Patents Represented by Attorney Global Patent Operations
  • Patent number: 8192160
    Abstract: A wind turbine includes a rotor having a hub and at least one rotor blade, wherein the operating height of the hub is adjustable. Further, a method for operating a wind turbine is provided, which includes varying the height of the wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Francisco Garcia Lopez, Eugenio Yegro Segovia, Pedro Luis Benito Santiago
  • Patent number: 8189741
    Abstract: An electrical power supply of an X-ray tube. A high voltage generation device having a primary capacitor is configured to transmit a high voltage to the X-ray tube. At least one voltage source is configured to supply the primary capacitor. An energy storage device has an auxiliary capacitor that is configured to receive from the primary capacitor a quantity of energy and to return said energy to the primary capacitor. A control device arranged in series between the high voltage generation device and the storage device is configured to connect or isolate the storage device from the high voltage generation device so the X-ray tube is powered by a variable high voltage very rapidly between a first high voltage and a second high voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Philippe Ernest, Georges William Baptiste
  • Patent number: 8190315
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention for conducting a distributed power train operation, comprises a controller at the remote unit for issuing commands to control the operation of the remote unit on a track, and responsive to a communication loss between the lead unit and the remote unit. A memory, accessible by the controller, comprises data relative to a track profile including a plurality of geographical coordinates of the track and data relative to one or more throttle positions or braking operations for the remote unit that are associated with the geographical coordinates. The controller receives data relative to geographical coordinates of the remote unit and upon a detection of the communication loss, the controller compares the geographical coordinates of the remote unit to the track profile geographical coordinates and issues one more commands associated with the operation of the remote unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Bradshaw Kraeling, Robert James Foy, III, John William Brand
  • Patent number: 8189894
    Abstract: A method for processing anatomic images acquired in volume by a medical imaging system. Also, a medical imaging system and a computer program, each configurable to perform this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Laurent Launay, Thomas Deschamps, Guillermo Ruiz
  • Patent number: 8188870
    Abstract: A system is presented for monitoring an alertness of an operator of a powered system which operates based on a profile. The monitoring system includes a controller to initiate a query to the operator during an operation of the powered system. The query is used to prompt the operator for information related to the operation of the powered system along the profile. The controller compares a response to the query with a correct answer of the query to determine the alertness of the operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Jason Dean, Patricia Lacy, Christopher McNally
  • Patent number: 8186623
    Abstract: A refueling drogue assembly including a refueling drogue receptacle, a control unit including a duct, and a refueling hose connector adapted to rigidly couple the control unit to an aerial refueling hose. In some embodiments, the control unit is flexibly coupled to the refueling drogue receptacle. In some embodiments, the control unit is adapted to change an orientation of at least a portion of the duct relative to a longitudinal axis of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GE Aviation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael S. Feldmann
  • Patent number: 8186643
    Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a device to a circular structure is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a clamp body attached to the outer surface of the circular structure using a strap, which can be attached to the clamp body using a spring that maintains an attachment force to prevent movement of the clamp body over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure and the strap. In one embodiment, the device can be installed in the clamp body and coupled to the outer surface of the circular structure using one or more spring washers that maintain an attachment force between the device and the outer surface of the circular structure to prevent detachment of the device from the outer surface of the circular structure over a wide range of temperatures and temperature cycling of the circular structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wei Luo, Tounine Mayer, Jae Choi
  • Patent number: 8190314
    Abstract: A method for linking together three or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system, the method includes identifying a first linking protocol between at least a first powered system and a second powered system, determining whether at least a third powered system is compatible with the first linking protocol, if not compatible, switching to at least a second linking protocol to find a common linking protocol between the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third powered system, and linking the first powered system, the second powered system, and at least the third power system to operate in a distributed power configuration when the common linking protocol is found. A system and a computer software code linking together two or more powered systems to operate as a single distributed power system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Eugene A. Smith, Mark Wayne Wheeler, Lawrence R. Waldo, Rabi N. Ratnesar, James Kelley
  • Patent number: 8186923
    Abstract: A connecting arrangement is provided. The connecting arrangement includes a bolt with a fastening portion at one end thereof, which has one or more grooves; a cotter having a conical shape and one or more convex cuts on the inner side of the cotter adapted for fitting with the one or more grooves of the fastening portion of the bolt; two support blocks, each having a thread on the outer side, wherein at least one of them is on the inner side adapted for fitting to the conical shape of the cotter; and a fastener having a thread on the inner side, wherein the fastener is adapted for being screwed on the support blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Denis Heide
  • Patent number: 8186347
    Abstract: A patient breathing system includes a ventilator that provides a driving gas flow to generate patient inspiration. The ventilator further includes a gas inlet for driving gas, the patient breathing system being connectable to a circle which includes an inspiratory hose and an expiratory hose connected to patient, through which circle expired gases can be circulated back to the patient. The circle further includes a fresh gas inlet, an arrangement for enabling the gas flow in a desired direction, a unit for removal of the exhaled carbon dioxide, and a ventilator port for the ventilator connection. The patient breathing system further includes an arrangement by which driving gas of the ventilator has been separated from the patient gases flowing in the circle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Tom Jakob Haggblom, Gustaf Jarnefelt
  • Patent number: 8190311
    Abstract: An adaptive brake system for a distributed power train responsive to an interruption in a communication system for the train and a brake application initiated at the lead locomotive, reduces the brake pipe fluid pressure at a lead locomotive and a remote locomotive to a predetermined pressure level to reduce in-train forces that may occur as a result of the pressure differentials in the brake pipe line of the lead and remote locomotives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Eugene A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8190313
    Abstract: A system is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train. The distributed power train includes a braking system that switches into an application state upon commencement of the penalty period. The braking system includes a fluid carrying brake pipe which connects a first locomotive and a remote locomotive. The system includes a sensor positioned within the distributed power train, which measures a parameter related to the operation of the braking system. A control processor is positioned within the first locomotive, and is coupled to the sensor. Subsequent to the commencement of the penalty period, the control processor monitors the measured parameter and switches the braking system from the application state into a release state to reduce the penalty period, based on the measured parameter falling within a predetermined safety range. Additionally, a method is provided for reducing a penalty period for a distributed power train.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Robert Lyn Moffitt, Louis Cox
  • Patent number: 8188610
    Abstract: A wind turbine comprising a main generator, a main power converter connected to the main generator and adapted to convert the electrical output power of the main generator to an electrical power to be fed into the utility grid up to a first rated converter output power and an auxiliary power converter connected to the main generator and adapted to convert the electrical output power of the main generator to an electrical power up to a second rated converter output power which is lower than the first rated converter output power is provided. Further, a control architecture for controlling the power balance of a wind turbine and a method for operating a wind turbine are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Hartmut Scholte-Wassink
  • Patent number: 8186940
    Abstract: A ventilation arrangement for a wind turbine includes an air inlet opening located in a nose cone of said wind turbine, a manhole cover for covering a manhole of a rotor hub of said wind turbine, the manhole cover providing a vent opening for venting hot air from an internal space of said rotor hub, and a flexible piping establishing fluid communication between the internal space of the rotor hub and the air inlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bernard P. Landa, Lane Porter, Ulrich Uphues, Lawrence D. Willey, Ulrich Neumann, Negel E. Martin
  • Patent number: 8188396
    Abstract: A monitored SCADA Ready Field Test (FT) Switch is disclosed. The monitored switch relates to the incorporation of a monitoring switch for each switch unit in a FT switch to monitor the position of the corresponding switch unit and the FT switch, generally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jimmy Bou, Michael Edward Haas, Brian Sonnenberg
  • Patent number: 8188846
    Abstract: A display system for displaying information to a vehicle operator comprises one or more projectors positioned in an operator cab of a vehicle. The projector is configured to project a heads up display of a plurality of data sets on a windscreen of the vehicle. Projected data sets are positioned in the heads up display and/or moved within the heads up display based on assessed relative priority levels of the data sets. Thus, for example, a data set with a higher assessed relative priority level may be positioned in a location of greater operator viewing prominence. If the priority level drops, the data set may be moved to a position of lower operator prominence. Respective heads up displays may be projected on more than two separate windscreens of the vehicle, either simultaneously or at alternate times, and possibly depending on an operational mode of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jared K. Cooper, Todd Goodermuth, Omer Zaki
  • Patent number: 8190312
    Abstract: A system is provided for determining a quality of a location estimation of a powered system at a location. The system includes a first sensor configured to measure a first parameter of the powered system at the location. The system further includes a second sensor configured to measure a second parameter of the powered system at the location. The system further includes a second controller configured to determine the location estimation of the powered system and the quality of the location estimation, based upon a first location of the powered system based on the first parameter, and a second location of the powered system based on the second parameter of the powered system. A method is also provided for determining a quality of a location estimation of a powered system at a location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vishram Vinayak Nandedkar, Ajith Kuttannair Kumar
  • Patent number: 8185079
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing audio clicks in frequency modulated radio system includes a receiver for receiving a frequency modulated (FM) signal, and a processor for demodulating the received signal and estimating a frequency error, wherein the processor is configured to determine phase variations of the received FM signal by comparing a phase of a first signal sample to a phase of a second signal sample, wherein the first signal sample and the second signal sample are separated in time by more than one sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard Alan Place, Ryan Kevin Johnson
  • Patent number: D660494
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jiang Wang, Yong Zhao, Cuijuan Zhou
  • Patent number: D660991
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: GE Lighting Solutions, LLC.
    Inventors: Gary Robert Allen, Ashfaqul Islam Chowdhury, Dengke Cai, Jeyachandrabose Chinniah, Jeremias A. Martins, Anthony Michael Rotella