Patents Examined by C. D.
  • Patent number: 6550314
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for simply and economically detecting leaks in a isolation valve disposed in an on-line fluid transport system having at least an upstream pipe and a downstream pipe is provided, the apparatus comprising a isolation valve connected between the upstream pipe and downstream pipe for isolating fluid flow through the transport system; wherein the isolation valve includes at least one upstream seal, one downstream seal, and an inner cavity effectively isolated from the fluid flow by the seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: SIS-Tech Applications, L.L.P.
    Inventors: Angela E. Summers, Bryan A. Zachary
  • Patent number: 6550316
    Abstract: A diagnostic method and system detects leaks in a vapor handling system of a vehicle that includes a fuel tank and a pressure/vacuum sensor that senses pressure and vacuum in the fuel tank. A canister recovers vapor from the fuel tank. A canister vent solenoid selectively provides atmospheric air to the canister. A controller connected to the canister vent solenoid and the pressure/vacuum sensor executes a leakage detection test that is capable of detecting leaks in the vapor handling system that have a diameter on the order of 0.020 inch. The leakage detection test includes a volatility test phase, a pressure phase, a vacuum phase, an analysis phase and a results phase. In other features, the leakage detection algorithm generates data sets having greater than 25 standard deviations between leakage and no-leakage data sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin C. Wong, William Western
  • Patent number: 6546782
    Abstract: An apparatus is described which permits the lubricity of fuel compositions at or near temperatures and pressures experienced by compression ignition fuel injector components during operation in a running engine. The apparatus consists of means to apply a measured force between two surfaces and oscillate them at high frequency while wetted with a sample of the fuel composition heated to an operator selected temperature. Provision is made to permit operation at or near the flash point of the fuel compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Jose De La Cruz, Paul Lacey
  • Patent number: 6543303
    Abstract: A pressure-retaining disk receives a plurality of sensors, the disk of the pressure-retaining disk having a plurality of sensor-receiving bores for receiving the sensors. These bores are connected by a passage. The disk is part of an apparatus that sealingly closes an entry or opening to a pressure vessel. The apparatus or sensor assembly allows for passing a plurality of sensors at least partially into the vessel through the opening in the vessel. The apparatus includes means for mounting the disk to the vessel, such means can include a tubular body through which the sensors pass. The pressure-retaining disk is connected to one end of the mounting means such that pressure of the vessel is retained. The sensors pass through the bores in the pressure-retaining disk and the bores or opening in the mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Howard Hilborn, Dale Dutcher
  • Patent number: 6536289
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing a plurality of samples comprises a carousel, means for indexing the movement of the carousel, an environmental chamber, and means for positioning the sample for viewing and measuring the results of the testing. The environmental chamber makes possible testing at elevated or reduced temperatures, and testing in a variety of atmospheres. The sample positioning means and the viewing means are automated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Marc Borowczak, Cristina Marie Gschnell
  • Patent number: 6530287
    Abstract: A wind deceleration and protective shroud that provides representative samples of ambient aerosols to an environmental continuous air monitor (ECAM) has a cylindrical enclosure mounted to an input on the continuous air monitor, the cylindrical enclosure having shrouded nozzles located radially about its periphery. Ambient air flows, often along with rainwater flows into the nozzles in a sampling flow generated by a pump in the continuous air monitor. The sampling flow of air creates a cyclonic flow in the enclosure that flows up through the cylindrical enclosure until the flow of air reaches the top of the cylindrical enclosure and then is directed downward to the continuous air monitor. A sloped platform located inside the cylindrical enclosure supports the nozzles and causes any moisture entering through the nozzle to drain out through the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: John C. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 6530262
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for calibrating a sensor for flowing fluid in a system including a dialysis monitor, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, the method including applying a first pressure to the flowing fluid and detecting a first flow of the flowing fluid at the fluid input and the fluid output, applying a second pressure to the flowing fluid and detecting a second flow of the flowing fluid at the fluid input and the fluid output, and determining whether any detected differences between the first and second flows are the result of leakage in the system or are caused by the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Olle Esser
  • Patent number: 6526807
    Abstract: A system for early detection of water leaks at particular locations in any water-dependent appliance and apparatus used in multi-dwelling facilities. A central control apparatus electrically interconnected with a plurality of circuits that enable water leaks to be accurately detected in a diversity of devices including air conditioners, compressor coils, hot water appliances, and pipes, and for communicating the severity of the water-related problem. A plurality of water sensors are incorporated into specially designed probes of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein water leaks may be accurately and reliably detected in a diversity of water-dependent appliances and devices. A specially designed fiber glass cloth functions as a probe for sensing water leaks via its built-in plurality of sensors constructed from a corresponding plurality of conductive wires enables the location and extent of a water leak to be ascertained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Inventors: Joseph Doumit, Royden J. Lynch, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6520002
    Abstract: A cell of a recuperator has a passage therein having a first end and a second end. In use a fluid passes through the passage under pressure. The cell must be tested to determine an operational efficiency or leakage within the passage. A pair of sealing mechanisms is positioned at a respective one of the first end and the second end of the passage. A vacuum is pulled across the passage and a rate of leakage is monitored to define an operational cell and a failed cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Solar Turbines Inc
    Inventors: Charles W. Bucey, Bruce D. Harkins, Michael S. Nowak
  • Patent number: 6520007
    Abstract: The stickiness of cotton is determined by testing a cotton sample at two or more temperatures. Sticky deposits are recorded at a lower temperature, preferably 27° C. or 34° C., to detect the trehalulose-rich honeydews droplets. Then, the sample is subjected to a higher temperature, preferably 54° C., to detect the non trehalulose-rich honeydew droplets and physiological sugars. By comparing the results at these two temperatures, an accurate grading system for cotton may be produced which can help growers and spinners accurately identify different types of cotton and determine processing problems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Texas Tech University
    Inventors: Eric Francois Hequet, Noureddine Abidi
  • Patent number: 6510725
    Abstract: A gage inspecting apparatus includes a jog dial 56A for controlling an amount of displacement of a measuring spindle 22 at a time when the position of the measuring spindle 22 is finely adjusted, and a shuttle ring 56B for controlling the driving direction and driving speed of the measuring spindle 22 at a time when the position of the measuring spindle 22 is roughly adjusted. The relationship between the amount of rotation of the jog dial 56A and the amount of displacement of the measuring spindle 22 can be set in correspondence with a scale interval of the gage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Yuwu Zhang, Masaoki Yamagata, Yoichi Toida, Shiro Igasaki, Eiichi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 6487892
    Abstract: A test apparatus for a fuel vapor purge system that performs frequent tests. The testing apparatus detects leakage of fuel vapor from a system passage by sealing the system passage and monitoring changes in the pressure. After the test, the apparatus applies atmospheric pressure to the system passage. Therefore, the pressure in the system passage is quickly restored to atmospheric pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tokiji Ito, Noriyuki Iden, Yuichi Kohara, Shuichi Hanai
  • Patent number: 6484589
    Abstract: Piezoelectric transducer assemblies that are useful for the monitoring of the gas output from a gas driven pump, wherein the assembly is not an integral part of the input or output flow stream of the material being pumped, but is used to monitor the exhaust gas flow of the gas driven pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Senx Technology
    Inventor: John L. Brock
  • Patent number: 6481265
    Abstract: A leak detection method and apparatus is characterized by the production of analog signals representative of the fluid inlet flow and fluid outlet flow of a closed system. The signals are compared, and a difference signal is generated which is a function of changes in the flows. This signal is processed to provide an indication of a leak within the system. By processing the analog signals, more accurate measurement of fluid differential, and thus fluid leakage, is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Inventor: Gunther Weber
  • Patent number: 6470734
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for measuring a fluid. Electromagnetic radiation is used to measure the consistency, flow and/or gas content of a fluid flowing in a process pipe (102). At least two of the measurements are carried out substantially from the same measurement point in the fluid in a measuring tube (202) by utilizing one integrated measuring equipment (200) comprising transmitters and receivers for electromagnetic radiation in order to carry out the aforementioned at least two measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Metso Field Systems Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Jakkula, Esko Tahkola, Timo Manninen
  • Patent number: 6470733
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing liquid filled plastic vials for quantity of fill and leakage of contents is disclosed. Packets of six vials are tested in first and second test stations. The first station control program prevents second station testing of “solid” vials that would damage the second test station force measuring load cells. Vials testing outside of predetermined limits cause the packet to be classified as a reject.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Inventor: Wayne R. Barr
  • Patent number: 6460398
    Abstract: In a mechanism where movement is transferred from one component to another by frictional contact and where the intensity of the frictional contact can be changed by altering the contact pressure, a method for determining the amount of slippage between the component parts uses a measurement of a value that corresponds to the power loss due to friction, also known as power dissipation, which occurs during the transfer of movement between the component parts. In this measurement, the level of power dissipation is determined in dependence on the contact pressure force, and an increase in the amount of the dissipated power that occurs when the contact pressure force decreases is interpreted as slip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Stopp, Anton Fritzer, Franz Bitzer
  • Patent number: 6450014
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the measuring osmotic pressure of a solution. A sample of a solution is placed into a sample cell above a membrane supported in the sample cell and the sample cell is sealed. Gas at an elevated pressure is introduced into the sample cell to drive a quantity of dialyzate through the membrane and into a transparent dialyzate exit tube adapted to receive the dialyzate which passes through the membrane. The elevated pressure of the gas is varied through a pressure regulator to yield a substantially stationary dialyzate meniscus in the transparent dialyzate exit tube. The pressure in the sample cell is measured by reading a pressure gauge showing the elevated pressure of the gas that yielded the substantially stationary dialyzate meniscus, the elevated pressure of the gas being substantially equivalent to the osmotic pressure of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventor: David C. Boris
  • Patent number: 6446488
    Abstract: A gas concentration measuring apparatus is provided which may be employed in measuring an air-fuel ratio of mixture sucked into automotive engines. The apparatus includes a gas concentration sensor exposed to a gas and a voltage applying circuit. The gas concentration sensor is responsive to application of voltage to produce a current signal indicative of concentration of the gas. The voltage applying circuit includes an operational amplifier which operates on a source voltage and which outputs the voltage for developing the voltage applied to the gas concentration sensor which has a level changing as a function of voltage inputted to the operational amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Eiichi Kurokawa, Tomoo Kawase, Satoshi Hada, Toshiyuki Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6439031
    Abstract: A method for detecting leaks in a fluid system such as, but not limited to, the evaporative or air brake system of a motor vehicle. A smoke generating machine produces a supply of smoke to be delivered to the system under test. At least some of a mixture of oil and fluorescent dye is heated and vaporized into smoke within a sealed chamber. The smoke functions as a carrier for the dye. Some of the smoke which is delivered to the system under test from the chamber will exit a leak (e.g. a hole), and the fluorescent dye carried by the smoke will leave a fluorescent trace around the leak. By shining ultraviolet light along the system under test, the fluorescent trace around the leak will be illuminated. Accordingly, even small leaks may be quickly, easily and reliably located for repair.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: STAR EnviroTech, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Alan Pieroni, Denise Yvette Haddad, Jim Eli Saffie