Patents by Inventor Vance Robinson

Vance Robinson 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).

  • Publication number: 20180191228
    Abstract: In one embodiment an apparatus can include a plurality of magnetic material layers. In one embodiment, an apparatus can include one or more electrically insulating layer, wherein the plurality of magnetic material layers and the one or more electrically insulating layer define a stacked up structure, wherein an electrically insulating layer of the one or more electrically insulating layer includes thermally conductive dielectric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: General Electric
    Inventors: Yong LIANG, James BRAY, Francis JOHNSON, John KRAHN, Vance ROBINSON, Manoj SHAH
  • Patent number: 8487534
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature of both an electron emitter and a filament to their lowest possible operating temperature is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filament, an electron emitter heated by the filament to generate an electron beam, and a power supply configured to supply power to each of the filament and the electron emitter. The apparatus also includes a control system to control a supply of power to each of the filament and the electron emitter, with the control system being configured to receive an input indicative of a desired electron emitter operating temperature, cause a desired voltage to be applied between the electron emitter and the filament, and cause a desired voltage to be applied to the filament based on the desired emitter element operating temperature, so as to minimize an operating temperature of the electron emitter and the filament.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Xi Zhang, Vance Robinson, Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 8058159
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a component is disclosed. The method includes: providing a member having an effective work function of an initial value, disposing a sacrificial layer on a surface of the member, disposing a first agent within the member to obtain a predetermined concentration of the agent at said surface of the member, annealing the member, and removing the sacrificial layer to expose said surface of the member, wherein said surface has a post-process effective work function that is different from the initial value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Vance Robinson, Stanton Earl Weaver, Joseph Darryl Michael
  • Publication number: 20110241575
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling the temperature of both an electron emitter and a filament to their lowest possible operating temperature is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filament, an electron emitter heated by the filament to generate an electron beam, and a power supply configured to supply power to each of the filament and the electron emitter. The apparatus also includes a control system to control a supply of power to each of the filament and the electron emitter, with the control system being configured to receive an input indicative of a desired electron emitter operating temperature, cause a desired voltage to be applied between the electron emitter and the filament, and cause a desired voltage to be applied to the filament based on the desired emitter element operating temperature, so as to minimize an operating temperature of the electron emitter and the filament.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventors: Antonio Caiafa, Xi Zhang, Vance Robinson, Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 8027433
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes a detector positioned to receive x-rays, and an x-ray tube coupled to a mount structure. The x-ray tube is configured to generate x-rays toward the detector and includes a target, a cathode cup, an emitter attached to the cathode cup and configured to emit a beam of electrons toward the target, the emitter having a length and a width, and a one-dimensional grid positioned between the emitter and the target and attached to the cathode cup at one or more attachment points. The one-dimensional grid includes a plurality of rungs that each extend in a direction of the width of the emitter, and the plurality of rungs are configured to expand and contract relative to the one or more attachment points without substantial distortion with respect to the emitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yun Zou, Carey Shawn Rogers, Sergio Lemaitre, Mark Alan Frontera, Edward Emaci, Vance Robinson
  • Publication number: 20110026681
    Abstract: An x-ray imaging system includes a detector positioned to receive x-rays, and an x-ray tube coupled to a mount structure. The x-ray tube is configured to generate x-rays toward the detector and includes a target, a cathode cup, an emitter attached to the cathode cup and configured to emit a beam of electrons toward the target, the emitter having a length and a width, and a one-dimensional grid positioned between the emitter and the target and attached to the cathode cup at one or more attachment points. The one-dimensional grid includes a plurality of rungs that each extend in a direction of the width of the emitter, and the plurality of rungs are configured to expand and contract relative to the one or more attachment points without substantial distortion with respect to the emitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Inventors: Yun Zou, Carey Shawn Rogers, Sergio Lemaitre, Mark Alan Frontera, Edward Emaci, Vance Robinson
  • Publication number: 20100055885
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a component is disclosed. The method includes: providing a member having an effective work function of an initial value, disposing a sacrificial layer on a surface of the member, disposing a first agent within the member to obtain a predetermined concentration of the agent at said surface of the member, annealing the member, and removing the sacrificial layer to expose said surface of the member, wherein said surface has a post-process effective work function that is different from the initial value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Vance Robinson, Stanton Earl Weaver, Joseph Darryl Michael
  • Publication number: 20100019646
    Abstract: A carbon-based composition comprising graphite carbon nano-fibers intercalated with a metal useful as a thermionic electron emission material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Inventors: Charles M. Lukehart, Jason A. Michel, Timothy Fisher, Vance Robinson