Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder
  • Patent number: 7714252
    Abstract: A duty cycle controller having a processor configured to control a welding-type apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the processor may be configured to control the welding-type apparatus according to a variable maximum duty cycle to substantially delay entry into a thermal shutdown mode of the welding-type apparatus based on at least one operating condition. Various additional devices and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce A. Casner, Mark Ulrich
  • Patent number: 7709057
    Abstract: Described herein is a method for providing a clean edge at the interface of a portion of a substrate coated with a coating system and an adjacent portion of the substrate which is uncoated. The method includes the step of forming a zone of non-adherence on the substrate portion which is to be uncoated, prior to application of the coating system. The zone of non-adherence is adjacent the interface, so that the coating system will not adhere to the zone of non-adherence, but will adhere to the portion of the substrate which is to be coated with the coating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Anthony Fusaro, Jr., Timothy Francis Bethel
  • Patent number: 7703702
    Abstract: A pneumatically operated device. The pneumatically operated device comprises a movable member disposed within a housing. The movable member is operable to control operation of the device. Pressurized air is directed to a first side of the movable member to drive the movable member in a first direction to operate the device. The pneumatically operated device comprises a check valve disposed through an opening in the housing to enable air to vent from a second side of the movable member. The check valve may comprise a flexible cover extending over the opening and biased against the housing to form a seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher L. Strong
  • Patent number: 7706499
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for acquiring and reconstructing projection data using a computed tomography (CT) system having stationary distributed X-ray sources and detector arrays. In one embodiment, a non-sequential activation of X-ray source locations on an annular source is employed to acquire projection data. In another embodiment, a distributed source is tilted relative to an axis of the scanner to acquire the projection data. In a further embodiment, a plurality of X-ray source locations on an annular source are activated such that the aggregated signals correspond to two or more sets of spatially interleaved helical scan data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jed Douglas Pack, Zhye Yin, Samit Kumar Basu, John Charles Hill, Peter Michael Edic
  • Patent number: 7698909
    Abstract: A headband having a low stretch segment sized to fit around a wearer's head, and an elastic segment being smaller than the low stretch segment, and having a free end and an attached end, where the elastic segment is attached at its attached end with the low stretch segment. The headband also includes a tab portion having a first end and a second end, the first end of the tab portion being connected with the free end of the elastic portion, the second end of the tab portion configured to form a closed loop with the low stretch segment, around the wearer's head. The headband also includes visual indicator configured for monitoring the extended position of elastic segment and optionally a stop portion that is configured to engage against the elastic segment to limit its stretch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: Don Hannula, Joseph Coakley, Paul D. Mannheimer
  • Patent number: 7703020
    Abstract: A medical diagnostic system and method having an application configured to generate a user-interface screen comprising a plurality of interface items. A configuration file is stored on the system and includes identification data of the items and a guarded designation for at least one guarded item. A dynamic link library is configured to receive the identification data and the guarded designation from the configuration file, and a server operative on the system for serving the user-interface screen to a remote client. The guarded item of the user-interface screen served to the remote client may have an altered appearance to the remote client and/or may be inoperable to the remote client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nammalvar Venkata Bhattaru
  • Patent number: 7700893
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for controlling a wire feeder. The wire feeder includes a wire feeder motor configured to drive delivery of a welding wire at an actual wire feed speed (WFS) according to a welding-type process. The wire feeder also includes a processor configured to adjust motor calibration parameters such that actual WFS matches a desired WFS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Charles L. Kaufman
  • Patent number: 7698241
    Abstract: A technique is provided for resolving a reportable condition. Upon detection of a reportable condition on a processor-based medical system, machine data is provided to a knowledge engine. One or more identified solutions are received from the knowledge engine and implemented on the processor-based medical system. The one or more solutions are verified as they are implemented to determine if the currently implemented solution resolves the reportable condition. Routines implementing some or all of the technique may be provided on a processor-based system or on a machine-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Deborah Ann Babula, Michael Allan Clawson
  • Patent number: 7696722
    Abstract: A power system and method for supplying power to a wireless X-ray detector utilizes a detachable handle for a wireless X-ray detector. The handle carries a battery which, when the detachable handle is coupled to a wireless X-ray detector, provides the wireless X-ray detector with a mobile supply of power. A detachable handle charging station may recharge a plurality of detachable handles, providing a swappable supply of power for a wireless X-ray detector. Charging stations for such handles, or for entire detectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Utschig, Jacob Robert Bauer, Fred Kleytman, Donald Earl Castleberry
  • Patent number: 7696458
    Abstract: A system and method for inductively heating a work piece. The induction heating system is coupleable to at least one temperature feedback device. The temperature feedback device is disposed within the induction heating system to provide a signal representative of the temperature of an induction heating system component. The induction heating system is operable to control the output of the induction heating system based on the temperature of the induction heating system component to protect the component from heat damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Paul D. Verhagen, Edward G. Beistle, Brian J. Veik
  • Patent number: 7690194
    Abstract: A low emissions 2-stroke natural gas fueled engine includes at least one cylinder with an exhaust port in communication with a silencer/catalytic converter unit. The unit has first and second volumes in communication with each other. The first volume dampens spurious exhaust pressure excursions and removes particulates in the exhaust. The second volume houses an oxidation catalyst for treating exhaust to reduce exhaust emissions. The engine oil has at most 10 ppm zinc content to reduce metal poisons contained in the exhaust prior to contact with the oxidation catalyst. The engine oil preferably has a very low ash content to minimize sulfur combustion components in the exhaust to reduce masking of the oxidation catalyst. The first volume preferably has a pressure relief valve set to relieve at a pressure greater than the maximum normal operating pressure of the engine to avoid excessive pressure excursions of the engine exhaust from damaging the oxidation catalyst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce M. Chrisman, Thomas J. Hurley
  • Patent number: 7693559
    Abstract: A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having two or more structural supports. A coating is provided over the frame. The coating has at least one deformable region disposed between the two or more structural supports. The sensor assembly includes at least one optical component disposed within the at least one deformable region such that the at least one optical component can move relative to the two or more structural supports. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. Methods of manufacture and use of the sensor assembly are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventors: William Raridan, George L. Matlock, Joseph Coakley, Darius Eghbal
  • Patent number: 7687881
    Abstract: A semiconductor device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor device includes a memory cell, which in turn includes an electrode and a phase change material. The electrode may be disposed on a substrate and include a sublithographic lateral dimension parallel to the substrate. The phase change material may be coupled to the electrode and include a lateral dimension parallel to the substrate and greater than the sublithographic lateral dimension of the electrode. Various semiconductor devices and manufacturing methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell C. Zahorik
  • Patent number: 7688118
    Abstract: There is provided a reduced current input buffer circuit. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an input buffer circuit comprising an input buffer that is adapted to draw an operating current, means for providing a first portion of the operating current to the input buffer, and means for providing a second portion of the operating current to the input buffer if the input buffer is expecting data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy B. Cowles
  • Patent number: 7687790
    Abstract: An imaging system is provided having an EMI shield configured to shield one or more imaging components. The EMI shield includes a first material having a first plurality of conductive elements integrally formed within a first nonconductive material and also includes a generally nonconductive exterior. A method is provided for shielding EMI in an imaging system. The method includes providing an EMI shielding enclosure that includes a first material having a first plurality of conductive elements disposed in a first non-conductive material, and a second material having a second plurality of conductive elements disposed in a second non-conductive material, wherein the first plurality of conductive elements engages the second plurality of conductive elements to form a conduction path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael John Utschig, Habib Vafi, William Andrew Hennessy, Donald Earl Castleberry
  • Patent number: 7687796
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a memory cell having a non-volatile resistive memory element with a limited size active area. The method comprises a first step of providing a dielectric volume and forming a plug opening within the dielectric volume. A recessed plug of a conductive material is then formed within a lower portion of the opening and a dielectric spacer is formed along the sidewalls of an upper portion of the opening. The spacer is cylindrical and has a central hole. A contact plug is subsequently formed within the central hole, the contact plug electrically coupled to the recessed plug. The contact plug can include a memory element or an additional memory element can be applied over the contact plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven T. Harshfield
  • Patent number: 7686019
    Abstract: A medical ventilation device comprising a cannula having proximal and distal ends; an inflatable cuff adapted to be inflated to an inspiratory pressure, the cuff attached to and surrounding a portion of the cannula toward the distal end thereof; an inspiratory pressure inflation tube having first and second ends, the first end in communication with an interior of the inflatable cuff, the second end adapted to communicate with an inspiratory pressure source; and a pressure valve in communication with the inspiratory pressure inflation tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2010
    Inventors: Markus Weiss, William T. Denman
  • Patent number: 7684276
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for reading operating parameters from programmable elements on memory devices to configure a memory system. More specifically, programmable elements, such as antifuses, located on a memory device are programmed during fabrication with measured operating parameters corresponding to the memory device. Operating parameters may include, for example, operating current values, or voltage and timing parameters. The memory device may be incorporated into a memory module that is incorporated into a system. Once the memory module is incorporated into a system, the programmable elements may be accessed such that the memory system can be configured to optimally operate in accordance with the operating parameters measured for each memory device in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Janzen, Scott Schaefer, Todd D. Farrell
  • Patent number: 7684842
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pulse oximetry sensor. The pulse oximetry sensor may comprise an emitter configured to transmit a signal into tissue, a detector configured to detect the signal, and a quality assurance component coupled to a first sensor component and second sensor component. The quality assurance component may be configured to break and disable the sensor upon separation of the first sensor component from the second sensor component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Nellcor Puritan Bennett LLC
    Inventor: Albert L. Ollerdessen
  • Patent number: 7685262
    Abstract: A technique is provided for sharing clinical protocols for diagnostic imaging systems. The clinical protocols generally represent operational parameters, such as configuration data and procedures, which are clinically developed for a particular imaging diagnosis. An interface or access point, such as a network accessible database or website, is provided to facilitate the exchange of these clinical protocols between clinicians. The present technique also may facilitate the formation of new clinical protocols and/or the integration of new clinical protocols into various diagnostic imaging systems. Accordingly, clinicians can electronically exchange and configure a variety of imaging protocols for potentially greater quality in the particular imaging diagnosis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Suresh K. Choubey, Tsur Bernstein, Sandeep N. Gupta, Mohsin S. Dawoodbhai, April Dorcas, Ashish M. Shah, Mani Sundararajan, John W. Zingsheim