Patents Examined by André K. Jackson
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Patent number: 7191640Abstract: Electrical connecting lines of a sensor element are anchored by friction locking, specifically using an annularly closed spring element which clamps the connecting lines against contact surfaces on the sensor element using pressure bodies.Type: GrantFiled: July 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: Robert Bosh GmbHInventors: Helmut Weyl, Juergen Wilde, Dirk Bluemmel, Andreas Pesch
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Patent number: 7082810Abstract: A gas sensor (10) including a measurement chamber (28) into which a gas GS is flown and a detection element main body (40) facing the measurement chamber (28). The detection element main body (40) includes an element case 42, and a protective film (48) is adhered to a bottom surface thereof. An acoustic matching plate (50) and a piezoelectric element (51) of a substantially columnar shape and a tube body (52) provided in a position surrounding the acoustic matching plate 50 and the piezoelectric element 51 are housed in the element case (42). A filler is then introduced into the element case (42), whereby the acoustic matching plate (50), the piezoelectric element (51), and the tube body (52) are sealed by a filled layer (99).Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2003Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masashi Sakamoto, Yoshikuni Sato, Keigo Banno, Katsuya Otake, Takeshi Morita, Hideki Ishikawa, Noboru Ishida
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Patent number: 7059187Abstract: A seamless marine fuel tank having directly mechanically fastened component parts such as a fuel withdrawal assembly and a direct-sight fuel gauge system. The fuel withdrawal system contains a split-nut fastening device which fastens the system to the tank and allows for 360 rotation of fuel withdrawal outlet. The direct-sight gauge contains a threaded gauge neck with a cradle and tabs in its interior wall into which a one-piece float arm is snapped.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Tempo Products Co., Inc.Inventors: John Clarke, III, Ronald Eureka
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Patent number: 7017394Abstract: Osmolarity measurement of a sample fluid, such as tear film, is achieved by depositing an aliquot-sized sample on a sample receiving substrate. The sample fluid is placed on a sample region of the substrate. Energy is imparted to the sample fluid and energy properties of the fluid can be detected to produce a sample fluid reading that indicates osmolarity of the sample fluid. An aliquot-sized volume can comprise, for example, a volume of no more than 20 microliters (?L). The aliquot-sized sample volume can be quickly and easily obtained, even from dry eye sufferers. The imparted energy can comprise electrical, optical or thermal energy. In the case of electrical energy, the energy property of the sample fluid can comprise electrical conductivity. In the case of optical energy, the energy property can comprise fluorescence. In the case of thermal energy, the measured property can be the freezing point of the sample fluid.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Benjamin D. Sullivan
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Patent number: 7017389Abstract: Sensors are provided which are selective for a specific gas. The sensors include a substrate, electrodes, and a thin film metal oxide. Methods for choosing the metal oxide to be utilized in the sensor with selectivity for the specific gas are also provided, as are methods for determining the presence of a specific gas in a gaseous mixture.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2003Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: The Research Foundation of SUNY at Stony BrookInventor: Pelagia-Irene Gouma
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Patent number: 7013724Abstract: The invention is related to the oil industry and can be used in well intake capacity testing and well bottom zone treatment. On injection line in front of the wellhead it is set a measuring section of a length allowing to fix pressure drops when flow medium of minimum hydraulic friction flowing. The section is in the form of a calibrated pipe with assembled flow sensors, a pressure sensor and an additional differential manometer with impulsive pipes connected with the start and the end of the measuring section. The following operations are conducted. An impulsive non-stationary formation water injection, the injection pressure and flow rate measurements at wellhead, recalculation of the data to the bottom hole conditions, determination of the stored flow rate and the work required for a non-steady state flow of the agent consumption unit in a well bottom zone.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Inventor: Andrey Yegorovich Chikin
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Patent number: 7010963Abstract: Piezoelectric plates conduct bending vibrations and are axially symmetrical about the vibration shaft so the piezoelectric plates conduct a bending vibration, lower vibrating ends of the piezoelectric plates are rigidly connected to a vibration suppressing member and upper vibration ends of the piezoelectric plates are rigidly connected to the vibration shaft, an inner edge of each of the piezoelectric plates excluding the vibration connection part is free of the vibration shaft, a bending vibration at the lower vibrating end of each of the piezoelectric plates is suppressed on the vibration suppression connection part side and a bending vibration at the upper vibrating end is amplified and then applied to the vibration shaft and the liquid detecting element which is disposed at a lower end of the vibration shaft, through the vibration connection part, so that the liquid detecting element is vibrated in the circular direction in the measuring liquid.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2003Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: CBC Materials Co., Ltd.Inventor: Shinsuke Miura
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Patent number: 6997067Abstract: The sampling pipette comprises a body and an arm movable relative to the body to eject a cone fixed to the pipette, ejection taking place in a longitudinal direction of the pipette, the arm having both a first portion suitable for coming into contact with the cone, and a second portion. The two portions are engaged one in the other and, starting from an operating position, they enable the first portion to be separated from the body by means of an initial movement in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2001Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Gilson S.A.S.Inventor: Francois Viot
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Patent number: 6993958Abstract: A microfluidic system is provided for separating components of many fluid samples in a parallel fashion through an array of capillary conduits. The system includes capillary conduits for receiving fluid samples, and for effecting separation of substituents of the sample by passing the sample through a corresponding array of capillary separation conduits containing a solid separation medium. The microfluidic circuit is made of three or more substrate layers and preferably includes etched channels in different layers that are dimensioned relative to one another to provide for retaining the solid composition within the capillary separation conduits. The system also includes an array of detector flow cells in fluid communication with the capillary separation conduits, and an array of high pressure connectors for connecting discrete capillary tubes to the fluid passages in the microfluidic circuit for introducing and removing the fluid samples from the system.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2003Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: PerSeptive BioSystemsInventor: Carlton H. Paul
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Patent number: 6990850Abstract: A method and apparatus for accurately determining the rheology of a coating fluid and using this information to design application equipment and formulations, particularly for non-Newtonian fluids, including measuring the entrance transition effects for the fluid at process shear rates and time frames, and detecting to presence of dilatant flow. A device for measuring these transition effects has a pressure source for the fluid and connector for a selected capillary tube. The fluid is introduced to the capillary and a pre-determined shear rate and flow rate are achieved. The resulting back pressure in the container is measured. The test parameters are changed to obtain the separate transition effect measurements to correspond to process conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2003Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Inventor: John A. Taylor
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Patent number: 6988403Abstract: A fluid level measuring device, also referred to as a dipstick, for measuring the fluid level in a fluid reservoir or tank, such as an oil pan or transmission reservoir in an internal combustion engine. The fluid level measuring device includes a stationary tube assembly in which a rotatable dipstick assembly is disposed. The dipstick assembly includes a fluid level indicator measuring blade attached to an elongated shaft that is molded into a plastic handle assembly. The plastic handle assembly includes a bayonet type locking mechanism for locking the handle to the stationary tube assembly. A compressible seal forms a pressurized seal between the stationary tube assembly and the handle.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Orscheln Products LLCInventors: John Michael Dougherty, Karen S. Slabaugh, Steven Marek
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Patent number: 6988406Abstract: A system of liquid level detection has a vessel, a sight glass in fluid communication with the vessel, a float positioned in the sight glass, a proximity switch affixed exterior of the sight glass for transmitting a signal relative to a sensing of the float in proximity to the proximity switch, a timer cooperative with the proximity switch for measuring a period of time relative to the signal from the proximity switch, and an indicator cooperative with the timer for producing a humanly perceivable indication when the period of time is at a predetermined limit. The proximity switch can be positioned so as to detect a low level of liquid in the vessel or a high level of liquid in the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Inventor: Robert Mack
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Patent number: 6986279Abstract: A method of determining liquid absorption of an aggregate comprises providing a shaker apparatus, a vacuum source and a container; placing a sample of the aggregate in the container; adding liquid to the container sufficient to reach a calibration mark on the container; weighing the sample and liquid; mounting the container to the shaker apparatus; connecting the vacuum source to the container; agitating the sample and liquid with the shaker apparatus; applying a vacuum to the sample and liquid with the vacuum source; after the agitation and vacuum steps, adding liquid to the container sufficient to again reach the calibration mark on the container; again weighing the sample and liquid; and subtracting the initial weight of the sample and liquid from the final weight of the sample and liquid in order to determine the liquid absorption of the aggregate.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: January 17, 2006Assignee: Barnstead Thermolyne CorporationInventors: Mark D. Lockwood, Steven C. Peake
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Patent number: 6981405Abstract: A device for determining moisture has an LC-oscillating circuit as a transducer and an oscillator for exciting the oscillating circuit. Further, the device for determining moisture has a tuning device for frequency-wise tuning the oscillator and a measuring and evaluation circuit to determine an attenuation condition of the oscillator and to provide a signal that is proportional to a degree of moisture at the transducer. The transducer and the oscillator are coupled in a contact-free manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Vogt Electronic AGInventor: Willi Wimmer
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Patent number: 6978690Abstract: An apparatus for the internal inspection of pipes and tubes or the like, comprising an ultrasonic measuring head and a cable coupled to the measuring head, which cable can be coupled outside the pipe or tube to be measured to a device processing the measuring data, the apparatus being provided at its distal end but behind the measuring head, with a reel for winding the cable on and off.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2000Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: A. Hak Industrial Services B.V.Inventors: Siemen Roelof Van der Heide, Leonardus Johannes Gruitroij, Joost Martinus Hermanus Parent, Christiaan Willem Schomper
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Patent number: 6968728Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the capacitance and the dissipation factor in a transformer bushing and extracting gas dissolved in the insulating fluid of said bushing. The apparatus comprises a porous cylindrical member associated with a tap connector and covered by a thin layer of a gas permeable but liquid impermeable membrane. The porous member allows passive diffusion of the permeated gas extracted from the insulating fluid of a transformer bushing to a gas storage chamber for further analysis, thereby helping to prevent high costs related to damage or destruction of the bushing.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 29, 2005Assignee: Hydro QuebecInventors: Roland Gilbert, Jocelyn Jalbert, Hong Phuong Nguyen, René J. Demers
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Patent number: 6966226Abstract: A pressure-measuring vessel system for microwave assisted chemical processes is disclosed. The vessel system includes a pressure resistant vessel that is otherwise transparent to microwave radiation, a pressure-resistant closure for the mouth of the vessel, with portions of the closure including a pressure resistant synthetic membrane, a pressure transducer external to the vessel, and a tube extending from the transducer, through the membrane and into the vessel for permitting the pressure inside the vessel to be applied against the transducer while the closure and membrane otherwise maintain the pressure resistant characteristics of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2004Date of Patent: November 22, 2005Assignee: CEM CorporationInventors: William Edward Jennings, Wyatt Price Hargett, Jr., James Edward Thomas
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Patent number: 6959599Abstract: A level detector for storage tanks for fluids comprises a microprocessor, a network of resistive elements connected in series or parallel, and a plurality of conductive elements between them, connected across a power source. The resistive elements have a high temperature coefficient, and are heated by passing a high electric current through them, after which a low electric current is passed through them and the voltage between them is sampled by the microprocessor. The resistive elements lose heat through conduction, so that a pair of resistive elements can be detected having differential cooling between them as a consequence of being adjacent to the void within the tank or the fluid within the tank. Thus, an approximation of the fluid level within the storage tank can be determined and signalled remotely.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2003Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Inventors: Robert Feldstein, Donald Edward Hewson, Joseph Rait
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Patent number: 6957573Abstract: A Vadose Zone Water Fluxmeter (WFM) or Direct Measurement WFM provides direct measurement of unsaturated water flow in the vadose zone. The fluxmeter is a cylindrical device that fits in a borehole or can be installed near the surface, or in pits, or in pile structures. The fluxmeter is primarily a combination of tensiometers and a porous element or plate in a water cell that is used for water injection or extraction under field conditions. The same water pressure measured outside and inside of the soil sheltered by the lower cylinder of the fluxmeter indicates that the water flux through the lower cylinder is similar to the water flux in the surrounding soil. The fluxmeter provides direct measurement of the water flow rate in the unsaturated soils and then determines the water flux, i.e. the water flow rate per unit area.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2003Date of Patent: October 25, 2005Assignee: The Regents of the University of CaliforniaInventor: Boris A. Faybishenko
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Patent number: 6952947Abstract: A measuring head for the determination of the concentration of a paramagnetic gas in a gas sample has first and second housing parts (21, 2) made of a steel alloy for accommodating a magnet coil body (4, 5) each. The magnet coil bodies extend concentrically around the central axis of each housing part (21, 2). Metallic bars (31, 3), which are used as magnet poles for the measuring head, are located at spaced locations with a defined air gap in the assembled state of the measuring head. The bars are arranged in the center of the measuring head in the area of the central axis of the housing parts (21, 2). A sample gas cuvette support (6) is provided in the air gap between the housing parts (21, 2) for positioning a sample gas cuvette holder (1). The sample gas cuvette support (6) is provided with a gas inlet and gas outlet (8, 81).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2003Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Dräger Medical AG & Co., KGaAInventors: Günter Steinert, Alfred Kelm, Hans-Ulrich Hansmann, Hartmut Stark, Peter Dreyer