Patents Assigned to General Atomics
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Publication number: 20130266363Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide high durability joints between ceramic articles, particularly between beta-silicon carbide (?-SiC) articles, and methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a joint between first and second articles each comprising a ceramic polymorph comprises a matrix comprising the ceramic polymorph and extending between the first and second articles; a plurality of inclusions comprising the ceramic polymorph and being distributed throughout the matrix; and a sealing layer comprising the ceramic polymorph and being respectively disposed on the first and second articles and the matrix.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: General AtomicsInventors: Hesham Ezzat KHALIFA, Christian Peter DECK, Christina Allyssa BACK
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Patent number: 8541225Abstract: A system and method for using a pulse flow to circulate algae in an algae cultivation apparatus are provided. In order to counteract the negative effects of biofouling on algae cultivation equipment, a pulse flow is created to periodically move through an algae cultivation apparatus. The pulse flow will dislodge algae cells adhering to various surfaces of the apparatus, and it will also create turbulence to stir up any algae cells which may have settled onto the bottom of the apparatus. To produce an increased fluid flow rate required to create an effective pulse flow, a sump, which is periodically filled with drawn algal culture from the apparatus, is located at an elevated position above the apparatus. When released, the algal culture travels through a transfer pipe and into the apparatus with gravity causing the algal culture to flow at a very high rate.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 24, 2013Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: David A. Hazlebeck, Jiping Zhang, Xiaoxi Wu
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Patent number: 8532918Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the position of a vehicle on a guideway. For operation, the vehicle carries a magnetic array having a wavelength “?”. Further, the guideway includes a propulsion winding for carrying a propulsion current. Also, the guideway is provided with a position winding that has the same wavelength “?” and includes two helical wires that are displaced from each other by “?/4”. Importantly, a transmitter is located on the vehicle for emitting a position current that interacts with the position winding to generate a return signal from each helical wire. Also, the system includes a processor for receiving and evaluating the return signals to determine the position of the vehicle on the guideway. As a result, the determined position is used to maximize the interaction of the propulsion current with the magnetic array for propulsion of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 10, 2013Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Bogdan S. Borowy
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Patent number: 8499697Abstract: A system and method are provided for determining the position of a vehicle on a guideway. For operation, the vehicle includes a magnet system having a wavelength “?”. Further, the guideway includes a propulsion winding for carrying a propulsion current. Structurally, the propulsion winding includes a series of sections, with each section having a wavelength “?”. Further, the propulsion winding includes “N” coils linearly aligned along the guideway, with a phase difference of “?/N” between adjacent coils. Importantly, a transmitter is located on the vehicle for emitting a position current that interacts with the propulsion winding to produce a signal in each coil. Also, the system includes a trap connected to each coil for receiving each respective signal, and a processor for resolving the respective signals to determine the position of the vehicle on the guideway.Type: GrantFiled: February 20, 2009Date of Patent: August 6, 2013Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Bogdan S. Borowy, Husam Gurol
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Patent number: 8476034Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of homocysteine detection. In particular, the invention provides a method for determining homocysteine presence or concentration in samples, which method comprises: contacting a sample containing or suspected of containing Hcy with a Hcy co-substrate and a Hcy converting enzyme in a Hcy conversion reaction to form a Hcy conversion product and a Hcy co-substrate conversion product; and assessing the Hcy co-substrate conversion product to determine the presence, absence and/or amount of the Hcy in the sample. The Hcy co-substrate conversion product may be assessed directly, or it may be assessed by further conversion of the Hcy co-substrate conversion product into another material by the action of one or more additional enzymes. A kit for assaying homocysteine based on the same principle is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2008Date of Patent: July 2, 2013Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Chong-Sheng Yuan, Abhijit Datta, Chao Dou
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Patent number: 8338184Abstract: The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase. The amount of hydrogen peroxide generated in the reaction is measured for determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: April 8, 2011Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Chong-Sheng Yuan, Abhijit Datta, Limin Liu
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Publication number: 20120305490Abstract: Described herein are polyolefin open cell foam materials that absorb organic liquids or waxes, such as hydrocarbon oil, selectively against water. The polyolefin open cell foam materials are environmentally friendly, have a relatively low bulk density, and can be used in the clean up of oil spills.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2011Publication date: December 6, 2012Applicant: General AtomicsInventor: Diana Schroen
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Patent number: 8318501Abstract: The invention provides enzymatic methods for direct determination of percentage of glycated hemoglobin in blood samples without the need of a separated measurement of total hemoglobin content in blood samples. The methods utilizes one or two different types of oxidizing agents which selectively oxidize low-molecular weight reducing substances and high-molecular weight (mainly hemoglobin) reducing substances in blood samples, coupled with enzymatic reactions catalyzed by proteases, fructosyl amino acid oxidase, and peroxidase. The invention provides kits for performing the methods of the invention.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: November 27, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Chong-Sheng Yuan, Abhijit Datta, Limin Liu
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Publication number: 20120294403Abstract: A tritium production element for use in a conventional power reactor, and methods of use and making, are provided, wherein the element experiences reduced tritium permeation during irradiation by incorporating a silicon carbide barrier that encapsulates one or more burnable absorber pellets. The tritium production element includes a tubular cladding that encloses a plurality of burnable absorber pellets, such that individual pellets or groups of pellets are disposed within a silicon carbide barrier layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2012Publication date: November 22, 2012Applicant: General AtomicsInventor: Timothy Creston BERTCH
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Patent number: 8304729Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses that detect, classify and locate flash events. In some implementations, some of the methods detect a flash event, trigger an imaging system in response to detecting the flash event to capture an image of an area that includes the flash event, and determines a location of the flash event.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2011Date of Patent: November 6, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Robin Terry Snider, Jeffrey Dykes McGee, Michael Dale Perry
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Patent number: 8262776Abstract: A system and method for producing biofuel from pollutant-fed algae are disclosed. Specifically, the system includes a scrubber with a chamber for receiving a pollutant-contaminated fluid stream. Further, a scrubber solution is received in the chamber for scrubbing the pollutant-contaminated fluid stream. Also, the system includes a bioreactor that is provided with an input port to receive the scrubber solution with pollutants for use as nutrients to support algae cell growth. Further, the system includes an algae separator that removes the algae from the bioreactor and a device for processing the algae into biofuel. In order to recycle the scrubber solution, the algae separator is in fluid communication with the scrubber. With this arrangement, the effluence from the bioreactor may be recycled for use as the scrubber solution.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: David A. Hazlebeck, Eric H. Dunlop
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Publication number: 20120220018Abstract: A method is provided for supporting the growth of selected microbial cells and for obstructing the growth of contaminants in a non-sterile system. In the method, the microbial cells are pre-loaded with a surplus amount of a chosen nutrient, such as phosphorus, other macronutrients, or micronutrients. Further, the chosen nutrient is greatly reduced, or eliminated, from the non-sterile system. Thereafter, the pre-loaded selected microbial cells are introduced into the non-sterile system. In the non-sterile system, the selected microbial cells rely on the surplus amount of the chosen nutrient to survive and grow. At the same time, contaminants such as non-selected microbial strains and bacteria starve from a lack of the chosen nutrient in the non-sterile system.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2012Publication date: August 30, 2012Applicant: General AtomicsInventor: David A. Hazlebeck
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Patent number: 8242348Abstract: Processes for economical large scale commercial production of blocks of quantum well particles, platelets, or continuous sheets of material imparting minimal or essentially no parasitic substrate loss in quantum well devices such as thermo-electric generators in which the blocks are embodied involve roll to roll processing, i.e., deposition and crystallization of alternating layers of quantum well materials, on an elongate and continuous base layer of appreciable width. Blocks of quantum well materials having no attached base layer are produced on decomposable or release treated base layers.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Lawrence D. Woolf
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Patent number: 8224509Abstract: A system for controlling movements of a vehicle along a guideway includes an array of targets that are mounted on the vehicle, and a series of wayside sensors that are mounted on the guideway. A signal processor monitors the passage of targets past appropriate sensors and uses resultant signals to derive parametric values that are characteristic of the vehicle's movements. The parametric values are then coordinated with a controller for the operation of a linear synchronous motor that propels the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2007Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Philip Lynn Jeter, Karoly Kehrer, Husam Gurol
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Patent number: 8221024Abstract: A method of constructing a roadway having an embedded linear synchronous motor (LSM) utilizes prefabricated modules. Structurally, each module comprises a top plate, a multiple-phase winding tied to the top plate, and a concrete mold encapsulating the winding. With the modules prefabricated, the roadway is constructed by first excavating a trench to position a foundation at the trench bottom. Then a mud matt is positioned on the foundation. Next, the modules are laid end-to-end on the mud matt. Thereafter, the windings in adjacent modules are electrically interconnected through joints. Further, the joints are covered by junction boxes, and the trench around the roadway is filled in with aggregate.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2009Date of Patent: July 17, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Philip L. Jeter, Husam Gurol, In-Kun Kim
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Patent number: 8199635Abstract: A sensor network having a first command center and a first access node, comprising a wireless transceiver, coupled to the command center. The sensor network may also include a plurality of nodes individually comprising a wireless transceiver and a directional antenna, wherein each of the plurality of nodes is successively located in a downlink direction relative to the first access node, and is configured to wirelessly communicate via the directional antenna with at least one node of a first neighbor group in a first direction and at least one node of a second neighbor group in a second direction. In addition, a sensor device is individually coupled to at least one of the nodes, and is configured to provide sensor data for the first command center.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2008Date of Patent: June 12, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: James Laurence Taylor, Venkatagopal Racherla, Jaya L. Jeyaseelan, Naiel K. Askar, Michael D. Perry, David S. Furuno
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Patent number: 8187831Abstract: The invention relates generally to the field of sodium and lithium ion detection. In particular, the invention provides chimeric proteins, nucleic acids encoding chimeric proteins, methods and kits for assaying for sodium ions and for lithium ions in a sample, using inter alia, a 3?(2?),5?-bisphosphate nucleotidase.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: May 29, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Chong-Sheng Yuan
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Patent number: 8168643Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for reversibly inhibiting S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine (SAH) hydrolase. The compounds of the present invention can be used in combination with an anti-hemorrhagic viral infection agent, an immunosuppressant, a homocysteine lowering agent, or an anti-neoplasm agent. The compositions and methods of the present invention can be used for the prevention and treatment of hemorrhagic virus infection, autoimmune diseases, autograft rejection, neoplasm, hyperhomocysteineuria, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, or diabetes.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2007Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventor: Chong-Sheng Yuan
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Patent number: 8149879Abstract: A method of data transmission according to one embodiment of the invention includes encoding a set of data values to produce a corresponding series of ordered n-tuples. The method also includes transmitting, according to the series of ordered n-tuples, a plurality of bursts over a plurality n of frequency bands. Specifically, for each of the plurality of bursts, a frequency band occupied by the burst is indicated by the order within its n-tuple of an element corresponding to the burst. A bandwidth of at least one of the plurality of bursts is at least two percent of the center frequency of the burst. Information is encoded into a polarity of at least one of the plurality of bursts.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2008Date of Patent: April 3, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Gerald D. Rogerson, David S. Furuno, Stephan W. Gehring, Michael L. Walker, Roberto Aiello
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Patent number: 8113310Abstract: An all-electric, wheeled vehicle has a magnet array that can be selectively moved between a retracted position and a deployed position, to respectively operate in a motor mode or a generator mode. When in the motor mode, with its magnet array retracted, wheel rotation to move the vehicle is powered by an onboard battery. Alternately, in the generator mode with the magnet array deployed, the vehicle is powered by a Linear Synchronous Motor (LSM). Specifically, the deployed magnet array interacts with a multiple-phase winding (i.e. LSM) embedded into the roadway on which the vehicle travels. Further, rotation of the wheel during vehicle movement in the generator mode recharges the battery.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2009Date of Patent: February 14, 2012Assignee: General AtomicsInventors: Husam Gurol, Philip L. Jeter, Kurt M. Schaubel