Patents by Inventor Robert Charles Shaffer

Robert Charles Shaffer 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: 11125724
    Abstract: A fastener probe assembly includes a disc configured to rotate about a first axis of a fastener, an ultrasound probe coupled to the disc, and an encoder configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the first axis of the fastener during an inspection of the fastener. The ultrasound probe is configured to interface with an axial end of the fastener, to emit ultrasound signals into the axial end of the fastener, and to receive ultrasound signals from the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10481132
    Abstract: A system is provided having a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, Jr., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
  • Publication number: 20190107514
    Abstract: A fastener probe assembly includes a disc configured to rotate about a first axis of a fastener, an ultrasound probe coupled to the disc, and an encoder configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the first axis of the fastener during an inspection of the fastener. The ultrasound probe is configured to interface with an axial end of the fastener, to emit ultrasound signals into the axial end of the fastener, and to receive ultrasound signals from the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20180372686
    Abstract: A system is provided having a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, JR., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
  • Patent number: 10126269
    Abstract: A fastener probe assembly includes a disc configured to rotate about a first axis of a fastener, an ultrasound probe coupled to the disc, and an encoder configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the first axis of the fastener during an inspection of the fastener. The ultrasound probe is configured to interface with an axial end of the fastener, to emit ultrasound signals into the axial end of the fastener, and to receive ultrasound signals from the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Patent number: 10073062
    Abstract: A system includes a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, Jr., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
  • Patent number: 9658193
    Abstract: A rolling ultrasonic scanner comprises a member having an inspection surface for rolling across the surface of an object under test. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are disposed within the member in a formation such that they are each aimed at a common point that is coincident with the surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Jenkins, Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20160069838
    Abstract: A fastener probe assembly includes a disc configured to rotate about a first axis of a fastener, an ultrasound probe coupled to the disc, and an encoder configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound probe relative to the first axis of the fastener during an inspection of the fastener. The ultrasound probe is configured to interface with an axial end of the fastener, to emit ultrasound signals into the axial end of the fastener, and to receive ultrasound signals from the fastener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20160069839
    Abstract: A system includes a probe assembly configured to inspect components of an assembled flange connection when the probe assembly is disposed within a bore of the components. The probe assembly includes a shaft configured to be aligned with an axis of the assembled flange connection, one or more ultrasound probes coupled to the shaft, and one or more encoders. The one or more ultrasound probes are configured to interface with an interior surface of the bore of the components, to emit ultrasound signals into the components, and to receive ultrasound signals from the components. The one or more encoders are coupled to the shaft and are configured to determine a position of the one or more ultrasound probes relative to a reference point of the assembled flange connection during an inspection of components of the assembled flange connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Publication date: March 10, 2016
    Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, JR., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
  • Patent number: 9027406
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a transducer apparatus is provided that includes a core section, a transducer disposed in the core section, the transducer configured to transmit or receive signals and a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation, wherein a fluid is disposed in the tubular member. The apparatus further includes a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the transducer to the tubular member via the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20150068312
    Abstract: A rolling ultrasonic scanner comprises a member having an inspection surface for rolling across the surface of an object under test. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are disposed within the member in a formation such that they are each aimed at a common point that is coincident with the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2013
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Thomas Richard Jenkins, Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
  • Publication number: 20120291555
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the invention, a transducer apparatus is provided that includes a core section, a transducer disposed in the core section, the transducer configured to transmit or receive signals and a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation, wherein a fluid is disposed in the tubular member. The apparatus further includes a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the transducer to the tubular member via the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer