Donald C Mueller

US Patent:

6385293, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Feb 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501441

Inventors:

Norman E. Wandke - Naperville IL
Mark S. Maska - Palatine IL
Donald C. Mueller - Aurora IL

Assignee:

Philips Medical Systems (Cleveland), Inc. - Highland Heights OH

International Classification:

H01J 3510

US Classification:

378131, 378132

Abstract:

A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber ( ) containing a rotor ( ) which rotates an anode ( ) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-ray beam (B) and heat. Heat is carried away from the anode to a bearing shaft ( ) which rotates relative to a stationary rotor ( ) on forward and rear lubricated bearings ( P, R). The heat is directed away from the forward bearings ( F), by a core ( ) of a thermally conductive material, such as copper, disposed in a central cavity ( ) within the shaft. Annular insulating regions ( ) are optionally defined between the core and the bearing shaft adjacent the races to increase the thermal path between the anode and the races. The reduction in temperature of the forward bearings results in a decrease in the evaporation rate of the lubricant ( ) and a corresponding increase in the lifetime of the x-ray tube.

US Patent:

6445770, Sep 3, 2002

Filed:

Feb 10, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/501908

Inventors:

Norman E. Wandke - Naperville IL
Mark S. Maska - Palatine IL
Donald C. Mueller - Aurora IL

Assignee:

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. - Eindhoven

International Classification:

H01J 3510

US Classification:

378132, 378127, 378128

Abstract:

A high energy x-ray tube includes an evacuated chamber ( ) containing a rotor ( ) which rotates an anode ( ) in the path of a stream of electrons (A) to generate an x-rays (B) and heat. The rotor includes a bearing shaft ( ) connected to the anode by a thermally conductive structure ( ). The bearing shaft carries soft metal-lubricated bearing balls ( F, R) in forward and rear bearing races ( ). An annular groove ( ) is defined longitudinally in the shaft which, particularly when evacuated, provides a thermal barrier between the forward race and the portion of the shaft that is thermally connected with the anode. The groove lengthens the path heat entering the bearing shaft travels in order to reach the forward bearing race. As a result, the temperature of the forward race, and hence the evaporation of lubricant during operation of the x-ray tube, is reduced. The groove may be formed by electrical discharge machining the bearing shaft or by forming the shaft from inner and peripheral components ( ) which are connected together adjacent the rear bearing race ( ).

US Patent:

7364322, Apr 29, 2008

Filed:

Jun 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/149838

Inventors:

Rick L. Oppor - Schaumburg IL, US
Bahar N. Wadia - Wheaton IL, US
Donald Charles Mueller - Aurora IL, US
David Allen Wolff - Saint Charles IL, US

Assignee:

TouchSensor Technologies, LLC - Wheaton IL

International Classification:

F21V 21/00
F21V 7/04

US Classification:

362247, 362249, 362240, 362219

Abstract:

A lighting apparatus includes multiple point light sources housed in a reflector housing. The reflector housing diffuses the light produced by the point light sources to emulate a linear light source. Power supplies are provided to energize the light sources, to control heat generation and energy usage, and to provide thermal protection.

US Patent:

7692933, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Jul 14, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/172720

Inventors:

Donald Mueller - Aurora IL, US
Deron Stambaugh - Waterman IL, US
Anthony Russo - Elmhurst IL, US

Assignee:

TouchSensor Technologies, LLC - Wheaton IL

International Classification:

H05K 1/14

US Classification:

361804, 361742, 361758, 361770, 174138 E, 174138 G

Abstract:

A stand-off having a flange and a projecting portion extending from the flange is integrated with a first substrate, for example, a printed circuit board (PCB), by forming a hole in the PCB, inserting the projecting portion of the stand-off through the hole, and attaching a second substrate to the first substrate with the flange therebetween. The flange can be at least partially received by a relief formed in one of the substrates or in an aperture in an adhesive layer between the two substrates. The stand-off can be further secured to the PCB using one or more of adhesives, interference fit techniques, snap-assembly features, and other applicable techniques. Alternatively, the stand-off can be attached to a substrate using a sliding snap feature or sliding interference fit. An attachable component can be attached to the projecting portion of the stand-off.

US Patent:

7850339, Dec 14, 2010

Filed:

Feb 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/705232

Inventors:

Bahar N. Wadia - Bartlett IL, US
Donald Charles Mueller - Aurora IL, US

Assignee:

Touchsensor Technologies, LLC - Wheaton IL

International Classification:

F21V 7/04

US Classification:

362241, 362560, 36224902

Abstract:

A display includes a substrate having front and rear sides and defining one or more optical paths. A light source corresponding to each optical path is associated with the rear side of the substrate. Light propagates from the light source to the front side of the substrate through the corresponding optical path. Offsetting the light source from the centerline of the optical path improves light diffusion by promoting light reflection off the sides of the optical path. Multiple light sources of different colors can be associated with each optical path to provide for variable color output from each optical path at the front side of the substrate.