Patents by Inventor Ron Hockersmith

Ron Hockersmith 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: 7668296
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an X ray tube assembly is provided. The X ray tube assembly comprises an evacuated envelope, an anode disposed at a first end of the evacuated envelope and a cathode assembly disposed at a second end of the evacuated envelope. The cathode assembly comprises a cathode filament and a cathode cup defining a plurality of electrically isolated deflection electrodes. Further, the cathode cup comprises at least two portions, a first portion comprising an electrically conductive material and a second portion comprising an electrically insulating material. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing the X ray tube assembly is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Thomas Schaefer, Ron Hockersmith, Ethan Westcot
  • Publication number: 20080310593
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an X ray tube assembly is provided. The X ray tube assembly comprises an evacuated envelope, an anode disposed at a first end of the evacuated envelope and a cathode assembly disposed at a second end of the evacuated envelope. The cathode assembly comprises a cathode filament and a cathode cup defining a plurality of electrically isolated deflection electrodes. Further, the cathode cup comprises at least two portions, a first portion comprising an electrically conductive material and a second portion comprising an electrically insulating material. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing the X ray tube assembly is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Schaefer, Ron Hockersmith, Ethan Westcot
  • Publication number: 20080069306
    Abstract: An X-ray tube target assembly and method of manufacturing same is provided. The X-ray tube target assembly comprises an injection molded target disk. The injection molded target disk includes an injection molded hub member and an injection molded outer member. The injection molded outer member comprises a plurality of injection molded outer member segments that are removably attached together and removably attached to the hub member to form the injection molded target disk. A target track is formed on an outer surface on one side of an outer periphery of the injection molded outer member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 20, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ron Hockersmith, Michael Hebert, Thomas Schaefer, Ethan Westcot
  • Publication number: 20070041504
    Abstract: An x-ray target assembly is provided comprising a center hub element affixed to a drive shaft and an outer disc including a plurality of tab extensions removably engaging the periphery of the center hub element. A target element is mounted on an upper outer disc surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: February 22, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Ron Hockersmith, Michael Hebert
  • Publication number: 20070025823
    Abstract: A computed tomography assembly is provided comprising at least one clamped imaging component and a clamping fastener having a clamping head attached thereto. A load-sensing washer is positioned between the clamping head and the at least one clamped imaging component and includes a pressure sensor element in communication with a wireless transmitter transmitting a fastener load value. A wireless receiver is adapted to remotely receive the fastener load value and a processor in communication with the wireless receiver includes logic adapted to monitor the fastener load value in real time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Publication date: February 1, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Ron Hockersmith
  • Publication number: 20070019783
    Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some embodiments, a wrap-around capture device of an X-ray collimator frame limits movement of an X-ray tube mounting bracket away from the X-ray collimator. In some embodiments, a C-shaped passive capture device is attached or mounted on the wrap-around capture device, having a portion that is positioned in between the wrap-around capture device and the X-ray collimator frame, which further limits movement of the X-ray tube mounting bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2005
    Publication date: January 25, 2007
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ron Hockersmith, Edward Emaci, James Dodge, Eric Plate
  • Publication number: 20070007874
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a tube casing assembly including a plurality of vertical mount posts. An insulator plate is mounted to the plurality of vertical mount posts such that the insulator plate can translate vertically on the posts. A cathode assembly is mounted to the insulator plate and generates both an eccentric moment and a vertical expansion in response to a cathode power load. A semi-compressible element is positioned between at least one of the vertical mount posts and the insulator plate. The semi-compressible element becomes incompressible at a cathode power threshold such that the vertical expansion is translated into a correction moment countering the eccentric moment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Publication date: January 11, 2007
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Wayne Block, Edward Emaci, Sergio Lemaitre, Ron Hockersmith
  • Publication number: 20050226386
    Abstract: A slotted window collector assembly for an x-ray tube having an anode and a cathode includes a collector having an anode side and a cathode side, which opposes the anode side. The anode side and the cathode side define an internal bore there between for receiving x-rays from the anode. The slotted collector further includes a window side common to both the anode side and the cathode side and having a window coupled thereto, wherein a window aperture is defined extending from the window to the internal bore. Within the collector assembly, a slot is defined intersecting the window aperture and extending trans-axially thereto and beyond a set length. The slot also extends circumferentially with the window such that plastic strain on the window and heat transferred to the window are reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 13, 2005
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Liqin Wang, Michael Hebert, Mark Derakhshan, Ron Hockersmith