Thomas E Michaels

US Patent:

6871560, Mar 29, 2005

Filed:

Feb 14, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/076946

Inventors:

Gary D. Shives - Brunswick OH, US
Paul S. Sirocky - Brook Park OH, US
Thomas E. Michaels - Tucker GA, US

Assignee:

UCAR Carbon Company Inc. - Wilmington DE

International Classification:

G01N009/24

US Classification:

73866, 73633, 73641

Abstract:

A system is provided for ultrasonic inspection of cylindrical carbon articles, such as electrodes of the type utilized in electric arc steel making furnaces. An inspection station is provided for receiving the electrode in a fixed longitudinal location and for rotating the electrode about the longitudinal axis of the electrode. Master and slave robots are provided, and each carries a pair of transducers arranged to engage the electrode at circumferentially spaced positions about the electrode. Each pair of transducers is carried on a yoke. The inspection station rotates the electrode while the master and slave robots o each carry their associated pair of transducers along approximately one half the length of the electrode.

US Patent:

8406082, Mar 26, 2013

Filed:

Jan 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/523622

Inventors:

Jennifer Michaels - Tucker GA, US
Thomas Michaels - Tucker GA, US
Gisele Bennett - Atlanta GA, US

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G01S 15/00

US Classification:

367 96

Abstract:

A structure intrusion may be determined. For example, a signal may be received corresponding to a wave propagating in the structure. Next, the received signal may be analyzed. Based on the analysis in a “passive mode”, a breach may be determined to have occurred in the structure when the received signal indicates that at least one aspect of the received signal crosses a predetermined threshold. Furthermore, based on the analysis in an “active mode”, a breach may be determined to have occurred in the structure when comparing the received signal to a baseline waveform indicates that at least one aspect of the received signal varies from the baseline waveform by a predetermined amount. The wave propagating in the structure may comprise an elastic wave and may be in an acoustic frequency range or in an ultrasonic frequency range.

US Patent:

20100265069, Oct 21, 2010

Filed:

Jan 19, 2007

Appl. No.:

12/523614

Inventors:

Thomas Michaels - Tucker GA, US
Jennifer Michaels - Tucker GA, US

Assignee:

Georgia Tech Research Corporation - Atlanta GA

International Classification:

G08B 13/22

US Classification:

3405723

Abstract:

A structure breach may be determined. A sensor, provided in the structure, may be driven with a constant frequency signal. The sensor may comprise a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element may be substantially parallel with the second conductive element. A standing wave pattern may be induced on the sensor by the constant frequency signal reflecting off a termination point of the sensor. A least one characteristic of the sensor caused by the voltage standing wave pattern may be measured. A breach occurrence in the structure may be determined when the measured at least one characteristic varies from a previously determined value by a predetermined amount. The first conductive element and the second conductive element may be sandwiched between two layers comprising the structure. The structure may comprise a shipping container floor. The detected breach may comprise an opening greater than nine square inches.