Patents Examined by Benjamin R. Fuller
  • Patent number: 6443019
    Abstract: A torque sensor has a generator whose output signal is a function of a torque, a second signal generator, whose output signal changes in an opposite direction as a function of the torque, and an evaluation device which has a summing means which is connected to the two signal generators. For this purpose, connected to an integrator whose output is connected to a first input of a comparator whose second input is connected to the output of the comparator reset input of the integrator output of the torque sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Corporation
    Inventors: Wolfgang Porth, Lother Gier
  • Patent number: 6443018
    Abstract: A multidirectional fatigue damage indicator is disclosed. The fatigue damage indicator is composed of a series of fatigue fuse elements welded to a semicircular assembly frames. The fuse elements have the same fatigue lifetime in each row but have different lifetime from row to row so that it may enable one to monitor the progress of fatigue damage of the structure. A series of fatigue fuse elements are welded to a semicircular assembly frame in circumferential direction and additionally in radial direction. The arrangement in circumferential direction is to cover the changing characteristics of the principal stress directions while that in radial direction is to monitor the actual progress of fatigue damage under combined cyclic loads by watching the sequential fracture of the fuse elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyeong-Yeon Lee, Jong-Bum Kim, Yoo Bong
  • Patent number: 6439047
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for testing valve disks of ceramic charge cycle valves for internal-combustion engines is provided. Two stressing rollers are pressed against a radially outer section of a valve seat side of the valve and a third stressing roller is provided against the other side of the valve intermediate the other two stressing rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Holger Fleischer, Otto Iancu, Karl-Heinz Thiemann
  • Patent number: 6439066
    Abstract: A sensor for sensing torque applied to a shaft such as the steering wheel shaft of a vehicle has a magnetostrictive sleeve and a sensing element responsive to torsional strain in the magnetostrictive sleeve. Each end of the magnetostrictive sleeve is torsionally engaged to a shear leveling member. Each shear leveling member has a region of varying torsional stiffness and a flared end. Each shear leveling member is bonded to the shaft by adhesive at its region of varying torsional stiffness and at its flared end. The regions of varying torsional stiffness and flared ends operate to level the shear stress in the adhesive resulting in uniform shear stress without peaks throughout the adhesive bond. With uniform adhesive shear stress, the maximum torque the adhesive can transmit is limited only by the yield torque of the shaft and the area of adhesive bond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Norton
  • Patent number: 6439044
    Abstract: A tire pressure control unit for motor vehicles with a rotary transmission leadthrough 2 for transmitting a pressure means from a part, stationary with respect to a rotatably supported wheel 3, of the motor vehicle to the rotatably supported wheel 3, wherein the rotary transmission leadthrough 2 comprises at least one chamber 14, 15 delimited by an annular body 4, 5 disposed at the stator side and by [an annular body (4, 5)] disposed at the rotor side concentrically with respect to the rotational axis of wheel 3, and wherein for sealing the at least one chamber 14, 15 sealing rings are inserted between the stator-side annular body 4 and the rotor-side annular body 5, is defined thereby that the stator-side annular body 4 and the rotor-side annular body 5 are disposed one next to the other in the axial direction with respect to the rotational axis of the wheel 3 leaving a motion gap 11, into the face facing toward the rotor-side annular body 5, of the stator-side annular body 4 for the radial sealing
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Martin Tigges
  • Patent number: 6439060
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a counterbalance apparatus for a Coriolis-type mass flowmeter having a flowtube through which a fluid to be measured is permitted to flow, the counterbalance apparatus comprising a counterbalance beam which is coupled to the ends of the flowtube; a force driver for vibrating the flowtube and the counterbalance beam in opposition to one another; at least one pair of inertial masses, each of which is movably coupled to the counterbalance beam; and an apparatus for selectively positioning the inertial masses longitudinally along the counterbalance beam; wherein the frequency response of the counterbalance beam can be selectively altered by appropriately positioning the inertial masses along the counterbalance beam to thereby achieve a desired condition of balance between the counterbalance beam and the flowtube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: FMC Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald R. Cage
  • Patent number: 6439063
    Abstract: A load transducer for measuring vertical and fore/aft forces on a rotatable vehicle wheel includes a rim adapter attachable to a wheel rim and a hub adapter attachable to a wheel hub. The rim adapter and the hub adapter are connected in a force transmission path. A plurality of beams extend between inner and outer ends of the hub adapter. At least one sensor is mounted on each beam for measuring force exerted on each beam. The sensor may be mounted on the inner and outer surfaces of each beam as well as on the opposed side walls of each beam. The sensors are interconnected in a bridge configuration for generating outputs corresponding to vertical force and fore/aft force exerted upon the wheel. The hub adapter may be formed as a unitary hub adapter and interior load transducer when constructed as a one-piece unitary body. Alternately, the hub adapter may be separate from an interior transducer body and coupled thereto for mounting on different wheel lug bolt configurations and wheel rim/hub dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Michigan Scientific Corporation
    Inventor: Joel C. Schnackenberg
  • Patent number: 6439043
    Abstract: An apparatus for the static testing of a vehicle tire to determine displacement as a function of force of the tire. A tire is placed upon several cross members that are vertically adjustable where the cross members are vertically adjusted to simulate a particular road bed profile. A tire is then forced down upon the cross members and the force created upon the cross members is measured against the displacement of the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: John B Ferris, Mark A Froelich
  • Patent number: 6439038
    Abstract: A method of monitoring the dynamic operability of a lambda sensor (monitor sensor), disposed in the exhaust gas stream of an internal combustion engine downstream of a catalytic converter. Once the engine operating state of overrun fuel cutoff is detected, the rich/lean switching time of the monitor sensor disposed downstream of the catalytic converter is ascertained and weighted as a function of the air flow rate (LMM) in the intake conduit. By comparing the mean value of the thus-obtained switching time with a limit value and ensuing evaluation, the operability of the monitor sensor is diagnosed. Operability is assured if the switching time is below the limit value. Other diagnostic criteria are formed by evaluating the signal level of the monitor sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gerd Rösel, Hong Zhang
  • Patent number: 6439067
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a shaft sensor for a machine, the shaft sensor including: first and second disks, fixedly orthogonally attached to a portion of a shaft of the machine, the portion of the shaft being subject to torsion, and the first and second disks being operatively attached to the portion of the shaft at spaced apart locations along the portion of the shaft; and a sensor assembly, including first and second sensors, disposed in sensing relationship with the first and second disks to sense relative position of the first and second disks resulting from torsion of the portion of the shaft and to output a signal representative of at least one parameter related to torsion of the shaft. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft is discontinuous and the first and second disks are attached, respectively, to first and second portions of the shaft and have a resilient member disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Curtis Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Goldman, Stephen Tomasiewicz, Vincent Ioanna, Steven Lacker, Patrick Rice, Hua Wang
  • Patent number: 6439062
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting an anomaly in a flowing stream includes a set of blades rotatably suspended in the flowing stream and aligned with a normal flow direction of the flowing stream. The blades are configured to rotate at one rate when the anomaly is present in the flowing stream and to rotate at a different rate when the anomaly is absent from the flowing stream. A device is prescribed for measuring rate of rotation and rotation direction of the blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventors: Stephen T. Stark, Stephen H. Caldwell
  • Patent number: 6439042
    Abstract: A tire uniformity machine for analyzing a tire having a process controller in communication with a plurality of sensors for determining the physical characteristics of the tire, the marking assembly comprising a positioning assembly near the tire uniformity machine and in communication with the process controller; a marker operatively attached to the positioning assembly such that upon receiving a signal from the process controller the positioning assembly locates the marker in operative relation to the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Akron Special Machinery, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard L. Delmoro, Dave Krause
  • Patent number: 6439041
    Abstract: A powder dispensing/collection device for indoor testing of pneumatic tires includes a first outer housing (12) having an open end (24) facing a road wheel (94). First and second adjustable shrouds (28), (32) are disposed on an upper and lower portion of the outer housing respectfully. The shrouds are selectively moveable in a direction perpendicular to a width (w) of the outer housing. A second inner housing (48) is partially enclosed by the outer housing and has an open end (64) facing the road wheel which protrudes out from the outer housing a predetermined distance. At least one of the outer walls of the inner housing and the inner walls of the outer housing define a vacuum collection chamber (76). The inner housing is manually moveable within the outer housing so that the distance between the open end of the inner housing and the road wheel can be adjusted. A hose (78) extends through an aperture (80) in the inner housing and into the dispensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: David O. Stalnaker, Richard J. Macioce, Craig McClung, Daniel Hentosz, Sr.
  • Patent number: 6435032
    Abstract: An improved regulating and gauging device for attachment to tank fed breathing apparatus used in such endeavors as scuba diving or fire fighting. On the body of the device are components which concurrently function to provide the diver or other user with a single source for what are conventionally, multiple components of a pressure gauge, a regulator, and a buoyancy compensating control unit. The device has mounted in or upon the device body, a mechanical or digital display of the remaining tank pressure in the attached supply tank, and thus breathable air supply. Also provided are an outlet to a buoyancy control bag, and a quick connect air supply port for another person to use in emergencies, or as needed. Additional utility is achieved by the provision of the pressure gauge which is mounted upon the exterior buoyancy compensating control unit body where the user can easily see it during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Dana J. Schwartz Money Purchase Plan
    Inventors: Rocco Holloway, Roger Minich
  • Patent number: 6435018
    Abstract: Either a specified point Q or a specified area Ar, at which an operating condition of a vehicle becomes a specified operating condition, is set beforehand from among points or areas on a travel route along which a vehicle travels. Then, an operating parameter P of a point in time ts1, ts2, ts3, ts4 . . . , tsn, at which a vehicle passes either a specified point Q or a specified area Ar, is obtained. Then, a vehicle abnormality is diagnosed on the basis of the values of these obtained operating parameters P (maximum values Pmax).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Taku Murakami, Ichio Ichikawa, Haruo Hashimoto, Fumihide Satou
  • Patent number: 6435040
    Abstract: A transmitting electro-mechanical transducer is energized by electric pulses at a low frequency (typically several hertz to several kilohertz) to provide corresponding pulses of movement in the fluid. The fluid movement displaces a volume of the fluid in one direction and the motion of that fluid, when combined with the surrounding fluid, produces a fluid rotation which is sustained for a sufficient period of time, to be detected at a later time as an acoustic signal. A known distance downstream of the transmitting transducer, a receiving transducer detects the rotating volume of fluid. From the distance between the transmitting and receiving transducers and the time interval between their transmitted and detected signals, the fluid flow rate can be determined. The transmitting and receiving transducers can interchange their functions so that the difference in the time intervals is used to determine fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: Murray F. Feller
  • Patent number: 6435019
    Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved mass emissions measuring system (15) for an internal combustion engine (17). In the preferred embodiment, the system is comprised of a particulate monitor (16), four sensor (18, 22, 23 or 29) which may be temporarily attached to the engine for sensing operating parameters of the engine, an engine-control interface (21), a processor (19) programmed to collect and manipulate data from the monitor and the sensors and/or engine-control interface, a display (20) for displaying the particulate emissions of the engine, an exhaust sampling system (31) which is adapted to be temporarily connected between the exhaust system of the engine and the particulate monitor, and an opacity meter (56 or 58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Clean Air Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventor: Michal Vojtisek-Lom
  • Patent number: 6435011
    Abstract: One method empirically determines a stiffness value for each of two or more different subsets of the bristles of a brush seal, then calculates a variation in stiffness, and then identifies the brush seal as defective if the calculated variation in stiffness exceeds a predetermined stiffness variation criteria. One apparatus includes a load transducer having a contact head sized to contact less than twenty percent of the bristles, a displacement transducer which measures the displacement of the free ends of the contacted bristles, and a clamp for securing the brush seal and presenting the bristles for contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Osman Saim Dinc, James Louis Lawen, Jr., Kenneth Roger Conway, Onika Misasha Kerber
  • Patent number: 6435041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a device useful for measuring the flow rate of cryogenic liquids flowing through a tube, which comprises two coaxial tubes integrated at both ends by means such as plugs, the space between the coaxial tubes being air-free and filled with insulating material, the said coaxial tubes being provided at the bottom walls with a segmental opening with sealed ends in such a manner so as to accommodate a closed ended hollow cylinder having a matching inner surface profile as that of inner surface of the said tube, the outer surface of the said hollow cylinder having insulating block fixed onto it one end of a conducting strip, the strip being rotatably fixed at its middle portion by means such as a hinge, support and fixed frame in such a manner that the inner surface of the cylinder flushes with the inner wall of the tube and allows lateral movement of the said cylinder due to drag force of cryogenic liquid flow, the said frame having two insulators fixed onto it to support a stretche
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Council of Scientific & Industrial Research
    Inventors: Bimal Chandra Bhowmick, Amal Kumar Dutta, Santosh Kumar Ray, Nageshwar Sahay, Lakshmi Kanta Bandyopadhyay, Sri Mohan Verma, Ishtiaque Ahmad, Tribhuwan Nath Singh
  • Patent number: 6435038
    Abstract: An ultrasonic flow velocity measuring apparatus measures a transit time under the condition a synchronization of an ultrasonic signal having a modulated frequency by PN (pseudo noise) code of a diffusion band at a transmitting side is locked at a receiving side, and prevents an excessive measurement error exceeding allowable error range. If the installation positions of the ultrasonic transducers of upper and lower stream sides are moved, an ultrasonic transit time can be precisely measured by using a different signal series PN code without changing an electronic component and a program. In addition, the ultrasonic flow velocity measuring apparatus installs a plurality of ultrasonic transducers according to various distances from the bottom of a fluid passage, and accurately measures average flow velocity which is variable in response to the height in a curved fluid passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Chang Min Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-Yong Nam