Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Weingarten, Schurgin, Gagnebin & Hayes
  • Patent number: 6314815
    Abstract: In order to compensate non-linearity in the zero drift of the bridge at very low temperatures, a strain gauge in at least one of the arms of the bridge is in series with a resistor, e.g., a connection lead, of resistance that is much less than that of the strain gauge, and a compensation circuit is connected in parallel with the resistor. The compensation circuit includes a resistive element, e.g., a platinum probe, whose resistance varies as a function of temperature in such a manner as to influence, in the very low temperature range, the resistance of the parallel circuit of which it forms a part, and to do so in a manner that is sensitive to temperature and that increases with decreasing temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Societe Nationale d'Etude et de Construction de Moteurs d'Aviation - S.N.E.C.M.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Bernard Avisse
  • Patent number: 6315412
    Abstract: A Non-Maxwellian, free viewing system capable of psychophysical measurement of visual sensitivity for the determination of ocular components is disclosed. The apparatus features electronically controlled light emitting elements whose outputs are variable with respect to intensity and temporal pattern, and can be combined by a small number of optical components. The light emitting elements can have outputs of different wavelengths, can be positioned at different retinal locations, and can be viewed through masks or apertures having different geometries. These features permit miniaturization of the device, and eliminate a major or experimental difficulty of light path alignment associated with larger systems, thus simplifying the measurement of macular pigment density compared to procedures used with a full sized optical bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc.
    Inventors: D. Max Snodderly, Richard I. Land, Billy R. Wooten
  • Patent number: 6317439
    Abstract: A SONET interface line unit which includes an interface to a SONET ring, an STM switch fabric, and STM synchronization function within a single module. The line unit includes an optical interface for communicating SONET traffic with a SONET ring, an ATM interface for communicating ATM traffic with an ATM switch fabric unit, and two or more service unit interfaces for communicating with service units having service interfaces to a service side of a network element. The service unit interfaces operate using the STM protocol. The line unit further includes forwarding logic for extracting ATM traffic and STM traffic from the composite traffic received from the SONET ring. The line unit further provides synchronization signals to other units within the network element, derived from a selected timing reference signal. An extended synchronization module is used to interface to a larger number of timing references within the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Fujitsu Network Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Gabriel E. Cardona, Charles M. Honaker, Jr., Ertugrul Baydar
  • Patent number: 6311504
    Abstract: An absorption heat pump and controlling methods thereof for utilizing exhaust heat to obtain high- and low-temperature fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shiguma Yamazaki, Masahiro Furukawa, Kazuyasu Iramina
  • Patent number: 6312318
    Abstract: A method and a grinding machine for centerless angular plunge grinding a workpiece are disclosed. The workpiece is rotatable about a first axis and has essentially cylindrical sections of different diameter and at least one shoulder located between the sections. The grinding wheel has a conically shaped periphery and is rotated about its axis inclined relative to the workpiece axis by a predetermined angle. The grinding wheel is brought into engagement with the workpiece with at least an axial surface line of its periphery. The grinding wheel and the workpiece are fed-in relative to one another by a predetermined amount of overmeasure. The feeding-in is effected in at least two steps. In a first step the feeding-in is effected essentially in a radial direction. In a second step the feeding-in is effected essentially in an axial direction. In the first step essentially the overmeasure in the area of the cylindrical sections is removed. In the second step essentially the overmeasure of the shoulder is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Schaudt Mikrosa BWF GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Mushardt, Ingo Rauch
  • Patent number: 6313610
    Abstract: A battery protection circuit includes back-to-back connected metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs). Detection circuitry detects whether the battery is in a normal charge condition, an overcharged condition, or an over-discharged condition, and for the overcharged and over-discharged conditions the circuitry asserts a corresponding enable signal. For each MOSFET, a corresponding gate voltage regulating circuit controls the gate voltage such that (i) when the corresponding enable signal is de-asserted, the gate voltage is sufficient to enable the MOSFET to strongly conduct current in either direction, and (ii) when the corresponding enable signal is asserted, the gate voltage is a function of the polarity of drain-to-source voltage of the MOSFET.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventor: Roman Korsunsky
  • Patent number: 6314314
    Abstract: A technique for localizing an internal bleeding site in the human body is provided. The technique entails the injection of radioactively labelled protein or factor used in the clotting process in solution into a human body When the protein or factor has built up in sufficient quantities at a bleeding site to form a clot, the radioactive emission is used to detect the location of the clot. One or more passes of the detector can be used to accurately pinpoint the location of the clot, and thereby, locate the bleeding site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Inventor: Seth J. Karp
  • Patent number: 6308582
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring device for measuring flux rate and temperature of a flowable medium, comprising an external pipe sleeve and an internal pipe provided within said external pipe sleeve, with the diameter of said internal pipe having been dimensioned such that a cavity is formed between said internal pipe and said external pipe sleeve, wherein medium is allowed to flow into said internal pipe via an aperture formed at a first end of said internal pipe, and an aperture is provided at the second end of said internal pipe via which the medium can flow out of the internal pipe and exit the measuring device via said cavity. A flux meter and a temperature meter are provided within or along this flow path formed in the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Reich KG Regel-und Sicherheitstechnik
    Inventor: Helmuth Bender
  • Patent number: 6310874
    Abstract: Flow of data units to an address resolution processor is controlled to inhibit multiple data units from a single multicast flow from being enqueued with the address resolution processor. In a switch having a plurality of Input/Output Application Specific Integrated Circuits (“I/O ASICs”) with a plurality of ports, no more than one data unit from each I/O ASIC is permitted to be enqueued with the address resolution processor at any point in time. A separate learn pending indicator may be defined for each I/O ASIC in the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: David S. Miller, Lawrence Aaron Boxer, Edward A. Heiner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6306347
    Abstract: A multiple single use optical sensor includes a series of continuous sensor stripes deposited on a substrate web. At least one sample chamber is adapted to extend transversely across a discrete portion of the series of sensor stripes to facilitate analysis of a sample disposed therein. The sample chamber may be moved, or additional sample chambers provided to enable subsequent measurements of additional samples at unused discrete portions of the sensor stripes. The continuous nature of the sensor stripes provides consistency along the lengths thereof to enable calibration data obtained from one discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be utilized for testing an unknown sample an other discrete portion of the sensor stripes. This advantageously eliminates the need for any particular discrete portion of the sensor stripes to be contacted by more than one sample, for improved sensor performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: Bayer Corporation
    Inventors: Richard W. Mason, Rudolf E. Slovacek, Kevin J. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6305564
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented bottle having a carrying handle is provided. A carrying handle, which is provided at a side surface of a neck portion, and which is injection molded together with the neck portion of a preform, is used without further modification as the carrying handle of a biaxial stretching blow molded, thinly formed bottle. The carrying handle is integrally formed in a U-shaped configuration from a grip portion and arm portions on both ends of the grip portion. The arm portions are integrally formed with base portions comprising projected pieces formed at symmetrical positions on both sides of the neck portion. The arm portions, moreover, extend out to the sides with a length greater than the height of the neck portion. The boundary of the base portion and arm portion is thinly molded by being constricted and forms a connecting portion which can be freely bent in a vertical direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2001
    Assignee: A. K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Setsuyuki Takeuchi, Nobukuni Ibe
  • Patent number: 6304678
    Abstract: A technique for post-processing decoded compressed images to reduce decoding-related artifacts employs a maximum likelihood estimation of an original image f. The decoded image is modeled as a montage of “flat surfaces” of different intensities, where the number of flat surfaces and their intensities are generally different in different regions of the decoded image. The intensity of each pixel is conditionally adjusted to that of a corresponding flat surface in a window region surrounding the pixel. In a general algorithm, the flat surface model is fitted to the observed image by estimating the model parameters using the “k-means” algorithm and a hierarchical clustering algorithm. A cluster similarity measure (CSM) is used to determine the number of intensity clusters, and hence flat surfaces, in the model of a window region surrounding a pixel of interest. The pixel intensity is adjusted to an estimated value which is the mean intensity of the cluster in which the pixel falls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: The Trustees of Boston University
    Inventors: Seungjoon Yang, Yu Hen Hu, Truong Q. Nguyen, Damon L. Tull
  • Patent number: 6298654
    Abstract: An ambient pressure gas turbine system is provided for mid-range power plants (for example, 1-4 MW) while achieving low NOx emission levels. The system includes a combustor that burns a hydrocarbon fuel at ambient pressure. A first heat exchanger upstream of the combustor heats the working fluid. A turbine downstream from the combustor expands combustion gases. The combustion gases are directed to the first heat exchanger for heat exchange with the working fluid and then to a compressor operative to compress the combustion gases. A second heat exchanger between the first heat exchanger and the compressor further cools the combustion gases to the compressor inlet temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Inventors: Géza Vermes, János M. Beér
  • Patent number: 6301135
    Abstract: A primary-side power modulator for an isolated switching-mode power supply operating under secondary-side control comprising a pulse width determining circuit for real-time primary-side adjustment of a PWM control signal received from a secondary-side PWM controller. While accepting pulse width commands from an isolated secondary-side PWM controller, the pulse width determining circuit has the ability to reduce the width of the switching pulse in response to primary-side information. The power modulator may further comprise a start-up circuit for ensuring that the primary-side supply voltage is above a minimum under-voltage lock out threshold, a soft start circuit for controlling the power switch at power-up, a pulse receiver for receiving the PWM control signal generated by the secondary-side PWM controller, and a drive circuit for driving an external solid-state power switch with the adjusted PWM control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Mammano, Harvey L. Golladay
  • Patent number: 6299747
    Abstract: This invention relates to a competitive-binding, capillary electrophoretic method of detecting new therapeutic regulatory (modulating) and diagnostic compounds in natural samples and other complex biological materials. The present method generally comprises mixing a preselected, detectable target with a sample of complex biological material to produce a first, sample/target mixture capillary electrophoresis apparatus. Subsequently, the first mixture is mixed with a pre-selected, tight-binding competitive ligand (TBCL), prior to produce a second, sample/target/TBCL mixture, for a predetermined optional incubation period sufficient to allow the TBCL to bind a pre-selected percentage of the available target in the absence of any other ligand. An aliquot of the second mixture is subsequently subjected to pre-optimized capillary electrophoresis, during which the migration of the target is monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Cetek Corporation
    Inventors: Yuriy M. Dunayevskiy, James L. Waters, Dallas E. Hughes
  • Patent number: 6299007
    Abstract: A heat-resistant packaging container made of a polyester resin, formed by stretch-blow molding is provided. A top portion of a bottom face is formed to have a large wall thickness to impart a resistance to heat deformation. A peripheral wall of the bottom face is formed to have a wall thickness that is gradually reduced from the top portion toward an arc grounding edge around the bottom face. An outer peripheral wall of the bottom portion is stretch molded from inside of the grounding edge so as to have a wall thickness as same as that of the body portion to attain a heat resistance. The inside of the grounding edge connecting to the peripheral wall of the bottom face is formed into a tilt surface which is oriented upwardly in consideration of an amount of expanding deformation &agr; of the grounding edge due to heating and loading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: A. K. Technical Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventor: Setsuyuki Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6298550
    Abstract: An electro-surgical forceps are provided which minimize sticking to tissue of a patient. The forceps include a pair of electrically conducting blade members extending from an insulated cap portion. The blade members include an inner layer of copper or copper alloy having a thickness sufficient to dissipate heat generated at the tip to prevent sticking of tissue to the forceps during use. An outer covering of nickel or a nickel alloy covers the inner copper layer to prevent exposure of the copper. The outer covering comprises a first nickel layer metallurgically bonded to one side of the inner copper layer and a second nickel layer metallurgically bonded to an opposite side of the inner copper layer. The thickness of the nickel layers is sufficient to withstand the forming process, to minimize or prevent delamination from the inner copper layer, and to minimize or prevent exposure of the inner layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Kirwan Surgical Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence T. Kirwan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6295654
    Abstract: A continuous protective garment provides a matrix of cells each containing a cube-like protective element. Continuous layers of fabric bonded along intersecting lines provides an individual cell for each of plural protective elements sandwiched between the fabric layers. An outer rigid protective surface of each protective element absorbs externally applied forces, while a middle cushioning layer provides dispersion and buffering of such externally applied forces. An innermost layer of a fluid-resistant material helps prevent perspiration from being absorbed, while a ventilation hole through the center of each protective element provides air circulation without compromising protective qualities. A substantially continuous array of cells containing the protective elements provides comprehensive surface coverage over the torso and arms of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Inventor: Daniel P. Farrell
  • Patent number: 6297750
    Abstract: A linear position encoder is provided which is not affected by ambient light, smoke, moisture, particulate matter, and also not affected by electrical interference such as may be caused by stray fields or permanent magnets or magnetic particles. The encoder comprises a linear scale having an excitation loop disposed along the length of the scale and having electrical terminals preferably disposed at one end of the scale. An alternating current is applied to the excitation loop to create an alternating magnetic field. At least one periodic conductive pattern is provided on an outer side of the excitation loop. The periodic pattern has electrical terminals preferably at the same end of the scale as the terminals of the excitation loop. A sensor is provided on a small printed circuit card that is movable in relation to the scale. The card has a pickup loop which receives energy coupled from the scale excitation loop and which induces current in the periodic pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Dynamics Research Corporation
    Inventors: Sidney A. Wingate, John A. Sotir
  • Patent number: D448549
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Dewks, LLC
    Inventor: Gary Duclos