(19)

(11)

EP 1 279 041 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 29.01.2003 Bulletin 2003/05 (21) Application number: 00928217.9 (22) Date of filing: 20.04.2000

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G01R 31/06, G01R 31/34 (86) International application number: PCT/US0010/549 (87) International publication number: WO 0108/1934 (01.11.2001 Gazette 2001/44)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (71) Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventor: OLDENKAMP, John, Leonard Fort Wayne, IN 46807 (US) (74) Representative: Goode, Ian Roy et al London Patent OperationGeneral Electric International, Inc.Essex House12-13 Essex Street London WC2R 3AA London WC2R 3AA (GB)