Patents by Inventor Rebecca E. Hefner

Rebecca E. Hefner 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: 10436702
    Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system includes at least one corrosion sensor. The corrosion sensor includes a metallic plug having at least one opening, at least one ceramic sheath in the opening of the metallic plug, and a plurality of probes. Each probe has a central portion with a predetermined cross sectional area extending from the metallic plug. The ceramic sheath electrically isolates each first end and each second end of the probes from the metallic plug and the other first ends and second ends. The probes are sized to provide a distribution of predetermined cross sectional areas of the central portions. The corrosion monitoring system also includes a resistance meter measuring an ohmic resistance for at least one of the probes and a computer determining a corrosion rate by correlating a rate of change of the ohmic resistance to the corrosion rate of the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Krishnamurthy Anand, Paul Stephen Dimascio, Sundar Amancherla, Rebecca E. Hefner
  • Publication number: 20170322143
    Abstract: A corrosion monitoring system includes at least one corrosion sensor. The corrosion sensor includes a metallic plug having at least one opening, at least one ceramic sheath in the opening of the metallic plug, and a plurality of probes. Each probe has a central portion with a predetermined cross sectional area extending from the metallic plug. The ceramic sheath electrically isolates each first end and each second end of the probes from the metallic plug and the other first ends and second ends. The probes are sized to provide a distribution of predetermined cross sectional areas of the central portions. The corrosion monitoring system also includes a resistance meter measuring an ohmic resistance for at least one of the probes and a computer determining a corrosion rate by correlating a rate of change of the ohmic resistance to the corrosion rate of the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2016
    Publication date: November 9, 2017
    Inventors: Krishnamurthy ANAND, Paul Stephen DIMASCIO, Sundar AMANCHERLA, Rebecca E. HEFNER
  • Patent number: 8016915
    Abstract: A method and system for degassing a resin is provided. A degassing trough retains the resin, and an ultrasonic energy source applies ultrasonic energy to the degassing trough and resin. The application of ultrasonic energy to the resin reduces the amount of trapped gas bubbles contained within the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Hefner, Ronald R. Cairo
  • Patent number: 7980146
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an air sampling system for measuring corrosives within an airstream flowing within an inlet system. This air sampling system may include an air sampling unit with a plurality of sampling coupons secured within. Parts of the air sampling system may be externally mounted to the inlet system, allowing for an operator to access the sampling coupons, while the inlet system operates. In operation, an embodiment of the present invention has a sampling line connected to the air sampling system; the airstream flowing within the sampling line passes over the sampling coupons and then returns to the inlet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeff P. Czapiewski, Rahul J. Chillar, Steve D. Hiner, Rebecca E. Hefner, William K. Eyers, Stephen F. Banks
  • Publication number: 20100139490
    Abstract: A method and system for degassing a resin containing trapped gas bubbles is provided. A centrifugal chamber that is capable of being rotated retains the resin, and the rotation of the centrifugal chamber reduces the amount of trapped gas bubbles contained within the resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Hefner, Ronald R. Cairo
  • Publication number: 20100139483
    Abstract: A method and system for degassing a resin is provided. A degassing trough retains the resin, and an ultrasonic energy source applies ultrasonic energy to the degassing trough and resin. The application of ultrasonic energy to the resin reduces the amount of trapped gas bubbles contained within the resin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventors: Rebecca E. Hefner, Ronald R. Cairo
  • Publication number: 20100011886
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an air sampling system for measuring corrosives within an airstream flowing within an inlet system. This air sampling system may include an air sampling unit with a plurality of sampling coupons secured within. Parts of the air sampling system may be externally mounted to the inlet system, allowing for an operator to access the sampling coupons, while the inlet system operates. In operation, an embodiment of the present invention has a sampling line connected to the air sampling system; the airstream flowing within the sampling line passes over the sampling coupons and then returns to the inlet system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2008
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Jeff P. Czapiewski, Rahul J. Chillar, Steve D. Hiner, Rebecca E. Hefner, William K. Eyers, Stephen F. Banks
  • Patent number: 7230347
    Abstract: A corrosion protected wind turbine unit includes a wind turbine unit support structure or foundation implanted in water and an impressed current anode electrochemically coupled to the wind turbine unit support structure or foundation through the water. Also included is a controlled current source configured to receive electrical current from the wind turbine unit or at least one other wind turbine unit located in proximity to the corrosion protected wind turbine unit and further configured to operate the impressed current anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Douglas Alan Brown, Rebecca E. Hefner