Patents by Inventor Pekka Tapani Sipila

Pekka Tapani Sipila 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: 10113921
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cancelling noise from sensed magnetostriction-based strain measurements. A drive signal corresponds to a drive coil, and a sensed signal corresponds to a sensed coil. The drive signal is used to at least partially eliminate noise similar to the drive signal from the sensed signal to generate an output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Lysle Rollan Turnbeaugh
  • Patent number: 10094720
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipila, Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu
  • Patent number: 10024742
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
  • Publication number: 20180095144
    Abstract: A calibration apparatus is configured to calibrate a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor is configured to measure an object and comprises a sensing element positioned adjacent to the object. The calibration apparatus comprises an estimation device and a calibrator. The estimation device is configured to estimate at least one of a gap between the sensing element and the object and a temperature of the object to obtain at least one of an estimated gap and an estimated temperature, based on geometric information, an excitation signal and an output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor, and geometric information of the object. The calibrator is configured to reduce an effect on the output signal of the magnetostrictive sensor imposed by variations in the at least one of the gap and the temperature, based on the at least one of the estimated gap and the estimated temperature, to obtain a calibrated output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Ronghui ZHOU, Pekka Tapani SIPILA, Dan Tho LU, Xu FU
  • Publication number: 20180052065
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing stress in a ferromagnetic material includes a non-magnetic substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. A first coil is attached to or formed on the first surface of the substrate. The first coil is configured to induce a magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic material being driven by an alternating current (AC) signal. At least one second coil is attached to or formed on the first surface of the substrate. The at least one second coil is spaced from the first coil. In addition, the second coil is configured to detect changes in the magnetic flux induced in the ferromagnetic material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Mark Ronald Lynass, Victor Donald Samper, Ronghui Zhou
  • Publication number: 20170336274
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for cancelling noise from sensed magnetostriction-based strain measurements. A drive signal corresponds to a drive coil, and a sensed signal corresponds to a sensed coil. The drive signal is used to at least partially eliminate noise similar to the drive signal from the sensed signal to generate an output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Lysle Rollan Turnbeaugh
  • Publication number: 20170211996
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2017
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
  • Publication number: 20170138288
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an engine includes: a combustion chamber housing surrounding a combustion chamber; a magnetostrictive sensor positioned outside of the combustion chamber and configured for obtaining a sensor signal representative of pressure within the combustion chamber; and a controller for receiving the sensor signal from the sensor, using the sensor signal for estimating the pressure within the combustion chamber, and determining whether to adjust engine operating parameters of the engine in response thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2015
    Publication date: May 18, 2017
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Jassin Marcel Frtiz, Johann Hirzinger-Unterrainer, Robert Oliver Dean
  • Patent number: 9618408
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
  • Publication number: 20160363488
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield includes a composite with a conductive material and an insulating material, a metamaterial, or a mesh structure, or any combination thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2016
    Publication date: December 15, 2016
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipila, Lam Arthur Campbell, Dan Tho Lu
  • Patent number: 9476418
    Abstract: A system for determining mechanical stress of a compressor is provided. The system includes a reciprocating compressor. The system also includes a magnetostriction sensor coupled to the reciprocating compressor and configured to measure a change in magnetic permeability of a target material of the reciprocating compressor. Furthermore, the system includes a processor configured to convert the measured change in the magnetic permeability of the target material into an estimated mechanical stress under which the target material is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Terrance Hatch, Lam Arthur Campbell, Pekka Tapani Sipilä
  • Publication number: 20160252415
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor having a sensor head including a driving pole. The driving pole includes a driving coil that may receive a driving current and may emit a magnetic flux portion through a rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a sensing pole including a sensing coil that may receive the magnetic flux portion and may transmit a signal based at least in part on the received magnetic flux portion. The received magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the rotary structure. The sensor head also includes a temperature sensor disposed on the sensor head. The temperature sensor may measure a temperature of the rotary structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Clifford James Uber
  • Patent number: 9429488
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor further includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Charles Terrance Hatch, Lam Arthur Campbell, Miguel Garcia Clemente
  • Patent number: 9249657
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a subsea well is presented. The system includes the subsea well, where the subsea well includes a production tube, an annulus A co-axial to the production tube and positioned exterior to the production tube, an annulus B co-axial to the annulus A and positioned exterior to the annulus A, and a casing wall disposed between the annulus A and annulus B. Furthermore, the system includes a first sensor disposed on or about the production tube, the annulus A, the casing wall, or combinations thereof and configured to measure a first parameter. The system also includes a controller coupled to the subsea well and configured to analyze the first parameter measured by the first sensor and detect an anomaly in one or more components of the subsea well. Methods and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the method for monitoring a subsea well are also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipilä{umlaut over ( )}, Nicholas Josep Ellson, David John Buttle, John Charles McCarthy, Sakethraman Mahalingam
  • Patent number: 9228428
    Abstract: A system for monitoring a subsea structure is presented. The system includes a sensor disposed on or about one or more tubular components of the subsea structure, where the one or more tubular components of the subsea structure include a riser, a flow-line, and a subsea umbilical. Moreover, the system includes a controller operatively coupled to the one or more tubular components of the subsea structure and configured to detect an anomaly in the one or more tubular components of the subsea structure. A method for monitoring the subsea structure is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipilä, Nicholas Josep Ellson, Marko Klaus Baller, Parag Vyas
  • Patent number: 9212958
    Abstract: A system for sensing stress in a ferromagnetic material is provided. The system includes at least one magnetic flux device configured to induce a conditioning magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic material. The system also includes a sensor positioned proximate to the ferromagnetic material. The sensor includes a core, at least one excitation coil configured to induce a second magnetic flux in the ferromagnetic material, and at least one detector configured to detect changes in the second magnetic flux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lam Arthur Campbell, Pekka Tapani Sipilä
  • Publication number: 20150292962
    Abstract: A system includes a magnetostrictive sensor. The magnetostrictive sensor includes a driving coil configured to receive a first driving current and to emit a first magnetic flux portion through a target and a second magnetic flux portion. The magnetostrictive sensor also includes a first sensing coil configured to receive the first magnetic flux portion and to transmit a signal based at least in part on the received first magnetic flux portion. The received first magnetic flux portion is based at least in part on a force on the target. The magnetostrictive sensor further includes a magnetic shield disposed between the driving coil and the first sensing coil. The magnetic shield is configured to reduce the second magnetic flux portion received by the first sensing coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dan Tho Lu, Pekka Tapani Sipila, Charles Terrance Hatch, Lam Arthur Campbell, Miguel Garcia Clemente
  • Patent number: 9146163
    Abstract: There is set forth herein a method comprising applying a drive signal to a drive element in a sensor assembly having a drive element and one or more sensor element so that responsively to the drive signal the drive element generates a magnetic flux that travels through a target, determining a strain of the target using a picked up output signal picked up by the one or more sensor element. In one embodiment, a sensor assembly can be employed for detecting a proximity of the target using a picked up output signal picked up by e.g., the drive element. In one embodiment, a drive signal can have a plurality of frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Pekka Tapani Sipila, Sherrie Clark, Charles T. Hatch, Lam Arthur Campbell
  • Patent number: 9086446
    Abstract: A method of B1 field mapping relating to Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is given. In the method, RF and gradients are applied to excite and select a linear projection through a volume of interest; a radio frequency pulse sequence is transmitted to impart B1 dependent phase to the linear projection, following which a one dimensional spatial encoding signal is acquired along the linear projection; Subsequently a B1 field map based on the one dimensional spatial encoding signal is reconstructed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rolf Feodor Schulte, Laura Irene Sacolick, William Allyn Grissom, Pekka Tapani Sipilä
  • Publication number: 20150167662
    Abstract: A system for determining mechanical stress of a compressor is provided. The system includes a reciprocating compressor. The system also includes a magnetostriction sensor coupled to the reciprocating compressor and configured to measure a change in magnetic permeability of a target material of the reciprocating compressor. Furthermore, the system includes a processor configured to convert the measured change in the magnetic permeability of the target material into an estimated mechanical stress under which the target material is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Terrance Hatch, Lam Arthur Campbell, Pekka Tapani Sipilä