Reginald I. Vachon
Engineering at Epping Frst Dr, Atlanta, GA

6874370, Apr 5, 2005

Jul 15, 2004

10/890994

Reginald I. Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

G01N003/32

73808

Machine vision is used to track nodes on the perimeter of a geometric shape associated with a body undergoing cyclic loading, the geometric shape defining a target. The movement of the nodes is related to calculate strain through principles of Finite Element Analysis. The calculated strain is used to determine fatigue damage in the body based on an equation and data obtained using strain-controlled test methods. A finite element analysis fatigue gage includes (1) a sensor to capture the total image of the target and to output data representing the total image, (2) a computer program for (a) isolating the perimeter of the target using edging algorithms and the data, (b) tracking the movement of perimeter nodes of the target as the body undergoes deformation and recording the displacement, and (c) manipulating the data on movement of the nodes using (i) nonlinear stress analysis, (ii) finite element analysis, and (iii) material properties and characteristics and an equation based on strain-controlled test methods, and (3) a data display.

6934013, Aug 23, 2005

Aug 20, 2002

10/223680

Reginald Vachon - Atlanta GA, US
William Ranson - Columbia SC, US

G01B011/16

356 32, 73800

A compressed symbology strain gage includes a target in the form of a symbolic strain rosette (“SSR”), the target being associated with a body for which strain is to be measured and being adapted to emit a detectable physical quantity; a sensor compatible with and adapted to pre-process the detectable physical quantity emitted by the target and output data representing the physical quantity adapted to receive signals from the target and provide output signals based thereon; a computer program or programs for analyzing the signals data output by the sensor to define the SSR; and for calculating the strain directly on the body based on the pre-processed and analyzed data. The SSR can be defined either a priori by manufacture or a posteriori by identification. A method of measuring strain on an object using the compressed symbology strain gage includes the steps of associating a SSR with an object in such a way that deformation of the SSR and deformation under load of the object bear a one-to-one relationship; identifying the changes in the SSR as a function of time and change in the load applied to the object; and translating the changes in the SSR into strain.

5065331, Nov 12, 1991

May 27, 1986

6/886747

Reginald I. Vachon - Atlanta GA
William F. Ranson - Lexington SC

G01B 1116

364508

An apparatus and method of measuring and analyzing the deformation of deformable bodies which includes a source of an electromagnetic or accoustical signal emitted from a deformable body which can be received and analyzed so that the signal can be analyzed when the body is in a reference state with the signal being subsequently analyzed when the body is undergoing or has undergone deformation with the reference state signal and deformation state signal being compared and analyzed to provide significant information with respect to various characteristics of the body.

7533818, May 19, 2009

Jun 28, 2005

11/167558

Gregory L. Hovis - Martinez GA, US
William F. Ranson - Columbia SC, US
Reginald I. Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

Direct Measurements Inc. - Atlanta GA

G06K 7/10

23546209, 23346215

A binary code symbol for non-linear strain measurement designed specifically for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis. The symbol is rectangular with a continuous outer perimeter, two data regions along adjacent sides of the rectangle and a utility region adjacent each side opposite the data regions. Each data region is made up of a number of data cells, and each utility region is made up of utility cells with alternating appearance. The inner half of the utility regions can be used to store auxiliary information and/or codes. There are two distinct finder cells on opposite corners of the rectangle, which can be used to orient the symbol. A non-linear strain gage for measuring the strain on an object under load in accordance includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target is a binary code symbol.

8366011, Feb 5, 2013

Sep 21, 2011

13/238550

Gregory Hovis - Martinez GA, US
William Ranson - Columbia SC, US
Reginald Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

Direct Measurements, Inc. - Atlanta GA

G06K 19/06, G06K 7/10

235494, 23546201, 23546209, 2354621

A two-dimensional matrix code containing dark and light square data modules, and a finder pattern of two bars of alternating dark and light square data modules on the perimeter of the symbol for indicating both orientation and printing density of the symbol, wherein all of the data modules are the same dimension and data is encoded based on the absolute position of the dark modules within the matrix, and inner and outer bars are provided along adjacent sides of the matrix code symbol, each bar having a width equal to the square data modules. In one embodiment, the inner and outer bars are solid. In another embodiment, the inner solid is bar and the outer bar is an encoding bar.

8459567, Jun 11, 2013

Dec 3, 2012

13/692406

William Ranson - Columbia SC, US
Reginald Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

Direct Measurements, Inc. - Atlanta GA

G06K 19/06

235494, 23546201

A non-linear strain gage includes a target for association with an object for which at least one of strain and fatigue damage is to be measured, a sensor, and a computer. The target incorporates a nested binary code symbol for perimeter-based deformation and strain analysis and emits a detectable physical quantity. The binary code symbol includes a boundary binary code symbol having a perimeter constructed of line segments and at least a core code symbol that provides encoded data. The core code symbol is nested within and concentric with the boundary binary code symbol. A method of measuring strain on an object directly using the non-linear strain gage is also provided.

8628023, Jan 14, 2014

Aug 16, 2007

12/311053

Gregory Hovis - Martinez GA, US
William Ranson - Columbia SC, US
Reginald Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

Direct Measurements, Inc. - Atlanta GA

G06K 19/06

235494, 235460, 235487, 23526225, 23546201, 23546211, 235456

An augmented binary code symbol (100) includes a perimeter, first and second data regions () along adjacent sides of the perimeter, first and second utility regions () along adjacent sides of the perimeter opposite the first and second data regions (), first and second finder cells () at opposite comers of the rectangle, and inner and outer quiet regions distinguishing the first and second data regions, the first and second utility regions (), and the first and second finder cells () from their background. Each data region and each utility region has at least one row () of a plurality of data cells () and utility cells, respectively, which encode data and have well-defined edges, enabling the number of data and utility cells to be increased, so as to increase the density of the encoded data. The data and utility cells are marked using a short wave length laser in order to create the well-defined edges.

2009032, Dec 31, 2009

Aug 16, 2007

12/311054

Gregory L Hovis - Martinez GA, US
William Ranson - Columbia SC, US
Reginald Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

G01L 1/00, G06K 19/06, G06F 19/00

702 42, 235494

A two-dimensional matrix code containing dark and light square data modules, and a finder pattern of two bars of alternating dark and light square data modules on the perimeter of the symbol for indicating both orientation and printing density of the symbol, wherein all of the data modules are the same dimension and data is encoded based on the absolute position of the dark modules within the matrix. In a first embodiment inner and outer solid bars are provided along the base and right-hand side of the matrix code symbol, the inner and outer solid bars each having a width equal to the square data modules, the inner solid bar being light and the outer solid bar being dark. In a second embodiment, an inner solid bar and an outer encoding bar are provided along the base and right-hand side of the matrix code symbol.

7477995, Jan 13, 2009

Feb 3, 2005

11/048862

Gregory Hovis - Martinez GA, US
Reginald I. Vachon - Atlanta GA, US

Direct Measurements Inc. - Atlanta GA

G01L 5/00, G06F 19/00

702 42, 73808, 356 32

An optical linear strain gage includes a target, a sensor, and a computer, wherein the target contains a gage length defined by end points. The target can be a one-dimensional barcode, the gage length defined between, and perpendicular to, two chosen parallel lines of the barcode. The target, including a gage length, is associated with an object such that deformation of the gage length and deformation of the object are the same; target can emit or reflect a detectable physical quantity. The sensor is compatible with and pre-processes the physical quantity from the target and provides data to the computer. The computer analyzes the data output and calculates the strain directly on the body based on the pre-processed and analyzed data. Measuring strain on an object using the strain gage includes identifying the changes in the gage length as a function of time and load applied and calculating strain.