Patents by Inventor Rodney H. Warner
Rodney H. Warner 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: 10104313Abstract: A method for evaluating a turbine component includes inducing a thermal response of the component at an initial time, capturing a two-dimensional infrared image of the thermal response of the component with a thermal imaging device, wherein the two-dimensional infrared image comprises a plurality of infrared image pixels, generating a two-dimension to three-dimension mapping template to correlate two-dimensional infrared image data with three-dimensional locations on the component, mapping at least a subset of the plurality of infrared image pixels of the two-dimensional infrared image to three-dimensional coordinates using the mapping template, and generating a three-dimensional infrared image and infrared data of the component from the mapped infrared image pixels to three-dimensional coordinates, wherein the three-dimensional infrared image and infrared data is used to qualify the component for use.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Thomas N. Slavens, Jeremy Styborski, Alex J. Schneider, Lea Kennard Castle, Rodney H. Warner, James Tilsley Auxier
-
Publication number: 20180013959Abstract: A method for evaluating a turbine component includes inducing a thermal response of the component at an initial time, capturing a two-dimensional infrared image of the thermal response of the component with a thermal imaging device, wherein the two-dimensional infrared image comprises a plurality of infrared image pixels, generating a two-dimension to three-dimension mapping template to correlate two-dimensional infrared image data with three-dimensional locations on the component, mapping at least a subset of the plurality of infrared image pixels of the two-dimensional infrared image to three-dimensional coordinates using the mapping template, and generating a three-dimensional infrared image and infrared data of the component from the mapped infrared image pixels to three-dimensional coordinates, wherein the three-dimensional infrared image and infrared data is used to qualify the component for use.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2016Publication date: January 11, 2018Inventors: Thomas N. Slavens, Jeremy Styborski, Alex J. Schneider, Lea Kennard Castle, Rodney H. Warner, James Tilsley Auxier
-
Patent number: 9410905Abstract: A method of non-destructively inspecting an article includes scanning an article to produce a computerized three-dimensional representation of an internal feature of the article. A measurement characteristic of the internal feature is then generated from a plurality of cross-sections through the computerized three-dimensional representation of the internal feature. The measurement characteristic is then used to determine whether the internal feature meets a design criterion.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: James M. Koonankeil, Gordon Miller Reed, Rodney H. Warner
-
Patent number: 8861673Abstract: An exemplary component measuring method includes determining a position of an aperture of a component using a computed tomography scan of a gage and a component. The gage is inserted into the aperture of the component during the computed tomography scan.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2011Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Derek J. Michaels, Rodney H. Warner
-
Publication number: 20140294136Abstract: A method of non-destructively inspecting an article includes scanning an article to produce a computerized three-dimensional representation of an internal feature of the article. A measurement characteristic of the internal feature is then generated from a plurality of cross-sections through the computerized three-dimensional representation of the internal feature. The measurement characteristic is then used to determine whether the internal feature meets a design criterion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: James M. Koonankeil, Gordon Miller Reed, Rodney H. Warner
-
Publication number: 20130136225Abstract: An exemplary component measuring method includes determining a position of an aperture of a component using a computed tomography scan of a gage and a component. The gage is inserted into the aperture of the component during the computed tomography scan.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Inventors: Derek J. Michaels, Rodney H. Warner
-
Patent number: 8238521Abstract: X-ray collimators, and related systems and methods involving such collimators are provided. In this regard, a representative X-ray collimator includes: a first member having channels located on a surface thereof; and a second member having protrusions located on a surface thereof; the first member and the second member being oriented such that the protrusions extend into the channels to define collimator apertures, each of the collimator apertures being defined by a portion of the first member and a portion of the second member.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2010Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: United Technologies Corp.Inventors: Royce McKim, Rodney H. Warner
-
Patent number: 7888647Abstract: X-ray detector assemblies and related computed tomography systems are provided. In this regard, a representative X-ray detector assembly includes: a scintillator assembly having a scintillation component and an optical fiber; the scintillation component being operative to emit light responsive to X-rays being incident thereon; the optical fiber being positioned to receive light emitted from the scintillation component.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2008Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: United Technologies Corp.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Patent number: 7876875Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving multi-target inspection are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: simultaneously directing X-rays toward multiple targets from an X-ray source; during the directing of the X-rays, independently reorienting the targets with respect to the X-ray source; and obtaining information corresponding to attenuation of the X-rays attributable to the multiple targets for producing computed tomography images of the targets.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2008Date of Patent: January 25, 2011Assignee: United Technologies Corp.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Patent number: 7775715Abstract: A method of calibrating a computed tomography system includes the steps of mounting a scan geometry defining tool on a rotating object positioning unit of a computer tomography scanner. The scan geometry defining tool has structure of precisely measured dimensions. A beam is directed from an x-ray source of the computed tomography system through the structure of the scan geometry defining tool. A detected image after absorption of the x-ray from the scan geometry defining tool is analyzed, and utilized to determine a distance from the x-ray source spot location to the center of rotation of the object positioning unit. A beam is also directed from the x-ray source through a system performance test standard tool and analyzes a number of electronic and computer performance characteristics. The analyzed characteristics can be compared to expected characteristics to provide feedback on the operation of electronic and computer functions within the computed tomography system.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: August 17, 2010Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Rodney H. Warner, Edwin L. Strickland, III, Henry W. Sikorski
-
Publication number: 20100202591Abstract: X-ray collimators, and related systems and methods involving such collimators are provided. In this regard, a representative X-ray collimator includes: a first member having channels located on a surface thereof; and a second member having protrusions located on a surface thereof; the first member and the second member being oriented such that the protrusions extend into the channels to define collimator apertures, each of the collimator apertures being defined by a portion of the first member and a portion of the second member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2010Publication date: August 12, 2010Applicant: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Royce McKim, Rodney H. Warner
-
Publication number: 20100054396Abstract: A method of calibrating a computed tomography system includes the steps of mounting a scan geometry defining tool on a rotating object positioning unit of a computer tomography scanner. The scan geometry defining tool has structure of precisely measured dimensions. A beam is directed from an x-ray source of the computed tomography system through the structure of the scan geometry defining tool. A detected image after absorption of the x-ray from the scan geometry defining tool is analyzed, and utilized to determine a distance from the x-ray source spot location to the center of rotation of the object positioning unit. A beam is also directed from the x-ray source through a system performance test standard tool and analyzes a number of electronic and computer performance characteristics. The analyzed characteristics can be compared to expected characteristics to provide feedback on the operation of electronic and computer functions within the computed tomography system.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Edwin L. Strickland, III, Henry W. Silkorski
-
Patent number: 7639777Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving forward collimation are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method involving forward collimation of X-rays includes: emitting X-rays from a housing in which an X-ray source is mounted; collimating the X-rays downstream of the housing; and directing the collimated X-rays at a target.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: United Technologies Corp.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Publication number: 20090274264Abstract: Computed tomography systems and related methods involving localized measurements are provided. In this regard, a representative computed tomography system for analyzing a target is operative to determine, with a biased density value differing from an average density value for the target, a location of an interface of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Edwin L. Strickland, III, Rodney H. Warner
-
Publication number: 20090272908Abstract: X-ray detector assemblies and related computed tomography systems are provided. In this regard, a representative X-ray detector assembly includes: a scintillator assembly having a scintillation component and an optical fiber; the scintillation component being operative to emit light responsive to X-rays being incident thereon; the optical fiber being positioned to receive light emitted from the scintillation component.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2008Publication date: November 5, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Publication number: 20090257552Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving multi-target inspection are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: simultaneously directing X-rays toward multiple targets from an X-ray source; during the directing of the X-rays, independently reorienting the targets with respect to the X-ray source; and obtaining information corresponding to attenuation of the X-rays attributable to the multiple targets for producing computed tomography images of the targets.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 9, 2008Publication date: October 15, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Publication number: 20090225954Abstract: X-ray collimators, and related systems and methods involving such collimators are provided. In this regard, a representative X-ray collimator includes: a first member having channels located on a surface thereof; and a second member having protrusions located on a surface thereof; the first member and the second member being oriented such that the protrusions extend into the channels to define collimator apertures, each of the collimator apertures being defined by a portion of the first member and a portion of the second member.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Royce McKim, Rodney H. Warner
-
Publication number: 20090213994Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving forward collimation are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method involving forward collimation of X-rays includes: emitting X-rays from a housing in which an X-ray source is mounted; collimating the X-rays downstream of the housing; and directing the collimated X-rays at a target.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim
-
Publication number: 20090213984Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) systems and related methods involving post-target collimation are provided are provided. In this regard, a representative method involving post-target collimation of X-rays includes: emitting X-rays toward a target; and collimating the X-rays downstream of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 26, 2008Publication date: August 27, 2009Applicant: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP.Inventors: Rodney H. Warner, Royce McKim