Patents Represented by Law Firm Griffin, Butler Whisenhunt & Szipl, LLP
  • Patent number: 5996516
    Abstract: An air seeder is provided with a control system for controlling the velocity of air flowing though the product delivery tubes between the product storage tanks and the planting mechanism for delivering the product into the ground. A multiple tank air seeder would be provided with a bank of product delivery tubes for each product storage tank with an air damper mechanism incorporated into each respective bank of product delivery tubes. An electric actuator is mounted on the air cart to connect to each respective air damper mechanism and effect the movement thereof between a fully closed and a fully opened position and, thereby restrict the movement of air through the product delivery tubes. The control mechanism includes a control panel from which the electric actuators for the air damper mechanisms and an electric actuator for controlling the rotational speed of the fan creating the flow of air through the product delivery tubes can be controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Flexi Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert K. Benneweis, Cameron D. Bodie, Francis G. Lang, Russell J. Memory
  • Patent number: 5997462
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a lesion (34) of a blood vessel (33) with radiation from a radioactive source (35). A catheter (36) having at least one lumen (56) is placed into the blood vessel (33) with a distal portion (36A) near the lesion (34) and a proximal portion (49) outside of the blood vessel (33). A radiation tube (4) is at least partially placed into the catheter (36) through a lumen (56) such that a juncture (80) is formed between the proximal portion (49) of the catheter (36) and the radiation tube (4). A proximal end of the radiation tube (4) is connected to a drive device (9) for driving the radioactive source (35) through the radiation tube (4) and the catheter (36) to near the lesion (34). An axial translation device (31) is placed at the juncture (80).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Delft Instruments Intellectual Property B.V.
    Inventor: Edgar German Loffler
  • Patent number: 5996302
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for assembling together at least one series of wooden planks, each having two opposite ends and two opposite longitudinal edges, with the planks being superposed edge-to-edge to form a wall panel. The device comprises a vertical upright fitted with fastener means for fastening the upright to one of the two ends of each plank, the fastener means comprising, for each series of superposed planks, a series of tenons extending perpendicularly to the vertical upright in a common vertical plane to co-operate with mortises formed in the corresponding ends of the planks. The vertical upright is made up of a plurality of segments connected end to end and each fitted with at least one of the tenons in each series of tenons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Inventor: Daniel Choisel
  • Patent number: 5997075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a beam made of metal intended to be included as a construction element in a coachwork body for buses, trams and similar vehicles in order to be connected, in the coachwork body, to other profiled elements (16, 26, 56) which extend at right angles to said beam (1, 2). What is characteristic of the beam is that it has in profile a closed cavity (3, 43, 83) in one corner of the profile, that at least four legs (11-14, 51-54) extend out in pairs in different directions from the closed cavity, and that the legs in each pair are mutually parallel. The invention also relates to the coachwork in which the beam is included as a part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1999
    Assignee: Dunder Trading I Haparanda Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Vilho Dunder, Mauri Maattanan
  • Patent number: 5995877
    Abstract: A control unit (1) for switching and controlling functions (6) of household appliances has a continuous control surface (2) with operational areas (3) and a printed film (5). Several piezosensors (4) are arranged on a back of a plate forming the control surface (2), connected firmly and rigidly to the plate. The piezosensors (4) can be located in a film packet (9), for example, through which the piezosensors (4) are electrically connected to a processor (12). Through an offset arrangement of the piezosensors (4) in a matrix pattern direct illumination or back lighting of the printed film (5) can be achieved, thereby improving an operator's visual recognition while permitting accurate recognition of a function by the processor (12). An input filter (15) prevents operator error due to unintentional actuation of the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Preh-Werke Gmbh & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ulrich Brueggemann, Gerhard Hochgesang, Wolfgang Kuechler, Klaus Schmoeger
  • Patent number: 5992475
    Abstract: An evacuating kit (10) having a puncturing device (14) for evacuating aerosol cans into a drum (12), on which the puncturing device is mounted at a first bung hole (36), also includes a filter canister (16) for being coupled to a second bung hole (77) of the drum by a flexible transfer hose (20) so that the filter canister can be supported by a floor supporting the drum. The puncturing device further includes a valve at a second end (32) of a tubular wall (23) of a housing (22) of the puncturing device with a valve poppet (50) positioned beyond the second end for opening and closing a second-end opening (28) using the second end of the housing as a valve seat. The valve has a valve stem (48) mounted for linear movement in a web (44) of the housing extending across the second opening. The stem includes circumferentially spaced stem fingers (56) for contacting a pressurized container being punctured to open and close the valve poppet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Inventor: Michael C. Campbell
  • Patent number: 5993032
    Abstract: An articulated piece (4) for pivoting a pivotal reflector (2) of a vehicle headlight (1) about a first axis (7) and about a second axis (8) running perpendicular to the first axis, has, at an end facing the reflector, a joint shell (13) that can be connected to a translational-movable spherical head of an adjusting device for causing pivoting movement about the first axis, a snap-on part (11) at an opposite end that can be connected to the reflector, with the articulated piece being structured to be flexible in a plane running crosswise to the second axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Hella Kg Hueck & Co.
    Inventor: Thomas Herbers
  • Patent number: 5991182
    Abstract: An active rectifier used in a power supply circuit comprises a diode (4) connected between in input terminal (9) and an output terminal (8). A transistor (2) is formed in a substrate (50) and has a control electrode (5) and two conductive electrodes (6,7) which are respectively connected to the input terminal (9) and the output terminal (8). A comparator (3) is supplied by the power supply circuit and has two inputs (+, -) connected to the input (9) and the output (8) terminals respectively, and an output connected to the transistor control electrode (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: EM Microelectric -Marin SA
    Inventors: Pinchas Novac, Rudolf Bugmann
  • Patent number: 5991485
    Abstract: This method allows manufacture of an optical cable including optical fibers (1) placed in a protective sheath including two coaxial tubes (3, 5), of which the inner tube (3) which is made of plastic material, contains said fiber (1). The method consists in placing the fibers in the first tube (3) so that they have a certain overlength with respect to said tube. Then, the assembly (1, 2, 3) is surrounded by second tube (5). The second tube (5) is placed around the first tube (1) after obtaining the overlength, from a metal tape whose longitudinal edges are butted together progressive around the assembly while being fixed to each other, then the second tube (5) is shrunk against the first tube (3). A layer adhesive material (4) is preferably interposed between the two tubes (3, 5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Swisscab S.A.
    Inventors: Eberhard Kertscher, Bruno Buluschek
  • Patent number: 5990142
    Abstract: The present invention relates to novel 4-oxo-4H-1-benzopyran compounds containing benzyloxymethyl, 3-phenylpropyl, or other araliphatic substituents in their 8-position. These compounds show a leukotriene-antagonistic activity. The compounds are characterized by good oral adsorption. The compounds of the present invention may be used as anti-inflammatory and antiallergic medicaments, and in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Laboratorios Menarini S.A.
    Inventors: Germano Carganico, David Mauleon Casellas, Jaime Pascual Avellana, M. Luisa Garcia Perez, Albert Palomer Benet
  • Patent number: 5988837
    Abstract: A method for adjusting a vehicle headlight during cornering, involves creating cornering light by superimposing a light distribution pattern (37) with a greater horizontal dispersion than that of a low-beam light onto the low-beam light distribution pattern (36). A fog-light distribution pattern (37) of a fog light is used as the light distribution pattern having the greater horizontal dispersion. A single headlight unit can be used for generating such cornering light according to the method of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hella KG Hueck & Co.
    Inventors: Karsten Eichhorn, Franz-Josef Kalze, Christian Plattfaut
  • Patent number: 5988048
    Abstract: The invention includes a process for preparing a unified serving of a batter-cooked food, for example shrimp tempura in the shape of a ring, that comprises the steps of: providing multiple pieces of a food to be cooked; coating each piece with a batter; frying the coated pieces in a mold in a hot oil or fat medium in order to cook the food, expand the batter, and join the battered pieces into a shaped food product reflecting the shape of the mold; and removing the shaped food product from the oil or fat and the mold. The cooking mold is preferably a deep-frying cooking vessel assembly comprising a generally U-shaped channel of flat metal. The cooking vessel assembly is configured with apertures and with a handle and/or a scraper. The apertures and handle are configured to provide quick submerging and quick fryer medium contact around the food being deep-fried in the cooking vessel assembly. The cooking vessel assembly is further configured to shape food items to be deep-fried in the cooking vessel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kerry Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Hunter, Neil J. Trager
  • Patent number: 5991703
    Abstract: (a) A surface shape of an object 1 is measured from different positions and/or different directions and plural partial measurement data 2 including common part 1a is obtained. (b) A parametric surface showing the surface shape of each measurement range is formed from the data. (c) A plurality of sampling points are set at a predetermined pitch in the common part and the Gaussian curvature K and/or an average curvature H are calculated from the principal curvatures (.kappa..sub.1, .kappa..sub.2) in the points. (d) Three or more characteristic points are selected in accordance with the order from larger absolute values of K or H in the common part and a normal vector of a plane constructed by three points among the points is calculated. (e) The common parts are made coincide with each other by moving the parametric surfaces so as to coincide the three characteristic points with each other and to coincide the directions of the normal vectors with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
    Inventor: Kiwamu Kase
  • Patent number: 5988690
    Abstract: A junction device for joining a tube (3) to the body of a part (2) including a cylindrical endpiece (1) belonging to the part and defining a end face (6), and a coupling sleeve (11) having a first section (12) including releasable fastener means (13) for co-operating with corresponding means (5) on the coupling endpiece (1) and having a second section (14) axially adjacent to the first section (12) and including means (15) for opposing extraction of an end of the tube (3) placed in the sleeve (11) and in abutment against the end face (6) of the endpiece (1), in which the sleeve (11) is internally fitted with a guide ring (19) for guiding the end of the tube (3), the inside diameter (D) of the ring being substantially equal to the outside diameter of the tube (3), the ring possessing a first portion (20) mounted to slide in the second section (14) of the sleeve (11) and a second portion (21) projecting axially into the first section (12) of the sleeve (11), and the endpiece (1) being provided with a groove (7)
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Legris S.A.
    Inventor: Olivier Bogard
  • Patent number: 5990568
    Abstract: A yawing system for a wind turbine is provided. The system adjusts the wind turbine into a required wind direction against the wind by turning the turbine about a yawing axle (14) and counteracts periodic vibrations in a nacelle of the turbine as it turns around the yawing axle from being transmitted as pulsating moments to a tower structure. At least one hydraulic motor (34) turns the nacelle (12) about the yawing axle (14). A controllable throttle valve (50) is disposed in a parallel line to the hydraulic motor (34). A regulator (30) is capable of changing an opening diameter of said throttle valve (50) in accordance with a position of the nacelle in relation to the wind direction such that the periodic vibrations are utilized for turning the nacelle and correcting for changes in the wind direction during operation by a successive movement of the nacelle in small steps in the required wind direction during each periodic vibration around the yawing axle and at the same time as the nacelle is dampened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Kvaerner ASA
    Inventors: Sten Hildingsson, Torbjorn Westin
  • Patent number: 5988357
    Abstract: A low-splash auger system is provided wherein an auger is housed within a housing. A portion of the auger extends out of an end of the housing for insertion into a hopper. The end of the housing is slanted for minimizing product from splashing upward when the auger is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Flexi-Coil Ltd.
    Inventors: Russell J. Memory, Blake R. Neudorf
  • Patent number: 5986886
    Abstract: Three-dimensional flexible electronic module consists of unpackaged electronic components, packaged electronic components and microboards with unpackaged active and passive electronic components. The module can contain different transducers and receiver-transmitter system. Unpackaged electronic components, packaged electronic components and microboards besides interconnections are electrically connected one to another by the means of flexible corrugated commutation boards having variable cross-section. Every heat emitting component is obtained by a heat sink, having a heat contact with external flexible cover of the module. Repairability of the module in the case of any component failure is provided.The being proposed construction, having all the advantages of three-dimensional modules (first of all, high packing density), is able to change its shape: be compressed and strained, bended in every direction without any change in functional properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: R-Amtech International, Inc.
    Inventor: Yuriy Dmitrievich Sasov
  • Patent number: 5986266
    Abstract: A method of calibrating multi-crystal, single block radiation detectors for use in positron emission tomography and other devices with multi-crystal, single block radiation detectors that are used to determine gamma ray distribution. The detector units are individually subjected to a gamma ray flood source wherein the gamma ray has an energy in excess of about 0.7 MeV, and preferably above about 1.0 MeV. Energies of up to about 10 MeV are usable with the calibration method, with higher energies giving rise to containment and handling problems because of the energy. The light produced within each of the crystals is converted to electrical signals through, for example, photomultiplier tubes. These signals are used to generate a lookup map, this map providing information as to the correct positioning and response of each crystal in the array of crystals of the block detector. The method is useful for detector blocks of of many sizes that are divided into arrays of a large number of crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Inventors: Mark S. Andreaco, Joel G. Rogers
  • Patent number: 5982290
    Abstract: A system for indicating the level of a liquid in a container is operable with either an analog type liquid level sensor producing an output signal which varies linearly in magnitude with the level of liquid, or a digital liquid level sensor producing a cyclic pulse width modulated signal which varies in duration according to the liquid level. One or the other type sensor is connected to an analog wire and a microprocessor is programmed to detect positive and negative going edges of pulses on the wire and generate values representing the duration of the pulses. If pulse edges are detected, the microprocessor uses the generated values representing the duration of the pulses to access a conversion table and obtain a multi-bit value for energizing the display. If no pulse edges are detected, the magnitude of the signal on the analog wire is converted to an equivalent digital value which is applied to a second conversion table to derive a multi-bit value for energizing the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: New Holland North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John G. Berger, Mark K. Chow
  • Patent number: 5982157
    Abstract: In this booster, the voltage across the terminals of the photovoltaic power source (1) is regulated as a function of a reference voltage (V.sub.ref) which is chosen to be substantially equal to the voltage corresponding to the maximum value of the voltage-power curve of this source. The reference voltage generated in the reference generator (9) is compared to the voltage (V.sub.sc) of the source (1), the result is sampled and influences the duty cycle of a control signal (F.sub.c) applied to the switching transistor (7). The latter is responsible for chopping the current flowing from the source to the load (accumulator 6) through an inductor coil (4) and a diode (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Asulab S.A.
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Wattenhofer, Pierre-Andre Farine