Patents Represented by Attorney George L. Rideout
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Patent number: 7457761Abstract: The method of managing the delivery of an order from at least one supplier to a respective delivery agent, and from the delivery agent to a respective buyer, given a requested order date and the respective buyers address, consisting of the steps including: determining a first potential arrival date of the order at a respective delivery agents location based on the order request date and the buyer's address; calculating the capacity of the delivery agent to ship the order based the first potential arrive date request; and finally, determining when there is sufficient capacity to ship the order to the buyer's address.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Timothy Jay Smith, Terry Ray Stout, Jeffrey Allen Hume, Gregory Ellington
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Patent number: 7440244Abstract: A modular and scaleable Matrix Fault Current Limiter (MFCL) that functions as a “variable impedance” device in an electric power network, using components made of superconducting and non-superconducting electrically conductive materials. The matrix fault current limiter comprises a fault current limiter module that includes a superconductor which is electrically coupled in parallel with a trigger coil, wherein the trigger coil is magnetically coupled to the superconductor. The current surge doing a fault within the electrical power network will cause the superconductor to transition to its resistive state and also generate a uniform magnetic field in the trigger coil and simultaneously limit the voltage developed across the superconductor. This results in fast and uniform quenching of the superconductors, significantly reduces the burnout risk associated with non-uniformity often existing within the volume of superconductor materials.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Xing Yuan, Kasegn Tekletsadik
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Patent number: 7375933Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, modular corona shields are employed in a HTS device to reduce the electric field surrounding the HTS device. In a exemplary embodiment a fault current limiter module in the insulation region of a cryogenic cooling system has at least one fault current limiter set which employs a first corona shield disposed along the top portion of the fault current limiter set and is electrically coupled to the fault current limiter set. A second corona shield is disposed along the bottom portion of the fault current limiter set and is electrically coupled to the fault current limiter set. An insulation barrier is disposed within the insulation region along at least one side of the fault current limiter set. The first corona shield and the second corona shield act together to reduce the electric field surrounding the fault limiter set when voltage is applied to the fault limiter set.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2006Date of Patent: May 20, 2008Inventor: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik
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Patent number: 7359164Abstract: A modular and scalable Matrix-type Fault Current Limiter (MFCL) that functions as a “variable impedance” device in an electric power network, using components made of superconducting and non-superconducting electrically conductive materials. An inductor is connected in series with the trigger superconductor in the trigger matrix and physically surrounds the superconductor. The current surge during a fault will generate a trigger magnetic field in the series inductor to cause fast and uniform quenching of the trigger superconductor to significantly reduce burnout risk due to superconductor material non-uniformity.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Inventor: Xing Yuan
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Patent number: 7333309Abstract: A superconducting fault current limiter array with a plurality of superconductor elements arranged in a meanding array having an even number of supconductors parallel to each other and arranged in a plane that is parallel to an odd number of the plurality of superconductors, where the odd number of supconductors are parallel to each other and arranged in a plane that is parallel to the even number of the plurality of superconductors, when viewed from a top view. The even number of superconductors are coupled at the upper end to the upper end of the odd number of superconductors. A plurality of lower shunt coils each coupled to the lower end of each of the even number of superconductors and a plurality of upper shunt coils each coupled to the upper end of each of the odd number of superconductors so as to generate a generally orthoganal uniform magnetic field during quenching using only the magenetic field generated by the superconductors.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: February 19, 2008Inventor: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik
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Patent number: 7283339Abstract: A single trigger/shunt coil is utilized for combined induced magnetic field triggering and shunt impedance. The single coil connected in parallel with the high temperature superconducting element, is designed to generate a circulating current in the parallel circuit during normal operation to aid triggering the high temperature superconducting element to quench in the event of a fault. The circulating current is generated by an induced voltage in the coil, when the system current flows through the high temperature superconducting element.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2006Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Inventor: Kasegn D. Tekletsadik
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Patent number: 6958893Abstract: A modular and scalable Matrix-type Fault Current Limiter (MFCL) that functions as a “variable impedance” device in an electric power network, using components made of superconducting and non-superconducting electrically conductive materials. An inductor is connected in series with the trigger superconductor in the trigger matrix and physically surrounds the superconductor. The current surge during a fault will generate a trigger magnetic field in the series inductor to cause fast and uniform quenching of the trigger superconductor to significantly reduce burnout risk due to superconductor material non-uniformity.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Inventor: Xing Yuan
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Patent number: 6947265Abstract: An isolation transformer is introduced into a matrix fault current limiter (MFCL) and is used to couple elements in trigger matrices and current limiting matrices. The isolation transformer can either be a voltage step-up or step-down configuration. In step-up configurations, the increased voltage supplied to the current limiting elements improves the quenching of the superconductor. In step-down configurations, current limiting elements are subject to lower voltage potentials thereby reducing the electrical insulation requirement between the trigger matrix and the current limiting matrix. In addition, the voltage amplification coefficient of each isolation transformer can vary for different columns of the current limiting matrix to maximize the current limiting performance.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2003Date of Patent: September 20, 2005Inventors: Susumu Mine, Xing Yuan
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Patent number: 6854276Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing cryogenic cooling to HTS devices, in particular those that are used in high-voltage electric power applications. The method involves pressurizing liquid cryogen to above one atmospheric pressure to improve its dielectric strength, while sub-cooling the liquid cryogen to below its saturation temperature in order to improve the performance of the HTS components of the device. An apparatus utilizing such a cooling method consists of a vessel that contains a pressurized gaseous cryogen region and a sub-cooled liquid cryogen bath, a liquid cryogen heating coupled with a gaseous cryogen venting scheme to maintain the pressure of the cryogen to a value in a range that corresponds to optimum dielectric strength of the liquid cryogen, and a cooling system that maintains the liquid cryogen at a temperature below its boiling point to improve the performance of HTS materials used in the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 15, 2005Inventors: Xing Yuan, Susumu Mine
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Patent number: 6832617Abstract: A fine filter assembly for a dishwasher includes a filter body having an inlet and an outlet located substantially adjacent to one another, and an extended flow path joins the inlet and the outlet so that essentially an entire length of the filter body is used for filtration. The flow path is sloped from the inlet to the outlet and extends substantially 360 radial degrees around a circular outer perimeter of the filter body. Therefore, wash fluid naturally flows from the fine filter inlet to the fine filter outlet all the way around the filter body, and substantially the entire filter body is flushed when the fine filter is drained and a main pump assembly is energized.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arjan Johannes Hegeman, Gregory Alan Meyer
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Patent number: 6816893Abstract: The present invention provides a method of displaying at least one alpha-numeric character of an HTML based web page that will not be printed when the web page is printed. The process consists of generating at least one transparent graphic image, wherein each graphic image is a non-printing alpha-numeric character on a non-printing background, getting a respective transparent graphic image for each alpha-numeric character when the no print feature is desired, and generating a web page comprising each of the transparent graphic images, wherein the web page has a contrasting background relative to the color of the respective alpha-numeric character.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2001Date of Patent: November 9, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Carey David Boaz, Joseph M. Hedrick, Steve E. Anderson
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Patent number: 6809910Abstract: A method and apparatus for magnetically triggering a superconductor in a superconducting fault current limiter to transition from a superconducting state to a resistive state. The triggering is achieved by employing current-carrying trigger coil or foil on either or both the inner diameter and outer diameter of a superconductor. The current-carrying coil or foil generates a magnetic field with sufficient strength and the superconductor is disposed within essentially uniform magnetic field region. For superconductor in a tubular-configured form, an additional magnetic field can be generated by placing current-carrying wire or foil inside the tube and along the center axial line.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: SuperPower, Inc.Inventors: Xing Yuan, Drew Willard Hazelton, Michael Stephen Walker
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Patent number: 6795810Abstract: Computerized method and system for assisting a consumer reach a decision regarding repair or replacement of a product usable by the consumer is provided. The method allows for providing to the consumer a Web page including a plurality of data fields to be filled with data selectable by the consumer from a corresponding plurality of menus including respective product attributes. The method further allows for processing the product attributes selected by the consumer relative to stored economic value data of products with generally similar attributes to those of the product usable by the consumer. The processing is configured to provide options available to the consumer regarding any repair or replacement of the product usable by the consumer. The consumer is provided with a Web page hierarchically displaying the options and wherein each of the options includes a respective hyperlink for enabling the consumer to select one of the options.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2000Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Michael Ruppelt, Tamara Yvette Clay
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Patent number: 6761381Abstract: A latch assembly includes a handle, a handle retainer, and a keeper. The keeper includes a biasing mechanism and a head comprising a catch, a lock release projection, and a switch actuator. The keeper biasing member configured to facilitate engaging the catch with the door. The handle biasing member configured to facilitate maintaining the handle in a first position. The handle includes a contact surface slidingly coupled to the lock release projection to facilitate coupling the door to the tub assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2001Date of Patent: July 13, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Luis Esteban Prada, Gregory Owen Miller, Christopher Raymond Geisen, Wenfeng Lu
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Patent number: 6752875Abstract: In one aspect, a dishwasher comprising a control mechanism coupled to a sensor for generating an output representative of whether sufficient water has flowed into the dishwasher during a fill operation is described. The dishwasher comprises a tub and a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water in the tub. The control mechanism is configured to determine whether terminate a current wash cycle based on a signal output by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Jeffrey Thomas Kiesler, Arjan Johannes Hegeman, Michael Lee McIntyre, Gregory Alan Meyer, Christopher Raymond Geisen, Gregory Owen Miller
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Patent number: 6718587Abstract: A method is provided for estimating the time required to perform an operational cycle of an appliance, the cycle including at least one variable operational mode. The method includes providing a memory for storing historical data of previously executed cycles of the appliance, accessing the memory in light of a user-selected option for a present cycle, and computing an initial estimated time for performing the present cycle of the appliance based, at least in part, on a time estimate for the at least one operational mode. The method continues with determining an actual time used for performing at least one occurrence of the operational mode, relating the actual time used to the time estimate used for computing the initial estimated time for performing the present cycle of the appliance, and adjusting the initial estimated time for performing the present cycle in light of any differences between the actual and estimated times for the at least one operational mode.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2001Date of Patent: April 13, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Bobby Hayes, Mark Weaver
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Patent number: 6698438Abstract: A fine filter assembly for a dishwasher includes a filter body having a soil accumulation trough. The soil accumulation trough defines a substantially helical flow path between a fine filter inlet and an outlet. A natural flow path is therefore provided to efficiently clean fine the filter assembly with downwardly directed fluid jets generated by a lower spray arm assembly. Soil is directed to a fine filter drain tube with relative ease, thereby facilitating use of more efficient use of a drain pump inlet as a soil collection chamber during wash cycles.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Arjan Johannes Hegeman, David V. Helmlinger
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Patent number: 6694990Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a dishwasher in a variable dry cycle mode is provided. The dishwasher includes a wash chamber, a heater element located within the wash chamber, a rinse aid product dispenser, and a fan unit for circulating air. The method comprises determining a temperature of the wash chamber, determining an amount of rinse aid product in the dispenser, and, based upon the determined temperature and the amount of rinse aid product, determining an optimized heater element cycle and an optimized fan unit cycle.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2001Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Spanyer, Peter Andrew Riddell
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Patent number: 6675129Abstract: The present invention provides a system by which the host can receive an ongoing reliability audit of a component supplier's production test results over the Internet. This invention analyses and graphs the test results to determine component reliability and to detect changes in reliability over time. One parameter used to detect these changes is mean time between failure (MTBF). This invention uses statistical analysis to determine the reliability status and to detect changes in reliability.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2000Date of Patent: January 6, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alexander Carswell Cambon, William Joseph Wunderlin, Todd Mark Heydt, Douglas Charles Kemp
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Patent number: 6666220Abstract: A cookware washer includes a wash chamber, and a lower rack positioned within said wash chamber. The lower rack includes a substantially unobstructed bottom surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Andrew Joseph Spanyer, Kenneth D. Tripp