Patents Examined by Daniel L. Robinson
  • Patent number: 8238733
    Abstract: A device having a tube for heating or heat retaining of fluid includes a first path in which a connection section of a cord heater led out of the tube and a lead wire connected to a power supply is provided, a second path provided between the tube and the first path, and a drainage path for removing leaked fluid of the second path. In this device, the connection section is sandwiched by a pair of first sealing members to retain a sealed state and the cord heater passes through the second path in a sealed state by a second sealing member. This device can effectively prevent gas or liquid from leaking into the space where the connection section of a lead wire and a cord heater is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Nitta Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Sawada, Haruki Shimada, Yuji Nakabayashi, Satoru Hosotani, Nobuyuki Asari
  • Patent number: 8227726
    Abstract: Disclosed is a ceramic heater capable of preventing failures due to the thermal stress, such as cracks, and corrosion by a calcium component. The ceramic heater has a heating element including at least one substance selected from silicides, nitrides and carbides of molybdenum and silicides, nitrides and carbides of tungsten as a main component, and a base mainly containing silicon nitride in which the heating element is embedded, wherein the base includes: a rare earth element component in an amount from 4 to 25% by mass in terms of an oxide thereof; a silicide of chromium in an amount from 1 to 8% by mass in terms of chromium silicide; and an aluminum component in an amount from 0.02 to 1.0% by mass in terms of aluminum nitride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Funaki, Yoshihito Ikai, Yutaka Sekiguchi, Takeshi Mitsuoka, Yutaka Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 8229291
    Abstract: A radiator apparatus for concentrating or dispersing energy. In one embodiment, the radiator includes a thermal conductive layer, a radiation layer, and a thermal insulation layer. The radiation layer is powered by an energy source and includes at least one radiation element embedded in at least a portion of the thermal conductive layer. The thermal insulation layer faces the thermal conductive layer. In another embodiment, the radiator includes a generally helical dome-shaped radiation member powered by an energy source and a generally dome-shaped reflection member including a reflective surface facing the radiation member. In yet another embodiment, the radiator includes a radiation member powered by an energy source and a reflection member having an at least partially ring-shaped concave reflective surface facing the radiation member for distributing energy to an at least partially hat-shaped or ring-shaped area or zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Worldbest Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Kam Ching Chan
  • Patent number: 8217309
    Abstract: A glow plug assembly includes an integrated, internal pressure sensor. In order to reduce loading on the center electrode, improve sensor responsiveness, and provide better thermal performance, the pressure sensor assembly is housed in a canister which forms a containment capsule and rigidly connects inside the glow plug shell near its seat area. The pressure sensor makes direct contact with the base end of the heater probe so that movements of the heater probe caused by fluctuations in gas pressure lead directly to changing force on the sensor stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul Italy Srl.
    Inventors: John A. Burrows, Sandro Goretti
  • Patent number: 8217325
    Abstract: Various blanks and constructs formed therefrom are provided. The various constructs include features for supporting a food item at an elevated position to enhance the heating, browning, and/or crisping of the food item in a microwave oven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Graphic Packaging International, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell W. Russell, Bing Liu, Laurence M. C. Lai
  • Patent number: 8217310
    Abstract: A glow plug electrification control apparatus which can maintain the same heater temperature even when resistance varies among glow plugs to be used, and a glow plug electrification control system using the same. The apparatus (101) includes temperature-raising-period-resistance acquisition means for temperature-raising-period resistances Rg1(0.5), etc. of glow plugs (GP1-GPn) at predetermined timings during a temperature-raising period; maintaining-period electrification control means for maintaining the heater temperature Tg1(t), etc. at predetermined target temperatures Tm1, etc. after the temperature raising; and maintaining-period resistance acquisition means for acquiring maintaining-period resistances Rg1(t), etc. of the glow plugs GP1, etc. in a maintaining period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Sakurai
  • Patent number: 8198570
    Abstract: A heat exchange system and processes for a magnetic annealing tool is provided. The system includes a process chamber housing workpieces to be processed; an element chamber partly surrounding the periphery of the process chamber, at least one means for drawing a vacuum in fluid communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber in order to apply a vacuum to either or both of the process and element chamber so as to promote radiation heating of the workpieces; at least one supply of fluid in communication with the process chamber and separately with the element chamber to supply a cooling gas so as to promote conductive cooling of the workpieces; a cooling chamber disposed to surround the element chamber; and means for generating a magnetic field disposed on the outer periphery of the cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard John Jibb, John Fredric Billingham, Edward Duffy, Noel O'Shaughnessy, Kevin McMahon, Peter Ferris
  • Patent number: 8196590
    Abstract: A method of navigating a medical device in an operating region in a subject. The method includes applying a magnetic field to the operating region and changing the magnetic moment of the medical device by selectively changing a physical condition of at least one magnet element in the medical device to change the orientation of the device with respect to the applied magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Stereotaxis, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael E. Sabo, Rogers C. Ritter, Roger N. Hastings, Raju R. Viswanathan
  • Patent number: 8198569
    Abstract: A surface structure (1) that is at least partially electrically conductively coated by a conductor coating (11), and which can be connected to an electric power source by at least one electric connecting conductor (2). The connecting conductor (2) electrically contacts the conductor coating (11) at at least one solder point (3), and the conductive coating (11) is thickened at least at one contact zone (4) in the area of the solder point (3) as opposed to other areas (7) of the surface structure (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: W.E.T. Automotive System AG
    Inventors: Martin Krobok, Markus Voelk, Peter Bramberger
  • Patent number: 8193469
    Abstract: Ceramic igniters are provided that comprise at least three zones of differing electrical resistance, preferably in sequence a first conductive zone of relatively low resistance, a power booster or enhancement zone of intermediate resistance, and a further hot or ignition zone of high resistance. Igniters of the invention can provide extremely high speeds (low time-to-temperature).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Coorstek, Inc.
    Inventor: Craig A. Willkens
  • Patent number: 8188407
    Abstract: Disclosed is an temperature control apparatus including: a resistance heater a resistance value of which changes dependently on a temperature thereof; a fixed resistance connected to the resistance heater in series; a signal generator to output a control signal which has two voltage levels of a first voltage and a second voltage; a switching section to flow a current through the resistance heater and the fixed resistance when the voltage level is the first voltage, and not to flow a current through the resistance heater and the fixed resistance when the voltage level is the second voltage; and a first voltage measuring instrument to measure a voltage value across the fixed resistance at the time when the current flows through the fixed resistance, wherein the signal generator controls the temperature of the resistance heater based on the measured voltage by the first voltage measuring instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Casio Computer Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masatoshi Nomura
  • Patent number: 8183501
    Abstract: A method for controlling a glow plug at a desired temperature. In a glow plug off state, the glow plug temperature status is monitored to prepare for the next combustion event. When ignition is requested, a determination is made as to how long full voltage can be applied to bring the glow plug to ignition temperature. A resistance/temperature map is provided to determine the resistance as a function of temperature. Another map is provided of temperature as a function of powering time at a full battery voltage in a First Heating Phase to ensure that the surface temperature of the glow plug will reach a predetermined temperature required to start combustion of an air/fuel mixture. A third map is provided of a PWM duty cycle for a Second Heating Phase to maintain the temperature of the glow plug to ensure flame propagation without damage to the glow plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob X. Li, Brian K. Allston
  • Patent number: 8180203
    Abstract: Provided is a direct heating tube which has a sufficient heating rate and a sufficient cooling rate, and has no cold spots therein, making it possible to ensure a uniform temperature distribution in the whole part thereof or a temperature distribution having a desired temperature gradient, and making it possible to keep constant the temperature of a fluid which is caused to flow through the tube or to give a desired change to the temperature of the fluid. Provided also is a direct heating tube which does not exert an adverse influence on devices near the tube, such as a detector and an oven, even by heating the tube. In a desired portion of the tube to be heated, a second heated tube connected to a first heated tube is provided outside the first heated tube, and an electrode portion is connected to the second heated tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: GL Sciences Incorporated
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Kurano
  • Patent number: 8175445
    Abstract: A non-contact cutter for a polymer corner protector disposed on a load includes an air manifold having an inlet and an outlet and defining an air passage and a heating element disposed at least in part in the air passage. A compressed gas is communicated to the manifold and into the air passage for intimate contact with the heating element to heat the gas. The heated gas is discharged through the outlet to contact and soften the polymer corner protector at a desired location to separate the corner protector at the desired location. A system and method for non-contact cutting are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Arland L. Morrison, Richard K. Balling, Richard G. Newman, Michael W. Potempa
  • Patent number: 8175446
    Abstract: An instrumented heater sleeve is provided that has a plurality of zones, a dielectric layer disposed over an outer surface of the sleeve, a resistive element layer disposed over the first dielectric layer, and a plurality of pairs of lead wires secured to a portion of the resistive element layer. Each pair of lead wires is connected to and corresponds with each of the zones and a protective layer is disposed over the dielectric layer. An amount of power is supplied to each of the zones and adjusted during a test run, or multiple test runs, to achieve a desired temperature profile along a heating target such as a hot runner nozzle. Methods of designing a hot runner nozzle heater using the instrumented heater sleeve are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Wallow Electric Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Elias Russegger, Gerhard Schefbänker, Gernot Antosch, Wolfgang Pöschl, Christopher C. Lanham, James McMillin, William A. McDowell, III, Kenneth F. Fennewald, Allen Boldt, Frederic Zimmermann, Reinhardt Lehnert, Kevin Ptasienski
  • Patent number: 8172815
    Abstract: A device includes a plurality of skin penetrating devices for delivering or withdrawing a substance through the skin of a patient. The device has a support formed with a top and bottom end and a plurality of channels extending axially through the support. A plurality of the skin penetrating members is positioned in the channels with a tip extending from the bottom end of the support. A coupling member is attached to the support for coupling with a fluid supply and directing the fluid to the skin penetrating members. The skin penetrating members have a length of about 100 microns to about 2000 microns and are about 30 to 50 gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Becton, Dickinson and Company
    Inventors: James Down, Noel G. Harvey, Frank E. Martin, Ronald J. Pettis, Alexander G. Lastovich
  • Patent number: 8170404
    Abstract: A bubbler chamber assembly comprising one chamber or two or more chambers connected in series, all chambers being in substantially vertical orientation. A solid or liquid source of the compound is contained in the chamber or chambers. The ratio between the length of the chamber or combined length of chambers connected in series with respect to the direction of flow of the carrier gas through the chamber or chambers and the average diameter equivalent of the cross section of the chamber or chambers with respect to the direction of flow of the carrier gas through the chamber or chambers is not less than about 6:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V.
    Inventors: Nam Hung Tran, Dennis L. Deavenport, Taeho Ko, Nada El-Zein
  • Patent number: 8158909
    Abstract: An igniter for igniting combustible gases in a hot zone, such as in a solid oxide fuel cell, comprising a subassembly including an electrical resistance heating tip comprising SiC, metal leadframe clips formed of a nickel-based superalloy and attached to the heating tip, wire leads formed of a nickel-chromium alloy and connected to the leadframe clips for supplying electric current to the heating tip, and a nickel-based braze alloy comprising palladium and cobalt for connecting the leadframe clips to the heating tip and to the wire leads; an alumina ceramic body for receiving the brazed subassembly; and a potting compound comprising zirconia for potting the subassembly into the alumina ceramic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Diane M. England, Gail E. Geiger
  • Patent number: 8160679
    Abstract: A method of coordinating an imaging procedure and an injection procedure, the method comprising the steps of providing an injector system having first and second pressurizing units for pressurizing a contrast medium and a diluent for injection into a patient; providing an imaging system for producing an image of an internal region of the patient from a signal resulting from energy applied to the patient; and providing a data interface interconnecting the injector and imaging systems for enabling exchange of digital information therebetween such that the digital information transmitted between the systems is usable to enable closed loop control of at least one of the injection and the imaging procedures during which the contrast medium and the diluent injected into the patient is adjustable so as to achieve a desired level of enhancement within the internal region of the patient of which the images are acquired during the imaging procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Medrad, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur E. Uber, Edward J. Rhinehart, Rosemary Almon-Martin, David M. Griffiths, Francis J. Sciulli, Walter Grumski, Vera Pagano, Karen Zelenski, Alan Hirschman
  • Patent number: 8160434
    Abstract: System of electrical thermostatation of pipes or tanks, including a jacket that serves to at least partially cover a surface of the piping or tank, the jacket including an external mechanical protection in the form of an external shell and an internal shell, a thermal insulation supplied between the internal shell and the external shell, a heating element for generating thermal energy, an element to spread the thermal energy towards the interior, and a conduit for an electricity supply line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Inventors: Luciano Scarzella, Cristina Scarzella, Maria Grazia Scarzella