Patents by Inventor Robert William Bergman
Robert William Bergman 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: 10533891Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2018Date of Patent: January 14, 2020Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Patent number: 10161914Abstract: Various aspects include methods of inspecting a substantially round hole in a material. One method can include: feeding a probe axially into the substantially round hole until the probe completely passes through the substantially round hole while the probe is activated; rotating the probe at least ninety degrees around a primary axis of the substantially round hole after feeding the probe completely through the substantially round hole; removing the probe axially from the substantially round hole after rotating the probe at least ninety degrees while the probe is activated; and compiling at least one of eddy current data or ultrasound data about the hole from the feeding of the probe axially into the substantially round hole and the removing of the probe axially from the substantially round hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Robert William Bergman, Thomas James Batzinger, Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer
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Patent number: 10151625Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2016Date of Patent: December 11, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Patent number: 10126272Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to ultrasonic inspection of turbine components.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2015Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Francis Alexander Reed, Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20180306636Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2018Publication date: October 25, 2018Inventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20180231500Abstract: An inspection system for a cylindrical member includes at least one retention member positionable about at least a portion of a circumference of the cylindrical member. The inspection system also includes a positioning system and at least one housing. The at least one housing is coupleable to the at least one retention member at each of a series of circumferential inspection locations. The at least one housing includes at least one probe. The positioning system cooperates with the at least one retention member to position the at least one probe at each of the circumferential locations. The at least one probe is configured to send and receive a signal through an interior of the cylindrical member.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 16, 2017Publication date: August 16, 2018Inventors: Kurt Neal Laurer, John Matthew Sassatelli, Francis Alexander Reed, Robert William Bergman, Paul Howard Davidson, August Elwood Pendergast, Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer, Michael Charles Freda, Robert Charles Malison, Paul Michael Kienitz, Collin Daniel Mooney, Paul James Martino, William Bartholomew
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Patent number: 10036665Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20180172643Abstract: Various aspects include methods of inspecting a substantially round hole in a material. One method can include: feeding a probe axially into the substantially round hole until the probe completely passes through the substantially round hole while the probe is activated; rotating the probe at least ninety degrees around a primary axis of the substantially round hole after feeding the probe completely through the substantially round hole; removing the probe axially from the substantially round hole after rotating the probe at least ninety degrees while the probe is activated; and compiling at least one of eddy current data or ultrasound data about the hole from the feeding of the probe axially into the substantially round hole and the removing of the probe axially from the substantially round hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Robert William Bergman, Thomas James Batzinger, Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer
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Publication number: 20180080811Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2017Publication date: March 22, 2018Inventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20180003549Abstract: An inspection system includes a first ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along a surface of a component. The first ultrasonic probe transmits ultrasonic energy. The inspection system also includes a second ultrasonic probe positioned on and configured to move along the surface of the component opposite the first probe. The second ultrasonic probe receives the ultrasonic energy transmitted by the first ultrasonic probe. Additionally, the inspection system includes a probe alignment system in communication with the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe. The probe alignment system is configured to analyze an energy characteristic for the ultrasonic energy received by the second ultrasonic probe to determine if a displacement characteristic for at least one of the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe requires adjustment.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2016Publication date: January 4, 2018Inventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20170322185Abstract: Various embodiments include an ultrasonic detection method, performed using an ultrasonic detection system having a set of corresponding transmitting phased array devices and receiving phased array devices, the method including: for each of a plurality of static positions about a portion of a machine rotor: transmitting, at a corresponding transmitting phased array device, a set of ultrasonic waves through the portion of the machine rotor, and receiving, at the corresponding receiving phased array device, the set of ultrasonic waves after transmission through the portion of the machine rotor, to obtain a set of ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor; and forming an ultrasonic representation of the machine rotor by aligning the sets of the ultrasonic detection information about the machine rotor obtained from each of the plurality of static positions about the portion of the machine rotor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: November 9, 2017Inventors: Paul Howard Davidson, Robert William Bergman, Michael Charles Freda, Kurt Neal Laurer, Robert Charles Malison, Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer, August Elwood Pendergast, Francis Alexander Reed, John Matthew Sassatelli
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Publication number: 20170184549Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to ultrasonic inspection of turbine components.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2015Publication date: June 29, 2017Inventors: Francis Alexander Reed, Robert William Bergman
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Patent number: 9518851Abstract: Probes for an inspection system for a substantially round hole in a material are provided. One version of the probe may include a flexible sheet shaped and biased to substantially conform with a portion of an interior of the substantially round hole; and a plurality of sensors disposed on the flexible sheet, each sensor configured to transmit a non-destructive signal into the material for inspecting the substantially round hole.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Robert William Bergman, Thomas James Batzinger
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Publication number: 20160161300Abstract: Probes for an inspection system for a substantially round hole in a material are provided. One version of the probe may include a flexible sheet shaped and biased to substantially conform with a portion of an interior of the substantially round hole; and a plurality of sensors disposed on the flexible sheet, each sensor configured to transmit a non-destructive signal into the material for inspecting the substantially round hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2014Publication date: June 9, 2016Inventors: Robert William Bergman, Thomas James Batzinger
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Patent number: 8826740Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructively inspecting a composite structure with an ultrasonic system including an ultrasonic probe includes positioning the composite structure in a tank-less environment, and scanning the composite structure with the ultrasonic system to measure ultrasonic sound waves reflected by the composite structure to the single ultrasonic probe. A physical characteristic of the composite structure is determined based at least in part on the measured ultrasonic sound waves.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20130031979Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructively inspecting a composite structure with an ultrasonic system including an ultrasonic probe includes positioning the composite structure in a tank-less environment, and scanning the composite structure with the ultrasonic system to measure ultrasonic sound waves reflected by the composite structure to the single ultrasonic probe. A physical characteristic of the composite structure is determined based at least in part on the measured ultrasonic sound waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Inventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20120256623Abstract: A non-contact magnetic particle inspection apparatus includes a test article support and manipulation system having a first rail that extends along a first axis, a second rail that extends along the first axis, and a third rail that extends a second axis. The third rail includes a first end that extends to a second end through an intermediate portion. The first end is mounted to the first rail and the second end is mounted to the second rail. A mounting fixture is mounted to the third rail. The mounting fixture includes a test article mounting system and a test article orientation system. The test article orientation system is configured and disposed to selectively manipulate a test article within a magnetic field.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2011Publication date: October 11, 2012Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Patent number: 7956607Abstract: Digital ferromagnetic part inspection system and method use a magnetizer for magnetizing a ferromagnetic part to be inspected, wherein a defect in or near a surface of the ferromagnetic part causes an external magnetic field. A magnetic field sensing element is positioned near the ferromagnetic part for sensing the external magnetic field. An inspection module identifies the defect in or near the surface of the ferromagnetic part by interpreting data collected by the magnetic field sensing element in response to the magnetic field sensing element being placed near the ferromagnetic part.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Publication number: 20100060274Abstract: Digital ferromagnetic part inspection system and method use a magnetizer for magnetizing a ferromagnetic part to be inspected, wherein a defect in or near a surface of the ferromagnetic part causes an external magnetic field. A magnetic field sensing element is positioned near the ferromagnetic part for sensing the external magnetic field. An inspection module identifies the defect in or near the surface of the ferromagnetic part by interpreting data collected by the magnetic field sensing element in response to the magnetic field sensing element being placed near the ferromagnetic part.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Robert William Bergman
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Patent number: 7010982Abstract: A method is disclosed for nondestructively examining airfoils for defects without removing them from the turbine machines of which they are a part. The method uses phased array ultrasound technology, which can be used with all types of airfoils. The angle of entry of the ultrasonic beam is varied by using phased array ultrasound technology. The phased array ultrasound allows an inspector to steer the ultrasonic beam toward an area of interest within the airfoil. The phased array allows an inspector to monitor multiple angles at once. So long as the scan angle does not exceed a calibrated range, an inspector can monitor an area of interest, no matter what the sound beam entry surface angle is. The ultrasonic beam is steered or phased to inspect different orientations with one scan. The method uses a phased array transducer that is a linear array probe that is comprised of a series of transducers.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Robert William Bergman