Patents by Inventor Francis Howard Little
Francis Howard Little 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: 8238642Abstract: A method for determining 3D distances on a 2D pixelized image of a part or object includes acquiring a real 2D pixelized image of the object, creating a simulated image of the object using the 3D CAD model and the 2D pixelized image, determining a specified cost function comparing the simulated image with the real 2D pixilated image and repositioning the simulated image in accordance with iterated adjustments of a relative position between the CAD model and the 2D pixilated image to change the simulated image until the specified cost function is below a specified value. Then, the workstation is used to generate a 3D distance scale matrix using the repositioned simulated image, and to measure and display distances between selected pixels on a surface of the real image using 2D distances on the 2D pixelized image of the object and the 3D distance scale matrix.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yanyan Wu, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Robert August Kaucic, Zhaohui Sun, Francis Howard Little, Xiaodong Tao, Patrick Joseph Howard, Matthew Edward Dragovich, Eric Scott Foster
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Patent number: 8205500Abstract: An ultrasound inspection system is provided for inspecting an object. The inspection system includes an ultrasound probe configured to scan the object and acquire a plurality of ultrasound scan data. The inspection system further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and configured to apply a transfer function to the ultrasound scan data to compensate for distortion of a plurality of ultrasound signals through the object and thereby generate a plurality of compensated ultrasound scan data, and to process the compensated ultrasonic scan data to characterize a feature in the object.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yanyan Wu, Edward James Nieters, Thomas James Batzinger, Nicholas Joseph Kray, James Norman Barshinger, Jian Li, Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Prabhjot Singh, Francis Howard Little, Michael Everett Keller, Timothy Jesse Sheets
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Patent number: 8179132Abstract: A method for integrating a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and combining eddy current (EC) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The method further includes installing the inspection probe on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures at least one of internal boundaries, internal defects, surface defects, and material properties of the machine component with the EC capabilities, which are directly linked to actual component dimensional information provided by CMM. The inspection data can be simultaneously linked to and/or displayed with a CAD model to enable a direct comparison between the inspection data and the nominal requirements specified on the CAD model.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yanyan Wu, Thomas James Batzinger, Nicholas Joseph Kray, Changting Wang, Haiyan Sun, Francis Howard Little, David Paul Lappas, David Michael Dombrowski
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Patent number: 8010315Abstract: An inspection method is provided and includes acquiring at least one inspection data set. Each inspection data set comprises inspection data for a component. The inspection method further includes mapping the inspection data set onto a three-dimensional (3D) model of the component, to generate a 3D inspection model for the component, and validating the inspection data against the 3D model of the component using at least one validation criterion. A multi-modality inspection method is also provided and includes acquiring multiple inspection data sets corresponding to multiple inspection modalities for a component and fusing the inspection data sets to form a fused data set. The multi-modality inspection method further includes mapping the fused data set onto a 3D model of the component to generate a 3D multi-modality inspection model for the component.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Yanyan Wu, Francis Howard Little, Prabhjot Singh
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Patent number: 7921575Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component. The method includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The method also includes combining ultrasonic inspection (UT) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The inspection probe is installed on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures internal boundaries of the machine component with the UT capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Francis Howard Little, Yanyan Wu, Jian Li, Nicholas J. Kray
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Patent number: 7840367Abstract: An inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple optical and coordinate measurement machine (CMM) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The optical and CMM alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for an optical or a CMM measurement system to a common coordinate system. Another inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple computed tomography (CT) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The CT alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for a CT system to a common coordinate system.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: November 23, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Francis Howard Little, Yanyan Wu, Prabhjot Singh
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Publication number: 20100207619Abstract: A method for integrating a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and combining eddy current (EC) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The method further includes installing the inspection probe on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures at least one of internal boundaries, internal defects, surface defects, and material properties of the machine component with the EC capabilities, which are directly linked to actual component dimensional information provided by CMM. The inspection data can be simultaneously linked to and/or displayed with a CAD model to enable a direct comparison between the inspection data and the nominal requirements specified on the CAD model.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2009Publication date: August 19, 2010Inventors: Yanyan Wu, Thomas James Batzinger, Nicholas Joseph Kray, Changting Wang, Haiyan Sun, Francis Howard Little, David Paul Lappas, David Michael Dombrowski
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Publication number: 20100194749Abstract: A method for non-destructive examination of components within an assembly is described. The method includes producing an image of at least a portion of the assembly, extracting a point cloud of the image, registering the point cloud to a CAD coordinate system, and determining points in the point cloud of the image that are more than a selected distance from surfaces on a corresponding CAD model utilizing the same CAD coordinate system. The method also includes utilizing the determined points to detect the presence of anomalies within the assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2009Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventors: Gerald Bernard Nightingale, Andrew Joseph Galish, Francis Howard Little
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Publication number: 20100126277Abstract: An ultrasound inspection system is provided for inspecting an object. The inspection system includes an ultrasound probe configured to scan the object and acquire a plurality of ultrasound scan data. The inspection system further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and configured to apply a transfer function to the ultrasound scan data to compensate for distortion of a plurality of ultrasound signals through the object and thereby generate a plurality of compensated ultrasound scan data, and to process the compensated ultrasonic scan data to characterize a feature in the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yanyan Wu, Edward James Nieters, Thomas James Batzinger, Nicholas Joseph Kray, James Norman Barshinger, Jian Li, Waseem Ibrahim Faidi, Prabhjot Singh, Francis Howard Little, Michael Everett Keller, Timothy Jesse Sheets
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Publication number: 20100124369Abstract: A method for determining 3D distances on a 2D pixelized image of a part or object includes acquiring a real 2D pixelized image of the object, creating a simulated image of the object using the 3D CAD model and the 2D pixelized image, determining a specified cost function comparing the simulated image with the real 2D pixilated image and repositioning the simulated image in accordance with iterated adjustments of a relative position between the CAD model and the XID pixilated image to change the simulated image until the specified cost function is below a specified value. Then, the workstation is used to generate a 3D distance scale matrix using the repositioned simulated image, and to measure and display distances between selected pixels on a surface of the real image using 2D distances on the 2D pixelized image of the object and the 3D distance scale matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2008Publication date: May 20, 2010Inventors: Yanyan Wu, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Robert August Kaucic, Zhaohui Sun, Francis Howard Little, Xiaodong Tao, Patrick Joseph Howard, Matthew Edward Dragovich, Eric Scott Foster
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Patent number: 7602963Abstract: A method for non-destructive examination of parts includes producing a 3-D image of a sample of a part, extracting a point cloud of the image of the sample of the part, and registering the point cloud to a CAD coordinate system. The method further includes determining points in the point cloud of the image that are more than a specified distance from surfaces on a CAD 3-D model of the part using the same coordinate system, and utilizing the determined points to determine the presence of anomalies or present an image of anomalies in the sample of the part.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gerald B. Nightingale, Francis Howard Little, John C. Janning
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Publication number: 20090165317Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component. The method includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The method also includes combining ultrasonic inspection (UT) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The inspection probe is installed on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures internal boundaries of the machine component with the UT capabilities.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2007Publication date: July 2, 2009Inventor: Francis Howard Little
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Publication number: 20090138231Abstract: An inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple optical and coordinate measurement machine (CMM) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The optical and CMM alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for an optical or a CMM measurement system to a common coordinate system. Another inspection artifact includes a central portion and multiple computed tomography (CT) alignment features arranged on the central portion. The CT alignment features are configured to align the coordinates for a CT system to a common coordinate system.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Francis Howard Little, Yanyan Wu, Prabhjot Singh
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Publication number: 20090136114Abstract: An inspection method is provided and includes acquiring at least one inspection data set. Each inspection data set comprises inspection data for a component. The inspection method further includes mapping the inspection data set onto a three-dimensional (3D) model of the component, to generate a 3D inspection model for the component, and validating the inspection data against the 3D model of the component using at least one validation criterion. A multi-modality inspection method is also provided and includes acquiring multiple inspection data sets corresponding to multiple inspection modalities for a component and fusing the inspection data sets to form a fused data set. The multi-modality inspection method further includes mapping the fused data set onto a 3D model of the component to generate a 3D multi-modality inspection model for the component.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2007Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Yanyan Wu, Francis Howard Little, Prabhjot Singh
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Patent number: 7346999Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting a component are provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of data points that define a shape of the component, fitting the received data points to a curve that defines a predetermined model shape, and comparing the received data points to the curve defining the predetermined model shape to determine a break radius of the component.Type: GrantFiled: January 18, 2005Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Douglas Edward Ingram, Francis Howard Little, Melvin Howard Wilkins
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Patent number: 7215732Abstract: A method for reconstructing image data from measured sinogram data acquired from a CT system is provided. The CT system is configured for industrial imaging. The method includes pre-processing the measured sinogram data. The pre-processing includes performing a beam hardening correction on the measured sinogram data and performing a detector point spread function (PSF) correction and a detector lag correction on the measured sinogram data. The pre-processed sinogram data is reconstructed to generate the image data.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 8, 2007Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Zhye Yin, Jong Chul Ye, Francis Howard Little, Forrest Frank Hopkins, Michael Chunhe Gong, Yanfeng Du
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Patent number: 7099017Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring an opening defined within object using an optical sensor system is provided. The method includes positioning an illumination source adjacent the opening, illuminating a perimeter circumscribing the opening, receiving an image of the illuminated boundary, and calculating an area within the received boundary. The system includes a light source oriented to project a first sheet of light intersected by a first portion of the opening perimeter, the light source projecting a second sheet of light intersected by a second portion of the opening perimeter, a light detector receiving a portion of the sheet of light intersected by the object opening perimeter and reflected toward the light detector, and an image processor communicatively coupled to the light detector, the image processor programmed to sample an image from the detector and programmed determine the dimensions of the object opening from the sampled image.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: August 29, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin George Harding, Francis Howard Little, Joseph Benjamin Ross, Jeffery John Reverman
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Patent number: 7065176Abstract: A system and method to inspect a component is disclosed. The system to inspect a component may include an x-ray source to direct an x-ray beam through the component and an x-ray detector to detect the x-ray beam after passing through the component. A processor may be included to transform coordinates on an x-ray detection panel of the x-ray detector that detect any defects to a digital representation of locations on the component of any defects.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2003Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Moermond, Andy Joseph Galish, John Robert Brehm, Francis Howard Little, Dean Fredrich Graber, Michael Timothy La Tulippe, Ronald Cecil McFarland
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Patent number: 6985238Abstract: A non-contact measurement system employing a non-contact optical sensor and an edge detection sensor with a positioning system for moving the sensors over the surface and edges of a part (A) held in a predetermined, fixed position. The part is aligned in a co-ordinate system for obtaining accurate measurements of the part's surface (S) and edges (E). For parts smaller than the optical sensor's field of view, the part is rotated about an axis so both sides of the part are viewed by the sensor. If required, the part can also be shifted linearly along a horizontal axis (X) parallel to the sensor. For parts larger in size than the sensor's field of view, the part is moved along a vertical axis (Y) in predetermined segments so all of the part is exposed to viewing by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ralph Gerald Isaacs, John Charles Janning, Francis Howard Little, James Robert Reinhardt, Joseph Benjamin Ross
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Publication number: 20040240607Abstract: A system and method to inspect a component is disclosed. The system to inspect a component may include an x-ray source to direct an x-ray beam through the component and an x-ray detector to detect the x-ray beam after passing through the component. A processor may be included to transform coordinates on an x-ray detection panel of the x-ray detector that detect any defects to a digital representation of locations on the component of any defects.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2003Publication date: December 2, 2004Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Kevin Moermond, Andy Joseph Galish, John Robert Brehm, Francis Howard Little, Dean Fredrich Graber, Michael Timothy La Tulippe, Ronald Cecil McFarland