Engineering topics

Gutow, David A.

Publications and source records attributed to Gutow, David A..

At least 19 records

NASA NTRS1995

Automated Verification Of Small Parts In Turbine Wheels

Automated visual-inspection system determines whether turbine wheel assembled in correct positions. Includes two subsystems; part manipulator and control-and-analysis subsystem. Video camera having fixed focal length held stationary while part manipulator rotates turbine wheel to discrete angles so camera views specified positions on wheel. Control-and-analysis subsystem controls rotary table, processes image data acquired by camera, and makes record of inspection. Automated inspection of turbine wheel containing many small parts eliminates tedium and occasional error in repetitive visual and manual inspection by human technicians, enabling technicians to concentrate on nonroutine inspection problems.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Welding nozzle position manipulator

The present invention is directed to a welding nozzle position manipulator. The manipulator consists of an angle support to which the remaining components of the device are attached either directly or indirectly. A pair of pivotal connections attach a weld nozzle holding link to the angle support and provide a two axis freedom of movement of the holding link with respect to the support angle. The manipulator is actuated by a pair of adjusting screws angularly mounted to the angle support. These screws contact a pair of tapered friction surfaces formed on the upper portion of the welding nozzle holding link. A spring positioned between the upper portions of the support angle and the holding link provides a constant bias engagement between the friction surfaces of the holding link and the adjustment screws, so as to firmly hold the link in position and to eliminate any free play in the adjustment mechanism. The angular relationships between the adjustment screws, the angle support and the tapered friction surfaces of the weld nozzle holding link provide a geometric arrangement which permits precision adjustment of the holding link with respect to the angle support and also provides a solid holding link mount which is resistant to movement from outside forces.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Robotic Processing Of Rocket-Engine Nozzles

Automated manufacturing cell containing computer-controlled robotic processing system developed to implement some important related steps in fabrication of rocket-engine nozzles. Performs several tedious and repetitive fabrication, measurement, adjustment, and inspection processes and subprocesses now performed manually. Offers advantages of reduced processing time, greater consistency, excellent collection of data, objective inspections, greater productivity, and simplified fixturing. Also affords flexibility: by making suitable changes in hardware and software, possible to modify process and subprocesses. Flexibility makes work cell adaptable to fabrication of heat exchangers and other items structured similarly to rocket nozzles.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Robotic Booking Of Coolant Tubes

Robotic tube-booking subsystem proposed for use in automated manufacturing cell described in "Robotic Processing of Rocket-Engine Nozzles" (MFS-29927). Includes electric or pneumatic end effector that inspects gaps under guidance of control processor connected to robotic vision subsystem. After inspecting each gap, end effector books tubes in vicinity, then reinspects to ensure attainment of desired gap. Makes entire tube-gap area brazeable, without damage to tubes, with consistent results. In addition, robotic booking takes less time and costs less than manual booking.

Wagner, Garret E.↗

NASA NTRS1994

Muffling Hammer Blows In A Workshop

Sound-deadening bags placed on hammered workpieces. Useful in many workshop situations. Fabricated easily and inexpensively. Bags filled with particles of sand, metal shot, plastic, or glass, then sewn or molded shut. Tailored to fit special configurations of some workpieces. Devices used to deaden print rollers and to reduce vibrations in main-injector inlet manifold of rocket engine.

Thiele, Alfred W.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Robot Would Apply Brazing Foil Automatically

Robotic system positions brazing-foil preforms accurately and tack-welds them in place in or on large workpieces in preparation for brazing. Automates time-consuming, skill-dependent, labor-intensive brazing-foil-application procedure. Robotically attached preforms satisfies specifications better and more consistently than manually installed preforms do. Specially developed software controls system.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Auxiliary Illumination For Viewing Along A Welding Torch

Auxiliary optical subsystem provides additional illumination for through-torch vision system of type used in automated or semiautomated arc welding. Also useful during operation of torch to view parts in shadows cast by arc light.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Robotic Tube-Gap Inspector

Robotic vision system measures small gaps between nearly parallel tubes. Robot-held video camera examines closely spaced tubes while computer determines gaps between tubes. Video monitor simultaneously displays data on gaps.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Robotic System Would Inspect Tubes And Fillets

Proposed robotic system inspects arrays of brazed tubes being fabricated for use in heat exchangers and similar objects. Arrays contain coolant tubes mounted in nozzle of main engine of Space Shuttle. Other versions used to inspect components of terrestrial heat exchangers for powerplants, vehicles, and refrigeration equipment. Inspection system provides for automated, complete, objective, and efficient inspection of arrays of coolant tubes. Computer executing image-processing algorithms extracts profiles of tubes and braze fillets and identifies flaws.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1993

Adjustable Bracket For Entry Of Welding Wire

Wire-entry bracket on welding torch in robotic welding system provides for adjustment of angle of entry of welding wire over range of plus or minus 30 degrees from nominal entry angle. Wire positioned so it does not hide weld joint in view of through-the-torch computer-vision system part of robot-controlling and -monitoring system. Swiveling bracket also used on nonvision torch on which wire-feed-through tube interferes with workpiece. Angle simply changed to one giving sufficient clearance.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Compact Through-The-Torch Vision System

Changes in gas/tungsten-arc welding torch equipped with through-the-torch vision system make it smaller and more resistant to welding environment. Vision subsystem produces image of higher quality, flow of gas enhanced, and parts replaced quicker and easier. Coaxial series of lenses and optical components provides overhead view of joint and weld puddle real-time control. Designed around miniature high-resolution video camera. Smaller size enables torch to weld joints formerly inaccessible.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Long-Wearing Wire Guide For Welding Torch

Insert for wire-guide tube on tungsten/inert-gas welding apparatus extends life of guide tube and increases accuracy of weld. Hardened insert resists wear by sliding tungsten wire. Chamfer guides wire into insert.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Algorithm For Simplified Robotic Tracking Of Weld Seams

Algorithm computes small cross-seam corrections to programmed path of welding robot. Intended for use with add-on vision system loosely coupled to robot, transmitting small amount of information about weld seam ahead of torch. Position of welding torch in reference frame of moving window estimated on basis of data on weld seam and speed of torch. Does not need data on position of torch, and does not transform data on seam to another reference frame.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Determining Asymmetry Of A Weld Puddle

Sensing-and-data-processing subsystem provides information of asymmetry of weld puddle with respect to original midplane of joint. Shape of puddle inferred from surface-temperature distribution. Part of welding-control system which enables system to correct for asymmetry.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Tool For Installation And Removal Of Welding Electrodes

Special tool assists in installation and removal of welding electrode in welding torch equipped with through-the-torch vision system. Inserted easily into welding torch after welding electrode loaded into hollow shaft. Designed specifically for use within unique configuration of weld block and welding-electrode collet of torch.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1992

Steel Collet For Welding Electrodes

Improved steel collet holds electrode for tungsten inert-gas welding but allows quick and easy replacement. Also ensures reliable arc starting. Slip-on compression ring compresses tapered section of body of collet around inner end of welding electrode. Collet mounted in receptacle below stack of lenses and filters in coaxial-vision welding torch. Blind hole in collet protects outermost lens from damage by electrode.

Gilbert, Jeffrey L.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Spatial Light Modulator Would Serve As Electronic Iris

In proposed technique for controlling brightness of image formed by lens, spatial light modulator serves as segmented, electronically variable aperture. Offers several advantages: spatial light modulator controlled remotely and responds faster than motorized iris or other remotely controlled mechanical iris. Unlike iris, modulator also configured so as not to vary depth of field appreciably. Unlike lead lanthanum zirconate titanate crystal, spatial light modulator does not require high voltage.

Gutow, David A.↗

NASA NTRS1991

Estimating Confidence In Data Via Trend Analysis

Recursive equation defines probability-density function storing trends in noisy or potentially erroneous data. Part of algorithm for analysis of trends in data. Developed to determine reliability of data from sensor used to guide robot, and mathematical approach that it represents proves valuable in other applications. Enables computation of statistic (called "confidence statistic") indicating level of confidence in new datum. Generates confidence statistic high or low, depending on whether new datum consistent or inconsistent with previous trends.

Gutow, David A.↗