Lea, US
Anthony Michael Lea, Las Vegas, NV US
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20130087492 | Slurry drip dryer - This device is designed to separate liquid from matter, or water from ground up cement or concrete. Water is recycled from the bi-product heavy grey mud or slurry, drying up the left-over matter. This process is possible through absorption containment liquid gravity filtration, This makes the water follow toward the adsorption gravite route of exite, or drip drying. The slurry liquid or matter is suspended in an absorbent filtration by using gravity to push the water out. The filter is designed in such a way that the water drips into the desired place. | 04-11-2013 |
Bradley M. Lea, Henderson, NV US
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20120063743 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE PRESENTATION PROVISION - A method of receiving and playing a composite video, wherein the composite video includes at least a video asset and a non-video asset in separate files. The method comprising: receiving the non-video asset; receiving at least a portion of the video asset; buffering the at least a portion of the video asset in a buffer; delaying playback of the composite video until (a) the non-video asset is downloaded and (b) the at least a portion of the video asset received is sufficient under existing conditions that the video asset can be played in real time without emptying the buffer before the end of the video asset; and playing, after the delaying, the composite video. | 03-15-2012 |
Christopher W. Lea, Brooklyn, NY US
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20120036278 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACING, ACKING, TIMING, AND HANDICAPPING (PATH) FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS - A method for facilitating substantially simultaneous receipt of content included in at least one document by a plurality of intended recipients is disclosed. At least one portion of impactful content is delimited in the at least one document to define at least one impactful block (IBlock). A remaining portion of content is delimited to define at least one non-impactful block (NIBlock). The least one IBlock is transmitted to be received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of intended recipients. | 02-09-2012 |
20120243534 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACING, ACKING, TIMING, AND HANDICAPPING (PATH) FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS - A method for facilitating substantially simultaneous receipt of content included in at least one document by a plurality of intended recipients is disclosed. At least one portion of impactful content is delimited in the at least one document to define at least one impactful block (IBlock). A remaining portion of content is delimited to define at least one non-impactful block (NIBlock). The least one IBlock is transmitted to be received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of intended recipients. | 09-27-2012 |
20140215088 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACING, ACKING, TIMING, AND HANDICAPPING (PATH) FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS - A method for facilitating substantially simultaneous receipt of content included in at least one document by a plurality of intended recipients is disclosed. At least one portion of impactful content is delimited in the at least one document to define at least one impactful block (IBlock). A remaining portion of content is delimited to define at least one non-impactful block (NIBlock). The least one IBlock is transmitted to be received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of intended recipients. | 07-31-2014 |
20140317231 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACING, ACKING, TIMING, AND HANDICAPPING (PATH) FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS HAVING TRADER MARKUPS - A computing device determines impactful content in transmittable content. The computing device assigns the impactful content to one or more impactful block units. Each impactful block unit comprises a determined numbers of characters and an impactful block of characters comprises one or more impactful block units. The computing device inserts an identifier associated with the impactful content into the transmittable content proximal to the impactful block of characters. The identifier causes a message concerning a financial-related action to be communicated to a plurality of intended recipients when one or more conditions are met. The computing device transmits the one or more impactful block units and the identifier to the plurality of intended recipients using a time delay for a particular intended recipient and a pacing method such that the impactful block units are received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of intended recipients. | 10-23-2014 |
20150032902 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PACING, ACKING, TIMING, AND HANDICAPPING (PATH) FOR SIMULTANEOUS RECEIPT OF DOCUMENTS - A computing device determines impactful content in transmittable content. The computing device assigns the impactful content in the transmittable content to one or more impactful block units. Each impactful block unit comprises a determined numbers of characters. The computing device extracts the one or more impactful block units from the transmittable content. The computing device places the one or more impactful block units at the end of the transmittable content. The computing device transmits the transmittable content to a plurality of intended recipients. Each character, or a small packet set of sequential characters, of the determined number of characters of the one or more impactful block units is transmitted using a time delay for a particular intended recipient and a pacing method. The one or more impactful block units are to be received substantially simultaneously by the plurality of intended recipients. | 01-29-2015 |
Dallas M. Lea, Poughkeepsie, NY US
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20110172979 | CIRCUIT-LEVEL VALIDATION OF COMPUTER EXECUTABLE DEVICE/CIRCUIT SIMULATORS - A method is disclosed for evaluating a model, characterized as being a computer executable device and circuit simulator. The method includes accepting measured parameters of devices, which devices are essentially identical with, or are actually from, a simulated circuit instance. The model is executed with adjusted input parameters to generate simulated values for properties of the circuit instance. These simulated values are compared with measured values of the same properties. The goodness of the model is determined based on the degree of direct, or statistical, agreement between the simulated and measured values. | 07-14-2011 |
20140184242 | In-Line Transistor Bandwidth Measurement - A method and apparatus measure transistor bandwidth of a device under test in-line and on-wafer. The method includes disposing a measurement circuit on a chip within a wafer, the measurement circuit including a ring oscillator generating an oscillation frequency for transition through the device under test on the wafer, and obtaining an amplitude gain based on the measurement circuit for the corresponding frequency. | 07-03-2014 |
David Lea, Johnson Creek, WI US
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20080258852 | Reed switch contact coating - A reed switch has a contact surface composed of three layers of metal applied to the contacts of the reed switch. The three layers comprise first a layer of titanium of approximately 15 to 150 micro inches, second a layer of molybdenum of 15 to 150 micro inches, and finally a contact layer of 5 to 20 micro inches of ruthenium, or other platinum group metal or alloy. The layers may be applied by any suitable methods, for example by sputtering. | 10-23-2008 |
Glenn Lea, Marblehead, MA US
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20110239107 | TRANSCRIPT EDITOR - A transcript editor enables text-based editing of time-based media that includes spoken dialog. It involves an augmented transcript that includes timing metadata that associates words and phrases within the transcript with corresponding temporal locations within the time-based media where the text is spoken, and editing the augmented transcript without the need for playback of the time-based media. After editing, the augmented transcript is processed by a media editing system to automatically generate an edited version of the time-based media that only includes the segments of the time-based media that include the speech corresponding to the edited augmented transcript. | 09-29-2011 |
20110239119 | SPOT DIALOG EDITOR - Automated methods are used to augment an original script of a time-based media program that contains speech with timing metadata and an indication of a confidence level with which script portions are matched with the speech in the program audio track. An editor uses a spot dialog editor tool to produce a word-accurate spot dialog master by reviewing and editing script portions displayed next to the corresponding portions of the time-based media. The spot dialog editor tool selects for review and editing the parts of the script having a low confidence match with the speech in the program. | 09-29-2011 |
20130047059 | TRANSCRIPT EDITOR - A transcript editor enables text-based editing of time-based media that includes spoken dialog. It involves an augmented transcript that includes timing metadata that associates words and phrases within the transcript with corresponding temporal locations within the time-based media where the text is spoken, and editing the augmented transcript without the need for playback of the time-based media. After editing, the augmented transcript is processed by a media editing system to automatically generate an edited version of the time-based media that only includes the segments of the time-based media that include the speech corresponding to the edited augmented transcript. | 02-21-2013 |
John Alexander Lea, Louisville, KY US
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20130041733 | SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TIP SHARING USING SOCIAL NETWORKING - A system, method, and computer program product for making a product recommendation that pays cash or non-cash awards to a network of tip sharers/providers. The system may be used to increase traffic to a business by sharing recommendations, which may include discounts or other exclusive offerings, to network connections that may be interested in buying a product or service, or engaging in any activity, of the business. A user of the system shares a tip or recommendation with their friend, this friend becomes a customer after making use of the tip, and a fee paid by the business is used to pay cash incentives to the individual who provided the tip and/or the customer who purchased the product based upon the tip. Additional embodiments are also described for sharing cash incentives with a greater network of individuals including those that invite others to join the tip sharing system. | 02-14-2013 |
Jon T. Lea, Hampstead, NH US
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20110306874 | Adjustable Instruments For Use With A Localizer - A system for tracking the position of an instrument relative to an area of interest. The system includes an instrument and an instrument guide mounted to the instrument. The instrument guide carries a first localizer proximate the instrument. The first localizer is movable relative to the instrument. The system also includes a fixator configured to be attached to the area of interest. The fixator carries a second localizer proximate the area of interest. The second localizer is movable relative to the area of interest. The first and second localizers are movable in order that the first and second localizers are in communication such that the position of one of the first and second localizers is known relative to the position of the other of the first and second localizers. | 12-15-2011 |
Jon Thomas Lea, Hampstead, NH US
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20080300477 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CORRECTION OF AUTOMATED IMAGE REGISTRATION - An image guided surgical system and method for correction of automated image registration via user interaction. The system and method comprising at least one imaging apparatus adapted to acquire a first image and a second image of a region of interest of a subject, a registration component adapted to perform a registration of the second image to a dataset of the first image, at least one display for displaying a visualization of the registration of the second image to a dataset of the first image as it is occurring, and a user interface for manipulating the visualization of the registration to correct any misalignments between the first image and the second image in the registration. | 12-04-2008 |
Jon Thomas Lea, Salt Lake City, UT US
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20120165657 | HYBRID TRACKING SYSTEM UTILIZING COMBINED LED AND MAGNETORESISTANCE SENSORS - A hybrid tracking system utilizing at least one combined light emitting diode (LED) and magnetoresistance sensor. The hybrid tracking system includes optical tracking technology and electromagnetic (EM) tracking technology with at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor attached to a fixed object, at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor attached to an object being tracked, and a processor coupled to the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor for processing signals from the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance reference sensor and the at least one combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor. The combined LED and magnetoresistance sensor includes at least one magnetoresistance sensor and at least one LED that are integrated into a single package. | 06-28-2012 |
Keith Michael Lea, Baltimore, MD US
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20150081071 | SYSTEM FOR TRIGGERING ACTIONS ON COMPUTING DEVICES VIA AUDIO SIGNALS - A system and method effective to trigger precisely timed actions on computing devices. The system may include a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitter may modulate binary data into sound waves, and the receiver may demodulate the audio signal into binary data. Signal amplitude across a range of frequencies may be used to demodulate. The received data may be interpreted in order to trigger actions on the computing device. These actions may involve the device's screen, speaker, built-in lights, camera, or vibration function. The actions may change over time based on the time at which the signal was received. More actions may be loaded from the device's storage. | 03-19-2015 |
Larry L. Lea, Old Bridge, NJ US
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20130186980 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING WATER IN A SHOWER ENCLOSURE - Methods and apparatus provide for installation of a water spraying system into an existing shower enclosure, including: a flexible source tube operating to couple to the water feed; a first array for placement proximate to the first wall, and a second array for placement proximate to the third wall, opposite to the first array, each of the first and second arrays having at least two laterally extending, and vertically spaced apart, spray tubes, each spray tube having a series of apertures extending through a wall of the given tube and permitting water to exit the tube and spray into the shower enclosure. | 07-25-2013 |
Larry M. Lea, Rahway, NJ US
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20130186980 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING WATER IN A SHOWER ENCLOSURE - Methods and apparatus provide for installation of a water spraying system into an existing shower enclosure, including: a flexible source tube operating to couple to the water feed; a first array for placement proximate to the first wall, and a second array for placement proximate to the third wall, opposite to the first array, each of the first and second arrays having at least two laterally extending, and vertically spaced apart, spray tubes, each spray tube having a series of apertures extending through a wall of the given tube and permitting water to exit the tube and spray into the shower enclosure. | 07-25-2013 |
Mark Wayne Lea, Kennesaw, GA US
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20150163651 | HOME AUTOMATION COMMUNICATIONS - A system mobile computing device is at a first geographic location different from a second geographic location of a customer premises. The mobile computing device is configured to receive from the customer premises information including data indicating a status of the customer premises and an identifier for the customer premises. The device is further configured to receive user input to place an emergency call concerning the customer premises, to provide the identifier for the customer premises to a data store as part of a query for a location of the customer premises; to receive a response to the query including the second location, and send a request for a public safety answering point (PSAP) to request emergency services at the second location. | 06-11-2015 |
20150179222 | RECORDED CONTENT REPAIR - A television receiver may detect at least one gap in content within an instance of recorded programming. The television receiver may send to a computer system a request to repair the at least one gap in content within the instance of recorded programming. The television receiver may receive one of content associated with the at least one gap in content, and a notification that indicates unavailability of content associated with the at least one gap in content. The television receiver may edit the instance of recorded programming to include content associated with the at least one gap in content when content associated with the at least one gap in content is received. | 06-25-2015 |
Perry V. Lea, Eagle, ID US
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20130002674 | MEDIA REPRODUCTION DEVICE - A media reproduction device that compresses and decompresses images for display on the media reproduction device. | 01-03-2013 |
20130106930 | PRINTHEAD ASSEMBLY INCLUDING MEMORY ELEMENTS | 05-02-2013 |
Peter Lea, Toronto, CA US
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20130165335 | MULTIPLEX MEASURE OF ISOTYPE ANTIGEN RESPONSE - The application discloses methods for simultaneous detection and quantifying multiple target analytes, including immunoglobulin isotypes and sub-classes, single and multiple protein antibodies within a test sample in a single reaction vessel. The method uses reaction wells as on a multi-well plate, each single well comprising microarrays of: calibration spots, having a predetermined quantity of a target analyte; and capture spots, having multiple agent antibodies, including isotypes and subclasses that specifically bind the target analytes. The captured analytes and the calibration spots are detected with fluorescently labeled antibodies specific for each analyte. The application also discloses methods for detecting and quantifying biomarkers, therapeutic proteins and patient derived antibodies; the use of secondary reagents to determine immunoglobulin classes Ig G, A, M, E and sub-classes including IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4 and IgA. The intensity of each fluorescent signal allows measurement of a specific immune response to a therapeutic protein and associated analytes. | 06-27-2013 |
Scott Lea, Renton, WA US
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20090086014 | LOCAL POSITIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A local positioning system which includes a video camera, a computer communicating with the video camera and a target object sighted by the video camera and having a target object coordinate system. The computer is adapted to define a relative position and orientation of the video camera with respect to the target object, determine a position and orientation of the video camera in the target object coordinate system, and determine the position of a point of interest in the target object coordinate system. The system can also be used to aim the camera at a previously recorded point of interest on the target object. Contact with, or close proximity to, the target object is not required. A local positioning method is also disclosed. | 04-02-2009 |
20140339002 | APPARATUS FOR FORMING A VACUUM ADHESION - A method, apparatus, and system for adhering a vacuum to a surface is provided. A seal is positioned relative to a surface. The seal is associated with a structure and is in communication with a channel within the structure. The seal is rotated relative to the structure such that the seal at least partially conforms to the surface. Air is drawn into the channel within the structure through the seal such that the seal adheres to the surface. | 11-20-2014 |
Scott W. Lea, Renton, WA US
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20080295579 | DETERMINING SEAL FEATURE INTEGRITY BY TESTING FOR DEFORMATION UPON AIR PRESSURE EXCITATION - Optical metrology methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting seal integrity. These comprise changing an air pressure inside a chamber to an excitation pressure level when the chamber is placed over a segment of a surface of a structure having one or more seal features and determining whether the integrity of any of the one or more seal features has been compromised by determining, using an optical system, whether any of the one or more seal features have been deformed by the changing of the air pressure. | 12-04-2008 |
20090060666 | RAPID INSPECTION OF LIGHTNING STRIKE PROTECTION SYSTEMS PRIOR TO INSTALLING FASTENER - Methods and systems are disclosed for drilling counter sink fastener holes in composite materials with conductive foil lightning strike protection systems. Initially a non-destructive depth detector is scanned over a prospective fastener hole location. Then the depth of a conductive foil below a surface is detected. When the detected depth is less than a predetermined depth, a signal that indicates that a countersink fastener hole may be drilled is output. When the detected depth is greater than a predetermined depth, a signal that indicates that a countersink fastener hole may not be drilled is output. | 03-05-2009 |
20090086199 | METHOD INVOLVING A POINTING INSTRUMENT AND A TARGET OBJECT - A first method determines a position of a point of interest on a target object surface in a target object coordinate system using orientation and distance measurements of a pointing instrument in an instrument coordinate system. A second method determines an orientation of a pointing instrument in an instrument coordinate system for the instrument to be aligned with a point of interest on a target object surface having a target object coordinate system, wherein a position of the point of interest in the target object coordinate system is known. A third method controls orientation of a laser beam of a laser in an instrument coordinate system for the laser beam to trace an image on a target object surface having a target object coordinate system, wherein positions of points for the image on the surface of the target object in the target object coordinate system are known. | 04-02-2009 |
20090154775 | FITTING DOUBLERS USING GAP MAPPING - A method and apparatus are used to fit a metallic or composite doubler on an uneven surface. A three dimensional digital map of the gap between the doubler and the uneven surface is generated by digitally scanning the uneven surface. The digital map is then used to fabricate a stack of adhesive plies tailored to substantially fill the gap between the doubler and the uneven surface. | 06-18-2009 |
20100085437 | METHOD AND SYSTEM INVOLVING CONTROLLING A VIDEO CAMERA TO TRACK A MOVABLE TARGET OBJECT - Methods are described for controlling orientation of an aim point axis of a video camera having an instrument coordinate system to track a point of interest on a movable target object and calculating positions of the point of interest in a local coordinate system in which the target object is moving. The methods include measuring pan and tilt angles of the aim point axis and distance substantially along the aim point axis and calculating a calibration matrix which transforms a position defined in the instrument coordinate system to a position defined in the local coordinate system. A system is described including an instrument and at least one computer, wherein the instrument includes a video camera and a range finder, and wherein the video camera includes an aim point axis having an adjustable orientation. In one example, the target object is adapted to move on and inspect an airplane surface. | 04-08-2010 |
20100153051 | Locating A Component Underneath A Surface Of A Target Object And Locating An Access Panel For Accessing The Component - A first method locates a component positioned underneath a surface of a target object using a pointing instrument, wherein a position of the component in the target object coordinate system is known. The first method includes calculating an orientation of the aim point axis of the instrument in the instrument coordinate system for the aim point axis of the instrument to be aligned with the component using at least an inverse calibration matrix, the position of the component in the target object coordinate system, and inverse kinematics of the instrument. The first method also includes rotating the aim point axis of the instrument to the calculated orientation. Second and third methods also are described for locating an access panel for accessing the component and/or maintenance zones in which the component resides. | 06-17-2010 |
20100314029 | USER-FACILITATED MATERIAL REMOVAL IN COMPOSITE STRUCTURES - A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure comprises determining the location of the out-of-tolerance area and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the programmed machine tool. The method may further include restoring the volume removed using the programmed area removal digital definition. | 12-16-2010 |
20100316458 | Automated Material Removal in Composite Structures - A composite structure containing an out-of-tolerance area is restored using an automated material removal method. The location of an out-of-tolerance area within the structure is determined by non-destructive inspection and a volume of the structure to be removed is selected based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. An automatic material removal tool is programmed and used to remove the selected volume of material. The volume of removed material may be is replaced by an integrated patch. | 12-16-2010 |
20110137615 | CORRELATION OF INSPECTION INFORMATION AND COMPUTER-AIDED DESIGN DATA FOR STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT - A system and method for correlating data is provided. Generally, the system contains a scanning system having at least one inspection emitter. The scanning system situated to scan a structure and produce a quantity of inspection information. A local positioning system is in communication with the scanning system and situated to detect a location of the quantity of inspection information in relation to the structure. A quantity of computer-aided design data corresponding to the quantity of inspection information is included. An imaging system is in communication with the scanning system and the local positioning system, the imaging system situated to produce an overlay image of at least two of an image based from the structure, an image based from the quantity of inspection information and an image formed from at least a portion of the quantity of computer-aided design data. | 06-09-2011 |
20110149266 | Position and Orientation Determination Using Movement Data - Position determining systems and methods are provided. A particular portable device includes a calibration component to communicate with a local positioning system to determine an initial position and orientation of the portable device within a local coordinate system associated with a target structure. The portable device also includes at least one movement sensor to detect movement of the portable device. The portable device further includes a processor to determine a measured position and orientation of the portable device based on the initial position and orientation of the portable device within the local coordinate system and based on the detected movement of the portable device. | 06-23-2011 |
20110295427 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INSPECTION SENSOR PLACEMENT - Methods and systems are provided for positioning a remote sensor within a target object. An articulated robotic system is coupled to the remote sensor. A positioning system determines a position of the target object to be inspected and determines a first position of the remote sensor. A control system calibrates a virtual representation of the target object with respect to the position of the target object, and tracks movement of the remote sensor relative to the target object. | 12-01-2011 |
20120221625 | Distributed Operation of a Local Positioning System - Presented is a system and method for distributed operation of Local Positioning Systems (LPS). A method includes establishing a network connection with a local controller and providing a user interface for sending device commands to an LPS associated with the local controller, and may include requesting a network address of a server for streaming video. The user interface can control a plurality of LPS units and the local controller can accept device commands from a plurality of user interfaces. A system includes a local system with interfaces to an LPS and a network that directs device control messages to the LPS from one or more remote systems, and a remote system that establishes network connections with one or more local systems and provides a user interface for sending device control messages to the one or more LPS units. | 08-30-2012 |
20120327187 | ADVANCED REMOTE NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION SYSTEM AND PROCESS - A system for inspecting a test article incorporates a diagnostic imaging system for a test article. A command controller receives two dimensional (2D) images from the diagnostic imaging system. A three dimensional (3D) computer aided design (CAD) model visualization system and an alignment system for determining local 3D coordinates are connected to the command controller. Computer software modules incorporated in the command controller are employed, in aligning, the 2D images and 3D CAD model responsive to the local 3D coordinates. The 2D images and 3D CAD model are displayed with reciprocal registration. The alignment system is then directed to selected coordinates in the 2D images or 3D CAD model. | 12-27-2012 |
20130020144 | Adaptive Magnetic Coupling System - A system comprising a tractor vehicle, at least one trailer vehicle and a skin between and in contact with the tractor and trailer vehicles. One of the vehicles is disposed in a non-inverted position above the skin and the other is inverted and below the skin. The trailer vehicle comprises one or more magnets, while the tractor vehicle comprises one or more magnets magnetically coupled to each opposing magnet on the trailer vehicle. The vehicles may have mutually opposing permanent magnets in one-to-one relationship. Alternatively, each permanent magnet on the trailer vehicle could be opposed by one or more electro-permanent magnets on the tractor vehicle. The system further comprises means for maintaining the magnetic attraction force within a range as the vehicles move along a portion of the skin having a varying thickness. | 01-24-2013 |
20130024067 | Holonomic Motion Vehicle for Travel on Non-Level Surfaces - Holonomic-motion ground vehicles (i.e., mobile platforms) that are capable of controlled movement across non-level surfaces, while carrying one or more non-destructive inspection sensors or other tools. The mobile platform comprises a frame having four (or a multiple of four) Mecanum wheels, each wheel driven by a respective independently controlled motor, and further having a plurality (e.g., two) of independently controlled suction devices. The Mecanum wheels enable holonomic motion, while the suction devices facilitate sufficiently precise control of motion on non-level surfaces. | 01-24-2013 |
20130188059 | Automated System and Method for Tracking and Detecting Discrepancies on a Target Object - A detection system including a target object having a target object coordinate system, a tracking unit configured to monitor a position and/or an orientation of the target object and generate a target object position signal indicative of the position and/or the orientation of the target object, a camera positioned to capture an image of the target object, an orienting mechanism connected to the camera to control an orientation of the camera relative to the target object, and a processor configured to analyze the image to detect a discrepancy in the image and, when the discrepancy is present in the image, determine a location of the discrepancy relative to the target object coordinate system based at least upon the target object position signal and the orientation of the camera, and then orient the camera and laser to aim at and point out the discrepancy. | 07-25-2013 |
20130289766 | Apparatus for Automated Maintenance of Aircraft Structural Elements - Automated apparatus for performing maintenance functions on airfoil-shaped bodies having short chord lengths, the apparatus being movable in a spanwise direction along the airfoil-shaped body. In accordance with various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a blade crawler capable of supporting any one of a plurality of end effectors for performing a set of maintenance functions on an airfoil-shaped body, such as a blade component. Included in these functions are multiple options for nondestructive inspection, drilling, grinding, fastening, appliqué application, scarfing, ply mapping, depainting, cleaning, and painting devices that are attached as the end effector for the blade crawler. As a whole, the blade crawler reduces maintenance time, labor hours and human errors when robotic maintenance functions are performed on blade components. | 10-31-2013 |
20130307174 | METHOD OF REMOVING AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE AREA IN A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - A method of removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure may comprise determining a location of the out-of-tolerance area within the composite structure, and selecting a volume of the composite structure to be removed based on the location of the out-of-tolerance area. The method may further include programming a machine tool to remove the volume and to pause after removal of each one of a quantity of layers of the volume. The method may additionally include removing one of the layers using the machine tool. | 11-21-2013 |
20140005840 | Automated Inspection of Soft-Tooled Hollow Structure | 01-02-2014 |
20140137673 | Adaptive Magnetic Coupling System - A system is disclosed comprising a tractor vehicle, at least one trailer vehicle and a skin between and in contact with the tractor and trailer vehicles. One of the tractor and trailer vehicles is disposed in a non-inverted position above the skin and the other is disposed in an inverted position below the skin. The trailer vehicle comprises one or more magnets, while the tractor vehicle comprises one or more magnets magnetically coupled to each opposing magnet on the trailer vehicle. For example, the tractor and trailer vehicles may have mutually opposing permanent magnets in one-to-one relationship. Alternatively, each permanent magnet on the trailer vehicle could be opposed by one or more electro-permanent magnets on the tractor vehicle. The magnetic coupling between the magnets on the tractor and trailer vehicles produces an attraction force. The system further comprises means for maintaining the attraction force within a range as the tractor and trailer vehicles move along a portion of the skin having a varying thickness. | 05-22-2014 |
20140184786 | Systems and Methods for Stand-Off Inspection of Aircraft Structures - A system for stand-off inspection comprising local positioning system hardware and a nondestructive evaluation instrument supported by a pan-tilt mechanism. The system further comprises a computer system that is programmed to perform the following operations: (a) directing the local positioning system hardware toward an area of a surface on a target object by control of the pan-tilt mechanism; (b) activating the local positioning system hardware to acquire an image; (c) processing the image to determine whether an anomaly is present in the area; (d) if an anomaly is present, determining coordinates of a position of the anomaly in a coordinate system of the target object; and (e) directing the nondestructive evaluation instrument toward a position corresponding to the coordinates. Optionally, the computer system is further programmed to measure one or more characteristics of the anomaly. | 07-03-2014 |
20140278221 | Self-Contained Holonomic Tracking Method and Apparatus for Non-Destructive Inspection - A self-contained, holonomic motion tracking solution for supplementing the acquisition of inspection information on the surface of a structure, thereby enabling the real-time production of two-dimensional images from hand-held and automated scanning by holonomic-motion of non-destructive inspection (NDI) sensor units (e.g., NDI probes). The systems and methods disclosed enable precise tracking of the position and orientation of a holonomic-motion NDI sensor unit (hand-held or automated) and conversion of the acquired tracking data into encoder pulse signals for processing by a NDI scanning system. | 09-18-2014 |
20140376768 | Systems and Methods for Tracking Location of Movable Target Object - An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system. | 12-25-2014 |
20150039123 | MACHINE TOOL FOR REMOVING AN OUT-OF-TOLERANCE AREA IN A COMPOSITE STRUCTURE - An apparatus for removing for removing an out-of-tolerance area in a composite structure may include a machine tool having a machine head movable along at least one axis over the composite structure. The machine tool may include at least one of a video camera and a non-destructive inspection (NDI) scanner mounted to the machine head for scanning the composite structure and locating the out-of-tolerance area. The machine tool may also include a cutting tool movable along a tool path for removing a volume containing the out-of-tolerance area. The machine tool may additionally include a controller that may be programmable with a quantity of layers of the volume for which the cutting tool is paused following removal of each one of the layers. | 02-05-2015 |
20150116481 | MAPPING DAMAGED REGIONS ON OBJECTS - Systems and methods for mapping a damaged region on an object. An exemplary system captures an image of the damaged region with a camera, selects target points around a boundary of the damaged region on the image, and determines 2D image coordinates for the target points on the image. The system further determines angles for aiming a laser ranging device at each of the target points based on the image coordinates, and measures a distance to each of the target points with the laser ranging device based on the aiming angles. The system then calculates 3D coordinates for each of the target points in the coordinate system of the object based on the distance measurement and the 2D image coordinates for each of the target points. | 04-30-2015 |
20150207987 | Systems and Methods for Tracking Location of Movable Target Object - An automated process uses a local positioning system to acquire location (i.e., position and orientation) data for one or more movable target objects. In cases where the target objects have the capability to move under computer control, this automated process can use the measured location data to control the position and orientation of such target objects. The system leverages the measurement and image capture capability of the local positioning system, and integrates controllable marker lights, image processing, and coordinate transformation computation to provide tracking information for vehicle location control. The resulting system enables position and orientation tracking of objects in a reference coordinate system. | 07-23-2015 |
Scott W. Lea, Chicago, IL US
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20150217512 | FITTING DOUBLERS USING GAP MAPPING - An apparatus for fabricating a stack of adhesive plies for attaching a doubler to a surface on a structure includes a digital scanner, configured for scanning the surface and for producing a first set of digital data representing a contour of the surface, and a computer, coupled to the digital scanner, having a processor and system memory. The computer is programmed for mapping a gap between a bonding surface on the doubler and the surface on the structure using the first set of digital data and a second set of digital data representing the bonding surface, and for segmenting the mapped gap into layers corresponding to the adhesive plies. | 08-06-2015 |
Scott Wesley Lea, Renton, WA US
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20120320372 | Autonomous Non-Destructive Evaluation System for Aircraft Structures - An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object. | 12-20-2012 |
20130041544 | Beam Directed Motion Control System - A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target. | 02-14-2013 |
20140200832 | Autonomous Non-Destructive Evaluation System for Aircraft Structures - An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object. | 07-17-2014 |
20140365063 | BEAM DIRECTED MOTION CONTROL SYSTEM - A method and apparatus comprising an energy source, a position system, and a movement system. The energy source is configured to generate a beam of energy directed at an area on a target for a vehicle. The position system is configured to identify a first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed. The movement system is configured to move the vehicle in a manner that reduces a difference between the first position of the area on the target at which the beam of energy is directed and a reference position on the target. | 12-11-2014 |
Tonia L. Lea, Apex, NC US
Patent application number | Description | Published |
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20130104275 | Silicone Protection Sleeve | 05-02-2013 |