Patents Represented by Attorney Global Patent Operation

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  • Method and device for managing the operating conditions of a refrigerator compartment using a single sensor
    Patent number: 8122730
    Abstract: A method and device for managing the operating conditions of a refrigerator unit using a single sensor are disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining a sensor temperature of a refrigerator unit, determining to which a plurality of disjoint temperatures regions the temperature lies within and setting an operating condition of each of a plurality of components of the refrigerator unit based on the determined temperature region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arthur Wilson Scrivener, Joshua Blake Huff
  • Probe and a method for use with a probe
    Patent number: 8126525
    Abstract: The invention relates to a probe and a method for use with a probe, which produces signals indicative of the light absorption of arterial blood at least at a first light wave-length and at a second light wavelength. In order to indicate if the probe is not properly attached to a tissue site the method comprises measuring with at a third wave-length. The third wavelength is chosen so that human tissue is less transparent than at the first and second wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GE Healthcare Finland Oy
    Inventor: Borje Rantala
  • System and method for predicting a vehicle route using a route network database
    Patent number: 8126601
    Abstract: A system and method for predicting a route to be authorized by a dispatcher for a vehicle to travel on a route network comprises a computer system that has a database having stored data relative to interconnecting route segments that make up the route network. Data relative to the origination location and the destination location is input into the computer system. The processor accesses the database and generates a predicted route with an origination location and destination location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Kapp, Eric Vorndran, Daniel Pagano, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Table drive system
    Patent number: 8117694
    Abstract: A table drive system comprising a first drive assembly configured for moving a support table in a first direction, a second drive assembly configured for moving the support table in a second direction, a third drive assembly configured for moving the support table in a third direction and a first drive motor coupled to the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly is provided. The first drive motor is configured to drive the first drive assembly, the second drive assembly and the third drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Asghar Ali Farooqui
  • Heat protection systems and methods for remote viewing devices
    Patent number: 8118733
    Abstract: Heat isolation and relocation systems and methods are provided to enable utilization of a remote viewing device in a wider range of temperature environments and while operating its one or more light sources at or near full power without fear of causing temperature-related harm to the one or more light sources and/or to the imager, even if the imager is positioned nearby the one or more light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: GE Inspection Technologies, LP
    Inventors: Joshua L. Scott, Thomas W. Karpen
  • Fluid detector
    Patent number: 8118481
    Abstract: A detector for identifying a fluid is disclosed. The detector comprises a probe having a thermistor, the probe being arranged to be exposed to a fluid and to allow thermal flow between the fluid and the thermistor; a temperature sensor to measure the ambient temperature of the fluid and a controller. The controller is arranged to supply electrical power to the thermistor and to provide an output indicative of the identity of the fluid based upon whether the electrical power supplied to the thermistor is above or below a threshold value. The threshold value is adjustable in accordance with the measured ambient temperature of the fluid. Examples of such a detector provide reliable fluid identification despite variations in ambient temperature of the fluid and such a detector may be compact, inexpensive, reliable and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip George Camp
  • Process for inhibiting fouling in hydrocarbon processing
    Patent number: 8118995
    Abstract: A method for inhibiting the formation of fouling materials including contacting hydrocarbon media containing aldehyde compounds with an antifoulant while treating the hydrocarbon media with a basic wash. The antifoulant includes a reducing sugar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mary King, Cato Russell McDaniel
  • Universal rating plug for electronic trip unit
    Patent number: 8116054
    Abstract: A rating plug for an electronic trip unit is disclosed. The rating plug has a housing with a plurality of switches disposed within the housing, each of the switches positionable in one of two positions. The settings of the switches establish a digital signature associated with the rating plug, providing for a universal rating plug that can be used on any circuit breaker that is accepting of the rating plug and that has a sensor value equal to or greater than the rating plug current rating. For instance, a rating plug having a 1000 Amp rating can be used on any circuit breaker sensor for use at or above 1000 A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nataniel Barbosa Vicente, Brian Patrick Lenhart, Stephen James West, Todd Greenwood
  • Wind turbine and method for operating a wind turbine
    Patent number: 8115330
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for operating a wind turbine, the wind turbine comprising a wind rotor having at least one rotor blade and a generator connected to the wind rotor, wherein the generator is adapted to be connected to a grid, wherein the method comprises: adjusting at least one wind turbine parameter to increase the rotational speed of the wind rotor; increasing the rotational speed of the wind rotor; during increasing of the rotational speed of the wind rotor determining if the wind turbine would exceed a predetermined amount of energy to be fed into the grid at the actual wind rotor rotational speed; and during increasing of the rotational speed of the wind rotor connecting the wind turbine to the grid if determining that the wind turbine would exceed the predetermined amount of energy to be fed into the grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Detlef Menke
  • Method and system for providing redundancy in railroad communication equipment
    Patent number: 8112189
    Abstract: A railway communication system (10) includes a transmitter (12) receiving an input and producing a communication signal (18). The communication signal (18) includes at least two different portions (20,22) for separately encoding respective indications (38,40) of the input. The system also includes a receiver (14) coupled to a controlled device, the receiver (14) extracting at least one of the respective indications (38,40) from the communication signal (18). The receiver controls the device responsive to the at least one extracted indications (38,40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Michael Peltz, Robert James Foy, Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Mark Wheeler, Brian Lee Staton
  • System and method for monitoring the effectiveness of a brake function in a powered system
    Patent number: 8112191
    Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system. The system includes a sensor configured to measure a parameter related to the operation of the powered system. Additionally, the system includes a processor coupled to the sensor, to receive data related to the parameter. Subsequent to activating the braking function, the processor is configured to determine the effectiveness of the braking function of the powered system, based upon whether the parameter data varies by a predetermined threshold. A method and a computer software code are also provided for monitoring the effectiveness of a braking function in a powered system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Glenn Robert Shaffer, David Michael Peltz, Joseph F. Noffsinger
  • System aspects for a probe system that utilizes structured-light
    Patent number: 8107083
    Abstract: A probe system includes an imager and an inspection light source. The probe system is configured to operate in an inspection mode and a measurement mode. During inspection mode, the inspection light source is enabled. During measurement mode, the inspection light source is disabled, and a structured-light pattern is projected. The probe system is further configured to capture at least one measurement mode image. In the at least one measurement mode image, the structured-light pattern is projected onto an object. The probe system is configured to utilize pixel values from the at least one measurement mode image to determine at least one geometric dimension of the object. A probe system configured to detect relative movement between a probe and the object between captures of two or more of a plurality of images is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Clark Alexander Bendall, Kevin George Harding, Thomas Karpen, Guiju Song, Li Tao
  • Treated refractory material and methods of making
    Patent number: 8105683
    Abstract: A treated refractory material includes a sintered porous refractory material having one or more protective materials disposed within pores of the refractory material, wherein the protective material is selected from the group consisting of aluminum oxide, chromium oxide, silica, rare earth oxides, rare earth zirconates, titanium oxide, mullite, zirconium oxide, zirconium silicate, yttrium oxide, magnesium oxide, iron oxide, and blends thereof. Methods of preparing the treated refractory material are also provided. The treated refractory material provides protection from the penetration of slag and extends the service life of the refractory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anthony Mark Thompson, Roman Shuba, Peter Joel Meschter, Krishan Lal Luthra, Vikas Behrani
  • Icemaker for a refrigerator
    Patent number: 8099975
    Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Krzysztof Struminski, Solomon Muthumani, Ronald Scott Tarr, Stephen Bischoff, Alvaro Delgado
  • Method and apparatus for circulating air within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator
    Patent number: 8099968
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for circulating air within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator are disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating the icemaker, filling the ice cavities with water, and activating the fan after a predetermined time after the ice cavities are filled with water. The apparatus includes a food storage compartment, an access door operable to selectively close the food storage compartment, an icemaker compartment on the access door, an icemaker disposed in the icemaker compartment, the icemaker including an ice mold body defining a plurality of ice cavities, an ice storage bin disposed in the icemaker compartment, a fan for distributing cold air within the icemaker compartment, at least one heating element attached to the ice mold body, a coolant pump, and a controller for regulating the fan and the coolant pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eric K. Watson, Omar Haidar, Kenneth U. Nsofor, Matthew William Davis, Ronald Scott Tarr, Joseph Waugh
  • Triple counter rotating swirler and method of use
    Patent number: 8099960
    Abstract: A fuel-air mixer includes an annular shroud, inner and outer counter-rotating swirlers, a hub separating the inner and outer swirlers, a center body extending axially along the annular shroud, a fuel shroud disposed radially outwardly from the outer swirler circumferentially around the annular shroud, and a radial swirler disposed downstream of the inner and outer swirlers, the radial swirler being configured to allow an independent radial rotation of a second gas stream entering the annular shroud from a region outside a wall of the annular shroud separately from a stream flowing through the inner and outer swirlers, the radially rotating second gas stream entering the annular shroud at a region adjacent an outer wall of the annular shroud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Mostafa Elkady, Andrei Tristan Evulet
  • Fan apparency arrangement for an appliance
    Patent number: 8101890
    Abstract: A fan apparency arrangement for an appliance having a fan for moving air in an interior of the appliance, including a pipe disposed in the airflow path of the fan and having first and second ends; a heater disposed in the pipe, the heater being energized when the fan is turned on; and a thermal switch disposed in the pipe, the thermal switch being closer to the first end than the heater. The fan is operative in normal operation to move air in the pipe in a direction from the first end to the second end. The pipe is disposed so that when the fan fails to move air in the pipe after turned on, air heated up by the heater passes the thermal switch in a direction from the second end to the first end so that the thermal switch is activated to signal malfunction of the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua S. Wiseman, Steve B. Froelicher
  • Method of extrapolating a grey-level bidimensional image in a radiography device and a radiography device implementing such a method
    Patent number: 8098920
    Abstract: A method of extrapolating a bidimensional grey-level image using a radiography device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Giovanni Palma, Razvan Iordache
  • High-voltage transformer and power supply for an X-ray tube including such a transformer
    Patent number: 8098124
    Abstract: A high-voltage transformer has a plurality of elementary transformers. Each elementary transformer comprises an elementary primary circuit configured to be powered by an elementary primary voltage, an elementary secondary circuit comprising at least one secondary winding and at least one capacitor that is connected to the terminals of a secondary winding, and an elementary magnetic circuit configured to couple the elementary primary circuit and the elementary secondary circuit. The output voltage of the transformer is equal to the sum of the elementary balanced secondary voltages, and the elementary primary circuits are connected to one another so as to form a common circuit with the elementary transformers. The common circuit is configured to be supplied by a primary voltage, which is equal to the sum of the elementary primary voltages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Denis Perrillat-Amede, Philippe Ernest, Georges-William Baptiste, Patrick Feat
  • Method for coupling a battery within an embedded system
    Patent number: 8091224
    Abstract: A method for coupling a battery within an embedded system is described. The method includes creating a hole extending through a printed circuit board (PCB), inserting a portion of the battery into the hole, and electrically coupling the battery to at least one contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms Embedded Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Slaton, David L. McDonald, Shreenath S. Perlaguri