Vibrator Patents (Class 73/662)
  • Patent number: 8240213
    Abstract: A system for ultrasonic sample preparation includes a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material, a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range, and an ultrasonic probe in contact with the outer surface of the sample container. The ultrasonic probe is in communication with the converter and transmits the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sonics & Materials Inc
    Inventor: Michael Donaty
  • Patent number: 8214104
    Abstract: In an abnormal noise inspection method for an anti-vibration device for vehicle use, it is determined whether, during travel of a vehicle in which a supported member is supported to the vehicle body by an anti-vibration device, abnormal noise occurs or not in the passenger compartment owing to the anti-vibration device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kako Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Ohta, Minoru Katayama, Takashi Moriya, Yoshinori Fujinami, Tetsuya Miyake
  • Publication number: 20120111120
    Abstract: A vibratory gyroscope utilizing a frequency-based measurement and providing a frequency output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION
    Inventors: Oliver Brand, Stefan Schild
  • Publication number: 20120103100
    Abstract: In the measurement method, a vibrator (5) of a detection unit (4) is relatively moved against a plate (3) of which surface is flat having predetermined area. The vibrator (5) which is vibrating is moved closer to a surface of an object-to-be-measured (1) which is mounted on the plate (3) until the frequency thereof is varied. A position where the frequency of the vibrator (5) is varied is output as a contact position where the vibrator (5) is contacted to the object-to-be-measured (1). Then, thickness of the object-to-be-measured (1) is measured by comparing the position where the vibrator (5) is contacted to the object-to-be-measured (1) with a surface position of the plate (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Mitsuru Sueki
  • Patent number: 8146434
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the vibration characteristics of a head gimbal assembly can grasp resonant characteristics at high frequencies and efficiently measure the vibration characteristics of the head gimbal assembly, the apparatus has a shaker head to which the head gimbal assembly is attached, the shaker head has a main body made of ceramics and a fixture made of metal, the fixture is solidly fixed to the main body and is provided with positioning pins and an internal thread, the head gimbal assembly is supported with a mount block, and the mount block has positioning holes to be fitted to the positioning pins of the fixture and a joined part to be removably fastened to the internal thread of the fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Hajime Tada
  • Patent number: 8113057
    Abstract: A switched resonant power amplifier system for ultrasonic transducers is disclosed. The system includes an amplifier that receives and processes a driver output signal for generating a drive signal that is provided to an ultrasonic device for controlling output of the ultrasonic device. An output control circuit receives and processes a signal related to a feedback signal generated by the ultrasonic device and a divider reference signal, and generates a compensated clock signal that is adjusted for at least one of phase and frequency differences between the received feedback signal and the divider reference signal. A compensated drive circuit receives and processes the compensated clock signal for generating the divider reference signal, and for generating the driver output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Covidien AG
    Inventors: James H. Orszulak, James W. McPherson
  • Patent number: 8037768
    Abstract: Adjustment of the distance between the tip of a pickup section and the outer surface of a shaft of a rotor can be carried out easily and with high precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Taku Ichiryu
  • Publication number: 20110218744
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for automatically assessing structural characteristics of a supporting pole sunk in the ground, including the operational steps of detecting data regarding a pole being assessed, striking at least one blow against said pole, detecting pole oscillations generated by said struck blow(s), analyzing detected oscillations in order to determine at least one significant parameter of the oscillation trend, and comparing said significant parameter(s) with pre-established threshold values in order to obtain a conformity or non-conformity index related to pole characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2009
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Inventors: Maurizio Piazza, Gianni Maria Pompermaier, Maria Paola Riggio
  • Patent number: 8006561
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that can realize improvement of sensitivity of a vibrator. A platform 50 to which a substance adheres or sticks is provided to be mechanically coupled to a vibrator 20 of a sensor via bridges 51. Sensitivity of the sensor is improved by causing the mass of a substance adhering or sticking onto the platform 50 as if the substance concentratedly adheres or sticks to places where the platform 50 is connected to the vibrator 20. It is preferable to connect, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to places where the platform 50 vibrates integrally with the vibrator 20. For this purpose, it is preferable to mechanically couple, via the bridges 51, the platform 50 to regions where vibration occurs only in one of an r direction or a ? direction in the vibrator 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignees: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, Olympus Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuo Konno, Tsuyoshi Ikehara, Takashi Mihara
  • Patent number: 8006554
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, a system, and a computer readable medium for determining the fill-ready status of one or more wells of a plurality of wells formed in a filter or solid-phase extraction (SPE) plate. In the method, a signal is directed toward a well of the plurality of wells. A reflected signal is received from the well responsive to the directed signal. The fill-ready status of the well is determined based on the received reflected signal. The steps may be repeated until the fill-ready status of each of the plurality of wells has been determined. In the method and the apparatus, the directed signal may be generated by a piezoelectric crystal. Some of the reflected vibrations impact the piezoelectric crystal, which oscillates in response. The piezoelectric crystal transmits a signal to a processor, the signal corresponding to the height of the liquid or other material in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Caliper Life Sciences, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward H. Thorne, IV
  • Publication number: 20110181741
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a test process of an image stabilization system in an image capture apparatus, comprising steps of: submitting the stabilization system to rotation vibratory movements around two distinct rotation axes, measuring characteristics of rotation vibratory movements, and setting the rotation vibratory movements to setpoint position values and, taking into consideration the measured characteristics of the vibratory movements, collecting images from the image capture apparatus submitted to vibration and analyzing the collected images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: STMICROELECTRONICS (GRENOBLE) SAS
    Inventors: Dominique Luneau, Paul Varillon, Rémi Serve
  • Publication number: 20110179877
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating vibrations in a component comprising a clamp assembly for clamping the component and a vibration generator for generating vibrations in the clamped component, the clamp assembly including: a base member, a pair of fixedly-spaced clamp members and a wedge for laterally wedging part of the component between the clamp members thereby to clamp the component. The base member, or a fixed clamp member, is inclined and the wedge having an inclined wedging surface arranged to engage the inclined base member or inclined fixed clamp member. The apparatus may form part of a test rig for vibration testing components such as turbo machine blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: ROLLS-ROYCE PLC
    Inventors: Sacheev D. HANOOMANJEE, Sophoclis PATSIAS
  • Patent number: 7975551
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator including a pair of first piezoelectric elements having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and polarized in opposite directions; and a pair of second piezoelectric elements, having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and respectively attached to a face of the first piezoelectric element, and polarized in the same direction. In the piezoelectric vibrator the first piezoelectric elements are longer than the second piezoelectric elements, and the first piezoelectric elements vibrate in a longitudinal direction and the second piezoelectric elements vibrate in a bending direction when electrical signals are inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Burhanettin Koc, Sung-Won Min, Dong-Kyun Lee, Jung-Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 7966885
    Abstract: A sonotrode for accelerating shot for ultrasonic shot peening, includes at least one vibration exciter and a cover element that has an output side of the sonotrode, wherein the cover element is to be operated by means of the vibration exciter with a forced vibration such that the value of the vibration amplitude of the cover element corresponds essentially to the value of the vibration amplitude of the vibration exciter, where from this cover element another cover element is set out on the further side of the vibration exciter and in which between these two cover elements is stretched a majority of spring elements in the form of tension springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines GmbH
    Inventors: Erwin Bayer, Philipp Thümmler, Jürgen Steinwandel
  • Patent number: 7952347
    Abstract: A vibration detection circuit. The circuit includes an accelerometer, a combining filter, an amplifier, and an analog to digital converter. The accelerometer generates one or more signals indicative of movement along an axis. The combining filter filters a component of the one or more signals not associated with movement and combines the components of the one or more signals indicative of movement to create a combined signal. The amplifier amplifies the combined signal and creates an amplified signal. The analog to digital converter converts the amplified signal into a digital value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Carnes Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph S. Simon
  • Publication number: 20110056300
    Abstract: An apparatus for applying at least one cyclical load to an elongate specimen, comprising at least two reciprocating mass means 1 each comprising a mass (6) and an actuator (16), wherein the actuator (16) is (5) operatively associated with the mass (6) to move the mass (6) along a linear displacement path, mounting means (2) for mounting each actuator (16) to a specimen, and a control system operatively associated with each actuator (16), the control system operating each actuator (16) to reciprocate its corresponding mass (6) along its respective linear displacement path, wherein the reciprocating mass means (1) are spaced apart such that the actuators (16) move their corresponding masses (6) on separate, and substantially parallel, linear displacement paths is disclosed
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Inventors: Alan Waggot, Peter Hope, Ian Williamson, Richard Court
  • Publication number: 20110050233
    Abstract: Example vibrating helical spring sensors and methods to operate the same are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a housing, a helical spring held in tension, a flowline to expose the helical spring to a fluid, a magnet to expose the helical spring to a magnetic field, and a wire to electrically conduct an actuating current through the helical spring to displace the helical spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shigeru Sato
  • Patent number: 7854903
    Abstract: The invention relates to a reaction chamber system (10, 70) for processing samples, comprising a reaction chamber (12), a sample carrier (26) arranged at least in the reaction chamber (12). When in operation, said sample carrier can be displaced in relation to the reaction chamber (12) by means of a drive device (30) which is coupled to the sample carrier (26). The reaction chamber system also comprises heating means (50) for warming the samples. The invention is characterized in that the heating means (50, 54) are arranged on the sample carrier (26) and can be displaced with the sample carrier (26) when in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: Hettich AG
    Inventor: Klaus Günter Eberle
  • Publication number: 20100300206
    Abstract: A vibration excitator including a main body, a stinger which is adapted to move relative to the main body, in a particular working direction, an actuator coupled to the main body and the stinger, wherein the stinger has a first end that is coupled to the main body, and an opposite second end that is intended for attachment to an object to be examined, wherein the stinger has an elastic centre point, wherein the main body has a centre of gravity, and wherein L1=L3 applies, wherein L1 is the distance between the elastic centre point and the second stinger end, measured along the said working direction, and wherein L3 is the distance between the centre of gravity and the second stinger end, measured along the said working direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Gerardus van der Linden
  • Patent number: 7793547
    Abstract: A vibration excitator is described, comprising: a main body (2); a stinger (3) which is adapted to move relative to the main body (2), in a particular working direction; an actuator (5) coupled to the main body (2) and the stinger (3); wherein the stinger (3) has a first end (3a) that is coupled to the main body (2), and an opposite second end (3b) that is intended for attachment to an object (V) to be examined; wherein the stinger (3) has an elastic centre point (Me); wherein the main body (2) has a centre of gravity (G); and wherein L1=L3 applies, wherein L1 is the distance between the elastic centre point (Me) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction; and wherein L3 is the distance between the centre of gravity (G) and the second stinger end (3b), measured along the said working direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Petrus Johannes Gerardus van der Linden
  • Patent number: 7784349
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a vibrator table apparatus includes a primary table member driven by at least two vibrators, having upper and lower surfaces and defining x and y axes. The improvement of this embodiment includes at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the primary table member defining an opening for each of a first plurality of substantially parallel channels and an opening for each of a second plurality of substantially parallel channels substantially perpendicular to the first plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Venturedyne, Ltd.
    Inventor: Joseph D. Wetzel
  • Patent number: 7764038
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method that can comprise, via a device that originates sub-harmonic vibrations, applying a vibration treatment, to a rotor of an electric motor for a predetermined time period. The rotor can be thermally sensitive. The vibration treatment can be adapted to reduce internal stresses in the rotor, thereby reducing a vibration level of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Yagnesh Kikaganeshwala, William Finley, Joerg Ernst, Jason Obermeyer
  • Patent number: 7726190
    Abstract: A speaker unit has a plurality of sound sources each outputting a sound wave. The compressional, sound wave output from the speaker unit arrives, or vibrates air, which moves a movable part of a three-axis acceleration sensor, or a microstructure of a chip to be tested TP. As the movable part thus moves, a value in resistance accordingly varies, and such variation is measured as based on an output voltage provided via a probe. A control unit determines a property of the three-axis acceleration sensor from a value in property as measured or measurement data. Furthermore, the plurality of sound sources can be spaced by a pitch of a predetermined value set as based on their difference in the distance to the movable part of the three-axis acceleration sensor and the wavelength of the test wave to apply a composite test wave to the movable part such that the composite sound wave's composite sound field is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Matsumoto, Naoki Ikeuchi, Masami Yakabe, Keiichi Enjoji, Masato Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20100131236
    Abstract: Deflection measuring apparatus and methods are used to prevent overstress of printed circuit boards (PCB) prior and during testing. They can be used to verify in a HALT, HASS of ESS testing protocol, if the PCB testing fixture and vibration testing setup would be likely to cause failure of PCB components during pre- testing and testing procedures, which failure would otherwise not occur with faultless components. Furthermore, In the context of a PCB to be integrated to a system as a product such as a computer, the deflection measuring apparatus and methods are used to prevent overstress of PCBs at the system assembly stage, to ensure that operations involved, such as plugging of PCB connectors, will not cause PCB components failure, which would otherwise not occur with faultless components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Francois Lafleur, Michel Therien
  • Publication number: 20100050774
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator including a pair of first piezoelectric elements having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and polarized in opposite directions; and a pair of second piezoelectric elements, having the same rectangular parallelepiped shape and respectively attached to a face of the first piezoelectric element, and polarized in the same direction. In the piezoelectric vibrator the first piezoelectric elements are longer than the second piezoelectric elements, and the first piezoelectric elements vibrate in a longitudinal direction and the second piezoelectric elements vibrate in a bending direction when electrical signals are inputted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Burhanettin Koc, Sung-Won Min, Dong-Kyun Lee, Jung-Ho Ryu
  • Publication number: 20100045976
    Abstract: What is disclosed is an inspection device and a method wherein interconnected, substantially flat bags are provided, in which bags objects are present which are set vibrating, after which one or more images of the objects in the bag are recorded. The vibration is exerted on the objects in the plane of the interconnected bags, whilst a squeezing force effected by means of a pulling force on the bags is exerted on the vibrating objects. The combination of said vibration and said squeezing force on the objects, such as tablets, leads to a quiet and reliable inspection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: HD Medi B.V.
    Inventor: Minne Jorritsma
  • Patent number: 7644619
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrator and an ultrasonic motor having the piezoelectric vibrator. A piezoelectric vibrator has a multilayered piezoelectric actuator, with special internal and surface electrodes making the body vibrate in a longitudinal and bending direction when an electrical signal is inputted. It can be manufactured using conventional multilayer piezoelectric actuator manufacturing techniques, therefore, it has reduced manufacturing time and cost, as it is not necessary to go through two polarization processes, and may simplify and decrease the volume, while improving the vibration performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electro Mechanics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Burhanettin Koc, Sung-Won Min, Dong-Kyun Lee, Jung-Ho Ryu
  • Patent number: 7590495
    Abstract: A method for calculating material properties of a material includes determining a dilatational wavespeed and a shear wave speed. The dilatational wavespeed is determined by conducting vertical vibration tests of two specimens of the material, one specimen being twice as thick as the other. Transfer functions are obtained from these tests and used to calculate the dilatational wavespeed. The shear wavespeed is determined by conducting horizontal vibration tests of two specimens with one specimen being twice as thick as the other. The shear wavespeed can be calculated from transfer functions obtained from these tests and the dilatational wavespeed. Other material properties can be calculated from the dilatational and shear wavespeeds. Frequency dependence of the properties can be determined by conducting the tests at different frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Andrew J. Hull
  • Publication number: 20090223297
    Abstract: A vibration characteristic measuring device is provided with a shaker, including a shaking section which reciprocates along an axis, and a mounting block fastened to a mounting surface of the shaking section. A disk drive suspension is mounted on the mounting block. The mounting block has a facing surface which faces the mounting surface of the shaking section. An adhesive member formed of a resin tape is disposed between the mounting surface and the facing surface of the mounting block. The adhesive member is deformable depending on a gap between the mounting surface and the facing surface. The adhesive member closely contacts both the mounting surface and the facing surface without a gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hajime Tada, Mikio Arai
  • Patent number: 7587057
    Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a family of vibroacoustic emulators to simulate the vibroacoustic characteristics of components of an electronic device. Specific embodiments for simulating a hard disk drive comprise a housing and a vibroacoustic generator coupled to the housing. Various embodiments enable acoustic emulation through a cover side and base side, out-of-plane vibrational emulation to simulate hard disk drive during seek periods, and in-plane vibrational emulation to simulate a hard-disk drive during idle periods. Methods for using the vibroacoustic emulators to characterize system noise are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Eric Baugh, Fu-Ying Huang
  • Patent number: 7584060
    Abstract: A method for calculating material properties of a material includes conducting two insertion loss tests of the material having a single thickness and a double thickness. These tests are conducted at a zero wavenumber. Utilizing these insertion loss tests, a dilatational wavespeed is computed. The method continues by calculating a shear wavespeed by performing three insertion loss tests of the material at single, double and triple thicknesses. These tests are conducted at a non-zero wavenumber. A shear wavespeed can be calculated from the dilatational wavespeed and these insertion loss tests. Lamé constants, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and the shear modulus for the material of interest can then be calculated using the dilatational and shear wavespeeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Andrew J. Hull
  • Publication number: 20090205430
    Abstract: Focusing on the criterion of “Energy save” or “Quiet noise” or other suitable operating parameter and considering the existing limitation of the operation of the electro-dynamic shaker system, apparatus for optimizing the operating condition of the vibration test system is proposed. The apparatus 100 measures the field current and drive current under the state that the desired vibration is fed to the specimen 20, and calculates the necessary force the shaker 1 should supply. Field current is supposed to be varied, and the necessary drive current is calculated based on the necessary force data. Further, the blower rotation is supposed to be varied, and the total power consumption at the coils and the blower is calculated. Also the temperatures of the field coil 4 and of the drive coil 10 is estimated and checked whether within the limitation. Then the optimal operating condition for the focused criterion is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: IMV CORPORATION
    Inventors: John GOODFELLOW, Kazuyoshi UENO, Milan PRODANOVIC, Koshi YAMAMOTO, Norihiro MAEDA
  • Patent number: 7549340
    Abstract: An apparatus surely measures the vibration characteristic of a head gimbal assembly and has a wide range of resonance frequencies to be set, the apparatus has a first laser Doppler vibrometer to detect a vibration velocity of a shaker, a second laser Doppler vibrometer to detect a vibration velocity of a head of the head gimbal assembly fixed to a fixture, and a reflection mirror to orthogonally reflect a laser beam emitted from the first laser Doppler vibrometer toward the fixture fixed to the shaker, and the apparatus finds the vibration characteristic of the head gimbal assembly according to the detected vibration velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Toshiki Ando, Tatsuhiko Nishida
  • Publication number: 20090151459
    Abstract: A system for ultrasonic sample preparation includes a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material, a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range, and an ultrasonic probe in contact with the outer surface of the sample container. The ultrasonic probe is in communication with the converter and transmits the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Donaty
  • Publication number: 20090151460
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, a system, and a computer readable medium for determining the fill-ready status of one or more wells of a plurality of wells formed in a filter or solid-phase extraction (SPE) plate. In the method, a signal is directed toward a well of the plurality of wells. A reflected signal is received from the well responsive to the directed signal. The fill-ready status of the well is determined based on the received reflected signal. The steps may be repeated until the fill-ready status of each of the plurality of wells has been determined. In the method and the apparatus, the directed signal may be generated by a piezoelectric crystal. Some of the reflected vibrations impact the piezoelectric crystal, which oscillates in response. The piezoelectric crystal transmits a signal to a processor, the signal corresponding to the height of the liquid or other material in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Edward H. Thorne, IV
  • Publication number: 20090021722
    Abstract: A specimen optical information recognizing device comprises a specimen containing section (14) containing a specimen (12) to be measured, a specimen measuring section (20) having a light source (16) for outputting light for observing the specimen (12) and a photodetecting section (18) for collecting optical information from the specimen (12), and an optical waveguide (22) for propagating light between the specimen containing section (14) and the specimen measuring section (20). The optical information on the specimen is recognized by using the measurement values acquired under at least two measurement conditions. The specimen optical information recognizing device may further comprises a measurement auxiliary liquid interposed between the end of the optical waveguide and the specimen. Further, the specimen containing section may have a feature that the longitudinal cross section is of a recessed shape, and the aperture depth of the recessed portion is greater than the aperture diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Ken Tsukii, Jie Xu, Kenichi Kimura, Satoshi Sugiyama
  • Patent number: 7383732
    Abstract: Test sound wave is outputted from a speaker. A movable part of a three-axis acceleration sensor, which is a micro structure of a chip to be tested TP, moves due to the arrival of the test sound wave which is compression wave outputted from the speaker, that is, due to air vibrations. A change in the resistance value that changes in accordance with this movement is measured on the basis of an output voltage that is provided via a probe needles. A control part determines the property of the three-axis acceleration sensor on the basis of the measured property values, that is, measured data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignees: Octec Inc., Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Katsuya Okumura, Toshiyuki Matsumoto, Naoki Ikeuchi, Masami Yakabe
  • Publication number: 20080127736
    Abstract: Ultrasound and sonar emitters that generate shock waves are disclosed. Shock wave vibrations are generated by the crack-the-whip motion of materials. Shock wave ultrasound or shock wave sonar can be used for such as medical ultrasound imaging; security and package inspection; petroleum, mineral, subsurface and underwater exploration; quality control, non-destructive testing, and flaw detection; nautical and fresh water sonar depth sounding, fish locating and underwater bottom profiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen Bruce Berman
  • Publication number: 20080127735
    Abstract: Ultrasound and sonar emitters that generate shock waves are disclosed. Shock wave vibrations are generated by materials fracturing, breaking or cracking. Shock wave ultrasound or shock wave sonar can be used for such as medical ultrasound imaging; security and package inspection; petroleum, mineral, subsurface and underwater exploration; quality control, non-destructive testing, and flaw detection; nautical and fresh water sonar depth sounding, fish locating and underwater bottom profiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen Bruce Berman
  • Publication number: 20080127737
    Abstract: Ultrasound and sonar emitters that generate shock waves are disclosed. Shock wave vibrations are generated by shock tube diaphragms rupturing. Shock wave ultrasound or shock wave sonar can be used for such as medical ultrasound imaging; security and package inspection; petroleum, mineral, subsurface and underwater exploration; quality control, non-destructive testing, and flaw detection; nautical and fresh water sonar depth sounding, fish locating and underwater bottom profiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen Bruce Berman
  • Patent number: 7363818
    Abstract: A pneumatic vibrator for generating a series of force impulses whose frequency, duration, magnitude and shape can be statically and dynamically programmed by varying mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic parameters or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Gregg K. Hobbs
  • Patent number: 7299698
    Abstract: The present vibration test module enables a test engineer in the field of vibration test systems to precisely implement a vibration environment that is applicable to a wide range of applications and performance characteristics. The vibration test module comprises adjustable vibration shaping elements that collectively function to enable the user to program the frequency and magnitude of the vibrations that are produced by the vibration test system. This energy redistribution is accomplished by providing tuned vibration absorbers, consisting of a bouncing mass enclosed in a housing having walls that are elastic and/or spring mounted and/or adjustable in position, which enable the test engineer to precisely shape the frequency response of the vibrating system by causing broad band vibration to be generated in the vibration test system by the series of impacts of the mass with the walls of its enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventor: Gregg K. Hobbs
  • Publication number: 20070169556
    Abstract: An apparatus surely measures the vibration characteristic of a head gimbal assembly and has a wide range of resonance frequencies to be set, the apparatus has a first laser Doppler vibrometer to detect a vibration velocity of a shaker, a second laser Doppler vibrometer to detect a vibration velocity of a head of the head gimbal assembly fixed to a fixture, and a reflection mirror to orthogonally reflect a laser beam emitted from the first laser Doppler vibrometer toward the fixture fixed to the shaker, and the apparatus finds the vibration characteristic of the head gimbal assembly according to the detected vibration velocities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Applicant: NHK SPRING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masao Hanya, Toshiki Ando, Tatsuhiko Nishida
  • Patent number: 7213461
    Abstract: Apparatus for applying torsional vibration to a rotating machine is provided. In one exemplary embodiment the apparatus includes a permanent magnet machine (12) connected to the rotating machine (22) and configured to generate a three-phase AC output voltage. A converter (36) may be coupled to receive the three-phase AC output voltage from the permanent magnet machine to supply a DC load current. An electrical load (44) (or exciter) may be coupled to the converter to receive the load current. An oscillator (42) is connected to the converter to provide an oscillation signal for modulating the load current from the converter. Modulated load current causes variable loading of the permanent magnet machine thereby creating an oscillatory torque in the permanent magnet machine (12). The oscillatory torque causes torsional vibration in the rotating machine. Various components of the apparatus for applying torsional vibration may be part of a field-deployed power generating system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph David Hurley, Peter Jon Clayton
  • Patent number: 7187184
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor assembly for a robot to prevent damage to the robot when it moves in an undesired manner is disclosed. The robot may be used in conjunction with semiconductor fabrication applications. The capacitive sensor assembly can include a hit contact, one or more fixed contacts, one or more damping springs, and a capacitive sensor. The hit contact comes into contact with a barrier as a result of undesired movement by the robot. The damping springs are compressed against the fixed contacts when the hit contact comes into contact with the barrier. The capacitive sensor has a capacitance that changes as the hit contact comes into contact with the barrier. The capacitance of the capacitive sensor is used to detect the robot coming into contact with the barrier, so that damage to the robot can be prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuen-Ei Chen, Feng-Cheng Kuo, Shan-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 7162944
    Abstract: A linear fluid piston device not requiring a fluid valve to operate and has operating piston stroke capabilities beyond traditional vibration fluid devices. The linear fluid device features (a) a movable piston means for linear motion, (b) a feature wherein said body provides rotational movement for fluid port alignment and a pressure vessel containing an (c) end cap and (d) cavity sized to guide the movable piston. In the improvement, the moveable piston provides a method for changing the linear direction in the event the total linear piston movement has not completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Inventor: Bret Allen Britz
  • Patent number: 7131238
    Abstract: Braces for bracing objects in structures against forces due to earthquakes are tested by subjecting components of the braces for attaching the braces to the object or structure to cyclic loading of approximately 15 cycles. The cyclic forces are applied to different samples of the components at differing angles, and a load rating is determined for each angle. Prior to cyclic testing, forces are applied monotonically to the components in both tension and compression, the flexible loading direction of the component is determined from the monotonic testing, and the deformation that the component can resist when a load is applied in cycles is estimated from the monotonic testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Praveen K. Malhotra, Paul E. Senseny, Antonio Carlos M. Braga, Roger L. Allard
  • Patent number: 7043986
    Abstract: A vibrator for generating a signal for measuring a physical quantity using a vibrator is provided, including at least one bending vibration arm vibrating in bending mode along a specified plane and having a first end, an opposed second end, and first and second main faces that are substantially parallel with each other. A base portion is provided at the first provided at the first end of the bending vibration arm, a weight portion is provided at the second end of the bending vibration arm, and grooves are formed on the first and second main faces. The vibrator further includes driving means for exciting a driving vibration in the vibrator, and detecting means provided on one of the bending vibration arms for detecting an output signal based on detection vibrations induced in the vibrator responsive to the physical quantity to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Kikuchi, Yukihisa Osugi
  • Patent number: 7040171
    Abstract: A vibrator module adapted for use in a taper apparatus for advancing carrier tape having a plurality of compartments and for placing parts in the compartments. The vibrator module includes a motor that includes an output shaft that rotates in response to operation of the motor. The vibrator module also includes an eccentric weight mounted to and rotatable with the output shaft. The eccentric weight causes the motor to vibrate in response to rotation of the output shaft and eccentric weight. The vibrator module further includes a vibration transferring member interconnected with the motor and operable to transfer vibrations from the motor to the carrier tape to cause the parts to settle into the bottoms of the compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: International Product Technology,Inc.
    Inventors: Donald P. McGee, Robert G. Bertz, Michael Reilly, Merlin E. Behnke, Chris Urban
  • Patent number: 7037268
    Abstract: A low profile acoustic array (10) is configured to selectively respond to shear waves while rejecting compression wave energy in the frequency range of interest. One sensor array is configured as a linear strip with a frame segment having at least one longitudinally extending rail and a plurality of sensor elements (20) extending therefrom. These sensor elements have a resilient core and opposing PDVF outer layers configured with opposing polarities onto the core. The linear strip array also includes a pair of separate electrical signal transmission paths. The transmission lines can include a series of undulations formed thereon to help minimize undesired mechanical crossover between sensors. A carrier member can be configured to be detachably releasable carries the discrete sensors to maintain the positional alignment until they are secured to a patient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: MedAcoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Z. Sleva, Allen Eberhardt, Cal T. Swanson, Richard Triolo, Simon J. Lewandowski