Patents by Inventor Thomas W. Nenno
Thomas W. Nenno 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: 10746697Abstract: A method of employing an eddy current sensor to perform an inspection of a tube of a steam generator involves accelerating and decelerating the eddy current sensor in a predetermined fashion that substantially reduces the likelihood of damage to the eddy current sensor. The reduction of probe stresses reduces radiological waste and reduces radiation exposure to workers involved in changing damaged probes The recording of an eddy current signal at each of a plurality of equally spaced apart locations along the tube permits the velocity of the eddy current sensor to be varied without compromising the validity of the data that has been recorded. The inspection system employs an encoder that outputs a series of signals as the probe is advanced incremental distances within the tube of the steam generator, and eddy current sensor signals are recorded responsive to at least some of the signals from the encoder.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2017Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: John C. Lichauer, Daniel C. Wood, Thomas W. Nenno, Qui V. Le, Kyle M. Flanigan
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Publication number: 20180284067Abstract: A method of employing an eddy current sensor to perform an inspection of a tube of a steam generator involves accelerating and decelerating the eddy current sensor in a predetermined fashion that substantially reduces the likelihood of damage to the eddy current sensor. The reduction of probe stresses reduces radiological waste and reduces radiation exposure to workers involved in changing damaged probes The recording of an eddy current signal at each of a plurality of equally spaced apart locations along the tube permits the velocity of the eddy current sensor to be varied without compromising the validity of the data that has been recorded. The inspection system employs an encoder that outputs a series of signals as the probe is advanced incremental distances within the tube of the steam generator, and eddy current sensor signals are recorded responsive to at least some of the signals from the encoder.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLCInventors: JOHN C. LICHAUER, DANIEL C. WOOD, THOMAS W. NENNO, QUI V. LE, KYLE M. FLANIGAN
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Patent number: 9068741Abstract: An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils. Thus, an inspection may be performed in two modes concurrently.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2012Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Thomas W. Nenno, Warren R. Junker, Richard M. Novotny, Conrad S. Wyffels
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Publication number: 20120235675Abstract: An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils. Thus, an inspection may be performed in two modes concurrently.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2012Publication date: September 20, 2012Applicant: WESTINGHOUSE ELECTRIC COMPANY LLCInventors: Thomas W. Nenno, Warren R. Junker, Richard M. Novotny, Conrad S. Wyffels
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Patent number: 8212553Abstract: An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2009Date of Patent: July 3, 2012Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Thomas W. Nenno, Warren R. Junker, Richard M. Novotny, Conrad S. Wyffels
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Publication number: 20110148402Abstract: An eddy current probe testing apparatus structured to operate concurrently in a driver pick-up mode and said impedance mode is provided. The eddy current probe has two coils. The eddy current probe testing apparatus also includes a signal producing device, an output device, and a switch assembly. The switch assembly is structured to switch how an input signal from the signal producing device is provided to the two coils.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Applicant: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Thomas W. Nenno, Warren R. Junker, Richard M. Novotny, Conrad S. Wyffels
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Patent number: 7711499Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component that combines data sets acquired at least two different frequencies. At least one of the data sets is interpolated or extrapolated to the equivalent of data acquired at one of the other frequencies employing a third, reference set of eddy current inspection data that is acquired at each of the inspection frequencies being combined.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: May 4, 2010Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co LLCInventors: Warren R. Junker, Thomas W. Nenno, Daniel J. Yaklich, Ronald J. Pocratsky
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Publication number: 20090150093Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component that combines data sets acquired at least two different frequencies. At least one of the data sets is interpolated or extrapolated to the equivalent of data acquired at one of the other frequencies employing a third, reference set of eddy current inspection data that is acquired at each of the inspection frequencies being combined.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2007Publication date: June 11, 2009Inventors: Warren R. Junker, Thomas W. Nenno, Daniel J. Yaklich, Ronald J. Pocratsky
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Patent number: 7194908Abstract: An ultrasonic testing assembly structured to examine a test object, wherein the test object has a surface, and the examination examines the structure of the test object under the surface as well as the profile of the surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2005Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Co. LLCInventors: Thomas W. Nenno, Patrick M. Minogue, Rick D. Rishel
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Patent number: 6823269Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component including the steps of generating nondestructive examination data of the component in the field and separately generating nondestructive examination data of a specimen machined to simulate selected flaws in the component and combining portions of the specimen data with the field data in a combined data stream.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLCInventors: Warren R. Junker, Thomas W. Nenno, Hermann O. Lagally
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Publication number: 20030195710Abstract: A method of synthesizing nondestructive examination data of a component including the steps of generating nondestructive examination data of the component in the field and separately generating nondestructive examination data of a specimen machined to simulate selected flaws in the component and combining portions of the specimen data with the field data in a combined data stream.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2002Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Warren R. Junker, Thomas W. Nenno, Hermann O. Lagally