Patents by Inventor Thomas Custer

Thomas Custer 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).

  • Ultrasonic acoustic emissions to detect substrate fracture
    Patent number: 8281661
    Abstract: A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Tenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
    Inventors: Keith G. Olivier, Thomas Custer
  • Ultrasonic Acoustic Emissions to Detect Substrate Fracture
    Publication number: 20110290025
    Abstract: A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Keith G. Olivier, Thomas Custer