Patents by Inventor Max J. Rothenfusser

Max J. Rothenfusser 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).

  • System and method for multiple mode flexible excitation in sonic infrared imaging
    Patent number: 7057176
    Abstract: A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodiment, the sound signal has one or more frequencies that are at or near an eigen-mode of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Max J. Rothenfusser, Joachim F. Baumann, Robert E. Shannon, Paul J. Zombo
  • System and method for acoustic chaos and sonic infrared imaging
    Patent number: 6998616
    Abstract: A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodiment, a non-linear coupling material is positioned between the transducer and the structure to couple the sound energy from the transducer to the structure. A predetermined force is applied to the transducer and a pulse duration and a pulse frequency of the sound signal are selected so that the sound energy induces acoustic chaos in the structure, thus generating increased thermal energy. A thermal imaging camera images the structure when it is heated by the sound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Favro, Robert L. Thomas, Xiaoyan Han, Max J. Rothenfusser, Joachim F. Baumann, Robert E. Shannon, Paul J. Zombo
  • System and method for multiple mode flexible excitation and acoustic chaos in sonic infrared imaging
    Publication number: 20040089812
    Abstract: A defect detection system for thermally imaging a structure that has been energized by a sound energy. The system includes a transducer that couples a sound signal into the structure, where the sound signal causes defects in the structure to heat up. In one embodiment, the sound signal has one or more frequencies that are at or near an eigen-mode of the structure. In another embodiment, an on-linear coupling material is positioned between the transducer and the structure to couple the sound energy from the transducer to the structure. A predetermined force is applied to the transducer and a pulse duration and a pulse frequency of the sound signal are selected so that the sound energy induces acoustic chaos in the structure, thus generating increased thermal energy. A thermal imaging camera images the structure when it is heated by the sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicants: Wayne State University, Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence D. Favro, Robert L. Thomas, Xiaoyan Han, Max J. Rothenfusser, Joachim F. Baumann, Robert E. Shannon, Paul J. Zombo