Patents by Inventor Darren M. Wind

Darren M. Wind 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: 11714195
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical housing, a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The optical housing extends from a proximate end to an opposing distal end. The transmitting lens is disposed at the distal end and is configured to output a first transmitted signal beams having a first transmission axis and a second transmitted beam having a second transmission axis that is different from the first transmission axis. The receiving lens is disposed at the distal end and configured to receive the first and second reflected signal beams corresponding respectively to the first and second transmitted signal beams. The optical housing has formed therein a transmitting optical channel configured to communicate an input optical signal from the proximate end to the transmitting lens. A receiving optical channel separated from the transmitting optical channel communicates the first and second reflected signal beams to the proximate end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Michael J. Saitta, Ian F. Agoos, Alan E. Ingram
  • Publication number: 20220107416
    Abstract: An optical probe includes an optical housing, a transmitting lens and a receiving lens. The optical housing extends from a proximate end to an opposing distal end. The transmitting lens is disposed at the distal end and is configured to output a first transmitted signal beams having a first transmission axis and a second transmitted beam having a second transmission axis that is different from the first transmission axis. The receiving lens is disposed at the distal end and configured to receive the first and second reflected signal beams corresponding respectively to the first and second transmitted signal beams. The optical housing has formed therein a transmitting optical channel configured to communicate an input optical signal from the proximate end to the transmitting lens. A receiving optical channel separated from the transmitting optical channel communicates the first and second reflected signal beams to the proximate end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Michael J. Saitta, Ian F. Agoos, Alan E. Ingram
  • Patent number: 10859699
    Abstract: An axial location of a time of arrival probe may be determined by attaching a wedge comprising a distal surface to a blade. A first edge of the distal surface and a second edge of the distal surface may form an angle. The axial location of the probe may be determined based on the angle and a distance extending from the first edge of the wedge to the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice, Sebastian Martinez, Charles Kniffin, Corey A. Benoit
  • Patent number: 10794795
    Abstract: A low profile un-lensed non-intrusive stress measurement system probe may comprise a housing comprising a first channel and an optical face, a first hypotube disposed within the first channel and coupled at a sensing aperture in the optical face, and a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the first hypotube, wherein the first hypotube executes a bend between 45° and 90° within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Michael F. Sabol, Alan E. Ingram, Michael J. Saitta, Darren M. Wind, Steven D Mitchell, Sebastian Martinez, Kevin Andrew Ford, Patrick M. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10612413
    Abstract: In combination a wear indicator and a component of a gas turbine engine is provided. The wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine. The wear indicator comprising: a first side delaminates when impacted by a blade of the gas turbine engine; a second side parallel to the first side, the second side being secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine; a mid-section interposed between the first side and the second side; and a reference dimension remains constant when the first side delaminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Darren M. Wind, Ian Alexander Fielder Agoos
  • Publication number: 20200088606
    Abstract: A low profile un-lensed non-intrusive stress measurement system probe may comprise a housing comprising a first channel and an optical face, a first hypotube disposed within the first channel and coupled at a sensing aperture in the optical face, and a plurality of optical fibers disposed within the first hypotube, wherein the first hypotube executes a bend between 45° and 90° within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Michael F. Sabol, Alan E. Ingram, Michael J. Saitta, Darren M. Wind, Steven D. Mitchell, Sebastian Martinez, Kevin Andrew Ford, Patrick M. Harrington
  • Patent number: 10533839
    Abstract: Disclosed is a first transmitter that transmits a first optical signal towards a target, a plurality of receivers that receive the first optical signal after the first optical signal is reflected by the target and each provides a respective received optical signal, at least one photodetector that receives the received optical signals and provides at least a first electrical signal, and a processor that receives the first electrical signal to compute a position of the target relative to a baseline position based on: a first position of a first receiver of the plurality of receivers, a second position of a second receiver of the plurality of receivers, the first electrical signal. The processor computes a clearance between the target and a component based on a third position of a third receiver, a fourth position of a fourth receiver and a second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Eli C. Warren, Ian F. Agoos, Darren M. Wind
  • Publication number: 20190353473
    Abstract: Disclosed is a first transmitter that transmits a first optical signal towards a target, a plurality of receivers that receive the first optical signal after the first optical signal is reflected by the target and each provides a respective received optical signal, at least one photodetector that receives the received optical signals and provides at least a first electrical signal, and a processor that receives the first electrical signal to compute a position of the target relative to a baseline position based on: a first position of a first receiver of the plurality of receivers, a second position of a second receiver of the plurality of receivers, the first electrical signal. The processor computes a clearance between the target and a component based on a third position of a third receiver, a fourth position of a fourth receiver and a second electrical signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Eli C. Warren, Ian F. Agoos, Darren M. Wind
  • Publication number: 20190011555
    Abstract: An axial location of a time of arrival probe may be determined by attaching a wedge comprising a distal surface to a blade. A first edge of the distal surface and a second edge of the distal surface may form an angle. The axial location of the probe may be determined based on the angle and a distance extending from the first edge of the wedge to the blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2017
    Publication date: January 10, 2019
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Eli Cole Warren, William W. Rice, Sebastian Martinez, Charles Kniffin, Corey A. Benoit
  • Publication number: 20180252117
    Abstract: In combination a wear indicator and a component of a gas turbine engine is provided. The wear indicator is secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine. The wear indicator comprising: a first side delaminates when impacted by a blade of the gas turbine engine; a second side parallel to the first side, the second side being secured to a surface of the component of the gas turbine engine; a mid-section interposed between the first side and the second side; and a reference dimension remains constant when the first side delaminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Inventors: Eli Cole Warren, Darren M. Wind, Ian Alexander Fielder Agoos
  • Patent number: 9404735
    Abstract: A system and method for performing stress measurement on rotating parts is disclosed. The system may include a laser assembly configured to emit a plurality of laser beams having different wavelengths, and a probe assembly mounted proximal to a rotatable part in a device. The probe assembly may be configured to output a reflected laser beam onto a first target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may be configured to output another reflected laser beam onto a second target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may include a redirector, and a lens assembly mounted proximal to the redirector and configured to converge the laser beams. The redirector may be configured to change the direction of each emitted laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E Paul, Robert Kujawa, Darren M. Wind
  • Patent number: 9228448
    Abstract: A turbine section according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an airfoil including an edge and a probe positioned a distance from the airfoil. The probe is configured to detect radiation emitted from a radiation source. A sensor is operatively coupled to the probe and is configured to generate a signal utilized to determine when the edge of the airfoil extends into a line-of-sight between the probe and the radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Mark A. Davidson, Eli Cole Warren
  • Publication number: 20150083919
    Abstract: A turbine section according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, an airfoil including an edge and a probe positioned a distance from the airfoil. The probe is configured to detect radiation emitted from a radiation source. A sensor is operatively coupled to the probe and is configured to generate a signal utilized to determine when the edge of the airfoil extends into a line-of-sight between the probe and the radiation source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Publication date: March 26, 2015
    Inventors: Darren M. Wind, Mark A. Davidson, Eli Cole Warren
  • Patent number: 8925387
    Abstract: A system and method for performing stress measurement on rotating parts is disclosed. The system may include a laser assembly configured to emit a laser beam, and a probe assembly mounted proximal to a rotatable part in a device. The probe assembly may be configured to output a reflected laser beam onto a first target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may further be configured to move the reflected laser beam from the first target to a second target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may include a redirector moveable from a first position to a second position, and a lens mounted proximal to the redirector and configured to focus the laser beam. The redirector may be configured to change the laser beam direction from a first direction to a second direction when moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Paul, Robert Kujawa, Darren M. Wind
  • Publication number: 20140268100
    Abstract: A system and method for performing stress measurement on rotating parts is disclosed. The system may include a laser assembly configured to emit a plurality of laser beams having different wavelengths, and a probe assembly mounted proximal to a rotatable part in a device. The probe assembly may be configured to output a reflected laser beam onto a first target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may be configured to output another reflected laser beam onto a second target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may include a redirector, and a lens assembly mounted proximal to the redirector and configured to converge the laser beams. The redirector may be configured to change the direction of each emitted laser beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Paul, Robert Kujawa, Darren M. Wind
  • Publication number: 20140165736
    Abstract: A system and method for performing stress measurement on rotating parts is disclosed. The system may include a laser assembly configured to emit a laser beam, and a probe assembly mounted proximal to a rotatable part in a device. The probe assembly may be configured to output a reflected laser beam onto a first target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may further be configured to move the reflected laser beam from the first target to a second target on the rotatable part. The probe assembly may include a redirector moveable from a first position to a second position, and a lens mounted proximal to the redirector and configured to focus the laser beam. The redirector may be configured to change the laser beam direction from a first direction to a second direction when moved from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2012
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John E. Paul, Robert Kujawa, Darren M. Wind