Patents Represented by Attorney Miller Matthias & Hull LLP
  • Patent number: 8052385
    Abstract: An outer seal assembly of a turbine rotor stage is secured within a circumferential groove of the turbine casing in such a manner as to both fix the outer seal assembly in its installed position and also provide for sealing around its outer periphery so as to thereby prevent the leakage of cooling air therearound. A plurality of arcuate elements having an angle-shaped cross sectional profile are provided to interface between radially extending arms of the outer seal assembly and the inner surface of the casing, with a locking mechanism then being applied to secure the two structures in their installed positions. Each of the arcuate elements includes a radially extending panel, a plurality of forwardly extending hooks that are disposed within a groove in the casing, and a second forwardly extending flange that engages the rear surface of the outer seal assembly arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph J. Thompson, Susan M. Tholen
  • Patent number: 8051960
    Abstract: A braking apparatus for a blind, used to reduce the speed of a shielding member of the blind when it is lifted and lowered, in which weights are stably supported and operated without an increase in the size of the braking apparatus. The braking apparatus has a casing, a rotor rotatably supported with in the casing, and weights adapted to rotate together with the rotor in such a way that they can be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the casing. A cylindrical shaft portion and weight support portions radially projecting from the peripheral surface of the shaft portion at equal intervals in the circumferential direction are formed on the rotor. One end of each weight is swingably supported by the weight support portion extending over the axial-direction entire length of the weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Nichibei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Nakajima
  • Patent number: 8040967
    Abstract: A signal is received in a telecommunication network in the form of P signals received on P corresponding antennas, where P is greater than or equal to 1. The received signals correspond to a multi-carrier signal transmitted in the form of flames comprising symbols occupying corresponding positions distributed along a time axis and along a frequency axis; a frame comprising M blocks each having at least N reference symbols. The reference symbols in each of the blocks satisfy a first maximum spacing between each other along the time axis and a second maximum spacing between each other along the frequency axis, less than a first value and a second value respectively, M being an integer number equal to at least two. M estimated noise power values are determined at frame level, each related to one of the M emitted reference symbol blocks. Values of the estimated noise power for the other symbols in the frame are then obtained from the determined estimated noise power values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: EADS Secure Networks
    Inventors: Philippe Mege, Christophe Brutel
  • Patent number: 8040784
    Abstract: The invention concerns a reading/writing tip configured in the shape of a needle consisting of a core of refractory material covered with a coating of electrically conductive material, and having an outer microscope needle geometry by tunnel effect, to obtain an information concerning a surface through tunnel-effect microscopy The needle emits a charged particle from the layer of electrically conductive material, to form the surface. The tip comprises a reservoir capable of being liquefied to flow along the tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique
    Inventors: Jacques Gierak, David Martrou
  • Patent number: 8033127
    Abstract: An R-410A DX heating/cooling system with: an electrical generating expansion device; with a protective means for refrigerant transport tubing containing dissimilar metals and/or in corrosive environments; with an automatic heating mode expansion device; with a TXV by-pass design; with retractable sub-surface tubing designs; with sub-surface line set sizing at varying depths and lengths; with reciprocal compressor sizing; with a DX Hydronic system design; with an improved oil separator float design; with a mobile DX system design; and with a resting module DX system design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Earth To Air Systems, LLC
    Inventor: B. Ryland Wiggs
  • Patent number: 8031788
    Abstract: A signal is received by P antennas. It includes frames having symbols occupying respective positions distributed along an axis of time and of frequency, a frame including M blocks having N reference symbols M groups of P weighting coefficients are determined, each one of the groups relating to one of the blocks emitted, with the coefficients of a group being associated to the blocks which are received on the P antennas and which correspond to the block emitted relating to the group. The coefficients are determined so as to increase via a threshold value, an error value for each block emitted, between the reference symbols of the block emitted, and the symbols obtained using the symbols received on each antenna at the positions of reference symbols corresponding to the block emitted and the associated coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: EADS Secure Networks
    Inventors: Philippe Mege, Christophe Brutel
  • Patent number: 8020332
    Abstract: Device for the storage of a gun with a base, a safety unit for the secure storage of the gun on the base and a controller, wherein the safety unit can be inserted at least partially into the barrel and/or a cartridge chamber of the gun and comprises a first safety section, which can be brought into a safety state, in which the safety unit is secured in the gun, and into a release state, in which the safety unit can be separated from the gun, and the controller brings the first safety section into its release state when a user authorization is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Armatix GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Friedrich Giebel, Daniel Graser, Ernst Mauch, Stefan Parhofer, Vaso Pavlicic, Dirk Steuwer
  • Patent number: 8021900
    Abstract: Methods for the production of integrated optical waveguides which have a patterned upper cladding with a defined opening to allow at least one side or at least one end of a light transmissive element to be air clad The at least one side or at least one end is, for preference, a lens structure unitary with the waveguide or a bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: RPO Pty Limited
    Inventors: Ian Andrew Maxwell, Dax Kukulj, Robert Bruce Charters
  • Patent number: 8016143
    Abstract: The invention relates to a stopper, provided with an obstructor (1), for a can. Said stopper comprises a cap (3) provided with a central opening (5) and an annular skirt (7), and an annular shaft (17) extending around the opening, in addition to a capsule (19) which is detachably fixed, by means of a tear element (23), to a free edge (25) of the shaft opposite the opening. The tear element joining the shaft to the capsule is placed in an entrance area at an angle in the free edge of the shaft. At least one sealing lip (37) is disposed on the inner surface of the shaft, and the cap, skirt and capsule of the stopper are molded in a single piece without any welding or the addition of another component or detachable part. The invention also relates to a method for the production of said stopper by offset injection in a region which is outside the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventors: Gérard Perrin, Henri Pionchon
  • Patent number: 8016274
    Abstract: An antivibration device for supporting loads and damping vibration between external elements. The antivibration device comprises two rigid members and a resilient body for supporting loads and partially damping vibrations The antivibration device also comprises a damping unit for further damping of vibrations coincidentally with the resilient body. The antivibration also has an inhibitor apparatus which may be operated to drive the damping unit between two positions to selectively allow the transmission of loads and vibrations to the damping unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Paulstra CRC
    Inventor: Blake Adams
  • Patent number: 8018129
    Abstract: An entire length of a fluorescent lamp is made short to allow the fluorescent lamp to be downsized and the part other than the fluorescent lamp to be shortened so as to advantageously improve the design potentials and enhance the lighting effect. A fluorescent lamp to be fitted to a feeding side member, or a hook ceiling, having a pair of retaining holes and a pair of feeding side terminals arranged at corresponding positions, comprises a fluorescent lamp main body, an inverter-containing case arranged at a proximal end side of the fluorescent lamp main body and a pair of terminals arranged at the side of the case opposite to the fluorescent lamp main body. The pair of terminals have the tip ends bent so as to be retained by the feeding side member and establish electric connection to the feeding side terminals as they are respectively inserted into the pair of retaining holes of the feeding side member and displaced in the rotating direction around the center of the fluorescent lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignees: Monoco Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Namio Nakazawa
  • Patent number: 8014778
    Abstract: A mobile terminal of a digital cellular radiocommunication system that is in the receiving phase in a group call while roaming in a current cell, indicates to a fixed network element of the system, a given destination cell out of a number N of cells adjacent to the current cell. The system uses a time and/or frequency division multiple access method, and any modulation method. The mobile terminal sends an identification sequence of the destination cell in a time slot of an inbound signaling channel which is a contention channel. The identification sequence comprises a predetermined identification pattern out of a determined number P of identification patterns of different respective values, where P is an integer number such that 1<P?N. The values of the P identification patterns are such that they correspond to mutually-orthogonal modulated signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: EADS Secure Networks
    Inventors: Gérard Marque-Pucheu, Christophe Molko
  • Patent number: 8011447
    Abstract: A method of surveying drill holes, typically for use in underground mining situations where the holes are bored using a top hammer drill rig (10), utilizes a survey tool located adjacent the drill bit (1) which is used to log position readings as the drill string is withdrawn from the hole after the drilling operation. In this manner, it is possible to log the actual hole bored by the drill string (3) in real time as the drilling operation proceeds, and show deviation from intended hole positions (5) or (6). The survey tool typically includes an inertial survey package, a power source, and a data logger with the survey package selected from the group comprising commercially known inertial known survey packages, for superior characteristics of resistance to vibration and impact. The survey tool is maintained in a sleeping mode while drilling is undertaken, and activated to provide position data as the drill string is progressively withdrawn from the actual hole path (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: CMTE Development Limited
    Inventors: Scott David Keniston, Paul J. A. Levers
  • Patent number: 8007279
    Abstract: Disclosed within is a dental restorative system including an impression coping with a body portion having a first end, a second end, and an internal chamber having non-frustoconical side walls. The body portion also has a facial aspect and a lingual aspect and the distance between the first end and second end on the facial aspect is greater than the distance between the first end and second end on the lingual aspect. The first end of the impression coping may include an opening and an interproximal, continuous slope. Certain embodiments of the impression coping include means for engaging an abutment or implant, located on the internal chamber. Other embodiments include external flange portions for retention of the coping in impression material. Alternative embodiments of the impression coping are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Zimmer Dental, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Bassett, Kent Woolf, Charles W. Howlett, Maurice Salama, Henry Salama, David Garber
  • Patent number: 7997134
    Abstract: A gyroscopic system is disclosed comprising at least a vibrating gyroscope, as a first mechanism of angle measurement, designed to provide a first measurement of angle values according to a measurement axis; and a second mechanism of angle measurement, designed to provide a second measurement of angle values according to said measurement axis. First angle values through the first angle measurement mechanism vibrating in a current vibration position and second angle values through the second angle measurement mechanism are provided simultaneously; and from these second angle values corrected on the basis of a comparison of the first and second angle values are deduced. Then the vibration position of the first angle measurement mechanism is changed from the current position to another vibration position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Sagem Defense Securite
    Inventors: Christian Lignon, Arnauld Carre
  • Patent number: 7997172
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus in the field of computer numerically controlled machine tools. A rotating workpiece is brought into contact with a tool, the tool being disposed in a rotating tool holder and traversing an eccentric path. By rotating the tool holder and workpiece synchronously, various characteristics forms may be produced. The method in some embodiments is useful in the turning of noncircular shapes, such as ovoid pistons and other parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Mori Seiki USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Hyatt, Abhijit Sahasrabudhe
  • Patent number: 7998343
    Abstract: Wastewater treatment systems are disclosed with improved aeration tanks. The aeration tank includes an inverted frusto-conical clarifier and a submersible aerator pump disposed between the bottom of the aeration tank and the interior of the clarifier. The pump is connected to an air inlet line that can pass downward through the clarifier. A plurality of bubble outlet lines extend outward from the pump radially and tangentially towards the sidewall of the aeration tank. Bubbles rise upward through the aeration space disposed outside of the clarifier and around the aeration space or around the clarifier for improved mixing. The system may include a baffled pretreatment tank and/or pump tank The slopes of the sidewalls of these tanks are of the same magnitude but opposite to that of the aeration tank thereby enabling tank nesting. Methods of retrofitting water treatment systems and treating wastewater are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Gast Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Mark Aker, Dan A. Papczynski, Caleb Youker
  • Patent number: 7994724
    Abstract: An inductive plasma applicator comprises a ferromagnetic inductively coupled source and an electrode with a hole pattern centered with respect to the plasma source. Such plasma applicator provides an efficient energy transfer to the plasma. The plasma applicator is preferably manufactured using a technology for producing electrical circuits. The electrode and a coil of the ferromagnetic inductively coupled plasma source are metal track portions formed on an insulating substrate. For example, the plasma applicator is manufactured using printed circuit board technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignees: Ecole Polytechnique, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-CNRS
    Inventor: Sébastien Dine
  • Patent number: 7988145
    Abstract: A hold-down device is disclosed for holding down the leading edges of sheet materials, such as multiple-ply sheets or integrated forms, disposed in a tray of a printer in a horizontal or flat position prior to feeding the leading edge of the top sheet or integrated form into the printer feed mechanism. Because some sheet materials are prone to curling, which causes jamming in the feed mechanism or downstream in printing path within commonly used printers, the disclosed hold-down device maintains the leading edge of the top sheet in a flat or horizontal position so it can be reliably and evenly received in the feeder mechanism of the printer, thereby reducing the chances of jamming when sheet materials that are prone to curling, such as multiple-ply sheets or integrated forms, are being printed. The hold-down device includes a base with two ends. Each end may include a retainer or other means for detachably connecting the base to the paper tray of the printer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Chicago, Tag & Label
    Inventors: F. Paul Valenti, Jr., Carl Opel, Dan Hedger, Tom Hogan
  • Patent number: 7987605
    Abstract: A combination target reflector, light emitter and bracket assembly is disclosed for use in marking points during the taking of a land survey. The combination is pivotally connected to a central rod of a target tripod or a tripod that supports a target reflector. The disclosed combination includes first and second arms and a light emitter that is held in axial alignment with the target reflector. The first arm is pivotally and perpendicularly connected to the central rod of the tripod. The second arm is perpendicularly connected to the target reflector and the light emitter. The tripod can be moved close to a point to be marked, the tripod can be adjusted to plumb the target reflector and then the second arms, light emitter and target reflector can be moved out of axial alignment with the rod to mark the point without moving the tripod. As a result, the conventional trial and error procedure currently employed can be avoided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Inventors: Roger Fleenor, Richard John Fleenor