Patents by Inventor Thomas A. Cross

Thomas A. Cross 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: 11870814
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a unified, cloud-managed platform for controlling enterprise network security are provided. According to one embodiment, a network of an enterprise is protected by a cloud-managed platform. An underlying architecture of the cloud-managed platform is abstracted by providing a portal through which modifications to security policies are expressed as business requirements of the enterprise. The security policies are automatically enforced regardless of location or endpoint. A policy digest, including information regarding the modifications and formatted according to a predefined format, generated and locally queued by the portal is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventors: Anurag Jain, Kenneth Ammon, Thomas Cross, Michael C. Starr
  • Publication number: 20230343543
    Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a bearing sleeve, one of which rotates relative to the other. The stationary component, e.g., the journal bearing and/or the thrust bearing includes at least one vent groove formed therein that improves the ability of the journal bearing structure to enable gases trapped by the liquid metal within the bearing assembly to escape through the vent groove to the exterior of the X-ray tube. By adding a strategically located channel or vent groove of sufficient size in at least one of the journal bearing or the thrust bearing, the pressures resisted by the seal created between the liquid metal and the vent groove(s) in the bearing components is significantly reduced, allowing escape of the gases to avoid detrimental effects to the operation of the X-ray tube, while maintaining the load carrying capacity of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11742722
    Abstract: An electrical machine comprising a rotor 20, a stator 30 and an air gap 40 arranged between the rotor 20 and the stator 30 is provided. The stator 30 or rotor 20 comprises a plurality of electrical coils 90, wherein one or more of the electrical coils 90 carry a heat sink, wherein the heat sink is attached to the electrical coil with a thermally conductive material. Methods for modifying a temperature distribution of a stator in an electrical machine are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Sadeo Ramtahal, Andrew Thomas Cross, Rinaldo Luigi Miorini, Julio Cesar Urresty, Cesar Muñiz Casais, Lakshminarayana Kanakamedala
  • Patent number: 11683919
    Abstract: A heat pipe assembly includes walls having porous wick linings, an insulating layer coupled with at least one of the walls, and an interior chamber sealed by the walls. The linings hold a liquid phase of a working fluid in the interior chamber. The insulating layer is directly against a conductive component of an electromagnetic power conversion device such that heat from the conductive component vaporizes the working fluid in the porous wick lining of the at least one wall and the working fluid condenses at or within the porous wick lining of at least one other wall to cool the conductive component of the electromagnetic power conversion device. The assembly can be placed in direct contact with the device while the device is operating and/or experiencing time-varying magnetic fields that cause the device to operate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Karthik Bodla, Nathaniel Benedict Hawes, Brian Magann Rush, Weijun Yin, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11676791
    Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a bearing sleeve, one of which rotates relative to the other. The stationary component, e.g., the journal bearing and/or the thrust bearing includes at least one vent groove formed therein that improves the ability of the journal bearing structure to enable gases trapped by the liquid metal within the bearing assembly to escape through the vent groove to the exterior of the X-ray tube. By adding a strategically located channel or vent groove of sufficient size in at least one of the journal bearing or the thrust bearing, the pressures resisted by the seal created between the liquid metal and the vent groove(s) in the bearing components is significantly reduced, allowing escape of the gases to avoid detrimental effects to the operation of the X-ray tube, while maintaining the load carrying capacity of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Publication number: 20230050180
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2022
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cross, Uwe Wiedmann, Marshall Gordon Jones, Carey Rogers, John Scott Price, Joseph Darryl Michael, Sergio Lemaitre, Fulton Jose Lopez, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Steve Buresh, David Wagner
  • Patent number: 11552518
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to armature segments for an armature for an electrical machine. An armature segment may comprise a plurality of coils and an electrically insulating supporting structure providing structural support to the plurality of coils. An armature may comprise a plurality of armature segments. The present disclosure further relates to methods for assembling such armature segments and armature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cross, David Torrey, Michel Schweitzer, Bruno Crepel, Mickael Portets, Roel Schuring
  • Patent number: 11523793
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an x-ray imaging system. In one example, a method for decelerating a rotor of an x-ray tube of an imaging system includes controlling and/or monitoring a speed and position of the rotor, passing the rotor through a first position where a force exerted on the rotor, is less than Earth's gravitational pull, the force due to a combination of gravity and radial acceleration, and initiating a predefined deceleration profile to decelerate the rotor to a halt when the x-ray tube passes through the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Carey Rogers, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Nidhishri Tapadia, Andrew Thomas Cross, Uwe Wiedmann
  • Patent number: 11515117
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cross, Uwe Wiedmann, Marshall Gordon Jones, Carey Rogers, John Scott Price, Joseph Darryl Michael, Sergio Lemaitre, Fulton Jose Lopez, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Steve Buresh, David Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220279743
    Abstract: Modular systems for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment may include at least one tank configured to hold liquid. A modular drive assembly may be carried by the at least one tank. At least one propagation module may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the modular drive assembly. The at least one propagation module may be configured to support and propagate at least one plant. At least one pump may be disposed in fluid communication with the at least one tank. The at least one pump configured to pump the liquid from the at least one tank through the at least one propagation module. Modular methods for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventor: John Thomas Cross
  • Publication number: 20220270843
    Abstract: A bearing structure for an X-ray tube is provided that includes a journal bearing shaft with a radially protruding thrust bearing encased within a bearing sleeve, one of which rotates relative to the other. The stationary component, e.g., the journal bearing and/or the thrust bearing includes at least one vent groove formed therein that improves the ability of the journal bearing structure to enable gases trapped by the liquid metal within the bearing assembly to escape through the vent groove to the exterior of the X-ray tube. By adding a strategically located channel or vent groove of sufficient size in at least one of the journal bearing or the thrust bearing, the pressures resisted by the seal created between the liquid metal and the vent groove(s) in the bearing components is significantly reduced, allowing escape of the gases to avoid detrimental effects to the operation of the X-ray tube, while maintaining the load carrying capacity of the bearing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Ian Strider Hunt, Andrew Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11387699
    Abstract: A generator, which may be used in a wind turbine, has a first stationary component carrying a first winding configuration and a second rotating component carrying a second winding configuration. The second rotating component includes a body portion and a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion. The second winding configuration is arranged in slots defined between adjacent teeth. A housing is arranged around and rotates with the body portion. A heat exchange circuit is arranged on the second rotating component and includes a coolant channel defined in the teeth; a pump; and a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to rotate with the housing, the heat exchanger transverse to a rotational direction of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: General Electric Renovables Espana, S.L.
    Inventors: Roelof Willem Schuring, Lana Maria Osusky, Andrew Thomas Cross, David Allan Torrey
  • Publication number: 20220209604
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to armature segments for an armature for an electrical machine. An armature segment may comprise a plurality of coils and an electrically insulating supporting structure providing structural support to the plurality of coils. An armature may comprise a plurality of armature segments. The present disclosure further relates to methods for assembling such armature segments and armature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cross, David Torrey, Michel Schweitzer, Bruno Crepel, Mickael Portets, Roel Schuring
  • Publication number: 20220190663
    Abstract: A generator, which may be used in a wind turbine, has a first stationary component carrying a first winding configuration and a second rotating component carrying a second winding configuration. The second rotating component includes a body portion and a plurality of teeth spaced around and extending radially from the body portion. The second winding configuration is arranged in slots defined between adjacent teeth. A housing is arranged around and rotates with the body portion. A heat exchange circuit is arranged on the second rotating component and includes a coolant channel defined in the teeth; a pump; and a heat exchanger arranged on the housing so as to rotate with the housing, the heat exchanger transverse to a rotational direction of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2020
    Publication date: June 16, 2022
    Inventors: Roelof Willem Schuring, Lana Maria Osusky, Andrew Thomas Cross, David Allan Torrey
  • Patent number: 11327898
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a unified, cloud-managed platform for controlling enterprise network security are provided. According to one embodiment, a network of an enterprise is protected by a cloud-managed platform. An underlying architecture of the cloud-managed platform is abstracted by providing a portal through which modifications to security policies are expressed as business requirements of the enterprise. The security policies are automatically enforced regardless of location or endpoint. A policy digest, including information regarding the modifications and formatted according to a predefined format, generated and locally queued by the portal is retrieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventors: Anurag Jain, Kenneth Ammon, Thomas Cross, Michael C. Starr
  • Patent number: 11310976
    Abstract: Modular systems for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment may include at least one tank configured to hold liquid. A modular drive assembly may be carried by the at least one tank. At least one propagation module may be drivingly engaged for rotation by the modular drive assembly. The at least one propagation module may be configured to support and propagate at least one plant. At least one pump may be disposed in fluid communication with the at least one tank. The at least one pump configured to pump the liquid from the at least one tank through the at least one propagation module. Modular methods for propagating plants in at least one of a hydroponic environment and an aquaponics environment are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: John Thomas Cross
  • Patent number: 11309160
    Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for an x-ray imaging system. In one example, an x-ray tube of the imaging system includes a rotor with a core forming a continuous unit with at least one of a retention sleeve and a bearing assembly sleeve. The rotor further includes one or more magnets disposed in the core and maintained in place by the retention sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GE Precision Healthcare LLC
    Inventors: Nidhishri Tapadia, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Andrew Thomas Cross, Ian Strider Hunt
  • Publication number: 20220091994
    Abstract: Systems and methods for a unified, cloud-managed platform for controlling enterprise network security are provided. According to one embodiment, a network of an enterprise is protected by a cloud-managed platform. An underlying architecture of the cloud-managed platform is abstracted by providing a portal through which modifications to security policies are expressed as business requirements of the enterprise. The security policies are automatically enforced regardless of location or endpoint. A policy digest, including information regarding the modifications and formatted according to a predefined format, generated and locally queued by the portal is retrieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Publication date: March 24, 2022
    Applicant: Fortinet, Inc.
    Inventors: Anurag Jain, Kenneth Ammon, Thomas Cross, Michael C. Starr
  • Publication number: 20220068585
    Abstract: Various systems and methods are provided for a biased cathode assembly of an X-ray tube with improved thermal management and a method of manufacturing same. In one example, a cathode assembly of an X-ray tube comprises an emitter assembly including an emitter coupled to an emitter support structure, and an electrode assembly including an electrode stack and a plurality of bias electrodes. The emitter assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together. The electrode assembly including a plurality of independent components that are coupled together, and the emitter assembly being coupled to the electrode assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Andrew Thomas Cross, Uwe Wiedmann, Marshall Gordon Jones, Carey Rogers, John Scott Price, Joseph Darryl Michael, Sergio Lemaitre, Fulton Jose Lopez, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, Steve Buresh, David Wagner
  • Publication number: 20220069672
    Abstract: An electric motor may include a stator assembly comprising a stator housing, and one or more rotors coupled to the stator by a rotor shaft assembly. The stator housing may include a cooling structure that has a plurality of cooling body portions and a plurality of cooling conduits defined by the plurality of cooling body portions. A method of forming a stator housing for an electric machine may include additively manufacturing a stator housing that includes a cooling structure defining a fluid domain, coupling a working fluid source to the stator housing and introducing a working fluid into the fluid domain defined by the cooling structure, and sealing the cooling structure with the working fluid contained within the fluid domain of the cooling structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph John Zierer, Brian Magann Rush, Karthik K. Bodla, Andrew Thomas Cross, Vandana Prabhakar Rallabandi, Konrad Roman Weeber, Anoop Kumar Jassal