Clifford A Hatcher from Oviedo, FL, age 46

Us Patents

Combined 2D And 3D Nondestructive Examination
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US Patent:

7689003, Mar 30, 2010
Filed:

Jun 19, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/455523
Inventors:

Robert E. Shannon - Oviedo FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
Claudio Laloni - Taufkirchen, DE
Frank Forster - München, DE
Fredrick M. Davis - Orlando FL, US
Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL
International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G01N 21/00
G01N 21/84
US Classification:

382108, 356 731, 356426
Abstract:

An inspection apparatus () applying two dimensional nondestructive examination images onto a three dimensional solid model of a component () to display a virtual component () that may be manipulated to perform a nondestructive inspection. The two dimensional nondestructive examination images may be acquired from a plurality of views of the component in order to provide full coverage of the surface to be inspected, with appropriate stitching of images in regions of overlap between adjacent views. The two dimensional images () may be color or black and white photographs or ultraviolet or infrared images, for example. Multiple types of nondestructive examination images, results of inspection data evaluations, and design, operational and/or maintenance information may be displayed separately or jointly on the three dimensional solid model. Surface features of interest that are mapped as defined areas () on the three dimensional solid model may be displayed simultaneously in different views on 2D and 3D images of the virtual component.

Thermography Inspection Of Surface Discontinuities
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US Patent:

8167482, May 1, 2012
Filed:

Jul 7, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/498659
Inventors:

Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL
International Classification:

G01N 25/00
G01K 1/00
US Classification:

374 4, 374 7, 374 45, 374120
Abstract:

A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity.

System And Method For Analysis Of Ultrasonic Power Coupling During Acoustic Thermography
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US Patent:

8440974, May 14, 2013
Filed:

Sep 16, 2009
Appl. No.:

12/560543
Inventors:

Forrest R. Ruhge - Orlando FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL
International Classification:

G01J 5/00
G01M 7/00
G01N 29/46
G01N 29/00
US Classification:

250342, 2503416, 2503581, 2503411, 73588, 73595, 73584, 73602
Abstract:

A system and method of performing acoustic thermography in which invalid data is filtered from data used to detect defects on a structure. An ultrasonic sound input signal is provided to a structure to produce a thermal image output. A sensor senses an input energy corresponding to the sound input signal and produces an input energy signal. The input energy signal is transformed to a test spectrum and is compared to a reference spectrum. The comparison of the test spectrum to the reference spectrum is used to determine whether to include the thermal image output in an analysis for detecting defects in the structure.

Remote Viewing Apparatus
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US Patent:

8523764, Sep 3, 2013
Filed:

Nov 21, 2006
Appl. No.:

11/602833
Inventors:

Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
Gary L. Hensley - Irwin PA, US
Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL
International Classification:

A61B 1/00
US Classification:

600136, 600131, 600146
Abstract:

A remote viewing device including a hand-holdable control unit. The control unit supports a display device and a drive assembly. The drive assembly is removably attached to the control unit and provides mechanical power to an insertion tube. A distal end of the insertion tube includes an inspection head for insertion into a structure for imaging the interior of the structure. The insertion tube is removably attached to the drive assembly by a connector assembly, where the connector assembly is operable, when attached, to convey mechanical power from the drive assembly for moving the articulated tip in response to a user input at the control unit, and to convey images from the inspection head to the display device.

One-Dimensional Coherent Fiber Array For Inspecting Components In A Gas Turbine Engine
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US Patent:

8570505, Oct 29, 2013
Filed:

Mar 6, 2012
Appl. No.:

13/412920
Inventors:

Erwan Baleine - Orlando FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
Assignee:

Siemens Energy, Inc. - Orlando FL
International Classification:

G01B 11/14
G01N 21/88
US Classification:

3562371, 356625
Abstract:

Inspecting a turbine includes positioning respective ends of a plurality of optical fibers within a high temperature region of the turbine wherein the respective first ends are aligned as a one-dimensional array. Energy emitted from an image area on a component of the turbine, is received at the ends of the optical fiber. The optical fibers convey the received energy to the other ends of the fibers that are located outside of the turbine. Outside the turbine an image of the respective other ends is captured, wherein the other ends are also aligned in a one-dimensional area. Additionally, for imaging a rotating component, a plurality of one-dimensional images of the other ends can be respectively captured at corresponding rotational positions of the component and used to create a two-dimensional image of the rotating component.

Ultrasonic Coating Removal Method
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US Patent:

20100275949, Nov 4, 2010
Filed:

Sep 22, 2008
Appl. No.:

12/234763
Inventors:

Forrest R. Ruhge - Orlando FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
International Classification:

B08B 3/12
US Classification:

134 1
Abstract:

A method for removing a coating layer from a substrate structure. The method includes the steps of positioning a sheet of interface material on the substrate structure with a first, inner face of the interface material in engagement with a predetermined area of the coating layer, and exciting a second, outer face of the interface material with an ultrasonic frequency kinetic energy. The ultrasonic energy causes the predetermined area of the coating layer in contact with the inner face of the interface Material to be substantially completely removed.

Method For Monitoring A High-Temperature Region Of Interest In A Turbine Engine
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US Patent:

20120098940, Apr 26, 2012
Filed:

Oct 17, 2011
Appl. No.:

13/274766
Inventors:

PAUL J. ZOMBO - Cocoa FL, US
Dennis H. Lemieux - Casselberry FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
International Classification:

H04N 13/02
H04N 7/18
US Classification:

348 47, 348 82, 348E13074, 348E07085
Abstract:

A method for monitoring a high-temperature region of interest in a turbine engine () is provided. The method includes providing an internally-cooled stationary vane (). The method may further include locating at least one monitoring port () in the stationary vane and operatively connecting a monitoring instrument () to the monitoring port to provide a field of view of a region of interest.

System For Monitoring A High-Temperature Region Of Interest In A Turbine Engine
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US Patent:

20120101769, Apr 26, 2012
Filed:

Oct 17, 2011
Appl. No.:

13/274692
Inventors:

Paul J. Zombo - Cocoa FL, US
Dennis H. Lemieux - Casselberry FL, US
Clifford Hatcher - Orlando FL, US
International Classification:

G06F 15/00
G01J 5/00
US Classification:

702135, 374121
Abstract:

A system () for monitoring a high-temperature region of interest in a turbine engine () is provided. The system includes an internally cooled stationary vane () located in a path of a working gas of the turbine. A monitoring port () is located in the stationary vane. A monitoring instrument () is operatively connected to the monitoring port of the stationary vane to provide a field of view of the region of interest.