Patents by Inventor Geer Ward

Geer Ward 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).

  • Patent number: 7001479
    Abstract: A method for bonding a plurality of magnetized blocks together includes providing at least two magnetized blocks, and bonding at least two magnetized blocks together using a door translatable in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Floyd Lochner, Weijun Shen, Geer Ward, Bu-Xin Xu
  • Patent number: 6859123
    Abstract: A method for positioning permanent magnetic blocks includes providing a plurality of magnetized blocks, positioning the magnetized blocks on a yoke in a row by applying a mechanical force at a first end of the row with a first clamping member and at a second end of the row with a second clamping member, and repositioning the blocks by reducing the mechanical force at the first end by moving the first clamping member away from the first end, and moving the second clamping member toward the second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: Jinsheng Zheng, Jinhua Huang, Ronald Floyd Lochner, Weijun Shen, Hideaki Uno, Geer Ward, Bu-Xin Xu
  • Publication number: 20040194289
    Abstract: A method for positioning permanent magnetic blocks includes providing a plurality of magnetized blocks, positioning the magnetized blocks on a yoke in a row by applying a mechanical force at a first end of the row with a first clamping member and at a second end of the row with a second clamping member, and repositioning the blocks by reducing the mechanical force at the first end by moving the first clamping member away from the first end, and moving the second clamping member toward the second end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Jinsheng Zheng, Jinhua Huang, Ronald Floyd Lochner, Weijun Shen, Hideaki Uno, Geer Ward, Bu-Xin Xu
  • Publication number: 20040194288
    Abstract: A method for bonding a plurality of magnetized blocks together includes providing at least two magnetized blocks, and bonding at least two magnetized blocks together using a door translatable in two orthogonal directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Floyd Lochner, Weijun Shen, Geer Ward, Bu-Xin Xu
  • Patent number: 6664878
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for assembling a magnetic field generator for a magnetic resonance imaging system. The method comprises: establishing an arrangement for a permanent magnet of a magnet assembly comprising a ferromagnetic yoke plate and a permanent magnet, wherein the arrangement includes a portion of a cavity formed from placement of a portion of a plurality of retainers attached at substantially the perimeter of the yoke plate. The method also includes populating the first portion of the cavity with a set of rails attached to the yoke plate and affixing a plurality of gliders to a plurality of magnet blocks and magnetizing the gliders and magnet blocks to form a plurality of block assemblies. Finally, the method includes sliding each block assembly of the plurality of block assemblies along a rail of the set of rails; initiating with an outermost rail and concluding with an innermost, securing each successively filled rail with a retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: William E-Wei Chen, Jinhua Huang, Ronald Floyd Lochner, Weijun Shen, Geer Ward, Bu-Xin Xu
  • Patent number: 5701744
    Abstract: A cryogen recondensing system magnetic resonance imager superconducting magnet and a cryogen recondensing system with a rare earth displacement material cryocooler and superconductive lead bismuth magnetic sleeve provides superconducting current flow of currents induced by movement of the rare earth displacer which generate opposing magnetic fields to shield the superconducting magnet from the magnetic interference of the cryocooler rare earth displacer. Strips of high conductivity wave-shaped aluminum or sapphire rods may be embedded in the surface of the sleeve to lower the thermal resistance of the superconducting shield to enable it to quickly reach superconducting temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric company
    Inventors: Phillip William Eckels, Kazuhiko Sato, Daniel Christian Woods, Granville Geer Ward, Gregory Farin Hayworth, Christopher G. King
  • Patent number: 5690991
    Abstract: A method of forming a superconducting joint between the Nb.sub.3 Sn layer of a superconducting tape and a superconducting NbTi wire through use of a Pb-Bi bath, joint securing arrangement and mold around the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bu-Xin Xu, O'Neil T. McClam, Geer Ward