Patents Represented by Attorney Paul R. Webb

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  • Method for manufacturing hollow airfoils (four-piece concept)
    Patent number: 5285573
    Abstract: A method is provided for making a four-piece hollow airfoil. Four metal sheets are preformed into initial shapes. The sheets are sealed together into two pairs or sub-assemblies. Internal cavities are formed in one sheet from each pair prior to sealing. Each sub-assembly is subjected to high temperature and pressure in order to diffusion bond the sheets together at selected points. The cavities of each sub-assembly are then subjected to internal pressure in order to inflate and superplastically deform the sub-assemblies. The inflated sub-assemblies are combined to form a single assembly and the cavities are again subjected to internal pressure in order to bond the sub-assemblies together. The assembly is then exposed to hot isostatic pressing, after which, excess material is machined off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey LeMonds, Jung-Ho Cheng, Gene E. Wiggs, Gary T. Martini, Richard M. Cogan
  • Differential pressure superheat sensor for low refrigerant charge detection
    Patent number: 5285648
    Abstract: Low charge detection for a refrigeration system is accomplished using a differential pressure sensor which detects superheat at the evaporator exit. The differential pressure sensor includes a casing having a reference chamber containing a reference charge of refrigerant. A pressure responsive snap member is disposed in the casing so as to have one side exposed to the reference chamber and another side exposed to the exit pressure of the evaporator. The snap member is normally biased into a first position but snaps to a second position when the pressure differential across it exceeds a predetermined level. When a low charge condition exits, the evaporator exit will exhibit superheat. Heat conduction through the casing raises the temperature, and thus the pressure in the reference chamber. Thus the pressure differential which causes the snap member to snap to the second position is created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Warren F. Bessler
  • Fuzzy logic control method for reducing water consumption in a machine for washing articles
    Patent number: 5284523
    Abstract: A fuzzy logic based control method reduces the amount of water used by a washing machine or dishwasher during a cycle. A sensor detects when the washer has adequate water by monitoring the behavior of the washer pump motor as fresh water is coming in. There is a characteristic oscillation of the magnitude of the motor current as the pump cavitates during this operation, which diminishes when the washer is properly filled. By using fuzzy logic to sense this point of diminished or ceased cavitation and shutting off the incoming water, substantial savings of water can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vivek V. Badami, Mark E. Dausch
  • Superconducting winding and support structure
    Patent number: 5285181
    Abstract: Composite superconducting windings of the type that have superconductor wires wound with glass cloth, an array of axial insulated copper wires, copper foil straps of expanded metal or perforated foil which are positioned between winding layers to reinforce the composite winding and enhance the thermal conductivity of the winding, and an overwrap of high strength stainless steel wires to provide additional rigidity to the composite winding. Structures of this type, generally, form a self-supported, structurally robust composite winding and support structure that is capable of withstanding the hoop and axial stresses that result from the electromagnetic loads created by the superconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evangelos T. Laskaris, Ahmed K. Kalafala
  • Electronically controlled accumulator injector
    Patent number: 5282570
    Abstract: This invention relates to accumulator injectors for a gas and/or liquid fueled diesel engine fuel injection system. Such structures of this type, generally, allows for variable injection timing and duration while providing a multiple fuel capability by changing the fuel distribution/atomization nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger N. Johnson, Bertrand D. Hsu
  • Method for measuring weak local magnetic signals in the presence of magnetic noise fields
    Patent number: 5283522
    Abstract: A method for measuring a local magnetic signal by estimating and eliminating the effects of one or more remote magnetic noise sources is provided. The method relies on "tagging" the undesired noise component of the local measurement in such a way as to allow separation of the noise component from the total measurement. The method makes use of the measurement apparatus already in place and does not require additional sensing channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nelson R. Corby, Jr.
  • Modular construction of face-pumped laser head components
    Patent number: 5278860
    Abstract: This invention relates to face-pumped slab lasers of the type that have laser head assemblies constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow a face-pumped slab laser component to be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John L. August, Jr., Mark J. Kukla, Todd J. Rockstroh, Nobuaki Iehisa
  • Complete 3D CT data acquisition using practical scanning paths on the surface of a sphere
    Patent number: 5278884
    Abstract: Complete CT data acquisition is provided by scanning path trajectories located on a sphere or approximately located on a sphere. The scanning path trajectories are at least bounded between two relatively close spheres. The various scanning paths include sinusoids, square waves, circles, and arcs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey W. Eberhard, Kristina H. V. Hedengren
  • Refrigerated superconducting MR magnet with integrated cryogenic gradient coils
    Patent number: 5278502
    Abstract: This invention relates to refrigerated superconducting MR magnets having integrated cryogenic gradient coils. In particular, the amount of eddy currents produced by the magnet are substantially reduced while reducing the size and weight, and, therefore, the cost of the superconducting magnet required to produce an acceptable MR image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 11, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Evangelos T. Laskaris, Bizhan Dorri, Mark E. Vermilyea, Otward M. Mueller
  • Apparatus and method for laser joining bimetallic materials to circuit breaker terminals and braid extensions
    Patent number: 5276298
    Abstract: Laser joining of dissimilar material in order to form an integral structure. Such structure of this type, generally, allow circuit breaker components which are constructed of different material, to be joined together to form an integral circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marshall G. Jones, Jose A. Solero, Joseph Criniti
  • Method for fiber reinforced composite butt joining
    Patent number: 5275329
    Abstract: This invention relates to butt joining methods. Such methods of this type, generally, allow fiber reinforced metal matrix composite components having a metal matrix and a fiber reinforcement to be butt joined in order to form a large integral structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Herman A. Nied
  • Expanded fiber composite structure having a cylindrical shape and useful as a filter
    Patent number: 5273818
    Abstract: An expanded fiber composite structure and process for making an expanded fiber composite structure are provided. The expanded fiber composite structure is made up of a fiber mat held in partial compression by a monolithic plastic coating on the fibers, the structure having a plurality of interstitial voids which may optionally be filled with a polymeric interstitial material. The process includes impregnating a fiber mat with a plastic material, compressing the mat to impregnate the mat with the plastic, fully wetting each fiber and creating a substantially void-free fiber/plastic matrix, and reducing the compressive forces on the mat, allowing the fibers to rebound and expand the mat to a predetermined desired thickness, in the process creating the interstitial voids. The structure is then cooled such that the plastic material stiffens and itself retains the structure at the desired thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bang M. Kim, Donald E. Woodmansee
  • Method and apparatus for real-time navigation assist in interventional radiological procedures
    Patent number: 5274551
    Abstract: An integrated system for real-time navigation assist during interventional radiological procedures utilizes a two-dimensional model of a catheter guide wire, obtained by performing image analysis on a fluoroscopic image in realtime, and a three-dimensional model of a patient's vascular system. The system backprojects the two-dimensional model into the three dimensional model and provides a three-dimensional display of the catheter in a patient's vascular system in real-time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nelson R. Corby, Jr.
  • Method to control and monitor a pressure pot shot peening system
    Patent number: 5271255
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for controlling and monitoring pressure pot shot peening machines. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the user to determine and control the force of the shot as it leaves the shot peening nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Thompson
  • Method and apparatus for generation of multi-branched diagnostic trees
    Patent number: 5272704
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated generation of multi-branched diagnostic trees is described. The present invention generally is practiced on model-based diagnostic systems and utilizes a candidate generator, constraint propagator and best measurement generator, along with a model of a system to be diagnosed, to generate nodes and branches of a diagnostic tree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David W. Tong, Christopher H. Jolly, Kevin C. Zalondek
  • Sensor for lance-type shot peening guns
    Patent number: 5271282
    Abstract: This invention relates to sensors of the type that are used in lance-type shot peening guns. Such structures of this type, generally, measure the reaction force of the ejected shot and air stream which are emitted from the lance-type shot peening gun. The sensor further supplies diagnostic information indicative of the shot peening process performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Thompson
  • Method and apparatus for reconstructing a three-dimensional computerized tomography (CT) image of an object from incomplete cone beam projection data
    Patent number: 5270926
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for reconstructing a 3D CT image of an object from incomplete x-ray cone beam projection data, additionally employing object boundary information from a separate optical scan. A 3D image of the object is reconstructed slice-by-slice by employing, for each slice, a 2D reconstruction procedure for example, filtered backprojection, on the values of the 2D projection images in the plane of the slice to calculate a 2D image of the object for each of the slices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Kwok C. Tam
  • Apparatus and method for laser joining 218 bimetal to molded case circuit breaker (MCCB) hooks and terminals
    Patent number: 5268555
    Abstract: This invention relates to laser joining of dissimilar materials in order to form an integral structure. Structures of this type, generally, allow circuit breaker components, which are constructed of different materials, to be joined together in order to form an integral circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Marshall G. Jones, Joseph Criniti, Jose A. Solero
  • Metal alloy solid state joining by local interfacial strain control
    Patent number: 5265791
    Abstract: This invention relates to the solid state joining of metal alloy pieces in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow the metal alloy pieces to be joined by local interfacial strain control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Herman A. Nied, Robert E. Sundell
  • X-ray tube noise reduction using stator mass
    Patent number: 5265147
    Abstract: X-ray tube noise is reduced by coupling the stator mass to the neck section of the glass vacuum tube so that vibrations are dissipated by the stator and not transmitted to the bulk of the vacuum tube. The coupling is accomplished with a non-magnetic sealing material such as an epoxy sealant. The sealant will generally fill the gap between the stator and the neck section of the vacuum tube. Alternatively, the coupling can be done with a mechanical clamping device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jeung T. Kim, Richard H. Lyon, Imdad Imam