(19)

(11)

EP 1 395 996 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 10.03.2004 Bulletin 2004/11 (21) Application number: 01937513.8 (22) Date of filing: 18.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G21D 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/016035 (87) International publication number: WO 2002/095769 (28.11.2002 Gazette 2002/48)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (71) Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventors: HOANG, Hoa Milpitas, CA 95035 (US) NIR, Israel Saratoga, CA 95070 (US) POPPEL, Ira San Jose, CA 95120 (US) (74) Representative: Pedder, James Cuthbert  London Patent OperationGeneral Electric International, Inc.15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU London WC2N 6LU (GB)