General Electric Company

Alstom Technology Limited

Combustion Engineering, Inc.

General Electric Technology Gmbh

Matthew David Allen

Allan Ferry

Ronald Francis Konopacki

Thomas D Williams

Carl H Neuschaefer

Joseph E Kowles

Robert F Crocker

Peter W Rzasa

Frank Glazer

Allan Gunn Ferry

A system and method for reading a barcode displayed on an object is provided. The system includes a barcode reader having a plurality of cameras communicatively coupled to an image processor, and a controller device communicatively coupled to the plurality of cameras and the image processor. The cameras are arranged to define a first opening therebetween sized to receive the object therein. The controller device triggers an operation of each camera. Each camera is operative to capture a respective image of a different corresponding portion of the surface of the object, and to send the respective image to the image processor. The image processor is configured to combine the respective images received from each camera into a composite image, and to read a barcode from the composite image.

System and apparatus for identifying boiler tubes

A system for locating the position of a component includes, an image capture device, the image capture device being configured to capture an image of a component, a working implement mounted in fixed relation to the image capture device, a positioning system configured to adjust a position of the image capture device and the working implement in relation to the component, and an image processing module in communication with the image capture device, the imaging processing module being configured to receive the image from the image capture device and to identify at least one feature of the component. The positioning system is configured to adjust the position of the image capture device based on a location of the identified feature within the image to align the image capture device with the identified feature, and to align the working implement with the identified feature based upon an offset between the image capture device and the working implement.

System, method and apparatus for locating the position of a component for use in a manufacturing operation

Disclosed herein is a system having an optically transparent substrate having a first side and a second side that are opposed to each other, a microprocessor, a database, a camera disposed upon the first side of the optically transparent substrate and a source of illumination. The source of illumination is disposed in a ring around the camera on the first side and is operative to illuminate the object disposed on the second side of the optically transparent substrate. Further the camera is in operative communication with the microprocessor and the database. The camera is operative to capture an image of an object disposed upon the second side of the optically transparent substrate. The microprocessor is operative to calculate dimensions and geometry of the object from the image and facilitate acceptance or rejection of the object based upon a standard, a parameter or a calibration chart.

Method and system for determining quality of tubes

The video image of the end effector (26) and work surface (32) in the vicinity of the end effector is converted into a series of continually generated digitized images (132), which are further processed to detect and track the relative motion between the end effector and the work surface. After calibration (126), whereby an index of coordinates and arm orientation is established for a known positioning of the end effector relative to a known reference feature (28a) on the work surface, the tracking (168) of the motion of the end effector is utilized to continually update the index (104) to indicate the actual coordinate and orientation of the end effector relative to the work surface. The updated index is displayed on a live video monitor (44), and can be used as input to the feedback circuit (94) of the manipulator control system. In another embodiment of the invention, a high resolution monitor (52) displays an image of substantially the entire work surface, and particularly the features of interest, in the nature of a work surface map, and superimposes thereon a visual indication of the location, orientation and movement of the end effector, using the updated index information.

Machine vision system for position sensing

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Enfield, CT, United States of America

Matthew David Allen