Patents Assigned to Engineering
  • Patent number: 8818620
    Abstract: Systems and vehicles for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake are provided. A system for determining an operational status of at least one trailer brake includes machine readable instructions stored in one or more memory modules that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the system to command a trailer brake current output circuit to intermittently supply a diagnostic current to the at least one trailer brake during a trailer brake activation period, receive a sensed current signal from a trailer brake current sensing circuit in response to the command to supply the diagnostic current, and determine the operational status of the at least one trailer brake based on the sensed current signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholas Scott Sitarski
  • Patent number: 8818697
    Abstract: A vehicle having a driver statistic system for interfacing with a network includes a wheel speed sensor, an engine control unit, network interface hardware for communicating with a network, and an electronic control unit communicatively coupled therebetween. The electronic control unit includes a processor and memory storing a computer readable and executable instruction set. When the instruction set is executed by the processor, the electronic control unit processes sensor signals received from the wheel speed sensor and the engine control unit to determine fuel consumption of the vehicle. The electronic control unit transmits a vehicle status signal to the network interface hardware, where the vehicle status signal is indicative of the fuel consumption of the vehicle. The network interface hardware transmits the vehicle status signal to the network. The network interface hardware further receives a vehicle performance signal from the network indicative of a driver performance ranking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Lee Rovik, Charan S. Lota, Donald Anthony Restauri, III
  • Patent number: 8816652
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of systems and methods for controlling a voltage profile delivered to a load in an electric power system. According to various embodiments, an electric power system may include an electric power line, a variable tap transformer, and a capacitor bank. The variable tap transformer may include a plurality of tap positions. A tap change controller may be coupled with the variable tap transformer and may control the tap positions of the variable tap transformer. A capacitor bank controller may be coupled with the capacitor bank and may selectively couple the capacitor bank to the electric power line. The tap change controller and the capacitor bank controller may share system information related to the voltage profile along the electric power line and to change the voltage profile along the line using the variable tap transformer and the capacitor bank depending on the system information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Casper A. Labuschagne, Jeffrey G. Pope
  • Patent number: 8814030
    Abstract: Alloy formation systems and methods and a mechanism, strategy and design for power electronics having high operating temperatures. The system creates a bondline targeted for performance in power electronics. The system provides for sequential alloy growth in high temperature operating power electronics. The system is at least applicable to wafer-to-wafer, die-to-wafer, die-to-substrate, or die-to-die bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 8818952
    Abstract: An optimum chunk cutout method is selected according to the type of content. A storage apparatus is a storage apparatus for storing content in a backup volume in response to a content storage request from a host system connected to the storage apparatus via a network and includes a chunk cutout unit for cutting out the content into one or more chunks and a duplication judgment unit for managing a duplicate state of the chunk or chunks which have been cut out by the chunk cutout unit; wherein the chunk cutout unit selects a method for cutting out the chunk based on content type identification information indicating a type of the content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Information & Telecommunication Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Taketoshi Sakuraba, Taizo Hori, Naomitsu Tashiro
  • Patent number: 8815065
    Abstract: A sensor body of an electrochemical gas sensor having no water reservoir is housed in a metal can including a sensing electrode on one surface of a proton-conducting membrane or a separator retaining an electrolyte and a counter electrode on the opposite surface thereof. The counter electrode is supported by and electrically connected to the metal can via a connecting member. The sensing electrode is connected to a diffusion control plate with the sensing electrode-side ring member, and the ring member is conductive and includes a hole at a center thereof that is connected to a hole of the diffusion control plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Figaro Engineering Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Yamamoto, Masafumi Okada, Kuniyuki Izawa, Tomoyasu Honda
  • Patent number: 8817244
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluorescence measuring apparatus capable of more accurately measuring fluorescence emitted when an object to be measured is irradiated with laser light. The apparatus for measuring fluorescence emitted when an object to be measured is irradiated with laser light includes: a laser light source that irradiates the object to be measured with laser light; a first light-receiving unit that receives scattered light emitted when the object to be measured is irradiated with the laser light; a second light-receiving unit that receives fluorescence emitted when the object to be measured is irradiated with the laser light; and a signal processing unit that assigns a weight to a signal of the fluorescence received by the second light-receiving unit depending on an intensity of the scattered light received by the first light-receiving unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuteru Hoshishima, Shigeyuki Nakada
  • Publication number: 20140234462
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for the processing of plastics, with a container with a rotatable mixing implement, wherein the imaginary continuation of the longitudinal axis of a conveyor in a direction opposite to the direction of conveying passes the axis of rotation, where, on the outflow side, there is an offset distance between the longitudinal axis and the radial parallel to the longitudinal axis, wherein in the wall section that is part of the housing and that immediately follows the intake aperture in the direction of conveying and that completely surrounds the screw, a pocket extends in the direction of conveying, starting at the downstream edge of the intake aperture over a length (L), where 0.8 d?L?9 d, where d is the external diameter or the diameter of the envelope curve of the screw in the wall section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Erema Engineering Recycling Maschinen und Anlagen Gesellschaft M.B.H.
    Inventors: Klaus Feichtinger, Manfred Hackl
  • Publication number: 20140230424
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic system, preferably for piloting and actuating a two-cylinder thick matter pump. The hydraulic system comprises a tank (68) for receiving hydraulic oil, a primary circuit having at least one hydraulic consumer (AH, MH) which has at least one primary pump (36, 38, 61, 70), which is loaded with hydraulic oil via a first suction line (42), and is connected on the outlet side to at least one first return line, and which has a suction/return filter (40) which communicates with the first suction line (42) on the outlet side and is loaded on the inlet side with return oil from the at least one return line. A special feature of the invention consists in that the first suction line (42) communicates with the tank (68) via a separate replenishing suction line (86) and a suction filter (66), wherein a replenishing suction valve (88) which is preloaded in the direction of the suction filter (66) is arranged in the replenishing suction line (86).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: PUTZMEISTER ENGINEERING GMBH
    Inventors: Jan-Martin Veit, Markus Stass, Werner Muenzenmaier, Hans-Peter Renz
  • Publication number: 20140232828
    Abstract: A system and methods for monitoring work processes. Once example computer-implemented method includes recording a three-dimensional work trajectory. The work trajectory comprises a representation of the actual motion of one or more markers. The method further includes comparing the work trajectory to a work template. The work template comprises a representation of the desired motion of the one or more markers. The method further includes sending a success indication to a display when the work trajectory is similar to the work template and sending a failure indication to the display when the work trajectory is dissimilar to the work template.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
    Inventor: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc
  • Publication number: 20140231004
    Abstract: There is provided a method for producing a chamber frame for a dialyzer, which is readily produced, has a stable quality, is inexpensive and is excellent in sealing property and heat resistance. A cut frame 1 is set on an unshown table of an impulse welder 30, distributors 13 are fitted into communicating passage 9 and communicating passages 11, and a net 15 is positioned so as to cover a central opening 3. Welded portions A and B, and the welded portions C and D are subjected to impulse welding. Mounting of the net 15 as a spacer and mounting of the distributors 13 are carried out simultaneously by a single pressing operation. After that, the welded portions of the net are deburred, and correction work is performed on defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AGC ENGINEERING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yukio MATSUMURA, Shuichi OHKAWA, Tadao YUKI, Kazumi OHSHIMA, Kouji NOBUTA, Taigo OHSAWA, Kazuo KITAMURA
  • Publication number: 20140230918
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to improved assembly for transporting flammable fluids. In an example, the assembly comprises a conduit, a liner, and a core. The liner comprises a material that contracts in response to an elevation in temperature. In an example, the liner comprises a material that expands in response to an elevation in temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: Crane Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles G. Keith
  • Publication number: 20140232811
    Abstract: Image forming apparatus 10 of the present invention is an apparatus for forming an image on a surface of recording medium P by applying laser light to recording medium P, the apparatus including a plurality of light sources 31 each of which emits laser light, a plurality of optical fibers 23 and 42 through which laser light respectively emitted from light sources 31 propagates, holder 43 that holds optical fibers 42, and fly-eye lens 50, cylindrical lens array 60, aperture array 70, lens 80a and lens 80b through which laser light emitted from end surfaces of optical fibers 42 passes, wherein each of apertures 71 of aperture array 70 is rectangular.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NEC ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventor: Hajime Moriwaki
  • Publication number: 20140233707
    Abstract: A versatile beam scanner for generating a far-field scanned pencil beam, and, alternatively, a far-field pencil beam. An angle selector limits the angular extent of an inner fan beam emitted by a source of penetrating radiation. The source and angle selector may be translated, along a direction parallel to a central axis of a multi-aperture unit, in such a manner as to generate a scanned far-field pencil beam, when rings of apertures are interposed between the source and an inspected target, or, alternatively, a far-field fan beam, when no ring of apertures is interposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: AMERICAN SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Lee Grodzins, Jeffrey R. Schubert, Omar Al-Kofahi, Peter J. Rothschild
  • Publication number: 20140235085
    Abstract: A pluggable self locking connector includes a socket having a socket case and a plug having a plug shell and a snap fit portion coupled thereto. The socket case is formed with a depression on the inner wall. The outer wall of the snap fit portion is formed with a deformable resilient rib and a bump. The plug shell is formed with an opening for receiving the resilient rib and a resilient latch corresponding to the bump. The front end of the plug shell has a resilient positioning member. When the socket and plug mate, the resilient rib slides into the depression. When the socket and the plug separate, the resilient rib is confined within the depression and the resilient latch and the bump are engaged. The front end of the snap fit portion presses the resilient positioning member and the resilient positioning member is partially exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: NEXTRONICS ENGINEERING CORP.
    Inventors: HOU-AN SU, HAI-WEN YANG, XIN-CHAO XIAO
  • Publication number: 20140231641
    Abstract: A method to determine the model-of-composition of a vacuum resid in which the resid is separated into fractions including the DAO fraction which is then separated into chemical classes including saturates, aromatics, sulfides and polars by a combination of soft ionization methods. The results of the ionization analyses are reconciled with other analyses such as bulk analysis, then consolidated to generate the modeol-of composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
    Inventors: Kuangnan QIAN, Kathleen E EDWARDS, Anthony S. MENNITO, Roland B. SAEGER
  • Publication number: 20140230457
    Abstract: A pulse tube refrigerator/cryocooler apparatus including: an inlet for receiving a cyclically moving volume of gas; a regenerator device fluidly connected to the inlet for storing and recovering thermal energy from the gas; a pulse tube fluidly connected to the regenerator; and a conduit fluidly connected at one end to the pulse tube and fluidly connected at its opposite end to a container, said container providing a storage volume for gas, wherein apparatus is configured such that the cyclically moving gas enters the regenerator in a direction parallel to its elongate axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: THE HYMATIC ENGINEERING COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Scott Spooner, Chun Fai Cheuk
  • Publication number: 20140236560
    Abstract: A method for performing an inventory of the hardware components connected to a control unit test system, wherein control units can be tested with the test system in an environment simulated by the test system by means of a model, and wherein the test system comprises at least one computer) and hardware components that are connected to one another by means of at least one network. For at least a portion of the hardware components, in particular of all simulation-specific hardware components, at least one item of component information that uniquely and digitally identifies the hardware component is read therefrom, and all identifying component information that has been read out is stored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: dSPACE digital signal processing and control engineering GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten BREHM, Susanne KOEHL, Juergen PAULE, Juergen KLAHOLD, Claus DIENER
  • Publication number: 20140236528
    Abstract: A measurement method for a junction-to-case thermal resistance is provided. First, a first transient cooling curve of the chip for the semiconductor device under test (DUT) without grease is measured. Then a second transient cooling curve of the chip for the DUT with grease is measured. A difference ?T of temperature variations of the two transient cooling curves with and without grease is calculated. The temperature of a constant temperature cold plate for fixing the semiconductor DUT is increased by ?T, and a third transient cooling curve of the chip for the DUT with grease is measured again. The first transient cooling curve and the third transient cooling curve are used to calculate the junction-to-case thermal resistance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicant: INSTITUTE OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
    Inventors: ZHIJIE QIU, JIN ZHANG, XUHUI WEN
  • Publication number: 20140234582
    Abstract: In order to provide a covered member for which unexpected galling is suppressed in the initial stages when the member is used, and which has excellent sliding properties, a covered member has a hard film on the working surface and has excellent sliding properties, said hard film including an A layer, for which an a1 layer comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 30% or more of chromium in terms of atomic ratio in metal (including metalloid; the same shall apply hereinafter) component, and an a2 layer comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 60% or more of vanadium in terms of atomic ratio in metal component, are alternately laminated, and a B layer on the upper layer of said A layer and comprising a nitride, carbonitride, or oxynitride having 60% or more of vanadium in terms of atomic ratio in metal component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: HITACHI METALS, LTD., HITACHI TOOL ENGINEERING, LTD.
    Inventors: Fumiaki Honda, Kenichi Inoue