Patents by Inventor John Norton

John Norton 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: 7903382
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus. The apparatus comprising an over-current protective component, wherein the over-current protective component comprises a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices. The apparatus also comprises a circuit breaker or switching component, wherein the circuit breaker or switching component is in operable communication with the over-current protective component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park, Brent Charles Kumfer, Parag Thakre
  • Publication number: 20110021970
    Abstract: Products, compositions, systems, and methods for modifying a target structure which mediates or is associated with a biological activity, including treatment of conditions, disorders, or diseases mediated by or associated with a target structure, such as a virus, cell, subcellular structure or extracellular structure. The methods may be performed in situ in a non-invasive manner by placing a nanoparticle having a metallic shell on at least a fraction of a surface in a vicinity of a target structure in a subject and applying an initiation energy to a subject thus producing an effect on or change to the target structure directly or via a modulation agent. The nanoparticle is configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicants: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian N. STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Harold WALDER, Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John NORTON
  • Patent number: 7876538
    Abstract: A system is presented. The system includes a micro-electromechanical system switch. Further, the system includes a balanced diode bridge configured to suppress arc formation between contacts of the micro-electromechanical system switch. A pulse circuit is coupled to the balanced diode bridge to form a pulse signal in response to a fault condition. An energy-absorbing circuitry is coupled in a parallel circuit with the pulse circuit and is adapted to absorb electrical energy resulting from the fault condition without affecting a pulse signal formation by the pulse circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park
  • Publication number: 20100303719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to anti-cancer compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic use. In particular, the present invention provides analogs of the known anti-cancer compound amonafide, and structurally and functionally related compounds, and methods of using such compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions associated with hyperproliferation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sui Huang, John Norton, Daniel Appella, Mark Witschi
  • Publication number: 20100304882
    Abstract: A variable mass cap 20 for a shock imparting implement grip has a butt element 22 connected to a tubular portion 24 constructed to receive a selected mass 26, 28. The tubular portion 24 fits snugly within a recess 34 of a body 32, and is retained therein by the engagement of an annular ridge 36 with a first annular groove 30 disposed in an outer surface of the tubular portion 24. In an alternate embodiment, threaded portion 31 is received by and engaged by a corresponding threaded recess 34. The cap 20 is mechanically secured to the body 32 for providing a grip with a variable mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: David Keith Gill, William Wendell Andersen, Donald Lawrence Murdock, Bruce John Norton
  • Publication number: 20100261263
    Abstract: A system for energy upconversion and/or down conversion and a system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium. These systems include 1) a nanoparticle configured, upon exposure to a first wavelength ?1 of radiation, to generate a second wavelength ?2 of radiation having a higher energy than the first wavelength ?1 and 2) a metallic structure disposed in relation to the nanoparticle. A physical characteristic of the metallic structure is set to a value where a surface plasmon resonance in the metallic structure resonates at a frequency which provides a spectral overlap with either the first wavelength ?1 or the second wavelength ?2, or with both ?1 and ?2. The system for producing a photostimulated reaction in a medium includes a receptor disposed in the medium in proximity to the nanoparticle which, upon activation by the second wavelength ?2, generates the photostimulated reaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicants: Duke University, Immunolight, LLC
    Inventors: Tuan VO-DINH, Jonathan P. SCAFFIDI, Venkata Gopal Reddy CHADA, Benoit LAULY, Yan ZHANG, Molly K. GREGAS, Ian N. STANTON, Joshua T. STECHER, Michael J. THERIEN, Frederic A. BOURKE, JR., Zak FATHI, Jennifer A. AYRES, Zhenyuan ZHANG, Joseph H. SIMMONS, Stephen John Norton
  • Publication number: 20100237227
    Abstract: An optically powered MEMS gate driver includes a photovoltaic converter configured to receive a light signal from a light source and output a DC supply voltage for a MEMS gate driver in response thereto. The MEMS gate driver further includes a DC to DC converter electrically coupled to the photovoltaic converter and configured to output a line level DC voltage in response to the DC supply voltage. An electrical circuit, also included as a portion of the MEMS gate driver is electrically coupled to both the photovoltaic converter and the DC to DC converter is configured to receive the supply voltage and the line level voltage and to output a line level drive signal in response thereto. The optically powered MEMS gate driver is self-contained within a common EMI enclosure thus providing isolation between the gate driver and command signal electronics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: September 23, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Glen Peter Koste, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park
  • Patent number: 7643256
    Abstract: A switching system is provided. The switching system includes electromechanical switching circuitry, such as a micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Edward Keith Howell
  • Patent number: 7542250
    Abstract: A motor starter is provided. The motor starter includes micro-electromechanical system switching circuitry. The system may further include solid state switching circuitry coupled in a parallel circuit with the electromechanical switching circuitry, and a controller coupled to the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry. The controller may be configured to perform selective switching of a load current from a motor connected to the motor starter. The switching may be performed between the electromechanical switching circuitry and the solid state switching circuitry in response to a load current condition appropriate to an operational capability of a respective one of the switching circuitries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Fengfeng Tao, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park, Robert Joseph Caggiano, David James Lesslie, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, Edward Keith Howell
  • Publication number: 20090064550
    Abstract: A display system includes a frame and a plurality of rotatable columns carried by the frame. Each of the plurality of rotatable columns may include a column connection member, at least one display engagement member carried by the column connection member, and a plurality of display members carried by the at least one display engagement member. The display system may also include a respective plurality of display guide members carried by the frame to engage each of the plurality of rotatable columns. Each of the respective plurality of display guide members may include an arcuate shaped guide. Each display guide member may have four imaginary quadrants and a portion of the arcuate shaped guide extends through each of the four imaginary quadrants. Each portion of the arcuate shaped guide extending through each of the imaginary quadrant preferably has a different shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventors: John Norton Reynolds, IV, James P. Lyons, Michael W. MacGeorge
  • Patent number: 7473859
    Abstract: A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e.g., a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e.g., a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e.g., an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Christopher Keimel, Long Que, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe, Xuefeng Wang, Edward Keith Howell
  • Publication number: 20080315980
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) micro-switch array based current limiting enabled circuit interrupting apparatus. The apparatus comprising an over-current protective component, wherein the over-current protective component comprises a switching circuit, wherein the switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices. The apparatus also comprises a circuit breaker or switching component, wherein the circuit breaker or switching component is in operable communication with the over-current protective component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park, Brent Charles Kumfer, Parag Thakre
  • Publication number: 20080308394
    Abstract: A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry integrally arranged with a current path and at least one micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed in the current path. The current control device further includes a hybrid arcless limiting technology (HALT) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless opening of the at least one MEMS switch, and a pulse assisted turn on (PATO) circuit connected in parallel with the at least one MEMS switch facilitating arcless closing of the at least one MEMS switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Christopher Fred Keimel, Kathleen Ann O'Brien, John Norton Park
  • Publication number: 20080310058
    Abstract: The present invention comprises MEMS enabled apparatus for the detection of arc-faults and the elimination of arc-flash conditions. The apparatus comprises an arc-flash detection component and a current limiting component. The current limiting component comprises a logic circuit in communication with the user interface, an MEMS protection circuit in communication with the logic circuit, and a switching circuit in communication with the MEMS protection circuit. The switching circuit comprises a plurality of micro-electromechanical system switching devices and a voltage limiting device, wherein the voltage limiting device is configured to prevent an over voltage event during a current limiting operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William James Premerlani, Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, John Norton Park
  • Publication number: 20080309438
    Abstract: A current control device is disclosed. The current control device includes control circuitry and a current path integrally arranged with the control circuitry. The current path includes a set of conduction interfaces and a micro electromechanical system (MEMS) switch disposed between the set of conduction interfaces. The set of conduction interfaces have geometry of a defined fuse terminal geometry and include a first interface disposed at one end of the current path and a second interface disposed at an opposite end of the current path. The MEMS switch is responsive to the control circuitry to facilitate the interruption of an electrical current passing through the current path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Caggiano, William James Premerlani, Marcelo Esteban Valdes, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Brent Charles Kumfer, Charles Stephan Pitzen, John Norton Park
  • Patent number: 7428791
    Abstract: A display system may include a frame, column connection members connected to the frame, and column members rotatably connected to the column connection members. The display system may also include a magnetic drive assembly carried by the frame that engages the column connection members to selectively rotate the column members. The magnetic drive assembly may include a power source, energizing members connected to the power source, and column movement members connected to the column connection members. The energizing members may include an electromagnet, and the column movement members may be positioned spaced-apart from and overlying the energizing members. The electromagnet of the energizing members may be selectively energized to form a magnetic field between the energizing members and the column movement members to selectively cause rotation of the column members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: AD4, LLC
    Inventors: James P. Lyons, Michael W. MacGeorge, John Norton Reynolds, IV
  • Publication number: 20080211347
    Abstract: A circuit for controlling operation of a load. In one example, a MEMS switch is positioned in the circuit to place the load in one of a conducting state or a nonconducting state. A piezoelectric transformer provides a relatively high voltage output signal or a relatively low voltage output signal to control movement of the switch between a closed position, placing the load in the conducting state, and an open position. The high voltage output signal includes a frequency component in the resonant frequency range of the transformer. Control circuitry provides an input voltage signal to the piezoelectric transformer to provide the high voltage output signal or the low voltage output signal at the output terminals of the piezoelectric transformer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, Nicole Christine Reeves, John Norton Park
  • Publication number: 20080208651
    Abstract: A method includes associating a lead with a subset of participants from a plurality of participants. The associating is performed based on a criteria list. A priority is determined for each participant from the subset of participants. A capacity coefficient is determined for each participant from the subset of participants. The lead is exclusively assigned to a participant from the subset of participants based on the priority for the participant and the capacity coefficient for the participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Scott JOHNSTON, Vance Bell, John Norton
  • Publication number: 20080176670
    Abstract: A grip for a golf club is provided. The grip comprises a liquid injection molded elongated flexible sleeve that slips onto the shaft of a golf club and a liquid injection molded layer of material surrounding the sleeve and integrally bonded to the sleeve. The golf club grip comprises at least one type of silicone material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventors: David Keith Gill, Dennis Turnpaugh, Bruce John Norton, Donald Lawrence Murdock
  • Publication number: 20080169707
    Abstract: A gating voltage control system and method are provided for electrostatically actuating a micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) device, e.g., a MEMS switch. The device may comprise an electrostatically responsive actuator movable through a gap for actuating the device to a respective actuating condition corresponding to one of a first actuating condition (e.g., a closed switching condition) and a second actuating condition (e.g., an open switching condition). The gating voltage control system may comprise a drive circuit electrically coupled to a gate terminal of the device to apply a gating voltage. The gating voltage control system may further comprise a controller electrically coupled to the drive circuit to control the gating voltage applied to the gating terminal in accordance with a gating voltage control sequence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2007
    Publication date: July 17, 2008
    Inventors: Joshua Isaac Wright, Kanakasabapathi Subramanian, William James Premerlani, John Norton Park, Christopher Keimel, Long Que, Kuna Venkat Satya Rama Kishore, Abhijeet Dinkar Sathe, Xuefeng Wang, Edward Keith Howell