Patents by Inventor Kevin Licata

Kevin Licata 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: 10189045
    Abstract: A blackbody material application system for a turbine. The system includes a blackbody material supply and a moveable hose connected to the blackbody material supply wherein the hose sprays blackbody material onto a selected area within the turbine. The system also includes a rotatable bracket that holds the hose, wherein rotation of the bracket moves the hose toward the selected area within the turbine to enable application of the blackbody material onto the selected area. In addition, the system includes a motor for rotating the bracket and a moveable arm that holds the bracket wherein the bracket is inserted through an opening in the turbine and movement of the arm enables positioning of the bracket and hose in relative close proximity to the selected area suitable for spraying blackbody material onto the selected area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, Jr., Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata, David Letter, Alejandro Bancalari
  • Patent number: 10101577
    Abstract: A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port. The device includes a flash source that generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component and an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component. The device also includes a borescope having a sensor end, a viewing end that includes the flash source and an interior hollow that extends between the sensor and viewing ends. The borescope is positioned in the inspection port such that the viewing end is located inside the turbine. Thermal energy radiated from the turbine component is transmitted through the hollow to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image. The device further includes a reflector located on the viewing end that directs the light pulse toward the turbine component and a flash power supply for energizing the flash source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Arun Meenakshinatha Iyer, Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata
  • Patent number: 10057513
    Abstract: A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine. The device includes a flash enclosure having an aperture. A flash source is located in the aperture wherein the flash source generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component. The device also includes an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture to the infrared sensor to enable generation of an infrared image of the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, Jr., Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata
  • Publication number: 20180056315
    Abstract: A blackbody material application system for a turbine. The system includes a blackbody material supply and a moveable hose connected to the blackbody material supply wherein the hose sprays blackbody material onto a selected area within the turbine. The system also includes a rotatable bracket that holds the hose, wherein rotation of the bracket moves the hose toward the selected area within the turbine to enable application of the blackbody material onto the selected area. In addition, the system includes a motor for rotating the bracket and a moveable arm that holds the bracket wherein the bracket is inserted through an opening in the turbine and movement of the arm enables positioning of the bracket and hose in relative close proximity to the selected area suitable for spraying blackbody material onto the selected area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Publication date: March 1, 2018
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, JR., Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata, David Letter, Alejandro Bancalari
  • Patent number: 9857227
    Abstract: A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine. The device includes a flash enclosure having an aperture. A flash source is located in the aperture wherein the flash source generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component. The device also includes an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture to the infrared sensor to enable generation of an infrared image of the turbine component. Further, the device includes moveable arm that holds the flash enclosure and infrared sensor wherein the arm is inserted through an opening in the turbine to enable positioning of the flash source and infrared sensor in close proximity to the turbine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, Jr., Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata
  • Publication number: 20170359530
    Abstract: A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine. The device includes a flash enclosure having an aperture. A flash source is located in the aperture wherein the flash source generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component. The device also includes an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component wherein the radiated thermal energy is transmitted through the aperture to the infrared sensor to enable generation of an infrared image of the turbine component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Publication date: December 14, 2017
    Inventors: Dustin C. Boudin, Clifford Hatcher, JR., Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata
  • Publication number: 20160301880
    Abstract: A flash thermography device for generating an infrared image of a turbine component located inside a turbine, wherein the turbine includes at least one inspection port. The device includes a flash source that generates a light pulse that heats the turbine component and an infrared sensor for detecting thermal energy radiated by the turbine component. The device also includes a borescope having a sensor end, a viewing end that includes the flash source and an interior hollow that extends between the sensor and viewing ends. The borescope is positioned in the inspection port such that the viewing end is located inside the turbine. Thermal energy radiated from the turbine component is transmitted through the hollow to the infrared sensor to enable generation of the infrared image. The device further includes a reflector located on the viewing end that directs the light pulse toward the turbine component and a flash power supply for energizing the flash source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Arun Meenakshinatha Iyer, Anand A. Kulkarni, Kevin Licata