Douglas L Ingram

US Patent:

6687334, Feb 3, 2004

Filed:

May 31, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/161463

Inventors:

Andrew Joseph Galish - West Chester OH
Dean Frederick Graber - Hamilton OH
Douglas Edward Ingram - Cincinnati OH
Francis Howard Little - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G21K 102

US Classification:

378147, 378149

Abstract:

A collimator for an X-ray inspection apparatus is provided comprising a carrier having a planar top surface; an arcuate base disposed on the carrier, comprising at least one arcuate bar section made from a radio-opaque material; and a plurality of radio-opaque collimator plates disposed on the arcuate base in a radial array with a bottom edge of each collimator plate in contact with the top surface of the arcuate base. A method for assembling such a collimator is also provided, as well as an alignment fixture useful for practicing the described method. The described structure, method, and alignment fixture permit the construction of large collimator assemblies while maintaining precision and minimizing cost.

US Patent:

6812697, Nov 2, 2004

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253848

Inventors:

William Stewart McKnight - Hamilton OH
Shridhar Champaknath Nath - Niskayuna NY
Sandie Elizabeth Gresham - Cincinnati OH
Richard Lloyd Trantow - Depoe Bay OR
Douglas Edward Ingram - Cincinnati OH
John William Ertel - New Vienna OH
Thomas James Batzinger - Burnt Hills NY
Curtis Wayne Rose - Mechanicville NY
Francis Howard Little - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01N 2790

US Classification:

324262, 324242

Abstract:

The present invention provides an eddy current array probe having a complaint body molded around a rigid insert. A flexible eddy current array circuit is wrapped around the outer surface of the compliant body.

US Patent:

6815872, Nov 9, 2004

Filed:

Mar 21, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/104758

Inventors:

Douglas Edward Ingram - Cincinnati OH
Richard Eugene Klaassen - West Chester OH
Francis H. Little - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

H02N 200

US Classification:

310328, 310336, 310311, 310337, 310340, 310342

Abstract:

An ultrasonic transducer system has at least one ultrasonic transducer. Each ultrasonic transducer includes a housing having a wall that is made at least in part of an organic structural material that is substantially impervious to water; and an ultrasonic sensor element located at least in part within the housing and positioned to transceive ultrasonic signals. The wall is preferably cylindrical in shape and made of polyvinylchloride plastic. An electrically grounded shield is within the housing and adjacent to an interior wall surface. The ultrasonic sensor element may be a piezoelectric copolymer film ultrasonic sensor element.

US Patent:

6952967, Oct 11, 2005

Filed:

Jun 18, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/173760

Inventors:

Lat Sang Koo - Hamilton OH, US
Douglas Edward Ingram - Cincinnati OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01N029/24

US Classification:

73632, 310336

Abstract:

An ultrasonic transducer is provided having a transduction element in the form of a truncated cone. The angle of the transduction element is selected so that the majority of the acoustic energy incident on the target is refracted beyond the longitudinal critical angle, which minimizes contamination of the inspection results.

US Patent:

7346999, Mar 25, 2008

Filed:

Jan 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/037798

Inventors:

Douglas Edward Ingram - Cincinnati OH, US
Francis Howard Little - Cincinnati OH, US
Melvin Howard Wilkins - Loveland OH, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01B 5/20

US Classification:

33554, 33551, 702167

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for inspecting a component are provided. The method includes receiving a plurality of data points that define a shape of the component, fitting the received data points to a curve that defines a predetermined model shape, and comparing the received data points to the curve defining the predetermined model shape to determine a break radius of the component.

US Patent:

62374192, May 29, 2001

Filed:

Aug 16, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/374531

Inventors:

Ui W. Suh - Cincinnati OH
Douglas E. Ingram - Cincinnati OH
Richard E. Klaassen - West Chester OH
Walter J. Bantz - West Chester OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01N 300
H01L 4104

US Classification:

73642

Abstract:

An ultrasonic inspection element and method of fabrication are provided for ultrasonic inspection of curved surface parts. Various points on a transducer are located. These points include the location where a ray starts, to the desired focal point in the material being inspected. The path of the ray is through a water medium and a water-metal boundary. These points are fitted onto a cylindrical surface. The ray is back propagated until it is focused at the desired focal point.

US Patent:

50139223, May 7, 1991

Filed:

Mar 13, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/492169

Inventors:

Francis H. Little - Cincinnati OH
Douglas E. Ingram - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01T 118

US Classification:

2503851

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for increasing response to low intensity radiation in a radiation detector includes a housing surrounding a chamber, a window adjoining the chamber, and a slot formed in one side of the chamber for admitting a circuit board into the chamber. The board supports an array of elongated detector elements on a surface thereof, an electrically conductive plate within the chamber and substantially parallel with the array of detector elements, sealant means in the slot surrounding the circuit board for providing a gas impervious seal, an ionizable gas contained in the chamber under high pressure, and a collimator mounted in a collimator support and positioned outside the chamber for directing ionizing radiation through the window for detection. The method comprises reducing the window thickness to a value below that required to withstand gas pressure in the chamber without distortion, and also comprises clamping the collimator support to the housing and against the window such that a major portion of the window abuts the collimator support and is externally supported thereby.

US Patent:

46829644, Jul 28, 1987

Filed:

Feb 25, 1986

Appl. No.:

6/832980

Inventors:

Douglas S. Steele - Fairfield OH
Francis H. Little - Cincinnati OH
Joseph J. Sostarich - Fairfield OH
Douglas E. Ingram - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01T 118

US Classification:

445 28

Abstract:

Method for improving signal response of a linear array ionization detector. The detector employs a detector assembly having plural closely-spaced detector elements mounted on a substrate with the assembly positioned in a high pressure, gas-filled chamber. Signal response is improved by cleaning the assembly and coating it with a moisture resistant material before insertion into the chamber.