Patents Represented by Attorney Global Patent Operations
  • Patent number: 8240138
    Abstract: An aftertreatment system is provided for reducing particulate matter emission and chemical emissions in diesel engine exhaust gas. The system includes a diesel particulate filter including a plurality of diesel particulate filter units configured to engage respective cross-sectional regions of the diesel engine exhaust gas including particulate matter. Each diesel particulate filter unit includes a plurality of channels aligned in a flow direction of the diesel engine exhaust gas. The channels are selectively configured with a distinct cross-sectional area density. Additionally, each diesel particulate filter unit includes a plurality of walls separating adjacent channels of the plurality of channels, where the walls have a respective thickness. A plurality of pores are configured to vacate a distinct ratio of the area of the walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Shuguang Lu, Roy Primus, William Douglas Glenn
  • Patent number: 8244276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a site-specific activity at a plurality of remote locations, for example, the inspection of geographically remote equipment or the gathering of data for a census. A mobile operator transports a portable tool (14) to a plurality of locations where a site-specific activity is to be conducted. The portable tool includes a location detection device (32). Processing of data using the portable tool is enabled only when the portable tool is located proximate a designated site, as determined by the location detection device. In various embodiments, the enabled site-specific activity may include data recordation, data transmission, data reception, data processing, and/or the display of a data entry form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Alan Wetzel, Patrick Joseph Venneman
  • Patent number: 8239078
    Abstract: A method for controlling first (14/12A) and second (12B) locomotives of a railroad train (8), the first (14/12A) and the second (12B) locomotives separated by at least one railcar (20). The method comprises determining a location of the first locomotive (14/12A) and a location of the second locomotive (12B), determining an operating condition of the first locomotive (14/12A) and an operating condition of the second locomotive (12B), determining a first control aspect of the first locomotive (14/12A) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the first locomotive (14/12A), determining a second control aspect of the second locomotive (12B) responsive to the operating condition and the location of the second locomotive (12B), and controlling the first (14/12A) and the second (12B) locomotives according to the first control aspect and the second control aspect, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Chandrashekar Siddappa, Robert L. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 8239170
    Abstract: A system, method and program product for monitoring a complex signal for ultrasensitive detection of state changes, or for signature recognition and classification is provided. A complex signal is decomposed periodically for empirical modeling. Wavelet analysis, frequency band filtering or other methods may be used to decompose the complex signal into components. A library of signature data may be referenced for selection of a recognized signature in the decomposed complex signal. The recognized signature may indicate data being carried in the complex signal. Estimated signal data may be generated for determination of an operational state of a monitored process or machine using a statistical hypothesis test with reference to the decomposed input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Smartsignal Corporation
    Inventor: Stephan W. Wegerich
  • Patent number: 8237583
    Abstract: A method and system for a display system is provided. The system includes a screen surface that includes a plurality of luminous units, a controller communicatively coupled to the screen surface wherein the controller is configured to address at least one of the plurality of luminous units, and a luminous unit sensor having a field of view including at least a portion of the screen surface wherein the luminous unit sensor configured to receive an image of the luminous units in the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Scott Mitchell, Samuel Robert Mollet
  • Patent number: 8234420
    Abstract: Operating a control system includes repeatedly transmitting a first interrupt to at least one interface unit by a first controller of a plurality of controllers, wherein the first interrupt is transmitted at a first frequency. A first response is received at the first controller from the at least one interface unit responsive to the first interrupt, and a second response is received at a second controller of the plurality of controllers from the at least one interface unit, wherein the second response is aperiodic with respect to the first frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventors: William H. Lueckenbach, Giovanni Tonno, Michael Yoensky, Gary Pratt
  • Patent number: 8231351
    Abstract: A rotor blade for a wind turbine is provided, the rotor blade having a first module of a first type and a second module of a second type, each module having a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the distal end of the first module and the proximal end of the second module are adapted to be attached to each other to form at least a part of the rotor blade, wherein at least one of said first and second modules is selected from a set of at least two differently shaped modules of the same type. Further, a kit of parts for adapting a wind turbine to a site constraint is provided, the kit of parts comprising several modules for assembling a modular rotor blade, wherein the several modules comprise at least one root-type module and at least one tip-type module and at least one further module of the root-type or the tip-type, wherein the at least one further module has a different shape compared to the other module of the same type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jacob Johannes Nies
  • Patent number: 8233688
    Abstract: A method of detection and compensation for respiratory motion improves the registration between a 3D pre-operation image and X-ray images acquired during a cardiac intervention. By synchronizing the X-ray images with the electrocardiogram, the disclosed method thus eliminates the motion related to the heart cycle from these images, thus isolating the contribution of the respiratory motion. From this point, an algorithm is proposed capable of attributing the motion remaining in the radiography images to respiration. The algorithm also enables this motion to be detected and compensated for in order to obtain a registration between 3D cardiac images and radiography images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Elisabeth Soubelet, Jean Lienard, Laurence Gavit-Houdant, Regis Vaillant
  • Patent number: 8234023
    Abstract: A system for regulating the speed, position and/or power of a powered vehicle, which is traveling on a track system according to a planned trip. The system comprises a database having data relative to the planned trip including a plurality of elapsed travel times associated with a planned speed, position and power. One or more controllers provide data including data relative to an operating speed, position and power of the vehicle during the trip and an operating time at which the vehicle is traveling at the operating speed, power or position. A regulator may adjust the operating parameter of the vehicle if the difference between the vehicle operating data and planned trip data exceeds a predetermined threshold speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 8233279
    Abstract: A wedge lock for use with a single board computer includes a first portion configured to move in a first direction and a second portion configured to move in a plurality of directions in response to the movement of the first portion and to facilitate securing the single board computer in an operating environment and to facilitate conduction cooling of the single board computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: GE Intelligent Platforms, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernd Sporer
  • Patent number: 8230858
    Abstract: A method for controlling a respiratory gas monitor device, which includes at least one respiratory gas analyzer, a gas sampling line, a gas pump for sucking sample(s) of respiratory gas from the gas sampling line. Also included are a power supply and a processing unit, and a pressure sensor connected to the gas sampling line and electrically connected to the processing unit. A minimum value and a maximum value in a signal from the patient are detected by the processing unit, and a difference between the minimum value and the maximum value is calculated. The value of this difference is compared with a predetermined threshold value. If the calculated difference is below the threshold value, the pump is switched off or kept non-operating by the processing unit. If the calculated difference is over the threshold value, the pump is switched on or kept operating by the processing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kai Karlsson
  • Patent number: 8234018
    Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation when a majority of the energy consumption of the operation is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John K. Besore, Timothy Worthington, Michael F. Finch, Jeff Donald Drake
  • Patent number: 8229607
    Abstract: A system is provided for determining a mismatch between a model for a powered system and the actual behavior of the powered system. The system includes a coupler positioned between adjacent cars of the powered system. The coupler is positioned in a stretched slack state or a bunched slack state based upon the separation of the adjacent cars. The system further includes a controller positioned within the powered system. The controller is configured to determine a mismatch of the model. A method is also provided for determining a mismatch between a model for a powered system and the actual behavior of the powered system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kaitlyn Hrdlicka, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, James D. Brooks
  • Patent number: 8229350
    Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead vehicle (14) having a first (29A) and second (29B) antenna associated with a respective first (28A) and second (28B) transceiver and a remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) having a third (29A) and fourth (29B) antenna associated with a respective third (28A) and fourth (28B) transceiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Smith, Jr., David Michael Peltz, Robert C. Palanti
  • Patent number: 8226354
    Abstract: A foundation for supporting a structure is provided. The foundation includes a foundation body, at least one anchor bolt connecting a lower anchor plate and the structure, a magnetostrictive load measuring sensor for measuring loads on the at least one anchor bolt, the magnetostrictive load measuring sensor being positioned within the foundation body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jacob Johannes Nies, Jan Erich Hemmelmann, Christof Martin Sihler
  • Patent number: 8226866
    Abstract: The method for making a continuous laminate, in particular suitable as a spar cap or another part of a wind energy turbine rotor blade comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parallel fibers, embedding the fibers in a curable matrix material, curing the matrix material so as to obtain a fiber reinforced laminate having upper and lower major surfaces, and forming channels into at least one of the upper and lower major surfaces of the laminate wherein the channels on the upper and/or lower major surfaces are angled with respect to the direction of the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rainer Arelt
  • Patent number: 8226180
    Abstract: An apparatus including a frame forming an internal cavity, the frame having an opening for accessing the internal cavity, a first door and a second door mounted to the frame and a door coupling mechanism for effecting a substantially simultaneous movement of the first door and second door relative to the frame, the door coupling mechanism including a first door link, a second door link and at least one ternary link, the first door link being rotatably coupled to the first door and the at least one ternary link, the second door being rotatably coupled to the second door and the at least one ternary link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mahendra Madhukar Patil, Timothy Scott Shaffer, Derek Lee Watkins
  • Patent number: 8228946
    Abstract: A communication network is described. The network includes communication media and a plurality of network nodes coupled by the communication media. Each of the plurality of network nodes includes a first communication channel and a second communication channel. The first communication channel includes a first physical layer transceiver (PHY device) and the second communication channel includes a second PHY device. The plurality of network nodes are coupled in a dual ring-type topology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lijing Hao, Mirko Ermini
  • Patent number: 8224510
    Abstract: A portable computer system and method of operating a vehicle using the portable computer system in a communication-based train control (CBTC) system territory is provided. The portable computer system includes a sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor and to the CBTC system, wherein the portable computer system configured to be removably coupled to the vehicle. The method includes verifying that the vehicle is operating with one of a non-operational CBTC computer system and a non-CBTC computer system, and removably coupling a portable computer system including at least one sensor and a transceiver that is communicatively coupled to the sensor to the vehicle such that the transceiver is coupled in communication with the CBTC system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wolfgang Daum, Jeffrey Baker, Tom Otsubo, Gerald Douglas Rose, Craig Stull, Gregory Hann, Phillip Danner
  • Patent number: 8224237
    Abstract: A communications method for a vehicle consist (10) comprising a lead (14) and a remote (12A/12B/12C) powered vehicle, the lead (14) vehicle comprising first (29A) and second (29B) antennas each associated with a radio, and the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) comprising third (29A) and fourth (29B) antennas each associated with a radio. The method comprises transmitting an outbound message from the lead (14) vehicle, receiving the outbound message at the third antenna (29A) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a first received signal, and receiving the outbound message at the fourth antenna (29B) and supplying a signal to the associated radio for producing a second received signal, determining a first and second signal quality metric for the respective first and second received signals, selecting the first or second received signal for processing by the remote vehicle (12A/12B/12C) in response to the first and second signal quality metrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Smith, Jr., David Michael Peltz, Robert C. Palanti