Patents by Inventor Max Rothenfusser

Max 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).

  • Patent number: 10217560
    Abstract: An inductor for induction thermography may be designed, in at least one section, as a rectangularly wound conductor that includes a closed conductor loop which, except for a conductor forming the conductor loop, is free from electrical components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Max Rothenfusser
  • Patent number: 9989486
    Abstract: A method for induction thermography includes acquiring a plurality of images or an object at each of a plurality of imaging directions, and deriving a combined Fourier-transformed image from the images taken at different imaging directions to detect defects in the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • Patent number: 9927232
    Abstract: In order to support an inspecting person in a method for the manual non-destructive inspection of a test object, a detection device is provided for detecting three-dimensional surface coordinates of a region to be inspected on the test object and for continuously determining positions and speeds of an inspecting tool relative to the test object Discrete position values and speed values of the inspecting tool for the respective measurement time points are stored by a storage device. A computing device determines the share of an already inspected region in relation to the total region of the test object to be inspected. The method and device can be used for manual inspection of test objects having a plurality of different shapes. The inspecting person is effectively relieved and the process for the non-destructive inspection is documented in order to guarantee a complete inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Hubert Mooshofer, Max Rothenfusser
  • Patent number: 9516243
    Abstract: A surface of an object is irradiated using an infrared light beam. The infrared light beams reflected at the object are received by an infrared camera which captures a first intensity of the reflected infrared light beams on a detector of the infrared camera. Ambient radiation reflected at the object and the characteristic radiation of the object are detected by capturing a second intensity of the reflected ambient radiation and the characteristic radiation of the object on the detector of the infrared camera. The emissivity of the object is calculated based on the first intensity and the second intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Max Rothenfusser, Michael Stockmann
  • Publication number: 20160351326
    Abstract: An inductor for induction thermography may be designed, in at least one section, as a rectangularly wound conductor that includes a closed conductor loop which, except for a conductor forming the conductor loop, is free from electrical components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20160231261
    Abstract: A method for induction thermography includes acquiring a plurality of images or an object at each of a plurality of imaging directions, and deriving a combined Fourier-transformed image from the images taken at different imaging directions to detect defects in the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20160018217
    Abstract: In order to support an inspecting person in a method for the manual non-destructive inspection of a test object, a detection device is provided for detecting three-dimensional surface coordinates of a region to be inspected on the test object and for continuously determining positions and speeds of an inspecting tool relative to the test object Discrete position values and speed values of the inspecting tool for the respective measurement time points are stored by a storage device. A computing device determines the share of an already inspected region in relation to the total region of the test object to be inspected. The method and device can be used for manual inspection of test objects having a plurality of different shapes. The inspecting person is effectively relieved and the process for the non-destructive inspection is documented in order to guarantee a complete inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam BIENKOWSKI, Christian HOMMA, Hubert MOOSHOFER, Max ROTHENFUSSER
  • Publication number: 20150134273
    Abstract: Non-destructive material examination of a test part by scanning induction thermography improves upon the quality of a manual measurement by an inspecting person. Recorded infrared images undergo evaluation and references corresponding to the evaluation are projected onto the test piece for an inspecting person.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20140313324
    Abstract: Active thermography is used for evaluating a moving test object by detecting a test image of a test object and ascertaining a position of the test object in three-dimensional space. A thermographic test image is adapted with respect to the test image perspective and position and is congruently projected onto the test object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Hubert Mooshofer, Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20140152841
    Abstract: A surface of an object is irradiated using an infrared light beam. The infrared light beams reflected at the object are received by an infrared camera which captures a first intensity of the reflected infrared light beams on a detector of the infrared camera. Ambient radiation reflected at the object and the characteristic radiation of the object are detected by capturing a second intensity of the reflected ambient radiation and the characteristic radiation of the object on the detector of the infrared camera. The emissivity of the object is calculated based on the first intensity and the second intensity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Max Rothenfusser, Michael Stockmann
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20130027547
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for assessing an object to be tested by a thermography are provided with a more accurate and reliable thermography investigation. A thermography light image of the object is recorded by an infrared camera having a lens with a first lens axis. An item of information is projected onto the object by a projection unit having a lens with a second lens axis. A distributor unit positioned with respect to the lens axis of the infrared camera and of the projection unit is provided for reflecting the lens axis of the infrared camera or of the projection unit into the respective other lens axis in the direction of the object and transmitting or deflecting infrared light from the object to the infrared camera and deflecting or transmitting light from the projection unit to the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20120062751
    Abstract: An apparatus with an excitation unit for mechanically exciting an object with a periodic excitation signal and a camera for capturing the thermal images of the object are used to capture thermal images of the object. The thermal image has a plurality of pixels, where a pixel is respectively intended to represent a heat signal acquired from the object. The apparatus matches a capture of the thermal images of the object and the periodic excitation signal in such a manner that thermal images captured in a plurality of periods of the periodic excitation signal can be used to determine information relating to the heat signals respectively represented by the pixels during a period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: March 15, 2012
    Inventors: Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7974791
    Abstract: In a method for the optimization of stress distribution on an object to be tested for flaws by ultrasound excitation and evaluation based on resulting surface temperature distribution,—a simulation is performed under test conditions on a CAD model of the object prior to a testing an object,—vibrational spectra and modal vibrational forms are calculated,—local mechanical stresses are determined from the vibrational modes, whereby—modes to be excited for the real test are selected from the entirety of the occurring modes such that,—the mechanical stress lies in a selected region above a predetermined minimum stress to enable a reliable proof of defect,—the mechanical stress in all other regions of the inspection part, in particular on easily damaged component structures, is smaller than a predetermined maximum stress by a predetermined factor, in order not to damage the component at weak points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Mattias Broddegaard, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • 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
  • Patent number: 7822268
    Abstract: A method for processing thermography signals. A time series of radiometric data is measured from a surface (104) of an object (102) over a period of heating and subsequent cooling, and a mathematical curve (1, 2) is fit to the data. An amplitude aspect and one or more shape aspects are identified for each curve. The amplitude and shape aspects are then used together to characterize features such as defects in the object. The amplitude and shape aspects for an array of such data may be combined in a single noise-free visual display (100) by associating hue (color) with the shape aspect and luminance (brightness) with the amplitude aspect. Optionally, a second shape aspect may be identified and associated with saturation on the display. A visible image of the object may be overlaid on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Max Rothenfusser, Robert E. Shannon, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma
  • Publication number: 20090204345
    Abstract: In a method for the optimization of stress distribution on an object to be tested for flaws by ultrasound excitation and evaluation based on resulting surface temperature distribution, —a simulation is performed under test conditions on a CAD model of the object prior to a testing an object, —vibrational spectra and modal vibrational forms are calculated, —local mechanical stresses are determined from the vibrational modes, whereby—modes to be excited for the real test are selected from the entirety of the occurring modes such that, —the mechanical stress lies in a selected region above a predetermined minimum stress to enable a reliable proof of defect, —the mechanical stress in all other regions of the inspection part, in particular on easily damaged component structures, is smaller than a predetermined maximum stress by a predetermined factor, in order not to damage the component at weak points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Mattias Broddegaard, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
  • Publication number: 20090046758
    Abstract: The induction thermography test stand has at least two inductors arranged angled relative to one another, at least in sections, and at least one alternating current source for powering the inductors with alternating currents which differ in terms of their frequency and/or phase such that a current with a temporally changing direction can be induced in a test module. With a method for determining flaws in test modules using induction thermography, a current with a temporally changing direction is induced in the test module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim Baumann, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Johannes Vrana
  • Patent number: 7485882
    Abstract: A hand-held thermography system (8). A generator (10) supplies current to a transformer (15) in a handle (16). An induction coil (20) connected to the transformer (15) extends from the handle (16). The induction coil (20) induces eddy currents in a test object (50), producing a thermal topography on a surface (52) of the object (50) that reveals structural features including defects in the object. An infrared camera (24) mounted on the transformer (16) digitizes images of the thermal topography. A controller (12) processes the images, displays them on a monitor (14), and stores them in a digital memory (11) for evaluation. Digitized positional data relating the position of the image to the surface may also be stored. An operator (40) presses a trigger (17), signaling the controller (12) to start current to the induction coil (20) and simultaneously to acquire and process one or more images from the camera (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Zombo, Robert E. Shannon, Max Rothenfusser, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Joachim Baumann