Patents by Inventor James R. Lhota

James R. Lhota 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: 9080453
    Abstract: A method of thermal inspection of a component defining at least one internal passageway at a thermal equilibrium state with its surrounding environment, the method includes: capturing a sequence of thermal indications of a surface of the component, delivering an airflow pulse at the thermal equilibrium state of the at least one internal passageway into the at least one internal passageway, and receiving a temperature response signal as a function of time based on the received thermal indication. The method also includes determining a level of blockage of the at least one internal passageway based on the temperature response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Steven M. Shepard, James R. Lhota, Tasdiq Ahmed, Bharat Bhushan Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 8287183
    Abstract: A method of thermal inspection of a component defining at least one internal passageway. The method includes receiving a continuous sequence of thermal images of at least an exit hole defined by the at least one internal passageway at a surface of the component. The method also includes delivering a pressurized airflow pulse into the at least one internal passageway, receiving a temperature response signal as function of time based on the received thermal images, determining a first derivative of the temperature response signal, and determining a level of blockage of the at least one internal passageway based on the first derivative of the temperature response signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Shepard, James R. Lhota, Tasdiq Ahmed, Bharat B. Chaudhry
  • Publication number: 20110235672
    Abstract: A method of thermal inspection of a component defining at least one internal passageway. The method includes receiving a continuous sequence of thermal images of at least an exit hole defined by the at least one internal passageway at a surface of the component. The method also includes delivering a pressurized airflow pulse into the at least one internal passageway, receiving a temperature response signal as function of time based on the received thermal images, determining a first derivative of the temperature response signal, and determining a level of blockage of the at least one internal passageway based on the first derivative of the temperature response signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: THERMAL WAVE IMAGING, INC.
    Inventors: Steven Shepard, James R. Lhota, Tasdiq Ahmed, Bharat B. Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 7554086
    Abstract: A method for measuring the timing of a flash event including capturing a first image prior to the commencement of a flash event. Capturing a second image during the occurrence of the flash event, and comparing the second image to the first image to determine a time related characteristic of the flash event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Shepard, James R. Lhota
  • Patent number: 4932264
    Abstract: A technique for impregnating a fluid so that the impregnated fluid retains information about the highest pressure that has ever been exerted on it. This technique is particularly useful where normal pressure measurement methods are not practical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1990
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Gary F. Hawkins, James R. Lhota, II, Patrick M. Sheaffer