Patents by Inventor Thomas R. Murray
Thomas R. Murray 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).
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Patent number: 7126142Abstract: A transmission source loading apparatus for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is disclosed. The source loading apparatus comprises a storage container for storing the transmission source, and a translation device. The translation device is adapted for advancing the transmission source from the storage container into a holder device for use of the imaging system. A gantry for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is also disclosed. The gantry includes a gantry housing, a detector ring, a holder device for rotating the transmission source in a rotation path associated with the detector ring, and a transmission source loading apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Murray, Hani Ikram Noshi, Timithoy F. Hamers
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Publication number: 20040086084Abstract: A transmission source loading apparatus for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is disclosed. The source loading apparatus comprises a storage container for storing the transmission source, and a translation device. The translation device is adapted for advancing the transmission source from the storage container into a holder device for use of the imaging system. A gantry for an imaging system utilizing a transmission source is also disclosed. The gantry includes a gantry housing, a detector ring, a holder device for rotating the transmission source in a rotation path associated with the detector ring, and a transmission source loading apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2002Publication date: May 6, 2004Inventors: Thomas R. Murray, Hani Ikram Noshi, Timothy F. Hamers
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Patent number: 6412345Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is therefore a method for balancing a hollow cylindrical, rotatable object that is coupled to a drive source that is configured to rotate the rotatable object without a central shaft. The method includes steps of: mounting an arbor having a forward shaft and an aft shaft to an inner wall of the rotatable object so that the forward shaft and aft shaft are concentric to an axis of rotation of the rotatable object; operating the drive source to rotate the rotatable object and the arbor; measuring displacement of the forward shaft and the aft shaft of the arbor while the drive source is rotating the rotatable object; applying balancing weights to the rotatable object in accordance with the measured displacements; and removing the arbor from the rotatable object when a balance is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2000Date of Patent: July 2, 2002Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLCInventors: Thomas R. Murray, Richard C. Boettner, Philip M. Wiggin
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Patent number: 6263621Abstract: An apparatus for securing and leveling equipment includes an anchor bolt installed through a center of an aligning device. Vertical and lateral adjustments of the equipment are facilitated. The aligning device includes a hollow adjuster that is threaded within the equipment to raise or lower the equipment. The anchor bolt has clearance for lateral motion within the aligning device and the adjuster is able to tilt at a spherical joint connection with a leveling pad. The location of the anchor assembly in the center of the aligning device facilitates leveling and alignment of the anchored equipment without causing distortion of the equipment and without the use of spacers.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas R. Murray, Paitoon Nimityongskul, Carmine F. Vara, Randolph N. Wendt, Gene A. Gruber
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Patent number: 6235993Abstract: A cable for a computed tomography system is described. In one embodiment, the cable electrically connects a detector module to a data acquisition system. The cable includes a conductor layer, an insulating layer and a shield layer having a thermal barrier. The thermal barrier reduces the amount of heat which is transferred from the data acquisition system to the detector module.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Brian D. Johnston, Thomas R. Murray, Paul C. Schanen, Thaddeus R. Ulijasz
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Patent number: 6139337Abstract: An elastomeric connector apparatus for a computed tomography system is described. In one embodiment, the elastomeric connector apparatus electrically connects a detector module flexible cable to a data acquisition backplane. Flexible cable and backplane connector pads are electrically connected with an elastomeric connector. The elastomeric connector apparatus allows the low level analog outputs from the detector module photodiodes to be transmitted to the backplane without a large pin connector array.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: August O. Englert, Paul C. Schanen, Thomas R. Murray, Brian D. Johnston, Darrell J. Miller
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Patent number: 6081576Abstract: A scalable data acquisition system (SDAS) that may be used in connection with both single slice and multislice imaging systems is described. Generally, the SDAS in configured for use in a computed tomography system and converts the low level electrical current signal from the x-ray detector to digital values for image reconstruction, display and archive. The SDAS also includes an anti-alias filter for each cell prior to analog to digital conversion (ADC). More specifically, the analog current signals from the detector are supplied to the SDAS input channels via shielded ribbon or flex cables. The cables are connected to the SDAS at the SDAS backplane. The SDAS Converter boards are also plugged into the SDAS backplane. This interconnection provides several advantages. For example, the backplane enables ganging the detector cells on the outside edges of the fan beam. The backplane also allows a redistribution of the detector cells to appropriate converter boards.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: June 27, 2000Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul C. Schanen, Thomas R. Murray, Jonathan A. Murray
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Patent number: 5425622Abstract: The multi-lug attachment of the blades to the disk of a turbine rotor of a gas turbine engine, where the blades are air-cooled, optimizes weight reduction and tensile stress by attachment including a pair of lugs that transitions from a contoured airfoil to a pair of parallel rails releasably attached to complementary recesses formed in the disk. One lug is transitioned from the pressure surface to the attachment surface and the other lug is transitioned from the suction surface to the attachment surface. The lugs are tapered to optimize the attachment.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1993Date of Patent: June 20, 1995Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventor: Thomas R. Murray
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Patent number: 5009269Abstract: A fluid loss additive for addition to a cement slurry used in cementing a casing string in a wellbore. The additive reduces loss of water from the slurry into the formation, resulting in a better cement job. The additive is comprised of partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate polymer, calcium sulfate, a crosslinker for the polymer, and optionally a defoamer.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 1990Date of Patent: April 23, 1991Assignee: Conoco Inc.Inventors: Larry K. Moran, Thomas R. Murray