Patents by Inventor William F. Ranson

William F. Ranson 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).

  • Publication number: 20170122726
    Abstract: Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20170102229
    Abstract: Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, William F. Ranson
  • Patent number: 9618334
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. The turbine component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a strain sensor configured on the exterior surface of the turbine component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the strain sensor based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson
  • Patent number: 9557164
    Abstract: Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20160319694
    Abstract: Assemblies and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. An assembly includes a first strain sensor configurable on the turbine component, the first strain sensor including at least two reference points and having a first dimension. The assembly further includes a second strain sensor configurable on the turbine component, the second strain sensor including at least two reference points and having a first dimension which corresponds to the first dimension of the first strain sensor. An initial value of the first dimension of the second strain sensor is different from an initial value of the first dimension of the first strain sensor. In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for monitoring turbine component deformation is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2015
    Publication date: November 3, 2016
    Inventors: Gregory Lee Hovis, Blake Ashton Nickles, William F. Ranson, Robert William Davidoff
  • Publication number: 20160305770
    Abstract: Data acquisition devices for analyzing reference objects and systems for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. A data acquisition device has a longitudinal axis and includes a lens assembly and an image capture device in communication with the lens assembly for receiving and processing light from the lens assembly to generate images. The data acquisition device further includes a light source and a light tube coupled at a rear end to the light source. The light tube extends along the longitudinal axis between a front end and the rear end, and is operable to transport light from the light source therethrough and emit the light from the front end. The data acquisition device further includes an actuator operable to activate the image capture device and the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, William F. Ranson
  • Publication number: 20160305769
    Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring turbine component deformation are provided. The turbine component has an exterior surface. A method includes directly measuring a strain sensor configured on the exterior surface of the turbine component along an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis to obtain X-axis data points, Y-axis data points, and Z-axis data points. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The method further includes assembling a three-dimensional profile of the strain sensor based on the X-axis data points, Y-axis data points and Z-axis data points.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Jason Lee Burnside, Gregory Lee Hovis, Bryan J. Germann, John David Ward, Jr., William F. Ranson
  • Patent number: 7533818
    Abstract: A binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement designed specifically for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis. The symbol is rectangular with a continuous outer perimeter, two data regions along adjacent sides of the rectangle and a utility region adjacent each side opposite the data regions. Each data region is made up of a number of data cells, and each utility region is made up of utility cells with alternating appearance. The inner half of the utility regions can be used to store auxiliary information and/or codes. There are two distinct finder cells on opposite corners of the rectangle, which can be used to orient the symbol. A non-linear strain gage for measuring the strain on an object under load in accordance includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target is a binary code symbol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: Direct Measurements Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory L. Hovis, William F. Ranson, Reginald I. Vachon
  • Patent number: 5065331
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of measuring and analyzing the deformation of deformable bodies which includes a source of an electromagnetic or accoustical signal emitted from a deformable body which can be received and analyzed so that the signal can be analyzed when the body is in a reference state with the signal being subsequently analyzed when the body is undergoing or has undergone deformation with the reference state signal and deformation state signal being compared and analyzed to provide significant information with respect to various characteristics of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Inventors: Reginald I. Vachon, William F. Ranson