Patents by Inventor Constantinos Minas
Constantinos Minas has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 6463125Abstract: A brazed X-ray target includes a metallic cap and a graphite back including a nonlinear record groove attached thereto along a stepped surface. An upper corner joint of the stepped surface is distanced from a cap outer edge and a focal track where the maximum heat is generated during use of the target. The graphite back is extended outward toward the cap outer edge to increase a thermal storage of the graphite, and a recess is formed into the cap to maintain a selected moment of inertia of the target and thereby maintain the rotordynamics of a given X-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: October 8, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Constantinos Minas, Mark G. Benz, Charles G. Mukira, Paul A. Siemers, Thomas Robert Raber, John Robert Breunissen, Richard Warren Lindberg, Gregory A. Steinlage, Douglas J. Snyder, Ping Huang, James Michael Gent, Gregory Reznikov
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Patent number: 6456074Abstract: A gradient coil assembly is directly coupled throughout its entire axial length and circumferential area to the inner cylinder of the cryostat vacuum container enclosing a cylindrical superconducting MRI static field magnet. Any air space between the concentric gradient coil assembly and the cryostat is eliminated. This stiffer system produces lower velocities of the switched gradient coil assembly, which in turn produces lower noise levels in the patient opening of the gradient coil assembly and in the ambient environment. Alternatively, an annular space separates the gradient coil assembly from the MRI static field magnet assembly, and the gradient coil assembly is rigidly coupled to the inner cylinder of the MRI static field magnet assembly by discrete coupling rings. The annular space or chamber between the two assemblies is broken into smaller volumes or subchambers, which do not interconnect in the axial direction and thereby prevent axial propagation of noise generated in the chambers.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2000Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Intermagnetics General CorporationInventor: Constantinos Minas
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Publication number: 20020097052Abstract: A cylindrical magnet assembly for use in magnetic resonance imaging apparatus has a radially compact construction which eliminates prior manufacturing steps. Recesses are formed in insulation layers for receiving complimentary shaped bus bars. Because the bus bars are dimensioned to fit flush within the recesses, they do not add to the radial growth of the magnet assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2001Publication date: July 25, 2002Applicant: Intermagnetics General CorporationInventors: Constantinos Minas, Yuri Lvovsky, Ahmed Kamal Kalafala
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Patent number: 6390876Abstract: An X-ray tube anode comprises a graphite ring, a target substrate applied onto the graphite ring and a target focal track applied onto the target substrate. The target focal track comprises a first refractory metal and the target substrate comprises a second refractory metal and at least one layer of a material that is characterized by characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is the same as the CTE of the target focal track or is intermediate between the CTE of the target focal track and the CTE of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: May 21, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Gilbert Benz, Charles Gitahi Mukira, Thomas Robert Raber, Constantinos Minas, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Gregory Reznikov, Wayne Charles Hasz
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Publication number: 20010036249Abstract: An X-ray tube anode comprises a graphite ring, a target substrate applied onto the graphite ring and a target focal track applied onto the target substrate. The target focal track comprises a first refractory metal and the target substrate comprises a second refractory metal and at least one layer of a material that is characterized by characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is the same as the CTE of the target focal track or is intermediate between the CTE of the target focal track and the CTE of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2001Publication date: November 1, 2001Inventors: Mark Gilbert Benz, Charles Gitahi Mukira, Thomas Robert Raber, Constantinos Minas, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Gregory Reznikov, Wayne Charles Hasz
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Patent number: 6256376Abstract: An X-ray tube anode comprises a graphite ring, a target substrate applied onto the graphite ring and a target focal track applied onto the target substrate. The target focal track comprises a first refractory metal and the target substrate comprises a second refractory metal and at least one layer of a material that is characterized by characterized by a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) that is the same as the CTE of the target focal track or is intermediate between the CTE of the target focal track and the CTE of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mark Gilbert Benz, Charles Gitahi Mukira, Thomas Robert Raber, Constantinos Minas, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Gregory Reznikov, Wayne Charles Hasz
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Patent number: 5724816Abstract: A combustor/transition piece for a gas turbine including a double walled structure having a plurality of cooling channels, both axially and, in some cases, circumferential cross-flow passages positioned between the structure's inner member and the outer member to provide cooling air thereto, are formed in the area between the inner member of the combustor and the outer member thereof. The passages preferably extend both axially and circumferentially with respect to the direction of flow through the combustor/transition piece. The axial passages extend completely from one end to the other and the circumferential passages extend around the circumference of the combustor/transition piece. The addition of a circumferential cross-flow passage connecting axial flow coolant passages in double wall turbine components can prevent combustor/transition piece part failure due to axial passage inlet blockage without affecting normal, unblocked cooling.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ann Melinda Ritter, Robert Patrick Campbell, Melvin Robert Jackson, Ross Anthony McLean, Mitchell Reuben Cohen, Nesim Abuaf, Sanjay Marc Correa, Lance Gordon Peterson, Myron Clyde Muth, Adrian Maurice Beltran, Constantinos Minas, David Robert Schumacher, Jeffrey Alan Graves
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Patent number: 5530413Abstract: A superconductive magnet having a superconductive coil located within a thermal shield located within a vacuum enclosure. A magnet re-entrant support assembly includes an outer support cylinder located between the vacuum enclosure and the thermal shield and includes an inner support cylinder located between the thermal shield and the superconductive coil. The outer support cylinder's first end is rigidly connected to the vacuum enclosure, and its second end is rigidly connected to the thermal shield. The inner support cylinder's first terminus is rigidly connected to the thermal shield near the outer support cylinder's second end, and its second terminus is located longitudinally between the outer support cylinder's first and second ends and is rigidly connected to the superconductive coil. Buckling resistance is improved by adding stiffening rings to the support cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 1995Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Constantinos Minas, Dan A. Gross
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Patent number: 5477686Abstract: A split-Stirling cryorefrigerator including a cylinder containing a movable displacer containing regenerator material and having an attached movable rod with a free end located in a housing enclosing a gas-spring chamber containing a gas. The cylinder has an orifice near its warm end which is in fluid communication with a gas source having a cyclic (typically sinusoidal) pressure. The movable rod slidably and generally sealably engages the housing and the warm end of the cylinder. The cryorefrigerator also includes a mechanism for adjusting the void volume of the gas-spring chamber, such adjustment allowing for increased cooling capacity of the cryorefrigerator when the amplitude of the cyclic pressure of the gas source is increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 1994Date of Patent: December 26, 1995Assignee: Martin Marietta CorporationInventor: Constantinos Minas
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Patent number: 5446433Abstract: A superconductive magnet having a superconductive coil located within a thermal shield located within a vacuum enclosure. A cryocooler coldhead's first stage is in solid-conductive thermal contact with the thermal shield, and its second stage is in solid-conductive thermal contact with the superconductive coil. A magnet re-entrant support assembly includes an outer support cylinder located between the vacuum enclosure and the thermal shield and includes an inner support cylinder located between the thermal shield and the superconductive coil. The outer support cylinder's first end is rigidly connected to the vacuum enclosure, and its second end is rigidly connected to the thermal shield. The inner support cylinder's first terminus is rigidly connected to the thermal shield near the outer support cylinder's second end, and its second terminus is located longitudinally between the outer support cylinder's first and second ends and is rigidly connected to the superconductive coil.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1994Date of Patent: August 29, 1995Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos T. Laskaris, Constantinos Minas, Robert A. Ackermann
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Patent number: 5381122Abstract: An open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) magnet having first and second spaced-apart superconductive coil assemblies connected by spaced-apart structural posts each having a first end portion attached to the coil form of the first coil assembly and a second end portion attached to the coil form of the second coil assembly. Each toroidal shaped coil form has radially spaced-apart inner and outer generally cylindrical shells and has longitudinally spaced-apart inner and outer annular plates each attached to the inner and outer cylindrical shells. A superconductive coil surrounds, and is attached to, the outer surface of the outer cylindrical shell.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 1994Date of Patent: January 10, 1995Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos T. Laskaris, Constantinos Minas
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Patent number: 5318412Abstract: This invention relates to linear motor compressors which operate without the use of oil and a gas bearing while providing a flexible suspension for such a compressor. Such structures of this type, generally, provide a highly reliable oil-free compressor for use with cryogenic refrigeration equipment so as to attain unattended, continuous operation without maintenance over extended periods of time.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 1992Date of Patent: June 7, 1994Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Evangelos T. Laskaris, Constantinos Minas
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Patent number: 5129232Abstract: In order to improve image resolution and magnetic field uniformity in a magnetic resonance imaging device, the vibrations and loads produced by the cryocooler are isolated from the superconducting magnet and cryostat. The vibrations and loads are isolated through the use of flexible, laminated copper connectors and rubber mounts.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1991Date of Patent: July 14, 1992Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Constantinos Minas, Kenneth G. Herd, Evangelos T. Laskaris