Patents by Inventor Dan Jay McCormick
Dan Jay McCormick 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: 9606248Abstract: A neutron detector includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode circumscribes the anode and has a plurality of planar segments facing the anode. In one embodiment, the neutron detector is part of an array of neutron detectors.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, Frederick L. Glesius, Thomas Robert Anderson, Nathan Herbert Johnson
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Self-heating electrometer for high pressure ion chamber for verification of temperature compensation
Patent number: 9024618Abstract: An apparatus and method for verifying the temperature compensation correction factor accuracy of an electrometer is provided. The electrometer includes an electrical amplifier to convert a current signal to a voltage signal. The electrometer also includes a compensation circuit to modify the voltage signal for temperature compensation. The electrometer further includes a heat producing device to induce a temperature change of the electrical amplifier and the compensation circuit. An environmental radiation monitor is also provided. The environmental radiation monitor includes a power supply, a high pressure ionization chamber, and the electrometer. The method includes providing an environmental radiation monitor, measuring the voltage signal at a first time, activating a heat producing device, measuring the voltage signal at a second time, and comparing the two measured values of the voltage signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2012Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick -
Publication number: 20140125349Abstract: An apparatus and method for conducting a test cycle for an electrometer of an environmental radiation monitor by current injection is provided. The environmental radiation monitor includes a high pressure ionization chamber, a power supply electrically connected to the high pressure ionization chamber, and an electrometer electrically connected to the high pressure ionization chamber. A controller controls the power supply voltage signal provided to the high pressure ionization chamber to create a constant current to be injected into the electrometer. The methods include varying the voltage signal provided to the high pressure ionization chamber, measuring a current signal, processing the current signal with the electrometer and comparing the voltage signal to an expected result, indicating proper operation of the electrometer. Further examples of the method include initiating and discontinuing a test function.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick
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SELF-HEATING ELECTROMETER FOR HIGH PRESSURE ION CHAMBER FOR VERIFICATION OF TEMPERATURE COMPENSATION
Publication number: 20130256550Abstract: An apparatus and method for verifying the temperature compensation correction factor accuracy of an electrometer is provided. The electrometer includes an electrical amplifier to convert a current signal to a voltage signal. The electrometer also includes a compensation circuit to modify the voltage signal for temperature compensation. The electrometer further includes a heat producing device to induce a temperature change of the electrical amplifier and the compensation circuit. An environmental radiation monitor is also provided. The environmental radiation monitor includes a power supply, a high pressure ionization chamber, and the electrometer. The method includes providing an environmental radiation monitor, measuring the voltage signal at a first time, activating a heat producing device, measuring the voltage signal at a second time, and comparing the two measured values of the voltage signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick -
Patent number: 8129690Abstract: A neutron detector that includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes at least one portion that has a porous substrate with surface segments that define open pores and a layer of neutron sensitive material on the surface segments of the porous substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, James Michael Lustig
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Patent number: 8080807Abstract: An apparatus for detecting at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception and outputting a signal indicative of the reception. A detector is responsive to the at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception. The detector has a cathode, an anode separated by a space from the cathode, and a gas within the separating space. Charge is generated within the gas upon the at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception at the cathode and the charge passes to the anode as a detection. A processing arrangement is operatively connected to the anode for outputting the signal indicative of the detection. A light irradiation arrangement for introducing a light irradiation causes charge within the gas that replicates the charge generated upon detection and that causes output of a signal that replicates the signal indicative of the detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2009Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, Frederick L. Glesius
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Patent number: 7964852Abstract: A detector array includes a plurality of neutron detectors. Each neutron detector includes an anode and a cathode including at least some B-10 boron. The array includes at least one gamma detector engaged against at least one neutron detector within the array. A detector array includes a plurality of detectors engaged against each other. The plurality of detectors includes at least one neutron detector and at least one gamma detector. In one specific example, the at least one neutron detector contains B-10. An associated method adjusts information concerning a value of neutron detection.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2009Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick
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Patent number: 7952078Abstract: A neutron detector including an anode and a cathode. The cathode extends proximate the anode and has a face including boron. The face has varied topography. The varied provides increased surface density.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2009Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, James Michael Lustig
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Publication number: 20110068274Abstract: An apparatus for detecting at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception and outputting a signal indicative of the reception. A detector is responsive to the at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception. The detector has a cathode, an anode separated by a space from the cathode, and a gas within the separating space. Charge is generated within the gas upon the at least one of neutron and gamma ray reception at the cathode and the charge passes to the anode as a detection. A processing arrangement is operatively connected to the anode for outputting the signal indicative of the detection. A light irradiation arrangement for introducing a light irradiation causes charge within the gas that replicates the charge generated upon detection and that causes output of a signal that replicates the signal indicative of the detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, Frederick L. Glesius
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Publication number: 20110068275Abstract: A detector array includes a plurality of neutron detectors. Each neutron detector includes an anode and a cathode including at least some B-10 boron. The array includes at least one gamma detector engaged against at least one neutron detector within the array. A detector array includes a plurality of detectors engaged against each other. The plurality of detectors includes at least one neutron detector and at least one gamma detector. In one specific example, the at least one neutron detector contains B-10. An associated method adjusts information concerning a value of neutron detection.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick
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Publication number: 20100258734Abstract: A neutron detector includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode circumscribes the anode and has a plurality of planar segments facing the anode. In one embodiment, the neutron detector is part of an array of neutron detectors.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, Frederick L. Glesius, Thomas Robert Anderson, Nathan Herbert Johnson
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Publication number: 20100258736Abstract: A neutron detector including an anode and a cathode. The cathode extends proximate the anode and has a face including boron. The face has varied topography. The varied provides increased surface density.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, James Michael Lustig
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Publication number: 20100258737Abstract: A neutron detector that includes an anode and a cathode. The cathode includes at least one portion that has a porous substrate with surface segments that define open pores and a layer of neutron sensitive material on the surface segments of the porous substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 14, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Dan Jay McCormick, James Michael Lustig
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Patent number: 6791330Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining resistivity of a formation surrounding a borehole comprises a housing, at least first and second transmitting antennas affixed to the housing for transmitting electromagnetic waves to the formation, and at least first and second receiving antennas for detecting the electromagnetic waves. The first receiving antenna is affixed to the housing at a position longitudinally located above the first and second transmitting antennas, and the second receiving antenna is longitudinally located below the first and second transmitting antennas. The measurements needed to calculate the resistivity of the formation may be determined while drilling the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: September 14, 2004Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Dan Jay McCormick
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Publication number: 20040012392Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining resistivity of a formation surrounding a borehole comprises a housing, at least first and second transmitting antennas affixed to the housing for transmitting electromagnetic waves to the formation, and at least first and second receiving antennas for detecting the electromagnetic waves. The first receiving antenna is affixed to the housing at a position longitudinally located above the first and second transmitting antennas, and the second receiving antenna is longitudinally located below the first and second transmitting antennas. The measurements needed to calculate the resistivity of the formation may be determined while drilling the borehole.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventor: Dan Jay McCormick