Patents by Inventor York Oberdoerfer

York Oberdoerfer 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).

  • Patent number: 10768147
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting a characteristic in a test object having a cylindrical peripheral surface. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of adjacent transducer elements. Each transducer is operatively configured to emit a respective beam into the test object so as to provide a pattern of constructive interference. The ultrasonic detection assembly is structurally configured to provide for cylindrical contact between the phased array probe and the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the phased array probe for causing each transducer to emit the respective beam into the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 10502716
    Abstract: A testing system for testing a work piece. The testing system may be non-destructive. An associated method. The method may include obtaining C-scan images and corresponding S-scan images. The C-scan images and the corresponding S-scan images are of the same portion of the work piece being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 10175207
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting a characteristic in a test object having a cylindrical peripheral surface. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of adjacent transducer elements. Each transducer is operatively configured to emit a respective beam into the test object so as to provide a pattern of constructive interference. The ultrasonic detection assembly is structurally configured to provide for cylindrical contact between the phased array probe and the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a controller operatively connected to the phased array probe for causing each transducer to emit the respective beam into the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Publication number: 20180136172
    Abstract: A testing system for testing a work piece. The testing system may be non-destructive. An associated method. The method may include obtaining C-scan images and corresponding S-scan images. The C-scan images and the corresponding S-scan images are of the same portion of the work piece being tested.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9869660
    Abstract: A non-destructive testing system for testing a work piece. The non-destructive testing system includes an ultrasonic probe, including a matrix of transducers, and a control unit including a display. The control unit is configured to control the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain multiple S-scan images. The ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain a first S-scan image at a first direction orientation, and the ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain a second S-scan image at a second direction orientation different from the first direction orientation. The control unit is configured to process the first and second S-scan images to provide at least an image upon the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20170219529
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly for detecting a characteristic in a test object having a cylindrical peripheral surface. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of adjacent transducer elements. Each transducer is operatively configured to emit a respective beam into the test object so as to provide a pattern of constructive interference. The ultrasonic detection assembly is structurally configured to provide for cylindrical contact between the phased array probe and the cylindrical peripheral surface of the test object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 9664651
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleineret
  • Publication number: 20160377579
    Abstract: A non-destructive testing system for testing a work piece. The non-destructive testing system includes an ultrasonic probe, including a matrix of transducers, and a control unit including a display. The control unit is configured to control the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain multiple S-scan images. The ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain a first S-scan image at a first direction orientation, and the ultrasonic probe and the control unit are configured to obtain a second S-scan image at a second direction orientation different from the first direction orientation. The control unit is configured to process the first and second S-scan images to provide at least an image upon the display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9442097
    Abstract: The present application relates to a non-destructive testing system. The non-destructive testing system may include an ultrasonic probe and a hand-held display in communication with the ultrasonic probe. The hand-held display may be configured to display C-scan images or S-scan images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20160231290
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleineret
  • Patent number: 9404897
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the non-destructive inspection of a test object with a large material thickness by means of ultrasound. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer divided into a plurality of individually activatable transducer segments wherein the transducer segments are concentric circles or rings, or sections thereof. A first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments is selected in such a way that a parallel activation of these transducer segments results in a circular active surface Fj of the ultrasonic transducer (22). An ultrasound inspection of the test object is undertaken with the first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments, wherein they are activated in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GMBH
    Inventor: York Oberdoerfer
  • Patent number: 9335302
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic. A method of detecting a characteristic in the test object with the ultrasonic detection assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 9244043
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes ultrasonic transducers and processing electronics to control emission of ultrasonic energy and to process and digitize returned echo data. Processed echo data can then be transmitted over a digital interface for display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Johannes Georg Rudolf Buechler, York Oberdoerfer, Matthias Jobst
  • Publication number: 20150369780
    Abstract: The present application relates to a non-destructive testing system. The non-destructive testing system may include an ultrasonic probe and a hand-held display in communication with the ultrasonic probe. The hand-held display may be configured to display C-scan images or S-scan images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: December 24, 2015
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 9157895
    Abstract: The present application relates to a non-destructive testing system. The non-destructive testing system may include an ultrasonic probe and a hand-held display in communication with the ultrasonic probe. The hand-held display may be configured to display C-scan images or S-scan images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Weiwei Zhang
  • Patent number: 8997590
    Abstract: A multi-part mounting device for an ultrasonic transducer, the mounting device comprising a first part configured to mount the mounting device on a housing of an ultrasonic test probe, and a second part configured to retain the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part is at least in touching contact with the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the second part comprises a first plastic and is connected by positive fit to the first part, and wherein the first part has a greater hardness than the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Judith Duerscheid, Jochen Zilz, Willi Warkowski, Marek Parusel
  • Publication number: 20140352438
    Abstract: This disclosure describes embodiments of a probe device that can replace the multiple probes now required to perform inspection of hollow targets. These embodiments can generate acoustic waves as both shear waves and compression waves. Moreover, configurations of the probe devices below can direct the acoustic waves across an angular range that accommodates for the position of potential anomalies in the hollow target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Luca Scaccabarozzi, York Oberdoerfer
  • Patent number: 8770027
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nondestructive ultrasonic test method in which at least one ultrasonic pulse is emitted into a workpiece under test by at least one ultrasonic transmitter (3), the ultrasonic pulse is reflected on boundary surfaces within the workpiece, the reflected ultrasound is received by at least one ultrasonic receiver (2), and the associated signals are evaluated, the ultrasound penetrating a damping block (4) that is arranged between the workpiece and the transmitter or receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Michael Berke, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert, Jerome Poirier, Sascha Schieke
  • Publication number: 20140157903
    Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic. A method of detecting a characteristic in the test object with the ultrasonic detection assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Roman Heinrich Koch, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert
  • Patent number: 8739630
    Abstract: The invention relates to a nondestructive ultrasonic test method in which at least one ultrasonic pulse is emitted into a workpiece under test by means of at least one ultrasonic transmitter (3), the ultrasonic pulse is reflected on boundary surfaces within the workpiece, the reflected ultrasound is received by at least one ultrasonic receiver (2), and the associated signals are evaluated, the ultrasound penetrating a damping block (4) that is arranged between the workpiece and the transmitter or receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: GE Sensing & Inspection Technology
    Inventors: York Oberdoerfer, Michael Berke, Wolf-Dietrich Kleinert, Jerome Poirier, Sascha Schieke