Michael D Duncan

US Patent:

7415882, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Dec 19, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/311797

Inventors:

Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
Fred D. Young - Bellevue WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Auburn WA, US
Michael J. Duncan - Sumner WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Irvine CA

International Classification:

G01N 9/24

US Classification:

73634

Abstract:

An apparatus for the ultrasonic testing of internal areas of prefabricated composite assemblies as described. The composite assemblies have one or more internal areas formed therein. The apparatus includes at least one receive transducer, at least one transmit transducer, a vertical member, a support member slidably attached to the vertical member, a pair of substantially parallel hollow rods, and an ultrasonic testing system. Each rod comprises a transducer attachment end with receive transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a first rod, and transmit transducers attached to the transducer attachment end of a second rod. The rods are slidably attached to the support member and manually movable with respect to a composite assembly to be tested. The ultrasonic testing system is coupled to the receive transducers through the first rod, and coupled to the transmit transducers through the second rod.

US Patent:

7561753, Jul 14, 2009

Filed:

Dec 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/018840

Inventors:

Michael C. Hutchinson - Kent WA, US
Michael D. Horky - Kent WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US
William D. Meade - Tacoma WA, US
James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Thomas E. Riechers - Sumner WA, US
Michael J. Duncan - Sumner WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/40
G06K 9/54
G06K 9/60
G09G 5/00
G09G 5/02
H04N 5/202

US Classification:

382274, 382128, 382169, 382305, 345591, 348254

Abstract:

Methodologies and systems to compare images with different levels of contrast are provided. Contrast is normalized between the images with different contrast levels and brightness is set. When normalizing contrast a derivative of gray level is determined for a first digital image having a first contrast level, and a derivative of gray level is determined for a second digital image having a second contrast level that is greater than the first contrast level. A ratio of the derivative of gray level for the first digital image to the derivative of gray level for the second digital image is determined, and the derivative of gray level for the first digital image is equalized with the derivative of gray level for the second digital image. Brightness of at least one image may be set automatically, such as by calculating an average pixel value excluding background and text, or manually.

US Patent:

7747099, Jun 29, 2010

Filed:

May 26, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/472293

Inventors:

Michael C. Hutchinson - Kent WA, US
Michael D. Horky - Kent WA, US
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA, US
William D. Meade - Tacoma WA, US
James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Thomas E. Riechers - Sumner WA, US
Michael J. Duncan - Sumner WA, US

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Chicago IL

International Classification:

G06K 9/00
G06K 9/34
G06K 9/46
G06K 9/66
G06K 9/40
H04N 1/40

US Classification:

382274, 382128, 382168, 382176, 382190, 358462

Abstract:

Systems and methods of automatically adjusting brightness of a digital image are provided. A particular method includes accessing data including a first digital image and identifying text and background in the first digital image. The method also includes calculating an average pixel value exclusive of the text and the background for the first digital image. The method further includes adjusting a brightness setting associated with the first digital image based on the calculated average pixel value.

US Patent:

20130340531, Dec 26, 2013

Filed:

Jun 26, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/532815

Inventors:

Michael C. Hutchinson - Kent WA, US
James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US
Michael Joseph Duncan - Lake Tapps WA, US
Navpreet S. Grewal - Redmond WA, US
Steven Ray Walton - Wilkeson WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Seal Beach CA

International Classification:

G01N 29/04

US Classification:

73633, 73632

Abstract:

System and method for enabling ultrasonic inspection of a variable and irregular shape. The system comprises one or more ultrasonic pulser/receivers, one or more ultrasonic transducer arrays, a shoe or jig to hold and position the array(s), data acquisition software to drive the array(s), and data analysis software to select a respective best return signal for each pixel to be displayed. This system starts with information about the general orientation of the array relative to the part and a general predicted part shape. More specific orientation of the transmitted ultrasound beams relative to the part surface is done electronically by phasing the elements in the array(s) to cover the expected (i.e., predicted) surface as well as the full range of part surface variability.

US Patent:

20140005840, Jan 2, 2014

Filed:

Jun 27, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/534014

Inventors:

William P. Motzer - Seattle WA, US
James C. Kennedy - Renton WA, US
Michael C. Hutchinson - Kent WA, US
Martin L. Freet - Federal Way WA, US
Ronald E. VonWahlde - Puyallup WA, US
Steven Ray Walton - Wilkeson WA, US
Jeffry J. Garvey - Burien WA, US
Scott W. Lea - Renton WA, US
James J. Troy - Issaquah WA, US
Daniel James Wright - Mercer Island WA, US
Hien T. Bui - Kent WA, US
Michael Joseph Duncan - Lake Tapps WA, US
Mark L. Little - Auburn WA, US
William Joseph Tapia - Kapowsin WA, US
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA, US

Assignee:

THE BOEING COMPANY - Seal Beach CA

International Classification:

G05D 7/00
G06F 1/26
G01N 29/04

US Classification:

700282, 73618, 700286

Abstract:

A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

US Patent:

60734779, Jun 13, 2000

Filed:

Aug 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/138051

Inventors:

Wayne E. Woodmansee - Seattle WA
Michael J. Duncan - Federal Way WA
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01N 2902

US Classification:

73 182

Abstract:

A digital bond tester operating at frequencies in the kHz range and relying upon vibrational modes which can excite all or substantial portions of the test object.

US Patent:

60189991, Feb 1, 2000

Filed:

Aug 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/138196

Inventors:

Wayne E. Woodmansee - Seattle WA
Michael J. Duncan - Federal Way WA
Mark A. Lee - Kent WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01B 1702

US Classification:

73609

Abstract:

A digital bond tester operating at frequencies in the kHz range and relying upon vibrational modes which can excite all or substantial portions of the test object.

US Patent:

54850843, Jan 16, 1996

Filed:

May 10, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/058183

Inventors:

Michael J. Duncan - Kent WA
Barry A. Fetzer - Renton WA
Glenn A. Geithman - Renton WA
Arthur P. Ricker - Seattle WA
Clyde T. Uyehara - Renton WA

Assignee:

The Boeing Company - Seattle WA

International Classification:

G01N 2762
G01N 2772
G01R 3312

US Classification:

324225

Abstract:

A device for detecting hidden cracks in a structure includes a hand-held probe which is moved over the surface of the structure. The probe is connected to a computer terminal which also has connected thereto a monitor and a keyboard. Changes in the eddy currents in the underlying structure generates impedance changes in the coils of the probe. The resulting voltage values produce an image of the underlying structure and any cracks therein on the computer monitor. The system utilizes a number of procedures to compensate for liftoff problems, imbalance between coil channels, and differences in impedance reference values.

Address:

8823 Holly Dr APT L202, Everett, WA 98208

VIN:

1FAHP35N78W217659

Make:

FORD

Model:

FOCUS

Year:

2008