Patents Examined by Elvin Enad
  • Patent number: 7371987
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switching device with a switching structure (1), which includes a cage assembly (21) having two opposite first sidewalls (5) and a bottom wall (6) integrally connecting the first sidewalls. The cage assembly (21) is at least partly configured as a cage (24) in which a slide (4) is displaceably arranged. A moving contact bridge (3) associated with stationary contact members is held in an opening (15) of the slide (4) under the pressure of a contact pressure spring (2). A clearance (26) is provided between the two first sidewalls (5) for the displacement of the contact bridge (3). A limit stop (18) is provided to retain the slide (4). Arcing chambers (7) formed by insulating second sidewalls (23) form part of the switching structure (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rudolf Kinzler, Ludwig Niebler
  • Patent number: 7372348
    Abstract: Disclosed is a MEMS device which comprises at least one shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy (SMA) layer and at least one stressed material layer. Examples of such MEMS devices include an actuator, a micropump, a microvalve, or a non-destructive fuse-type connection probe. The device exhibits a variety of improved properties, for example, large deformation ability and high energy density. Also provided is a method of easily fabricating the MEMS device in the form of a cantilever-type or diaphragm-type structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated
    Inventors: Baomin Xu, David Kirtland Fork, Michael Yu Tak Young, Eugene Michael Chow
  • Patent number: 7371980
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for lockout of toggle switches, such as those toggle switches that include a captivating switch head (e.g., an enlarged and/or offset switch head) disposed on a cylindrical-shaped switch arm of the toggle switch. In one example, the apparatus and methods may employ a securement housing configured to be secured to a toggle switch by capturing at least a portion of the switch arm of the toggle switch between a switch head and an adjacent surface in a manner that prevents movement of the switch arm from a first switch position (e.g., “off” position) to a second switch position (e.g., “on” position).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: L 3 Communication Integrated Systems LP
    Inventor: Christopher R. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7371982
    Abstract: A device, a Micro-Electrical-Mechanical-Switch (MEMS) safety and arming (S&A) device and a method of manufacturing the MEMS S&A. In one embodiment, the device includes a body and a MEMS shuttle movably coupled to the body. In this embodiment, the shuttle is configured to close a switch in response to being accelerated in two directions that are substantially orthogonal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis S. Greywall
  • Patent number: 7372354
    Abstract: A detector circuit to be used for measuring current and including a main current transformer and two substantially identical auxiliary current transformers, where magnetomotive forces are induced by a main current, said magnetomotive forces being counteracted by magnetomotive forces induced by a compensating current (i4) in a compensating winding (L4) across at least two annular cores (2, 3) at the same time as the two auxiliary current transformers are magnetized in antiphase by means of a modulation signal, said circuit further including a synchronous rectifier for providing an adjustment signal for the compensating current (i4). According to the invention, the compensating winding (L4) is formed by a so-called “pilgrim winding”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Danfysik A/S
    Inventor: Jan Raagaard Petersen
  • Patent number: 7372349
    Abstract: An apparatus includes an electrical device and a latching micromagnetic switch that controls energy flow through the electrical device. The latching micromagnetic switch includes a cantilever, a permanent magnet, and a coil configured to latch the latching micromagnetic switch in one of two positions each time energy passes through the coil. The electrical device and the latching micromagnetic switch can be integrated on a same substrate. Otherwise, the electrical device and the latching micromagnetic switch can be located on separate substrates and coupled together. The electrical device can be a circuit, a filter, an antenna, a transceiver, or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Charles Wheeler, Jun Shen, Meichun Ruan
  • Patent number: 7371986
    Abstract: A pushbutton provides an operator with a replaceable cam ring that converts the operating mode of the operator from push-pull to twist-to-release.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Elsa J. Varland, Darrell S. Filtz, Frank J. Graninger, Jie Ning
  • Patent number: 7369034
    Abstract: A chip variable resistor which is capable of keeping the resistance at an adjusted value and can be manufactured easily is provided. An insulating substrate is formed with a through-hole capable of receiving a driver, and the upper surface of the insulating substrate is formed with a resistor film surrounding the through-hole. A rotor in the form of a circular plate overlaps the resistor film via a spacer made of an insulating material. The rotor is pressed and held from the outside by a holder made of a metal plate. The spacer is partially cut away so that a contact portion of the rotor is exposed downward for coming into contact with the resistor film. Since the holder surrounds the rotor from the outside, the resilient force of the holder can strongly act on the rotor. Therefore, the resistance can be reliably kept at the adjusted value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Rohm Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeru Kambara
  • Patent number: 7369022
    Abstract: An auxiliary switch sub-assembly is provided for a telecommunication system circuit breaker including a housing having an opening, separable contacts inside the housing, and an operating mechanism operating the separable contacts between open and closed positions. The operating mechanism comprises an operating handle operable among a first position corresponding to the separable contacts being open and a second position corresponding to the separable contacts being closed. The operating handle has a first end protruding from the opening of the housing, and a second end. The auxiliary switch sub-assembly includes an auxiliary switch including an actuator, and a mount attaching the auxiliary switch to the operating mechanism of the circuit breaker within the housing thereof. The actuator is mechanically actuated by a portion of the second end of the operating handle. An electrical switching apparatus employing an auxiliary switch sub-assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Glen C. Sisson, Craig A. Rodgers
  • Patent number: 7368827
    Abstract: An electrical assembly for use in various operating environments such as a casing of a combustion turbine 10 is provided. The assembly may include an electrical energy-harvesting device 51 disposed in a component within the casing of the turbine to convert a form of energy present within the casing to electrical energy. The harvesting device is configured to generate sufficient electrical power for powering one or more electrical devices therein without assistance from an external power source. One example of electrical devices wholly powered by the energy harvesting device may be a sensor 50 connected for sensing a condition of the component within the casing during operation of the combustion turbine. Another example of electrical devices wholly powered by the energy harvesting device may be a transmitter in communication with the sensor for wirelessly transmitting the data signal outside the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Anand A. Kulkarni, Ramesh Subramanian
  • Patent number: 7369033
    Abstract: The rotating type variable resistor includes a housing; a rotating member disposed to be rotatable in the housing; a ring-shaped support member having a conductive pattern at one surface of the support member and disposed at any one side between the housing and the rotating member; and a sliding member disposed at the other side between the housing and the rotating member, and capable of sliding relative to the conductive pattern, wherein the conductive pattern is composed of a high resistor unit containing carbon and a low resistor unit having a specific resistance lower than that of the high resistor unit, and the high resistor unit and the low resistor unit are alternately and repeatedly formed along a direction where the conductive pattern and the sliding member slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenetsu Matsukawa, Hirofumi Kawano
  • Patent number: 7368679
    Abstract: A switching gas damper is for low voltage power switches, especially for low voltage power switches which can be inserted into low voltage switching installations. The switching gas damper is arranged above an arc extinguisher of the low voltage power switches and includes at least one inlet for switching gases and at least one outlet for damped deionised switching gases. The switching gas damper is provided with a carrier element which can be arranged directly adjacent to the arc extinguisher and can be fixed to a housing receiving the low voltage power switch. The carrier element forms at least one receiving chamber for a flow element creating a flow resistance for the switching gases, and the at least one receiving chamber can be closed by at least one closing element fixing the at least one flow element. The carrier element forms the at least one inlet and the at least one closing element forms the at least one outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Clifford A. Buxton, Thomas Leye, Stefan Losch
  • Patent number: 7368672
    Abstract: A push-on switch includes a movable contact which has a projecting segment permanently connected with an outer contact and which is accommodated in a recess of a switch enclosure. A sheet with a center through hole for the movable contact is placed on the switch enclosure. The push-on switch also includes a metal cover with a cover terminal. The metal cover is attached to the switch enclosure such that a pressing segment faces a disc segment of the movable contact corresponding to the position of the center through hole with a predetermined vertical gap between the pressing segment and the disc segment. When a very low and weak force is applied on the pressing segment, the pressing segment comes into contact with the disc segment to change the state of a first-stage switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasunori Yanai, Hisashi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7369023
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnet armatures which are used mainly in brake-pressure modulators of electronically controlled brake systems and which are provided on their entire surface with a plastic coating, for reasons of dimensional stability and sliding properties. Magnet armatures of this type are constructed as cylindrical members and are usually provided in the region of one of the two end faces with an elastomeric sealing element, which according to the prior art is bonded to the magnet armature by vulcanization, an adhesive elastomer-to-metal bond being formed between the magnet armature and the elastomeric sealing element during vulcanization. Since bonds of this type are not possible for a completely coated magnet armature, the elastomer for the elastomeric sealing element is, according to the invention, vulcanized onto the armature without using an adhesion promoter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: WABCO GmbH & Co., OHG
    Inventors: Dieter Frank, Siegfried Höfler, Armin Sieker
  • Patent number: 7365623
    Abstract: The present invention provides a permanent magnet, comprising a cylinder formed with a permanent magnetic material. The cylinder comprises along a radial direction, a magnetic core and a magnetic sheath that are coaxial. The magnetic core is assembled in the magnetic sheath. The magnetization direction of the magnetic core is axial direction, and the magnetization direction of the magnetic sheath changes step by step from a direction which is parallel to the magnetization direction of the magnetic core in one end to a direction which is orthogonal to the magnetization direction of the magnetic core in the other end, along the axial direction of the cylinder. Moreover, a magnetic device for use in MRI using the magnet and manufacturing methods for the permanent magnet and the magnetic device are also provided in the present invention. With the permanent magnet, magnetization strength in the working area generated by the magnetic device for use in MRI can amount to more than 0.5-0.6 T.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Beijing Taijie Yanyuan Medical Engineering Technical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pingchou Xia
  • Patent number: 7365631
    Abstract: The invention relates to an overheat detection sensor. The inventive sensor is characterised in that it comprises a conductive core which extends inside a first conductive sheath, said core and first sheath being separated by a material having a positive or negative temperature coefficient The detector also comprises a wire which is made from a material having a positive or negative temperature coefficient. Said wire extends around the first sheath and is separated from same by means of an insulating material. The central core, the first sheath and the wire are all connected to connection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Auxitrol S.A., Siemens SAS
    Inventors: Hervé Chaumeau, Bruno Lhuillier
  • Patent number: 7365277
    Abstract: A buffer assembly includes a housing adapted to sealingly connected to the pressure switch and defining therein a chamber and an airway defined in a bottom face of the housing to communicate with an interior of the housing so as to communicate with an inlet of the pressure switch. Pressure change inside the inflatable product is transmitted to the pressure switch only after the pressure change passes through the chamber of the housing via the airway and the inlet of the pressure switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Cheng-Chung Wang
  • Patent number: 7361857
    Abstract: An external operating handle mechanism for a mold cased circuit breaker comprising: an external operating handle; a pinion gear coupled to the external operating handle to be rotatable in response to a rotation of the external operating handle; a movable member provided with a rack gear portion coupled to the pinion gear to be linearly movable according to the rotation of the pinion gear, and provided with a handle connecting portion connected to the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker to linearly move the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker; and a guide member for guiding the movable member to linearly move, by which it is easy to control a stroke required for a displacement of the handle of the mold cased circuit breaker and the displacement of the external operating handle according to the stroke, and it is possible to accurately and efficiently transfer power upon performing a reset operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: LS Industrial Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeong-Woo Suh
  • Patent number: 7361858
    Abstract: A swing switch, which is disposed in a decorative panel having a surface and an opening, includes a switch body, and a panel-side guide. The switch body has an input element, a switch-side guide, and a swing center. The input element is disposed in the opening of the decorative panel. At least part of the switch-side guide is disposed on the rear side of the input element. The swing center is disposed substantially flush with the input element or the surface of the decorative panel. The switch body swings about the swing center. At least part of the panel-side guide is disposed on the rear side of the input element of the switch body. The switch-side guide of the switch body slides on the panel-side guide, thereby swinging the switch body. The switch-side guide and the panel-side guide support the switch body in a cantilevered manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Shibata, Hirohito Ikuta
  • Patent number: 7358453
    Abstract: On a switch cover attached to a switch body incorporating a switching mechanism and a regulating mechanism from above, an opening is provided to expose a part of an operation knob and to allow the operation knob to be swung. A through hole is provided on the switch body so as to vertically penetrate through the same in a position of the switch body in communication with the opening. Thus, fine sand that has entered through the opening can be discharged to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Koji Tsunoda