Patents by Inventor Johannes L. Vrana

Johannes L. Vrana 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).

  • Automated inspection system and method for nondestructive inspection of a workpiece using induction thermography
    Patent number: 8527215
    Abstract: Automated inspection system and method are provided for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography. A movable carriage (15) may be arranged to translate the workpiece in an inspection location (18). An induction coil 20 is disposed at the inspection location. The induction coil is responsive to an excitation current to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece. A thermographic camera (22) is disposed at the inspection location. The thermographic camera is arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current. A computer system (30) is configured to process the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity (e.g., a subsurface crack) in the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Johannes L. Vrana, Hubert Mooshofer, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Wolfgang Heine
  • Method and Device for Scanning Induction Thermography Having a Flexible Movement Path
    Publication number: 20120002036
    Abstract: A method and a device for induction thermography for non-destructive material examination are provided. A movement of a test object relative to an infrared camera with an inductor is carried out along any desired single or multi-dimensional path such that the relative movement for recording an image by the infrared camera is independent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Johannes L. Vrana
  • Automated Inspection System and Method for Nondestructive Inspection of a Workpiece Using Induction Thermography
    Publication number: 20100292938
    Abstract: Automated inspection system and method are provided for nondestructive inspection and evaluation of an electrically-conductive workpiece based on induction thermography. A movable carriage (15) may be arranged to translate the workpiece in an inspection location (18). An induction coil 20 is disposed at the inspection location. The induction coil is responsive to an excitation current to induce a flow of electrical current in a region of interest of the workpiece. A thermographic camera (22) is disposed at the inspection location. The thermographic camera is arranged to capture data indicative of a thermal response resulting from the flow of electrical current. A computer system (30) is configured to process the data from the thermographic camera to generate an indication of a presence of a discontinuity (e.g., a subsurface crack) in the workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Johannes L. Vrana, Hubert Mooshofer, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Wolfgang Heine