Patents Examined by Jill D. Jackson
  • Patent number: 4884066
    Abstract: Deterioration detector system for catalyst in use for emission gas purifier, comprising; an emission passageway through which exhaust gas from internal combustion engine, passes by way of catalyst to facilitate the reducing and oxidizing reaction among the toxicant component of hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide; a sensor placed at the emission passageway to position downstream of the catalyst against the exhaust gas flow so as to generate an output in direct proportion to air-fuel ratio in the exhaust gas; an annunciator arranged to activate in response to the output of more than the predetermined level generated from the air- fuel ratio sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigeru Miyata, Toshiki Sawada
  • Patent number: 4884057
    Abstract: An electromechanical device for easily selecting and engaging different driving modes while an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle is in a forward driving position. Push buttons are positioned so as to be within easy reach of a driver's fingers while the driver is operating the motor vehicle. Each push button corresponds to a particular driving mode. By pressing a push button the gear needed to effectuate the selected mode of operation is activated. The push buttons are electrically connected to a digital control means which controls the implementation and cancellation of the gears used for realizing the selected driving mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Regie Nationale des Usines Renault
    Inventor: Francois Leorat
  • Patent number: 4879546
    Abstract: Hand-held apparatus for detecting presence of halogen refrigerant agents in air in which a pair of ultrasonic transducers are spaced from each other within a measurement probe and test air is continuously drawn between the transducers by a fan. One transducer is energized at constant ultrasonic frequency, and the other transducer is coupled to a rectifier or a phase detector for providing a measurement signal as a function of radiation received at and reflected by such other transducer. A reference signal level is established by selectively sampling and electronically storing of the measurement signal, such that the reference level is automatically or manually updated to reflect changes in ambient conditions. An audio/visual alarm is activated when the measurement signal departs from the ambient reference level by more than a preselected threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1989
    Assignee: Kent-Moore Corporation
    Inventors: Byron J. Dunham, Gary P. Murray, Don A. Bulla
  • Patent number: 4873523
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shallow water detector (10) for a boat (12) comprising a main housing (16) positionable on the boat (12), a source of electrical energy (102), a signal device (36, 38), and an actuating switch assembly (108). The actuating switch assembly includes a normally off, snap-action microswitch (110) enclosed in a housing and having a depressible operator (112) projecting therefrom which, when depressed, turns the microswitch (110) on. A switch actuator member (30) has an end portion (114) directed toward the depressible operator (112) and a guide means (116) which guides the actuator member (30) towards and away from the depressible operator (112). The actuator member (30) is biased by a spring means (120) toward and into depressing contact with the depressible operator (112). A line (28)is connected at one end to the actuator member (30) and at the other end to a weight (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 10, 1989
    Inventor: Harry E. Jones
  • Patent number: 4870413
    Abstract: A self contained electronic vehicle parking device that indicates the relative position of a vehicle in a garage to the operator. A multiple timing circuit is provided to preset indicator activation time and reset the circuit for the next use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Inventors: William E. Walden, J. Howard Deme
  • Patent number: 4870393
    Abstract: The ratio of the pressure change across a portion of the ventilation system of a hydrogen cooled electric power generator to the pressure increase across a reference blower, preferably the purity blower, is compared to a base ratio to generate an alarm when the difference in ratios exceeds a predetermined amount indicative of a failure within the ventilation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1989
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Owen R. Snuttjer, Peter L. Wilhelm
  • Patent number: 4868542
    Abstract: An automobile signalling system includes a programmable processing unit or computer mounted in the vehicle near the driver's station. The unit has a key board and a pre-edit screen for displaying an input from the key board. An output from the processing unit is passed to a light emitting diode display unit mounted in the rear window of the vehicle to cause the LED display unit to produce an illuminated representation of the matter appearing on the screen of the processing unit. Output from the processing unit to the display unit is controlled by the braking system of the vehicle so that a message may be displayed on the display unit only when the brakes of the vehicle are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Inventor: Michael L. Thompson
  • Patent number: 4866428
    Abstract: A system and sensor for remotely monitoring the state of the condition of the electrolyte within each of the battery cells of a power supply is disclosed. The system includes a sensor having a dual ball-float and track arrangement for shuttering a pair of light sources and so as to independently detect and differentiate predetermined low electrolyte specific gravity and a low level of the electrolyte. Two multiplexing units receive the sensor signals and display separate indications of each battery and the states detected. The detector uses a gravity responsive ball disposed within a track that shutters one light source at a predetermined low specific gravity and a second level responsible ball within a second track located above the gravity track and ball. The level ball has a specific gravity which is less than that of the specific gravity responsive ball and shutters the second light source at a predetermined low electrolyte level independently of changes in the specific gravity of the electrolyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1989
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Jay L. Hinkle
  • Patent number: 4864284
    Abstract: A self guided vehicle employs a highly accurate velocity sensor to determine vehicle speed and position. The velocity sensor includes a resolver connected to and rotatable with a ground engaging wheel. A resolver to digital converter (R/D) provides a highly accurate 8-bit digital signal representative of the angle of wheel rotation. A second less expensive and less accurate velocity sensor also receives the modulated sine and cosine signals from the resolver and produces a series of pulses representative of vehicle speed. The pulses are produced by detecting the zero crossings of the sine, cosine, and combinations of the sine and cosine signals. The velocity information present in the second velocity sensor signal is not used to actually guide the vehicle, but merely to generally validate the information present in the R/D signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Crayton, Charles T. Kinas, Scott G. Sinn
  • Patent number: 4862148
    Abstract: A portable electric personal safety device including a tri-sectional elongated hollow tube; electric light source; smoke detection, alarm and electric light circuit means within the tube; a smoke detection and alarm system mounted in the one end section of the tri-sectional elongated hollow tube; an electric light system and transparent covering mounted in the other end section of the tri-sectional elongated hollow tube; the electric light system being driven by the electric light circuit means and battery source mounted within the central section of the tri-sectional elongated hollow tube assembly; the electric light power supply therefore being interposed between the smoke detector/alarm assembly and the electric light assembly; one low voltage small light is situated in the center of the end wall of the smoke detector/alarm housing comprised of the one end section of the tri-sectional elongated hollow tube; one push switch mounted on the outer wall of the one end section of the tri-sectional elongated holl
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Timothy J. Kichline
  • Patent number: 4862149
    Abstract: Device for visualizing failures for gyroscopic instruments comprising, inendently of the size of the indicator which incorporates it, an intuitive warning means accounting simultaneously for the supply of the liability and for the speed conformity of the gyroscope to the required values. It comprises two complementary display zones in the rolling dial (5 and 6) made up by means of elements of liquid crystals presenting an opaque appearance in the presence of a supply voltage and showing a color required in the absence of a supply voltage. One of the zones (5) is comprised of a single active element informing of the disappearance of the supply while the other zone (6) is comprised of a plurality of juxtaposed active elements, which are progressively switched and which give a synoptic perception of the speed reduction of the gyroscopic top of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Assignee: Societe Francaise D'Equipments pour la Navigation Aerienne S.F.E.N.A.
    Inventor: Francis Boyer
  • Patent number: 4857896
    Abstract: A polyphase circuit fuse condition indicating device includes three substantially identical circuits forming a Y-connection across each fuse through first and second leads. Each circuit has an indicator light and a switch with resistors in the leads. The respective circuits are interconnected through a lead having a resistance for each circuit so that an indication will be rendered without a load across the fuse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Stanley J. Brooks
  • Patent number: 4857895
    Abstract: In a combined obscuration and scattered-light smoke detector, light from a light source in a smoke chamber is reflected from an image-forming optical component onto a first light sensor which senses a reduced electrical signal in the presence of smoke while a second sensor, viewing light from the light source at an angle, senses an increased electrical signal in the presence of smoke. The output of each receptor is subjected to a band pass filter, an amplifier and a comparator; the resultant signals insure early and reliable activation of an alarm when even a low level of smoke is present in the smoke detector. A second light source having a wavelength different from that of the first light source provides, in the obscuration mode, added sensitivity to smoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Inventor: Edward K. Kaprelian
  • Patent number: 4857893
    Abstract: A transponder device receives a carrier signal from an interrogator unit. This carrier signal, of frequeny F, is rectified by a rectifying circuit in order to generate operating power. Logic/timing circuits derive a clock signal and second carrier signal of frequency F/n from the received carrier signal. This clock signal reads a unique identifying data word from a programmable read only memory (PROM). The data word is encoded and mixed with the carrier signal in a balanced modulator circuit. The output of the balanced modulator is transmitted to the interrogator unit where it is decoded and used as an identifying signal. The identifying signal identifies the particular transponder device from which it originated. The rectifier and balanced modulator circuits are realized from the same diode elements. All electrical circuits of the transponder device are realized on the same monolithic semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Bi Inc.
    Inventor: Gary T. Carroll
  • Patent number: 4855717
    Abstract: A security device for monitoring unmanned vehicles within an area, the device comprising at least two oppositely directed light barriers associated with the area. Each light barrier includes a light emitter, a reflector, and a light receiver. The light barriers are disposed such that their light-beams are interrupted by the vehicles entering the area. Reflectors are arranged laterally on authorized vehicles, thereby making them undetectable by the security device. Another embodiment uses the light barriers attacted to the vehicle such that unauthorized objects will cause the vehicle to stop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: JD-Technologie AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Hafner
  • Patent number: 4855719
    Abstract: A power receptacle with alarm switch that is actuatable by a standard grounded three-prong plug to output a switch indication. The device consists of at least one three-prong receptacle wherein the third prong contact assures a common or ground connection upon insertion of a three-prong plug. A switch device is secured on the receptacle to extend an actuating arm adjacent the third prong hole in interfering position such that insertion and removal of the plug causes the third prong to move the actuating arm and produce a characteristic switch indication. An improved form of alarm switch uses a hermetically sealed magnetic switch in association with a spring-loaded plunger/magnet assembly to provide corrosion-proof switching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1989
    Assignee: Hermetic Switch, Inc.
    Inventor: William T. Posey
  • Patent number: 4853693
    Abstract: An air condition monitor unit for monitoring the temperature and/or relative humidity of the ambient air. It comprises an air temperature sensor and a relative humidity sensor, and a plurality of memory means capable of retaining set values of respective thresholds comprising the maximum and minimum acceptable values of air temperature and relative humidity. Membrane switch means are connected to the plurality of memory means, operation of which switch means changes a set value retained in the plurality of memory means. Further membrane switch means are connected to the first switch means and the plurality of memory means, successive operation of which further switch means changes the memory means for the time being addressed by the first switch means from memory means to the next in a predetermined cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Inventor: Raymond H. Eaton-Williams
  • Patent number: 4851819
    Abstract: A photoelectric smoke detector of this invention comprises a smoke-detection arrangement including a light emitting element and a photodetecting element and a smoke-detecting unit on which said smoke-detection arrangement is mounted. The smoke-detecting unit includes a base plate to which said smoke-detection arrangement is attached and a peripheral wall having such a configuration that allows smoke to enter from the outside, but substantially prevents light to enter from the outside. The peripheral wall is formed of a plurality of wall elements, each of said wall elements is arranged substantially regularly and formed integrally with said base plate so as to extend downward from the base plate. The smoke-detecting unit further includes an insect net which has been fixed to the outer surfaces of the wall elements in the shaping process of the smoke-detecting unit so as to be fit around the outer periphery of the peripheral wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Assignee: Hochiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hironobu Kawai, Hiroshi Sawa
  • Patent number: 4847598
    Abstract: A signal responsive circuit especially adapted for use in a water treatment system for signaling the need for regeneration of an ion exchange resin bed or the replacement of a particulate filter medium. A series of three electrodes are disposed in the water treatment medium in longitudinally spaced relation along the direction of flow and an alternating current signal drives the center-most electrode. The two outer electrodes are coupled as inputs to first and second operational amplifiers having asymmetrical gain characteristics. When the effective resistance between the center electrode and the two outer electrodes are equal, which is the condition prior to the movement of the hardness front or contamination front to the location of the electrodes, a first signal output condition exists.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: Aqua-Tronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Mario A. Tucci, George K. Sutherland
  • Patent number: 4845475
    Abstract: An automatic testing method and apparatus for proximity switches toggles a proximity switch while storing the initial state of the proximity switch until the toggling is successfully completed. Both the proximity switch position and the validity of the information are provided as outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Joseph T. Cooledge, Thanh J. Gahr