Patents Assigned to Liberty Technologies, Inc.
  • Patent number: 6110398
    Abstract: A phosphor powder for producing a high resolution phosphor screen and a phosphor screen are provided. The phosphor screen comprises a substrate, an infrared-absorbing layer, and a phosphor layer coated on the infrared-absorbing layer, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a phosphor powder in which a substantial amount of particles in the powder have a particle size as measured in the longest dimension of greater than 0 and less than about 5 microns. The phosphor screen may also comprise a black, infrared-absorbing substrate with the phosphor layer coated on the substrate. The phosphor powder is formed by preparing a phosphor composition, sintering the composition to form ingots, grinding the ingots to form a powder wherein a substantial amount of particles in the powder have a particle size of greater than 0 and less than about 5 microns, reactivating the powder in an inert atmosphere to a temperature of from about 500.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fauzia Jamil, Peter K. Soltani
  • Patent number: 5955679
    Abstract: A device for measuring strain parameters of a stem, shaft or other cylindrical member of virtually any size or diameter includes a pair of generally flexible holders, each holder supporting a substrate having at least one strain gage thereon. Each substrate is bonded in a predetermined aligned position on the cylindrical member relative to the other substrate to permit strain measurement of the cylindrical member. The holders each include at least one guide. A flexible tensioning band engages the guide on each of the holders for placement and retention of the substrates in the predetermined positions. The band is tightened to provide pressure on the substrates during bonding for proper bonding of the substrates to the cylindrical member to provide adequate transfer of strain. In an alternate embodiment a single holder having a single strain gage substrate thereon is employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 5923527
    Abstract: A safe electrical interconnection box includes a rear wall, a front panel and a plurality of lateral walls extending between the rear wall and front panel so as to define an enclosed interior space. The front panel forms part of a cover which is movable sufficiently so as to provide an access opening into the enclosed interior space. At least one and typically three current probe attachment fixtures are located within the interior space, suggestedly mounted on a plate which itself is mounted within the box. Also provided are one or more socket-type electrical connectors with pin receiving holes mounted on the separate plate. Preferably, at least one connector is multi-holed and another is single-holed. In one example, the fixtures and multi-hole connector are coupled with a polyphase high voltage power supply connected through the cabinet with a polyphase high voltage electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Louis Ricciuti, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5799114
    Abstract: A method of stably identifying and characterizing a transient contained in a sampled set of data, the data representing a physical event, where alignment of the sample points with the transient is typically arbitrary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1998
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Joseph Dowling
  • Patent number: 5772916
    Abstract: A phosphor powder for producing a high resolution phosphor screen and a phosphor screen are provided. The phosphor screen comprises a substrate, an infrared-absorbing layer, and a phosphor layer coated on the infrared-absorbing layer, wherein the phosphor layer comprises a phosphor powder in which a substantial amount of particles in the powder have a particle size as measured in the longest dimension of greater than 0 and less than about 5 microns. The phosphor screen may also comprise a black, infrared-absorbing substrate with the phosphor layer coated on the substrate. The phosphor powder is formed by preparing a phosphor composition, sintering the composition to form ingots, grinding the ingots to form a powder wherein a substantial amount of particles in the powder have a particle size of greater than 0 and less than about 5 microns, reactivating the powder in an inert atmosphere to a temperature of from about 500.degree. C. to about 550.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Fauzia Jamil, Peter K. Soltani
  • Patent number: 5712486
    Abstract: An opaque, generally flat flexible cassette is provided which receives and holds a storage phosphor screen while the screen is radiographed. The cassette has sufficient flexibility to be wrapped around an object to be radiographed. The cassette has a light-tight sealing device at or near its open end. The sealing device allows the cassette to be placed in either an open position for receiving or discharging the storage phosphor screen, or a closed position for holding the imaging storage medium therein during radiographing and transport. The cassette is designed so that the storage phosphor screen is discharged from the cassette without being physically handled by a person or being exposed to ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1998
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter K. Soltani, Michael D. Neary, Ronald Jay Geil, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5651284
    Abstract: A method for detecting the integrity of a bond between strain gages and the circumferential surface of a rod having an intended use comprises bonding at least four strain gages to the surface of the rod in a predetermined orientation, each of the strain gages being connected to a separate strain gage bridge circuit. The rod is used for its intended use and each of the strain gage bridge circuit outputs a plurality of instantaneous first, second, third and fourth output signals, each being associated with one of the strain gages. A plurality of instantaneous bonding values are calculated from the output signals equal to the sum of the first signal and the fourth signal minus the sum of the second signal and the third signal. If the instantaneous bonding values remain constant, the bond integrity of the strain gages is good whereas if the bonding values are not constant, the bond integrity of at least one of the strain gages is poor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 5546817
    Abstract: A strain sensor device is attached to a cylindrical structural member for measuring the amount of twist of the member about an axis of rotation and includes a central beam, which is aligned parallel to the axis of rotation of the structural member and is fastened in between two mounting members which are themselves fixedly secured to the structural member. When torsion occurs in the structural member, the one mounting member will move in a relative direction parallel to the other mounting member but offset by the length of the central beam. The central beam is significantly less rigid than the mounting blocks and bends to accommodate the movement. Four strain gauges are secured to the central beam in a bridge circuit to measure bending of the beam. The bridge circuit generates electrical signals proportional to the angle of twist and the torsional load on the structural member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen M. Heiman
  • Patent number: 5523682
    Abstract: A system to determine the position of an electrically conductive element movably positioned in a housing, like a metal disc in a check valve, with greater accuracy and resolution than single magnet systems includes first and second A.C. electromagnets positioned in close proximity to the element on opposing sides of the housing. The magnets are excited with A.C. currents to generate magnetic fields which penetrate the housing and the element. The magnetic fields are sensed by a magnetic field sensor. A control portion of the system includes a microprocessor configured to allow an operator to adjustably select and set a common frequency, individual amplitudes and a phase difference between the two currents supplied to the two magnets so that the currents might be adjusted to cause the magnets to generate magnetic fields at least partially and preferably essentially cancelling one another at the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 5521482
    Abstract: A method for determining electrical and mechanical performance of a polyphase electric motor system comprises sensing the instantaneous current signal and the instantaneous voltage signal as a function of time for at least one electrical phase of the motor. The sensed current signals and the sensed voltage signals are both processed to provide an instantaneous power factor of at least one electrical phase of the motor as a function of time. The resulting power factor is used to determine the tonal real and the total reactive power of the motor as a function of time. The total real power and the total reactive power signals are bandwidth limited and time-limited. The filtered and time-limited, total real power is then cross-plotted as a function of the filtered and time limited, total reactive power signal, generating a performance diagram. The mechanical performance characteristics of the motor are then extrapolated from the performance diagram.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: George F. Lang, David O. Heagerty, Glenn R. Kahley
  • Patent number: 5519300
    Abstract: A method for determining at least one operating parameter to determine the operating condition of a polyphase electric motor system comprises sensing the instantaneous current signal and the instantaneous voltage signal as a function of time for more than one electrical phase of the motor. The sensed current signals and the sensed voltage signals are both amplitude demodulated and phase demodulated to provide amplitude demodulated current and voltage signals as a function of time and phase demodulated current and voltage signals as a function of time. The resulting amplitude and phase demodulated signals are used to determine one or more of the following electrical parameters as a function of time: total real power, real power per phase, total reactive power, reactive power per phase, total apparent power, apparent power per phase, overall power factor, power factor per phase, electrical impedance per phase, and electrical balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Leon, Martin J. Dowling, David Q. Heagerty
  • Patent number: 5517585
    Abstract: A method of stably identifying and characterizing a transient contained in a sampled set of data, the data representing a physical event, where alignment of the sample points with the transient is typically arbitrary. The method includes the step of analyzing the first data set using a predefined mathematical operator to produce a second data set, detecting and isolating the discrete data pattern in the second data set, determining a location of the detected and isolated data pattern in the second data set, measuring a difference between the location of the detected and isolated data pattern and a predetermined location of the predefined mathematical operator, adjusting preselected parameters of the mathematical operator in accordance with the measured location difference such that the adjusted mathematical operator is aligned with the detected and isolated data pattern, and reanalyzing the first data set using the aligned mathematical operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1996
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin J. Dowling
  • Patent number: 5475299
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining operability of a motor operated valve combination including a valve having a valve stem, a valve disc, a valve seat, and a motor operator having a motor drive interconnecting the motor to the valve stem for movement of the valve disc toward and into engagement with the valve seat to close the valve and a control switch for deactivating the motor. The method comprises the steps of sensing the real motor power of the motor as a function of time during valve closing with zero differential pressure applied to the valve at a first time. From the sensed information, the rate of motor power build-up is determined after the onset of valve wedging during valve closing at the first time. The real motor power of the motor is again sensed as a function of time during valve closing with zero differential pressure applied to the valve at a second time which is subsequent to the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 12, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 5452616
    Abstract: A system for determining shaft load parameters including shaft windup angle per unit length, torque output and power output in a generally cylindrical rotating shaft having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the center thereof includes a plurality of probes spaced apart from each other. Each probe has a first end and a second end, the first end of each probe being in facing relationship with the rotating shaft. A rigid frame commonly supports all of the probes at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the shaft. The frame is supported in such a manner that the frame may vibrate or displace relative to the rotating shaft essentially as a rigid body. Targets on the outer surface of the rotating shaft are located for triggering a probe output response each time during shaft rotation that a target passes the first end of one of the probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Leon, Anthony L. Moffa
  • Patent number: 5440938
    Abstract: A system for determining shaft load parameters including shaft windup angle per unit length, torque output and power output in a generally cylindrical rotating shaft having an outer surface and a longitudinal axis extending through the center thereof includes a plurality of probes spaced apart from each other. Each probe has a first end and a second end, the first end of each probe being in facing relationship with the rotating shaft. A rigid frame commonly supports all of the probes at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the shaft. The frame is supported in such a manner that the frame may vibrate or displace relative to the rotating shaft essentially as a rigid body. Targets on the outer surface of the rotating shaft are located for triggering a probe output response each time during shaft rotation that a target passes the first end of one of the probes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Leon, Anthony L. Moffa
  • Patent number: 5432436
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for approximating the stem thrust during the operation of a motor operated valve combination including a valve having a valve stem, a valve disk, a valve seat, and a motor operator having a motor drive means interconnecting the motor to the valve stem for movement of the valve stem disk toward and into engagement with the valve seat to close the valve and a control switch for deactivating the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Leon, Martin J. Dowling, Craig C. Nagler, Glenn D. Weiss
  • Patent number: 5430368
    Abstract: A method for approximating a stem thrust difference during the operation of a motor operated valve combination includes the steps of sensing the stem thrust of the motor operated valve combination as a function of time during valve closing at a first time. From the sensed information, the rate of thrust build-up is determined after the onset of wedging during valve closing at the first time. The real electrical power of the motor is then sensed as a function of time during valve closing at a second time which is subsequent to the first time. The rate of real motor power build-up after the onset of wedging during valve closing at the second time is determined from the sensed information. The ratio of thrust change to power change is approximated by dividing the rate of thrust build-up after the onset of wedging at the first time by the rate of real motor power build-up after the onset of wedging at the second time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 5396167
    Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining operability of a motor operated valve combination including a valve having a valve stem, a valve disc, a valve seat, and a motor operator having a motor drive interconnecting the motor to the valve stem for movement of the valve disc toward and into engagement with the valve seat to close the valve and a control switch for deactivating the motor. The method comprises the steps of sensing the real motor power of the motor as a function of time during valve closing with zero differential pressure applied to the valve at a first time. From the sensed information, the rate of motor power build-up is determined after the onset of valve wedging during valve closing at the first time. The real motor power of the motor is again sensed as a function of time during valve closing with zero differential pressure applied to the valve at a second time which is subsequent to the first time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1995
    Assignee: Liberty Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon