Patents Assigned to GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH
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Patent number: 11674930Abstract: A method of forming a probe holder includes forming a plurality of layers from at least one body material, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of layers are bonded to one another to define a body of an ultrasonic probe holder. The body can include a distal end, a chamber, and a fluid channel. The distal end can secure the body to a proximal end of a wear sole. The chamber can be configured to receive an ultrasonic probe and a volume of fluid couplant. A fluid channel extends through a portion of the body to the distal end and the fluid channel can receive a flow of fluid couplant. The plurality of layers can define a first region including a first probe holder material exhibiting a first acoustic or structural property and a second region including a second probe holder material exhibiting a second acoustic or structural property.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Alexander Fiseni, Christof Breidenbach
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Patent number: 11585767Abstract: Systems and methods for non-destructive testing by computed tomography are provided. The system can include a stationary radiation source, a stage, and a plurality of stationary radiation detectors. The source can be configured to emit, from a focal point, a beam of penetrating radiation having a three-dimensional geometry and to direct the beam in a path incident upon a target. The stationary radiation source can be positioned with respect to the plurality of stationary radiation detectors and the stage such that, a first plurality of beam segment paths is defined between the focal point and respective sensing faces of the plurality of radiation detectors and at least one second beam segment path is defined between the focal point and a predetermined gap.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2021Date of Patent: February 21, 2023Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Eberhard Neuser, Alex Sawatzky, Nils Rothe, Alexander Suppes
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Patent number: 11493458Abstract: Scatter correction for tomography: for each position, two images are acquired, a first image without and a second image with a scatter reducing aperture plate (50). A scatter image is calculated by subtracting the second image from the first image. The apertures (48) in the scatter reducing plate (50) are arranged hexagonally in order to optimise the packaging density of the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2020Date of Patent: November 8, 2022Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Alexander Suppes, Nils Rothe
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Patent number: 11460448Abstract: A wear sole, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus having a wear sole, and methods for using the same are provided. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus can include a body, a wear sole, and a fluid channel. The body can define a first chamber configured to receive a first volume of ultrasonic couplant and a distal end of an ultrasonic probe. The wear sole can define a second chamber configured to receive a second volume of ultrasonic couplant and the wear sole can be removably coupled to a distal end of the body. The wear sole can also have a membrane extending thereacross for separating the first chamber from the second chamber. The fluid channel can extend through the body and the wear sole can be configured to deliver the second volume of ultrasonic couplant to the second chamber.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 4, 2022Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: René Pfortje, Benjamin Hoemske, Christof Breidenback, Alexander Fiseni, Stephan Falter
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Patent number: 11371964Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring the condition of ultrasonic transducers and ultrasonic probes used in non-destructive testing are provided. In one aspect, a degree of deterioration and end of life of an ultrasonic transducer can be estimated based upon measured environmental and/or operating parameters of the ultrasonic transducer. In another aspect, testing parameters acquired by a single ultrasonic probe or different ultrasonic probes can be measured and analyzed to identify deterioration of an ultrasonic probe.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2019Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES, GMBHInventors: Alexander Fiseni, Stephan Schmitz, Christof Breidenbach, Stephan Falter, Daniel Koers, Marek Parusel, Lars Rohpeter, Sven Runte, Sebastian Standop
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Patent number: 11280763Abstract: A method for forming a wear sole includes forming a plurality of layers from a frame material, adjacent layers bonded to one another to define a frame. The frame can include a proximal surface configured to secure the frame to a probe holder, a distal surface configured to contact a portion of a target, a body extending between proximal and distal surfaces, an aperture extending through proximal and distal surfaces and the body, and a channel extending from the proximal surface to a chamber in fluid communication with the distal surface. The method can optionally include placing a membrane within the aperture. The membrane can be coupled to the body by a seal, inhibiting passage of a fluid through the proximal surface via the aperture. The chamber can extend within the body between a distal surface of the membrane and the distal surface of the frame.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2019Date of Patent: March 22, 2022Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Alexander Fiseni, Christof Breidenbach, Frank Kahmann
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Patent number: 11016042Abstract: Systems and methods for non-destructive testing by computed tomography are provided. The system can include a stationary radiation source, a stage, and a plurality of stationary radiation detectors. The source can be configured to emit, from a focal point, a beam of penetrating radiation having a three-dimensional geometry and to direct the beam in a path incident upon a target. The stationary radiation source can be positioned with respect to the plurality of stationary radiation detectors and the stage such that, a first plurality of beam segment paths is defined between the focal point and respective sensing faces of the plurality of radiation detectors and at least one second beam segment path is defined between the focal point and a predetermined gap.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2019Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES, GMBHInventors: Eberhard Neuser, Alex Sawatzky, Nils Rothe, Alexander Suppes
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Patent number: 11010890Abstract: A method for the non-destructive testing of the volume of a test object, during the course of which a volume raw image of the test object is recorded by a suitable non-destructive imaging testing method. Then, those regions of the volume raw image are identified that are not to be attributed to the test object material. It is checked whether an identified region is completely embedded in regions that are to be associated with the test object material. If necessary, such a region is assimilated to those regions that are to be associated with the test object material, forming a filled volume raw image. Finally, a difference is generated between the volume raw image and the filled volume raw image, forming a first flaw image.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Ingo Stuke
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Patent number: 10877004Abstract: A method for the nondestructive testing of a test object by ultrasound is provided, the method including generating a pulsed ultrasonic field in the test object by means of an array of individually drivable ultrasonic transmitting transducers acoustically coupled to the test object. The ultrasonic transmitting transducers are each driven with a specific analog transient excitation signal, wherein each analog transient excitation signal is generated based on an ultrasonic transmitting transducer-specific stored digital transient excitation function. The method further includes receiving resulting echo signals from the test object by means of an array of individually drivable ultrasonic receiving transducers, with each ultrasonic receiving transducer providing an analog time-resolved echo signal, temporarily storing the time-resolved, transducer-specific, digitized echo signals in the form of an echo signal set, and applying a plurality of different reception processing rules to the echo signal set.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Roman Heinrich Koch, Stephan Falter, Reinhard Prause, Helmut Breidenbach, Christof Breidenbach, Thomas Weise
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Patent number: 10838573Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums are provided for selecting a precise value within a large value range. Data received from an ultrasonic testing environment can include a range of values associated with one or more parameters to be configured for performing ultrasonic inspection of a test object. A control in a user interface of the ultrasonic testing environment can be provided and include a display portion displaying one or more parameters and one or more values within the range of values associated with the one or more parameters. The control also includes an interactive portion configured to receive a plurality of inputs. Based on the inputs a selected value associated with a first parameter can be determined. The selected value associated with the first parameter can be output as a static display within the display portion of the control.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES, GMBHInventor: Ralf Ratering
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Patent number: 10801972Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining relative and absolute positions and orientations of a detector and an inspection part of a CT system. In some cases positions/orientations of the detector and the inspection part can be defined, at least in part, by tilt angles relative to reference axes and/or planes defined by various combinations of the reference axes. In some embodiments, sensors coupled to the detector and to a stage assembly having the inspection part coupled thereto can be used to determine the tilt angles of the inspection part and the detector, respectively. Data from the sensors characterizing tilt angles of the detector and the inspection part can be used to adjust projectional radiographs of the inspection part to correct for the mechanical wobble of the stage. By using tilt data to adjust projectional radiographs, the quality of tomographic images and 3-dimensional reconstructions of the inspection part can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2019Date of Patent: October 13, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Michael Wuestenbecker
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Patent number: 10768148Abstract: The invention relates to a method for testing of a train wheel by ultrasound. The method is based on a pulsed ultrasonic field in the train wheel to be tested by an array of individually controllable ultrasonic transmitting transducers acoustically coupled to the train wheel each controlled with a specific analog transient excitation signal. Each analog transient excitation signal generated based on an ultrasonic transmitting transducer-specific stored digital transient excitation function. The resulting echo signals from the train wheel to be tested are recorded by an array of individually controllable ultrasonic receiving transducers. Each ultrasonic receiving transducer can provide an analog, time-resolved echo signal. The received echo signals can be digitized in a transducer-specific way and stored in a set. A plurality of different reception processing rules can then be applied to the latter. Furthermore, the invention relates to a device for carrying out the method.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2015Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, GmbHInventors: Stephan Falter, Luca Scaccabarozzi
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Patent number: 10746015Abstract: A monitoring system can include a dashboard including a graphical user interface display space. The monitoring system can also include a digital twin validation (DTV) system. The DTV system can be configured to perform operations including rendering, in the graphical user interface display space, a visual representation of an output value of a digital model of an oil and gas industrial machine, and an interactive graphical object characterizing an input value of the digital model. The operations can also include receiving data characterizing user interaction with the interactive graphical object. The data characterizes the user interaction indicative of the input value of the digital model. The operations can also include updating the digital model to generate an updated output value representative of an operational characteristic of the oil and gas industrial machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies, GmbHInventors: Robert Munda, Nimrod Ohad, Arun Subramaniyan
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Patent number: 10746671Abstract: A method for imaging an object is presented. The method includes acquiring a first projection image of the object using a source and a detector, positioning a scatter rejecting aperture plate between the object and the detector, and acquiring a second projection image of the object with the scatter rejecting aperture plate disposed between the object and the detector. A scatter image of the object is generated based on the first projection image and the second projection image, and stored for subsequent imaging. A volumetric CT system for imaging an object is also presented. The system is configured to acquire a plurality of projection images of the object from a plurality of plurality of projection angles.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2015Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Alexander Suppes, Nils Rothe
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Patent number: 10648951Abstract: A pattern recognizing ultrasonic testing system and methods for using the same are provided. The system can include an ultrasonic probe and an analyzer. The ultrasonic probe can be configured to acquire ultrasonic measurements from target, where the ultrasonic measurements can contain one or more ultrasonic patterns representing a target characteristic. The analyzer can be in communication with the ultrasonic probe. The analyzer can also be configured to receive the ultrasonic measurements, receive a first classifier configured to identify a predetermined target characteristic based upon one or more predetermined first ultrasonic patterns, examine the received ultrasonic measurements using the first classifier, and identify ultrasonic patterns of the received ultrasonic measurements that correspond to the predetermined ultrasonic patterns as representing the predetermined target characteristic.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2017Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Matthias Jobst
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Patent number: 10564128Abstract: A method and a device for the near-surface, non-destructive inspection by means of ultrasound of a rotationally symmetric workpiece having a diameter that changes from section to section are provided. The method and device are based on the insonification of an ultrasonic test pulse into the workpiece at a defined insonification angle and the subsequent recording of an ultrasonic echo signal from the workpiece. Echo signals that trace back to a near-surface region ROI of the workpiece are identified and evaluated. Then, a graphic representation of the surface of the workpiece is generated.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Prashanth Kumar Chinta
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Patent number: 10488367Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method for ultrasonic testing according to the pulse-echo method as well as an arrangement for performing such a method. By means of an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic pulse is obliquely incident into a sound incidence surface of a test object. Next, an echo signal is received from the test object. This takes place either by means of the ultrasonic transducer, which has emitted the ultrasonic pulse or with another ultrasonic transducer. The time amplitude characteristic of the echo signal is evaluated in a predefined defect expectation interval of time. The evaluation step includes, in at least one section of the amplitude characteristic, an amplification of the amplitude and/or a reduction in the threshold value. For example, the amplitude of the received echo signal is then compared with the predefined threshold value.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 2019Date of Patent: November 26, 2019Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Reinhard Prause, Wolfgang Dick
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Patent number: 10360670Abstract: A method for the non-destructive testing of the volume of a test object, during the course of which a volume raw image of the test object is recorded by a suitable non-destructive imaging testing method. Then, those regions of the volume raw image are identified that are not to be attributed to the test object material. It is checked whether an identified region is completely embedded in regions that are to be associated with the test object material. If necessary, such a region is assimilated to those regions that are to be associated with the test object material, forming a filled volume raw image. Finally, a difference is generated between the volume raw image and the filled volume raw image, forming a first flaw image.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2014Date of Patent: July 23, 2019Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Ingo Stuke
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Publication number: 20190178846Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method for ultrasonic testing according to the pulse-echo method as well as an arrangement for performing such a method. By means of an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic pulse is obliquely incident into a sound incidence surface of a test object. Next, an echo signal is received from the test object. This takes place either by means of the ultrasonic transducer, which has emitted the ultrasonic pulse or with another ultrasonic transducer. The time amplitude characteristic of the echo signal is evaluated in a predefined defect expectation interval of time. The evaluation step includes, in at least one section of the amplitude characteristic, an amplification of the amplitude and/or a reduction in the threshold value. For example, the amplitude of the received echo signal is then compared with the predefined threshold value.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2019Publication date: June 13, 2019Applicant: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventors: Reinhard Prause, Wolfgang Dick
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Publication number: 20190107515Abstract: A method and a device for the near-surface, non-destructive inspection by means of ultrasound of a rotationally symmetric workpiece having a diameter that changes from section to section are provided. The method and device are based on the insonification of an ultrasonic test pulse into the workpiece at a defined insonification angle and the subsequent recording of an ultrasonic echo signal from the workpiece. Echo signals that trace back to a near-surface region ROI of the workpiece are identified and evaluated. Then, a graphic representation of the surface of the workpiece is generated.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbHInventor: Prashanth Kumar Chinta