Patents Examined by Carl E. Hall
  • Patent number: 6272733
    Abstract: An improved method and procedure of change-out of a defective power transformer. A replacement transformer is temporarily substituted for the defective transformer which is to be removed. The replacement transformer is brought to the transformer site and placed on a suitable support while the defective transformer is disconnected. The replacement transformer is temporarily electrically connected between the incoming utility lines and customer facility, and the defective transformer is removed. In the event the site has become contaminated by leaking transformer fluid or the like, the site is cleaned up. Then, the replacement transformer or another transformer, is moved to the site and connected in place of the removed defective transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Inventor: John M. Baker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6269530
    Abstract: A method of assembling an electromagnetic flow sensor which includes a length of tubular material (referred to herein as a “spool”) (1) intended to be fitted with a tubular insert (2) that is anchored relative to the spool once the spool is fitted into the pipeline. Sealing is preferably achieved by means of extensions of the insert material (typically elastomer) intended to be trapped between end fittings of the spool and abutting ends of the pipeline and secured when the spool is connected in fluid-tight manner to the pipeline. The insert is preferably reinforced against deformation under the application of pressure, and this can be achieved by incorporating one or more bands (4) of suitable material into the insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: ABB Kent-Taylor Limited
    Inventors: Michael David Armitage, Ann Jennifer Cooper, David Frank Marlow, Roger Bryson Turner, Raymond Whitehead
  • Patent number: 6269533
    Abstract: A thin film magnetic recording head utilizing a timing based servo pattern is fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB). The recording head is fabricated by sputtering a magnetically permeable thin film onto a substrate. A gap pattern, preferably a timing based pattern, is defined on the thin film and the FIB cuts a gap through the thin film based on that pattern. Once completed, the recording head is used to write a servo track onto magnetic tape. The timing based servo track then allows for the precise alignment of data read heads based on the positional information obtained by a servo read head which scans the continuously variable servo track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Research Corporation
    Inventor: Matthew P. Dugas
  • Patent number: 6266868
    Abstract: In a method of efficiently and promptly mass-producing a combination type thin film magnetic head having accurately defined short throat height, apex angle, and MR height or the like and capable of reducing the saturation and leakage of magnetic flux even if a magnetic pole portion is miniaturized, a recessed portion is formed in a surface of a substrate, while a first magnetic layer constituting a lower shield for the GMR element is used as a mask. A second magnetic layer is formed along an inner wall of the recessed portion. A thin film coil is formed thereon in an isolated state, and a surface is flattened to constitute a common unit for manufacturing combination type thin film magnetic heads. A number of common units are manufactured and stocked without any relationship to users' specifications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshitaka Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6263550
    Abstract: A method for a parallel manufacturing of a plurality of piezoelectric actuators and a corresponding piezoelectric actuator utilize a plurality of thin foils composed of an unfired piezoelectric ceramic material which are stacked one over another. On surface of foils, an electrode is provided for each actuator. For contacting electrodes, first and second connecting openings are provided. Electrodes have cut-outs which surround either first or second connecting openings. An electrically conductive paste is introduced into connecting openings. The stacked arrangement is fired and split up into the individual actuators. As internal electrodes, the electrodes are insulated from the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Seipler, Walter Röthlingshöfer, Susumu Nishigaki
  • Patent number: 6263551
    Abstract: Method for forming an ultrasonic phased array transducer with an ultralow impedance backing. The ultrasonic phased array includes a low density backfill material having an ultralow acoustic impedance. The backfill material is either an aerogel, a carbon aerogel, an xerogel, or a carbon xerogel. A piezoelectric ceramic material and two matching layers are bonded to the backfill material. In one embodiment, a plurality of interconnect vias are formed in the backfill material with conducting material deposited in the vias. A portion of the bonded matching layers, the piezoelectric ceramic material, and the backfill material have isolation cuts therethrough to form an array of electrically and acoustically isolated individual elements. In a second embodiment, the backfill material is bonded to an electronic layer at a face opposite to the piezoelectric ceramic material and the matching layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Peter William Lorraine, Lowell Scott Smith
  • Patent number: 6256863
    Abstract: A magnetic yoke having a magnetic gap provided in the side of the surface facing the medium is disposed on the surface of a substrate. An MR film is disposed on the surface of the magnetic yoke substantially parallel to the substrate with a predetermined separation from the surface S facing the medium. At least both end portions of the MR film are magnetically coupled to the magnetic yoke. A pair of leads for supplying sensing current to the MR film have magnetic lead portions formed from the same magnetic layers as the magnetic yoke. The magnetic lead portions curb deterioration of MR head properties and yield reduction during formation of the leads. Furthermore, a bias magnetic field is applied to the magnetic yoke and the MR film at least during operation of the head. This bias magnetic field is for instance provided by a magnetic field induced by the electric current. Alternatively, a magnetic field induced by the electric current is applied while heat-processing the magnetic yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Saito, Akiko Saito, Hitoshi Iwasaki, Akihiko Tsutai, Hiroaki Yoda, Tadahiko Kobayashi, Yuichi Ohsawa, Masahi Sahashi, Yuzo Kamiguchi
  • Patent number: 6249958
    Abstract: An improved tool for pulling off a rotor of a motor from a shaft or a fan from a shaft, which improved tool is provided with hooked arms that are releasably but securely held at one end in the housing, without the use of retaining clips, so that the arms do not fall off during use or become lost, and so that they do not interfere with the use of the tool when using the securing bolts for pulling off a rotor. The housing of the improved tool of the invention is circular in shape, and in a first version , is provided with a plurality of equally-spaced holes about its circumference, which holes received the hooked ends of the hooked arms, so that various configurations of hooked arms may be provided to best suit the configuration of vanes and type of fan being pulled off a shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Sensible Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bubino, Michael Berg
  • Patent number: 6247223
    Abstract: A fractional horsepower motor has a thrust bearing assembly mounted on the motor shaft to dampen the axial movement of the shaft. The assembly includes a thrust collar formed of resinous material and a thrust plate formed of metal with a wave spring positioned therebetween. Apertures in the thrust plate receive resilient hook projections formed on the thrust collar as a means for coupling the plate to the collar. Torque transmitting projections formed on the thrust collar engage notches formed in the thrust plate. The hook projections and the torque transmitting projections act together to capture and hold the wave spring between the collar and plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Arthur C. Keck
  • Patent number: 6243940
    Abstract: A method of gapping a ferrite core by coating the core with a stabilizing material, fracturing the core with a laser beam thereby creating one or more gaps in the core's magnetic field, optionally opening the fracture to obtain a desire inductance, and then sealing the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Inventors: Larry D. Rund, Richard P. Hewitt, Stuart O. Sigafoos
  • Patent number: 6243939
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a magnetic transducer structure using a special pole etch using an IBE preferably with Kr or Xe, and a write gap material with a high IBE etch rate such as Ta, NiCu alloys, Pd, Pd—Cu alloys. A first layer of pole material and a write gap insulating layer are formed over the substrate. The write gap layer is composed of a material having a high ion beam etch rate compared to the first and second layers of pole material. The write gap insulating layer is preferably composed of Ni—Cu alloy, Pd, Pd—Cu alloys. Next, a second layer of pole material is formed on the first insulating layer. In a key step, we ion beam etch (IBE) the second pole; the write gap insulating layer and the first layer; the second pole serving as an etch mask during the ion beam etching to form a head. In a second preferred embodiment of the invention, the ion beam etching performed using a gas of Kr or Xe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mao-Min Chen, Cherng-Chyi Han, Cheng-Teh Wu, Jei-Wei Chang
  • Patent number: 6237213
    Abstract: A method of forming a stator for an electrical actuator of a type which may be used in weaving looms and weaving systems wherein a stack of armature plates having two-spaced sections are initially wrapped with an electrically conductive wire to create two coils afterwhich the stack is folded to sever severable bridge elements of the stack and to form an armature to include a tubular housing for a rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Staubli Faverges
    Inventors: Dominique Braun, Pierre Bourgeaux, Patrick Iltis
  • Patent number: 6237215
    Abstract: A test fixture for assembling and electrical testing of magnetic head includes a fixed baseplate, a cage, and an X-Y positioner that is adjustably mounted on the baseplate. The cage is formed of a flat, thin, elongated arm and is secured at its rear end to the X-Y positioner. The forward end of the cage extends into a notched section that surrounds part of the slider. A stationary mounting block supports and retains the suspension in a fixed position relative to the slider. In another embodiment, the rear end of the cage is secured to the stationary mounting block and the X-Y positioner supports the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Read Rite Corporation
    Inventors: Michael D. Hunsaker, Barry W. Darr
  • Patent number: 6230389
    Abstract: A method for forming a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor, and a magnetoresistive (MR) lapping monitor formed employing the method. To practice the method, there is first provided a substrate. There is then formed over the substrate a patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer, where the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer has a concavity at an edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite an air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer. There is then formed covering the edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer opposite the air bearing surface edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer and separated by the concavity a pair of patterned conductor lead layers, where neither patterned conductor lead layer within the pair of patterned conductor lead layers reaches a plane defined by the air bearing surface (ABS) edge of the patterned magnetoresistive (MR) layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Headway Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Li-Yan Zhu
  • Patent number: 6230388
    Abstract: A method for producing a stator for electric machines, wherein a plurality of coils (10) is prewound and drawn into a stator lamination package. Subsequently the wire ends (14) of the coils (10) are fixed in place in a predetermined position. In order to be able to interconnect the wire ends or to fix them more dependably and faster in place at the terminals or auxiliary terminals provided, it is proposed that they are temporarily connected with a holding element (34) immediately after a coil (10) or group of coils has been wound, that this connection is maintained during the draw-in of the coils (10) into the stator lamination package, and that thereafter the wire ends (14) are mechanically transferred into their predetermined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Statomat GmbH
    Inventor: Bernhard Simon
  • Patent number: 6226856
    Abstract: A stator core which assures a favorable workability for coupling core segments and has favorable magnetic characteristics even when made by coupling core segments that are formed by laminating core division sheets. A method of manufacturing a core for rotary electric machines includes forming a coupling convexity having an arc-like planar shape and a coupling concavity engageable with the coupling convexity on core segments, forming a serial core segment assembly by engaging the coupling convexity on one of the core segments with the coupling concavity formed on an adjacent core segment so as to be rotatable by more than 180 degrees, and forming a magnetic circuit by bending the serial core segment assembly into an annular form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Kazama, Hisataka Kato, Kadai Takinami, Manabu Okamoto
  • Patent number: 6226857
    Abstract: The balancing of rotors for dynamo-electric machines (e.g., electric motor armatures) is achieved by attaching a balancing strip to the rotor after an impregnation resin has been applied to the wire coils, and the unbalance of the rotor has been measured. To create the balancing strip, a material supply selectively and incrementally delivers a predetermined quantity of material, such that the quantity of material has a mass sufficient to compensate for the measured unbalance of the rotor. The predetermined quantity of material is separated from the material supply to form a balancing mass, and the balancing mass attached to the rotor to compensate for the measured unbalance. A mounting member having a recess may be preliminarily attached to the rotor for subsequent attachment of the balancing mass thereto. A second material supply may be provided such that a controller can select between the first and second material supplies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Axis USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Raffaele Becherucci
  • Patent number: 6226859
    Abstract: A slider air bearing surface design which significantly reduces the fly height sensitivity to contamination in the crossbar area. A structural feature at the leading edge provides contamination protection to the air bearing surface. The slider includes a slider body having an air bearing surface formed on a lower surface, wherein the air bearing surface comprises a crossrail and a central rail extending from the crossrail toward a leading edge for diverting debris from the air bearing surface to prevent accumulation thereon. The leading central rail includes a flared edge connecting the central rail to the crossrail, wherein the flared edge expands the width of the central rail toward the crossrail. A trailing center rail extends from the crossbar toward the trailing edge, and is narrower than the leading central rail. Further, the trailing center rail may be skewed relative to the sides of the slider body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Kevin Dorius, Paul R. Peck
  • Patent number: 6226860
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a coil structure for use in a writer portion of a recording head is disclosed. The method comprises fabricating a bottom pole. A bottom insulating layer is fabricated on the bottom pole, while a seed layer is fabricated on the bottom insulator layer. Alternating third and fourth coil conductors are spacially positioned on the seed layer. A first plurality of insulating barriers are fabricated on the seed layer between the alternating third and fourth coil conductors. A middle insulating layer is fabricated on the third coil conductor, the second coil conductor, and the first plurality of insulating barriers. The A alternating third and fourth coil conductors are spacially positioned on the middle insulating layer. A second plurality of insulating barriers are fabricated on the middle insulating layer between the alternating third and fourth conductors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Paul Burbank
  • Patent number: 6223416
    Abstract: A dynamoelectric machine constructed for speed and accuracy of manufacturing has a stator core constructed of 90° symmetrical stator laminations and the windings have differing numbers of poles which overlap in slots of the stator core are wound of the core formed by the laminations in unique fashion. The rotor bars of the machine are skewed to optimize performance of the machine when in the form of a single phase induction motor. Magnet wire leads of the windings are connected directly to terminals on a plug and terminal assembly which is formed for positive location on an end frame of the machine without welding or other fastening to the end frame. The end frames of the machine and stator laminations forming the stator core are formed so as to increase the precision of the final position of the stator relative to the rotor assembly of the dynamoelectric machine. The end frames are constructed for grounding without the use of fasteners or wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John H. Boyd, Jr., Allen W. Scott, Merle L. Kemp