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).
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Patent number: 11125724Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2018Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLCInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Patent number: 10481132Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, Jr., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
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Publication number: 20190107514Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Publication number: 20180372686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, JR., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
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Patent number: 10126269Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Patent number: 10073062Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 11, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, Jr., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
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Patent number: 9658193Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 11, 2013Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Richard Jenkins, Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Publication number: 20160069838Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Publication number: 20160069839Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2015Publication date: March 10, 2016Inventors: Manuel Kenneth Bueno, Robert Martin Roney, JR., Willis James Perry, Robert Charles Shaffer, Richard Michael Hatley
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Patent number: 9027406Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 16, 2011Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Publication number: 20150068312Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2013Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Thomas Richard Jenkins, Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer
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Publication number: 20120291555Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Dane Eugene Hackenberger, Robert Charles Shaffer