Patents by Inventor Robert L. Petersen, Jr.

Robert L. Petersen, Jr. 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: 5615678
    Abstract: An integral yoke/transducer connector has built-in probe switches for detecting when a transducer probe has been removed from its yoke. Based on the status of the probe switch and other feedback information, a system controller activates the out-of-holder probe if it has priority. In this manner, a probe can be automatically activated when it is lifted out of its yoke, thereby eliminating the need to trace a desired probe to its connector/port via the cable. Once a probe/port is auto-selected, it remains the only active probe/port until the probe is placed back in the yoke (or its transducer connector is disconnected from the port on the imaging unit). Placement of the probe in its corresponding yoke opens the probe switch which is built into the yoke/connector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas R. Kirkham, Kirsten N. Laconte, Michael L. Hall, Jonathan E. Snyder, Edward S. Wallace, William H. Phillips, Jr., Robert L. Petersen, Jr.