Patents Examined by Benjamin R. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6389911
    Abstract: A magnetostriction detection type sensor includes a substrate. This substrate is bonded, through an adhesive or the like, with a magnetostrictive element of a circular columnar form and a cylindrical magnetostriction detecting coil coaxially receiving magnetostrictive element. The substrate is also mounted with a housing case formed by a magnetic member, to accommodate a magnetostrictive element and magnetostriction detecting coil nearly in a shield state. The housing case is formed with a projection that is in surface contact with a tip surface of the magnetostrictive element, and a spherically formed tip for contacting an object to be measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Aoki
  • Patent number: 6389876
    Abstract: A material testing machine has a movable, load applying block and a fixed, load sensing block. The load sensing block has a body with sufficient volume and mass and a small sensing projection provided on the body. The sensing projection is much smaller than the body and has a side surface on which strain gages are affixed. A test piece is installed to the material sensing projection such that any load applied to the test piece may be transmitted to the sensing projection to cause a corresponding strain of the sensing projection. Any strain of the sensing projection, which may be either static strain or dynamic strain, can be determined from the outputs of the strain gages. The determined strain of the sensing projection is used to derive the load transmitted to the sensing projection and thus the load applied to the test piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Saginomiya Seisakusho, Shinji Tanimura
    Inventors: Shinji Tanimura, Susumu Takada, Rongsheng Yin
  • Patent number: 6389883
    Abstract: This invention is a system to analyze the balance, stability, and tremor of a load or subject by measuring forces and calculating the center of pressure, as well as being capable of measuring all forces and moments. The plate (or platform) component of the system houses the measurement, amplification, and transmission technology. The forces and moments are measured by strain gages which are geometrically attached to specially machined beams inside the plate. The plate has a low profile for ease of stepping on and off, is light weight for portability, and is adjustable to compensate for unlevel surfaces. The data acquisition component of the system allows the user to analyze, interact with, and observe the measurement data. One version of the invention utilizes a compressible pad which can be placed on the plate to perturb the load or subject without interfering with the plate's capabilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Bertec Corporation
    Inventors: Necip Berme, Douglas R. Morr
  • Patent number: 6389888
    Abstract: An arrangement for isolating a differential axle system while it is subjected to a test process for noise, also reduces the noise contribution of the differential gear set by coupling a load directly to the differential gear set shaft. The isolation arrangement has a suspension arrangement that supports the differential axle system above the base supports. In a different embodiment, the isolation support supports the differential axle system, yet affords multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the base. The differential axle system is clamped in a manner that permits the multiple degrees of freedom with respect to the base, via an engagement arrangement that secures the differential axle system to the isolation support. The engagement arrangement has a first position with respect to the base wherein the differential axle system is installable on, and removable from, the isolation support, and a second position wherein the differential axle system is secured to the isolation support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Veri-Tek Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Juranitch, Robert D. Olschefski
  • Patent number: 6389909
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the flow of water through a pipe. A metering device is located in a pipeline. A transmitting unit including a sensor is contained within a housing which has a frame projecting horizontally outwardly from the housing. A clip having an elongated band and a “U” shaped clasp at either end has an inner clasp portion and an outer catch portion to hold the meter against the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Dwight N. Johnson, Daivd A. Saar, Wade W. Smith, Christian Siebert
  • Patent number: 6390602
    Abstract: An ink jet recording head comprises: recording head units arranged linearly, each of the plurality of recording head units having a pressure producing chamber communicating with a nozzle opening, piezoelectric element for applying pressure to the pressure producing chamber, and a connecting terminal for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric element; a drive signal generating semiconductor device for generating the drive signal for driving the piezoelectric element based on a print signal; and a flexible cable for supplying the print signal from an external circuit to the drive signal generating semiconductor device, and supplying the drive signal to the piezoelectric element while connected to the connecting terminal, wherein the flexible cable has a widow and a conductive path, the window allowing the drive signal generating semiconductor device to be attached thereto, and the conductive path being formed so as to extend substantially in parallel in a direction of arrangement of the recording head un
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Takahiro Katakura, Minoru Usui, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6389908
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of characterizing an oil borehole effluent, formed by a multiphase fluid mixture typically containing water, oil, and gas. According to the invention, a gadolinium 153 source is used to emit gamma rays at a first energy level of about 100 keV and at a second energy level of about 40 keV, and the attenuation of the gamma rays at these two energy levels is measured after the rays have passed through the effluent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Philippe Chevalier, Gerard Segeral
  • Patent number: 6389903
    Abstract: A pressure-detecting device in which a pressure sensor unit having the same specifications can be used even when there are numerous different forms of an outside member to which connection leads of the pressure sensor unit are to be electrically connected. A pressure sensor unit has four connection leads exiting a sensor housing. A coupling member has a terminal holding part and a connector part molded integrally from an insulating material and having insert-molded coupling leads. The coupling leads have terminal plates, all exposed on the same side, and terminal pieces projecting outwardly. Multiple versions of the coupling member are made by integrally joining connector parts of different shapes to terminal holding parts all having terminal plates disposed in the same state. The pressure sensor unit is assembled to a coupling member selected from among these and the connection leads are electrically connected to an outside member by way of this coupling member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Nobukazu Oba, Makoto Hatanaka
  • Patent number: 6386044
    Abstract: A multi-depth deflectometer provides use and fabrication advantages. It is comprised of a head member that normally is disposed at the very mouth of a bore hole, an elongated tail member extending down through the bore hole. Displacement transducers are removably positioned within the head member which can be opened from the surface. The transducers can be easily placed in or removed by hand. The first trackings of subsurface deflections are done through mechanical deflection anchors located at desired measuring levels within the tail member. The deflection anchors have transverse-bite actuators and are each separately in vertical-actuation communication with one of the transducers. A method of implementing the MDD reflects the use and fabrication advantages also.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Weinmann
  • Patent number: 6386023
    Abstract: A sensor (210) for increasing signal time employs a resiliently deflectable member n(218) with a pressure sensitive signal element (216) and base member (222). The dampening effect of the elastic material provides a longer signal response time that allows sufficient time for a system to react without a need for additional signal conditioning circuitry. Sensor (10, 110) senses a selected path of movement for a moveable element (8) and establishes a signal indicative thereof. The limit sensor includes a resiliently deflectable member (18) for activating the signal at a predetermined station along the preselected path of movement and includes a base member (22) for supporting the resiliently deflectable member (18) and the pressure sensitive signal element (16). An actuator (20) receives the force (F) from the moveable element (8) and transfers the force (F) to the pressure sensitive signal element (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Sajna, Richard C. Barthel, David J. Gardner
  • Patent number: 6386027
    Abstract: A method of measuring the z-directional tensile strength of a sample (2) of paper or board in a direction perpendicular to its surface by coating the sample (2) on the two opposite surfaces with double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′) so as to obtain a sandwich structured sample web (3); bringing, on each of the two opposite sides of the sample web (3), a tensile strength tester platen (10, 10′) in contact with the free surface of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′); fastening, on each of the two opposite sides of the sample web (3), the tensile strength tester platen (10, 10′) to the free surface of the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape (5, 5′); pulling apart the tensile strength tester platens (10, 10′) by use of a tensile force; and measuring the tensile force necessary to break the sample (2) in a plane between its opposite surfaces; characterized in that a number of z-directional tensile strength tests may be performed at
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: AB Lorentzen & Wettre
    Inventor: Dennis Westin
  • Patent number: 6386052
    Abstract: A torque sensor which does not require complicated neutral adjustment using a position adjustment mechanism or the like, which is capable of reducing cost and heat generation, improving reliability and realizing a one-system detection circuit. A torque sensor has a control calculating portion for varying operation timing of a coil for detecting torque and sample holding timing and a storage portion for storing an initial value of each element of the torque sensor. The torque is detected on the basis of sampling of transition voltage of the coil and a comparison with the initial value in the storage portion is made during detection of the torque is not being performed so that a failure of each element of the torque sensor is detected. Another torque sensor structured to detect torque in accordance with transient voltages which are generated in the portion in which coils and electric resistors are connected to each other is enabled to detect an abnormality of short circuit between a pair of the coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Kouichi Satoh, Toshiyuki Onizuka, Kazuo Chikaraishi
  • Patent number: 6386019
    Abstract: A method is described for determining an externally produced value, especially a momentum, accelerating or decelerating the vehicle, with the following steps: determination of the driving performance of the vehicle on the basis of a model, comparison of the model output values with the relative measuring values or values derived from this, and determination of the externally produced value according to the result of the comparison. The corresponding device includes a model of the driving performance of the vehicle, a comparator for model output values and measuring values or values derived from these and a device for determining the externally produced value according to the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co., oHG
    Inventors: Alfred Eckert, Jürgen Diebold
  • Patent number: 6386054
    Abstract: A manikin that may be used for accelerated seat durability is disclosed. The manikin provides forces that simulate both the weight of a person against the butt portion of a seat and forces produced against the back portion of a seat by human movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Tech., Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph Robert Jones, Tim Alan Whitehead, William Tumbull
  • Patent number: 6386024
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the depth of tread on a tire being buffed includes a sensing device, for example, a magnetic sensor, mounted to a reciprocating motion carrier. The carrier is driven by a drive wheel that is in contact with the tire being buffed. The carrier is movably mounted to float over the surface of the tire, that is, accommodate variations in the tire surface, with a guide wheel following the tire surface to maintain the sensor at a constant distance from the tire surface. The sensor on the carrier reciprocally traverses the crown of the tire as the tire rotates to obtain actual values for the thickness of the rubber above the belts over the whole surface of the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Nicholas P. Marck, Fred G. Mayntz, Robert G. Young
  • Patent number: 6386046
    Abstract: A method for determining the pulsatile flow characteristics in fluid flow driven by a periodic pressure disturbance includes the step of evaluating the spectrum of a signal representative of the vortices generated by a vortex flowmeter. Because of the periodic pressure disturbance, the signal is an FM signal in which a carrier, having a frequency corresponding to the vortex-shedding frequency in the absence of pulsating flow, is modulated by the periodic pressure disturbance. The pulsation frequency and amplitude are then estimated on the basis of the separation between adjacent sidebands of the spectrum of the FM signal and the relative amplitudes of the sidebands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: The Foxboro Company
    Inventor: Wade Mattar
  • Patent number: 6382032
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making and using two measurements to correct metered flow rate values when liquids are present in a multiphase flow stream. The apparatus includes a conduit (10), an orifice (12) positioned within the conduit for creating differential pressure, a gamma ray densitometer including a radient energy source (22) and a radient energy detector (26) placed at an upstream side of the orifice for measuring upstream cross-sectional area and a pressure recovery port (34) placed downstream of the orifice for measuring the pressure recovery value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Gregory J. Hatton, Steven J. Svedeman
  • Patent number: 6382019
    Abstract: A probe and gauge system for determining the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair. The probe is inserted into an injury in a tire such as a puncture hole and the angle of the hole, known as the injury angle, is calculated on the gauge to determine the need for a simple one piece patch-plug, or a complex two piece repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: 31, Incorporated
    Inventors: Robert A. Hendry, Charles L. Muhs
  • Patent number: 6382015
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a resistance of an air-fuel ratio sensor has an air-fuel ratio sensor element, a heater for activating the sensor element, an air-fuel ratio detecting device for detecting an air-fuel ratio in a detection object gas detected by the sensor element, a gas condition detecting device for detecting a gas detection of the detection-object gas, a device for detecting an impedance of the sensor element and a device for correcting the impedance of the sensor element in accordance with the gas condition. A cumulative amount of electric power supplied to the heater during a predetermined period of time is calculated. Based on the calculated cumulative amount of electric power, the impedance of the sensor element is corrected. In accordance with the cumulative amount of electric power supplied to the heater, it is determined whether the sensor element has a failure and an element temperature control target learned value is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiichiro Aoki
  • Patent number: 6382024
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for providing a velocity flow profile near a reference surface. A measuring device utilizes a plurality of thermojunction pairs to provide the velocity flow profile in accordance with behavior of a gas relative to a constant thickness strut which stands vertically from the reference surface such that the span is normal to the surface, and the chord is parallel to the surface along the initial flow direction. Each thermojunction is carried on either side of a heater formed on a measuring surface in a constant thickness portion of a strut. Additionally, each thermojunction of a given pair is located at a predetermined height from the reference surface. Gas velocity data obtained from temperature differentials from one side of the heater to the other at each successive height is utilized to generate the velocity and turbulence level profiles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Danny P. Hwang, Herbert A. Will, Gustave C. Fralick