Patents by Inventor Zhong Ouyang

Zhong Ouyang 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: 20230341356
    Abstract: An inspection device is disclosed herein. The inspection device may comprise: a support structure; a motor; a shaft operably coupled to the motor, the shaft extending from a first side of the support structure to a second side of the support structure, the shaft configured to couple to a bladed rotor; an optical device moveably coupled to the support structure; and a broad-band energy source configured to generate acoustic energy through the bladed rotor during inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: DEREK J. MICHAELS, ELIZABETH F. VINSON, ZHONG OUYANG
  • Publication number: 20230311252
    Abstract: A method of determining a repair method for a defect in a bladed rotor can comprise comparing the defect in a three-dimensional model of an inspected integrally bladed rotor (IBR) to a plurality of known defects from a repair database; determining the defect is matching a known defect in the plurality of known defects in the repair database; and generating a repair process associated with the known defect in response to determining the defect is matching the known defect. A method can also comprise determining a potential repair process; performing a structural simulation of a finite element model for the inspected IBR with the potential repair; performing an aerodynamic simulation of an aerodynamic model for the inspected IBR with the potential repair; and generating the potential repair process for the defect in response to determining the inspected IBR with the potential repair meets structural and the aerodynamic criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Publication date: October 5, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIGEL DAVID SAWYERS-ABBOTT, RON I. PRIHAR, GARRETT KERNOZICKY, ZHONG OUYANG, LAWRENCE P. ROBERTS, ADAM F. KNAPP
  • Publication number: 20230304943
    Abstract: An article of manufacture may include a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: commanding, via the processor, a first scan of a bladed rotor; generating, via the processor, a three-dimensional model based on a first set of data received from a first scanner; comparing, via the processor, the three-dimensional model to an acceptable three-dimensional model of the bladed rotor; determining, via the processor, areas of interest based on the comparison; and commanding, via the processor, a contact probe to perform a non-destructive inspection on the areas of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Applicant: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: NIGEL DAVID SAWYERS-ABBOTT, RON I. PRIHAR, GARRETT KERNOZICKY, ZHONG OUYANG
  • Publication number: 20230273277
    Abstract: A system for magnetically inspecting a metallic component uses a manipulator configured to manipulate a relative position between a part fixture that holds the metallic component and a probe fixture that holds a magnetic probe, thereby causing the probe tip to trace an inspection route along the surface of the metallic component so that the probe tip contacts the metallic component such that an angular difference between the probe axis and a vector normal to the surface is less than a predetermined angle delta. The magnetic probe has a probe tip that measures magnetic permeability of the metallic component along the inspection route, which the controller receives. A method of performing the magnetic inspection is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang
  • Patent number: 11668773
    Abstract: A system for magnetically inspecting a metallic component uses a manipulator configured to manipulate a relative position between a part fixture that holds the metallic component and a probe fixture that holds a magnetic probe, thereby causing the probe tip to trace an inspection route along the surface of the metallic component so that the probe tip contacts the metallic component such that an angular difference between the probe axis and a vector normal to the surface is less than a predetermined angle delta. The magnetic probe has a probe tip that measures magnetic permeability of the metallic component along the inspection route, which the controller receives. A method of performing the magnetic inspection is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang
  • Patent number: 11243158
    Abstract: A method is provided that involves rotational equipment that includes a case and a first rotor blade within the case. During the method, a probe is arranged within the case adjacent the first rotor blade. A magnetic characteristic of the first rotor blade is measured using the probe. Presence of internal corrosion within the first rotor blade is determined based on the measured magnetic characteristic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Raytheon Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, Nicholas M. LoRicco, William J. Brindley, Kathryn Macauley, Christopher J. Bischof
  • Patent number: 11156585
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting mixed mode corrosion of a turbine airfoil. The method includes heat treating the turbine airfoil at a temperature of 1600 to 2100° F. in a Ni/Co oxide reducing atmosphere; and scanning the heat treated turbine airfoil with a magnetometer to determine the presence of mixed mode corrosion, wherein the turbine airfoil comprises a nickel superalloy and has internal passages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang, Christopher J. Bischof, William J. Brindley
  • Publication number: 20210172859
    Abstract: A method is provided that involves rotational equipment that includes a case and a first rotor blade within the case. During the method, a probe is arranged within the case adjacent the first rotor blade. A magnetic characteristic of the first rotor blade is measured using the probe. Presence of internal corrosion within the first rotor blade is determined based on the measured magnetic characteristic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, Nicholas M. LoRicco, William J. Brindley, Kathryn Macauley, Christopher J. Bischof
  • Patent number: 11002638
    Abstract: A magnetoscop inspection system includes a magnetoscop, a computed tomography unit, and a corrosion model unit. The magnetoscop measures a permeability at a plurality of inspection points of a turbine component. The computed tomography unit generates a measured profile of a hollowed portion of the turbine component based at least in part on the permeability at the measured inspection points. The corrosion model unit stores in memory at least one reference computed tomography profile of a known turbine component. The magnetoscop inspection system determines a structural integrity of the turbine component based on a comparison between the measured profile and the reference profile corresponding to the turbine component currently under inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, William J. Brindley, Xuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20200393524
    Abstract: A system for magnetically inspecting a metallic component uses a manipulator configured to manipulate a relative position between a part fixture that holds the metallic component and a probe fixture that holds a magnetic probe, thereby causing the probe tip to trace an inspection route along the surface of the metallic component so that the probe tip contacts the metallic component such that an angular difference between the probe axis and a vector normal to the surface is less than a predetermined angle delta. The magnetic probe has a probe tip that measures magnetic permeability of the metallic component along the inspection route, which the controller receives. A method of performing the magnetic inspection is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2020
    Publication date: December 17, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang
  • Patent number: 10816507
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for inspecting a component of a gas turbine engine, which includes a sleeve configured to surround a component of a gas turbine engine, the sleeve including: a pair of opposing wall members being secured to each other at at least one of a pair of opposite ends; an internal cavity located between the pair of opposing wall members, wherein the internal cavity extends from one end of the sleeve to an opposite end of the sleeve; and a plurality of orifices extending through the pair of opposing wall members, and wherein a probe is inserted in each orifice in one of the pair of opposing wall members to determine the state of the internal cavities of a gas turbine component and determine the structural integrity of the component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, William J. Brindley, Kathryn Macauley
  • Publication number: 20200300810
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for inspecting a component of a gas turbine engine, which includes a sleeve configured to surround a component of a gas turbine engine, the sleeve including: a pair of opposing wall members being secured to each other at at least one of a pair of opposite ends; an internal cavity located between the pair of opposing wall members, wherein the internal cavity extends from one end of the sleeve to an opposite end of the sleeve; and a plurality of orifices extending through the pair of opposing wall members, and wherein a probe is inserted in each orifice in one of the pair of opposing wall members to determine the state of the internal cavities of a gas turbine component and determine the structural integrity of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, William J. Brindley, Kathryn Macauley
  • Publication number: 20200300731
    Abstract: A magnetoscop inspection system includes a magnetoscop, a computed tomography unit, and a corrosion model unit. The magnetoscop measures a permeability at a plurality of inspection points of a turbine component. The computed tomography unit generates a measured profile of a hollowed portion of the turbine component based at least in part on the permeability at the measured inspection points. The corrosion model unit stores in memory at least one reference computed tomography profile of a known turbine component. The magnetoscop inspection system determines a structural integrity of the turbine component based on a comparison between the measured profile and the reference profile corresponding to the turbine component currently under inspection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2019
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, Andrew DeBiccari, William J. Brindley, Xuan Liu
  • Publication number: 20200256831
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of detecting mixed mode corrosion of a turbine airfoil. The method includes heat treating the turbine airfoil at a temperature of 1600 to 2100° F. in a Ni/Co oxide reducing atmosphere; and scanning the heat treated turbine airfoil with a magnetometer to determine the presence of mixed mode corrosion, wherein the turbine airfoil comprises a nickel superalloy and has internal passages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: Xuan Liu, Andrew DeBiccari, Zhong Ouyang, Christopher J. Bischof, William J. Brindley
  • Publication number: 20200016702
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for repairing components. A material layer may be deposited on a surface of a component. The material layer may cover a cooling hole. A pulsed heat source may heat the component and the material layer. An infrared camera may take a series of images of the component. A location of the cooling hole may be identified based on thermal properties of the component. A removal tool may remove a portion of the material layer in order to expose the cooling hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2019
    Publication date: January 16, 2020
    Applicant: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: David A Raulerson, Kevin D. Smith, Zhong Ouyang, Lisa J. Brasche, William J. Brindley, David N. Potter
  • Patent number: 10471552
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for repairing components. A material layer may be deposited on a surface of a component. The material layer may cover a cooling hole. A pulsed heat source may heat the component and the material layer. An infrared camera may take a series of images of the component. A location of the cooling hole may be identified based on thermal properties of the component. A removal tool may remove a portion of the material layer in order to expose the cooling hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Raulerson, Kevin D. Smith, Zhong Ouyang, Lisa J. Brasche, William J. Brindley, David N. Potter
  • Patent number: 10274429
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to predicting precursor to coating spallation. Heat is provided to a first surface of a member. A time sequence of thermal images is captured of the first surface and/or a second surface of the member. Each of the images includes a two-dimensional array of image data. Each of the image data of the two-dimensional array of image data corresponds to an xy-coordinate pair. A two-dimensional array of thermal diffusivities is calculated based on the captured time sequence of thermal images. Each of the thermal diffusivities of the two-dimensional array of thermal diffusivities corresponds to the xy-coordinate pair. Each of the calculated thermal diffusivities of the two dimensional array of thermal diffusivities are compared with a predetermined threshold. If the calculated thermal diffusivity is greater than the predetermined threshold, then precursor to coating spallation of the thermal barrier coating at the corresponding xy-coordinate pair is predicted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, Kevin D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20190086336
    Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to predicting precursor to coating spallation. Heat is provided to a first surface of a member. A time sequence of thermal images is captured of the first surface and/or a second surface of the member. Each of the images includes a two-dimensional array of image data. Each of the image data of the two-dimensional array of image data corresponds to an xy-coordinate pair. A two-dimensional array of thermal diffusivities is calculated based on the captured time sequence of thermal images. Each of the thermal diffusivities of the two-dimensional array of thermal diffusivities corresponds to the xy-coordinate pair. Each of the calculated thermal diffusivities of the two dimensional array of thermal diffusivities are compared with a predetermined threshold. If the calculated thermal diffusivity is greater than the predetermined threshold, then precursor to coating spallation of the thermal barrier coating at the corresponding xy-coordinate pair is predicted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Publication date: March 21, 2019
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, Kevin D. Smith
  • Patent number: 10048133
    Abstract: A thermal inspection system is provided for a gas turbine engine hot section component with a cooling passage. This thermal inspection system includes a fluid subsystem operable to supply a fluid into the cooling passage. The thermal inspection system also includes a thermal camera subsystem operable to monitor a fluid temperature difference of the fluid exiting the cooling passage relative to the input temperature of the fluid supplied to the cooling passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin D. Smith, David A. Raulerson, Zhong Ouyang, Lisa J. Brasche
  • Patent number: 9964404
    Abstract: A method of determining the thickness of an internal wall in a gas turbine engine component includes the steps of utilizing flash thermography to measure a complete thickness of a component between an outer wall and at least one enlarged cooling channel at a location where an outer cooling channel is positioned between the outer wall and the at least one enlarged cooling channel and where at least one member spans the cooling channel, such that the thickness is through the member which spans the outer cooling channel. An outer thickness of the component is measured from the outer wall to an outer wall of the outer cooling channel. A thickness is determined from an inner wall of the outer cooling channel to the at least one enlarged cooling channel by subtracting the measured outer thickness from the complete thickness, and also subtracting a known thickness of the outer cooling channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Zhong Ouyang, David A. Raulerson, Kevin D. Smith, Hector M. Pinero, Jaimie Taraskevich, Jesse R. Boyer