Patents by Inventor Barry Fetzer

Barry Fetzer 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: 20220155795
    Abstract: Methods and scan systems for analyzing an object. The methods include obtaining a local operation dataset that includes a plurality of operation data points obtained from an object and a corresponding location, within the operation coordinate system, for each operation data point of the plurality of operation data points. The methods also include mapping the plurality of operation data points from the operation coordinate system to a global coordinate system for the object. The mapping includes mapping to generate a global operation dataset that includes the plurality of operation data points and a corresponding global location, within the global coordinate system, for each operation data point. The scan systems include a robot that performs a plurality of operations on an object within an operation coordinate system and a computing device that maps the plurality of operation data points from the operation coordinate system to a global coordinate system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: May 19, 2022
    Inventors: Barry Fetzer, Hong Hue Tat, Baljinder Singh
  • Patent number: 9933393
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inspecting a composite end portion of a part are disclosed. The apparatus may include first and second members having first and second contact elements, respectively. The second member may be movably connected to the first member. The first and second members may be shaped to define a gap sized to receive the end portion. The apparatus may include at least one ultrasonic array supported by at least one of the first and second members. The at least one ultrasonic array may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the end portion. The apparatus may include a fluid conduit having first and second ends through one of the first and second members. The first end may be configured to be coupled to a suction system, and the second end of the fluid conduit may be configured to be adjacent to a contact surface of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary Georgeson, Barry Fetzer, William Paul Motzer
  • Publication number: 20170168022
    Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inspecting a composite end portion of a part are disclosed. The apparatus may include first and second members having first and second contact elements, respectively. The second member may be movably connected to the first member. The first and second members may be shaped to define a gap sized to receive the end portion. The apparatus may include at least one ultrasonic array supported by at least one of the first and second members. The at least one ultrasonic array may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the end portion. The apparatus may include a fluid conduit having first and second ends through one of the first and second members. The first end may be configured to be coupled to a suction system, and the second end of the fluid conduit may be configured to be adjacent to a contact surface of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary Georgeson, Barry Fetzer, William Paul Motzer
  • Publication number: 20070239018
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for examining an item. The probe includes a body having a contact surface adapted for contacting the item when being examined and an ultrasonic transducer attached to the body and spaced from the contact surface. The probe further includes a spacer positioned in the body between the transducer and the contact surface for spacing the transducer from the item when being examined. The spacer includes a coupling surface facing the item when being examined and a transducer surface facing the transducer. The probe also includes a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the coupling surface of the spacer for delivering coupling fluid to the coupling surface as a film so that the coupling fluid tends to maintain contact with the spacer due to surface tension after the fluid is delivered through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: October 11, 2007
    Inventors: Barry Fetzer, Fred Young
  • Publication number: 20070227250
    Abstract: Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a probe having two ultrasonic transducer arrays. This enables simultaneous testing using two different test frequencies. The probe uses pulse echo ultrasonic signals at different frequencies to inspect the structure. The probe includes a support body having a fluid conduit formed therein. The fluid conduit provides flow paths for a couplant (such as water) that is used to couple the ultrasonic signals between the structure under test and the arrays. The fluid conduit is configured to quickly eject couplant and bubbles contained in the couplant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Publication date: October 4, 2007
    Inventors: James Kennedy, Barry Fetzer, Jeffry Garvey, Mark Little
  • Publication number: 20070175282
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for examining an item. The probe includes a body having a contact surface adapted for contacting the item when being examined and an ultrasonic transducer attached to the body and spaced from the contact surface. The probe further includes a spacer positioned in the body between the transducer and the contact surface for spacing the transducer from the item when being examined. The spacer includes a coupling surface facing the item when being examined and a transducer surface facing the transducer. The probe also includes a fluid outlet positioned adjacent the coupling surface of the spacer for delivering coupling fluid to the coupling surface as a film so that the coupling fluid tends to maintain contact with the spacer due to surface tension after the fluid is delivered through the outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Barry Fetzer, James Kennedy, Thomas Riechers
  • Publication number: 20070137302
    Abstract: An apparatus for the ultrasonic testing of internal areas of prefabricated composite assemblies as described. The composite assemblies have one or more internal areas formed therein. The apparatus includes at least one receive transducer, at least one transmit transducer, a vertical member, a support member slidably attached to the vertical member, a pair of substantially parallel hollow rods, and an ultrasonic testing system. Each rod comprises a transducer attachment end with receive transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a first rod, and transmit transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a second rod. The rods are slidably attached to the support member and manually movable with respect to a composite assembly to be tested. The ultrasonic testing system is coupled to the receive transducers through the first rod, and coupled to the transmit transducers through the second rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Publication date: June 21, 2007
    Inventors: Barry Fetzer, Fred Young, Hien Bui, Michael Duncan, Mark Lee
  • Publication number: 20070084290
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer device is pressed against the front surface of a structure, emits an ultrasonic pulse into the structure, and detects an echo profile from the structure. An indicator is activated if the echo profile includes a return pulse that at least is received from between the front surface and the back surface of the structure. An ultrasonic transducer device includes an ultrasonic transducer and a coupling element coupled to the transducer for disposition between the transducer and a surface of a structure. The coupling element serves as a delay line that allows time for quiescence in the transducer so that return pulses from shallow depths can be detected. The ultrasonic transducer is activated when multiple switches are pressed against a surface thus assuring both firm coupling and perpendicular disposition of the acoustic axis of the transducer relative to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Barry Fetzer, Jeffrey Kollgaard, Clyde Uyehara
  • Publication number: 20060243051
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which permit inspection of uniquely shaped structures such as fuselage frames and shear ties. Probes may be constructed from rapid prototyping. Inspection may be performed manually and may use a portable function support system for delivering fluid couplant, controlling transmit and receive functions of the inspection sensors, and delivering immediate visual analysis for an operator. Integrated ultrasonic inspection apparatus, systems, and methods facilitate fast and efficient custom inspection devices and inspecting otherwise difficult-to-inspect structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Inventors: Hien Bui, Fred Young, Mark Lee, Richard Krotzer, Clyde Uyehara, Barry Fetzer
  • Publication number: 20060074577
    Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for multi-channel non-destructive inspection which provide high data throughput, logarithmic amplification of large dynamic range, and simplicity of supporting electronics. More specifically, provided are systems and methods for inspecting a structure that may use an interface board, two pulser boards, each coupled to 16 transmit channels, and two receiver boards, each coupled to 16 receive channels, where the receiver boards are capable of processing data from the 32 receive channels by logarithmically amplifying at least 70 dB of dynamic range. A receiver board may include a serial connection of two layers of multiplexing switches to provide 70 dB isolation between channels, a logarithmic amplifier for logarithmically amplifying 70 dB of dynamic range, a linear amplifier, and an analog-to-digital converter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Publication date: April 6, 2006
    Inventor: Barry Fetzer
  • Publication number: 20050279171
    Abstract: Techniques for ultrasonically evaluating damage to a laminate structure include use of a diagnostic device having at least two modes of operation including a calibration mode and a test mode with the calibration mode providing calibration parameters specific to the laminate structure under test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 22, 2005
    Inventors: Jeffrey Kollgaard, Jeffrey Thompson, Barry Fetzer, Clyde Uyehara