Patents by Inventor Bryan J. Germann

Bryan J. Germann 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: 10502551
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a component includes providing the component which includes a body having an exterior surface and a plurality of passive strain indicators configured on the exterior surface. The method includes directly measuring the component with at least one three-dimensional data acquisition device. The direct measurement generates a first point cloud and a plurality of second point clouds. The first point cloud corresponds to the exterior surface and includes a plurality of first data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate. Each second point cloud corresponds to one of the plurality of passive strain indicators and includes a plurality of second data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate. A second data point density of each second point cloud is greater than a first data point density of each first point cloud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Germann, Gregory Lee Hovis
  • Patent number: 10451499
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for applying passive strain indicators to a component includes creating a plurality of surface curves and a plurality of data points on each of the plurality of surface curves, the plurality of surface curves and the plurality of data points defining the exterior surface of the component. The method further includes receiving data indicative of a user input selection of a selected surface curve of the plurality of surface curves, a selected data point of the plurality of data points on the selected surface curve, and a selected rotation angle. The method further includes determining an output dimension, location, and orientation of a passive strain indicator. The method further includes providing one or more control signals to a passive strain indicator application system to cause the system to apply the passive strain indicator having the output dimension, location, and orientation to the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Anton Byers, Bryan J. Germann, Daniel Warren Miller
  • Publication number: 20180292274
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for applying passive strain indicators to a component includes obtaining an output dimension, location, and orientation of each of a plurality of passive strain indicators for the component. The method further includes determining an inverse rotation matrix for each of the plurality of passive strain indicators based on the orientation and location of each of the plurality of passive strain indicators. The method further includes determining a movement profile for each of the plurality of passive strain indicators based on the inverse rotation matrix. The method further includes providing one or more control signals to a passive strain indicator application system to cause the system to apply each of the plurality of passive strain indicators to the component based on the movement profile for each of the plurality of passive strain indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Anton Byers, Bryan J. Germann, Daniel Warren Miller, Brian Christopher Wheeler
  • Publication number: 20180292275
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for applying passive strain indicators to a component includes creating a plurality of surface curves and a plurality of data points on each of the plurality of surface curves, the plurality of surface curves and the plurality of data points defining the exterior surface of the component. The method further includes receiving data indicative of a user input selection of a selected surface curve of the plurality of surface curves, a selected data point of the plurality of data points on the selected surface curve, and a selected rotation angle. The method further includes determining an output dimension, location, and orientation of a passive strain indicator. The method further includes providing one or more control signals to a passive strain indicator application system to cause the system to apply the passive strain indicator having the output dimension, location, and orientation to the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2017
    Publication date: October 11, 2018
    Inventors: Jason Anton Byers, Bryan J. Germann, Daniel Warren Miller
  • Publication number: 20180252515
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a component includes providing the component which includes a body having an exterior surface and a plurality of passive strain indicators configured on the exterior surface. The method includes directly measuring the component with at least one three-dimensional data acquisition device. The direct measurement generates a first point cloud and a plurality of second point clouds. The first point cloud corresponds to the exterior surface and includes a plurality of first data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate. Each second point cloud corresponds to one of the plurality of passive strain indicators and includes a plurality of second data points, each data point having an X-axis coordinate, a Y-axis coordinate, and a Z-axis coordinate. A second data point density of each second point cloud is greater than a first data point density of each first point cloud.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Bryan J. Germann, Gregory Lee Hovis
  • Patent number: 10012552
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system may include a strain sensor configured on the component, an electrical field scanner for analyzing the strain sensor, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value across the strain sensor along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis to obtain a data point set. The processor may further be operable for assembling a field profile of the strain sensor based on the data point set. Methods of using the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Bryan J. Germann, William F. Ranson
  • Patent number: 9967523
    Abstract: Locating systems and methods for components are provided. A component has an exterior surface. A method includes locating a surface feature configured on the exterior surface along an X-axis and a Y-axis by analyzing an image of the component to obtain X-axis data points and Y-axis data points for the surface feature. The method further includes directly measuring the surface feature along a Z-axis to obtain Z-axis data points for the surface feature, wherein the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes calculating at least two of a pitch value, a roll value or a yaw value for the surface feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yusuf Eren Ozturk, Selami Haydar Icli, Mustafa Yuvalaklioglu, Bryan J. Germann, Jason Lee Burnside
  • Patent number: 9909860
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring component deformation are provided. The component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a passive strain indicator configured on the exterior surface of the component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the passive strain indicator based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson
  • Patent number: 9733062
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system includes an electrical field scanner for analyzing an electrical field across a reference zone, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The reference zone may include a plurality of fiducials configured on the component to influence the electrical field. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis, assembling a zone profile including a data point set according to the measured electrical field value. Methods of using the system are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bryan J. Germann, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20170180679
    Abstract: Locating systems and methods for components are provided. A component has an exterior surface. A method includes locating a surface feature configured on the exterior surface along an X-axis and a Y-axis by analyzing an image of the component to obtain X-axis data points and Y-axis data points for the surface feature. The method further includes directly measuring the surface feature along a Z-axis to obtain Z-axis data points for the surface feature, wherein the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes calculating at least two of a pitch value, a roll value or a yaw value for the surface feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Inventors: Yusuf Eren Ozturk, Selami Haydar Icli, Mustafa Yuvalaklioglu, Bryan J. Germann, Jason Lee Burnside
  • Publication number: 20170167859
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring component deformation are provided. The component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a passive strain indicator configured on the exterior surface of the component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the passive strain indicator based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, JR., William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20170146334
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system includes an electrical field scanner for analyzing an electrical field across a reference zone, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The reference zone may include a plurality of fiducials configured on the component to influence the electrical field. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis, assembling a zone profile including a data point set according to the measured electrical field value. Methods of using the system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan J. Germann, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20170146411
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system may include a strain sensor configured on the component, an electrical field scanner for analyzing the strain sensor, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value across the strain sensor along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis to obtain a data point set. The processor may further be operable for assembling a field profile of the strain sensor based on the data point set. Methods of using the system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Bryan J. Germann, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20170148152
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system includes a plurality of fiducial markers, an optical scanner for analyzing the fiducial markers, and a processor. The plurality of fiducial markers may be on an exterior surface of the component. The processor may be in operable communication with the optical scanner and operable for measuring the fiducial markers along an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis to obtain an X-axis data point set, a Y-axis data point set, and a Z-axis data point set. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. Methods of using the system are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Inventors: Bryan J. Germann, Gregory Lee Hovis, Jacob Andrew Salm
  • Publication number: 20170138820
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring components are provided. A component has an exterior surface and a surface feature configured on the component. A system includes a data acquisition device for analyzing the surface feature. The system further includes an alignment assembly for aligning the data acquisition device and the surface feature. The alignment assembly includes a target feature configurable on the component and a guide feature configured with the data acquisition device. Alignment of the guide feature with the target feature aligns the data acquisition device and the surface feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Blake Ashton Nickles, Parvangada Ganapathy Bojappa, Bryan J. Germann, Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis
  • Patent number: 9618334
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. The turbine component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a strain sensor configured on the exterior surface of the turbine component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the strain sensor based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20160305769
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. The turbine component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a strain sensor configured on the exterior surface of the turbine component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the strain sensor based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson