Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Gerry S. Gressel
  • Patent number: 5974889
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically scanning a surface includes a plurality of pairs of 180 degree oppositely disposed transducers mounted in a rotatable head having a central axis about which the head is rotatable. A positioning system for positioning the transducers such that all beam axes of the transducers intersect the central axis at a single point. Axes of each pair are equiangular with respect to the centerline and axes of different pairs have incident and reflective angles between beam axes and the central axis that are different from those of other pairs. Incident and reflective angles of different pairs of transducers are preferably predetermined and in close proximity to a predetermined angle over a range of angles bracketing a predetermined critical angle. A translating system is preferably included for effecting translational motion between the head and the surface such that the single point lies substantially on the surface during scanning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard L. Trantow
  • Patent number: 5965048
    Abstract: An atmosphere controlled workpiece heating chamber includes a spaced apart multiple gas flow means combination which avoids contamination of the atmosphere within the chamber from ambient atmosphere such as air. In one form, the chamber includes a gas diffuser as one flow means, and a heating means, both of which are readily removable, and easily and accurately replaceable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John M. Powers
  • Patent number: 5961807
    Abstract: A multipart seal is provided for electrically isolating from an electrolyte medium a projection secured at a projection base with a body surface, the projection and body surface having different electrochemical activities. A first seal part is a hollow cap sized and shaped to receive and cover the projection and to conform with the projection base. A second seal part is a cured, pliable sealant disposed on a cap wall about a cap opening and cap rim portion, and bonded with and covering the projection base and the body surface surrounding and immediately adjacent to the projection base. Both the first and second seal parts substantially will not react with or allow passage there through of the electrolyte medium. In an electrolytic method to coat the body surface, the projection is electrically isolated with the multipart seal prior to application of the electrolytic coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Dennis A. Daum, Timothy L. Arney
  • Patent number: 5948293
    Abstract: A method for quality assurance of a laser shock peening process that quantitatively analyzes a single laser shock peened dimple or spot. The method measures a first interior surface of the first dimple to obtain height data and the processes the height data to obtain production volumetric data of the dimple. The volumetric data may then be compared to a predetermined correlation of test volumetric data and high cycle fatigue failure based on high cycle fatigue tests of test pieces that were laser shock peened in the same or similar laser shock peening apparatus as the production workpieces. The test pieces may each have a failure precipitating flaw within a laser shock peened area of the test piece that was laser shock peened in the same or similar laser shock peening apparatus. Preferably, the measuring is performed using a profilometer such as an interferometric optical profilometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ralph M. Somers, Marek L. Winiarz, James D. Risbeck
  • Patent number: 5944909
    Abstract: A method of removing metallic compositions, such as abradable rub coatings, environmental coatings, bond coats and braze alloys, from the surface of a cobalt-base substrate, such as turbine shrouds and vanes of gas turbine engines. The method is particularly suited for the removal of nickel-base braze alloys and aluminum-containing coatings, the latter of which includes abradable MCrAlY coatings and environmentally-protective diffusion aluminide coatings. The process generally entails contacting such metallic compositions with an aqueous solution containing hydrochloric acid and nitric acid and at a solution temperature of about 130.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F. The solution completely removes nickel-base alloys and aluminum-containing compositions from a cobalt-base substrate without removal or damage to the underlying substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jim D. Reeves, Howard J. Farr, Warren D. Grossklaus, Jr., Jerald M. Kauffman, Randall L. Hobbs, Patricia A. Charles, Eric C. Hemsath, Scott A. Welsh
  • Patent number: 5942275
    Abstract: Chocolate flavored nut spreads, especially chocolate flavored peanut butters having a milk chocolate like flavor without a bitter aftertaste and with desirable spreadability. Cocoa solids substantially free of dairy solids that are encapsulated by sugar are dispersed substantially homogeneously throughout the spread. The level of cocoa butter is also below the point where it can crystallize out (i.e., typically about 20% or less on a total fat basis).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vincent York-Leung Wong, Michael Charles Schmidt, Jing Chen, David Joseph Bruno, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5938855
    Abstract: A method of removing surface dirt and contaminants from a component, such as a turbine, combustor or augmentor component of a gas turbine engine. The processing steps generally include soaking the component in a solution containing acetic acid, agitating the surfaces of the component such as with ultrasonic energy, and then rinsing the component of the acetic acid solution. A preferred acetic acid solution is vinegar either diluted by water or used full strength. Preferably, the component is also immersed in a solution containing acetic acid during the agitation step. The treatment steps can be performed at room temperature for durations of as little as two hours. The method is particularly suited for the removal of silica and calcium-containing compounds from air-cooled components protected with an environmental coating such as a diffusion aluminide coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Joseph H. Bowden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5935360
    Abstract: A method for repairing a discrete damaged part of a strip bonded to an article surface includes applying a first removable masking member along and adjacent the damaged part of the strip and separated from the strip by a gap of at least 0.005", and applying a second removable masking member to the outer surface of the strip. A repair adhesive, which can be cured at a curing temperature less than a higher temperature which can result in damage to properties of the article or a surface coating, is applied at and beneath an edge of the damaged part of the strip. Then the repair adhesive is cured at the curing temperature. Apparatus for bonding a strip to an end portion of the article includes a body having a channel there through defined, in part, by spaced apart support surfaces for article surfaces and positioned relative one to the other at a relative spatial position substantially coinciding with the relative spatial position of the article surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip R. Griggs
  • Patent number: 5919556
    Abstract: A multiple ply tissue paper structure is disclosed. The multiple ply tissue paper has plies having different texture values. In one embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has two plies having different calipers and macrodensities. In another embodiment, the multiple ply tissue paper has three plies, including a relatively untextured ply disposed between two relatively highly textured plies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Steven Lee Barnholtz
  • Patent number: 5919512
    Abstract: A beverage such as a dilute juice or tea beverage having a stable flavor/cloud emulsion that contains from about 0.005 to about 0.015% xanthan gum, from about 100 ppm to about 1000 ppm of a preservative which can be sorbic acid, benzoic acid and, alkali metal salts thereof and mixtures thereof, from about 300 ppm to about 3000 ppm of a food grade water soluble polyphosphate, and from about 60 to about 99% by weight of added water having from 0 ppm to about 180 ppm of hardness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: David Lee Montezinos
  • Patent number: 5918311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having improved pocket opening. The pocket is formed by a pocket panel disposed adjacent a body panel. A pocket opening mechanism in combination with a predetermined hinge line sustain pocket opening. The pocket opening mechanism can comprise an elastic member, and the predetermined hinge can be provided by a crease formed by folding. In one embodiment, the bib includes an apron panel for facilitating gravitational opening of the pocket. The apron can comprise a longitudinally extending crease. The creases in each panel can extend generally parallel to a longitudinal centerline of the bib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventors: Patricia Lee Lampson, Amit Gupta
  • Patent number: 5906711
    Abstract: A multiple ply tissue paper structure is disclosed. The multiple ply tissue paper has at least two plies having discrete low density regions dispersed throughout a continous relatively high density network. One of the plies has more of the discrete low density regions per square inch than does the other ply. In one embodiment, the two plies have different calipers and macrodensities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1999
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble Co.
    Inventor: Steven Lee Barnholtz
  • Patent number: 5904811
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wet pressed paper web. The web has a first relatively high density region having a first thickness K, a second relatively low density region having a second thickness P, which is a local maxima, and a third region extending intermediate the first and second regions. The third region includes a transition region having a third thickness T, which is a local minima. The present invention also provides a method of making a wet pressed web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web and the imprinting member are then pressed between first and second dewatering felts in a compression nip to further deflect the papermaking fibers into the deflection conduits in the imprinting member and to remove water from both sides of the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Stanley Ampulski, Albert Heskel Sawdai, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5899404
    Abstract: A web winding apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus include a turret assembly, a core loading apparatus, and a core stripping apparatus. The turret assembly supports rotatably driven mandrels for engaging hollow cores upon which a paper web is wound. Each mandrel is driven in a closed mandrel path, which can be non-circular. The core loading apparatus conveys cores onto the mandrels during movement of the mandrels along the core loading segment of the closed mandrel path, and the core stripping apparatus removes each web wound core from its respective mandrel during movement of the mandrel along the core stripping segment of the closed mandrel path. The turret assembly can be rotated continuously, and the sheet count per wound log can be changed as the turret assembly is rotating. The apparatus can also include a mandrel having a deformable core engaging member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Procter & Gamble
    Inventors: Kevin Benson McNeil, James Robert Johnson
  • Patent number: 5897745
    Abstract: The present invention provides method for making a wet pressed paper web. An embryonic web of papermaking fibers is formed on a foraminous forming member, and transferred to an imprinting member to deflect a portion of the papermaking fibers in the embryonic web into deflection conduits in the imprinting member. The web, the imprinting member, and two felt layers, are then pressed in a compression nip with a foraminous backing member to mold and dewater the web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Stanley Ampulski, Ward William Ostendorf, Paul Dennis Trokhan
  • Patent number: 5888563
    Abstract: Nutritional iron compositions comprising bioavailable sources of iron selected from ferrous fumarate and ferrous succinate where the iron source is preferably spread on the surface of a lecithin coated edible carrier such as sucrose. These nutritional iron compositions are particularly useful in food and beverage products such as chocolate flavored edible mixes, especially chocolate flavored beverages, that are additionally fortified with other minerals and vitamins, especially multi-mineral and vitamin combinations involving, iodine, vitamin A, vitamin C, riboflavin, and folic acid to avoid developing an undesirable color, off-flavor, astringency, particularly when the edible and/or beverage mix is reconstituted with water or milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Haile Mehansho, Renee Irvine Mellican, Toan Trinh
  • Patent number: 5887278
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bib having a relatively high Notched Tear Resistance in combination with a relatively low Circular Bending Stiffness. The relatively high Notched Tear Resistance reduces the ability of an infant wearer to tear off a piece of the bib when a bib has been punctured (e.g. by biting). The relatively low Circular Bending Stiffness provides a soft, drapable bib which is comfortable to the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Robert Drennan Lewis, Julie Ann Pawlikowski, Beverly Ann Julian Jackson, Richard Nicholas Reinhart
  • Patent number: 5885646
    Abstract: A process for preparing nut spreads having a sugar level of from about 15 to about 50% and especially flavored nut spreads having such relatively high levels of sugar. A substantially homogeneous blend is prepared from a fluid suspension consisting essentially of an intimate mixture of sugar, liquid oil and lecithin as a surfactant to improve the fluidity of the suspension, a nut solids-containing mixture and a flavorant that is preferably added to the fluid suspension. The resulting flavored nut spreads are more fluid and softer than products made without using the fluid suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vincent York-Leung Wong, Richard Joseph Sackenheim
  • Patent number: 5885645
    Abstract: Nut spreads, especially peanut butters, having a relatively low viscosity of about 2000 centipoise or less that have significantly reduced stickiness and increased nut flavor intensity. These nut spreads are obtained by milling a mixture of nut solids, oil, particulate water-soluble solids such as sugar and salt, optionally but preferably nut butter stabilizer and emulsifier, such that the water soluble solids have a mean particle size of about 20 microns or less to reduce grittiness. This milled mixture is combined with a nut paste prepared without excessively reducing the particle size of the nut solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Vincent York-Leung Wong, Richard Joseph Sackenheim
  • Patent number: D409389
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Jane Grote May, Patricia Lynn Neiheisel, Lester Charles Sporing