Patents by Inventor Thomas James Batzinger
Thomas James Batzinger 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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Publication number: 20170146411Abstract: A system for monitoring a component is provided. The system may include a strain sensor configured on the component, an electrical field scanner for analyzing the strain sensor, and a processor in operable communication with the electrical field scanner. The processor may be operable for measuring an electrical field value across the strain sensor along a mutually-orthogonal X-axis and Y-axis to obtain a data point set. The processor may further be operable for assembling a field profile of the strain sensor based on the data point set. Methods of using the system are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2015Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Bryan J. Germann, William F. Ranson
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Publication number: 20170138723Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring components are provided. A component has an exterior surface. A method includes projecting structured light onto a predetermined location on the exterior surface of the component. The structured light is emitted from a structured light emitter. The method further includes detecting the structured light after the structured light is reflected by the exterior surface. The method further includes calculating at least one characteristic of the detected structured light.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2015Publication date: May 18, 2017Inventors: Gregory Lee Hovis, Thomas James Batzinger, William F. Ranson
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Patent number: 9612211Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Guiju Song, Kevin George Harding, Thomas James Batzinger, Vinod Padmanabhan Kumar, Joseph Vincent Pawlowski, Kelles Jay Fleming
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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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Patent number: 9411017Abstract: A method for inspecting a wye ring in a generator includes the steps of dismantling the generator to gain access to the wye ring and at least a portion of a rotor, applying a test signal to the rotor and measuring an inductive voltage at two or more locations near the wye ring. A comparing step compares results from the measuring step to determine if a fault exists in the wye ring. A predetermined difference in inductive voltage measurements indicates presence of the fault.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2013Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer, Thomas James Batzinger, Francis Alexander Reed, Michael Charles Freda
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Patent number: 9404903Abstract: A method for pipeline inspection is provided. The method includes carrying out an inspection run in which a pipeline inspection apparatus travels inside a pipeline, wherein sensors on the apparatus are configured to conduct an in-line inspection of wall material along a length of the pipeline. The method includes initiating a first inspection mode to produce a primary inspection data set, wherein the first inspection mode comprises an inspection of the pipeline wall material upstream and downstream of a location of a dented region in the pipeline, selectively initiating a second inspection mode to produce a secondary inspection data set, wherein the second inspection mode includes an inspection of the pipeline wall material in the dented region in the length of the pipeline, and combining the primary and the secondary inspection data sets to provide a direct assessment for the presence of cracks and/or corrosion in wall material along the pipeline.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: PII LimitedInventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Jeffrey Earle Sutherland, Ruediger Bauernschmitt, Achim Hugger, David Martin Paige
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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: 9351697Abstract: The invention relates generally to the measurement and dimensional analysis of an object and, more particularly, to the correction of distortion in volumetric data of the object using dimensional data of the object. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of analyzing an object, the method comprising: acquiring volumetric data of an object using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system; acquiring dimensional data of the object using a vision-based system; determining whether the volumetric data include a distortion; and in the case that the volumetric data are determined to include a distortion, correcting the distortion in the volumetric data using the dimensional data.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2014Date of Patent: May 31, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Gareth William David Lewis, Jonathan Matthew Lomas, Christopher Edward Thompson, Birol Turan
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Publication number: 20160134816Abstract: A method for correcting a magnification in image measurements is implemented using a computer device including one or more processors coupled to a user interface and one or more memory devices. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images of a target. Each image is acquired at a different distance from the target. The method also includes determining a distance between a lens used in acquiring the plurality of images and the target and determining a magnification of each acquired image. The method further includes determining a magnification correction with respect to a reference, determining a change in a size of the target, and outputting the determined change in a size of the target.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2014Publication date: May 12, 2016Inventors: Kevin George Harding, Thomas James Batzinger
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Patent number: 9338363Abstract: A method for correcting a magnification in image measurements is implemented using a computer device including one or more processors coupled to a user interface and one or more memory devices. The method includes acquiring a plurality of images of a target. Each image is acquired at a different distance from the target. The method also includes determining a distance between a lens used in acquiring the plurality of images and the target and determining a magnification of each acquired image. The method further includes determining a magnification correction with respect to a reference, determining a change in a size of the target, and outputting the determined change in a size of the target.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin George Harding, Thomas James Batzinger
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Patent number: 9279342Abstract: A turbine casing is provided and includes first and second turbine casing shells configured to be removably coupled to one another. At least one of the first and second turbine casing shells is formed to define an access slot. At least one service wedge is configured to be removably installed in the access slot.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Alan Davi, Thomas James Batzinger
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Patent number: 9260281Abstract: A lift efficiency improvement mechanism is provided for use with a service wedge configured to be removably installed in an access slot of a turbine casing. The lift efficiency improvement mechanism includes a connector element, which is connectable with the turbine casing proximate to the access slot and a manually transportable lift efficiency improvement device, which is supportably coupled to the connector element and movably coupled to the service wedge. The lift efficiency improvement device is configured to urge the service wedge to move relative to the access slot responsive to corresponding operator control movement.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Alan Davi, Thomas James Batzinger
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Publication number: 20150254817Abstract: The invention relates generally to the measurement and dimensional analysis of an object and, more particularly, to the correction of distortion in volumetric data of the object using dimensional data of the object. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of analyzing an object, the method comprising: acquiring volumetric data of an object using an X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging system; acquiring dimensional data of the object using a vision-based system; determining whether the volumetric data include a distortion; and in the case that the volumetric data are determined to include a distortion, correcting the distortion in the volumetric data using the dimensional data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2014Publication date: September 10, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas James Batzinger, Gareth William David Lewis, Jonathan Matthew Lomas, Christopher Edward Thompson, Birol Turan
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Patent number: 9116098Abstract: An ultrasonic detection method and system are disclosed. The ultrasonic detection method includes providing an ultrasonic detection system having a first ultrasonic device arrangement and a second ultrasonic device arrangement, positioning the ultrasonic detection system in a peripheral offset position with respect to an object to be measured, and transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam between the first ultrasonic device arrangement and the second ultrasonic device arrangement, thereby obtaining ultrasonic detection information about the object. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting and receiving of the ultrasonic detection method obtains data on a volume greater than that which is capable of being analyzed by a single probe arrangement. The ultrasonic detection system includes the first ultrasonic device arrangement and the second ultrasonic device arrangement positioned in a peripheral offset position with respect to an object to be measured.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2013Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Inventor: Thomas James Batzinger
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Patent number: 9080427Abstract: Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2012Date of Patent: July 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Farshad Ghasripoor, Christopher Edward Wolfe, Thomas James Batzinger, Gary Dwayne Mandrusiak, Robert Arnold Judge
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Publication number: 20150145554Abstract: A method for inspecting a wye ring in a generator includes the steps of dismantling the generator to gain access to the wye ring and at least a portion of a rotor, applying a test signal to the rotor and measuring an inductive voltage at two or more locations near the wye ring. A comparing step compares results from the measuring step to determine if a fault exists in the wye ring. A predetermined difference in inductive voltage measurements indicates presence of the fault.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Earnest Moldenhauer, Thomas James Batzinger, Francis Alexander Reed, Michael Charles Freda
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Publication number: 20150013791Abstract: A valve body in a passage of a housing connected to a through hole in a sealed machine casing can allow an inspection apparatus into an interior of the casing when open, and prevents fluid flow through the passage when closed. Seals can engage the inspection apparatus to prevent fluid flow through the passage during inspection or inspection apparatus movement. A guide conduit in the casing can include branches and can guide the inspection apparatus to multiple inspection sites. Guide marks can identify the branches to assist with navigation within the casing.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Daniel Lawrence Banowetz, Jordan Christopher Baker, Thomas James Batzinger, Anthony James George, Ronald Irving Longwell, Matthew Peter Scoffone, Daniel David Soloway
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Publication number: 20140278211Abstract: A computer-implemented system for enhanced tip-tracking and navigation of visual inspection devices includes a visual inspection device. The system further includes a plurality of spatially sensitive fibers. The system includes a computing device. The computing device includes a memory device and a processor. The system includes a storage device. The storage device includes an engineering model representing the physical asset. The computing device is configured receive an insertion location from the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to receive fiber information associated with the visual inspection device. The computing device is configured to determine the real-time location of the visual inspection device using the fiber information. The computing device is configured to identify the real-time location of the visual inspection device with respect to the engineering model.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Guiju Song, Kevin George Harding, Thomas James Batzinger, Vinod Padmanabhan Kumar, Joseph Vincent Pawlowski, Kelles Jay Fleming
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Publication number: 20140267677Abstract: Various embodiments include approaches for monitoring turbomachine components. In various particular embodiments, a system for monitoring a component within a turbomachine includes: a borescope probe sized to pass through an opening in the turbomachine, the borescope probe for detecting a symbolic data array on the component within the turbomachine; and at least one computing device operably coupled to the borescope probe, the at least one computing device configured to: obtain image data about the symbolic data array from the borescope probe; evaluate the image data to determine whether the image data is compatible with a symbolic data array analysis program; and analyze the image data using the symbolic data array analysis program in response to determining the image data is compatible with the symbolic data array analysis program.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: John David Ward, JR., Thomas James Batzinger, Jamison William Janawitz, Christopher Edward Thompson
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Publication number: 20140271092Abstract: A lift efficiency improvement mechanism is provided for use with a service wedge configured to be removably installed in an access slot of a turbine casing. The lift efficiency improvement mechanism includes a connector element, which is connectable with the turbine casing proximate to the access slot and a manually transportable lift efficiency improvement device, which is supportably coupled to the connector element and movably coupled to the service wedge. The lift efficiency improvement device is configured to urge the service wedge to move relative to the access slot responsive to corresponding operator control movement.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael Alan Davi, Thomas James Batzinger