Patents by Inventor Gregory Thomas Krause

Gregory Thomas Krause 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).

  • Publication number: 20210308770
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for depositing material on a component. The system includes a deposition device operatively coupled to a fiber optic Nd:YAG laser. The deposition device includes a focusing prism that focuses the Nd:YAG laser at a focal area on a bladed disk, where the focal area on the bladed disk is between two blades of the disk. The system further includes an imaging means that views the focal area of the component. The imaging means and the fiber optic Nd:YAG laser each are positioned in a substantially similar optical relationship to the focal area on the bladed disk The system further includes an additive material delivery means that delivers additive material to the component at the focal area on the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Krause, Dave Keicher, Ed Tucker
  • Patent number: 10016846
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including operations for repairing a component. The method includes providing a component including one of titanium and a titanium alloy, providing a laser deposition device, and providing a shielding means that ensures an oxygen content remains below a first threshold and that a water vapor content remains below a second threshold in a target area of the component. The method further includes depositing a metal material on the component, where the depositing includes operating the deposition device along a tool path including a plurality of tool passes, wherein the tool path further comprises a deposition device velocity specification, a laser power specification, and a specified delay time between each of the plurality of tool passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: ROLLS-ROYCE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Patent number: 8743488
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a prism mount that retains a prism. The mount includes a ledge that engages a first side of the prism, a support surface structured that engages a second side of the prism, a retaining member that slidably engages a third side of the prism, and a biasing member that biases the retaining member to an engaged position with the prism. The mount further includes a slot disposed between the ledge and the support surface. The retaining member includes a machine screw, and a nut confines the biasing member between the nut and a prism mount body. The biasing member is retained in a counterbore in the prism mount body, and an end of the machine screw protrudes from the counterbore. The prism mount body further includes an alignment slot at a fixed azimuthal angle, and the laser deposition device includes a protrusion that engages the alignment slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Inventors: Dave Keicher, Ed Tucker, Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Publication number: 20140106068
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for depositing material on a component. The system includes a deposition device operatively coupled to a fiber optic Nd:YAG laser. The deposition device includes a focusing prism that focuses the Nd:YAG laser at a focal area on a bladed disk, where the focal area on the bladed disk is between two blades of the disk. The system further includes an imaging means that views the focal area of the component. The imaging means and the fiber optic Nd:YAG laser each are positioned in a substantially similar optical relationship to the focal area on the bladed disk. The system further includes an additive material delivery means that delivers additive material to the component at the focal area on the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Krause, Ed Tucker, Dave Keicher
  • Patent number: 8510925
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing a hollow fan blade. In one aspect the blade includes a hollow portion having a plug disposed therein, wherein the plug is smaller than the opening. During processing the blade is located under a vacuum box and the gap is sealed between the plug and the opening using a fiber laser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Patent number: 8442665
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a three-dimensional object having a non-conforming region, and a photogrammetry device adapted to scan the three-dimensional object. The system further includes optical reference targets and a controller structured to perform functions of repairing the three-dimensional object. The controller commands the photogrammetry device to scan the three-dimensional object, and calculates a nominal surface location and contour for the three-dimensional object. The controller further commands the photogrammetry device to scan the non-conforming region of the three-dimensional object, and calculates a material removal tool path comprising a path adapted to remove material from the object located beyond the nominal surface location and contour. The controller generates a solid model of the damaged region of the object based on the nominal surface location and contour, and computes a material addition tool path according to the solid model.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Corporation
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Publication number: 20130040074
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for depositing material on a component. The system includes a deposition device operatively coupled to a fiber optic Nd:YAG laser. The deposition device includes a focusing prism that focuses the Nd:YAG laser at a focal area on a bladed disk, where the focal area on the bladed disk is between two blades of the disk. The system further includes an imaging means that views the focal area of the component. The imaging means and the fiber optic Nd:YAG laser each are positioned in a substantially similar optical relationship to the focal area on the bladed disk. The system further includes an additive material delivery means that delivers additive material to the component at the focal area on the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Inventors: Gregory Thomas Krause, Ed Tucker, Dave Keicher
  • Publication number: 20110235199
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a prism mount that retains a prism. The mount includes a ledge that engages a first side of the prism, a support surface structured that engages a second side of the prism, a retaining member that slidably engages a third side of the prism, and a biasing member that biases the retaining member to an engaged position with the prism. The mount further includes a slot disposed between the ledge and the support surface. The retaining member includes a machine screw, and a nut confines the biasing member between the nut and a prism mount body. The biasing member is retained in a counterbore in the prism mount body, and an end of the machine screw protrudes from the counterbore. The prism mount body further includes an alignment slot at a fixed azimuthal angle, and the laser deposition device includes a protrusion that engages the alignment slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Inventors: Dave Keicher, Ed Tucker, Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Publication number: 20110087352
    Abstract: A system is disclosed including a three-dimensional object having a non-conforming region, and a photogrammetry device adapted to scan the three-dimensional object. The system further includes optical reference targets and a controller structured to perform functions of repairing the three-dimensional object. The controller commands the photogrammetry device to scan the three-dimensional object, and calculates a nominal surface location and contour for the three-dimensional object. The controller further commands the photogrammetry device to scan the non-conforming region of the three-dimensional object, and calculates a material removal tool path comprising a path adapted to remove material from the object located beyond the nominal surface location and contour. The controller generates a solid model of the damaged region of the object based on the nominal surface location and contour, and computes a material addition tool path according to the solid model.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Publication number: 20100170878
    Abstract: A method is disclosed including operations for repairing a component. The method includes providing a component including one of titanium and a titanium alloy, providing a laser deposition device, and providing a shielding means that ensures an oxygen content remains below a first threshold and that a water vapor content remains below a second threshold in a target area of the component. The method further includes depositing a metal material on the component, where the depositing includes operating the deposition device along a tool path including a plurality of tool passes, wherein the tool path further comprises a deposition device velocity specification, a laser power specification, and a specified delay time between each of the plurality of tool passes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: July 8, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause
  • Publication number: 20100050406
    Abstract: A system and method for repairing a hollow fan blade. In one aspect the blade includes a hollow portion having a plug disposed therein, wherein the plug is smaller than the opening. During processing the blade is located under a vacuum box and the gap is sealed between the plug and the opening using a fiber laser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Krause