Patents Examined by Derris H. Banks
  • Patent number: 8029290
    Abstract: A method for supplying a plurality of capacitance values to a plurality of heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) components is provided. The method includes configuring a first set of terminals of a connection device to couple a first capacitor to the connection device and configuring the connection device to couple the first capacitor to at least one of the plurality of HVAC/R components. The method further includes configuring a second set of terminals of the connection device to couple a second capacitor to the connection device and configuring the connection device to selectively couple the second capacitor to at least one of the plurality of HVAC/R components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Regal Beloit Corporation
    Inventors: James Ryan Johnson, Francisco Javier Curiel
  • Patent number: 8028390
    Abstract: A spring actuated clamping mechanism has a backer plate with an upper surface and a lower surface. A set of apertures is formed along the periphery of the backer plate. The upper surface of the backer plate has at least one backer plate recess, and preferably four recesses, formed therein. A threaded aperture is also formed in the backer plate. A compression plate is also provided. A second set of apertures is formed along the periphery of the compression plate. The lower surface of the compression plate has at least one compression plate recess, and at least one compression plate aperture. At least one compression spring is disposed between the backer plate and the compression plate. A screw tension release mechanism is screwed into the backer plate threaded aperture and inserted through the compression plate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Endicott Interconnect Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Benson Chan, Matthew J. Lauffer
  • Patent number: 8024860
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing an ink cartridge includes the step of connecting a film or a pair of films to a frame. The films and the frame define an ink chamber therein, and the ink cartridge includes the films and the frame. The method also includes the step of positioning a patterned member adjacent to the films. The patterned member includes a first pattern, and the first pattern includes a first portion and a second portion which is raised with respect to the first portion. Moreover, the method includes the step of forming a second pattern corresponding to the first pattern on the films by generating a pressure differential between a pressure inside the ink chamber and a pressure outside the ink chamber, in which the pressure differential draws the films into contact with the first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tomohiro Kanbe
  • Patent number: 8020285
    Abstract: A method and a component placement device are provided for adjusting at least one optional setting of a process characteristic of the component placement device, which component placement device has at least one standard setting. The optional setting may be activated by way of an electronic key supplied to the component placement device. The optional setting may be temporarily activated by feeding the electronic key to the component placement device. Further, the standard setting may be reactivated after the expiration of a predetermined period of operation of the electronic key.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Assembleon N.V.
    Inventors: Alexander Antonius Franciscus Nies, Albertus Robert Wendrich, Richard Anthony Wilders
  • Patent number: 8020288
    Abstract: In a method for producing an electronic subassembly, at least one electronic component is fixed in place on an insulating layer of a conductive foil in a first step, the conductive foil with the electronic component is laminated onto a circuit board substrate, and a circuit track structure is then developed by structuring the conductive foil. The expansion coefficient of the insulating layer lies between the expansion coefficient of the circuit board substrate and the expansion coefficient of the circuit track structure, and/or electronic components that require small passages for contacting with the circuit track structure are pressed deeper into the insulating layer than electronic components that require larger passages in the insulating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Ulrich Schaaf, Andreas Kugler, Karl-Friederich Becker, Alexander Neumann, Jan Kostelnik
  • Patent number: 8015688
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for hemming together a pair of panels and immediately sealing the hemmed joint against the intrusion of moisture. A tool mount is attached to a multi-axis manipulator such as a robot for moving the tool mount along the edge portions of the panels. A hemming roller is mounted on the tool mount and adapted to be moved along the edge portions of the panels by the multi axis manipulator to fold the flanged edge portion of the outer panel onto the edge portion of inner panel as the tool mount traverses the edge portions of the panels. A sealing mechanism is mounted on the tool mount adjacent to the hemming roller to seal the hemmed joint immediately after the flanged edge portion is folded onto the inner panel. The sealing mechanism may be a dispenser of adhesive sealer or a friction stir welder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, John E. Carsley, Mark W. Verbrugge, Xiaohong Q. Gayden
  • Patent number: 8015686
    Abstract: In a method of supplying connecting elements to a processing unit, in which the connecting elements are placed in readiness by a supply unit and conveyed individually by a passage to a loading device arranged on the processing unit, the conveyance of the connecting elements takes place in two separate steps, a first step in which the connecting elements are individually conveyed by the supply unit into a intermediate reservoir arranged near the loading device, and a second step in which a single connecting element at a time is conveyed from the intermediate reservoir into the loading device of the processing unit. Specifically, at least two different connecting elements are picked up by the intermediate reservoir, and of the several connecting elements accommodated in the intermediate reservoir an arbitrary one determined by the processing operation is selected for the second step and conveyed to the loading device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Jochen Hain, Stefan Lippert, Alexander Pohl, Joachim Moser, Thomas Ziegert
  • Patent number: 8011096
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for increasing the bending strength and the endurance limit of crankshafts by locally restricted hammering in areas of high stress, such as grooves, the mouths of bores and cross-sectional transition zones, in which method pressure impulse machines or beating devices comprising heating tools are employed. The pressure impulse machines or beating devices only execute a relative displacement of the beating tool against the surface of the crankshaft segment to be processed when the compressive stress is introduced between the heating tool and said surface of the crankshaft segment to be processed. The invention also relates to a device for increasing the endurance limit of crankshafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Maschinenfabrik Alfing Kessler GmbH
    Inventors: Alfons Reeb, Jochen Schmidt, Alexis Boemcke
  • Patent number: 8011097
    Abstract: A method for restoring a crack formed within a turbo charger engine transition section, the method including preparing a crack in the transition section to receive a material within the crack, applying the material within the crack, and retaining structural integrity of the transition section proximate the crack while at least one of preparing the crack and applying the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alistair Jeffrey Smith, Wayne Alan Demo, Ronald Lance Galley, Anthony Philip Italiano
  • Patent number: 8011074
    Abstract: The present invention provides a composite structure having a supporting substrate between a piezoelectric substrate and a compensation layer. The materials used to form the piezoelectric substrate and the compensation layer in isolation, have higher thermal coefficients of expansion (TCE) relative to the TCE of the materials forming the supporting substrate. Once the composite structure is created, the piezoelectric substrate and compensation layer tend to expand and contract in a similar manner as temperature changes. The expansion and contraction forces applied to the supporting substrate by the piezoelectric substrate due to temperature changes are substantially countered by similar opposing forces applied by the compensation layer, resulting in the opposing forces substantially counteracting one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Kushal Bhattacharjee, Sergei Zhgoon
  • Patent number: 8011087
    Abstract: A method for assembling a lens module with an image sensor, includes providing a holder having first and second receiving spaces, disposing the image sensor in the second receiving space, locating lens barrel at a first position in the first receiving space, casting a light beam on the lens module to allow the lens module to converge the light beam into a light spot on the image sensor, determining if the light spot is at its smallest to determine if a distance between the lens module at the first position and the image sensor is equal to a focal length of the lens module, moving the lens module to a second position in the first receiving space to achieve a predetermined distance from the first position, and positioning the lens module at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Bor-Yuan Hsiao
  • Patent number: 8006375
    Abstract: An apparatus for equalizing voltage across an electrical lighting system, particularly in low voltage landscape lighting systems. The apparatus consists of a plastic cylinder having open ends and containing two or more connectors for connecting a homerun wire from a transformer to wire leads from the various light fixtures in the lighting system. The wire leads are of uniform length to ensure that each light fixture is ecu distant from the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Inventor: Nate Mullen
  • Patent number: 8006358
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a piezoelectric actuator, the method comprising: co-extruding alternating strips of a high permittivity material and a low permittivity material to form a green tape comprising said alternating strips of said high permittivity material and said low permittivity material; cutting said green tape to form a plurality of sheets, each sheet comprising a high permittivity region and at least two low permittivity regions adjacent to the high permittivity region; applying at least one conductive region to each one of two or more of the sheets to overly the high permittivity region and to leave exposed at least one low permittivity region; and stacking a plurality of sheets to form an actuator stack comprising adjacent sheets, wherein the or each conductive region on each sheet is offset with respect to a conductive region on a different sheet within the actuator stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies Holding S.arl
    Inventors: Michael Peter Cooke, Christopher Andrew Goat
  • Patent number: 8006360
    Abstract: By providing a unique product enhancing step which enables any desired section, portion, or element of a product being produced to be treated in a manner to provide desired enhanced physical, structural, and/or aesthetics characteristics, a new, fully integrated enhanced foam manufacturing system is attained which is capable of producing virtually any desired foam product, with each product incorporating any desired area or zone being formed with a particular physical, structural, and/or aesthetic property, characteristic, or enhancement. In addition, in accordance with the teaching of the present invention, any desired cross-sectional shape or configuration is capable of being manufactured in fully automated, high volume, rapid production conditions, with virtual ease and simplicity, with a specific physical, structural, or aesthetic property incorporated therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Nomaco, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Richmond, Andrew C. Yiannaki, Ivan I. Sobran, Randal L. Henderson
  • Patent number: 8006384
    Abstract: A method of producing a pagewidth inkjet printhead includes forming a substrate having defined therein a nozzle chamber operable to receive and store a fluid, the chamber fed at one side by an inlet passage; forming a nozzle plate in-situ on the substrate to define a nozzle opening on an opposite side of the nozzle chamber to the inlet passage; and forming a heater element including an electrically conductive element between the nozzle opening and the inlet passage, the heater element formed such that the electrically conductive element is in direct contact with the fluid in the nozzle chamber. The heater element is cantilever supported at one end by the nozzle chamber. The electrically conductive element includes two major face, a first major face facing the nozzle opening, and a second major face facing the inlet passage, the first and second major faces both in direct contact with the fluid in the nozzle chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Kia Silverbrook
  • Patent number: 8001666
    Abstract: A method is provided that includes providing a mold on a temporary substrate, e.g., a sapphire substrate. Next, a material such as PZT paste is deposited into the mold. Then, the mold is removed to obtain elements formed by the mold. The formed elements will then be sintered. After sintering, electrode deposition is optionally performed. The sintered elements are then bonded to a final target substrate and released from the temporary substrate through laser liftoff. Further, electrodes may also be optionally deposited at this point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, Stephen D. White, Steven A. Buhler
  • Patent number: 8001678
    Abstract: A component mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of components on a board. The apparatus is provided with a board holding device for holding the board at a board holding position, a first mounting head for holding and taking out a component fed from a first component feeding position and mounting the component on the board held at the board holding position, a second mounting head for holding and taking out the component fed from a second component feeding position and mounting the component on the held board, and a component feeding device having a wafer holding table for holding a wafer on which the respective components are fed so that the wafer holding table can be moved reciprocationally between the first component feeding position and the second component feeding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Kabeshita, Kurayasu Hamasaki, Noriyuki Tani, Shozo Minamitani, Yoichi Makino
  • Patent number: 8001676
    Abstract: Component placement apparatus (1, 21) comprising a storage device (2) for storing components, means (5, 25, 71, 81, 91) for transporting a component from the storage device (2) to a transfer device (6, 26) comprising at least one component pickup position (11), and a component pick and place device (7) for picking up a component from the pickup position and placing the component on a desired location on a substrate (8) positioned on a substrate support. The transfer device (6, 26) is movable between a position relatively close to the stationary storage device (2) and a variable desired position above the substrate support relatively close to the movable pick and place device whilst the means (5, 25, 71, 81, 91) for transporting a component from the storing device to the transfer device (6, 26) comprise guiding means for guiding a tape (4) comprising components from reel (3) located in the storage device (2) into the component pickup position (11) on the transfer device (6, 26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Assembleon N.V.
    Inventor: Josephus Martinus Maria Van Gastel
  • Patent number: 7996978
    Abstract: A method for producing a product includes the steps of taking heated and cooled extrusion, preferably aluminum, and reheating a selected area of the extrusion. There is the step of requenching the extrusion. There is the step of forming the reheated area into a desired shape. A method for producing a ladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: Werner Co.
    Inventor: Richard M. Kelly
  • Patent number: 7992301
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for manufacturing an exhaust element of an exhaust line of a vehicle with a heat engine. The exhaust element includes a box having, internally, at least one compartment and at least one tube extending at least partly inside such a compartment. The method includes inserting sound-insulation into at least one such compartment. The insertion is ensured through injection into such a compartment through an opening in the tube from the inside of the tube. The invention also relates to an exhaust element obtained by implementing this method, including forming a box with at least one compartment containing sound-insulation and at least one tube extending at least partly inside at least one such compartment, the tube having an opening provided for in the body of the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2011
    Assignee: Faurecia Systems d'Echappement, Societe par Action Simplifiee
    Inventors: François Pierre Paul Lecoester, Murlidhar Kadandale, Paul A. Hyndman