Patents by Inventor Christopher Pini

Christopher Pini 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: 11836865
    Abstract: An augmented reality visualization system is disclosed for viewing non-destructive inspection (NDI) data of a component. The system comprises a component camera configured to capture a real time image of the component, a component display configured to display an AR image of the component, and an AR controller including an augmented reality processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium. The storage medium includes processor-executable instructions for controlling the AR processor when the instructions are executed by the AR processor. The instructions access the NDI data of the component and implement a component AR engine to generate the AR image in real time by overlaying the NDI data on the real time image. The AR engine is configured to detect one or more three-dimensional (3D) features of the component in the real-time image and generate the AR image based on the detected one or more features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Waruna Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20230146116
    Abstract: A laser shearography end effector for inspection in an automated inspection and repair system for composite parts. A laser shearography system including an excitation system and a laser shearography camera is supported on a frame for movement with the frame. A slave tool changer is secured to the frame for releasably and operatively connecting the inspection tool to an industrial robot such that the industrial robot can move the inspection tool along a work piece as the laser shearography system inspects the work piece and such that the laser shearography end effector is interchangeable with at least one other automatic inspection end effector or repair end effector of the automated inspection and repair system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2022
    Publication date: May 11, 2023
    Inventors: John Tomblin, Waruna Seneviratne, Caleb Saathoff, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20230052634
    Abstract: An autonomous or semi-autonomous cell for inspecting composite parts, verifying repairs made to such parts, and facilitating repairs to composite parts. The cell employs automated inspection, damage assessment, and repair systems. An industrial robot automatically attaches to a set of interchangeable inspection and repair end effectors to carry out the inspection, verification, and repair processes. The cell can be equipped with fixtures for supporting a rotorcraft blade and rotating the blade within the cell so that the robot can access the entire blade. Processes are provided for performing inspections, tracking the inspection data for parts in a database, and carrying out repairs. Over time, a software applicant can use the inspection data to train a machine learning model for recognizing damage to the composite part based on inspection images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: John S. Tomblin, Waruna Seneviratne, Caleb Saathoff, John Matthew Tomblin, Christopher Pini
  • Publication number: 20220092858
    Abstract: An augmented reality visualization system is disclosed for viewing non-destructive inspection (NDI) data of a component. The system comprises a component camera configured to capture a real time image of the component, a component display configured to display an AR image of the component, and an AR controller including an augmented reality processor and a non-transitory tangible storage medium. The storage medium includes processor-executable instructions for controlling the AR processor when the instructions are executed by the AR processor. The instructions access the NDI data of the component and implement a component AR engine to generate the AR image in real time by overlaying the NDI data on the real time image. The AR engine is configured to detect one or more three-dimensional (3D) features of the component in the real-time image and generate the AR image based on the detected one or more features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Inventors: Waruna Seneviratne, John Tomblin, Christopher Pini