Abstract: A method, system and scan lens for use therein are provided for high-speed, laser-based, precise laser trimming at least one electrical element along a trim path. The method includes generating a pulsed laser output with a laser, the output having one or more laser pulses at a repetition rate. A fast rise/fall time, pulse-shaped q-switched laser or an ultra-fast laser may be used. Beam shaping optics may be used to generate a flat-top beam profile. Each laser pulse has a pulse energy, a laser wavelength within a range of laser wavelengths, and a pulse duration. The wavelength is short enough to produce desired short-wavelength benefits of small spot size, tight tolerance, high absorption and reduced or eliminated heat-affected zone (HAZ) along the trim path, but not so short so as to cause microcracking. In this way, resistance drift after the trimming process is reduced.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
July 8, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
GSI Group Corporation
Inventors:
Bo Gu, Jonathan S. Ehrmann, Joseph V. Lento, Bruce L. Couch, Yun Fee Chu, Shepard D. Johnson
Abstract: A control system and method for controlling a multiple gear ratio automatic transmission in a powertrain for an automatic transmission having pressure activated friction torque elements to effect gear ratio upshifts. The friction torque elements are synchronously engaged and released during a torque phase of an upshift event as torque from a torque source is increased while allowing the off-going friction elements to slip, followed by an inertia phase during which torque from a torque source is modulated. A perceptible transmission output torque reduction during an upshift is avoided.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 18, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Yuji Fujii, Jahan Asgari, Davorin David Hrovat, Hong Jiang, Gregory Michael Pietron, Bradley Dean Riedle, Christopher John Teslak, Hongtei Eric Tseng
Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for locating or otherwise generating positional information for an object, such as but not limited generating positional coordinates for an object attached to an athlete engaging in an athletic event. The positional coordinates may be processed with other telemetry and biometrical information to provide real-time performance metrics while the athlete engages in the athletic event.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 15, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
AvidaSports, LLC
Inventors:
Bruce J. Burton, Paul G. Duckworth, Ryan D. Johnson, Warren Guthrie
Abstract: A connection element for power transmission between a flap actuator and a flap mounted swivelably on a wing of an aircraft includes a first section joined to the flap actuator and a second section joined to the flap. The first and second sections are formed by a strap made of a fiber composite material.
Abstract: Silicone foams having good foam structure and rapid cure are produced from foamable mixtures containing a physical blowing agent and an organically modified organopolysiloxane containing at least one urea or urethane group and an alkoxy(alkyl)siloxy unit.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 19, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 11, 2012
Assignee:
Wacker Chemie AG
Inventors:
Wolfgang Ziche, Volker Stanjek, Richard Weidner
Abstract: A supporting strut for supporting an intermediate deck (2) that is arranged in an aircraft fuselage (1), includes a hollow cylindrical rod body (3) that includes a fiber reinforced material, with the two ends of the rod body (3) being designed as attachment sections for detachable attachment to the aircraft fuselage (1) or to the intermediate deck (2), wherein the rod body (3) includes at least one first reinforcement layer (10a) made from a carbon fiber fabric with an identical number of warp- and weft threads in 45° alignment or 90° alignment, as well as at least one second reinforcement layer (10b, 10c) made from a carbon fiber fabric including a higher number of warp threads than weft threads in 0° alignment, as well as a final layer including glass fiber, which together with artificial resin form a compact fiber reinforced material.
Abstract: A cable assembly includes a coaxial cable and a plug-in connector. The cable has inner and outer conductors and an insulation layer between the conductors. The connector has first and second tubular components. The first tubular component is inserted between the insulation layer and the outer conductor at a free end section of the cable and the second tubular component is connected to the first tubular component and encloses the outer conductor whereby the plug-in connector is connected to the cable. The second tubular component forms a sleeve that opens toward the free end section of the cable.
Abstract: A seat assembly having a seat back, a support post extending from the seat back, and a headrest pivotally disposed on the support post. The headrest has a lower headrest portion, an upper headrest portion extending from the lower headrest portion, and a hinge clip that pivotally couples the headrest to the support post. The headrest is inhibited from pivoting about an axis of rotation in a first rotational direction when the lower headrest portion engages the support post.
Abstract: An SOI wafer is constructed from a carrier wafer and a monocrystalline silicon layer having a thickness of less than 500 nm, an excess of interstitial silicon atoms prevailing in the entire volume of the silicon layer. The SOI wafers may be prepared by Czochralski silicon single crystal growth, the condition v/G<(v/G)crit=1.3×10?3 cm2/(K·min) being fulfilled at the crystallization front over the entire crystal cross section, with the result that an excess of interstitial silicon atoms prevails in the silicon single crystal produced; separation of at least one donor wafer from this silicon single crystal, bonding of the donor wafer to a carrier wafer, and reduction of the thickness of the donor wafer, with the result that a silicon layer having a thickness of less than 500 nm bonded to the carrier wafer remains.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 18, 2008
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2012
Assignee:
Siltronic AG
Inventors:
Dieter Graef, Markus Blietz, Reinhold Wahlich, Alfred Miller, Dirk Zemke
Abstract: A system and method for incrementally forming a workpiece. A first manipulator is configured to move a first tool in multiple directions along a first surface of a workpiece. A second manipulator is configured to move a second tool in multiple directions along a second surface of the workpiece. The first and second tools move along first and second predetermined paths of motion and exert force to form the workpiece.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 11, 2009
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Carl Frederick Johnson, Vijitha Senaka Kiridena, Feng Ren, Zhiyong Cedric Xia
Abstract: An end-to-end cell connection system for a battery assembly uses a conductive interconnector with an inner portion welded to an end of one cell, a standoff portion contiguous with the ring portion, tabs extending from the standoff portion, with the tabs welded to an end of another cell. By placing an insulator between the interconnector and the one cell, an electrical short is prevented in the event that a longitudinally coupled cell group is jostled. At the cell connections, there is a recess. To hold the cell group in place, the housing has a tab extending into the recess. The tab is at the center so that any dimensional variations are accommodated on each side of the tab. The interconnector also may include a receptacle for a thermistor to obtain a measure of battery assembly temperature. Diverter ribs may be provided in the housing to distribute flow to all cells.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2012
Assignee:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC
Inventors:
Patrick Daniel Maguire, Sarav Paramasivam
Abstract: A static complementary transistor type logic gate circuit includes a plurality of input terminals for receiving a corresponding plurality of input signals, and an output terminal. The logic gate circuit further includes a first plurality of transistors of one conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pullup paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a positive supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals; and a second plurality of transistors of the complementary conductivity type, arranged to form a plurality of pulldown paths for selectively connecting the output terminal, through one or more intermediate nodes, to a negative supply voltage based on the plurality of input signals. A precharge device is configured to selectively charge an intermediate node to the far-side supply voltage when the intermediate node is disconnected from the near-side supply voltage and disconnected from the output terminal.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 23, 2010
Date of Patent:
December 4, 2012
Assignee:
Oracle International Corporation
Inventors:
Jin-Uk Shin, Lancelot Y. Kwong, Gaurav Shrivastav
Abstract: A current-triggered synchro-rectifier comprising an electronic switch configured to be in its ON setting when the current flowing through its cathode exceeds a predetermined threshold. The electronic switch may include a half-wave rectifier wired to the source terminal and the drain terminal of a MOSFET device, and a current monitor configured to monitor the drain-current flowing through the drain terminal. The current monitor sends a gate signal to the gate terminal such that the MOSFET is switched to its ON state when the drain-current exceeds a first threshold current and the MOSFET is switched to its OFF state when the drain-current falls below a second threshold current. Usefully, the synchro-rectifier may be incorporated into a full-wave rectifier.
Abstract: A combined ceiling fan and light fitting (fan/light) (1) having folding fan blades (12) is provided. The fan light (1) has a blade support (13) arranged to be rotated by an electric motor (6), with blades (12) being secured to the blade support (13), a root end of each blade (12) being pivotable between folded and operative positions about a blade pivot axis-(14) fixed in the blade support (13). In one aspect of the invention, an improved mechanism is provided for synchronizing movement of the blades. This uses a sun gear (16) mounted to the blade support and arranged to mesh with planet gears (17) that rotate about the blade pivot axes (14). In addition improvements are provided to blades (12, 33, 60) and blade mounting arrangements that balance compact folding of the blades (12, 33, 60) and good air moving effectiveness.
Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for utilization of waste heat of flue gas liberated from different heat sources to provide high quality water from sea/brackish.
Abstract: A pneumatic vehicle is provided with a first and second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly has a chassis supporting an air tank. The second sub-assembly has part of the vehicle body and is bonded to the first-sub-assembly using a structural adhesive. Another pneumatic vehicle is provided with a first and second sub-assembly. The first sub-assembly has a chassis, air tank, part of the vehicle body, a pair of B-pillars, and a pair of rear rails. The second sub-assembly has a part of the vehicle body, a pair of A-pillars, and a pair of roof rails. A vehicle seat is provided with a seat base and upright seat back providing a seating area. A bladder located in the central region of the seating area inflates to provide two bucket seats, and deflates to provide a bench seat. The vehicle seat also has inflatable inserts to provide cushioning.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 29, 2008
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2012
Assignee:
Deakin University
Inventors:
Bernard Frank Rolfe, Timothy Ian De Souza, Gregory Ryan Pitts, Stuart James McFarlane Hanafin, Steven Lewis Anthony Agius, Benjamin Paul Adamson, Michael Pio Gordon Pereira, Timothy John Black, Christopher James Hurren, Noel Egan Miller
Abstract: A dual-charger system operable to facilitate charging a battery with energy regulated by two chargers connected in parallel to the battery where one charger operates according to a voltage regulation mode and the other of the two chargers operates according to a current regulation mode.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
August 16, 2010
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2012
Assignee:
Lear Corporation
Inventors:
Stephen Humphrey, Thomas O'Brien, Benjamin D. Sweet, Ryan Beehler, Richard Hampo
Abstract: An inflatable member is inflated by compressed gas that flows through the latch and hollow tubular tongue of a seat belt anchor. The inflatable member is retained in an uninflated condition in a split two layer belt. The latch is pivotally secured to a conduit that receives compressed inflation gas from a cylinder that is provided with a diffuser.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 19, 2009
Date of Patent:
November 27, 2012
Assignees:
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Key Safety Systems, Inc.
Inventors:
David R. Arnold, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Dean M. Jaradi, Edward Joseph Desmet, Rudi Grzic
Abstract: A display device comprising an array of encapsulated pixels. The encapsulating pixel includes an optical element which is altered from a first optical state to a second optical state upon when a potential difference is generated across it. The optical element is in contact with two electrodes which are connected to a pixel driver for generating the potential difference. The encapsulated pixel is hermetically sealed from the environment by a sealing layer and the driver receives power wirelessly via an inductive power transmission system.