Patents Represented by Attorney Bachman & LaPointe, P.C.
  • Patent number: 7503680
    Abstract: Process for lighting in cold light of a scrolling product for the acquisition of images by linear digital cameras for a fault detection system, by a device comprising a light source constituted by high-power light-emitting diodes. According to this process, the light-emitting diodes are arranged in at least one row, aligned according to equal intervals, in a housing constituting a type of light box with reflecting walls, slight diffusion is produced from the light coming from the light-emitting diodes by a film closing the light box and the light beams exiting from the light box are concentrated by a reflecting device into a flat and narrow lighting spot beam, whereof the width is substantially equal to the length occupied by the alignment of the diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Desvaud
  • Patent number: 7503359
    Abstract: A harvester for a forestry machine comprises grapples, a cutting device, trimming devices, and advancement devices for grasping, cutting, trimming, and advancement in the axial direction, respectively of a tree stem. Further, the harvester includes a measurement device for measuring the length of the tree stem and a measurement device for measuring how the transverse dimension of the tree stem varies along its length. The measurement device includes a movable measurement device for contact-free detection of the outer contour of the tree stem, from which the diameter is calculable. The measurement device is located between the trimming device and the advancement device for counteracting dirtying of the measurement device. A method for measuring the transverse dimension of a tree stem is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Fiberpac KB
    Inventor: Christer Lennartsson
  • Patent number: 7503546
    Abstract: A strap winder includes a base having a first strap end connecting structure; a ratchet wheel rotatably mounted in the base and having a second strap end connecting structure; and a handle pivotably mounted to the base and preferably engaging the ratchet member so that pivot of the handle in an opening movement, wherein the handle is moved away from the base, does not rotate the ratchet wheel, and wherein pivot of the handle in a closing movement, wherein the handle is moved toward the base, rotates the ratchet wheel. The strap winder is preferably made at least partially from plastic, and has characteristics which facilitate injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Seager
  • Patent number: 7503183
    Abstract: A method for removing humidity from air comprising the steps of providing an air conditioning system comprising a continuous circuit through which a refrigerant flows from a compressor, through a condenser, through a heat exchanger, through an evaporator, and returning to the compressor, providing a bypass valve through which a portion of the refrigerant flows around the heat exchanger, providing a bypass circuit through which a portion of the refrigerant flows from a point upstream of the condenser to mix with the refrigerant at a point downstream of the condenser, providing a discharge gas valve for controlling the portion of the refrigerant flowing through the bypass circuit, measuring an outdoor temperature and a relative humidity, determining a cooling stage and operating the bypass valve and the discharge gas valve to remove a portion of the humidity from the air based upon the outdoor temperature, the relative humidity, and the cooling stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Ruddy C. Bussjager
  • Patent number: 7502694
    Abstract: An apparatus for sonic excitation of a surface includes a transparent pane. A sidewall structure cooperates with the pane to define an open cavity facing the surface. At least one speaker is positioned to introduce sound to the cavity. Sound cancellation may be provided for at least partially canceling transmission of the sound outside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Inventor: Galt B. Booth
  • Patent number: 7501054
    Abstract: A process for upgrading a diesel fuel, includes the steps of providing a diesel fuel feedstock; hydrogenating the feedstock at a pressure of less than about 600 psig so as to provide a hydrogenated product wherein a portion of the feedstock is converted to alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds; and selectively oxidizing the hydrogenated product in the presence of a catalyst so as to convert the alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds to alkyl ketones. A catalyst and oxygen-containing Diesel fuel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Galiasso
  • Patent number: 7500348
    Abstract: A pulse combustion device has a number of combustors with upstream bodies and downstream nozzles. Coupling conduits provide communication between the combustors. For each given combustor this includes a first communication between a first location upstream of the nozzle thereof and a first location along the nozzle of another. There is second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle and a second communication between a second location upstream of the nozzle of a second other combustor and a second nozzle location along the nozzle of the given combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk R. Lupkes, Gary L. Lidstone
  • Patent number: 7501659
    Abstract: An LED device is provided which comprises a plastic encapsulant 7 formed with an integrated cylindrical lens 8 disposed opposite to an LED chip 5 to provide light from LED chip 5 with the wider directivity angular range in the vertical Y irradiative direction than that in the horizontal X irradiative direction. When light from LED chip 5 is irradiated through cylindrical lens 8 out of plastic encapsulant 7, an outer surface of cylindrical lens 8 serves to transform light from LED chip 5 into a substantially parallel light beam which has a generally linear beam section wider in the directivity angular range of the necessary vertical Y irradiative direction, and narrower in the directivity angular range of the unnecessary horizontal X irradiative direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Cash Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kanno, Masahiro Motohara, Takeshi Mitsuma
  • Patent number: 7501374
    Abstract: A process for upgrading a diesel fuel, includes the steps of providing a diesel fuel feedstock; hydrogenating the feedstock at a pressure of less than about 600 psig so as to provide a hydrogenated product wherein a portion of the feedstock is converted to alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds; and selectively oxidizing the hydrogenated product in the presence of a catalyst so as to convert the alkyl-naphthene-aromatic compounds to alkyl ketones. A catalyst and oxygen-containing Diesel fuel are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: Intevep, S.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Galiasso
  • Patent number: 7493991
    Abstract: A positioning system for an elevator cab (37) includes transponder modules (10) having a unique ID for receiving a signal (39) and emitting an ultrasonic signal when the signal is equivalent to the unique ID with a determination of position based on the time duration of the signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jae-Hyuk Oh, Alan M. Finn, Pei-Yuan Peng, Norbert A. M. Hootsmans
  • Patent number: 7491029
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine generally includes a compressor, a combustor, and a turbine. The turbine can include an integrated manifold comprising a plenum defined by a manifold disposed in connection with a divider plate and opposite a shielding plate comprising a plurality of apertures. During operation of the gas turbine engine, a quantity of working fluid enters the integrated manifold and circulates throughout the plenum and shielding plate, and enters the turbine through the apertures to actively control clearances between turbine engine components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Pezzetti, Jr., Daniel E. Kane, Craig B. Pease, John T. Reinard, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7488129
    Abstract: A personal care applicator apparatus seal has a structural element formed of a first material and a sealing element formed of a second material softer or less rigid than the first material. The structural element may have a sidewall with upper and lower ends and inboard and outboard surfaces. The sealing element may be molded to the structural element and may include a first portion circumscribing the sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Plastek Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas J. Prischak
  • Patent number: 7487990
    Abstract: A semitrailer coupling comprising a coupling plate and a bearing block used for movably fastening the coupling plate to a frame of a tractor. The bearing block is provided with a bearing area and a fastening area. The bearing area is embodied such that the coupling plate can be pivotably mounted while the fastening area is configured such that the coupling plate can be detachably fixed to a frame of the tractor. The bearing area has a larger cross section than the fastening area, the cross section extending in the direction of travel (x) and parallel to the pivoting axis (y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Georg Fischer Verkehrstechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Roth-Schuler, Dirk Schneider
  • Patent number: 7484435
    Abstract: In the case of a transmission, in particular a single- or multi-stage epicyclic transmission, with a drive shaft/hub mounted in a core housing of a core transmission and a single- or multi-stage transmission stage(s) adjoining thereto, it is intended that a housing which can be selected as desired and/or an output unit which can be selected as desired can be connected to the core transmission, in particular the transmission stage thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wittenstein AG
    Inventor: Manfred Wittenstein
  • Patent number: 7485380
    Abstract: A method for operating a fuel cell power plant to provide end-use electricity, end-use heat and end-use reformate includes the steps of providing a fuel cell power plant that consumes reformate to provide electricity and heat, said fuel cell power plant having a nominal reformate flow rate and including a fuel processor system for generating reformate from a hydrocarbon fuel; operating the fuel processor system so as to provide a reformate flow at a rate greater than the nominal reformate flow rate; operating the fuel cell power plant using a first portion of the reformate flow to generate the electricity and the heat, the first portion being less than or equal to the nominal reformate flow rate; and providing a second portion of the reformate flow as the end-use reformate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: UTC Power Corporation
    Inventors: Paul R. Margiott, Carl Rohrbach, Michael E. Gorman
  • Patent number: 7481330
    Abstract: A removable grip device for container has two members forming a gripper mounted on a gripper body, one of which is mobile in translation along a longitudinal direction between an open position and a closed position, displacement elements adapted to move the mobile member. The device has locking elements adapted to prevent the mobile member from being spaced apart in closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: SEB SA
    Inventors: Christophe Lorthioir, Michel Montgelard
  • Patent number: 7482970
    Abstract: A method for producing map images of current velocity vectors at the surface sea is described in which beams of electromagnetic waves are emitted towards the surface using a system, towards the left forward and right forward sides of the track of the system, and towards the left aft and right aft sides of the track, from two antennas at a distance from each other along the direction of the track and along a direction perpendicular to the track, and values of roll angle and length of the antenna base connecting the two antennas are determined using differential interferometries applied to the electromagnetic waves reflected by the surface between beams emitted forwards and backwards, the map images being built up using an along-track type differential interferometry, using roll angle and antenna base length values obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Agence Spatiale Europeenne
    Inventor: Christopher Hereward Buck
  • Patent number: 7479194
    Abstract: A damage tolerant microstructure for a lamellar alloy, such as a lamellar ?TiAl alloy, is provided in accordance with the present invention. The alloy comprises a matrix and a plurality of grains or lamellar colonies, a portion of which exhibit a nonplanar morphology within said matrix. Each of the lamellar colonies contains a multitude of lamella with irregularly repeating order. The ?TiAl platelets have a triangular (octahedral) unit cell and stack with ? twins. The ?2Ti3Al platelets are irregularly interspersed. The unit cell for ?2Ti3Al is hexagonal. Each of the layers has a curved, nonplanar structure for resisting crack formation and growth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel P. DeLuca
  • Patent number: D586006
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Safe Swivel Patent Co. Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Robert J. Pannekoek
  • Patent number: D588466
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Assignee: Obshestvo s Ogranichennoi Otvetstevennostyu
    Inventor: Vladimir Evgenievich Sukhanovskiy