Patents Represented by Attorney Boyle Fredrickson, S.C.

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  • Electric auxiliary heating unit for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 8173935
    Abstract: An electric auxiliary heating unit reliably avoids temperature overshoots of the heated air. To this end, the temperature of the air flowing into the heating is determined and converted into a heating power for controlling the heating elements. This is preferably done via a stored characteristic field via which a plurality of vehicle parameters, such as the vehicle speed, the opening condition of the convertible top, etc., can be taken into account. Also the temperature of the incoming air can be derived from temperature values which are already available in the vehicle. A user-friendly electric heating can be realized very easily in this way. Temperature fluctuations in the heated air can be avoided reliably and easily even in the case of dynamically varying operating conditions of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Eberspacher catem GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Franz Bohlender, Michael Zeyen, Ulrich Mundt
  • Method and apparatus for reducing differential mode and common mode reflections in motor drives
    Patent number: 8174810
    Abstract: A filter device reduces reflections on power lines from the motor drive to AC motors by providing a differential mode choke in series with a common mode choke both shunted by resistances tailored to the characteristic impedance of the power cable for differential mode and common mode reflections respectively. By treating both common mode based and differential mode based reflections, superior transient control and motor drive performance may be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rangarajan M. Tallam, Gary L. Skibinski
  • Adjustable bicycle fender assembly
    Patent number: 8172246
    Abstract: A fender mounting system that is particularly applicable to bicycles and that includes one or more adjustable strap assemblies that connect the fender to the bicycle. The strap assemblies include a first portion that is individually securable to the fender and a second portion that is individually securable to the underlying bicycle. A clamp assembly cooperates with the respective portions of the strap assembly so that the portions of the strap assembly bypass one another when the clamp assembly is loose to allow positioning of the fender relative to the wheel while the fender assembly is attached, albeit loosely, to the bicycle. Tightening of the clamp assembly fixes the position of the fender relative to an adjacent wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventor: Eric Bybee
  • Bicycle aero handlebar assembly
    Patent number: 8172247
    Abstract: A bicycle handlebar assembly that includes a number of grip sites, forearm supports, and a number of structures that have airfoil shaped cross-sections and that provide a highly adjustable handlebar assembly with improved aerodynamic performance across the range of adjustment of the handlebar assembly. The handlebar assembly includes a pair of shim stacks that each includes a number of shims that are selectively mountable to the handlebar assembly to adjust a relative vertical height of left hand and right hand aerobars and arm pads. The aerobars and arm pads are secured to the handlebar by way of corresponding clamping assemblies such that the aerobars and arm pads are movably secured to the handlebar assembly to provide the highly adjustable aero handlebar assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corporation
    Inventors: Jennifer Weber, Douglas A. Cusack
  • Device for performing a high throughput assay
    Patent number: 8168133
    Abstract: A device and method is provided for performing a high throughput assay. The device includes a plate structure having a plate and a plurality of microfluidic structures positioned thereon. Each microfluidic structure defines a channel having an input and an output. At least one of the input and the output of the channel of each of the plurality of mircofluidic structures includes a first plurality of ports. In operation, the channels are filled with fluid and pressure gradients are generated between the fluids at the inputs and the fluids at the outputs of the channels. As a result, fluid flows through the channels toward the outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: David J. Beebe, Ivar Meyvantsson
  • Fault detection method and apparatus for analog to digital converter circuits
    Patent number: 8166362
    Abstract: This invention relates to fault detection in electrical circuits, in particular it relates to fault detection for a plurality of adjacent input circuits. The invention provides a method and apparatus for detecting a control or communication fault on an analogue circuit by simulating said analogue circuit using a simulated circuit comprising digital circuit components; the simulated circuit receiving a control input to provide a first output; and the analogue circuit receiving said control input to provide a second output; and setting an error condition when the first output and the second output differ.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Limited
    Inventor: Thomas Bruce Meagher
  • Fast-scanning SPM scanner and method of operating same
    Patent number: 8166567
    Abstract: A high-bandwidth SPM tip scanner is provided that additionally includes an objective that is vertically movable within the scan head to increase the depth of focus for the sensing light beam. Movable optics also are preferably provided to permit targeting of the sensing light beam on the SPM's probe and to permit the sensing light beam to track the probe during scanning. The targeting and tracking permit the impingement of a small sensing light beam spot on the probe under direct visual inspection of focused illumination beam of an optical microscope integrated into the SPM and, as a result, permits the use of a relatively small cantilever with a commensurately small resonant frequency. A high-bandwidth tip scanner constructed in this fashion has a fundamental resonant frequency greater than greater than 500 Hz and a sensing light beam spot minor diameter of less than 10 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Nghi Phan, Craig Cusworth, Craig Prater
  • Method and apparatus for obtaining quantitative measurements using a probe based instrument
    Patent number: 8161805
    Abstract: A method includes determining the point at which a tip of a probe based instrument contacts a sample and/or the area of that contact by dynamically oscillating a cantilever of the instrument in flexural and/or torsional modes. The method additionally includes using oscillation characteristics, such as amplitude, phase, and resonant frequency, to determine the status of the contact and to provide quantitative data. Static and quasi-static measurements, including contact stiffness and elastic modulus, can be obtained from the thus obtained data. Quasistatic measurements, such as creep and viscoelastic modulus, can be obtained by repeating the static measurements for a number of force profiles at different force application rates and correlating the resultant data using known theories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Bruker Nano, Inc.
    Inventors: Chanmin Su, Nghi Phan, Craig Prater
  • Flashing end dam having angularly adjustable leg
    Patent number: 8161689
    Abstract: A flashing end dam having an angularly adjustable leg (adjustable end dam) includes a bottom leg, and adjustable rear leg, a side leg and a moveable web. The adjustable end dam is bent from a blank such that the bottom leg and the adjustable rear leg are formed, while bending a portion of the bottom leg and the adjustable rear leg to form the side leg and the moveable web. The adjustable end dam may be installed above a window opening in a masonry wall. The adjustable end dam is normally placed in a corner above and past the window opening. However, the adjustable end dam may be installed in any suitable application. If a nonparallel cavity variation exists between the structural wall and the exterior facing, the adjustable rear leg of the adjustable end dam may be bent back or forward to span the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: William J. Butzen
  • Antenna for sealed transmitter assembly in subsurface utility installations
    Patent number: 8159401
    Abstract: An antenna (14, 15) for installation in a subsurface ground enclosure has an F-shaped radiating element (15) having a rectangular strip (15c) disposed on edge and two spaced apart bars (15a, 15b) disposed substantially perpendicular to the rectangular strip (15c) for connection to a first edge of a circuit board (31) and an L-shaped ground plane extension element (14) extending from a second edge (31b) of the circuit board (31) and then turning substantially perpendicular downward to provide a longer ground plane within a confined rectangular space. The antenna (14, 15) is dimensioned so as to be tuned to a resonant frequency in a range from 450 Mhz to 470 Mhz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Badger Meter, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Hao, Chang Thao
  • Vision panel frame
    Patent number: 8156699
    Abstract: An improved vision panel provides a nail in retention method for holding half the panel in place during installation using inwardly extending retention arms that also provide threaded fasteners for attaching the halves of the frame together about the door, support for the glass pane, and when used with special fasteners having partially non-threaded shanks, a compression limiting spring biasing of the frame elements together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventor: Jack C. LaSee
  • Memory transfer device
    Patent number: 8158910
    Abstract: A medical warming cabinet and a method of installing a controller into a medical warming cabinet is disclosed that allows for easy transfer of operation parameters between controllers. Should a controller fail, the removable memory device can be removed from the failed controller and inserted into the replacement controller. This provides the benefits of a generic controller (e.g., low cost and good availability), but eliminates the tedious and costly necessity of having to reprogram the controller during maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Enthermics Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Hansen
  • Radial piston machine
    Patent number: 8151689
    Abstract: There is disclosed a radial piston machine comprising a cylinder block having at least one bore in which a piston supported on an eccentric disk is movably guided via roll bodies, wherein at least one hydrostatic relieving field is provided between the piston and the roll body. According to the invention, the active surface A2 of the relieving field is equal to or larger than the active piston area A1 of the piston restricting a cylinder chamber and the relieving field is in fluid communication with the cylinder chamber via a hydraulic resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Dantlgraber
  • Portable power source having detachably mounted accessory
    Patent number: 8154137
    Abstract: A generator has a receiver adapted to receive an electrical accessory in a manner that allows the electrical accessory to be quickly removed when desired by a user. The receiver allows an electrical accessory, such as a parallel connection kit, transfer switch, or work light, to be securely mounted to the generator, but removed when desired without the need for any tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Reliance Controls Corporation
    Inventor: David D. Flegel
  • Filter
    Patent number: D657843
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lipscomb, Qing He
  • Pet fountain basin
    Patent number: D658818
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventor: John M. Lipscomb
  • Pet fountain
    Patent number: D658819
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lipscomb, Qing He
  • Sifting scoop
    Patent number: D658827
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lipscomb, Qing He
  • Basin for pet fountain
    Patent number: D659301
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lipscomb, Qing He
  • Sifting scoop
    Patent number: D659306
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Pioneer Pet Products, LLC
    Inventors: John M. Lipscomb, Qing He