample, wherein the light induces the tissue sample to autofluoresce, identifying the center location of the tissue sample using the autofluoresced light, correlating the coordinates of the center location of the tissue sample on the solid support using an x, y-coordinate system, and mapping the coordinates of the tissue sample on the solid support to differentiate tissue sample containing regions from blank regions on the solid support. In a second aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for locating one or more substantially circular-shaped tissue sample positioned on a solid support.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2009Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert John Filkins, Robert William Tait, Kevin Bernard Kenny, Christina Chirappuram Royce