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).
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Patent number: 10217560Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Max Rothenfusser
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Patent number: 9989486Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2014Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Patent number: 9927232Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 24, 2013Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Hubert Mooshofer, Max Rothenfusser
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Patent number: 9516243Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 11, 2012Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Max Rothenfusser, Michael Stockmann
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Publication number: 20160351326Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2015Publication date: December 1, 2016Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventor: Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20160231261Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2014Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20160018217Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: January 21, 2016Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Lukasz Adam BIENKOWSKI, Christian HOMMA, Hubert MOOSHOFER, Max ROTHENFUSSER
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Publication number: 20150134273Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20140313324Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Inventors: Lukasz Adam Bienkowski, Christian Homma, Hubert Mooshofer, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20140152841Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Max Rothenfusser, Michael Stockmann
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Patent number: 8527215Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2010Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Johannes L. Vrana, Hubert Mooshofer, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Wolfgang Heine
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Publication number: 20130027547Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2011Publication date: January 31, 2013Inventors: Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20120062751Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2010Publication date: March 15, 2012Inventors: Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20120002036Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 22, 2009Publication date: January 5, 2012Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventors: Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Johannes L. Vrana
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Patent number: 7974791Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 29, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Mattias Broddegaard, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20100292938Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2010Publication date: November 18, 2010Inventors: Johannes L. Vrana, Hubert Mooshofer, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Wolfgang Heine
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Patent number: 7822268Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 6, 2006Date of Patent: October 26, 2010Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Max Rothenfusser, Robert E. Shannon, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma
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Publication number: 20090204345Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2009Publication date: August 13, 2009Inventors: Mattias Broddegaard, Christian Homma, Max Rothenfusser
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Publication number: 20090046758Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2008Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventors: Joachim Baumann, Matthias Goldammer, Max Rothenfusser, Johannes Vrana
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Patent number: 7485882Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 3, 2009Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Paul J. Zombo, Robert E. Shannon, Max Rothenfusser, Matthias Goldammer, Christian Homma, Joachim Baumann