Patents by Inventor Clint D. Thomson

Clint D. Thomson 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).

  • Inspection devices with laser emitters and optical microphones, and related systems and methods
    Patent number: 11378551
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for detecting one or more discontinuities of a structure may include a laser emitter configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal into a structure and a receiver comprising an optical microphone. The optical microphone may comprise an array of optical microphones configured in a complementary manner to the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignees: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation, XARION Laser Acoustics GmbH
    Inventors: Clint D. Thomson, Igor V. Ivakhnenko, Lukas Balthasar Fischer, Wolfgang Rohringer, Fabian Luecking
  • INSPECTION DEVICES WITH LASER EMITTERS AND OPTICAL MICROPHONES, AND RELATED SYSTEMS AND METHODS
    Publication number: 20200348267
    Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for detecting one or more discontinuities of a structure may include a laser emitter configured to generate and direct an ultrasonic signal into a structure and a receiver comprising an optical microphone. The optical microphone may comprise an array of optical microphones configured in a complementary manner to the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Clint D. Thomson, Igor V. Ivakhnenko, Lukas Balthasar Fischer, Wolfgang Rohringer, Fabian Luecking
  • Ultrasonic testing phased array inspection fixture and related methods
    Patent number: 9372173
    Abstract: An inspection fixture is provided that includes a fixture, a lens, an ultrasonic phase array, a mirror and a liquid supply connector. The fixture body includes an inner chamber and an opening to the inner chamber. The lens defines a portion of the inner chamber. The ultrasonic phase array generates ultrasonic signals and is positioned to send the ultrasonic signals through the lens. The mirror is received within the inner chamber and is positioned at 45° in relation to the lens to reflect the ultrasonic signals from the lens out an opening to an inspection area of a body to be inspected and to reflect returned ultrasonic signals from the inspection area to the lens. The liquid supply connector is in fluid communication with the inner chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Orbital ATK, Inc.
    Inventors: Clint D. Thomson, Jeremy D. Palmer, Robert N. Andersen, Kenneth B. Riding
  • UT PHASED ARRAY INSPECTION FIXTURE
    Publication number: 20140260630
    Abstract: An inspection fixture is provided that includes a fixture, a lens, an ultrasonic phase array, a mirror and a liquid supply connector. The fixture body includes an inner chamber and an opening to the inner chamber. The lens defines a portion of the inner chamber. The ultrasonic phase array generates ultrasonic signals and is positioned to send the ultrasonic signals through the lens. The mirror is received within the inner chamber and is positioned at 45° in relation to the lens to reflect the ultrasonic signals from the lens, out the opening, to an inspection area of a body to be inspected and to reflect returned ultrasonic signals from the inspection area to the lens. The liquid supply connector is in fluid communication with the inner chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Clint D. Thomson, Jeremy D. Palmer, Robert N. Andersen, Kenneth B. Riding