Jeffrey B Draper

US Patent:

D648231, Nov 8, 2011

Filed:

Jul 12, 2010

Appl. No.:

29/365589

Inventors:

Jeffrey Bishop Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Matthew Barton Wolf - Boalsburg PA, US
Lance Edmund Maggy - Mount Pleasant SC, US
Michael Alphonse Terhaar - Lewistown PA, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

0804

US Classification:

D10 46, D10 78

US Patent:

8581577, Nov 12, 2013

Filed:

Jun 30, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/173519

Inventors:

Jeffrey Bishop Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Lance Edmund Maggy - Mount Pleasant SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01N 27/72

US Classification:

324220, 324219, 324221, 324238, 738665, 738658, 29727

Abstract:

An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate hollow member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head including at least one sensor for sensing a characteristic of the elongate hollow member as the probe head is moved internally within the elongate hollow member. The assembly includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate hollow member. The flexible shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected between the probe head and at least one component external to the elongate hollow member for sensory operation of the at least one sensor. The flexible shaft is at least partially corrugated.

US Patent:

20090255352, Oct 15, 2009

Filed:

Apr 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/102397

Inventors:

Jeffrey Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Matthew Wolf - Boalsburg PA, US

International Classification:

G01R 1/067

US Classification:

738665

Abstract:

A connector system for attaching a probe to a probe shaft mating assembly comprising: a probe shaft mating assembly comprising a connector body, a plunger chamber located within the connector body, a spring located within the plunger chamber, a locking ball channel extending through the connector body from the plunger chamber to the outer surface of the connector body, a locking ball located within the locking ball channel, and a plunger located within the plunger chamber adjacent to the spring, wherein the locking ball is in contact with the outer surface of the plunger; a probe comprising a probe body, a probe shaft chamber located within the probe shaft facing end of the probe body, and a locking ball receiver located in the probe body adjacent to the probe shaft chamber; wherein the diameter of the probe shaft chamber is larger than that of the probe shaft mating assembly such that when the plunger and the spring are moved from a first position to a second position, the locking ball moves inwardly towards the plunger chamber and below the outer surface of the connector body allowing the probe facing end of the probe shaft mating assembly to enter the probe shaft chamber, and when the plunger and spring are moved from the second position to the first position, the locking ball moves towards the surface of the connector body, extending beyond the outer surface of the connector body such that the locking ball engages the locking ball receiver and fixes the probe to the probe shaft mating assembly.

US Patent:

20120006133, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Feb 18, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/030484

Inventors:

Jeffrey Bishop Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Matthew Barton Wolf - Boalsburg PA, US
Michael Alphonse Terhaar - Lewistown PA, US
Lance Edmund Maggy - Mount Pleasant SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01D 21/00

US Classification:

738665

Abstract:

An inspection assembly for insertion inspection of an elongate tubular member. The inspection assembly includes a probe head with a sensor. The assembly also includes a flexible shaft connected to the probe head and transmitting a motive force to the probe head to move the probe head within the elongate tubular member. The probe head includes at least one characteristic to minimize resistance against movement of the probe head along a torturous path within the tubular member.

US Patent:

20120006134, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Feb 22, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/031905

Inventors:

Jeffrey Bishop Draper - McVeytown PA, US
Matthew Barton Wolf - Boalsburg PA, US
Michael Alphonse Terhaar - Lewistown PA, US
Lance Edmund Maggy - Mount Pleasant SC, US

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Schenectady NY

International Classification:

G01D 15/00

US Classification:

738665

Abstract:

An inspection assembly for inspecting a hollow member, with a probe head, which includes at least one sensor, and a flexible shaft connected to the probe head to transmit motive force. The shaft encloses at least one wire operatively connected to the probe head for sensory operation of the sensor. The shaft has a first part adjacent to the probe head and a second part distal there from. The first part is relatively more flexible that the second part. The shaft has an improved ability to follow a torturous path of the hollow member and for aiding in kink prevention of the shaft. In one aspect, the first part is made of polymer material and has a reduced-diameter and corrugations. Optionally, at least one non-metallic retrieval cable is enclosed within the shaft and connected to the probe head for transmitting a pulling force to the probe head.