Patents Represented by Attorney C. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6365703
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a vapor phase method of introducing a branching agent such as THPE into a solid polycarbonate while simultaneously crystallizing the solid polycarbonate. The partially crystalline polycarbonate containing a branching agent introduced in this manner is suitable for use in the preparation of branched polycarbonates by solid state polymerization. Branching in the polycarbonates so produced is demonstrated by rheometric measurements. Such branched polycarbonates are known to possess increased material melt strength, shear sensitivity, and complex viscosity ratio, and are particularly well-suited in blow molding applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Day, Sukhendu Bikash Hait
  • Patent number: 6363801
    Abstract: An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a hollow tubular body (a) of a cross-section size larger than the diameter of any single particle but smaller than twice the diameter to accommodate passage of a single particle at a time through the hollow tubular body and (b) of a length to accommodate a predetermined number of particles. The apparatus includes an obstruction within the body that permits passage of fluid but prevents passage of a particle. The apparatus also includes a force applicator at one end of the tubular body to apply a force to draw a flow of fluid and particles into an end of the element to fill the hollow tubular body with particles along a length of the body up to the obstruction and to maintain the force so as to retain the particles within the body while transporting the retained particles to a location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: James Claude Carnahan
  • Patent number: 6365016
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for depositing a coating on a substrate. A method of coating a substrate comprises evaporating a first reactant; introducing the evaporated reactant into a plasma; and depositing the first reactant on a surface of the substrate. This method may be used to deposit an electrically conductive, ultraviolet filter coating at high rate on a glass or polycarbonate substrate, for example. An apparatus for depositing a UV filter coating on a polymeric substrate comprises a plasma generator having an anode and a cathode to form a plasma, and a first inlet for introducing a first reactant into the plasma, the first reactant comprising an evaporated material that is deposited on the substrate by the plasma. Optionally, a nozzle can be utilized to provide a controlled delivery of the first reactant into the plasma.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Charles Dominic Iacovangelo, Keith Milton Borst, Elihu Calvin Jerabek, Patrick Peter Marzano, Barry Lee-Mean Yang
  • Patent number: 6365702
    Abstract: A method for preparing a polyestercarbonate copolymer using solid state polymerization and polyestercarbonates prepared thereby is described. The method comprises preparing a mixture comprising partially crystalline bisphenol A polycarbonate oligomer and hydroxy acids, aliphatic diacids, cycloaliphatic diacids, aromatic diacids or aromatic triacids and subjecting that mixture to solid state polymerization to afford a polyestercarbonate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sukhendu Bikash Hait, Mohan Mark Amaratunga, David Paul Mobley
  • Patent number: 6365710
    Abstract: A method for removing volatile components from wet, solid polymeric materials on a vacuum vented extruder is described. Polymeric materials containing substantial amounts of water, 1-20 % by weight, are rapidly converted to polymer compositions containing less than about 0.5% by weight water at high throughput rates while avoiding complications resulting from excessive steam backflow through the extruder feed throat. The method utilizes a screw design comprising only forward flighted screw elements in an initial polymer melting and kneading zone. Steam generated as the polymer is heated and sheared flows downstream to a first vacuum vent for removal. The partially devolatilized polymer melt is then subjected to additional kneading and vacuum venting. The claimed method converts wet polycarbonate powder containing residual methylene chloride to essentially dry polycarbonate powder containing less than about 1 ppm methylene chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Hua Wang, Robert John Hossan, Eric Thomas Gohr
  • Patent number: 6366193
    Abstract: A current limiting device comprises at least two electrodes; an electrically conductive composite material between the electrodes; interfaces between the electrodes the said composite material; and an inhomogeneous resistance distribution structure at the interfaces. During a high current event, adiabatic resistive heating at the interfaces causes rapid thermal expansion and vaporization and at least a partial physical separation at the interfaces; so the resistance of the current limiting device increases. The composite material comprises at least one polymeric matrix material and at least one electrically conductive material, and the polymeric matrix material comprises at least one epoxy and at least one silicone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anil Raj Duggal, Siegfried Aftergut, Larry Neil Lewis, David Alan Nye
  • Patent number: 6365665
    Abstract: A composition and method for promoting improved adhesion between a thermoplastic resinous substrate and polyurethane foam is provided. In one aspect of this invention, the composition comprises a thermoplastic mixture of at least one polyphenylene ether and at least one poly(alkenylaromatic) compound; and at least one primary amine-containing material or secondary amine-containing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Herbert Shin-I Chao, Geoffrey Henry Riding, David John Swanson
  • Patent number: 6365233
    Abstract: A fiber-reinforced silicon-silicon carbide matrix composite having improved oxidation resistance at high temperatures in dry or water-containing environments is produced. The invention also provides a method for protecting the reinforcing fibers in the silicon-silicon carbide matrix composites by coating the fibers with a silicon-doped boron nitride coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gregory Scot Corman, Krishan Lal Luthra
  • Patent number: 6362722
    Abstract: A current limiting device utilizes an electrically conductive composite material and an inhomogeneous distribution of resistance structure. The electrically conductive composite material comprises an organic binder portion comprising a high Tg epoxy and a low viscosity polyglycol epoxy; at least one epoxy curing agent; and a conductive powder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Herbert Stanley Cole, Theresa Ann Sitnik-Nieters, Anil Raj Duggal
  • Patent number: 6362006
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for rapid parallel determination of non-volatile analytes in multiple samples is provided. The method utilizes analyte-enhanced fluorescence of a solvatochromic dye, and thus is not dependent on fluorescence of the analyte itself. An evaporation step removes volatile sample components that might otherwise interfere with analyte determination. The method is sensitive to a wide range of analyte concentrations and robust to variations in sample volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, John Patrick Lemmon
  • Patent number: 6361878
    Abstract: A method of providing a roughened bond coat, for example in a thermal barrier coating system, comprises providing an oxidation-resistant plasma-sprayed layer onto a substrate and disposing a slurry overlayer on the oxidation-resistant plasma-sprayed layer. These steps form a roughened bond coat possessing an uneven, undulated, and irregular surface. A roughened bond coat in a thermal barrier coating system reduces de-bonding of the bond coat and a thermal barrier coating layer, which is desirable to maintain the insulation features of the thermal barrier coating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ann Melinda Ritter, Melvin Robert Jackson, Curtis Alan Johnson
  • Patent number: 6362390
    Abstract: The present invention relates to absorbent articles such as sanitary napkins and pantiliners and the use of backsheet constructions comprising a three dimensional formed film therein, to provide masking of the materials stored in the absorbent article when viewed through the garment facing surface of the absorbent article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Carlucci, Maurizio Tamburro
  • Patent number: 6361735
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming a composite article comprising the steps of forming a plurality of green ceramic elements, wherein the green ceramic elements are arranged side by side, and the green ceramic elements are spaced from each other by gaps; filling the gaps with a second material; and sintering the green ceramic elements with the second material to form the composite article. The second material, after being sintered, acts as a reflector layer to prevent substantially all light in one of the sintered ceramic elements from reaching an adjacent sintered ceramic element. The step of filling the gaps may be carried out by forming a slurry containing the second material in powder form and immersing the green ceramic elements in the slurry. The process of cosintering the green ceramic elements with the reflector composition provides improved dimensional control during sintering and reduces processing costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Venkat Subramaniam Venkataramani, Charles David Greskovich, Steven Jude Duclos, James Anthony Brewer
  • Patent number: 6362263
    Abstract: Impact modified, compatibilized poly(phenylene ether)-polyamide compositions containing either a polybutene or an organosiloxane mixture give molded parts with good surface appearance, improved flow at high shear rate, and improved low temperature impact strength in comparison to control blends without added organosiloxane mixture or polybutene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sterling Bruce Brown, Norberto Silvi, Mark Howard Giammattei, Navjot Singh, Farid Fouad Khouri
  • Patent number: 6360585
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining chemical properties. The method is based on the sequential measurement of the variation of the oscillation frequency of a single sensing device when different chemically sensitive film materials are deposited on both sides of a resonator such as a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Each of the sides of the resonator is sequentially exposed to an analyte while another side is exposed to a blank gas. In this way, the analyte-dependent signal from the resonator is generated only from a single film. Measurements are further made by switching the analyte stream to expose the sensing film on another side of the resonator previously exposed to a blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Timothy Mark Sivavec
  • Patent number: 6358331
    Abstract: A tin alloy bath with controlled iron content is used for coating a niobium-base substrate with tin in a manufacturing process for triniobium tin superconductor. One hundred twenty-five parts per million by weight or less of iron is used in tin alloy baths to increase the reaction kinetics of the formation of the superconductor material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Paul Frederick Browning, Neil Anthony Johnson, Thomas Robert Raber, Melissa Lea Murray, Mark Gilbert Benz
  • Patent number: 6357278
    Abstract: A sensor comprises a substrate and a polymeric film disposed on the substrate. The polymeric film comprises at least one hardblock component and at least one softblock component. The invention also sets forth a method for enhancing detection of a target compound by a sensor. The method comprises disposing a polymeric film on a surface of the sensor, in which the polymeric film enhances detection of target compounds not normally sensed by a sensor without the polymeric film. The polymeric film comprises at least one hardblock component and at least one softblock component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Sivavec, Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo
  • Patent number: 6358297
    Abstract: A method for controlling electromagnetic flux concentration in a discharge guide tube for a metal refining apparatus is provided. The discharge guide tube comprises a base plate, an extension, a central orifice that extends through the extension from a source of liquid metal to an outlet in the discharge guide tube for directing a stream of metal therethrough, and an interior discharge guide tube flux concentration configuration; an induction heater system that generates an electromagnetic field in the discharge guide tube, the induction heater system being disposed on the extension with a gap defined therebetween, the induction heater system and the discharge guide tube being capable of relative vertical movement and subsequent positions with respect to each other with the gap being essentially constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert John Zabala, Howard Roscoe Hart, Jr., Mark Gilbert Benz, Bruce Alan Knudsen, William Thomas Carter, Jr., Russell Scott Miller
  • Patent number: 6357284
    Abstract: A ceramic sensor is disclosed that includes a ceramic tube having a closed end and an open end, and a metal sleeve having open first and second ends. The ceramic tube is formed of stabilized zirconia. The metal sleeve extends about the open end of the ceramic tube and is sealingly joined thereto at a contact region by a brazeless bond resulting from hot isostatic pressing. A mixture of metal and metal oxide powders is provided within the ceramic tube adjacent the closed end, and a conducting wire extends from the mixture of metal and metal oxide powders to the second end of the metal sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Young-Jin Kim, Minyoung Lee, Samson Hettiarachchi
  • Patent number: 6358223
    Abstract: A tampon applicator for at least partially separating a tampon and inserting the tampon into a body cavity is provided. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube having interior and exterior surfaces, a longitudinal axis, a hollow portion and an expulsion end dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity. The tampon holder tube has a feature for separating and spreading a tampon apart during expulsion of the tampon. A plunger may also be telescopically and slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube distal to the expulsion end and adapted to directionally expel the tampon from the tampon holder tube when a user expels the tampon from the tampon holder tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Lisa Ann Mackay, William Patton Peace, Chrissie Melinda Smits, Richard Tweddell, III, Eric Patton Weinberger