Patents Issued in August 25, 2009
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Patent number: 7578139Abstract: A controller reduces a rotational speed of a Rankine cycle from a predetermined normal rotational speed during an operation of a compressor in a predetermined state when the controller determines that a predicted refrigerant flow quantity, which is predicted by assuming that the compressor is operated in a sole operation of the Rankine cycle at the predetermined normal rotational speed of the Rankine cycle, exceeds a predetermined flow quantity. The predetermined state is a state that satisfies a predetermined condition, which relates to the sole operation of the Rankine cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignees: DENSO CORPORATION, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Michio Nishikawa, Atsushi Inaba, Hironori Asa, Hiroshi Kishita
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Patent number: 7578140Abstract: A direct expansion geothermal heat exchange system including certain line set sizes, distances, designs, depths, and lengths, including a long trench system design, certain vapor line coverings and moisturizing means, certain refrigerant operational pressures and type, certain pin restrictor sizes and locations, certain liquid line insulation lengths, certain containment pipe composition, pipe sizing with polyethylene, pipe antifreeze fill percentage, and pipe top sealing, a certain oil return safeguard procedure, certain interior heat exchanger design tonnages with predominate heating loads and with predominate cooling loads, a certain receiver type and capacity, an optional means of placing sub-surface refrigerant transport tubing within respective protective containment pipes, certain trench system and well/borehole system combinations, and certain trench creation means.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Earth To Air Systems, LLCInventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
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Patent number: 7578141Abstract: A refrigerator having an in-door water dispenser and a water routing system is provided with a cabinet. A door is reversibly hinged to the cabinet at either a first edge or a second edge. A water supply line leads from a water reservoir and has a first connection at a first top front corner of the cabinet and a second connection at a second top front corner. A feeder line leads from the dispenser to a top surface of the door with an end at one of the first door edge and the second door edge. When the door is hinged along the first edge, the end of the feeder line is connected to the first connection and when the door is hinged along the second edge, the end of the feeder line is connected to the second connection.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Sooraj Puthiyaveetil, Sinuhé Argumedo, Jeffrey Neil Wilson, Frank W. Klitzing, Matthew P. Dieg, Kevin R. Leatherwood, Jeffrey J. Smale, Mark G. Steffenhagen
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Method for recovering the energy of gas expansion and a recovery device for carrying out said method
Patent number: 7578142Abstract: The proposed method and the installation are intended for application in systems of reduction of natural gas from high—e.g. in a borehole or in a main pipeline down to the pressure value required for the consumer. The essence of the proposed method is that in the known method of utilization of natural gas energy in the process of gas pressure drop from increased, e.g. in a gas main pipeline down to the required value by conversion of natural gas expansion energy to mechanical energy with the aid of the gas cooled down in the process of pressure drop as a cooling agent, the innovation is multi-stage gas pressure drop and multi-stage take-off of generated cold. The essence of the proposed method is that a utilization power installation the inlet of which is connected to high pressure gas borehole or main pipeline (3) and the outlet—to low pressure natural gas pipeline or to low pressure natural gas consumer (7, 9), comprises a gas expansion machine (e.g.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2001Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventors: Vladimir Yarslavovich Vasiljev, Oleg Mikhailovich Kiselev -
Patent number: 7578143Abstract: A thermal compressive device provides energy-efficient heating or cooling by exploiting heat regeneration in a sorption system. The device comprises an array of generator modules (7) arranged in two banks (10, 11) to either side of a heating zone (13). Heat carrier fluid is driven past the modules in a reversible direction. During one phase, generators in the first bank (10) are cooled and therefore in various stages of sorbate re-adsorption. Sorbate in associated evaporator region(s) (26) will boil, enabling cooling of surrounding fluid (33). Generators (7) in the other bank (11) will be in various stages of desorption. Sorbate in associated condenser region(s) (21) will condense, enabling heating of its environment. During the other phase, each generator (7) switches function, but cooling remains at evaporator regions (26) and heating at condenser regions (21). Each module may be a self-contained unit comprising generator (7), condenser (21) and evaporator (26) sections.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2003Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: University of WarwickInventors: Robert Edward Critoph, Zacharie Tamainot-Telto
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Patent number: 7578144Abstract: A method of a stirring a molten glass which includes an analytical model which may be used to optimize the stirring conditions to minimize refractory metal inclusions which may result from the stirring operation.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Corning IncorporatedInventors: Richard Bergman, May Yanmei Xun
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Patent number: 7578145Abstract: The devices for manufacturing glass performs comprise multiple gob casting molds, devices for displacing the gob casting molds and an atmosphere regulating mechanism. In one aspect, the atmosphere regulating mechanism independently regulates an atmosphere to which the glass is exposed on the gob casting molds in the casting area, molding area, or removal area relative to an atmosphere of at least one other area. In a second aspect, the atmosphere regulating mechanism divides the molding area into multiple subareas, and independently regulates an atmosphere to which the glass on the gob casting molds is exposed in at least one of the multiple subareas relative to the atmosphere in at least one other subarea and/or at least one other area.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Hoya CorporationInventor: Masahiro Yoshida
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Patent number: 7578146Abstract: A knitting loom clip includes a rigid member configured to be connected to a base structure of a knitting loom. The knitting loom clip includes a knitting peg attached. The knitting peg is configured to be positioned between two substantially parallel rows of knitting pegs on the knitting loom.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Provo Craft and Novelty, Inc.Inventor: Clella Gustin
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Patent number: 7578147Abstract: A hand-held knitting needle, crochet hook or similar tool for use in turning yarn into cloth or other material includes one or more holes, each of which is generally placed in a portion of the tool that does not interfere with use of the tool. Each hole is threaded with one or more decorative object supports, made from metals, ribbons, and leathers. Along the support may be strung or attached any combination of decorative objects. Decorative objects may include any number and kind of beads, gemstones, pearls, and other decorative objects.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventor: Debra Lynn Feldman-Abovitz
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Patent number: 7578148Abstract: A color-fast material and method of making same, the material having a combination of a first component with substantial stretch properties and a second component with substantially lower stretch properties than those of the first component wherein the material is a fabric manufactured by knitting, weaving, non-woven or other fabric manufacturing process and the material is dyed prior to fabric formation for providing a material having superior color-fastness and color-uniformity in both stretched and relaxed states.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2003Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: McMurray Fabrics, Inc.Inventor: Brian L. McMurray
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Patent number: 7578149Abstract: A motor having a stator and a rotor is provided as a direct drive for a laundry treatment appliance. The stator of the motor is preferably centered by a preferably cylindrical or conical protuberance in a bearing hole in a bearing spider or a rear wall of a tub of the laundry treatment appliance. The stator may have lugs on pole insulation which guide the rotor during installation, so that permanent-magnet poles of the rotor cannot strike soft-magnetic poles of the stator. A method for installation of the motor is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: February 17, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Bertram Schmid, Rainer Holzer, Thomas Mehrer
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Patent number: 7578150Abstract: A detergent dispenser for a washing machine comprises a box shaped recess and a washing agent drawer slidably mounted in the recess, such drawer being provided with a plurality of separate compartments for containing wash and/or rinse products to be flushed by an incoming water flow into the tub of the washing machine. The detergent dispenser has a channel in the bottom of the recess for directing the incoming water flow towards a predetermined zone of the box shaped recess without flowing through the drawer.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Marcus Zsambeki
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Patent number: 7578151Abstract: A washing fluid tub of a washing machine for accommodating a rotatably driven laundry drum and provided with electrical components in its vicinity, the tub being provided at its outer surface with a plurality of rib structures for diverting any leaking water from the electrical components, at least some of the rib structures being provided with V-shaped drip-off sites for controlling the direction of flow of the water.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG.Inventors: Barbara Blomberg, Egon Brockschmidt, Matthias Hollenhorst, Thorsten Kuka
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Patent number: 7578152Abstract: A Wet processing machine for rope-formed textile product comprises a closed vessel and a Venturi-Transport jet system, which can be impinged to a transport medium current, in order to drive an endless fabric rope circulating in the vessel in a pre-determined rotation context. The transport jet system has a nozzle annular gap through which the transport medium flows, which is restricted on the one side by a nozzle cone with a passage channel. Winding devices are provided upstream of the transport jet system in the fabric rope movement path. Further, devices are available, which serve the application of a processing liquor on the fabric rope in a segment of the fabric rope movement path, which lies between the area of the winding device and the nozzle annular gap of the transport jet system.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Then Maschinen (B.V.I.) LimitedInventors: Carl Cordes, Thomas Widmer
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Patent number: 7578153Abstract: A pelt drying assembly having a pelt board used in the drying of the leather side of a pelt which, in use, is applied to, stretched and secured on the distension element in the stretched position during drying, and a sleeve/bag made of fat and moisture absorbing material for covering the pelt secured in the stretched position by having been drawn over the fur side of the pelt so as to press the pelt against a holding area of the distension element. The sleeve/bag is tubular for drawing onto the pelt board from a pointed end thereof until it covers at least a part of the holding area on the distension element, and has a length equal to at least 1/3, preferably 1/2, of the length of the holding area of the distension element.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Dansk Mink Papir A/SInventor: Jens Hedegaard
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Patent number: 7578154Abstract: A key case includes a housing within which there is a plurality of rotationally mounted key holders. Each key holder is connected to an individual key. A plurality of buttons is mounted on the housing. Pressing on a selected button enables a desired key to swing out of the housing and move into an outwardly projecting position wherein it can be used to unlock a lock. In an alternative embodiment of the invention a selector assembly which is slideably mounted on the housing supports an operating button which facilitates pressing the desired button to select a key.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventor: Bernardo Beresnitzky
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Patent number: 7578155Abstract: A rolling system has a rolling mill a rod workpiece, a wire block comprised of at least two roll stands downstream of the rolling mill, and a calibrating block comprised of three roll stands spaced apart in the direction downstream of the wire block. The workpiece is passed in the direction downstream in the direction from the rolling mill through the wire block and thereafter through the calibrating block with thickness reduction in each block. The gaps of the stands of the calibrating block are set at a fixed spacing and not varied during a rolling operation. A sensor measures the thickness of the workpiece upstream of the calibrating block, and gaps of the roll stands of the rolling mill or wire block are adjusted in accordance with the measured thickness such that the workpiece has a predetermined thickness on entering the calibrating block.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: SMS Meer GmbHInventors: Georg-Albert Kleinfeldt, Lutz Kümmel
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Patent number: 7578156Abstract: A potentially dangerous machine is secured to protect against injuries and has first and second tool parts that define an opening gap between them. At least the first tool part is movable relative to the second tool part in a movement direction during an operating cycle for deforming a workpiece between them by reducing a size of the opening gap in the movement direction. The protected zone precedes the first tool part and extends over at least a portion of the opening gap in the direction of relative movement. The protected zone is monitored with an optoelectronic sensor, and a danger signal is generated in response to a breach of the protected zone. When the size of the opening gap in the movement direction becomes smaller than the protected zone, the size of the protected zone is correspondingly reduced until during subsequent closing movements of the first tool part substantially the entire opening gap is within the protected zone.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Sick AGInventors: Ingolf Braune, Roland Bergbach, Joerg Grabinger
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Patent number: 7578157Abstract: To provide a method and apparatus for seamless tubes in which the occurrence of material peeling can be prevented even when the skew angle ? and tube expansion ratio are increased. A piercing-rolling method for seamless tubes using a piercer, which is provided with a pair of cone-shaped main rolls and a pair of disk rolls, each pair being arranged in an opposing manner with a pass line therebetween as a center axis, and a plug whose center axis coincides with the pass line, wherein a billet to be pierced and rolled is advanced while being spirally rotated by a drive rotation of the main rolls; the method of which is characterized in each of the disk rolls being arranged in an inclined state at a fixed skew angle ? to the pass line.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.Inventors: Tomio Yamakawa, Kazuhiro Shimoda
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Patent number: 7578158Abstract: A process for the shaping of the side surface of a metal body or container (10) such as an aerosol or a beverage bottle for food or technical use, obtained by progressive deformation operating steps of its side surface carried out in sequence on a machine having an intermittent rotating table, an opposite alternate translatory motion plate, a loading drum, gripping pliers of the bodies, deformation and possibly embossing and/or debossing tools and an unloading drum of the same bodies, the process including the steps: feeding the bodies (10) on the machine provided with an intermittent rotating table and of an opposite translatory motion plate; gripping the bodies along a limited area (12) between 10.0 and 35.0 mm, of their side surface from the bottom with a fixed or an axially rotating gripping plier; carrying out a broad deformation (18) on the side surface of the bodies (10) with tools working from the inner and/or outer part of the same bodies.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Frattini S.p.A. Costruzioni MeccanicheInventor: Roberto Frattini
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Patent number: 7578159Abstract: A jaw assembly for use with a crimping tool is described, wherein the assembly includes a jaw arm and a side plate where the side plate is configured to fail in a manner noticeable to a user of the jaw assembly prior to the anticipated failure of the jaw arm. The side plate includes a stress riser, such as a milled slot formed in one face of the sideplate, to ensure such failure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.Inventors: Richard R. Bowles, Paul W. Gress
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Patent number: 7578160Abstract: A pipe-bending machine mandrel includes a rigid member (5), inserted inside a pipe (T) which has an internal dimension Di and can tilt in a bending operation with a mean radius Rm as measured between the rotation center (O) of a bending die and the longitudinal axis (l) of the pipe (T). The rigid member (5) has a proximal side profile with respect to the rotation center (O) and includes a concave intermediate portion as generated by a radius Rci, and a distal side profile with respect to the rotation center (O) that includes two convex, divided, end portions as generated by respective radius Rce, where Rci=Rm?(Di/2)+t, and Rce=Rm+(Di/2)?t, t being a term varying according to the accuracy of the dimensional characteristics of the pipe and of the curve to be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: CML International S.p.A.Inventor: Alessandro Caporusso
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Patent number: 7578161Abstract: Tools for expanding (i.e., flaring and swedging) the ends of metal tubes are configured for attachment to a powered impact hammer, such as an air hammer. A swedging tool for swedging an end of a metal tube has a swedging body with a die section for expanding the tube when driven thereinto and a flanged shank attached to the swedging body and configured for engagement by a powered impact hammer. A flaring tool for flaring an end of a metal tube includes a flaring body having a die section for flaring the tube when driven thereinto. A flanged shank is attached to the flaring body and configured for engagement by a powered impact hammer. A method for expanding an end of a metal tube entails attaching a die body for expanding the end of the metal tube to a powered impact hammer, aligning the die body with the inner diameter of the metal tube, activating the powered impact hammer, and urging the die body a determined distance into the metal tube.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventor: Marion M. Sizemore
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Patent number: 7578162Abstract: A sensor comprises a semiconductor pellet (10) including a working portion (11) adapted to undergo action of a force, a fixed portion (13) fixed on the sensor body, and a flexible portion (13) having flexibility formed therebetween, a working body (20) for transmitting an exerted force to the working portion, and detector means (60-63) for transforming a mechanical deformation produced in the semiconductor pellet to an electric signal to thereby detect a force exerted on the working body as an electric signal. A signal processing circuit is applied to the sensor. This circuit uses analog multipliers (101-109) and analog adders/subtracters (111-113), and has a function to cancel interference produced in different directions. Within the sensor, two portions (E3, E4-E8) located at positions opposite to each other and producing a displacement therebetween by action of a force are determined. By exerting a coulomb force between both the portions, the test of the sensor is carried out.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventor: Kazuhiro Okada
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Patent number: 7578163Abstract: A timing calibration system for an adjustable delay time of a delay module for an electronic circuit is provided. The system includes a control delay module including at least one calibration delay module, the control delay module having a second delay time. The system also includes a timing module associated with the control delay module, a comparison module associated with the timing module and an adjustment module for the delay module. The timing module measures the second delay time, the comparison module compares the second delay time with a desired delay time and produces a comparison result and the adjustment module calibrates the adjustable delay time utilizing the comparison result.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent Canada IncInventors: Henry Steven Greidanus, Rami Emad Labib
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Patent number: 7578164Abstract: A method for inspecting a turbine nozzle segment includes positioning the turbine nozzle segment on a base of a tool, with the outer forward face and the inner forward face of the turbine nozzle segment contacting a surface of the base. The outer wall is positioned between a first pedestal outer stand and a second pedestal outer stand of the tool, and the inner wall is positioned between a first pedestal inner stand and a second pedestal inner stand of the tool. At least one of a position, a depth and a width of a seal slot formed in a side edge of the outer wall and/or the inner wall is measured. At least one axial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment and at least one radial dimension of the turbine nozzle segment are measured.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Graham David Sherlock, Paul Lawrence Kalmar, Benjamin Erick Baker
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Patent number: 7578165Abstract: Measurement devices and methods for measuring balloon catheters are provided. Embodiments enable measuring the outer dimensions and burst pressure of a balloon catheter. The measurement apparatus can measure a balloon catheter in ambient air or a balloon catheter submerged in a heated water bath. In ambient air, an axial drive mechanism translates the balloon catheter in an axial direction and a rotary drive mechanism rotates the balloon catheter while a measurement device is used to measure balloon catheter dimensions. In a water tank, an axial drive mechanism translates the balloon catheter in an axial direction while a measurement device is used to measure the burst pressure of the balloon catheter. The devices and methods can utilize a laser micrometer in order to provide such measurements. A control unit provides a user interface and is capable of displaying real time data during the measurement process.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Interface Associates, Inc.Inventor: Josef J. Stupecky
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Patent number: 7578166Abstract: A calibration system is provided for calibrating acoustic transducers such as phased array acoustic transducers and time of flight acoustic transducers. In one embodiment, a calibration block is provided with predetermined calibration features defined therein. The calibration block may be provided with guide surfaces or engagement surfaces utilized to position the transducers accurately with respect to the calibration features so that the same acoustic scanning views are consistently produced. In one embodiment, the guide surfaces define a recessed region for acoustic couplant. The outputs can be combined to produce an image and compared to a known image to verify that the acoustic transducers are all oriented properly and calibrated for operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2008Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Grant Prideco, L.P.Inventors: Roger E. Ethridge, David A. Mandina, Darko Kamenjasevic, Christopher S. O'Neal
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Patent number: 7578167Abstract: A three-wafer channel or column structure for a fluid analyzer. The structure may have a support member, membrane, or support wafer containing heaters and interactive elements. The membrane may have a channel of one wafer facing the interactive element side and a space of another wafer facing the other side. The membrane may have perforations to equalize the pressures on both sides of the membrane. A detector in the membrane may have exposure to both the channel and space for good sensitivity, as the sample may be on both sides of the membrane. The wafers may be bonded with a thin film of non-flowing viscous material. Capillaries may be attached to an inlet and outlet of the channel and be parallel to an elongated dimension of the channel.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Ulrich Bonne, Robert Higashi
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Patent number: 7578168Abstract: A gas gauge for sensing distance to an object includes a gas supply system and a nozzle that supplies the gas from the gas supply system to a space between the nozzle and the object. For example, the gas supply system supplies the gas with a flow rate that corresponds to a flow in a transitional region between laminar flow and turbulent flow. A surface of the nozzle may be roughened so as to increase a friction factor across the surface, which increases gas pressure drop and also a gain of the nozzle. Noise generated by the increased flow rate may be attenuated using one or more strategically placed Helmholtz attenuators and/or snubbers.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: ASML Holding N.V.Inventor: Herman Vogel
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Patent number: 7578169Abstract: An underground storage system includes a primary containment unit and a secondary containment unit arranged to sealingly encompass the primary containment unit. The underground storage system further includes a leak detection system which is fluidly connected to the secondary containment system, and which is adapted to detect fluid leaks in the primary containment system and the secondary containment system.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Franklin Fueling Systems, Inc.Inventors: Donald P. Kenney, Walt Simmons
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Instrument and method for detecting and reporting the size of leaks in hermetically sealed packaging
Patent number: 7578170Abstract: An instrument for detecting leaks in a hermetically sealed package. The instrument includes (i) a hollow needle, (ii) a mass flow rate sensor in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle, and (iii) a vacuum pump. The vacuum pump is in fluid communication with the lumen defined by the needle for evacuating gas from the hermetically sealed package, and in fluid communication with the mass flow rate sensor for directing mass flow from the evacuated package into operable contact with the mass flow rate sensor so as to permit sensing of any continuing mass flow from the evacuated package. The instrument may further include an oxygen sensor, also in sealed fluid communication with the lumen defined by the hollow needle for analyzing the oxygen concentration of the gas within the hermetically sealed package.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Mocon, Inc.Inventors: Daniel W. Mayer, Timothy A. Ascheman -
Patent number: 7578171Abstract: A method for the characterizing a fluid containing particles reflecting ultrasounds wherein a sample of fluid placed between two surfaces (5, 6) in a rheometer (1) undergoes stress in order to measure the rheological characteristics of the sample (8) during relative movement of the two surfaces (5,6) in relation to each other. Local ultrasound data relating to the sample (8) deformation is collected by ultrasonic-wave-measuring means (2,3,4). The invention also relates to a device for carrying out said method.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - CNRSInventor: Sébastien Manneville
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Patent number: 7578172Abstract: A symmetrical viscosity sensor for measuring the viscosity of fluids such as transmission oil or engine oil. Torsion oscillators are arranged symmetrically on both sides. The viscosity sensor includes a coupling shaft; a torsion oscillator coupled symmetrically to both ends of the coupling shaft; at least one insulator coupled to a center portion of said coupling shaft; a plurality of oscillation means arranged between each torsion oscillator and the insulator; a signal transmission/reception line for transmitting and receiving a driving and detection signal of said oscillation means; and a control unit for controlling said driving and detection signal via said signal transmission/reception line.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jin Hee Cho
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Patent number: 7578173Abstract: A variety of methods for operating a chromatography system are presented. Specifically, methods for operating a pumping system within a chromatography system are presented. The methods presented are directed to pumping apparatus in which very small amounts of fluid are pumped through the system. A number of techniques for detecting and compensating for leaks are presented as well as a number of techniques for operating the pumping system.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Hans-Georg Weissgerber
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Patent number: 7578174Abstract: An apparatus for analyzing a measuring substance which is dissolved in a solvent, comprising a conduit (4) for transporting the dissolved measuring substance from a feed means (3) to a measuring location (12), wherein the feed means (3) is designed to optionally feed a solvent or dissolved measuring substance into the conduit (4), is characterized in that the conduit (4) is designed, at least partially, as a polycapillary area (9) which has N parallel connected capillaries (21a, 21b, 21c; 62a, 62b), such that the individual capillaries (21a, 21b, 21c; 62a, 62b) have identical flow times from the feed means (3) to the measuring location (12) and wherein N?2. The apparatus improves the signal-to-noise ratio of the analysis.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Bruker Biospin GmbHInventor: Martin Hofmann
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Patent number: 7578175Abstract: The sole shape can be designed with ease. The invention provides a method for designing an iron sole shape that includes the steps of setting different parameter values (S1) relating to a sole shape while keeping parameters other than those of the sole shape constant, preparing an iron club (S2) having the parameter values that have been set, a tester using the iron club that has been prepared to hit a ball (S4), measuring a path of the club head (S5) using a camera to obtain data relating to a position and a velocity of the club head, and determining whether or not the sole shape is favorable (S6) based on the data that have been obtained.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Bridgestone Sports Co., Ltd.Inventor: Wataru Ban
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Patent number: 7578176Abstract: A scanning probe microscope's probe tip dimensions as they exist or existed for a certain data or measurement are inferred based on probe activity taking place since a probe characterization procedure was performed. The inferred probe tip dimensions can be used to correct nanoscale measurements taken by the probe to account for changes in the probe's geometry such as wear.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Veeco Metrology, Inc.Inventors: Tianming Bao, Hao-Chih Liu, Gregory A. Dahlen, Rohit Jain
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Patent number: 7578177Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to the use of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based emissions sensors in a turbine engine system to measure one or more emissions values associated with a gas flow in the system. The emissions value can be, for example, the temperature of a gas flow and/or the amount of a particular compound, such as carbon monoxide, in the gas flow. Due to their small size, a plurality of MEMS emissions sensors can readily be incorporated at various locations in a turbine engine system. For example, the MEMS emissions sensors can be operatively positioned in an exhaust stack, downstream of the last row of blades in the turbine section, or in the leading edge of a turbine vane. The MEMS sensors can be operatively connected to a data acquisition system, which can statistically analyze the emissions values measured by the MEMS sensors.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Bunce
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Patent number: 7578178Abstract: A method of inspecting an internal feature of a gas turbine component includes removing a portion of the turbine component to expose the internal feature, treating the surfaces of the internal feature to provide the surfaces with a substantially uniform coloration, generating an electronic model of the internal feature, analyzing the electronic model generated with reference to a nominal electronic model, and providing an output based on the analysis of the electronic model generated.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: United Technologies CorporationInventors: Jesse R. Boyer, Benjamin W. Meissner, Stephen D. Doll, Randall W. Joyner
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Patent number: 7578179Abstract: A temperature control system and method for use with an exhaust flow simulation system. A typical exhaust flow simulator is a burner-based system, in which exhaust from a combustive burner is exhausted through an exhaust line. A temperature control section divides the exhaust from the burner line into two paths: a cool path and an uncooled (hot) path. The cool path uses a heat exchanger to cool the exhaust. The cool path also has a control valve that controls the relative portions of hot and cool exhaust, which are re-mixed downstream the valve into an exhaust line. Various embodiments have different configurations for the two paths.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Ernest Melvin Krueger, Cynthia Chaffin Webb, Jason T. Miwa, Robert W. Burrahm
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Patent number: 7578180Abstract: A tread depth measurement system for measuring a depth of a tread provided to a tire on a vehicle. The system includes an energy source for emitting a wireless signal to be transmitted to the tire; a sensor for detecting a return wireless signal emitted from the tire to be transmitted in response to the wireless signal from the energy source; and a housing over which the tire is to roll while attached to the vehicle, said housing separating the sensor from the tire while the tread depth is being measured. A control unit is operatively coupled to the sensor for determining the depth of the tread as a function of at least the return wireless signal detected by the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventors: Robert Edward Lionetti, Anthony Williams Parsons, Joseph Carmine Lettieri
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Patent number: 7578181Abstract: Providing a method for correcting a data of irregularity of a surface of a body of rotation with an eccentricity included to a data being not affected by eccentricity.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha BridgestoneInventors: Tomohiro Mizuno, Norihiro Honda
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Patent number: 7578182Abstract: A portable tire prep detector is used to detect prep on a tire, when the tire is on a racing vehicle, and when the racing vehicle is on a race track. In one example, the detection of prep using the portable tire prep detector involves a test that takes less than two minutes. Multiple tires can be reliably tested in this way in rapid succession, even if some of the tires tested cause large amounts of prep to be drawn into the portable tire prep detector. In one example, the portable tire prep detector is a portable gas detector involving a catalytic combustion sensor. The portable gas detector is able to detect very low concentrations of hydrocarbons in a sample gas drawn into the detector from the tire surface. If the detector reads above a predetermined threshold value, then the tire is determined to have been prepped.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: RKI Instruments, Inc.Inventors: J. Timothy Ridley, Kevin D. York, Robert O. Pellissier
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Patent number: 7578183Abstract: Acoustic volume indicators for determining liquid or gas volume within a container comprise a contactor to vibrate a container wall, a detector to receive vibration data from the container wall, a processor to convert vibration data to frequency information and compare the frequency information to characteristic container frequency vs. volume data to obtain the measured volume, and an indicator for displaying the measured volume. The processor may comprise a microprocessor disposed within a housing having lights that each represent a particular volume. The microprocessor is calibrated to provide an output signal to a light that indicates the container volume. The processor may comprise a computer and computer program that converts the data to frequency information, analyzes the frequency information to identify a peak frequency, compares the peak frequency to the characteristic frequency vs. volume data to determine the measured volume, and displays the measured volume on a video monitor.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Young Engineering & Manufacturing, Inc.Inventors: Winston B. Young, Huey Wai
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Patent number: 7578184Abstract: A portable apparatus having an accelerometer device and a supporting element in the accelerometer device, having a first body of semiconductor material integrating a sensor element that detects movements of the first body and generates a signal correlated to the detected movement; a second body of semiconductor material that integrates a conditioning electronics and that is electrically connected to the first body; and conductive bumps that provide electrical connection of the first and second bodies to the supporting element. In particular, the conductive bumps connect the first and second bodies to the supporting element without the interposition of any packaging.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2005Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.Inventors: Luca Fontanella, Benedetto Vigna, Ernesto Lasalandra, Caterina Riva
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Patent number: 7578185Abstract: A method of determining a speed of a wheel that involves providing a resolver having a rotor and a stator which resolver produces at least one output signal, operatively connecting the rotor to a wheel such that the resolver is rotated by the rotation of the wheel, producing digital signals indicative of a position of the rotor relative to the stator based on the at least one output signal, and calculating a velocity of the wheel from the digital signals. The digital signals may be used alone or in conjunction with analog wheel speed signals. Also a speed sensor for practicing this method.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Russ Ether, Mark B. Hanson
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Patent number: 7578186Abstract: An inertial sensor and a fabrication method of an inertial sensor are provided. An inertial sensor includes: an elastic support whose one end is supported by a support part disposed on a substrate; an oscillator which is supported by the other end of the elastic support as it is separated from the substrate; and a displacement detecting part which detects a displacement of the oscillator to output a signal, wherein the oscillator is formed with one or both of a groove and a through hole in a direction in parallel with a drive direction of the oscillator.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Kazuhiro Matsuhisa
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Patent number: 7578187Abstract: A vibrating gyroscopic sensor element including a cantilever vibrator, at least one first depression on the cantilever vibrator, a pair of detection electrodes provided on the cantilever vibrator and at least one second depression on the cantilever vibrator. The cantilever vibrator projects from a base area of the vibrating gyroscopic sensor element and the first depression is effective to adjust the frequency difference between a vertical resonance frequency and a horizontal resonance frequency of the vibrator. Further, the second depression is effective to adjust the difference of signals output from the detection electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Assignee: Sony CorporationInventors: Kazuo Takahashi, Teruo Inaguma, Manabu Aizawa, Koji Suzuki, Shin Sasaki, Eiji Nakashio
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Patent number: 7578188Abstract: This invention relates to high precision, fluid-containing, transducer-based accelerometers that are capable of measuring acceleration, inclination, position and velocity by measuring the electronic response of a transducer to fluid flow caused by external acceleration or by free convection. The accelerometers of this invention are capable of varying the local density of the fluid, thereby creating a volume of fluid with a lower or higher density compared to the rest of the fluid in the accelerometer. The movement of this volume of lower or higher density fluid as a result of external acceleration is measured to determine the external acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2007Date of Patent: August 25, 2009Inventors: Vladimir A. Kozlov, Olga Kozlova, legal representative, Dasha Kozlova, legal representative, Vadim M. Agafonov