(19)

(11)

EP 1 407 458 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 14.04.2004 Bulletin 2004/16 (21) Application number: 01950906.6 (22) Date of filing: 05.07.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: G21D 3/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US2001/021327 (87) International publication number: WO 2003/005376 (16.01.2003 Gazette 2003/03)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR (71) Applicant: General Electric Company Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventors: MARQUINO, Wayne San Jose, CA 95118 (US) ECKERT, Eugene, C. Los Gatos, CA 95032 (US) PAPPONE, Daniel, C. San Jose, CA 95156 (US) SEDNEY, Kathy, K. San Jose, CA 95120 (US) (74) Representative: Pedder, James Cuthbert  London Patent Operation,General Electric International, Inc.,15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU London WC2N 6LU (GB)