Patents by Inventor Carl Stephen Lester

Carl Stephen Lester 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: 11199494
    Abstract: An inspection system includes one or more processors and an infrared (IR) camera operably coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors control a microwave transmitter to sequentially emit microwaves having different frequencies within a designated frequency range into an object during a first sweep. The IR camera generates thermal image data of the object after the object is heated by each of the different frequencies of microwaves. The one or more processors analyze the thermal image data and determine a selected frequency within the designated frequency range that provides greater heating of the object than one or more other frequencies in the designated frequency range. The one or more processors also analyze select thermal image data of the object, responsive to heating of the object by the selected frequency of microwaves, to detect an element in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkata Vijayaraghava Nalladega, Carl Stephen Lester, Michael Mahony
  • Publication number: 20210096065
    Abstract: An inspection system includes one or more processors and an infrared (IR) camera operably coupled to the one or more processors. The one or more processors control a microwave transmitter to sequentially emit microwaves having different frequencies within a designated frequency range into an object during a first sweep. The IR camera generates thermal image data of the object after the object is heated by each of the different frequencies of microwaves. The one or more processors analyze the thermal image data and determine a selected frequency within the designated frequency range that provides greater heating of the object than one or more other frequencies in the designated frequency range. The one or more processors also analyze select thermal image data of the object, responsive to heating of the object by the selected frequency of microwaves, to detect an element in the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Venkata Vijayaraghava Nalladega, Carl Stephen Lester, Michael Mahony
  • Publication number: 20080238338
    Abstract: A modular, scalable and configurable incoherent light source is provided. The light source includes an array of lighting modules supported on a frame that focuses emitted radiation from the modules at a region of interest. The geometry and physical configuration of the support structures, including the frame, may accommodate various energy intensities at various distances. The modules may be made up of multiple LEDs or other individual light sources, may be of different or the same wavelength, and may be individually controllable for the ultimate lighting application. The light source may be used in medical imaging applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventors: Stephen Andrew Latham, Robert William Tait, Stephen Johnson Lomnes, Duncan Spalding Pratt, Carl Stephen Lester
  • Patent number: 7039362
    Abstract: A wireless transceiver for performing ultrasonic measurements includes an uplink transmitter configured to transmit at least one modulated timing pulse signal. Each modulated timing pulse signal is transmitted over a respective uplink wireless channel. The transceiver further includes at least one uplink receiver, which is adapted to receive a respective one of the modulated timing pulse signals from the uplink transmitter and configured to supply an unmodulated timing pulse signal to a respective transducer. The transceiver further includes at least one downlink transmitter, which is adapted to receive an echo signal from the respective transducer, and is configured to extract envelope information from the echo signal and to transmit a modulated echo signal over a respective downlink wireless channel. The transceiver also includes a downlink receiver adapted to receive the modulated echo signals from the respective downlink transmitters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert John Filkins, Carl Stephen Lester
  • Patent number: 6927686
    Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring at least one sensor and a measurement system. The method includes making a first measurement using a first sensor of the at least one sensor. The method also includes converting the first measurement into a first data signal; and transmitting the first data signal via a wireless connection to a first processor. The measurement system includes at least one sensor unit having at least one sensor for making a first measurement; and a first wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting a data signal based on the first measurement. The measurement system includes a second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the first wireless transceiver, and a first processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the second wireless transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Edward James Nieters, Robert John Filkins, Carl Stephen Lester
  • Patent number: 6911826
    Abstract: A pulsed eddy current sensor probe includes a sensor array board. A number of sensors are arranged on the sensor array board and are operable to sense and generate output signals from the transient electromagnetic flux in a part being inspected. Each of the sensors has a differential output with a positive and a negative output. At least one drive coil is disposed adjacent to the sensors and is operable to transmit transient electromagnetic flux into the part. A first and a second multiplexer are arranged on the sensor array board and are operable to switch between the sensors. The first and second multiplexers are connected to the positive and negative outputs of the sensors, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Thomas James Batzinger, Shridhar Champaknath Nath, Sandeep Kumar Dewangan, Carl Stephen Lester, Kenneth Gordon Herd, Curtis Wayne Rose
  • Publication number: 20040245997
    Abstract: A pulsed eddy current sensor probe includes a sensor array board. A number of sensors are arranged on the sensor array board and are operable to sense and generate output signals from the transient electromagnetic flux in a part being inspected. Each of the sensors has a differential output with a positive and a negative output. At least one drive coil is disposed adjacent to the sensors and is operable to transmit transient electromagnetic flux into the part. A first and a second multiplexer are arranged on the sensor array board and are operable to switch between the sensors. The first and second multiplexers are connected to the positive and negative outputs of the sensors, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventors: Yuri Alexeyevich Plotnikov, Thomas James Batzinger, Shridhar Champaknath Nath, Sandeep Kumar Dewangan, Carl Stephen Lester, Kenneth Gordon Herd, Curtis Wayne Rose
  • Publication number: 20040113773
    Abstract: A method for remotely monitoring at least one sensor and a measurement system. The method includes making a first measurement using a first sensor of the at least one sensor. The method also includes converting the first measurement into a first data signal; and transmitting the first data signal via a wireless connection to a first processor. The measurement system includes at least one sensor unit having at least one sensor for making a first measurement; and a first wireless transceiver coupled to the at least one sensor for transmitting a data signal based on the first measurement. The measurement system includes a second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the first wireless transceiver, and a first processor coupled to the second wireless transceiver arranged for receiving the data signal from the second wireless transceiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Edward James Nieters, Robert John Filkins, Carl Stephen Lester
  • Patent number: 6670808
    Abstract: A self referencing eddy current probe for determining conductive coating thickness includes a housing having a reference sample area, for accommodating a reference sample, and a testing edge, for positioning on a component during a coating thickness measurement. The eddy current probe further includes a reference eddy current coil situated in the housing adjacent to the reference sample area and a test eddy current coil, which is located at the testing edge. A self referencing eddy current measurement system, for measuring a thickness of a conductive coating on a component, includes the self referencing eddy current probe. The system further includes a signal generator for energizing the test and reference coils and a comparison module for comparing a test signal received from the test coil and a reference signal received from the reference coil and outputting a compared signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shridhar Champaknath Nath, Curtis Wayne Rose, Carl Stephen Lester, Thomas James Batzinger
  • Publication number: 20030060163
    Abstract: A wireless transceiver for performing ultrasonic measurements includes an uplink transmitter configured to transmit at least one modulated timing pulse signal. Each modulated timing pulse signal is transmitted over a respective uplink wireless channel. The transceiver further includes at least one uplink receiver, which is adapted to receive a respective one of the modulated timing pulse signals from the uplink transmitter and configured to supply an unmodulated timing pulse signal to a respective transducer. The transceiver further includes at least one downlink transmitter, which is adapted to receive an echo signal from the respective transducer, and is configured to extract envelope information from the echo signal and to transmit a modulated echo signal over a respective downlink wireless channel. The transceiver also includes a downlink receiver adapted to receive the modulated echo signals from the respective downlink transmitters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Robert John Filkins, Carl Stephen Lester
  • Publication number: 20030038628
    Abstract: A self referencing eddy current probe for determining conductive coating thickness includes a housing having a reference sample area, for accommodating a reference sample, and a testing edge, for positioning on a component during a coating thickness measurement. The eddy current probe further includes a reference eddy current coil situated in the housing adjacent to the reference sample area and a test eddy current coil, which is located at the testing edge. A self referencing eddy current measurement system, for measuring a thickness of a conductive coating on a component, includes the self referencing eddy current probe. The system further includes a signal generator for energizing the test and reference coils and a comparison module for comparing a test signal received from the test coil and a reference signal received from the reference coil and outputting a compared signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Shridhar Champaknath Nath, Curtis Wayne Rose, Carl Stephen Lester, Thomas James Batzinger