Patents Examined by Alandra Ellington
  • Patent number: 6988417
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: University of Saskatchewan
    Inventors: R. Lal Kushwaha, Louis Roth, James Schnaider, Tyrel Lloyd, William C. Roberts, Wayne Morley, Denise Stilling
  • Patent number: 6988414
    Abstract: A sensor device having a magnetostrictive force sensor is provided. To detect a force, the sensor device contains a TMR force sensor element having a magnetic detection layer of material having a magnetostriction coefficient ??|5·10?6|, a magnetically harder reference layer, and a tunnel barrier disposed between these layers. Established in the detection layer is a starting magnetization that relative to the magnetization of the reference layer, which is directed in the direction of force, forms an angle of other than 0° and thus is rotated out of its starting position under the effect of the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignees: Stiftung Caesar Center of Advanced European Studies and Research, Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Manfred Rührig, Joachim Wecker, Alfred Ludwig, Eckhardt Quandt, Markus Löhndorf
  • Patent number: 6983649
    Abstract: A transmitter is provided in each of tires to wirelessly transmit data representing the condition of the associated tire and data representing the direction of acceleration. A first reception antenna receives data from the transmitters provided in left and right front tires. A second reception antenna receives data from the transmitters provided in left and right rear tires. When receiving data from one of the transmitters, the receiver determines the position of the tire in which the transmitter that is the source of the data is provided based on the levels of received signals each sent from the first reception antenna and the second reception antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiya Katou
  • Patent number: 6983660
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the fatigue strength and fatigue damage of structures and predicting the service life remaining in the structure being tested. The apparatus is a specially designed fatigue gauge that contains breakable ligaments of either variable length to measure fatigue strength or fatigue damage of metallic, polymeric and composite materials or the same length but different composition to measure the fatigue strength and fatigue damage of certain composite materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventor: Young Wuk Kwon
  • Patent number: 6978679
    Abstract: A hydraulic pressure sensor for measuring the pressure in a hydraulic pressure chamber 1. A reservoir housing 9 is connected to the pressure chamber, and the interior of the housing is divided by a slideable partition 13 which defines a reservoir chamber 8 which is connected to the pressure chamber and a sensor chamber 7 which is connected to a sensor element 5. The partition 13 is constructed as a piston and extends for sliding movement along the walls of the reservoir housing while exerting a frictional force. A spring 11 supports the partition relative to the reservoir housing against the pressure in the reservoir chamber 8. The partition 13 may be constructed as a differential piston, and consist of two or more piston sections 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, which extend independently of one another in a sliding and sealing manner, and mutually support one another by an intermediate spring 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Tiefenbach Bergbautechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Willy Kussel
  • Patent number: 6973834
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for measuring the pressure of a fluid medium, by immersing within the fluid medium an electrical resistor having a resistance varying with temperature; applying electrical current through the electrical resistor to heat it to a predetermined temperature above that of the fluid medium; and measuring the rate of change in resistance of the electrical resistor to produce a measurement of the rate of thermal heat dissipation, varying with the density of the fluid medium in which the electrical resistor is immersed, and thereby a measurement of the pressure of the fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: A.T.C.T. Advanced Thermal Chips Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Gady Golan
  • Patent number: 6971269
    Abstract: In a sensor device having a pressure detecting element and a temperature detecting element, a port portion has an opening portion from which a pressure medium is introduced to a pressure introduction passage of the port portion, and a lead wire connected to the temperature detecting element is disposed in the port portion to be fixed by a fixing portion at a tip end portion of the port portion. Furthermore, the temperature detecting element is disposed such that the pressure medium introduced from the opening portion passes the temperature detecting element and is conducted to the pressure detecting element through the pressure introduction passage. Because the temperature detecting element is disposed in the pressure introduction passage, a diameter of the port portion can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Nomura
  • Patent number: 6968746
    Abstract: An anti-entrapment system for preventing an object from being entrapped by a translating device includes a capacitance sensor positioned in a jamb portion of the translating device, on the translating device, or adjacent to the translating device. The sensor has first and second flexible conductors separated by a separation distance and a compressible dielectric element interposed between the conductors. The conductors have a capacitance dependent on the separation distance. The capacitance changes in response to the separation distance changing as a result of the dielectric element compressing in response to a first object touching the capacitance sensor, and changes in response to a second conductive object coming into proximity with at least one of the conductors. A controller controls the translating device as a function of the capacitance in order to prevent the translating device from entrapping either object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Nartron Corporation
    Inventors: David W. Shank, Randall L. Perrin, John M. Washeleski
  • Patent number: 6966229
    Abstract: A pressure gauge is arranged to function on the outside of a measuring element. The measuring element has a central cavity and is constituted by at least to parts, which are tightly joined for creation of the cavity. The measuring element has sensor organs for determining the mechanical state of stress of the measuring element during pressure influence. The two parts of the measuring element are manufactured with planar techniques, preferably by silicon or quarts with the cavity running in the longitudinal direction. The central cavity has a considerably greater height than width. The sensor organs have form of piezo-resistive elements arranged near an outer surface of the measuring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Presens AS
    Inventor: Björn Erik Seeberg
  • Patent number: 6964202
    Abstract: The onset of rolling contact fatigue in an object may be detected by measuring the residual stresses in the surface of the object, and monitoring changes in their magnitude or their direction. The values of residual stresses in the surface are those averaged over a depth that may be in the range say 0.1 mm to 8.0 mm, for example about 2.5 mm. For ferromagnetic objects such as rails, the method may utilize an electromagnetic probe. Prior to rolling contact fatigue the surface stresses are compressive, and the onset of rolling contact fatigue may be characterized by a marked decrease of the stress in the generally transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: AEA Technology PLC
    Inventors: David John Buttle, Peter John Thayer, William Dalzell
  • Patent number: 6955094
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a sensor for simultaneously measuring both normal and shear forces applied to two or more flexible sensors, and further a statically responsive sensor for measuring shear forces. The present invention further includes a method of designing an object, prototype or a device using these sensors to detect both shear and normal forces encountered at the sensor locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: Cleveland Medical Devices Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew David Tarler
  • Patent number: 6955092
    Abstract: A test method for determining, quantifying, and qualifying the stress-relaxation characteristics of a sealant material compound comprising applying a sealant material layer between a first plate and a second plate, disposing a fastener assembly through the plates, and providing tension preload upon the fastener assembly so as to compress the plates together. The elongation of the fastener assembly is measured and the test assembly is heated and cooled under controlled parameters and the elongation of the fastener assembly is again measured. The stress-relaxation of the sealant material compound is correlated to the corresponding change in fastener assembly elongation for the purposes of measuring, quantifying, and qualifying the sealant material compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven G. Keener, Norman R. Byrd
  • Patent number: 6952959
    Abstract: This invention provides a method of designing a suitable heat seal width which is more resistant to unsealing than conventional heat-sealing, which involves the steps of; (1) heat-sealing a test piece of a sheet to be heat-sealed at a temperature lower than the fusion temperature of a heat seal portion of the sheet, (2) heat-sealing another test piece of the sheet at a temperature at or higher than the fusion temperature, (3) pulling to peel a heat-sealed portion of each test piece, and measuring the pull strength variation with peel length, (4) calculating the peel energy in various peel length as of the test piece heat-sealed at a temperature lower than the fusion temperature of the heat seal portion of the sheet by integrating the pull strength variation, (5) calculating the peel energy of the test piece heat-sealed at the temperature at or higher than the fusion temperature by integrating the pull strength variation up to rupture at a heat-sealed portion, and (6) setting the heat seal width at a peel leng
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Inventor: Kazuo Hishinuma
  • Patent number: 6952969
    Abstract: A mechanical test method prescribes compressing brittle balls in spherical conforming opposing platens producing equatorial bulging, tensile stresses, and resulting indentation crack growth that is imaged for providing direct measurement of the fracture toughness of brittle balls, such as, silicon-nitride balls used in hybrid bearings as well as conventional steel ball bearings, with measurement errors being immune to characterizing the dimensions and positioning of the precrack indentations, so that, the test method is accurate, repeatable, and robust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: The Aerospace Corporation
    Inventors: Michael James O'Brien, Benjamin Allen Nelson
  • Patent number: 6952955
    Abstract: A tire monitoring assembly is used with a wheel and tire assembly having a wheel rim, with the wheel rim including a mounting hole. The tire monitoring assembly includes a sealing grommet having an inner sealing ring, an outer sealing ring, and a main body extending between the inner sealing ring and the outer sealing ring, with the inner sealing ring being pressed through the mounting hole. The assembly also includes a fastener having a head and a shank extending from the head, with the shank extending through a fastener hole in the sealing grommet. A mounting member has a fastener through hole that receives the shank therethrough, a generally semi-spherical surface extending about a first end of the fastener through hole, and a recess extending about a second end of the fastener through hole that receives the inner sealing ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Uleski
  • Patent number: 6948384
    Abstract: A coupler acts as an interface between a torque element of a torque sensor and a shaft receiving an applied torque. A portion of the shaft is allowed to twist freely inside the element, and the coupler transfers a portion of the torsion forces in the shaft to the element. The element deforms and generates a magnetic field or other torque response corresponding to the applied torque in the shaft. The applied torque can then be determined based on a relationship between the torque in the shaft and the torque in the element. Reducing the torsion forces applied to the element allows the element to measure higher applied torques without permanently deforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Jon W. Bossoli
  • Patent number: 6945119
    Abstract: A heat loss gauge for measuring gas pressure in an environment includes a resistive sensing element and a resistive compensating element. The resistive compensating element is in circuit with the sensing element and is exposed to a substantially matching environment. An electrical source is connected to the sensing element and the compensating element for applying current through the elements. The current through the sensing element is substantially greater than the current through the compensating element. Measuring circuitry is connected to the sensing element and the compensating element for determining gas pressure in the environment to which the sensing element and compensating element are exposed based on electrical response of the sensing element and the compensating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Helix Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Bills, Michael D. Borenstein
  • Patent number: 6945126
    Abstract: A rotation sensor functioning as both a rotation-angle sensor and a torque sensor is provided which, when applied to a steering sensor for an automobile, for example, permits reduction in the number of components and thus in the weight of the automobile and contributes to conservation of global environment. The rotation sensor has slip rings covered with conductive synthetic resin having small coefficient of friction, allowing the contact pressure of brushes disposed in sliding contact with the slip rings to be kept low and the life duration of the slip rings to be prolonged. Further, no metal powder is produced when the brushes slide on the respective slip rings, and it is therefore possible to prevent the formation of unwanted insulating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomoaki Toratani, Toshiro Yamamoto, Hiroshi Morimoto, Kyutaro Abe, Masahiro Hasegawa, Akira Noguchi, Kosuke Yamawaki
  • Patent number: 6945121
    Abstract: Apparatus for generating a dynamic force response that simulates a dynamic force typically generated by an experimental event. A cam having a profile, such as a serrated profile, rotates about an axis according to a rotational speed profile. A braking device operatively connects to the cam, such as a follower biased against the cam, for generating a braking force resisting rotation of the cam. A measurement device measures the braking force on the cam to generate the dynamic force response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly, Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Honer, Oliver P. Renier, Peter S. Lortscher
  • Patent number: 6941801
    Abstract: A method is provided for replacing at least one tire of a vehicle on a first wheel in a first wheel position, the vehicle having a tire pressure monitoring system with a first sensor unit having a first ID code mounted to the first wheel. The first sensor unit is interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the interrogation is detected. The at least one tire is removed from the first wheel. If the nominal result is detected during the interrogating step, then the first sensor unit is re-interrogated. Either a nominal result or a faulted result of the re-interrogation is detected. If either of the interrogation or the re-interrogation provide a faulted result then the first ID code is cloned into a replacement sensor unit and then the replacement sensor unit is swapped for the first sensor unit on the first wheel. A new tire is installed onto the first wheel. The first wheel is installed onto the vehicle in the first wheel position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Lemense, John S. Nantz, Kenneth J. Cunningham, Qingfeng Tang