Patents Assigned to Tech Development Inc.
  • Patent number: 6948392
    Abstract: An engine starter inertia drive that includes a torque transmission level control mechanism is presented. Such torque transmission level control is provided by removing the variations in clutch plate compression force conventionally introduced by the shock absorbing meshing spring of the engine starter inertia drive. This is accomplished by repositioning the compression forces such that they are contradicted by a combination of the meshing spring force and the frame reaction of the engine starter. In this way, variations in the meshing spring force are compensated by equal and opposite variations in the frame reaction force to maintain the clutch plates in position. Preferably, a single wave spring is used to provide the pressure spring force on the clutch plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Eckard, John M. Birkhimer
  • Publication number: 20040173038
    Abstract: An engine starter inertia drive that includes a torque transmission level control mechanism is presented. Such torque transmission level control is provided by removing the variations in clutch plate compression force conventionally introduced by the shock absorbing meshing spring of the engine starter inertia drive. This is accomplished by repositioning the compression forces such that they are contradicted by a combination of the meshing spring force and the frame reaction of the engine starter. In this way, variations in the meshing spring force are compensated by equal and opposite variations in the frame reaction force to maintain the clutch plates in position. Preferably, a single wave spring is used to provide the pressure spring force on the clutch plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Applicant: Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: David W. Eckard, John M. Birkhimer
  • Patent number: 6474093
    Abstract: Self-contained closed-loop cooling systems and related methods for rapidly cooling individual beverage containers of different sizes to a suitable target temperature, in the range of 35° F. to 50° F. Each system includes a chiller, a coolant circuit with a hyper-chilled supply reservoir, a refrigerant circuit for cooling the reservoir, and an electronic controller to operate the system upon operator command. The chiller is preferably formed like a barrel, with a cylindrical array of hollow chill elements arranged about a cylindrical area into which a beverage container, such as beverage bottle or can is placed. Then, very cold coolant from the coolant supply is pumped through the array of chill elements to rapidly cool the beverage container, which makes physical contact with the hyper-chilled elements, which are thus excellent heat absorbers. The chill elements are preferably separated from one another by keystone spacers, and are flexibly held in place with a plurality of coil springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Cosmo Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Harvey S. Fink, Thomas E. Mahany, Lawrence J. Nolan
  • Patent number: 6078309
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for adjusting the performance of a display by adjusting a gray ramp to look like a neutral gray ramp, finding the white points of the display, and obtaining nonlinearity reference values for different colors each through adjusting the brightness of two pictures until the pictures disappear in background. The system and method according to the present invention requires no extra instruments or devices, and provides instructions on the display for easy operation with mouse or any input devices, thereby can be used by users without specialized knowledge to provide performance best fit users' requirements and application environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Way Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Jia-Lin Chen, Li-Yuan Chang
  • Patent number: 5267539
    Abstract: A vehicle engine starter includes a self-contained solenoid-operated valve and a self-contained relay valve which simplify installation of the starter by reducing the number of electrical and pneumatic hook-ups between the starter and the electrical and pneumatic systems of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 7, 1993
    Assignee: Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Becker, Terry L. Coons
  • Patent number: 5117243
    Abstract: A scanner system includes a light source and scanning components for moving a spot of light across a surface along a scan line of predetermined length. An electronic control system is included for controlling the light beam in order to produce a plurality of pixels on the surface along the scan line. It is configured to control the position and exposure of each of the pixels in order to compensate for pixel position distortion and pixel exposure distortion caused by variations in spot velocity. Preferably, the control system produces a digital scan clock signal or other control signal that defines a pixel interval and an exposure interval for each of a plurality of desired pixel positions along the scan line according to stored pixel interval and exposure interval data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1992
    Assignee: S&R Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Melvin E. Swanberg, Yee-Ming Chung, Raymond Eskenazi, Robert T. Cunningham
  • Patent number: 4960085
    Abstract: Engine pre-engage starters formed of compactly interfit sections featuring a universally applicable high speed turbine rotor, formed preferably of nylon based plastic, the body of which is distinguished by low tensile strength, high impact resistance, radial growth and adjustment in correspondence with the speed of its rotation, minimal evidence of stress and no material fracture even under the most adverse conditions of its use and a structural composition which reduces to powder form when subjected to friction at such time the speed of its rotation reaches and exceeds a prescribed limit. The rotor is so connected with its power transmission shaft to position beyond and form an axial extension of one end thereof. The rotor is contained by a peripherally encompassing structurally complementary plastic buffer which enhances its fail safe properties. Optionally, the starter housing may be provided with discretely positioned sound deadening inserts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Coons
  • Patent number: 4830571
    Abstract: Pneumatic starters including a housing formed in sections interfit in telescopic and abutted relation, a cap forming its upstream end, a nozzle unit at the open end of said cap defining therewith a shallow chamber constructed to receive a flow of fluid under pressure to power said rotor and provide for its content a substantial pressure head, said end cap and nozzle unit being coaxially extended by a turbine assembly section, the rotor of which positions outwardly of the end thereof immediately adjacent said nozzle unit, positioning its buckets in coaxially aligned relation to its nozzles, said rotor nesting in a relatively axially extended portion of a cylindrical wall structure which forms a shroud for said nozzle unit, lines the inner wall of said housing and peripherally shrouds the buckets of said rotor, said nozzle unit being separable and interchangeable, said inlet chamber and required interrelation of the nozzles of said nozzle unit and the buckets of said rotor being achieved in assembly of said hou
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1989
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Coons
  • Patent number: 4524349
    Abstract: A security system including a plurality of sensor loops, each having a plurality of detectors and associated detector identification devices which upon actuation produce analog detector signals of different amplitude for each detector in such loop to identify the actuated detector. The sensor loops each have a common loop output which is connected to a different one of a plurality of input terminals of an analog to digital converter and multiplexer circuit which includes a multiplexer switching circuit for selectively switching between such inputs and which converts the selected analog detector signal to a digital detector output signal. The outputs of the analog to digital converter are connected to a digital data processor circuit, such as a microprocessor computer, for processing the digital detector signals to determine which detector produced such signals and to generate a corresponding output signal that may operate an alarm means such as a bell or indicator light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: Nel-Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Hyatt
  • Patent number: 4518310
    Abstract: Apparatus associated with a component part of the drive system of a turbine assembly reduces the power applied to its drive rotor in a direct and substantially instantaneous response to the speed of its rotation rising to a predetermined level. A turbine starter for an engine embodying this apparatus comprises a housing for its rotor and the drive system of which it forms a part, a flow path for a gaseous fluid, delivered from a source, to power the rotor and a control device in connection with the drive system a component part of which moves radially thereof and, when its speed of rotation rises to a predetermined level, triggers a substantially simultaneous restriction of the flow path through which fluid can be applied to power the turbine rotor, thereby to produce a resulting reduction of the speed of rotation of the turbine drive system. If under such conditions the starter is engaged with a related engine, it will automatically disengage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1985
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Coons
  • Patent number: 4509896
    Abstract: A rotor is distinguished by parts including a radially innermost part and a radially outermost part which is actually a separate element. The two parts are normally coupled for their conjoint rotation by pins anchored to project radially from the innermost part and freely into apertures in the radially outermost part. The pins provide a bearing mount thereon of the outermost part which is fabricated to radially expand and contract in correspondence with the speed of rotation of the rotor and to have a benign failure in the location of one of the apertures upon excessive speed of the rotor. By virtue of such failure the radially outermost part opens and expands to be braked by engagement with the particular surface most adjacent its outer periphery. This rotor is particularly advantageous for use in providing a turbine drive unit, in which event its power transmitting outer peripheral portion is formed by turbine buckets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Linsker
  • Patent number: 4507047
    Abstract: As originally fabricated the rotor of the invention is a unitized structure an outer portion of which, including its outer peripheral surface, is designed to separate shortly after the start of its rotation. As illustrated, this outer peripheral portion is a ring-shaped structure which is initially incorporated by an interference fit which establishes it in a fixed bounding relation to the rotor part immediately inward thereof. At the point in time that said outer portion of the rotor is separated, guide means are rendered operative to maintain a drive coupling as between the outer and inward rotor parts and such guide means then serve as bearings accommodating the radial movement of the outer separated part in correspondence with its changing radius in response to changing speeds of rotation of the rotor. Any failure of the rotor is benign in that at such time the rotor exceeds the designed limit of its speed of rotation the outer part expands sufficient to brake against its adjacent shield or housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1985
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Coons
  • Patent number: 4494499
    Abstract: A system for obviating chance damage in starting a diesel engine due, for example, to hydraulic lock utilizes a two step starting cycle and includes means for applying power to initiate and maintain a drive of the engine for starting thereof and associated controls rendered operative on a drive of the engine to sense the speed of crankshaft rotation and interrupt said application of power in response to a pre-set speed thereof which is substantially less than that required to start the engine to induce thereby a reduction of said speed and in response to such reduction a reapplication of said power. A portion of said controls is conditioned to automatically respond to a predetermined extent of rotation of the engine crankshaft to nullify ability of the controls to thereafter functionally interfere with the engine drive, whereupon there is an increase in the speed of crankshaft rotation to a level sufficient to induce a starting of the engine and its normal operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventor: Robert A. Stein
  • Patent number: 4468655
    Abstract: A multiplex security system provides two-way data communications between a local panel and multiple microprocessor-based remote panels interconnected over a common data transmission line. A second line provides two-way voice communications between the local and remote panels with automatic forwarding by an audio/data control selector to a central control unit via a single telephone line. Two additional lines provide a common ground and transmit DC power from the local to the remote panels. The remote panels include bus drivers connected to the communications line for transmitting both ASCII digital data messages and a higher voltage request or SRQ signal to the local panel when the remote panel has a message to transmit. The local panel includes two separate receivers for distinguishing the request signal from digital data and a bus driver for transmitting data. The local panel transmits a grant message which is superimposed over the request signal, reducing its voltage level to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1984
    Assignee: Nel-Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Iwata
  • Patent number: 4392125
    Abstract: A multiplex security system provides two-way data communications between a local panel and multiple microprocessor-based remote panels interconnected over a common data transmission line. A second line provides two-way voice communications between the local and remote panels with automatic forwarding by an audio/data control selector to a central control unit via a single telephone line. Two additional lines provide a common ground and transmit DC power from the local to the remote panels. The remote panels include bus drivers connected to the communications line for transmitting both ASCII digital data messages and a higher voltage request or SRQ signal to the local panel when the remote panel has a message to transmit. The local panel includes two separate receivers for distinguishing the request signal from digital data and a bus driver for transmitting data. The local panel transmits a grant message which is superimposed over the request signal, reducing its voltage level to zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1983
    Assignee: Nel-Tech Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Hideki Iwata
  • Patent number: 4008983
    Abstract: A tip turbine type fan particularly adapted for use to effect a substantially instantaneous inflation of an emergency lifesaving device such as an escape slide or life raft. It features a housing having an improved unitized construction which defines an axial flow passage. A rotor within and transverse to said passage is operated under the influence of fluid under pressure directed from a chamber formed within and circumferentially of the wall structure of said housing. Drive of the rotor induces air from the environment surrounding the housing to enter the flow passage at one end to co-mingle with the fluid furnishing the motive power for the rotor and to move therewith from the passage to the interior of a connected article to be inflated.It is a feature of a preferred embodiment of the invention that the entrance to the flow passage is bridged by a platelike closure device which is normally biased to a position to seal the entrance to said flow passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1974
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1977
    Assignee: Tech Development Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Flatt, Robert C. LoPiccolo, Eugene Linsker