(19)

(11)

EP 2 262 673 A2

(12)

(88) Date of publication A3: 24.06.2010 (43) Date of publication: 22.12.2010 Bulletin 2010/51 (21) Application number: 09721200.5 (22) Date of filing: 16.03.2009

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  B61L 3/00(2006.01) B61L 27/00(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/US2009/037293 (87) International publication number: WO 2009/117364 (24.09.2009 Gazette 2009/39)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR Designated Extension States: AL BA RS (30) Priority: 21.03.2008 US 52816 21.03.2008 US 52790 02.04.2008 US 61462 (71) Applicant: General Electric Company Schenectady, NY 12345 (US)	(72) Inventors: THIYAGARAJAN, Saravanan Erie, PA 16511 (US) KUMAR, Ajith, Kuttannair Erie, PA 16509 (US) CHANDRA, Ramu, Sharat Niskayuna NY 12309 (US) BROOKS, James, D. Erie PA 16508 (US) (74) Representative: Illingworth-Law, William Illingworth et al Global Patent Operation - Europe GE International Inc. 15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU 15 John Adam Street London WC2N 6LU (GB)