Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Brooks & Kushman P
  • Method and appartus for detection of mechanical defects in an ingot piece composed of semiconductor material
    Patent number: 8038895
    Abstract: A method for detection of mechanical defects in a semiconductor ingot section which has at least one planar surface, and a thickness at right angles to this surface of 1 cm to 100 cm, involves scanning the planar surface by at least one ultrasound head which is coupled via a liquid coupling medium to the planar surface and, at each measurement point (x,y) producing at least one ultrasound pulse which is directed at the planar surface of the ingot section, recording the ultrasound-pulse echo as a function of time, such that an echo from the planar surface, an echo from a surface opposite the planar surface, and further echoes are detected, with the positions (xp, yp, zp) of mechanical defects in the ingot section being determined from the further echoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Siltronic AG
    Inventors: Ludwig Koester, Peter Czurratis, Klaus Kraemer
  • Process for preparing lattices stabilized by polyvinyl alcohol
    Patent number: 8039563
    Abstract: A process for preparing polymer dispersions stabilized by polyvinyl alcohol includes a step of emulsion polymerization. The polymerization occurs such that at least 60% of the total conversion occurs at a temperature from 100° C. to 140° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventor: Hans-Peter Weitzel
  • Vehicle having a passenger compartment body structure
    Patent number: 8038205
    Abstract: A vehicle having a body structure that defines a front portion of a passenger compartment. The vehicle includes first and second closure frame structures and a roof structure that interlocks with the first and second closure frame structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Gregory Thomas Hedderly
  • Adjustable head restraint for vehicle seat
    Patent number: 8038219
    Abstract: A vehicle seat is disclosed that provides longitudinal adjustment and height adjustment of a head restraint by actuation of a manual release. One embodiment discloses a vehicle seat with a rod extending from a seat back and a frame mounted to the rod. A head restraint is mounted to the frame by a linkage to extend and retract. A locking mechanism cooperates with the head restraint and the frame for permitting incremental locking positions of the head restraint relative to the frame. A manual release releases the locking mechanism to extend and retract the head restraint relative to the rod. Another embodiment includes an eccentric mechanism pivotally connected to the frame. A wire spring is mounted to the frame for engaging a notch in the rod. An actuator rotates an eccentric mechanism for disengaging the wire spring from the notch in the rod for permitting height adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Klaus Boes, Juergen Geisslinger, Tobias Bokelmann
  • Optimal engine operating power management strategy for a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain
    Patent number: 8041495
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for managing power in a hybrid electric vehicle powertrain having multiple components, including at least two of a group comprising an engine, a motor, a generator and a high voltage battery. Power losses in the individual components are computed. An engine operating speed and torque for a given vehicle speed and total power command is determined so that total power losses for powertrain components are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shailesh Kozarekar, Ming Kuang, Joseph Supina, Fazal Syed, Morgan Andreae, Vincent Freyermuth
  • Hydrogen storage materials containing ammonia borane
    Patent number: 8038980
    Abstract: According to at least one aspect of the present invention, an ammonia borane containing hydrogen storage material is provided to be present with substantially reduced formation of borazine or diborane. In at least one embodiment, the hydrogen storage material includes at least one ammonia borane (NH3BH3); and at least one amide of the formula M(NH2)x, wherein M is a cationic element or a combination of two or more cationic elements from groups 1 to 14 of the periodic table and x represents a total cationic charge to charge balance M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Jun Yang, Andrea Sudik, Donald J. Siegel, Shinichi Hirano, Andrew Robert Drews, Christopher Mark Wolverton
  • Flush toilet
    Patent number: 8037552
    Abstract: A flush toilet is provided having a bowl portion with a bowl-shaped waste-receiving surface and a rim portion the inside wall surface on the top edge of which protrudes inward. A trap pipe is connected to the bottom portion of the bowl portion. A first shelf portion is formed to follow the rim and a second shelf portion is formed on the waste receiving surface below the first shelf portion projecting above the initial accumulated water level. An orifice for issuing water into the first shelf portion and forming a swirl flow in the waste receiving surface is provided along with a second orifice for issuing water into the second shelf portion for forming a flow to swirl water within the bowl portion is further provided with first and second flow paths for respectively supplying water to the first and second orifices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Ichiki, Tsuyoshi Ozeki, Toshifumi Yoneda, Shinji Shibata, Shuichi Nagashima
  • Detection of cancer cells in body fluids
    Patent number: 8039218
    Abstract: A method of detecting circulating melanoma or carcinoma cells in a subject. The method comprises obtaining a body fluid from a subject and detecting the expression of a panel of genes in the body fluid, wherein the expression of the panel of genes indicates the presence of circulating melanoma or carcinoma cells in the subject. Genes useful for detecting melanoma cells includes GalNAc-T, MAGE-A3, MART-1, PAX-3, and TRP-2; genes useful for detecting carcinoma cells include C-Met, MAGE-A3, Stanniocalcin-1, Stanniocalcin-2, mammaglobin, HSP27, GalNAc-T, CK20, and ?-HCG. Also disclosed are kits containing agents for detecting the expression of these genes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: John Wayne Cancer Institute
    Inventor: Dave S. B. Hoon
  • Adjustable positioner for vehicle seat back headrest
    Patent number: 8038220
    Abstract: A vehicle seat headrest (14) is mounted on a vehicle seat back (12) for infinite position vertical adjustment by helical spring clamping and unclamping of a support shaft of the headrest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Porter Group, LLC
    Inventors: Hsing Lung Lewis Liu, Karl A. Murphy, Venugopala C. Mittapalli
  • Furniture-glide assembly
    Patent number: 8037574
    Abstract: A glide assembly is adapted to be mounted about an existing foot attached to the free end of a leg of a piece of furniture that is adapted to be supported upon a surface. The glide assembly includes a body defining an exterior surface and a bore extending partially through the body to define a hollow interior, an interior surface, a top, open end of the body, and a bottom, closed end of the body disposed opposite the open end. An insert assembly is mountable about the foot and adapted to be received through the open end and fixedly secured within the hollow interior of the body so as to mount the body about the foot. A cap is designed to be replaceably attached to the closed end of the body and adapted to engage the surface upon which the leg is supported.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Hiwatt Products, LLC
    Inventor: John Chase
  • Combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar
    Patent number: 8033556
    Abstract: A combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar is secured between a rear axle beam and the chassis of a vehicle. The tramp rod and anti-roll bar has an intermediate portion, a right arm and a left arm that are connected by bushings to either the rear axle beam or the frame of the vehicle. The combined tramp rod and anti-roll bar provides roll stiffness control and also resists wind-up of the rear axle when high torque loads are applied to the rear axle. D-bushings that resist sliding movement of the intermediate portion in combination with the splayed arms provide improved compliance understeer performance when lateral loads are applied to the rear suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Lauri Mikael Ohra-aho, Simon Johnson, Matthew J. Reilly
  • Auto-seek electrical connection for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle
    Patent number: 8033349
    Abstract: An auto-seek operating mode for a vehicle adjusts the vehicle in a direction transverse to a vehicle central axis using a vehicle power steering system and using a motor and a battery to advance the vehicle toward a target connector for a utility power grid for charging the battery. If needed, vertical vehicle position adjustments are made using a controllable vehicle suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Ortmann, Brandon R Masterson, Marvin Paul Kraska, Daniel Scott Colvin, Steve Reeves, IV
  • Method for controlling an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8036812
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling an internal combustion engine in which actual concentration of combusted gas in the intake is compared with desired concentration of combusted gas in the intake. When a difference is detected, at least one of start of injection timing and quantity of fuel injected is adjusted in accordance with the difference. The actual concentration of combusted gas in the intake is estimated based on engine sensors such as an oxygen sensor coupled to an engine intake. The adjustment of injection timing and/or quantity of fuel is performed, according to some embodiments, during a transition between a low temperature combustion mode and a standard diesel combustion mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Christian Winge Vigild, Daniel Roettger, David Joseph Dronzkowski, Eric Kurtz
  • Optical tape drive movable planarizer subsystem and method for minimizing damage to an optical pickup unit
    Patent number: 8036088
    Abstract: In an optical tape drive system, a movable planarizer subsystem includes a tape planarizer support structure for supporting an optical tape planarizer. The support structure is moveable between an operational position and a non-operational position. The movable planarizer subsystem also includes an actuator for moving the support structure and the optical tape planarizer between the operational position and the non-operational position. The operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit reading/writing of information from/to an optical tape via an optical pickup unit (OPU), and the non-operational position of the support structure positions the optical tape planarizer to permit passage of a tape leader though the tape drive system without damage to the OPU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventor: Faramarz Mahnad
  • Head restraint
    Patent number: 8033609
    Abstract: A head restraint assembly for use with a vehicle seat, the head restraint assembly having a head restraint armature that is adapted to be attached to a seat back, including two spaced apart support posts, a cushion surrounding the head restraint armature and a strap that is affixed to the head restraint armature, the strap extending between the two spaced apart support posts. The strap is surrounded by the cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Zbigniew J. Orzelski
  • System and method for automatic storage and retrieval of emergency information
    Patent number: 8036634
    Abstract: A vehicle communication system may retrieve “in case of emergency” (ICE) information from a wireless device. The ICE information may include contact information, medical information, etc., and may be transferred to an emergency provider, if the vehicle communication system places an emergency call. The information may also be retrieved at some point before an emergency call is placed and stored in a memory circuit of the vehicle communication system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David M. DiMeo, Joseph J. Berry, Sukhwinder Wadhwa
  • Waste water storage and treatment system
    Patent number: 8034238
    Abstract: A multi-chamber basin is sized to collect excess waste water exceeding the processing capacity of a sewage system. In order to disinfect the waste water exceeding the basin capacity, disinfectant is added at a point in the system after the first basin. After the rain event is over and there is excess sewage treatment capacity, the sewage treatment in the multi-chamber basin is returned to the sewage system. By not disinfecting the waste water in the first basin chamber, the overall disinfectant usage can be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Inventor: Saad A. Ghalib
  • Method and apparatus for liquid cooling computer equipment
    Patent number: 8035972
    Abstract: A cooling system for cooling computer component with a liquid provided at atmospheric pressure, or low pressure, that flows through channel defined in the computer component. The liquid is pumped from a reservoir to a discharge port, or weir, that is located above the computer component. The liquid flows through an in-feed manifold to diverters that direct the liquid into in-feed tanks located above a row of the computer component. The liquid flows through the channels and flow control orifices to a drain that returns the liquid to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Oracle America, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy C. Ostwald, Daniel J. Plutt, Joseph P. Manes
  • Vehicle front bumper splitter
    Patent number: D646607
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Patrick Verhee, Stefan Lamm, Andrea Di Buduo, Kemal Curic
  • Modified concentric spectrograph
    Patent number: RE42822
    Abstract: A modified concentric spectrograph for diffracting light with high stray light rejection without astigmatism is provided. The modified spectrograph includes a grating, a lens, and at least one entrance port and one exit port. The grating has a concave surface and a meridian plane with a first side and a second side. The lens has a substantially planar surface and a convex surface. Preferably, the convex and concave surfaces are substantially concentric. The ports are substantially located on different sides of the meridian plane near a focal plane of the spectrograph. The position of a focal plane may be modified using an optically transmissive triangular prism with a reflective surface, and an optically transmissive block. The position of a focal plane may further be modified with one or more optically transmissive plates. Methods for using the spectrograph are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Horiba Jobin-Yvon, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren S. Slutter, Wu Jiang, Alain F. R. Thevenon, Viviane D. Millet, Jeremy J. Goldstone