Patents by Inventor Brent William Shoffner

Brent William Shoffner 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: 9050726
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling “on”/“off” functionality of an auxiliary device including a circuit designed to monitor physical rotations. The device will activate or deactivate when predetermined rotations are sensed by the circuit within a specific time period. The circuit can be used on high vibration tooling such as grinders and saws due to its resistance to relatively large vibrational noise. The circuit also includes a current sensing device to determine when the auxiliary device draws too much current. When an over current situation is measured, the circuit will automatically shut down to protect the device's electronic components. This control system can be implemented in new device designs, or installed as a retrofit control mechanism to existing commercially available devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: GI 2 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brent William Shoffner, Adam Paul Jaroh
  • Patent number: 8833169
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a robotic inspection system that uses a pair of multi-axis robotic devices to perform an ultrasonic scan of a part. Each of the multi-axis robotic devices can comprise an end effector that can transmit and/or receive an ultrasonic signal to perform the ultrasonic scan. In one embodiment, the robotic inspection system includes a linear slide assembly that can translate the multi-axis robotic devices independently from one another on either side of the part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas William Lute, Jr., Brent William Shoffner
  • Patent number: 8640531
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting turbine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a base frame adapted to position an inspection device relative a turbine component; and a set of mounts connected to the base frame, the set of mounts adapted to connect the base frame to at least one other point of the turbine component and to pivotally connect the base frame to a pivot point of the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Remillard, Edward Lee Bentzel, Justin Carl Boles, Jean-Francois Bureau, Brent William Shoffner
  • Publication number: 20130310972
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for controlling “on”/“off” functionality of an auxiliary device including a circuit designed to monitor physical rotations. The device will activate or deactivate when predetermined rotations are sensed by the circuit within a specific time period. The circuit can be used on high vibration tooling such as grinders and saws due to its resistance to relatively large vibrational noise. The circuit also includes a current sensing device to determine when the auxiliary device draws too much current. When an over current situation is measured, the circuit will automatically shut down to protect the device's electronic components. This control system can be implemented in new device designs, or installed as a retrofit control mechanism to existing commercially available devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: GI2 TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brent William SHOFFNER, Adam Paul JAROH
  • Publication number: 20130269426
    Abstract: Systems and methods for inspecting turbine components are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes: a base frame adapted to position an inspection device relative a turbine component; and a set of mounts connected to the base frame, the set of mounts adapted to connect the base frame to at least one other point of the turbine component and to pivotally connect the base frame to a pivot point of the turbine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Matthew Michael Remillard, Edward Lee Bentzel, Justin Carl Boles, Jean-Francois Bureau, Brent William Shoffner
  • Publication number: 20130145850
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a robotic inspection system that uses a pair of multi-axis robotic devices to perform an ultrasonic scan of a part. Each of the multi-axis robotic devices can comprise an end effector that can transmit and/or receive an ultrasonic signal to perform the ultrasonic scan. In one embodiment, the robotic inspection system includes a linear slide assembly that can translate the multi-axis robotic devices independently from one another on either side of the part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas William Lute, JR., Brent William Shoffner