Patents Assigned to General Electrics Company
  • Patent number: 8564205
    Abstract: A vehicle signal light assembly includes: at least one color mixing light source; a support element configured to support the at least one color mixing light source on a vehicle as a signal light; and a controller configured to selectively drive each color mixing light source to generate light of a selected visually perceived color based on a received control signal. In some such embodiments, each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) of at least two constituent colors. In some such embodiments, the controller is configured to operate each color mixing light source of the vehicle signal light assembly using time domain multiplexing (TDM) to generate the light of the selected visually perceived color. In some such embodiments, the vehicle signal light assembly comprises a taillight assembly. In some of the embodiments, the vehicle light assembly comprises an ambient or auxiliary lighting, or a dashboard lighting assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce R Roberts, Agoston Boroczki
  • Patent number: 8564086
    Abstract: An apparatus for reducing photodiode thermal gain coefficient includes a bulk semiconductor material having a light-illumination side. The bulk semiconductor material includes a minority charge carrier diffusion length property configured to substantially match a predetermined hole diffusion length value and a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined photodiode layer thickness. The apparatus also includes a dead layer coupled to the light-illumination side of the bulk semiconductor material, the dead layer having a thickness configured to substantially match a predetermined thickness value and wherein an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the minority carrier diffusion length property of the bulk semiconductor material is configured to substantially match an absolute value of a thermal coefficient of gain due to the thickness of the dead layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wen Li, Jonathan David Short, George Edward Possin
  • Patent number: 8566124
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide a moveable summary column and/or row for an electronic medical flow sheet. The summary column and/or row can provide various summations of the patient's data records for any time period depending on where the moveable summation column and/or row is placed. The summation of the various patient data depends on a selected type of patient data. The summary column and/or row can be moved by the user to any spot in the patient data portion of the medical flow sheet to sum up different intervals of data. The moveable summation column and/or row presents summary data for patient parameters depending on the placement of the summation column and/or row.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Murawski
  • Patent number: 8564976
    Abstract: A system is provided having a first LLC power converter and a second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter comprises a first LLC voltage source. The second LLC power converter also comprises a second LLC voltage source. The first LLC power converter also comprises a first resonant inductor, a first magnetic inductor, and a first resonant capacitor coupled to the first voltage source of the first LLC power converter. The second LLC power converter comprises a second resonant inductor, a second magnetic inductor, and a second resonant capacitor coupled to the second voltage source of the second LLC power converter. The first LLC power converter and the second LLC power converter are both magnetically couplable to a common load. A resonance of the first LLC power converter substantially matches a resonance of the second LLC power converter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Raghothama Reddy, Robert Catalano, Roger Grandchampt
  • Patent number: 8563901
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for providing top heat to assist with baking in an oven appliance having a gas bake burner. The top heat is provided by a heating element positioned in the top of the oven cavity. This top heating element is operated in a manner that assists the bottom, gas bake burner with properly browning the food on both its top and bottom. The operation of the both the top heating element and the gas bake burner can be varied to provide proper cooking and browning based upon e.g., the type of food being cooked, the amount of food being cooked, and the level of browning desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Bernard Hitchcock, Philip Ames Barber, John Mark Chilton, Michael Thomas Chezem, Leo Edward Hodapp, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8562714
    Abstract: An article includes a microscale composite material having a matrix with titanium boride particles configured to form an insert in a metallic mass being comprised of material other than a consolidated titanium-based metallic composition having titanium particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Andrew P. Woodfield, Eric A. Ott, Clifford E. Shamblen
  • Patent number: 8563888
    Abstract: An arc containment device is presented. The arc containment device includes a shock shield further having a multiple apertures for escape of gas, the shock shield configured to surround an arc source. The device further comprises an inner enclosure having a multiple openings generally aligned with the multiple apertures, the inner enclosure configured to provide an electrical insulation base for the arc source. An outer enclosure disposed is provided around the inner enclosure, the outer enclosure configured to direct the gas to the environment outside the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adnan Kutubuddin Bohori, Dean Arthur Robarge, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Thangavelu Asokan, George William Roscoe
  • Patent number: 8561320
    Abstract: A method for determining status of a drying cycle comprises receiving, at a first time, a first signal from a bladder pressure sensor configured to be responsive to changes in a weight of a container of the dryer, the container retaining materials to be dried. At a second time, the controller receives a second signal from the bladder pressure sensor. A change in the bladder pressure signals is calculated based on difference between the second signal and the first signal, and the change in the bladder pressure signals is interpreted as a change in the weight of the container. Based on the change in the weight of the container and the length of time, a rate of change in the weight of the container is calculated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David John Geer, Jason John Detsch, Bradley McKay Johnson
  • Patent number: 8562813
    Abstract: A system for performing an in-situ polarization scan of a component surface includes a sensor connected to the component surface at a sensor connection, and the sensor generates a signal reflective of a current flow at the sensor connection. A power supply connected to the component surface at an electrical connection produces a voltage potential at the electrical connection. An electrolyte coats the sensor connection and the electrical connection. A method for performing an in-situ polarization scan of a component surface includes sensing a current flow on the component surface, generating a voltage potential on the component surface, and placing an electrolyte over at least a portion of the component surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Thomas Michael Moors
  • Patent number: 8566727
    Abstract: Certain embodiments relate to providing automated, custom displays of images and tools for manipulating the images. Certain embodiments include a method for providing an automated user interface for healthcare workers. Certain embodiments of the method employ a network to execute the steps of retrieving an image from an image archive, processing the image to generate image-specific information, identifying data related to the image, mining the data related to the image, and displaying the image along with a custom selection of user interface tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Prakash Mahesh, Murali Kariathungal, Mark Morita
  • Patent number: 8565928
    Abstract: A system and method of operating an energy data management and control system has a first communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a user interface, a second communication network to transmit and receive data to and from a Utility company, and a third communication network to access data from and provide data to accessories within a home. The system reformats the data from any of the first, second and third communication networks for communication with another of the first, second and third communication networks, wherein at least one of the communication networks operate on a protocol different from another one of the communications networks. The data defines various operations of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Michael Francis Finch, Robert Marten Bultman, Timothy Dale Worthington, David C. Bingham, Jeff Donald Drake, William Anthony Watts, Kevin Farrelly Nolan, Cathy Diane Emery, Henry Kobraei
  • Patent number: 8564915
    Abstract: A power equipment protection system includes a circuit breaker, a current sensor configured to measure a current through a circuit, a light sensor configured to detect a light event, and a controller communicatively coupled to the current sensor and to the light sensor, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether the light event originated from operation of the circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: George William Roscoe, Robert Joseph Caggiano, Daniel Edward Delfino, Thomas Frederick Papallo, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8563938
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector assembly is provided that includes a digital detector array and a support panel secured to the detector array, wherein at least one side of the support panel includes a recess exposing an edge region of the detector array. In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a digital X-ray detector assembly. The method includes securing a rear side of a detector array to a front side of a support panel that includes a recess in at least one side of the support panel, wherein the recess of the support panel exposes an edge region of the detector array; and processing the exposed edge region of the detector array. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for assembly and servicing of a digital X-ray detector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary Vernon McBroom
  • Patent number: 8562724
    Abstract: A pollutant removal system for use with a power generation system includes a particulate control device configured to remove particulates from a flue gas stream produced within the power generation system. The particulate control device is cleaned on a predetermined cleaning cycle. The pollutant removal system also includes a sorbent control system for controllably injecting a sorbent into the flue gas stream upstream of the particulate control device. The sorbent control system is configured to adjust a sorbent injection rate as a function of the cleaning cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter Martin Maly, Robert Taylor, Vishal Bansal
  • Patent number: 8561405
    Abstract: A waste heat recovery system includes at least two integrated rankine cycle systems coupled to at least two separate heat sources having different temperatures. The first rankine cycle system is coupled to a first heat source and configured to circulate a first working fluid. The second rankine cycle system is coupled to at least one second heat source and configured to circulate a second working fluid. The at least one second heat source includes a lower temperature heat source than the first heat source. The first and second working fluid are circulatable in heat exchange relationship through a cascading heat exchange unit for condensation of the first working fluid in the first rankine cycle system and evaporation of the second working fluid in the second rankine cycle system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Gabor Ast, Michael Adam Bartlett, Thomas Johannes Frey, Matthew Alexander Lehar
  • Patent number: 8562302
    Abstract: A wind turbine blade includes a leading edge, a trailing edge, a suction side, and a pressure side. At least one integrated attachment bore is configured in each of the suction side and pressure side between the leading edge and trailing edge. The attachment bores are structurally configured for receipt of a handling mechanism therein for supporting the blade during a transportation, installation, or maintenance procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jan Willem Bakhuis, Markus Peter Griesel
  • Patent number: 8561997
    Abstract: An adverse pressure gradient seal mechanism for use with variable speed components. The adverse pressure gradient seal mechanism may include a number of labyrinth teeth positioned on a component and an adverse pressure gradient seal positioned between a pair of the labyrinth teeth. The adverse pressure gradient seal may include a number of strips with each of the strips having an angled end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Anantha Padmanabhan Bhagavatheeswaran, Ravi Shankar Venkata Kasibhotla, Rohit Pruthi
  • Patent number: 8565366
    Abstract: Method of repairing nuclear reactors that include one or more submerged lines welded to one or more support brackets may include: removing a damaged section of one of the one or more submerged lines; and replacing the damaged section of the one of the one or more submerged lines without welding. Methods of operating nuclear reactors that include one or more submerged lines welded to one or more support brackets may include: shutting down the nuclear reactor; repairing damage to at least one of the one or more submerged lines without welding; and starting up the nuclear reactor. Methods of operating nuclear reactors that include one or more submerged lines welded to one or more support brackets may include: cooling down the nuclear reactor; repairing damage to at least one of the one or more submerged lines without welding; and heating up the nuclear reactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Fred Charles Nopwaskey, Ke Ling Lee, Alfred Wilhelm Dalcher
  • Patent number: 8565502
    Abstract: Approaches are described for generating an initial reconstruction of CT data acquired using a wide-cone system. The initial reconstruction may be processed (such as via a non-linear operation) to correct frequency omissions and/or errors in the reconstruction. Corrected frequency information may then be added to the reconstruction to improve the reconstructed image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kai Zeng, Jed Douglas Pack, Bruno Kristiaan Bernard DeMan, Zhye Yin, Kyle Morgan Champley
  • Patent number: 8564165
    Abstract: A generator support system for a centerline mounted generator includes a generator support member configured and disposed to support a generator upon a support surface. The generator support member includes at least one lifting element having a lifting surface that faces the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Joseph Rinaolo, Jayan Kaadaapuram George, Donald Michael Ronca, John Russell Yagielski