Patents Examined by C. D.
  • Patent number: 7120554
    Abstract: An occupant weight-based airbag suppression method utilizes adjustable time constant filtering and dynamic threshold adjustment to reliably determine and indicate airbag suppression status. The filter time constant is ordinarily set to a first value that provides relatively fast tracking of the raw occupant weight, but is set to a second value that provides relatively slow tracking of the raw occupant weight when both the raw and filtered occupant weights are within a specified band about the threshold value. The threshold value and band are dynamically adjusted after the suppression status is initially determined so as to effectively increase the separation between the filtered weight and the threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles A. Gray, Royce L. Rennaker, Eric C. Hayden, Chance L Scales, John D. Scott, Brenda S. Cosgrove
  • Patent number: 7058535
    Abstract: A system for testing an integrated circuit device under test (DUT) communicating though synchronous digital signals and through a high speed serialization/de-serialization (serdes) bus includes a serdes interface circuit for communicating with the DUT via the serdes bus and an integrated circuit (IC) tester for communicating with the DUT and with the serdes interface circuit via digital signals. State changes in the digital signals are synchronized to a clock signal within the IC tester. The serdes interface circuit receives instructions from the IC tester via at least one of the digital signals and responds to the instructions by transmitting data to the DUT via the serdes bus using appropriate serdes protocol, by receiving and storing data transmitted by the DUT via the serdes bus, and by thereafter forwarding the stored data to the IC tester via at least one of the digital signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Credence Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon Edward Chenoweth, Marc P. Loranger, Steven Robert Payne, James Kaylor Larson, Patricia Renee Justice
  • Patent number: 6889539
    Abstract: A flow system device used for testing/creating fluid flow. The system comprises at least one fluid filled loop and a rotor stage for maintaining at least one rotor. The loop is positioned on the rotor. The device also includes a driving motor for rotating the rotor stage and a motion controller for controlling the speed and directional motion of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Elazer Edelman, Kumaran Kolandaivelu
  • Patent number: 6889568
    Abstract: A measuring device incorporating a substrate with sensors that measure the processing conditions that a wafer may undergo during manufacturing. The substrate can be inserted into a processing chamber by a robot head and the measuring device can transmit the conditions in real time or store the conditions for subsequent analysis. Sensitive electronic components of the device can be distanced or isolated from the most deleterious processing conditions in order increase the accuracy, operating range, and reliability of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: SensArray Corporation
    Inventor: Wayne G. Renken
  • Patent number: 6886391
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing assembly for protecting a downhole connection. The sealing assembly comprises independently energized metal-metal seals and a housing that prevents the energization of individual seals from affecting other seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Harjit S. Kohli, Hebah Ahmed, Anthony F. Veneruso
  • Patent number: 6868713
    Abstract: The device comprises a voltage divider (Rv1, Rv2) to whose two terminals the oscillator signal with a phase position that is mutually opposed is supplied until, in the instance of a switched-on probe heating, the voltage (VRpvs) that is proportional to the probe internal resistance (Rpvs) falls below a predetermined set value (set), whereby, at this point in time, the output signal of the oscillator (SZ) is supplied to both terminals of the voltage divider (Rv1, Rv2) with the same phase position (area 1) thus effecting an amplitude change-over (amplitude amplification).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephan Bolz
  • Patent number: 6848297
    Abstract: A multi-function device for testing masks such as NBC masks used in civilian and military applications. In its preferred form, the device is self-contained and can be readily transported to field sites by one or two individuals. The device includes a protective storage and transport case. The case includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion of the case houses the power unit assembly and includes sufficient storage space to store such things as an aerosol generator reservoir, various headform accessories, a containment shroud, manuals (e.g. installation, operation and maintenance manuals) and nominal tools. The lower portion of the case houses the head assembly and controller unit which are preferably mounted on a cover or top panel. Underneath the top or cover panel of the lower portion of the case are stored the light scattering chamber, flow sensor, pressure transducer, circuit boards and valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Hamilton Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Greg Alan Tilley
  • Patent number: 6843098
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring a pressure relief device are provided. The system includes a release sensor that provides an indication when the pressure relief device activates. A wireless transmitter is connected to the release sensor and sends a wireless transmission having an activation signal when the indication is provided by the release sensor. A receiver receives the wireless transmission from the transmitter and generates a warning when the activation signal is identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, John P. Clark, III, John E. Smallwood
  • Patent number: 6829956
    Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide an inspection apparatus which enables the speed-up and high efficiency of an inspection as well as the flexibility to the modification of an assembly line. The present invention provides an inspection apparatus, which is directly connected to an assembly line and employed for inspections of a work (magnetic tape cartridge) after assembly, including: an arrival platform to which the work after assembly is carried in; an inspection table on which the work is inspected; a departure platform from which the work after inspection is carried out; a robot for moving the work which has completed inspections on the inspection table to the departure platform as well as moving the work carried in to the arrival platform to the inspection table; and a fixture for fixing the work moved to the inspection table while inspecting the work, wherein a plurality of inspections are performed in parallel while the work is fixed on the inspection table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kouta Kitamura
  • Patent number: 6820459
    Abstract: A system and method is provided for remotely and automatically calibrating a mass-flow sensor in a yield monitor of a combine. The invention uses a wireless communication device installed on a combine and a remote wireless communication device installed on a grain carrier or truck carrier. Once an actual weight is obtained, calibration information is sent to the combine to calibrate the mass-flow sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Andy D. Beck, Terrence D. Pickett
  • Patent number: 6820511
    Abstract: The invention concerns a rotational angle measuring arrangement for measuring angle dependent units of an encoding shaft which is journaled in a transducer housing. A stator coupling non-rotationally connects the transducer housing to the housing of a drive system that is to be measured, and the encoding shaft and a drive shaft of the drive system are non-rotatably secured to each other. To provide an improved angle measuring system when the stator coupling is positioned between the transducer housing and the drive housing, to prevent angle measurement errors and to facilitate the mounting of the transducer, at least one locking mechanism is provided. When the transducer, including the stator coupling, is detached from the drive housing, the locking mechanism causes the stator coupling to non-rotatably lock the encoding shaft to the transducer housing, and when the stator coupling is secured to the drive system, the locking mechanism permits the encoder shaft to freely rotate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Stegmann GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Reinhold Mutschler, Juergen Schill
  • Patent number: 6817230
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products determine absorption, specific gravity, and/or porosity of construction materials undergoing analysis corresponding to different measurements of material samples divided from a “parent” construction material sample. Dry and wet weights of the samples are obtained under different conditions. In certain embodiments, the material sample is an aggregate that is held in liquid in a volumetric container and the container with the liquid and aggregate is weighed. Another weight of a second sample can be obtained. The second sample is encased in an evacuated vacuum-sealed bag that is opened while immersed in a liquid bath, at which time the weight can be obtained. The weight data can be used to calculate the parameter of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2004
    Assignee: InstroTek, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence James, Ali Regimand
  • Patent number: 6810715
    Abstract: A test plug for in-situ testing a glove installed in a glovebox is provided that uses a top plate and a base plate, and a diametrically expandable sealing mechanism fitting between the two plates. The sealing mechanism engages the base plate to diametrically expand when the variable distance between the top plate and the bottom plate is reduced. An inlet valve included on the top plate is used to introducing a pressurized gas to the interior of the glove, and a pressure gauge located on the top plate is used to monitor the interior glove pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Julio M. Castro, John M. Macdonald, Warren P. Steckle, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6742382
    Abstract: A catalytic bead sensor or a semiconductor sensor is operated in a manner in which the power requirement is greatly reduced. The reduction in power is accomplished by operating the sensor at a temperature less than the desired operating temperature in the absence of a combustible gas and increasing to the desired operating temperature when the sensor is exposed to a combustible gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Scientific Corporation
    Inventors: P. Richard Warburton, Chuan-Bao Wang
  • Patent number: 6735999
    Abstract: A calibration spring tension adjuster for a seat belt tension sensor has a calibration spring, and a holder. The fixed part and the movable part are adjacent to each other and comprise mutually facing stepped helical faces arranged so that the movable part can be rotated relative to the fixed part causing the steps to slide over each other causing a gap between the stepped faces to increase and compressing the spring. The steps can be arranged so that movement of the movable part in one direction is resisted. The holder is arranged to attach to the fixed part and the spring is held between an abutment face of the holder and a non-stepped face of the movable part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan George Smithson, Paul Ian Henderson
  • Patent number: 6675635
    Abstract: The oil quality used in a machine, vehicle or system can be determined in response to determining a temperature and pressure within an oil supply. Once the oil quality is determined, an oil quality warning light can be activated, indicating the need to change the oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Jon E. Kasen, Michelle A. Lee, Philip H. McCluskey
  • Patent number: 6662622
    Abstract: A method for compensating the offset of a pressure value having the steps: detecting a pressure value, lowpass filtering of the pressure value, storing the lowpass filtered pressure value as an offset value, the lowpass filtered pressure value being stored as an offset value if at least the condition is present that a logical signal has or assumes a first value and a substitute value is stored as an offset value if the logical signal has or assumes a second value. Also described herein is a device for compensating the offset of a pressure value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Braun
  • Patent number: 6655187
    Abstract: Method for correcting an angle error of an absolute-angle detector that detects the angular position of a first shaft whose rotary movement is linked to a second shaft. The angular position of second shaft is first detected during at least one complete revolution of first shaft; the corresponding angular position of first shaft is derived from this value; the corresponding output value of absolute-angle detector is compared to the corresponding angular position of first shaft, and the difference formed by this comparison is stored. The corresponding output value of absolute-angle detector is then corrected by the stored value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lehner, Andreas Pfender
  • Patent number: 6651507
    Abstract: Various embodiments are disclosed of dampening apparatus for a pressure gauge in which a short length of sleeve, ferrule, hub or thimble encircles a pointer shaft in a close but loose fit relation defining a clearances packed with a high viscosity dampening agent such that it serves to decelerate and cushion any sudden shock or pulsation force that would otherwise be transmitted from the pointer shaft to a pointer registering values of pressure of fluid pressure being monitored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Dresser, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Hamma, Walter J. Ferguson, Jeffrey T. Blake, Michael J. Maloney, Louis A. Rosen
  • Patent number: 6651486
    Abstract: A pressure testing device comprising a connector adapted to engage a gas line containing a gas supply under pressure is provided. The pressure testing device includes a measuring device and a compressible pump. The measuring device operably communicates with the connector and is responsive to variations in pressure of the gas supply. The compressible pump has an input port and an exhaust port. The input port is adapted to receive ambient gases and the exhaust port is adapted to communicate with the measuring device for delivering ambient gas pressure to the measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Assignee: Basic Resources, Inc.
    Inventors: Danny A. Johnson, Richard E. Shelton, Jr.