Patents by Inventor Michael Allan Lathrop

Michael Allan Lathrop has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Interface for liquid metal bearing and method of making same
    Patent number: 8363787
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode and a target assembly positioned to receive electrons emitted from the cathode. The target assembly includes a target, and a spiral groove bearing (SGB) configured to support the target. The SGB includes a rotatable component having a first surface and a first material attached to the first surface, a stationary component having a second surface and a second material attached to the second surface, the stationary component positioned such that a gap is formed between the first material and the second material, and a liquid metal positioned in the gap, wherein at least one of the first and second materials comprises tantalum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Michael Allan Lathrop
  • INTERFACE FOR LIQUID METAL BEARING AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME
    Publication number: 20100246774
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a cathode and a target assembly positioned to receive electrons emitted from the cathode. The target assembly includes a target, and a spiral groove bearing (SGB) configured to support the target. The SGB includes a rotatable component having a first surface and a first material attached to the first surface, a stationary component having a second surface and a second material attached to the second surface, the stationary component positioned such that a gap is formed between the first material and the second material, and a liquid metal positioned in the gap, wherein at least one of the first and second materials comprises tantalum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Allan Lathrop