Patents by Inventor Theodore Chilek

Theodore Chilek 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: 9307672
    Abstract: Modules, systems, and methods are provided for cooling components of an inspection or testing apparatus, such as a borescope. In some exemplary embodiments, the modules include two heat sinks, with the top-most heat sink having a fan assembly approximately centrally disposed therein. The fan assembly can be operated to draw air into the top-most heat sink, and then exhaust airflow out of the top-most heat sink such that the exhaust air passes across at least a portion of the second heat sink to help cool both the first and second heat sinks, and components of the apparatus associated therewith, using the same fan assembly. As a result, the components of the apparatus can be cooled more easily, and the performance and efficiency of these components is improved, all while reducing the overall size and weight of the inspection apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Theodore Chilek, Nicholas Stancato
  • Publication number: 20150055297
    Abstract: Modules, systems, and methods are provided for cooling components of an inspection or testing apparatus, such as a borescope. In some exemplary embodiments, the modules include two heat sinks, with the top-most heat sink having a fan assembly approximately centrally disposed therein. The fan assembly can be operated to draw air into the top-most heat sink, and then exhaust airflow out of the top-most heat sink such that the exhaust air passes across at least a portion of the second heat sink to help cool both the first and second heat sinks, and components of the apparatus associated therewith, using the same fan assembly. As a result, the components of the apparatus can be cooled more easily, and the performance and efficiency of these components is improved, all while reducing the overall size and weight of the inspection apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Theodore Chilek, Nicholas Stancato
  • Publication number: 20090310229
    Abstract: An optical system for a remote video inspection device including an elongated probe for inspection of target objects, comprising: an imager located distally within the probe, wherein the imager receives an image of the target object; a focus lens group located within the probe, the focus lens group comprising a variable aperture and at least one focus lens; a zoom lens group located within the probe, the zoom lens group comprising at least one zoom lens, wherein the movement of the zoom lens group in relation to the imager changes the magnification of the image; a tip lens located further from the imager than the focus lens group and the zoom lens group, wherein the distance between the tip lens and the imager is fixed; wherein a first movement of the focus lens group proportional to the movement of the zoom lens group provides an initial image focus, and a second movement of the focus lens group independent of the movement of the zoom lens provides a final image focus and proportional changes to the size of
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Dongmin Yang, Theodore A. Chilek, Thomas Karpen
  • Patent number: 7630148
    Abstract: An optical system for a remote video inspection device including an elongated probe for inspection of target objects, comprising: an imager located distally within the probe, wherein the imager receives an image of the target object; a focus lens group located within the probe, the focus lens group comprising a variable aperture and at least one focus lens; a zoom lens group located within the probe, the zoom lens group comprising at least one zoom lens, wherein the movement of the zoom lens group in relation to the imager changes the magnification of the image; a tip lens located further from the imager than the focus lens group and the zoom lens group, wherein the distance between the tip lens and the imager is fixed; wherein a first movement of the focus lens group proportional to the movement of the zoom lens group provides an initial image focus, and a second movement of the focus lens group independent of the movement of the zoom lens provides a final image focus and proportional changes to the size of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventors: Dongmin Yang, Theodore A. Chilek, Thomas Karpen
  • Patent number: 7564626
    Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies LP
    Inventors: Clark A. Bendall, Raymond Lia, Jon R. Salvati, Theodore A. Chilek
  • Publication number: 20070165306
    Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: GE Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventors: Clark Bendall, Raymond Lia, Jon Salvati, Theodore Chilek
  • Patent number: 7170677
    Abstract: Two stereo images are created by splitting a single image into two images using a field of view dividing splitter. The two images can be displayed side by side so that they can be viewed directly using stereopticon technology, heads-up display, or other 3-D display technology, or they can be separated for individual eye viewing. The two images focus on one imager such that the right image appears on the right side of the monitor and the left image appears on the left side of the monitor. The view of the images is aimed to converge at a given object distance such that the views overlap 100% at the object distance. Measurement is done with at least one onscreen cursor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Everest VIT
    Inventors: Clark A. Bendall, Theodore A. Chilek, Thomas W. Karpen, Raymond A. Lia, Jon R. Salvati