Patents Represented by Attorney Fletcher Yoder
  • Patent number: 8040127
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present technique, an array of electromagnetic sensors is positioned within a volume of interest. In the presence of an electromagnetic field, the array of electromagnetic sensors is sampled to acquire signals representative of the location of the electromagnetic sensors in the array. The electromagnetic field distortion within the volume of interest is determined based on the acquired signals. In another aspect of the present technique, a system for detecting electromagnetic field distortions includes an electromagnetic sensor assembly for positioning within a volume of interest, a plurality of electromagnetic sensors for transmitting or receiving signals representative of the location of the electromagnetic sensors on the sensor assembly; and a tracker. In another aspect of the present technique, an electromagnetic sensor assembly for detecting electromagnetic field distortion includes a body, and an array of electromagnetic sensors positioned on the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Vernon Thomas Jensen
  • Patent number: 8038931
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating a workpiece. An induction heating system is used to induce magnetic fields in a workpiece to inductively heat the workpiece. The induction heating system may comprise a portable power source, a portable power source controller, a fluid-cooled induction heating cable, and a portable cooling unit. The induction heating system may be used to perform a variety of induction heating operations, including: annealing, surface hardening, heat treating, stress-relieving, curing, shrink-fitting, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Thomas, Randall G. Baxter, Mark A. Ulrich, Paul D. Verhagen
  • Patent number: 8042012
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems and devices, such as a device including a data location, a quantizing circuit coupled to the data location, and a test module coupled to the quantizing circuit. The quantizing circuit may include an analog-to-digital converter, a switch coupled to the memory element and a feedback signal path coupled to the output of the analog-to-digital converter and to the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: R. Jacob Baker
  • Patent number: 8041848
    Abstract: A media processing system and device with improved power usage characteristics, improved audio functionality and improved media security is provided. Embodiments of the media processing system include an audio processing subsystem that operates independently of the host processor for long periods of time, allowing the host processor to enter a low power state. Other aspects of the media processing system provide for enhanced audio effects such as mixing stored audio samples into real-time telephone audio. Still other aspects of the media processing system provide for improved media security due to the isolation of decrypted audio data from the host processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Conroy, Barry Corlett, Aram Lindahl, Steve Schell, Niel D. Warren
  • Patent number: 8037871
    Abstract: The seal assembly comprises providing a fuel conduit having a fluid flow passage therethrough for conveyance of a pressurized fuel-containing gas in a general fluid-flow direction with a first sealing surface disposed on the fuel conduit. A second sealing surface engages with the first sealing surface, such as to provide a fluid-tight connection preventing pressurized gas from leaving the fluid flow passage. The said first and second sealing surfaces are substantially perpendicular to the general fluid-flow direction. An o-ring is disposed between the first sealing surface and second sealing surface, the o-ring being compressed by the first and second sealing surfaces to form said fluid-tight connection. Preferably the o-ring is subjected to a squeeze of at least 40%, more preferably 50%, when the first and second sealing surfaces are coupled together. The sealing arrangement is most advantageously applied to throttle assemblies and the like, in particular for use with low-speed, gaseous fueled engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Cameron International Corporation
    Inventor: Gene McClendon
  • Patent number: 8039996
    Abstract: An electrically responsive ink composition comprising at least one electrically responsive optical-state change material, at least one electrolyte material, at least one solvent, and at least one binder material, wherein the ink composition has a viscosity between about 0.1 centipoise and about 10,000 centipoise, and a maximum optical absorbance in a range from about 200 nanometers to about 800 nanometers; and wherein the ink composition is capable of transforming from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to an electrical stimulus. The electrically responsive ink composition may be used to deposit an electrically responsive coating composition, which may be used as part of an anti-theft system for optical articles. Articles comprising electrically responsive coating compositions are also disclosed, as are methods for activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: NBCUniversal Media, LLC
    Inventors: Andrea Jeannine Peters, Marc Brian Wisnudel, Ben Purushotam Patel, Matthew Jeremiah Misner, James Mitchell White, Kasiraman Krishnan, Kaustubh Ravindra Nagarkar
  • Patent number: 8040035
    Abstract: A method of producing a cathode for use in an x-ray tube assembly is provided including machining an emission aperture into a cup emission surface portion of a cup structure. The cup structure is comprised of a cup base portion opposite the cup emissions surface portion. Electro-discharge machining is used to form an electro-discharge machining slot into the cup structure to provide access to the interior of the cup structure. Electro-discharge machining is used to form a transverse coil chamber within the interior by way of the electro-discharge machining slot such that the transverse coil chamber is formed between the cup base portion and the cup emissions surface portion while retaining an essentially contiguous emissions surface perimeter surrounding the emission aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 8039817
    Abstract: A system and method for imaging biological samples on multiple surfaces of a support structure are disclosed. The support structure may be a flow cell through which a reagent fluid is allowed to flow and interact with the biological samples. Excitation radiation from at least one radiation source may be used to excite the biological samples on multiple surfaces. In this manner, fluorescent emission radiation may be generated from the biological samples and subsequently captured and detected by detection optics and at least one detector. The detected fluorescent emission radiation may then be used to generate image data. This imaging of multiple surfaces may be accomplished either sequentially or simultaneously. In addition, the techniques of the present invention may be used with any type of imaging system. For instance, both epifluorescent and total internal reflection methods may benefit from the techniques of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Illumina, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenyi Feng, Jason Bryant, Dale Buermann
  • Patent number: 8039731
    Abstract: The energy conversion system includes a first optical cover having a flat surface and a patterned surface. The patterned surface is configured to receive solar energy from the flat surface, then concentrate and guide the solar energy. The system also includes a second optical cover. The system further includes providing a photovoltaic cell layer between the patterned surface of the first optical cover and the second optical cover. The photovoltaic cell layer is configured to receive the solar energy from the patterned surface and convert the solar energy into electrical energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ravi Shankar Durvasula
  • Patent number: 8036925
    Abstract: A system to manage utilization of a plurality of types of assets by a plurality of independent entities is provided. The system comprises a controller including a processor operable to execute a plurality of program instructions generally representative of the steps of receiving a plurality of parameters from each of the plurality of independent entities; segmenting the plurality the independent entities into more than one cluster dependent on identified similarities in at least one of the plurality of parameters of the one or more of the plurality of entities; and generating a display of a comparison of the plurality of parameters of each of the independent entities relative to another in each of the plurality of clusters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Suresh Choubey
  • Patent number: 8035304
    Abstract: A high intensity discharge lamp, in certain embodiments, includes a uniquely shaped shoulder and dimensions selected to reduce stress and associated cracking. The uniquely shaped shoulder has a variable diameter, such as, e.g., a cup-shaped geometry, a curved funnel-shaped geometry, or a conical-shaped geometry. The selected or optimized dimensions may include a tip-to-neck distance, a tip-to-wall distance, and an internal diameter of the lamp. The selected or optimized dimensions also may include a uniform wall thickness, an arc gap distance, and an electrode thickness. These dimensions and shapes are selected to reduce undesirably high maximum stresses and temperatures in the lamp. As a result, the lamp is able to provide higher performance with a longer life due to a decreased risk of stress cracking during rapid start up and steady state operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Svetlana Selezneva, Mohamed Rahmane, Sairam Sundaram, Andrey Meshkov, Garry R. Allen, Viktor Varga, Agoston Boroczki
  • Patent number: 8035523
    Abstract: An improved RFID tag reader is provided. More specifically, an RFID tag reader is provided that includes a plurality of antenna panels arranged to form a sensing volume in which RFID tags are read. Additionally, the RFID tag reader includes a novel switching mechanism that activates the antenna panels in sequence while minimizing cross coupling between the antenna panels. Furthermore, a novel antenna geometry also reduces antenna cross coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lynn Ann DeRose, Joseph James Salvo, Douglas Roy Forman, Janet Sue Bennett, Brandon Stephen Good, Morgan Fredric Intrator, Nicolas Auguste Constant Schieli
  • Patent number: 8036763
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting operation of a plant or process receive an input value from the plant or process. An integrity of a non-linear model corresponding to a local input space of the input value may be determined. The non-linear model may include an empirical representation of the plant or process. If the integrity is above a first threshold, non-linear model may be used to provide a first output value. However, if the integrity is below the first threshold, a linearized first principles model may be used to provide a second output value. The linearized first principles model may include an analytic representation of the plant or process. Additionally, the analytic representation of the plant or process may be independent of the empirical representation of the plant or process. The first output value and/or the second output value may be usable to manage the plant or process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Boe, Gregory D. Martin, Stephen W. Piche
  • Patent number: 8035682
    Abstract: A device for modifying source image frames to create modified image frames and for projecting the modified image frames onto a geometrically changing viewable surface is presented. The device may include a viewable surface image sampler for outputting surface image frames each including surface image pixels that reflect the geometrically changing viewable surface and a comparator in circuit with the surface image sampler. The comparator may be configured for identifying a number and a location of the surface image pixels of one or more of the surface image frames and for identifying a number and a location of source image pixels in one or more of the source image frames. The comparator may be further configured to thereafter compare the number and the location of the surface image pixels with the number and the location of the source image pixels to determine a number and a location of target pixels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Universal City Studios LLC
    Inventor: Scott R. Trowbridge
  • Patent number: 8032235
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for reducing an error in a controlled variable via model predictive control. A predicted error in the controlled variable is determined for a forward-looking control horizon based upon measured or computed variables. The integral of the predicted error is computed. If the error or the integral exceed a tolerance for a determined time period, the model predictive control algorithm is modified to drive the error or the integral to within a tolerance. The modifications to the control algorithm may include changes to coefficients for terms based upon the error and/or the integral of the error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bijan Sayyar-Rodsari
  • Patent number: 8030920
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for modifying a pulse sequence. In one embodiment, a determination is made whether an estimated peripheral nerve stimulation (PNS) associated with a pulse sequence exceeds a PNS limit. If the estimated PNS exceeds the PNS limit, a slew rate associated with one or more axes of the pulse sequence may be reduced and the maximum gradient amplitudes for each axis of the pulse sequence may be adjusted. In one embodiment, adjustment of the maximum gradient amplitudes or local slew rate may be based upon a cost analysis performed on the pulse sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Tienhuan Vu, Wei Sun, Ersin Bayram
  • Patent number: 8031828
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a first set of projection data is acquired using a first portion of a detector and a second set of projection data is acquired using a second portion of the detector. The second set of projection data is supplemented based upon the first set of projection data to generate a supplemented set of projection data. A volumetric image may be generated using the supplemented set of projection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Jiang Hsieh, Jed Douglas Pack, Kai Zeng
  • Patent number: 8031829
    Abstract: A method for analytically reconstructing a multi-axial computed tomography (CT) dataset, acquired using one or more longitudinally-offset x-ray beams emitted from multiple x-ray sources is provided. The method comprises acquiring one or more CT axial projection datasets, wherein the CT axial projection datasets are acquired using less than a full scan of data. The method further comprises reconstructing the CT axial projection datasets to generate a reconstructed image volume. The reconstruction comprises back projecting one or more voxels comprising the multi-axial CT dataset, along one or more projection views, based upon a cone-angle weight determined for the voxels, wherein the cone-angle weight for the voxels is determined along a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Zhye Yin, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Jed Douglas Pack
  • Patent number: 8032236
    Abstract: A technique is disclosed for asymmetrically controlling a process parameter based upon the direction of a prediction error between a predicted value determined using an inferential model and a laboratory measurement of the parameter. The present technique provides for the adaptive biasing of the predicted value based upon the direction of the prediction error. In one embodiment, a biasing factor may be determined by filtering the prediction error, such that the prediction error is emphasized more heavily in the biasing factor if the prediction error is in a less tolerable direction and emphasized less heavily if the prediction error is in the opposite direction. The biasing factor may further be determined as a function of a previous biasing factor computed during the process. Asymmetric control of the process parameter may be performed by controlling the parameter using model predictive control techniques based on the biased predicted values of the parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kent Stephenson, David G. Hoch, L. Paul Collete, III
  • Patent number: 8030923
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for processing a magnetic resonance images. In one embodiment, first and second sets of lines of magnetic resonance imaging signals are acquired. The acquired sets of lines have readout gradients that are reversed in polarity with respect to one another. A two-dimensional phase error is determined using the first and second set of lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Huanzhou Yu, Ann Shimakawa, Charles McKenzie