Patents Examined by Darren Schuberg
  • Patent number: 7436089
    Abstract: A reciprocating motor comprising an outer stator (110) having a cylindrical shape by radially stacking a plurality of lamination sheets (112) at the outside of a bobbin (160) in which a winding coil is wound; an inner stator (120) disposed in the outer stator (110) at a certain air gap from an inner circumference of the outer stator, and having a cylindrical shape by radially stacking a plurality of lamination sheets (122); a magnet paddle (140) disposed between the outer stator and the inner stator, and having a plurality of magnets (130) installed at a circumference thereof; a terminal part (170) provided at one side of the outer stator, and having a magnetic force balancing part (80) at which lamination sheets are not stacked, provided at the outer stator at the same interval on the basis of the terminal part in a circumferential direction of the outer stator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyung-Pyo Yoon
  • Patent number: 7432639
    Abstract: A piezoelectric component includes a stack of ceramic layers and electrode layers between ceramic layers in the stack. The electrode layers contain copper and the ceramic layers contain lead-zirconate-titanate that is doped with Nb. The ceramic layers are made from a material having a composition of Pb0.988V0.012(Zr0.504+xTi0.472?xNb0.024)O3.000, where ?0.05?x?0.05.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Heinz Florian, Marion Ottlinger
  • Patent number: 7429801
    Abstract: A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices configured to generate electric charge therein upon being subjected to mechanical strains associated with flexure of tire or wheel components. The piezoelectric device may be incorporated in a variety of tire structures and in many different locations. In pneumatic tire structures, the piezoelectric device and related electronics may be embedded in crown or sidewall locations among such selected components as the exterior tread portion, first and second steel belts of a belt package, carcass, cap ply portion, inner liner, zone base, etc. The piezoelectric device with optional rubber casing may also be attached to such locations as the inner liner and tire exterior. Piezoelectric devices may also be integrated with a tire and safety support combination that is configured to operate in an extended mobility mode when the tire structure loses air pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Michelin Richerche et Technique s.A.
    Inventors: John David Adamson, George Phillips O'Brien, Jay C. Sinnett
  • Patent number: 7429803
    Abstract: The sewer line power generating system is designed to be positioned within a manhole. The system generates electricity from water flowing through sewer lines. The system includes a hydro turbine that can be raised and lowered into water flowing through sewer lines. They system also includes a flow control plate that accelerates and directs the water for optimal power generation. The system further includes an actuator that raises and lowers the system in response to the water flow. The system further includes a pressure gauge to measure water pressure at the turbine and adjust the position of the turbine in response to the water pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Inventor: Rufus Davis
  • Patent number: 7427817
    Abstract: A small-sized motor having a polygonal outer shape includes four or more field magnets attached to the inner surface of a motor casing made of metal. A tubular portion of the motor casing is formed into a polygonal tubular shape such that flat side portions equal in number to field poles, and flat or curved corner portions equal in number to the field poles and each being located between the adjacent side portions are sequentially joined together. The field magnets have a smaller thickness at portions corresponding to the side portions of the motor casing and a larger thickness at portions corresponding to the corner portions of the motor casing. The field magnets are fixed while coinciding in center position with the corresponding corner portions of the motor casing and while being pressed against the corresponding corner portions of the motor casing from inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eiji Uenishi, Nobuyuki Nemoto
  • Patent number: 7427821
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piezoelectric element including: a piezoelectric body; and two electrodes between which the piezoelectric body is interposed, wherein the piezoelectric element is covered by a low water permeable insulating film serving as a protective film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiaki Murata
  • Patent number: 7425789
    Abstract: A power supply apparatus includes a piezoelectric transformer which outputs a voltage, a voltage-controlled oscillator which controls the frequency of an output signal in accordance with an input control signal, a power supply voltage supply element which is driven by a signal output from the voltage-controlled oscillator and applies a power supply voltage to the piezoelectric transformer, and an output voltage stop circuit (118) which outputs a signal for stopping driving the piezoelectric transformer on the basis of a control signal (Vcont).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kouji Yasukawa, Hiroshi Mano, Atsuhiko Yamaguchi, Osamu Nagasaki
  • Patent number: 7425776
    Abstract: A multiple generator having a vertical post and multiple vertical tubes has the generators positioned vertically one above the other. Each is cylindrical in shape and has two rings separated by connecting fins. The cylinders vary in size with the top being the smallest, the middle or second being larger and the third being the largest. With low winds, only the smallest generator turns. As wind velocity increases, the small generator rotates faster until clutches in a clutch ring move outwardly until they engage and secure to the second generator so both generators move together. As wind speed increases, clutches on the second generator move outwardly until they engage and secure to the third generator and all generators now rotate together. Thus varying amounts of electricity are generated depending on the wind speed and which generators are active. Each generator has its own rotating shaft with ball bearings between the post and first tube and between the first and second tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Inventor: John C. Ketcham
  • Patent number: 7425787
    Abstract: Embodiments of the acoustic galvanic isolator comprise a carrier signal source, a modulator connected to receive an information signal and the carrier signal, a demodulator, and an electrically-isolating acoustic coupler connected between the modulator and the demodulator. The acoustic coupler comprises no more than one decoupled stacked bulk acoustic resonator (IDSBAR). An electrically-isolating acoustic coupler based on a single IDSBAR is physically small and is inexpensive to fabricate yet is capable of passing information signals having data rates in excess of 100 Mbit/s and has a substantial breakdown voltage between its inputs and its outputs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventor: John D Larson, III
  • Patent number: 7423363
    Abstract: A piezoelectric vibrating element includes a main vibration section vibrating in a constant direction, an open edge formed at least at one edge among edges provided in a vibration direction of the main vibration section, an outer frame section formed so as to surround the main vibration section, and a junction section being disposed between the main vibration section excluding the open edge and the outer frame section, having groove parts being recessed with respect to both surfaces of the main vibration section and flat parts being substantially flush with the both surfaces of the main vibration section, and being formed so as to integrally connect the main vibration section with the outer frame section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Masako Tanaka, Shigeru Shiraishi
  • Patent number: 7423360
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave device includes a three-dimensional substrate having an annular curved surface enabling to propagate a surface acoustic wave, and an electro-acoustic transducing element, which excites and propagates the surface wave along the surface, and receives the propagated surface wave. The substrate is made of a Li2B4O7, Bi12SiO20, LiNbO3, LiTaO3, or quartz crystal, and the element propagates the surface wave along a line of intersection between a crystal face of the crystal and the surface, and the line of intersection is defined as an outermost circumferential line of the surface. An environmental difference detecting apparatus uses the device having a plurality of propagating surface zones and compares surface acoustic wave reception signals of electro-acoustic transducing elements in the propagating surface zones of the device with each other, and detects an environmental difference in space portions with which the propagating surface zones come into contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignees: Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noritaka Nakaso, Kazushi Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 7423411
    Abstract: A resistive torsional mode damping system for a shaft of a machine includes: a sensor configured for sensing a signal representative of torque on the shaft; a controller configured for using the sensed signal for detecting a presence of a torsional vibration on the shaft corresponding to a natural frequency of the shaft and for generating control signals for damping the torsional vibration; and a damper including a damping converter and resistor coupled to a DC output of the damping converter, the damping converter being coupled to the machine through a power bus and having a power rating on the order of less than or equal to about five percent of a nominal power of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Christof Martin Sihler
  • Patent number: 7423364
    Abstract: A mover assembly (16) that moves or positions an object (12) includes a mover output (222), an actuator (344), and a mover housing assembly (220). The mover output (222) is connected to the object (12), and the actuator (344) causes the mover output (222) to move. The mover housing assembly (220) seals many of the other components of mover assembly (16), including the actuator (344) within a clean, nonvolatile, housing chamber (420) that isolates all contaminants from the outside working environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Bookham Technology plc
    Inventors: Eric C Williams, David F. Arnone
  • Patent number: 7420298
    Abstract: A high precision z-theta stage having a horizontal translation axis (z-axis) and a rotary axis (theta-axis) parallel with the translation axis comprises parallel spaced apart linear translation stages, a carriage supported between the parallel translation stages, and a rotation stage carried by the carriage between the parallel translation stages. Each brushless linear motor is connected to the carriage to apply translation forces in a horizontal plane intersecting the vertical center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Aerotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Botos, Brian P. O'Connor
  • Patent number: 7420288
    Abstract: Control features for a wind turbine that control the turbine over a range of wind speeds and under triggering conditions with reduced noise, cost, and reliability issues associated with other such controls. Control is accomplished via control electronics, which adjust the torque produced by the electrical output generation device (e.g., alternator) within the wind turbine. During normal operation, torque is adjusted for optimum aerodynamic performance and maximum output of power. In winds above rated power, the control circuit regulates torque to lower aerodynamic performance, as necessary to maintain desired power level output. In triggering conditions, such as during simultaneous control circuit failure and loss of some portion of the electrical output generation device in extreme winds, wind turbine control is accomplished by increasing torque (e.g., via a separate controller) from the electrical output generation device via shorting of windings, so as to cause retardation of blade rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Southwest Windpower
    Inventor: David Gregory Calley
  • Patent number: 7420317
    Abstract: Microelectromechanical systems with structures having piezoelectric actuators are described. The structures each have a body that supports piezoelectric islands. The piezoelectric islands have a first surface and a second opposite surface. The piezoelectric islands can be formed, in part, by forming cuts into a thick layer of piezoelectric material, attaching the cut piezoelectric layer to a body having etched features and grinding the piezoelectric layer to a thickness that is less than the depths of the cuts. Conductive material can be formed on the piezoelectric layer to form electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Dimatix, Inc.
    Inventors: Andreas Bibl, John A. Higginson
  • Patent number: 7420321
    Abstract: An electromechanical actuator comprises at least two actuating portions of electromechanically active material extending by a generally elongated shape from a back portion. The actuating portions are bimorphs, attached by a first end to a first side of the back portion and positioned parallel to each other one after the other in a first direction. The bimorphs are arranged to provide movements of the second end along the first direction and along the extension of the actuating portion, thereby being able to move relative a body in the first direction. The actuating portions have generally flat internal electrode layers arranged inside the electromechanically active material directed substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The internal electrode layers extend continuously through the actuating portions and into the back portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Piezomotor Uppsala AB
    Inventor: Stefan Johansson
  • Patent number: 7417353
    Abstract: An alternator (AC generator) to be mounted on a vehicle comprises slip rings, brushes, a brush holder, a rear cover, and sealing members. The slip rings are fixed on a rotary shaft and rotatable together with the rotary shaft. The brushes are slidable on the slip rings and the brush holder accommodates the brushes therein. The slip-ring cover covers the slip rings as well as the brush holder and the rear cover covers electronic components including the brushes. The sealing members give a sealing performance to an inner space containing slid portions of the brushes on the slip rings. The rear cover, the brush holder, and the sealing member have a ventilating passage for positively causing an flow of air from the inner space containing the slid portions of the brushes on the slip rings to an outside of the alternator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Wada, Hiroshi Ishida
  • Patent number: 7417354
    Abstract: Devices and methods of use for brush holder assemblies are disclosed. Brush holder assemblies including a mounting block and a brush holder are disclosed. Also illustrated is a brush holder assembly including a first portion in sliding engagement with a second portion. In some embodiments the brush holder includes a channel, such that at least a portion of the mounting block is disposed within the channel of the brush holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Cutsforth Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert S. Cutsforth, David L. Cutsforth
  • Patent number: 7417331
    Abstract: An engine drive electric generator apparatus converts the reciprocating movements of a pushrod of an internal combustion engine to electricity. Each generator apparatus has an electric coil surrounding a combustion engine pushrod, and a magnet on the pushrod that reciprocates with the pushrod through the coil. The relative reciprocating movement between the magnet and coil generates an electric current in the coil that is communicated with a battery of the vehicle to charge the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Towertech Research Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger A. de la Torre, Matthew P. LaConte, Matthew Allen Adam