Patents by Inventor Thomas Dean Schaefer

Thomas Dean Schaefer 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: 9494181
    Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a fastener having a head with an underside and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The fastener constructed of at least one of a refractory metal and a superalloy. A washer includes a body with an upper surface and an opposing lower surface which defines opening portion for receiving the elongated shaft of the fastener therethrough. The upper surface of the washer forms diffusion bonds with the underside of the head of the fastener when the washer and the fastener are held in contact at temperatures in excess of 500° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2016
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen, Evan Michael Lampe
  • Publication number: 20150167724
    Abstract: A fastening assembly includes a fastener having a head with an underside and an elongated shaft extending therefrom. The fastener constructed of at least one of a refractory metal and a superalloy. A washer includes a body with an upper surface and an opposing lower surface which defines opening portion for receiving the elongated shaft of the fastener therethrough. The upper surface of the washer forms diffusion bonds with the underside of the head of the fastener when the washer and the fastener are held in contact at temperatures in excess of 500° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Gregory Alan Steinlage, Donald Robert Allen, Evan Michael Lampe
  • Patent number: 8542801
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, an X-ray tube for off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation is provided. The X-ray tube includes a cathode, a target, and a magnetic focal spot control unit having at least one electromagnet encased in a resin loaded with X-ray attenuating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ethan James Westcot, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Kalyan Koppisetty
  • Patent number: 8512059
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within a connector. In one embodiment, a connector X-ray shielding capabilities is provided. The connector includes a housing with openings for an electrical cable as well as an electrical connection. The connector further includes an X-ray shielding liner made of moldable synthetic material doped with an X-ray attenuating material. The X-ray shielding liner is disposed within the housing, and also includes openings for the electrical cable and electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Edward Emaci
  • Publication number: 20120177186
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within X-ray tubes, for example X-ray tubes used in CT imaging. In one embodiment, an X-ray tube for off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation is provided. The X-ray tube includes a cathode, a target, and a magnetic focal spot control unit having at least one electromagnet encased in a resin loaded with X-ray attenuating material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ethan James Westcot, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Kalyan Koppisetty
  • Publication number: 20120178297
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate to off-focal X-ray radiation attenuation within a connector. In one embodiment, a connector X-ray shielding capabilities is provided. The connector includes a housing with openings for an electrical cable as well as an electrical connection. The connector further includes an X-ray shielding liner made of moldable synthetic material doped with an X-ray attenuating material. The X-ray shielding liner is disposed within the housing, and also includes openings for the electrical cable and electrical connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith, Edward Emaci
  • Patent number: 7583791
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Ron Kent Hockersmith, Michael Scott Hebert, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ethan James Westcot
  • Publication number: 20080260105
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes a stationary base and a passage therein. The x-ray tube includes an anode frame having an anode positioned adjacent to a first end and having a neck at a second end, the neck extends into the passage, wherein the anode frame is configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the passage. A hermetic seal is positioned about the neck between the neck and the stationary base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2007
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Thomas Dean Schaefer, Ron Kent Hockersmith
  • Patent number: 7377695
    Abstract: An x-ray target assembly is provided comprising a drive shaft and an outer shaft housing element. A primary integral duplex bearing assembly is positioned between the outer shaft housing element and the drive shaft and comprises a primary fixed outer race and a primary dual inner race comprising a first primary inner race element and a second primary race element. A plurality of primary ball elements are positioned therebetween. A secondary integral duplex bearing assembly is positioned between the outer shaft housing element and the drive shaft and comprises a secondary floating outer race comprising a single secondary race element. A secondary dual inner race is comprised of a first secondary inner race element and a second secondary race element. A plurality of secondary ball elements are positioned between the secondary floating outer race and the secondary dual inner race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liangheng Qiu, Thomas Dean Schaefer, Paul M. Ratzmann
  • Publication number: 20080095316
    Abstract: The present application discloses an anode assembly for an x-ray device. The anode assembly includes an anode and an anode shaft mounted to the anode. The anode assembly additionally includes a plurality of ceramic bearing balls adapted to rotatably support the anode shaft. In an embodiment, a plurality of metallic bearing balls are also provided to rotatably support the anode shaft. In another embodiment, the plurality of ceramic bearing balls and the plurality of metallic bearing balls have a solid lubricant coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Liangheng Qiu, Carey Shawn Rogers, Michael J. Danyluk, Thomas Dean Schaefer