Patents by Inventor Craig T. Walters
Craig T. Walters 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).
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Patent number: 10976219Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
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Publication number: 20210060861Abstract: A feed head apparatus for use in laser wire additive manufacturing, comprising an optical housing adapted to receive a laser beam therein and a wire therein, wherein the wire is adapted for use in additive manufacturing; a first reflective optic for receiving and reflecting the laser beam; and a second reflective optic for receiving laser light reflected by the first reflective optic, wherein the second reflective optic directs the laser light received from the first reflective optic onto the wire in a cylindrical configuration such that the wire and the cylinder of laser light are coaxial with regard to one another within a portion of the optical housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Jacob Hay
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Publication number: 20200209107Abstract: A testing apparatus for use with a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
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Patent number: 10627311Abstract: A testing apparatus adapted to be placed within a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 21, 2020Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
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Publication number: 20190391363Abstract: A laser beam alignment system includes at least one mirror with a surface pattern configured to receive and reflect a laser beam, at least one detector configured to detect a deflected portion of a laser beam from the mirror, and at least one controller configured to communicate with the at least one mirror and the at least one detector and to control the mirror position on the basis of the deflected portion of the laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2018Publication date: December 26, 2019Applicant: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, William C. Flannigan
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Publication number: 20190301970Abstract: A testing apparatus adapted to be placed within a laser powder bed fusion additive manufacturing device that includes a laser for generating a non-stationary laser beam and a build plane positioned at a predetermined location relative to the non-stationary laser beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters, Paul Boulware, Jacob Hay
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Patent number: 9375974Abstract: A system for removing a coating from a surface is provided. This system includes a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner further includes at least one laser source, wherein the at least one laser source is operative to generate at least one laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is directed onto a work surface by the laser scanner; and a controller for operating the laser scanner. The controller further includes an imaging device for imaging the work surface; a lighting device for illuminating the work surface and overwhelming light generated by the interaction of the laser beam with the work surface; and a processor for processing information collected by the imaging device and adjusting the power output of the at least one laser source, if and when desirable or necessary.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2011Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: Edison Welding Institute, Inc.Inventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters
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Patent number: 8481886Abstract: A laser scanner system for removing a coating from a surface.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2010Date of Patent: July 9, 2013Assignee: Edison Welding InstituteInventors: Stanley L. Ream, Craig T. Walters
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Patent number: 8225664Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed for the use of Lamb waves in laser bond inspection.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: LSP TechnologiesInventors: David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters, Kevin R. Housen, Richard H. Bossi, Steven M. Toller
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Publication number: 20120145685Abstract: A system for removing a coating from a surface is provided. This system includes a laser scanner, wherein the laser scanner further includes at least one laser source, wherein the at least one laser source is operative to generate at least one laser beam, and wherein the laser beam is directed onto a work surface by the laser scanner; and a controller for operating the laser scanner. The controller further includes an imaging device for imaging the work surface; a lighting device for illuminating the work surface and overwhelming light generated by the interaction of the laser beam with the work surface; and a processor for processing information collected by the imaging device and adjusting the power output of the at least one laser source, if and when desirable or necessary.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2011Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Stanley L. REAM, Craig T. WALTERS
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Patent number: 8156811Abstract: A diagnostic means to enable real-time inspection of bonded structures. The disclosed apparatus detects bond failure stress waves on-axis from the front side (beam application side). Pi-box and pi-rail EMAT gauges can be used with the disclosed apparatus. An inductively coupled EMAT may also be employed. An improved means to remotely deliver an interrogating laser beam to a surface is provided. The process head may utilize a water column or a water film. The water film process head may include the use of either a single water film or two spaced apart water films. The disclosed apparatus can be used with bonded composite structures, bonded structures using various materials, and to determine the dynamic strength of unbonded solid materials. The apparatus may also be used in other applications that require remote flexible delivery of a localized stress wave to a material and/or diagnosis of the resultant stress waves.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2005Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Toller, Craig T. Walters
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Publication number: 20110147354Abstract: A laser scanner system for removing a coating from a surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2010Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Stanley L. REAM, Craig T. WALTERS
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Patent number: 7775122Abstract: Tape overlays for use in laser bond inspection are provided, as well as laser bond inspection systems and methods utilizing tape overlays.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Steven M. Toller, David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters
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Patent number: 7770454Abstract: A system for evaluating the integrity of a bonded joint in an article includes a laser configured in a laser shock processing arrangement to perform a laser shock processing treatment on the article. A beam delivery system employs an articulated arm assembly to communicate the radiant energy emitted by the laser to a process head proximate the article. The laser shock processing treatment causes the formation of shockwaves that propagate through the article, inducing internal stress wave activity that characteristically interacts with the bonded joint. A sensor detects a stress wave signature emanating from the article, which is indicative of the integrity of the bond. A detector such as a non-contact electromagnetic acoustic transducer provides a measure of the stress wave signature in the form of surface motion measurements.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters, Jeff L. Dulaney, Steven M. Toller
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Patent number: 7772520Abstract: A hand-held apparatus is disclosed, where that hand-held apparatus comprises a hand piece having an output end, a switch disposed on that hand piece, wherein that switch includes “on” position and an “off” position, and wherein a laser beam is directed outwardly from the output end of the hand piece when the switch is disposed in the “on” position. In certain embodiments, a lasing device is disposed within the hand piece. In other embodiments, a lasing device is disposed external to the hand piece, wherein that lasing device is interconnected with the hand piece by a fiber optic cable.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2005Date of Patent: August 10, 2010Assignee: Climax Molybdenum CompanyInventors: Frederick N. Bushroe, Mohamed H. Khan, Craig T. Walters
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Patent number: 7752953Abstract: A system for neutralizing a buried mine includes a laser that is configured to generate laser energy that communicates through the covering ground material and accesses the mine in a manner sufficient to neutralize the mine. Neutralization can occur by deflagration or detonation. The laser includes a solid-state lasing medium that is run substantially uncooled during the lasing run. Namely, the lasing medium is operated without cooling until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density. Following completion of the lasing run, the lasing medium is cooled at a rate limited only by a thermal stress fracture level of the lasing medium. Operation of the laser in this manner permits the laser to deliver high-irradiance, high-repetition rate pulses according to a burst mode operation that successfully accomplishes neutralization in a desired time period.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: July 13, 2010Assignee: LSP Technologies, Inc.Inventors: David W. Sokol, Jeff L. Dulaney, Craig T. Walters
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Patent number: 7735377Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for generation of focused stress waves that selectively apply tensile stress to local regions of a bonded article.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2009Date of Patent: June 15, 2010Assignees: LSP Technologies, Inc., The Boeing CompanyInventors: David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters, Steven M. Toller, Richard H. Bossi, Kevin R. Housen
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Patent number: 7509876Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are provided for generation of focused stress waves that selectively apply tensile stress to local regions of a bonded article.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignees: LSP Technologies, Inc., The Boeing CompanyInventors: David W. Sokol, Craig T. Walters, Kevin R. Houson, Richard H. Bossi, Steven M. Toller
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Publication number: 20080257048Abstract: A diagnostic means to enable real-time inspection of bonded structures. The disclosed apparatus detects bond failure stress waves on-axis from the front side (beam application side). Pi-box and pi-rail EMAT gauges can be used with the disclosed apparatus. An inductively coupled EMAT may also be employed. An improved means to remotely deliver an interrogating laser beam to a surface is provided. The process head may utilize a water column or a water film. The water film process head may include the use of either a single water film or two spaced apart water films. The disclosed apparatus can be used with bonded composite structures, bonded structures using various materials, and to determine the dynamic strength of unbonded solid materials. The apparatus may also be used in other applications that require remote flexible delivery of a localized stress wave to a material and/or diagnosis of the resultant stress waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2005Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Craig T. Walters, Steven M. Toller
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Publication number: 20040200341Abstract: A system for neutralizing a buried mine includes a laser that is configured to generate laser energy that communicates through the covering ground material and accesses the mine in a manner sufficient to neutralize the mine. Neutralization can occur by deflagration or detonation. The laser includes a solid-state lasing medium that is run substantially uncooled during the lasing run. Namely, the lasing medium is operated without cooling until the lasing medium reaches a temperature where thermal population in a lower laser level begins to significantly lower inversion density. Following completion of the lasing run, the lasing medium is cooled at a rate limited only by a thermal stress fracture level of the lasing medium. Operation of the laser in this manner permits the laser to deliver high-irradiance, high-repetition rate pulses according to a burst mode operation that successfully accomplishes neutralization in a desired time period.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2003Publication date: October 14, 2004Inventors: Craig T. Walters, Jeff L. Dulaney, David W. Sokol