Patents by Inventor Nicholas Ryan Konkle
Nicholas Ryan Konkle 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: 8680475Abstract: Portable digital X-ray detectors are provided. One X-ray detector includes an outer assembly and a detector assembly disposed within the outer assembly. The detector assembly includes an imager having a scintillator that converts radiographic energy to light and a detector array having one or more detector elements that detect the light from the scintillator. The detector assembly also includes electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and adapted to control operation of the imager during data acquisition and readout. Further, an elastomeric assembly is disposed between the imager and the electronic circuitry, and the elastomeric assembly is configured to absorb backscattered X-rays that pass through the imager or deflect off of a portion of the outer assembly during an X-ray exposure.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2012Date of Patent: March 25, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Nicholas Ryan Konkle
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Publication number: 20140042331Abstract: Portable digital X-ray detectors are provided. One X-ray detector includes an outer assembly and a detector assembly disposed within the outer assembly. The detector assembly includes an imager having a scintillator that converts radiographic energy to light and a detector array having one or more detector elements that detect the light from the scintillator. The detector assembly also includes electronic circuitry mounted on at least one printed circuit board and adapted to control operation of the imager during data acquisition and readout. Further, an elastomeric assembly is disposed between the imager and the electronic circuitry, and the elastomeric assembly is configured to absorb backscattered X-rays that pass through the imager or deflect off of a portion of the outer assembly during an X-ray exposure.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2012Publication date: February 13, 2014Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Nicholas Ryan Konkle
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Patent number: 8563938Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector assembly is provided that includes a digital detector array and a support panel secured to the detector array, wherein at least one side of the support panel includes a recess exposing an edge region of the detector array. In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a digital X-ray detector assembly. The method includes securing a rear side of a detector array to a front side of a support panel that includes a recess in at least one side of the support panel, wherein the recess of the support panel exposes an edge region of the detector array; and processing the exposed edge region of the detector array. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for assembly and servicing of a digital X-ray detector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: October 22, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary Vernon McBroom
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Publication number: 20130256543Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector includes a plurality of pixel regions. Each pixel region includes one or more photodiodes. The plurality of pixel regions form a detector panel having at least one corner truncated with respect to a rectangle to form a rounded shape or greater than four-sided polygon.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2012Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Paul Richard Granfors, John Robert Lamberty, German Guillermo Vera, Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Habib Vafi
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Publication number: 20130168564Abstract: A portable radiation detector is described having an elastomeric enclosure that provides some degree of mechanical shock resistance. In one embodiment, the enclosure encloses some or all of the electronic components of the detector and provides protection against drops and other mechanical shock for the enclosed components. One or more support or stiffening structures may also be provided to protect against impacts, to distribute static loads, and/or to impart a shape to the detector when handled.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 3, 2012Publication date: July 4, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Christopher Jay Morse
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Publication number: 20130134319Abstract: A portable radiation detector is described having various shock isolation features. In one embodiment, shock isolation may be provided by providing a non-rigid mounting for a support layer within the portable detector to an enclosure of the portable detector. In other embodiments, an elastomeric strip is provided about all or part of an edge of the enclosure. In other embodiments, a removable elastomeric cover is provided for the portable detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Habib Vafi, Christopher Jay Morse, Kevin Edward Kinsey
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Publication number: 20130134930Abstract: A charging station for a portable X-ray detector is described. In one embodiment, the charging station includes one or more biasing members that act to guide and align a portable detector when inserted into the charging station. In certain embodiments, a physical, pin-type connector for connecting to an inserted portable detector is present, while in other embodiments no pin-type connector is present.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2011Publication date: May 30, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Habib Vafi
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Patent number: 8399847Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable X-ray detector assembly is provided comprising a detector array and a housing for the detector array. The housing is provided as a multi-layer structure in which at least one layer improves or increases the structural integrity of other layers of the housing. In certain embodiments, the structural integrity layer also acts to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference that might otherwise affect the detector or other electronics in the vicinity of the detector.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2010Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Habib Vafi
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Publication number: 20130034213Abstract: A digital X-ray detector includes a shock monitoring system configured to monitor for an occurrence of a shock event via at least one shock sensor. The detector also includes a processor configured to receive information related to the shock event from the shock monitoring system and to report the shock event to an X-ray system communicatively coupled to the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2011Publication date: February 7, 2013Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: James Zhengshe Liu, Chuande Liu, Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Tan Liu, Roy Allan Schley
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Patent number: 8324585Abstract: A digital detector of a digital imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, a digital detector includes a detector array disposed in a housing and configured to generate image data based on received radiation. The digital detector may also include a battery configured to be disposed within a receptacle of the housing and to supply operating power to the detector array. In one embodiment, the battery or the detector may provide for wireless data communication. In certain embodiments, a tethered plug configured to be disposed within the receptacle may be provided. In one such embodiment, the tether may be rotatable relative to the plug. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2009Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary V. McBroom, Nicholas Ryan Konkle
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Patent number: 8269182Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector is provided with a detector assembly that includes a support panel, a digital detector array with a rear side of the detector array being secured to a front side of the support panel, a backscattered X-ray and reflected light absorption layer disposed between the detector array and the support panel, a rear shock absorbing structure secured to a rear side of the support panel, and a front shock absorbing structure secured to a front side of the detector array. The digital X-ray detector further includes a shell assembly surrounding the detector assembly and secured to the rear shock absorbing structure. In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a digital X-ray detector.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary Vernon McBroom
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Publication number: 20120119098Abstract: In one embodiment, a portable X-ray detector assembly is provided comprising a detector array and a housing for the detector array. The housing is provided as a multi-layer structure in which at least one layer improves or increases the structural integrity of other layers of the housing. In certain embodiments, the structural integrity layer also acts to reduce or eliminate electromagnetic interference that might otherwise affect the detector or other electronics in the vicinity of the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2010Publication date: May 17, 2012Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Habib Vafi
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Patent number: 8062040Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrical connection clamping are provided. The apparatus includes a connection arrangement having a top clamp section and a bottom clamp section. The connection arrangement further includes a stacked connector between the top clamp section and the bottom clamp section. The top clamp section and the bottom clamp section are configured to distribute a compression force along a plurality of points of the stacked connector.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2009Date of Patent: November 22, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Michael Richard Moritz, Thomas Michael Corcoran
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Publication number: 20110133096Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector is provided with a detector assembly that includes a support panel, a digital detector array with a rear side of the detector array being secured to a front side of the support panel, a backscattered X-ray and reflected light absorption layer disposed between the detector array and the support panel, a rear shock absorbing structure secured to a rear side of the support panel, and a front shock absorbing structure secured to a front side of the detector array. The digital X-ray detector further includes a shell assembly surrounding the detector assembly and secured to the rear shock absorbing structure. In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a digital X-ray detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary Vernon McBroom
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Publication number: 20110133085Abstract: In one embodiment, a digital X-ray detector assembly is provided that includes a digital detector array and a support panel secured to the detector array, wherein at least one side of the support panel includes a recess exposing an edge region of the detector array. In another embodiment, a method is provided for assembling a digital X-ray detector assembly. The method includes securing a rear side of a detector array to a front side of a support panel that includes a recess in at least one side of the support panel, wherein the recess of the support panel exposes an edge region of the detector array; and processing the exposed edge region of the detector array. In a further embodiment, a method is provided for assembly and servicing of a digital X-ray detector assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary Vernon McBroom
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Publication number: 20110059660Abstract: An apparatus and method for electrical connection clamping are provided. The apparatus includes a connection arrangement having a top clamp section and a bottom clamp section. The connection arrangement further includes a stacked connector between the top clamp section and the bottom clamp section. The top clamp section and the bottom clamp section are configured to distribute a compression force along a plurality of points of the stacked connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2009Publication date: March 10, 2011Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Michael Richard Moritz, Thomas Michael Corcoran
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Publication number: 20100284521Abstract: A digital detector of a digital imaging system is provided. In one embodiment, a digital detector includes a detector array disposed in a housing and configured to generate image data based on received radiation. The digital detector may also include a battery configured to be disposed within a receptacle of the housing and to supply operating power to the detector array. In one embodiment, the battery or the detector may provide for wireless data communication. In certain embodiments, a tethered plug configured to be disposed within the receptacle may be provided. In one such embodiment, the tether may be rotatable relative to the plug. Additional systems, methods, and devices are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2009Publication date: November 11, 2010Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Gary V. McBroom, Nicholas Ryan Konkle
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Publication number: 20100264572Abstract: A shock mount assembly includes a base member, a top member, and an isolator disposed between the base member and the top member, the isolator providing a dynamic stiffness in three different directions to limit the movement, deflection, and/or acceleration of a detector array with respect to a casing surrounding the detector array in three dimensions. A detector array including the shock mount assembly is also described herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2009Publication date: October 21, 2010Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANYInventor: Nicholas Ryan Konkle
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Patent number: 7800065Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an electronic assembly having a panel and a circuit board, a casing surrounding the electronic assembly and at least one isolated member coupled to the casing. The apparatus further includes a shock absorbing material flexibly coupling the electronic assembly directly or indirectly to the at least one isolated member.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2008Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary McBroom
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Publication number: 20100001195Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an electronic assembly having a panel and a circuit board, a casing surrounding the electronic assembly and at least one isolated member coupled to the casing. The apparatus further includes a shock absorbing material flexibly coupling the electronic assembly directly or indirectly to the at least one isolated member.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2008Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Nicholas Ryan Konkle, Gary McBroom