Patents Examined by Diego F. F. Gutierrez
  • Patent number: 5857775
    Abstract: A probe tip in combination with a seal assembly that prevents debris and other contaminants from entering the probe tip. In the preferred embodiment, the seal comprises a tube with a filter holder assembly attached at the distal end of the holder. The filter holder assembly includes an infrared filter seated inside a screw-on member that is attached to a holder member with a sealing member located directly behind the infrared filter. During manufacturing, a predetermined force is applied to the proximal end of the tube which drives the distal end of the tube and filter holder assembly against the probe tip opening, thereby forming a watertight seal thereto. In alternative embodiments, the seal assembly may be comprised of a collar and gasket combination instead of a filter holder assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1999
    Assignee: Tyco Group S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: John Vodzak, John J. Korff, Gary J. O'Hara, Frederick F. Schweitzer, Jr., Mark A. Davis
  • Patent number: 5852986
    Abstract: A CO.sub.2 cartridge is permanently attached to a cartridge status indicator so that a user need not perform a detailed inspection to determine if the cartridge has been used or not. If the cartridge has been used, the status indicator will so indicate upon casual visual inspection, and if the cartridge has not been used, the causal inspection will also reveal that fact. The gas is released by two different methods. The first requires only that the user pull a cord. Pulling the cord shifts a support member laterally within the inflator, and previously misaligned legs and bores enter into alignment with one another. When aligned, the legs enter into the bores under the influence of a spring positioned in the inflator and the support member is driven into puncturing relation to a membrane. If moisture is encountered, the cord need not be pulled because the moisture collapses a dissolvable element, and the pierce pin is driven into puncturing relation with the membrane under the force of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Glenn H. Mackal
  • Patent number: 5853246
    Abstract: A wet bulb thermometer. A temperature sensor which can function in a moist environment is placed in such a location that it will be within the mist of water produced by a nozzle when pressurized water is supplied to the nozzle. Preferably, the temperature sensor is placed somewhat below the nozzle to account for the effect of gravity upon the mist of water. Also, preferably, the temperature sensor produces an electrical signal that is indicative of temperature and that can be read by a computer. Accuracy of the determination of the wet-bulb temperature of the air is assured by the redundancy of this device. Evaporation from droplets in the mist assure that the temperature of the air within the mist is at the wet-bulb temperature as, independently, does the evaporation from the film of water which forms on the surface of the temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1998
    Inventor: Val Lowder
  • Patent number: 5845411
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for the centering of objects by positioning a slider that is not only movable within a base but also moveable therebeyond in opposite directions in relation to stop members for holding an object at a centering position where a projection extending from the slider is used to mark the center with reference to markings along the base at the slider and on the stop members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Inventor: Dennis E. DeCoff, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5845597
    Abstract: An efficiency indicator for a separation system, such as a water filter, wherein a first volume of fluid is exposed, under a first pressure, to a separation medium and a second volume of fluid is recovered therefrom, under a second, lesser pressure. The indicator comprises a housing including an aperture and a biased piston rod in a tube driven between a first position and a second spaced-apart position by the differential between said first and second pressures when said second pressure represents an undesired loss of medium separating efficiency. The piston rod has a first reflective colored coating at one location on said rod and a second reflective colored coating at a second location. A sphere of optical transparent material is mounted so as to project through the aperture of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Vista Water Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David L. Karpal
  • Patent number: 5845598
    Abstract: An automotive gauge has a two part housing containing a stepper motor arrangement or other gauge movement which drives a pointer shaft. The front housing part consists of a transparent material for conducting light from a lamp to a facet which reflects light to a pointer for pointer illumination. The lamp is mounted inside or outside the housing. The front housing part includes an aperture for accommodating the pointer shaft and also has integral pins which serve as supports for rotary parts of the mechanism. The housing is mounted on a circuit board or a circuit board may comprise the rear housing part. Another embodiment uses a common light pipe member for the front housing of several gauges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1998
    Assignee: Delco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: David Alan Ross, Ronald Kenneth Selby, Randall Jay Heidtman, Gail Monica Sylvester
  • Patent number: 5842788
    Abstract: A Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) which has constant calorimetric sensitivity over its entire range of operating temperatures from -200.degree. C. to 540.degree. C. The DSC sensor consists of a pair of thin-film Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs) which are used to sense the temperature of a sample and the temperature difference between the sample and an inert reference. The RTDs are supplied with an excitation current which varies according to the temperature of the reference to achieve constant calorimetric sensitivity, independent of the operating temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: TA Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Danley, John R. Reader, Jr., John W. Schaefer
  • Patent number: 5842435
    Abstract: Index for use in measuring instruments includes a main body formed with a transparent synthetic resin and having an indicating portion for indicating measured values; a skirt portion formed on the base of the main body with the same transparent synthetic resin as that of the main body and having a hole through which the distal end of an index shaft of a movement element from the measuring instrument is inserted; a balancer disposed on a side opposite to that of the indicating portion and over the skirt portion with a synthetic resin blended with a high specific gravity material for adjusting the balance to the indicating portion; and a cap formed with a non-transparent synthetic resin for covering the base portion of the main body and balancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1998
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Sakae Tsukamoto, Hideo Ishihara
  • Patent number: 5839458
    Abstract: A dishwasher clean/dirty indicator is disclosed for showing a user whether dishes in a dishwasher are clean or dirty. The indicator is configured either as a portable or built-in device. The portable configuration is described in this abstract which begins with a frame (32), containing bearing surfaces. The frame rests within a dish rack (60) of a dishwasher (58). A release arm (44) with vertical and horizontal sections, pivots on the frame bearing surfaces. A drinking glass (62) or similar dish is placed on the horizontal section of the release arm when the dishwasher is loaded, holding the release arm in the loaded position. A release spring (54) retracts the release arm to the unloaded position when the dishwasher is emptied. A latch (48) is pivotably connected to the vertical section of the release arm. Affixed to the frame is a faceplate (34) including sign members (39) with the words clean and dirty, and a spring housing (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Inventor: Kevin James Delcarson
  • Patent number: 5839202
    Abstract: A manual three dimensional coordinate measuring machine has a probe manually movable along three orthogonal coordinate axes, X, Y and Z, and a Z axis member supporting the probe. The size and shape of a workpiece is determined by displacements along the three axes from a predetermined origin when the probe contacts the workpiece. The manual coordinate measuring machine further includes a slide ring positioned at the bottom side of the Z axis member and at least one elastic member. The slide ring is movable in an arbitrary direction relative to the Z axis and along the Z axis. The slide ring is held at a predetermined position in the plane and along the Z axis by the at least one elastic member. The at least one elastic member allows the slide ring to move in the plane or along the Z axis by elastic deformation of the at least one elastic member in response to a force which is larger than a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventors: Kazusaku Tezuka, Takao Oneta
  • Patent number: 5839829
    Abstract: An improved method for aligning the aiming beams of an infrared heat sensor included the steps of providing a heat source at a target site, orienting the infrared heat sensor so that output signal is maximized to orient an optical axis toward the target site, and aligning the aiming beams relative to the target site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Raytek Subsidiary, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Litvin, Ronald P. Briars
  • Patent number: 5839830
    Abstract: A high temperature sensing probe includes an optical fiber or rod having a distal end and a proximal end. The optical fiber or rod has a coating secured to the distal end thereof, wherein the coating is capable of producing a Raman spectrum when exposed to an exciting radiation source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Jack P. Young, Gleb Mamantov
  • Patent number: 5836261
    Abstract: An antenna topper includes an ornamental element which is capable of being secured to the antenna of the vehicle. The ornamental element can be hollow or solid. Solid ornamental elements include a centrally disposed bore sized to frictionally engage the antenna. A hollow ornamental element includes a plurality of support members attached to the interior thereof to define an aperture. The support members are resiliently biased so that the ball at the end of the antenna may be forced through the aperture. The antenna topper can be in the form of sports balls, expressioning faces, animals, etc. The antenna topper can also be constructed of various lightweight materials such as plastic, rubber, styrofoam, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Dolores M. Sutton
  • Patent number: 5836083
    Abstract: At least either of the upper and lower portions of each of a plurality of elastic bodies (30) provided between an upper structure (10) and a lower structure (20) is movable radially, simultaneously by the same distance in the longitudinal direction of the elastic bodies manually or by a driving means to change the position of an elastic center X, which exists in the axial direction of the machine body, and change the elastic force between the upper and lower structures (10, 20). Either of connections of each of the elastic bodies (30) to the upper and lower structures (10, 20) is a hinge joint or a spherical pair joint, and that of the other is a fixed joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Inventor: Joo Sangwan
  • Patent number: 5836694
    Abstract: A system for aiming a remote IR temperature sensing device includes a laser aiming assembly and a scope assembly mounted to the IR temperature sensing device. The laser aiming assembly provides for adjusting the vertical and azimuthal positions of an alignment beam to facilitate the use of inexpensive, low-tolerance parts while providing high accuracy to improve sensitivity, accuracy, and resolution. The laser aiming assembly includes a laser aiming mirror for directing the alignment beam toward the target. The system includes a beam splitter which reflects incoming visible radiation toward the scope assembly and allows incoming IR radiation to pass through to an IR temperature sensor. The beamsplitter has an opening of sufficient size to allow the alignment beam to pass through unobstructed but not so large as to interfere with the operation of the beamsplitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Raytek Subsidiary, Inc.
    Inventor: Phan Nguyen
  • Patent number: 5836080
    Abstract: A positioning table includes a table member having a load plane, a supporting device for movably supporting the table member within a plane parallel to the load plane and, first, second, and third slide blocks located around the table member in a freely movable fashion toward and away from the table member. The first and second slide blocks move in directions parallel to each other, and the third slide block moves in a direction perpendicular to the moving directions of the first and second slide blocks. First, second, and third rollers project from a peripheral edge of the table member and are rotatable about axes perpendicular to the load plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Inagaki, Toru Hattori
  • Patent number: 5836192
    Abstract: For monitoring a predetermined level of a liquid in a container an ultrasonic transducer is fitted on the outer surface of the container wall at a measurement point situated at the height of the level to be monitored. The ultrasonic transducer contains a piezoelectric element which generates, when excited by an alternating voltage pulse having a given transmission frequency, an ultrasonic transmission pulse which is transferred via a diaphragm to the container wall and which converts ultrasonic vibrations transferred from the container wall to the ultrasonic transducer into electrical reception signals. So that the piezoelectric element for given dimensions can be operated in a large frequency range, and so that a good adaptation to the diaphragm is achieved, the piezoelectric element consists of a porous piezoelectric ceramic having a type 3--3 connectivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.
    Inventors: Igor Getman, Sergej Lopatin, Roland Muller
  • Patent number: 5836692
    Abstract: An infrared detector is positioned in a probe having nonthermocouple leads which connect to socket connectors of a standard hand-held voltmeter. The voltmeter has a clip to retain the probe. The detected voltage may indicate the difference between a target temperature surface and ambient temperature. For more accurate sensing of ambient temperature, a thermocouple may be connected in series with the thermopile with one junction at the thermopile cold junction temperature and another junction sensing ambient temperature. The ambient temperature may be that temperature surrounding the infrared detector or the temperature of the environment surrounding the meter. The infrared detector is calibrated to provide a direct reading of temperature degrees by a factor of ten on the voltage scale of the meter. To that end, multiple thermocouples may be connected in series, each with a junction responding to ambient temperature and a junction responding to thermopile cold junction temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Exergen Corporation
    Inventor: Francesco Pompei
  • Patent number: 5833366
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the freezing points of a metal by inducing solidification in a cooling liquid metal sample in a supercooled state and utilizing specific detected peak values or changes in slope in a temperature/time plot as the sample cools, begins solidification and recalesces. It was found that the maximum temperature reached after the second rise, if two rises occur, the maximum of a single rise, or the temperature at which the rate of temperature drop decreases, if no temperature rise occurs, provides a useful approximation of the liquidus temperature and hence the freezing point of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventor: Che Keung Ma
  • Patent number: 5832867
    Abstract: This invention provides a combination of ground position indicator and aircraft signaling devices for airborne personnel. The disclosed position indicator and signaling devices include a substantially pliable mesh web for deployment upon the ground, the web having a directional indicator and a color or other devices for contrast between the web and the ground so that the web is highly visible to airborne personnel who are in an overhead position adjacent to the ground upon which the web is deployed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Inventor: Charles N. Whicker, Jr.