Patents by Inventor Nathan R. Whetten

Nathan R. Whetten 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: 5498573
    Abstract: Each scan line of a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a first layer of titanium disposed on the LCD substrate surface to promote adhesion of the scan line to the substrate surface; a layer of molybdenum or aluminum disposed on the first titanium layer to provide a low resistance address line; and a second layer of titanium disposed on the molybdenum layer to promote adhesion of a subsequently deposited layer of passivation material, semiconductor material or the like over the scan line. The multi-layered scan line side walls may be etched to promote step coverage of subsequently deposited layers of material. The data lines may also have a multi-layer conductor structure similar to the scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1996
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 5153754
    Abstract: Each scan line of a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a first layer of titanium disposed on the LCD substrate surface to promote adhesion of the scan line to the substratae surface; a layer of molybdenum or aluminum disposed on the first titanium layer to provide a low resistance address line; and a second layer of titanium disposed on the molybdenum layer to promote adhesion of a subsequently deposited layer of passivation material, semiconductor material or the like over the scan line. The multi-layered scan line side walls may be etched to promote step coverage of subsequently deposited layers of material. The data lines may also have a multi-layer conductor structure similar to the scan lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 5062690
    Abstract: Each cell of a liquid crystal display comprises a pixel electrode, a primary field effect transistor for transferring electrical signals from one scan line and one data line to the pixel for conversion to an optical signal and at least one auxiliary field effect transistor for transferring signals from a scan line adjacent to the one scan line and from the one data line to the pixel when the primary field effect transistor is defective. The auxiliary FET gate electrode is electrically isolated from the adjacent scan line when the primary FET is not defective and may be connected to the adjacent scan line by activating a laser-fusible link if the primary FET is defective. Redundant scan line crossovers and redundant data line crossover are provided, with each redundant crossover having an open circuit that may be closed by a laser-fusible link to create a shunt around a selected scan and data line crossover location, if the scan line and data line are shorted together at that crossover location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1991
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 4719354
    Abstract: An x-ray detector for use in computerized tomography employing a liquefied xenon as a high density detecting medium comprises a housing having an x-ray permeable window and containing at least one electrically conductive voltage plate spaced from, and parallel to, at least one collector plate comprising a plurality of conductive elements. The liquid xenon fills the space between the voltage and collector plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1988
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 4707607
    Abstract: A high resolution x-ray detector for medical computerized tomography systems is filled with a high pressure noble gas as a detecting medium. The detector comprises a housing having an x-ray permeable window and containing at least one electrically conductive voltage plate and at least one collector plate comprising a plurality of conductive elements. The gaseous detecting medium, such as xenon, occupies the space between the voltage and collector plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1987
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 4500785
    Abstract: A radiation detector has a plurality of detector collection element arrays immersed in a radiation-to-electron conversion medium. Each array contains a multiplicity of coplanar detector elements radially disposed with respect to one of a plurality of positions which at least one radiation source can assume. Each detector collector array is utilized only when a source is operative at the associated source position, negating the necessity for a multi-element detector to be moved with respect to an object to be examined. A novel housing provides the required containment of a high-pressure gas conversion medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Nathan R. Whetten, John E. Kelley
  • Patent number: 4394578
    Abstract: A high pressure, high resolution xenon x-ray detector array employs a housing having a window therein for passage of x-rays from an x-ray source and sealed to form a detection chamber. A voltage plate and a collector plate are disposed in the detection chamber in parallel relationship and passed through the housing to outside contacts. Xenon is disposed within the chamber with a pressure range of 50 to 200 atmospheres producing a xenon density in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 grams per cubic centimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Houston, Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 4376893
    Abstract: An ionization chamber for use in determining the spatial distribution of x-ray photons in computerized tomography systems comprises a plurality of substantially parallel, planar anodes separated by parallel, planar cathodes and enclosed in a gas of high atomic weight at a pressure from approximately 10 atmospheres to approximately 50 atmospheres. X-ray radiation enters the chamber through a thin conductive window disposed substantially perpendicular to the anodes and cathodes. A dielectric layer disposed on the inner surface of the window accumulates charge during x-ray irradiation to modify the electric field in the region between the anodes, cathodes, and window so as to permit the collection of electrons and ions produced by interactions in that region.In a preferred embodiment, a conductive electrode is placed on the inner surface of the dielectric layer and maintained at anode potential to modify and stabilize the electric field behind the window and thus stabilize the detector characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 4069438
    Abstract: A device for the electrostatic recording of x-ray images comprises two spaced electrodes with a gas-filled gap therebetween. One of the electrodes comprises a layer of an ultraviolet emitting fluorescent material and a layer of an air-exposable ultraviolet-sensitive photoemitting material. A plastic sheet is adjacent to the other electrode. An electric field is applied across the gap to accelerate photoelectrons emitted by the photoemitting material. The electrostatic image formed on the plastic sheet is developed xerographically after the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Houston, James R. Young, Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: 3940620
    Abstract: A device for the electrostatic recording of X-ray images comprises two spaced electrodes with a gas-filled gap therebetween. One of the electrodes comprises a layer of an ultraviolet emitting fluorescent material and a layer of an air-exposable ultraviolet-sensitive photoemitting material. A plastic sheet is adjacent to the other electrode. An electric field is applied across the gap to accelerate photoelectrons emitted by the photoemitting material. The electrostatic image formed on the plastic sheet is developed xerographically after the exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1976
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John M. Houston, James R. Young, Nathan R. Whetten
  • Patent number: RE30644
    Abstract: An ionization chamber for use in determining the spatial distribution of x-ray photons in tomography systems comprises a plurality of substantially parallel, planar anodes separated by parallel, planar cathodes and enclosed in a gas of high atomic weight at a pressure from approximately 10 atmospheres to approximately 50 atmospheres. The cathode and anode structures comprise metals which are substantially opaque to x-ray radiation and thereby tend to reduce the resolution limiting effects of x-ray fluoresence in the gas.In another embodiment of the invention the anodes comprise parallel conductive bars disposed between two planar cathodes.Guard rings eliminate surface leakage currents between adjacent electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1981
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Nathan R. Whetten, John M. Houston