Patents by Inventor Donald Robert Allen
Donald Robert Allen 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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Publication number: 20200350137Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Donald Robert Allen, Sandhya Dammu, Andrew Marconnet, Gregory Steinlage
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Patent number: 10818466Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an electron emitter and a cathode cup having a recess that holds the electron emitter. The recess has a bottom surface, and a shield is positioned in the recess between the electron emitter and the bottom surface. The shield is configured to receive deposited sublimated emitter material and to maintain the sublimated emitter material away from the electron emitter.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2019Date of Patent: October 27, 2020Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLCInventors: Donald Robert Allen, Sandhya Dammu, Andrew Marconnet, Gregory Steinlage
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Patent number: 9865423Abstract: An emitter for a cathode of an X-ray tube is provided that includes a shaped emitting surface. The emitting surface is shaped in a suitable process in order to enable the emitting surface to focus electron beams emitted from the emitting surface on a focal spot on a target of less than 1.0 mm without the need for any additional focusing elements in the X-ray tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Sergio Lemaitre, Ben David Poquette, Ryan James Lemminger, Donald Robert Allen, Judson Sloan Marte, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Richard Michael Roffers
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Patent number: 9607801Abstract: A structure and associated process for joining dissimilar materials to form various components of an x-ray tube is illustrated that utilizes one or more intermediate or interfacial filler material members positioned between the primary welding or mating surfaces of the base material components to be joined. The use of the interfacial or intermediate filler material preserves the multiple benefits of friction welding, as well as enabling the joining of highly dissimilar material components, decreasing the required joining temperature, and providing increased microstructural control of the resulting weld or joint.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: March 28, 2017Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ben David Poquette, Michael Scott Hebert, Kirk Alan Rogers, Michael Louis Szugye, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen
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Patent number: 9494181Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a fastener having a head with an underside and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The fastener constructed of at least one of a refractory metal and a superalloy. A washer includes a body with an upper surface and an opposing lower surface which defines opening portion for receiving the elongated shaft of the fastener therethrough. The upper surface of the washer forms diffusion bonds with the underside of the head of the fastener when the washer and the fastener are held in contact at temperatures in excess of 500° C.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 15, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen, Evan Michael Lampe
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Patent number: 9449783Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2014Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
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Patent number: 9449782Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2012Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Ben David Poquette, Thomas Carson Tiearney, Jr., Gregory Alan Steinlage, Michael Scott Hebert, Donald Robert Allen, Christian Bennett Fuller
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Publication number: 20160086760Abstract: A structure and associated process for joining dissimilar materials to form various components of an x-ray tube is illustrated that utilizes one or more intermediate or interfacial filler material members positioned between the primary welding or mating surfaces of the base material components to be joined. The use of the interfacial or intermediate filler material preserves the multiple benefits of friction welding, as well as enabling the joining of highly dissimilar material components, decreasing the required joining temperature, and providing increased microstructural control of the resulting well or joint.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Ben David Poquette, Michael Scott Hebert, Kirk Alan Rogers, Michael Louis Szugye, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen
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Publication number: 20160035532Abstract: An emitter for a cathode of an X-ray tube is provided that includes a shaped emitting surface. The emitting surface is shaped in a suitable process in order to enable the emitting surface to focus electron beams emitted from the emitting surface on a focal spot on a target of less than 1.0 mm without the need for any additional focusing elements in the X-ray tube.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2014Publication date: February 4, 2016Inventors: Sergio Lemaitre, Ben David Poquette, Ryan James Lemminger, Donald Robert Allen, Judson Sloan Marte, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Richard Michael Roffers
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Patent number: 9117624Abstract: A system for applying a target track material to an x-ray tube target includes a controller configured to direct a beam of energy toward an x-ray tube target, and direct a solid stock material toward the beam of energy to cause the solid stock material to melt and deposit as a melted material on the x-ray tube target.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Gregory Alan Steinlage, Marshall Gordon Jones, Donald Robert Allen, Ben David Poquette
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Publication number: 20150167724Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a fastener having a head with an underside and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The fastener constructed of at least one of a refractory metal and a superalloy. A washer includes a body with an upper surface and an opposing lower surface which defines opening portion for receiving the elongated shaft of the fastener therethrough. The upper surface of the washer forms diffusion bonds with the underside of the head of the fastener when the washer and the fastener are held in contact at temperatures in excess of 500° C.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: June 18, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen, Evan Michael Lampe
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Publication number: 20140369475Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
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Patent number: 8855270Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, a bearing assembly a stationary component comprised of a first base substrate, the first base substrate having a first surface, a rotatable component comprised of a second base substrate, the second base substrate having a second surface, wherein the rotatable component is positioned proximate the stationary component such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface, a liquid metal positioned within the gap, and an antiwetting coating attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the coating includes titanium nitride attached to the at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and an oxide of titanium attached to the titanium nitride.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2012Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael John Danyluk
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Patent number: 8848875Abstract: The present disclosure is directed towards the prevention of high voltage instabilities within X-ray tubes. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a stationary member, and a rotary member configured to rotate with respect to the stationary member during operation of the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube also includes a liquid metal bearing material disposed in a space between the shaft and the sleeve, a seal disposed adjacent to the space to seal the liquid metal bearing material in the space, and an enhanced surface area material disposed on a side of the seal axially opposite the space and configured to trap within the enhanced surface area material liquid metal bearing material that escapes the seal.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Donald Robert Allen, Kenwood Dayton, Andrew Triscari
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Publication number: 20140166627Abstract: A system for applying a target track material to an x-ray tube target includes a controller configured to direct a beam of energy toward an x-ray tube target, and direct a solid stock material toward the beam of energy to cause the solid stock material to melt and deposit as a melted material on the x-ray tube target.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Alan Steinlage, Marshall Gordon Jones, Donald Robert Allen, Ben David Poquette
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Patent number: 8744047Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube, and more specifically to heat transfer between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve, and a thermally conductive, deformable metallic gasket disposed between the target and the bearing sleeve and configured to conduct heat between the target and the bearing sleeve in operation.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 3, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael Hebert, Ian Strider Hunt, Kenwood Dayton
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Patent number: 8699667Abstract: A system for applying a target track material to an x-ray tube target includes a controller configured to direct a beam of energy toward an x-ray tube target, and direct a solid stock material toward the beam of energy to cause the solid stock material to melt and deposit as a melted material on the x-ray tube target.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 15, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gregory Alan Steinlage, Marshall Gordon Jones, Donald Robert Allen
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Publication number: 20140056404Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, and a target assembly. The target assembly includes a target cap, a focal track material positioned on the target cap to receive electrons from the cathode, and a foam material positioned within a cavity of the target cap and positioned proximate the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a bearing assembly attached to the frame and configured to support the target assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2012Publication date: February 27, 2014Inventors: Ben David Poquette, Thomas Carson Tiearney, JR., Gregory Alan Steinlage, Michael Scott Hebert, Donald Robert Allen, Christian Bennett Fuller
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Publication number: 20130235978Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a frame enclosing a high vacuum, a cathode positioned within the enclosure, a bearing assembly a stationary component comprised of a first base substrate, the first base substrate having a first surface, a rotatable component comprised of a second base substrate, the second base substrate having a second surface, wherein the rotatable component is positioned proximate the stationary component such that a gap is formed between the first surface and the second surface, a liquid metal positioned within the gap, and an antiwetting coating attached to at least one of the first surface and the second surface, the coating includes titanium nitride attached to the at least one of the first surface and the second surface, and an oxide of titanium attached to the titanium nitride.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2012Publication date: September 12, 2013Inventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael John Danyluk
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Publication number: 20120106711Abstract: The embodiments disclosed herein relate to the thermal regulation of components within an X-ray tube by transferring heat between the anode and the rotary mechanism to which the anode is attached. For example, in one embodiment, an X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube generally includes a fixed shaft, a rotating bearing sleeve disposed about the fixed shaft and configured to rotate with respect to the fixed shaft via a rotary bearing, and an electron beam target disposed about the bearing sleeve and configured to rotate with the bearing sleeve. The electron beam target is permanently bonded to the bearing sleeve.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2010Publication date: May 3, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Donald Robert Allen, Michael Hebert, Kenwood Dayton