Patents Examined by Corey D. Mack
  • Patent number: 6935196
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for load testing lifting containers and their related cable slings using a hydraulic jacking arrangement located within the container itself for equalized stress loading of the container and its cable slings and lifting eyes under various prescribed conditions. The apparatus being portable and expandable to accommodate various size containers applies isometric loading throughout the structural containment without lifting the container off the deck or inducing external heavy loads. The jacking arrangement includes tensions legs, an extendable screw jack and a hydraulic ram to which the container's cable slings are attached. Actuating the hydraulic ram applies tension to the cable slings and simultaneously to the tension legs located at strategic points on the floor of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: David M. Tumlin
  • Patent number: 6931945
    Abstract: A Doppler type ultrasonic flowmeter has an ultrasonic transmitting means for emitting ultrasonic pulses from an ultrasonic transducer into a fluid pipe, a flow velocity profile measuring means for receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected from a measurement region in the fluid pipe thereby to measure a flow velocity profile of a fluid to be measured, a fluid flow rate computing means for calculating the flow rate thereof on the basis of the flow velocity profile of the fluid to be measured, and a frequency selecting and setting means for automatically selecting a fundamental frequency of an ultrasonic wave that causes a resonant transmission phenomenon to take place from the ultrasonic transducer. The frequency selecting and setting means controls the operation of the ultrasonic transmitting means such that an ultrasonic wave of a selected optimum frequency is emitted from the ultrasonic transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignees: The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated
    Inventors: Yasushi Takeda, Michitsugu Mori
  • Patent number: 6931944
    Abstract: A measuring head for an ultrasonic flowmeter, in which an ultrasonic coupling element and a measuring head housing are cast together and form, along with casting material, a contact surface E. The surface E allows an effective transfer of heat to the measuring head. In order to compensate manufacturing tolerances, the distance a between the measuring head housing and the ultrasonic coupling element is at least 1 mm in the area of the contact surface E.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Achim Wiest, Andreas Berger
  • Patent number: 6928883
    Abstract: A magnetic field coupler has a plurality of magnetic poles with respective first ends located immediately adjacent a circular path of a rotating magnet in a meter. The magnetic poles have respective opposite ends located immediately adjacent a magnetic sensor in a meter reading device. A nonmagnetic material separates each of the plurality of poles from all others of the plurality of the poles, and the nonmagnetic material is joined with the poles to form a unitary structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Assignee: Mercury Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne H. Lehker, Steven R. Snoke, Jon L. VanDonkelaar
  • Patent number: 6928884
    Abstract: A bi-directional, clean or grey medium, wide temperature range, low intrusion, low turbulence, mass flow meter extends multiple pressure sensing tubes, each containing multiple pressure sensing ports, into a bounded path a distance no more than one half the diameter of the path, or semi-traversing. These sensing tubes sense impact or static pressures to obtain a sensing pressure, and are in fluid communication with a channel located externally of the bounded path which provides a total average sensing pressure for measurement. A series of reference pressure ports are located flush to the wall surface of the bounded path to obtain a reference pressure. These reference ports are in fluid communication with another channel located externally of the bounded path which provides a total average reference pressure for measurement. The difference in total average sensing pressure and total average reference pressure can be measured and used to calculate the average velocity and volume of gas within the bounded path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2005
    Inventor: John J. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6920799
    Abstract: An magnetic flow meter is provided which includes a reference electrode configured to electrically couple process fluid flowing within a flowtube of the flow meter. The reference electrode is adapted to measure potential of the process fluid. A current limiter is configured to limit current flow through the reference electrode and thereby reduce corrosion of the reference electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Robert K. Schulz
  • Patent number: 6920798
    Abstract: The transducer (1) has at least one at least temporarily vibrating flow tube (101) of predeterminable lumen for conducting a fluid. The flow tube (101) communicates with a connected pipe via an inlet tube section (103), ending in an inlet end, and an outlet tube section (104), ending in an outlet end, and in operation performs flexural vibrations about an axis of vibration joining the inlet and outlet ends. The flow tube (101) has at least one arcuate tube section (101c) of predeterminable three-dimensional shape which adjoins a straight tube segment (101a) on the inlet side and a straight tube segment (101b) on the outlet side. At least one stiffening element (111, 112) is fixed directly on or in close proximity to the arcuate tube segment (101c) to stabilize the three-dimensional shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Martin Anklin
  • Patent number: 6915699
    Abstract: A method includes disposing a first accelerometer on a verification point of a first device, disposing a second accelerometer on a first flat, measuring components of the force of gravity of the first accelerometer and the second accelerometer in the directions of detecting axes of the first accelerometer and the second accelerometer respectively, and determining whether the assembly of the first device is successful according to the measurements of the two accelerometers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Wistron Corporation
    Inventor: Keng-Ming Hsiao
  • Patent number: 6915706
    Abstract: A flowmeter has an inlet body including a flow detector and an outlet body including a flow adjuster. The inlet body is fixed to the outlet body and forms a single piece assembly comprising an inlet tube and a measurement tube. The flow adjuster includes a disk turned by a knob. The disk has holes so at least one hole always faces the outlet tube, regardless of the position of the disk, to allow flow distribution without the risk of interrupting it even while flow is adjusted, and enable gradual flow adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: GCE S.A.S
    Inventor: Guy Rousselin
  • Patent number: 6915704
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a flow meter of the present invention includes: transmission/reception means provided in a flow path for performing transmission/reception using a state change of fluid; repetition means for repeating the transmission/reception; time measurement means for measuring a time of propagation repeated by the repetition means; flow rate detection means for detecting a flow rate based on a value of the time measurement means; and number-of-times change means for changing to a predetermined number of repetition times. With such a structure, an influence caused by a variation of a flow can be suppressed by changing the number of repetition times so as to be suitable for a variation. As a result, reliable flow rate measurement with a high accuracy can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Umekage, Yukio Nagaoka, Osamu Eguchi, Shuji Abe, Yuji Nakabayashi, Kenzo Ohji, Fumikazu Shiba, Akihisa Adachi, Masahiko Hashimoto, Toshiharu Sato, Yuji Fujii
  • Patent number: 6915705
    Abstract: A flow sensor is disclosed that measures a flow of fluid passing through a conduit and a flow resistive element for use in such a flow sensor. The flow sensor includes a housing having a main channel defined therethrough. A flow resistive element is disposed in the housing across the main channel. The flow resistive element includes a rigid body member having a first surface and a second surface. A plurality of unobstructed, wedge-shaped, openings are defined in the body member and extend through the rigid body member. In addition, a plurality of spokes extend from a central portion of the body member to its perimeter so that each spoke separates adjacent wedge-shaped openings from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: RIC Investments, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick W. Truitt, Michael Bobeck
  • Patent number: 6912915
    Abstract: An apparatus for shear testing bonds on 8? and 12? silicon substrates. The apparatus includes a removable platform for securing the 8? wafer and a vacuum chuck for securing a 12? wafer and the removable platform at the same time. A control module controls a moving mechanism to shift a probe to contact the solder ball of the 12? substrate secured on the vacuum chuck or the solder ball of the 8? wafer on the removable platform when the removable platform is fixed on the vacuum chuck. The moving mechanism moves the probe in a direction to separate the solder ball from the wafer. A sensor measures the pulling force exerted on the probe when the probe is moved in a direction and separates the solder ball from the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yue-Ying Jian, Wen-Sheng Wu, Jien-Ren Chen, Wei-Jen Huang
  • Patent number: 6912918
    Abstract: The mass flow rate sensor includes a waveguide disposed in a flow passage having a bluff body facing in an upstream direction. Waves are pulsed along the waveguide for interaction with the fluid. A receiver is coupled to the waveguide to detect a propagated wave and provides a first output signal proportional to the transit time of the propagated wave for determining fluid density. The receiver also provides a second output signal proportional to the shedding frequency of vortices from the waveguide to determine velocity. An electronics module calculates mass flow rate from the velocity times density times area of the flow passage and a constant. In other forms, the velocity is ascertained by transmitting an ultrasonic beam through the shedding vortices to determine vortex frequency which is proportional to velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence C. Lynnworth, Christopher Smart, Thomas Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6912899
    Abstract: An electrical connection portion between a flow rate detecting element and a circuit board is constructed on a portion of a holder positioned inside a holder insertion aperture. The holder is supported as a cantilever in an external structural member by fixing a base end portion of the holder to the external structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Souichi Satou, Hiroyuki Uramachi
  • Patent number: 6910385
    Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to a solid-state capacitance sensor for measuring a strain force on a dielectric having a corresponding dielectric constant includes at least one pair of electrodes disposed so as to interface with the dielectric. The sensor preferably includes a measuring circuit coupled to the electrodes to measure a change in the dielectric constant in response to the force. In operation, the change in the dielectric constant is caused by an electrostrictive response of the dielectric upon deformation. Preferably, the response is quantified by computing a change in the dielectric constant based on a measured change in capacitance. The electrodes may be fixed to the dielectric, and the measuring circuit determines the change in the dielectric constant by measuring a change in capacitance between the pair of electrodes and then computing the change in the dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventor: Yuri M. Shkel
  • Patent number: 6907792
    Abstract: A flow rate of fluid moving within a tube having a small diameter can be measured by the steps of: preparing a structure that has first and second oscillation wave generating-detecting means on a surface of a wall along the conduit; moving the fluid in the conduit; generating an oscillation wave in the first oscillation wave generating-detecting means, applying the wave onto the wall, and measuring a period of time required for transmitting the generated oscillation wave to the second oscillation wave generating-detecting means within the wall; generating an oscillation wave in the second oscillation wave generating-detecting means, applying the wave onto the wall, and measuring a period of time required for transmitting the generated oscillation wave to the first oscillation wave generating-detecting means in the wall; and comparing a difference of the periods of time of transmission and separately prepared calibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Inventor: Kazumasa Ohnishi
  • Patent number: 6907793
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for determining a torque (MGL) of an electrical machine (19), in particular a generator (19) in a motor vehicle, are proposed. The method and the apparatus are characterized in that by a unit (43), the torque (MGL) of the electrical machine (19) is ascertained as a function of a current electrical power (PG) of the generator (19), a current generator rpm (NG), and a current generator efficiency (nG).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Reutlinger, Clemens Schmucker, Torsten Baumann
  • Patent number: 6904799
    Abstract: A system for measuring the velocity of a fluid can comprise a temperature sensor, for measuring the ambient temperature of the fluid, an RTD placed in the flow path of a fluid, the RTD being included as part of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, a digital potentiometer, the digital potentiometer also being included as part of a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and a controller coupled to the temperature sensor, the RTD and the digital potentiometer. In the system, the controller adjusts the digital potentiometer in response to an ambient fluid temperature signal from the temperature sensor such that the temperature of the RTD remains at a constant differential temperature above the ambient fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2005
    Assignee: Polar Controls, Inc.
    Inventors: Adam J. Cohen, Josh E. Tang, Thomas R. Thibodeau
  • Patent number: 6901812
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor having a pair of ultrasound transducers adapted to be inserted in and being able to perform at a single site of introduction into a duct. The ultrasonic sensor measures a forward ultrasonic path transit time and a second reverse ultrasonic path transit time of ultrasound signals propagating in a fluid. The arrangement being such that a comparison of the signal associated with ultrasound travel in one direction with that of the signal associated with ultrasound travel in the opposite direction enables the flow rate of the fluid in the duct to be determined. The ultrasonic sensor may utilize a reflecting surface on the duct and a reflective surface of an ultrasonic sensor end cap to provide forward and reverse ultrasonic W-shaped paths. In addition, the ultrasonic sensor may also be used to measure the temperature, viscosity, and cavitation effects of a fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: PTI Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel K. Moscaritolo, Francis H. Kantor, Fermin A. Sandoval Diaz
  • Patent number: 6895825
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly for helping monitor a fluid flowing through a duct is disclosed herein. The assembly includes: (1) a piezoelectric transducer element having a first contact surface electroplated with a first metallic film layer and an opposite second contact surface electroplated with a second metallic film layer; (2) a housing, configured on and at least partially conterminous with the outer surface of the duct, having a chamber in which the piezoelectric transducer element is situated and thereby substantially enclosed; and (3) means for conducting electrical signals between the electroplated first contact surface of the piezoelectric transducer element and the outside of the housing. In the assembly, the electroplated second contact surface of the piezoelectric transducer element is solder-mounted within the housing such that the piezoelectric transducer element is thereby coupled to the outer surface of the duct in a substantially conterminous fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Sarkis Barkhoudarian