Patents Represented by Attorney Wood, Herron & Evans, LLP
  • Patent number: 8348451
    Abstract: Emergency cabin illumination for an aircraft, including: at least one cabin component of an aircraft and at least one emergency lighting device, the at least one emergency lighting device being arranged in the cabin component so that the emergency lighting device in its switched-off state has no contrast to its environment, and in the switched-on state of the emergency lighting device, the light emitted emerges from the cabin component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventors: Carsten Kohlmeier-Beckmann, Anja Niemeyer
  • Patent number: 8349046
    Abstract: Syngas is formed by combining a carbon source with steam at an elevated temperature in a generally horizontal reactor. The heat for the reaction is provided by a stoichiometric combustion nozzle at a first end of the horizontal reaction chamber. The carbon source is deposited downwardly into the reaction chamber where it combines with a flowing stream of hot gas formed from the stoichiometric combustion in combination with steam and additional oxygen, if necessary. This flowing stream of gas reacts with the deposited carbon feed source and is directed to a cyclone separator where the formed syngas is recovered from an upper portion of the separator and any formed ash is directed into a collection tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Enerjetik LLC
    Inventor: James Klepper
  • Patent number: 8347810
    Abstract: A protective member (14) and a nozzle assembly (11) incorporating the protective member (14) are provided. The protective member (14) is for use with a nozzle (12) having a strand guide passageway (18) for receiving a strand (16) of material. Protective member (14) comprises a body (60) configured to be received in the strand guide passageway (18) of the nozzle (12). The body (60) of the protective member (14) has a passageway (63) for the strand (16) and is disposed between the strand guide passageway (18) and the moving strand (16). The body (60) of the protective member (14) is composed, at least in part, of a material having a wear resistance sufficient to resist wear caused by the strand (16) being guided thereby. Alternatively, a portion of the body (60) may be coated with a material having a wear resistance sufficient to resist wear caused by the strand (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Nordson Corporation
    Inventors: Joel E. Saine, Paul Schmidt
  • Patent number: 8348611
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor system and method for detecting deformation in a wind turbine rotor blade, and particularly to a temperature compensated system and method. A first optic fiber 22b is attached to the rotor blade such that deformation of the component acts on the first optical fiber and causes the optical path length of the fiber to change. A second optic fiber 27 is mounted loosely in the wind turbine component in such a way that it is not subject to deformation. A light source 10, a light detector 11, and a controller 12 input light into the two optical fibers and receive signals from them. Based on the detected light, the controller can determine the optical path length based on the light signals. In different embodiments, the light source varies the input wavelength over a range of wavelengths, provides a multi wavelength light signal, such as a white light source, or inputs a pulsed light signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Ib Olesen
  • Patent number: 8348609
    Abstract: A method for de-icing a blade of a wind turbine after the wind turbine has been idle for a period of time. The method includes the steps of creating a controlled acceleration condition of the blade, and subsequently creating a controlled deceleration condition of the blade, whereby ice is shaken off the blade. A wind turbine including a rotor including at least one blade, and deicing means for de-icing the blade wherein the de-icing means includes actuating means of the wind turbine and wherein the de-icing means further includes control means for performing a method for de-icing a blade. Furthermore, the invention relates to use of a wind turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Yoshiki Haraguchi
  • Patent number: 8352634
    Abstract: An apparatus, program product and method utilize on-demand propagation of routing information to reduce the overhead associated with distributing routing information throughout a distributed computing system. The staleness of the routing information utilized in routing client requests for a particular client is gauged based upon the number and/or frequency of client requests issued for that client that require rerouting, e.g., as indicated in responses returned in response to the client requests. Once the reroutes of client requests meet a desired propagation criterion, updated routing information is then requested for the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Jinmei Shen, Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 8349099
    Abstract: Metal seeds for forming single-crystal shape-memory alloys (SMAs) may be fabricated with high reliability and control by alloying thin films of material together. In particular, described herein are methods of forming AlCuNi SMAs by first producing high-quality seeds (ingots) of copper, aluminum, and nickel to produce for pulling single crystal shape memory alloys, in particular superelastic or hyperelastic alloys. The method is applicable to a wide range of alloys in which one or more of the components are reactive. The method is an improvement upon traditional methods such as mixing and melting pellets. In this improved method, a reactive layer (e.g., aluminum) is provided in thin flat layers between layers of other materials (e.g., copper and layers of nickel).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Alfred David Johnson, Walter A. Bachmann
  • Patent number: 8348622
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wind turbine blade comprising at least two wind turbine blade sections that include one or more strengthening structures, the ends of the strengthening structures being connected in a connection joint. The ends include corresponding connection surfaces, the one or more relevant dimensions of the surfaces being larger than the dimensions of the transverse surfaces of the strengthening structures at the ends. The one or more relevant dimensions of the connection joint are larger than that of the adjacent strengthening structure. The invention also relates to a wind turbine blade in which the at least two wind turbine blade sections include a number of substantially oblong carbon fiber strips and strips of one or further materials such as wood or glass fiber. The invention further relates to a wind turbine blade section, an assembly plant for assembling wind turbine blade sections and to a method and use of such wind turbine blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventor: Anton Bech
  • Patent number: 8347501
    Abstract: Within the field of wind turbine generators (WTG), to provide a consistent way of manufacturing a WT blade there is disclosed a blade mould and a blade spar fixture to support the spar in the mould so as to provide a fixed predetermined relative position, and preferably also orientation, between at least a root end, such as a bushing in the root end of the blade spar, and a root end of the mould. Overall consistency is also obtained in that hereby a blade with anticipated aerodynamic and strength characteristics is provided, among others in that at least adjacent to the root of the spar there is substantially the same distance for a cured adhesive between an innermost surface of each of blade shells and an outermost surface of the spar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Leif Kappel Petersen, Olav Davis
  • Patent number: 8348455
    Abstract: An overhead reading lamp for a passenger seat, in particular in an aircraft cabin, includes a first plurality of light sources, each of which emits light along a center line. The lamp also includes, a holding device which immovably secures the first plurality of light sources so as to be disposed in a first row in such a way that the center lines of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources lie in one plane and are inclined relative to one another. The lamp further includes an, and an activation device, which is connected to the first plurality of light sources and devised to selectively activate in each case one of the light sources of the first plurality of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Operations GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Kessler
  • Patent number: 8351851
    Abstract: An apparatus for repeating signals includes a receive antenna for receiving input signals, processing circuitry for processing the input signals to form repeated signals, and a transmit antenna for transmitting the repeated signals. The processing circuitry includes an adaptive digital filter configured to generate cancellation signals that are added to the input signals to cancel unwanted feedback signals from the input signals. A frequency shifting circuit adds a frequency shift to the input signals, after the addition of the cancellation signals, to form repeated signals that are frequency shifted from the input signals. A digital signal processor is coupled to the adaptive digital filter for digitally adapting the filter. The digital signal processor utilizes the frequency shift of the transmission signals to adapt the adaptive digital filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: Chris Ranson, Van Hanson, Thomas Kummetz
  • Patent number: 8348664
    Abstract: A dental apparatus for use with a connecting member coupled to a jaw in a patient's mouth. The apparatus includes an orthodontic device and a connecting device carried by the orthodontic device. The connecting device includes a receptacle adapted to partially receive the connecting member and a blocking member. The blocking member is moveable relative to the receptacle between an opened position in which the connecting member may be disengaged from the receptacle and a closed position in which the connecting member is captured within the receptacle for pivotally engaging the orthodontic device with the connecting member. The orthodontic device may further include a biasing member selectively activated to provide a spring-biased force to the jaw. A method of using the dental apparatus includes moving the blocking member to capture/release the connecting member in the receptacle and activating/deactivating the biasing member to operate the apparatus in a different mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ormco Corporation
    Inventors: Hamid Sheikh, Dwight Damon, Kevin Corcoran
  • Patent number: 8343599
    Abstract: A surface covering for melting ice and/or snow comprises at least one elongate element arranged to form a generally flexible mat structure, and a melting composition integrated with the elongate element. The elongate element may comprise a tube defining a cavity therein, and the melting composition may be disposed within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventor: Jason Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8342921
    Abstract: An aircraft air conditioning system includes a cyclone unit positioned proximate to at least one discharger, the unit having an inlet opening, which communicates with a fresh air supply line, an intake opening, through which air is sucked in from the aircraft cabin, and at least one outlet opening, which communicates with the at least one discharger. A first, cyclone flow of only fresh air is produced in the cyclone unit during operation of the aircraft air conditioning system, the first cyclone flow tending to draw cabin air into the cyclone unit via the intake opening for mixture with the fresh air, after which a second cyclone flow of the cabin air and fresh air are expelled through the outlet opening and the at least one discharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Airbus Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Huber, Jacek Kogut, Thomas Treimer, Slawa Babak
  • Patent number: 8343684
    Abstract: Fuel cell devices and systems are provided. In certain embodiments, the devices include a ceramic support structure having a length, a width, and a thickness. A reaction zone positioned along a portion of the length is configured to be heated to an operating reaction temperature, and has at least one active layer therein comprising an electrolyte separating first and second opposing electrodes, and active first and second gas passages adjacent the respective first and second electrodes. At least one cold zone positioned from the first end along another portion of the length is configured to remain below the operating reaction temperature. An artery flow passage extends from the first end along the length through the cold zone and into the reaction zone and is fluidicly coupled to the active first gas passage, which extends from the artery flow passage toward at least one side. The thickness of the artery flow passage is greater than the thickness of the active first gas passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Inventors: Alan Devoe, Lambert Devoe
  • Patent number: 8342491
    Abstract: A transport system for transporting at least one blade or spar for a wind turbine. The blade or spar has a root end and a tip end. The transport system comprises a root frame structure for holding the root end and a fixation device adapted to fixate and support the blade or spar between the root end and tip end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Vestas Wind Systems A/S
    Inventors: Henning Jørgensen, Jens Jessen Hansen
  • Patent number: 8344746
    Abstract: A system, probe interface, and method to test an integrated circuit with an electrostatic discharge signal. The probe interface includes a pulse generation circuit, ground plane, and a relay matrix, while the integrated circuit includes a plurality of contact points. The probe interface is configured proximate to the integrated circuit and the relay matrix is configured to electrically connect at least one of an operative signal, the pulse generation circuit, or the ground plane to a contact point of the integrated circuit. The probe interface is thus configured to provide a shortened path for at least one of the electrostatic discharge signal from the probe interface to the integrated circuit, or to the ground plane from the integrated circuit. The probe interface may selectively electrically connect to up to about thirty-two contact points of the integrated circuit, while the system may include up to about four probe interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
    Inventors: Marcos Hernandez, Enrique L. Riveros
  • Patent number: D673884
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Seay
  • Patent number: D673885
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Huffy Corporation
    Inventor: Timothy A. Seay
  • Patent number: D674158
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joo-Hyung Kim, Yu-Na Park