Patents by Inventor William P. Motzer
William P. Motzer 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: 11644443Abstract: Described herein is a system for determining structural characteristics of an object, the system including a first laser, a second laser, one or more processors, and a computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform functions. The functions include illuminating, by the first laser, a surface region of an object with an incident light pulse, thereby causing the object to exhibit vibrations; illuminating, by the second laser, the surface region with an incident light beam, thereby generating responsive light that is indicative of the vibrations; detecting the responsive light and determining a difference between a characteristic of the responsive light and a reference characteristic that corresponds to the surface region; determining a position of the surface region within a three-dimensional space; and displaying the surface region such that the difference is indicated at the position of the surface region.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Jeong-Beom Ihn, William P. Motzer, Jill P. Bingham
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Patent number: 11287507Abstract: A method for testing a structure includes steps of: identifying a three-dimensional position of a surface of the structure relative to a reference frame; transmitting laser light from an output of a transmitter onto the surface of the structure to form ultrasonic waves in the structure and to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves; based on the three-dimensional position of the surface, moving the laser light over the structure along a scan path so that the output of the transmitter is located at a constant offset distance from the surface and that the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, is directed onto the surface at a constant angle of projection; and based on the response to the ultrasonic waves, determining whether an inconsistency is present in the structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2018Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, Gary E. Georgeson, Jill P. Bingham, James C. Kennedy, Jeffry J. Garvey
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Patent number: 11073500Abstract: A method for testing a structure using laser ultrasound includes steps of: (1) directing positioning light on a surface of the structure; (2) determining a spatial location and a spatial orientation of the surface from an evaluation of the positioning light reflected back from the surface; (3) directing pump light onto the surface to generate ultrasonic waves in the structure; (4) selectively locating a probe-light focal point of probe light on the surface, based on the spatial location determined for the surface; (5) selectively angularly orienting the probe light normal to the surface, based on the spatial orientation determined for the surface; and (6) directing the probe light onto the surface to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2018Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignees: The Boeing Company, University of WashingtonInventors: Jill P. Bingham, Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Alan F. Stewart, Matthew O'Donnell, Ivan Pelivanov
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Patent number: 10996162Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, for shielding light generated by a laser during non-destructive inspection of an object. The apparatus includes a light shield at least partially enveloping the laser and defining a first opening through which light generated by the laser passes from the laser to the object. The light shield is opaque and includes at least one first biasing mechanism. The apparatus also includes at least one first light seal coupled to the light shield about the first opening of the light shield. The at least one first biasing mechanism is configured to urge resilient deformation of the at least one first light seal against the object. When the at least one first light seal is resiliently deformed against the object, light generated by the laser is constrained within a light containment space defined between the light shield, the at least one first light seal, and the object.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 4, 2021Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Jeffry J. Garvey, Scott W. Lea, James C. Kennedy, Steven K. Brady, Alan F. Stewart, Jill P. Bingham
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Publication number: 20210101238Abstract: A rotation device to reorient a workpiece includes a retainer. The retainer accepts the workpiece in an open configuration and retains the workpiece in a closed configuration. The retainer forms two or more ring segments in the closed position. The rotation device includes a base to support the retainer. The base includes a plurality of retainer supports in working relation to the two or more ring segments to enable rotation of the retainer from a first orientation where the first structure contacts the retainer supports to a second orientation where the second structure contacts the retainer supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2019Publication date: April 8, 2021Inventors: James J. Troy, William P. Motzer, Scott Wesley Lea, Michael Craig Hutchinson
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Publication number: 20200191749Abstract: Described herein is a system for determining structural characteristics of an object, the system including a first laser, a second laser, one or more processors, and a computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to perform functions. The functions include illuminating, by the first laser, a surface region of an object with an incident light pulse, thereby causing the object to exhibit vibrations; illuminating, by the second laser, the surface region with an incident light beam, thereby generating responsive light that is indicative of the vibrations; detecting the responsive light and determining a difference between a characteristic of the responsive light and a reference characteristic that corresponds to the surface region; determining a position of the surface region within a three-dimensional space; and displaying the surface region such that the difference is indicated at the position of the surface region.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Jeong-Beom Ihn, William P. Motzer, Jill P. Bingham
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Publication number: 20200141908Abstract: A method for testing a structure using laser ultrasound includes steps of: (1) directing positioning light on a surface of the structure; (2) determining a spatial location and a spatial orientation of the surface from an evaluation of the positioning light reflected back from the surface; (3) directing pump light onto the surface to generate ultrasonic waves in the structure; (4) selectively locating a probe-light focal point of probe light on the surface, based on the spatial location determined for the surface; (5) selectively angularly orienting the probe light normal to the surface, based on the spatial orientation determined for the surface; and (6) directing the probe light onto the surface to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2018Publication date: May 7, 2020Applicants: The Boeing Company, University of WashingtonInventors: Jill P. Bingham, Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Alan F. Stewart, Matthew O'Donnell, Ivan Pelivanov
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Patent number: 10571390Abstract: A method of detecting local material changes in a composite structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the composite structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the composite structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data is processed to identify a local frequency value for the composite structure. The local frequency value is used to determine if local material changes are present in the number of composite materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 25, 2020Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Jill Paisley Bingham, Steven Kenneth Brady, Alan F. Stewart, James C. Kennedy, Ivan Pelivanov, Matthew O'Donnell, Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard
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Publication number: 20190331757Abstract: A method for testing a structure includes steps of: identifying a three-dimensional position of a surface of the structure relative to a reference frame; transmitting laser light from an output of a transmitter onto the surface of the structure to form ultrasonic waves in the structure and to detect a response to the ultrasonic waves; based on the three-dimensional position of the surface, moving the laser light over the structure along a scan path so that the output of the transmitter is located at a constant offset distance from the surface and that the laser light, transmitted from the output of the transmitter, is directed onto the surface at a constant angle of projection; and based on the response to the ultrasonic waves, determining whether an inconsistency is present in the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2018Publication date: October 31, 2019Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, Gary E. Georgeson, Jill P. Bingham, James C. Kennedy, Jeffry J. Garvey
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Publication number: 20190250128Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a changing, insufficiently defined or unknown shape (e.g., a variable radius or a noncircular radius caused by the use of soft tooling) at a rate that meets production requirements. The apparatus comprises a linear ultrasonic array (i.e., sensor) incorporated in a toppler, which in turn is slidably supported by an oscillating sensor mechanism carried by a traveling trailer vehicle. As a result of this arrangement, the sensor can undergo a back-and-forth sweeping motion coupled with motion along the spar radius. The sensor is further able to displace radially relative to a sweep pivot axis and rotate (hereinafter “topple”) about a topple pivot axis. In this manner, the orientation of the sensor can adjust to the contour of the inspected surface as the sensor scans.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, James C. Kennedy, Steven Ray Walton, James J. Troy
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Patent number: 10345267Abstract: A method of detecting material changes in a composite structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the composite structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the composite structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected to form data. The data comprises a number of ultrasonic A-scans. The data is processed to identify a plurality of frequency measurements for each of the number of ultrasonic A-scans. A frequency image is displayed using the plurality of frequency measurements. The material changes are represented in the frequency image.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Matthew O'Donnell, Ivan Pelivanov, Steven Kenneth Brady, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard, William P. Motzer, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, Jill Paisley Bingham, Alan F. Stewart, James C. Kennedy
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Patent number: 10309893Abstract: A method of detecting inconsistencies in a composite structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. Wide-band ultrasonic signals are formed in the composite structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by a surface of the composite structure. The wide-band ultrasonic signals are detected over a duration of time to form data. The data comprises an ultrasonic A-scan spectrum. The data is processed to identify a structure signal in a frequency domain of the ultrasonic A-scan spectrum. The structure signal of the ultrasonic A-scan spectrum is compared to a structure signal of a composite structure standard to determine whether the inconsistencies are present in the number of composite materials.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary Ernest Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Jill Paisley Bingham, Alan F. Stewart, Steven Kenneth Brady, James C. Kennedy
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Patent number: 10288585Abstract: Method and apparatus for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a changing, insufficiently defined or unknown shape (e.g., a variable radius or a noncircular radius caused by the use of soft tooling) at a rate that meets production requirements. The apparatus comprises a linear ultrasonic array (i.e., sensor) incorporated in a toppler, which in turn is slidably supported by an oscillating sensor mechanism carried by a traveling trailer vehicle. As a result of this arrangement, the sensor can undergo a back-and-forth sweeping motion coupled with motion along the spar radius. The sensor is further able to displace radially relative to a sweep pivot axis and rotate (hereinafter “topple”) about a topple pivot axis. In this manner, the orientation of the sensor can adjust to the contour of the inspected surface as the sensor scans.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2015Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, James C. Kennedy, Steven Ray Walton, James J. Troy
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Publication number: 20190064058Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, for shielding light generated by a laser during non-destructive inspection of an object. The apparatus includes a light shield at least partially enveloping the laser and defining a first opening through which light generated by the laser passes from the laser to the object. The light shield is opaque and includes at least one first biasing mechanism. The apparatus also includes at least one first light seal coupled to the light shield about the first opening of the light shield. The at least one first biasing mechanism is configured to urge resilient deformation of the at least one first light seal against the object. When the at least one first light seal is resiliently deformed against the object, light generated by the laser is constrained within a light containment space defined between the light shield, the at least one first light seal, and the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2018Publication date: February 28, 2019Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Jeffry J. Garvey, Scott W. Lea, James C. Kennedy, Steven K. Brady, Alan F. Stewart, Jill P. Bingham
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Patent number: 10162352Abstract: Self-contained, remotely operated, mobile measurement and inspection systems for stand-off inspection of large target objects located at sites distant from an operations center. The systems comprise a mobile platform with on-board instrumentation capable of making dimensional measurements in the local coordinate system of the target object. The systems comprise multiple hardware and software components networked to a control interface that enables the operator at the operations center to teleoperate the equipment. Various embodiments include rough-terrain and floatable mobile measurement and inspection systems.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2017Date of Patent: December 25, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James J. Troy, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer
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Patent number: 10126273Abstract: A method of detecting inconsistencies in a structure is presented. A pulsed laser beam is directed towards the structure. A plurality of types of ultrasonic signals is formed in the structure when radiation of the pulsed laser beam is absorbed by the structure. The plurality of types of ultrasonic signals is detected to form data.Type: GrantFiled: February 29, 2016Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Ivan Pelivanov, William P. Motzer, Matthew O'Donnell, Steven Kenneth Brady, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Jeffrey Reyner Kollgaard, Clarence Lavere Gordon, III, Jill Paisley Bingham, Alan F. Stewart, James C. Kennedy
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Patent number: 10113951Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus, for shielding light generated by a laser during non-destructive inspection of an object. The apparatus includes a light shield at least partially enveloping the laser and defining a first opening through which light generated by the laser passes from the laser to the object. The light shield is opaque and includes at least one first biasing mechanism. The apparatus also includes at least one first light seal coupled to the light shield about the first opening of the light shield. The at least one first biasing mechanism is configured to urge resilient deformation of the at least one first light seal against the object. When the at least one first light seal is resiliently deformed against the object, light generated by the laser is constrained within a light containment space defined between the light shield, the at least one first light seal, and the object.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2016Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer, Jeffry J. Garvey, Scott W. Lea, James C. Kennedy, Steven K. Brady, Alan F. Stewart, Jill P. Bingham
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Patent number: 10053165Abstract: Systems and methods for automated maintenance of the top and bottom surfaces or skins of an integrally stiffened hollow structure (e.g., a horizontal stabilizer) using surface crawling vehicles. Each system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to couple an external drive tractor to a pair of passive trailers disposed in the interior of the hollow structure on opposite sides of a vertical structural element. The external drive tractor is also coupled to an external maintenance tool, which the tractor pushes or pulls across the surface skin to perform a maintenance function. The systems allow maintenance operations to be performed on both surface skins without turning the hollow structure over. Each system is modular and can be transported to and easily set up in a building or factory.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2015Date of Patent: August 21, 2018Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James J. Troy, William P. Motzer, Scott W. Lea, James C. Kennedy, Michael C. Hutchinson
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Patent number: 9955088Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a structure. Electromagnetic radiation is sent to a surface on a structure from an electromagnetic radiation emission system. A response is filtered to the electromagnetic radiation using a filter located inside of a borescope inspection housing. The filter is configured to pass a number of wavelengths in a response to the electromagnetic radiation directed at the surface on the structure. Data is generated from the number of wavelengths from the number of wavelengths passed through the filter using a sensor array. A two-dimensional image of the surface on the structure is generated with a group of graphical indicators indicating a group of inconsistencies not visible to a naked eye. The two-dimensional image is generated using data from a sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2016Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANYInventors: William P. Motzer, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Morteza Safai
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Publication number: 20180067484Abstract: Self-contained, remotely operated, mobile measurement and inspection systems for stand-off inspection of large target objects located at sites distant from an operations center. The systems comprise a mobile platform with on-board instrumentation capable of making dimensional measurements in the local coordinate system of the target object. The systems comprise multiple hardware and software components networked to a control interface that enables the operator at the operations center to teleoperate the equipment. Various embodiments include rough-terrain and floatable mobile measurement and inspection systems.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2017Publication date: March 8, 2018Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James J. Troy, Scott W. Lea, Gary E. Georgeson, William P. Motzer