Patents Represented by Law Firm Mueller and Smith
  • Patent number: 5874796
    Abstract: A P.M. d.c. motor which may utilize "brushless" commutation. The motor includes a stator assembly with a plurality of upstanding discrete spaced-apart core components formed in a circular locus generally parallel with the motor axis. Each core component includes a relatively lengthy winding association region and extending therefrom a pole piece region providing a flux interaction surface. A field winding mounted upon a bobbin is positioned over the core component at the winding association region and when excited, generates electromagnetic flux at the flux interaction surface. A permanent magnet component is carried by a rotor such that its interaction surface is adjacent to that at the pole piece region, and is spaced therefrom to define a flux working gap at a desirably lengthy working gap radius from the motor axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventor: Christian C. Petersen
  • Patent number: 5874808
    Abstract: A low turn-on voltage volcano-shaped field emitter, a method of fabrication, and integration into an addressable array suitable for applications in field emitter displays and other electron generating applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, the device is fabricated using a stepped insulator in which the distance between the gate and the emitter near the emission surface is significantly reduced with respect to the thickness of the insulator and separates the gate from the emitter. By keeping the large gate-to-emitter distance, the device capacitance is reduced and fabrication yield is increased, since pinholes in the insulator are significantly reduced. In another embodiment of the present invention, the integration of the device into an addressable array suitable for electron emission is described. The array incorporates a network of resistors which assures uniform emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Inventors: Heinz H. Busta, Jay E. Pogemiller
  • Patent number: 5868034
    Abstract: In the present invention, a single cylinder or solenoid, ratchet-action, three speed actuator is used on an in-line shifter which actuator can be controlled by a button, single rpm switch, timer or a multiple number of rpm switches, or timers with a special controller. In-line shifters can control forward or reverse pattern transmissions. The pattern for a three-speed forward shifting transmission is first gear, second gear, third gear, neutral, reverse, and park. The pattern for a three-speed reverse shifting transmission is third gear, second gear, first gear, neutral, reverse, and park. A shifter for a forward pattern transmission must be pushed or pulled in a forward direction to shift to the next higher gear, and a shifter for a reverse pattern transmission must be pushed or pulled in a rearward direction to shift to the next higher gear. The handle of an in-line shifter travels in an arc through these patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Inventor: Patrick A. McFadden
  • Patent number: 5857463
    Abstract: System and apparatus particularly suited for tracking a radiopharmaceutical present within a lymph duct and locating a sentinel node within which the radiopharmaceutical has concentrated. A smaller, straight, hand-held probe is employed carrying two hand actuable switches. For tracking procedures, the probe is moved in an undulatory manner wherein the location of the radiopharmaceutical containing duct is determined by observing a graphics readout developed preferably employing a circularly accessed data memory. When the region of the sentinel node is approached, a switch on the probe device is actuated by the surgeon to carry out a sequence of squelching operations until a small node locating region is defined. At that point in the procedure, the straight small probe will be pointed at and in adjacency with the radiopharmaceutical containing sentinel node. The probe-mounted switches are configured to apply preset current levels upon the probe pre-amplifier power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Neoprobe Corporation
    Inventors: Marlin O. Thurston, Karl W. Olson
  • Patent number: 5856375
    Abstract: Broadly, the present invention relates to furan no-bake foundry binders where bisphenol A tar (BPAT) is used to replace a portion of the furfuryl alcohol and any conventional filler optionally included in for binder formulation. Reduction in the amount of furfuryl alcohol in the foundry binder formulation may lead to a reduction in the cost and an improvement in early strength of these formulations. Accordingly, in a furan no-bake foundry binder of a resin derived from a major proportion of furfuryl alcohol and optionally fillers, the improvement which comprises at least a fraction of said furfuryl alcohol being bisphenol A tar. Bisphenol A tar also can replace at least a fraction of any filler included in the binder formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Ashland, Inc.
    Inventors: Ken K. Chang, Michael C. Clingerman, Michelle L. Lott, James T. Schneider
  • Patent number: 5855969
    Abstract: One aspect of the present invention is a method for marking metal or other product for its identification. This method includes the steps of: (a) forming on said product or on a tag to be attached to said product a layer of coating containing an additive that is darkenable under the action of a CO.sub.2 laser beam to form product identification indicia; (b) providing a raster-scanning infrared laser beam emitting CO.sub.2 laser that raster-scans in the Y-axis; (c) effecting impingement of said laser beam from said laser onto said coating layer, wherein one or more of said laser beam or said coating layer moves in the X-axis for said laser beam to form said product identification indicia from said additive that is darkened by said laser beam; and (d) if said coating layer was applied to a tag, attaching said tag to said product. The zone can be an area on the metal product that has been coated with a layer of the coating or can be a metal tag that has been coated with a layer of the coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Infosight Corp.
    Inventor: John A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 5849864
    Abstract: The present invention is addressed a formulation curable in the presence of an amine and containing one or more of a polyol or polymercapto resin, a polyisocyanate cross-linking agent, optionally a organic vehicle, and a tin catalyst complex. The present invention comprises the catalyst complex being formed from a metal catalyst and a complexing sulfonic acid in an equivalent ratio of complexing sulfonic acid to metal catalyst of greater than 2:1. Such curable formulation may be compounded into a coating, an adhesive (including a structural adhesive), a caulk, a foundry binder, or the like. Besides having excellent shelf life, long periods of open time are experienced with the novel catalyzed formulation. However, upon exposure to an amine, the catalyst complex becomes activated and then is effective to catalyze the NCO--OH reaction or the NCO--SH reaction to effect cure of the formulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1998
    Assignee: Ashland Chemical Company
    Inventors: Gary M. Carlson, Laurence G. Dammann
  • Patent number: 5839250
    Abstract: Broadly, the present invention is directed to an edge protector method and system for protecting an outside corner of a room which corner is formed by two walls. The inventive method for protecting such corner includes supplying a tape wound in roll form which tape is formed from polymeric material (e.g., polycarbonate) in a thickness of about 5 to 15 mils and which is scored. The tape has a front surface and a rear surface which is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. Preferably, a release liner is secured to the adhesively-coated side of the tape. Also, preferably, the tape and release liner both are axially scored. The tape is unrolled from the roll with the score in axial alignment with the room corner. Finally, the coated rear surface is pressed on each wall extending from the corner to form a corner edge protector for the corner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Stanley A. Hibler
  • Patent number: 5830185
    Abstract: A position-independent fluid trap for separating at least a portion of a first fluid of a first density entrained within a flow stream of a second fluid of a second density flowing through a fluid circuit. The trap is connectable within the fluid circuit to a first length of tubing defining an inlet line and to a second length of tubing defining an outlet line, and includes a housing enclosing an interior chamber having a geometric extent of a given volumetric capacity. An inlet port is provided to open in fluid communication with the interior chamber and to be couplable to the inlet line. An outlet tube is provided to extend from a proximal end couplable to the outlet line to a distal end disposed within the housing and opening in fluid communication with the interior chamber. Within the interior chamber, the first and second fluid are separated at an interface into a first and second fluid component according to the relative densities thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Instrumentarium Corp.
    Inventor: Frank E. Block, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5821434
    Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for measuring the grip performance of a vehicle by interposing a load carrier member intermediate an upright and an axle. The load carrier member is configured as having a geometry for measurement of a magnitude and relative direction of the instantaneous load forces acting between the axle and the upright and includes a planetary bearing carrier received coaxially over the axle for linear movement therewith. The bearing carrier extends from an outboard first end to an inboard second end configured to define a force transmitting portion. A rotational bearing assembly is interposed between the bearing carrier and the axle providing for the rotation of the axle within the bearing carrier. A first linear bearing assembly is interposed between the upright and the bearing carrier providing for the linear movement of the bearing carrier relative to the upright.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1998
    Inventor: Donald R. Halliday
  • Patent number: 5815088
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for switching between two input sources to a television receiver and/or video recording device. Switching may be carried out with a conventional remote control otherwise dedicated to the video recorder or television receiver by holding down a control button thereof for at least a predetermined interval of time, for example two seconds. Five RF diode switches along with solid state logic components are employed to respond to the remotely developed switching signals for carrying out TV receiver and VCR source selections by the viewer. The pre-existing television or VCR operational status is not affected by the remote controllers where an ongoing channel selection simply is reinforced or a function of the remote controller is elected which has no undesired effect upon that ongoing operational status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Inventor: Fred R. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 5814295
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for reliably determining lymph nodes enriched in tumor reactive cells, e.g., CD4+tumor-specific lymphocytes. This method includes the steps of administering to a patient an effective amount of a radiolabeled locator which specifically binds a marker produced by or associated with neoplastic tissue. Time is permitted to elapse following the administration for the radiolabeled locator to preferentially concentrate in any neoplastic tissue and for unbound radiolabeled locator to be cleared, so as to increase the ratio of photon emissions from neoplastic tissue to background photon emissions in the patient. After the time has elapsed, the patient is accessed with a radiation detection probe for determining lymph node sites exhibiting accretion of the radiolabeled locator by detecting with the probe elevated levels of radiation at the lymph node sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Ohio State University Research Foundation
    Inventors: Edward W. Martin, Jr., Brian J. Czerniecki, Pierre L. Triozzi, Julian A. Kim
  • Patent number: 5807392
    Abstract: A surgical instrument having a resistively-heated heating component responsive to a power source for generating thermal excitation effective for cutting tissue and carrying out hemostasis. The surgical instrument includes a support assembly having two leg extensions connected in heat transfer relationship with the heating component. Two thermal transition regions are provided within the heating component and have extents effective to provide a decreasing temperature gradient and to restrict temperature levels exhibited at the support assembly. The support assembly is formed of high thermally conductive material and extends from the transition regions to an elongate shaft. This shaft is in heat transfer relationship with the support assembly and is formed from a high thermally conductive material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1998
    Inventor: Philip E. Eggers
  • Patent number: 5794910
    Abstract: A sign post is formed of a lower support component for anchoring within terrain, leaving an exposed upper portion above the surface of such terrain. The support component includes an array of longitudinally regularly spaced apertures. An upper support component formed having the same cross-sectional configuration and regularly spaced apertures is attached to the lower component at the exposed portion through the utilization of a splicing technique. The splice is formed as a stress transfer bar having two strategically positioned bores therein. These bores are spaced apart longitudinally a distance representing an even integer of the upper and lower component aperture spacing. Breakaway bolts are positioned through one of the components and into and through the stress transfer bar, and then the second component is attached with nuts being positioned and tightened over the bolts as they extend through the stress transfer bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Inventor: Mark S. Granger
  • Patent number: 5788647
    Abstract: Method, system, and apparatus for evaluating hemodynamic parameters and, in particular, cardiac output. A pulmonary artery catheter is described which incorporates a diffuser of gas biocompatible with the body such as oxygen at an indwelling region such that the gas may be employed to carry out a dilution technique to measure cardiac output. A mixed venous blood gas level then is measured at the pulmonary artery using a gas sensor. The preferred gas sensor employs oximetry to derive values of mixed venous oxygen saturation. An alternate embodiment utilizes an electrode/electrolyte approach as the gas sensor to carry out measurement of dissolved oxygen in mixed venous blood. The system utilizes a microprocessor driven controller to develop multiple evaluations over sequential measurement intervals and to compute a variety of hemodynamic parameters including the noted cardiac output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1998
    Inventor: Philip E. Eggers
  • Patent number: 5785201
    Abstract: A molded lid having an intermediate region configured as a sequence of waves, each of curved cross-section forming successively occurring crests and troughs, and exhibiting amplitudes increasing in value from the lid center toward the rim. The waves terminate at a ring band which is located to slide in adjacency with the inwardly disposed side of a plastic drum. The lid is provided with a polymeric gasket which is retained in position by a retainer band which is insertable in sliding compressive engagement within a retainer cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Container Accessories, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul G. Bordner, Richard P. Brandt
  • Patent number: 5752411
    Abstract: The inventive method for measuring the mass of the gas component and the mass of the water vapor component of a gas/water vapor source stream flowing in a conduit under reduced pressure comprises storing a correlation of relative saturation of water in said gas and the output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor. Next, a correlation of the flow rate of the gas component of a flowing gas/water vapor reference stream and the output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor as a function of water vapor density is stored. A correlation of maximum water vapor saturation in the gas as a function of temperature also is stored. An electrical signal of a temperature sensor in contact with said source stream then is generated. An output electrical signal of a relative humidity sensor in contact with said source stream also is generated. An output electrical signal of a temperature-compensated flow sensor in contact with said source stream further is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Intek, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph W. Harpster
  • Patent number: 5732704
    Abstract: The method for identifying a sentinel lymph node located within a grouping of regional nodes at a lymph draininage basin associated with neoplastic tissue wherein a radiopharmaceutical is injected at the situs of the neoplastic tissue. This radiopharmaceutical migrates along a lymph duct toward the drainage basin containing the sentinel node. A hand-held probe with a forwardly disposed radiation detector crystal is maneuvered along the duct while the clinician observes a graphical readout of count rate amplitudes to determine when the probe is aligned with the duct. The region containing the sentinel node is identified when the count rate at the probe substantially increases. Following incision, the probe is maneuvered utilizing a sound output in connection with actuation of the probe to establish increasing count rate thresholds followed by incremental movements until the threshold is not reached and no sound cue is given the surgeon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Neoprobe Corporation
    Inventors: Marlin O. Thurston, Karl W. Olson, Richard C. Orahood, Michael D. Magill
  • Patent number: D400249
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Neoprobe Corporation
    Inventors: Mark E. Holubar, Michael J. Sidi
  • Patent number: D403385
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Assignee: MD Systems
    Inventors: Michael A. Smyser, David W. Ferguson