Patents Examined by Elvin Enad
  • Patent number: 7345559
    Abstract: A vertically-aligned open MRI magnet system includes first and second (i.e., top and bottom) assemblies each having a longitudinally-extending and vertically-aligned axis, a superconductive main coil, and a vacuum enclosure enclosing the main coil. At least one support beam has a first end attached to the first assembly and has a second end attached to the second assembly. A vibration isolation system supports the magnet system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yu Wang, Evangelos Trifon Laskaris, Richard Andrew Ranze
  • Patent number: 7345250
    Abstract: A keyboard assembly (20) has a light guide (23, 31, 33) and a supporting structure (23, 33) arranged to provide an illuminated and integrated keyboard assembly (20). A light guide (23, 31, 33) provides an integrated supporting, protecting and illuminating structure for keyboard assemblies (20). The keyboard assembly (20) has a layer of rigid material (31) which separates the elastic layer (21) from the printed wired board (9) located under the rigid layer (31). The layers are bonded together. The protection rib (33) is part of the combination of the elastic layer (21) and rigid layer (31) which is supported against the printed wired board (9) by the rigid layer (31). The combined structure of the light guide and supporting frame forms an integrated structure (23, 31, 33) which illuminates an array of keys (22), supports the keyboard assembly (20) and protects the keys (22) and key tops 25 from mechanical stress.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Hakunti, Mikko Laitinen
  • Patent number: 7345561
    Abstract: The invention relates to an air-cooled frequency converter, especially for construction site equipment, such as internal and external vibrators which are operated at a higher frequency than the existing electricity supply, said frequency converter comprising a housing and preferably being connected to a separation transformer for producing a protective extra-low voltage. Said housing is divided into two sections, that is into a converter receiving element surrounding a plate chamber, and a housing section connected to said receiving element and used as a cooling region, inside which cooling air channels and a fan for conveying the cooling air through the cooling air channels are arranged. The configuration of the housing in the cooling region and optionally the embodiment of a transformer chamber are created by annular profiled elements which are cross-cut as desired, surround each other in an interspaced manner, and are coaxially arranged in relation to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Wacker Construction Equipment AG
    Inventors: Matthias Meyer, Christian Glanz
  • Patent number: 7345253
    Abstract: Key structures are provided. A key structure includes a key cover, a substrate, a slider movable with respect to the substrate, a first rod, a second rod and a resilient member. The first rod pivotally connects the key cover and a first guiding portion of the substrate. The second rod pivotally connects the key cover and a second guiding portion of the substrate. The resilient member connects the substrate and the first rod, and exerts a lateral force on the first rod. When the key structure is in a normal state, a first contact portion of the slider contacts and restricts the second rod. When the key structure is switched from the normal state to a depressed state, a second contact portion of the slider impels the second rod outward of the key structure, such that the key cover descends toward the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Darfon Electronics Corp.
    Inventor: Chien-Shih Hsu
  • Patent number: 7345252
    Abstract: A base head member has a cam body receiving portion in a center portion thereof, bridge portions are provided in both sides of the cam body receiving portion, a shaft bearing portion is provided in both the bridge portions, and the cam body is held in the base head member by receiving the cam body in the cam body receiving portion and bearing a cam shaft to the shaft bearing portion, and a contact portion is formed in right and left sides of a front face (a direction of pulling out an operation key) in a lower portion (a base portion) of a base main body, whereby the structure is made such as to receive a load applied to the cam shaft by a case from the contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Omron Corporation
    Inventors: Hidemitsu Takenaka, Syunkichi Sasaki, Tetsuya Fukumoto, Mamoru Ito
  • Patent number: 7342474
    Abstract: A circuit breaker configured to be remotely operated is disclosed. The circuit breaker includes a set of main contacts configured to connect between an electrical source and an electrical load, an operating mechanism in operable communication to open and close the main contacts, and a remotely operable drive system configured to open and close the main contacts separate from actuation of the operating mechanism. The drive system includes a motor responsive to first and second control signals, a primary drive responsive to the motor, and an opening spring responsive to the primary drive, the main contacts being responsive to the opening spring. In response to the first control signal, the primary drive moves to charge the opening spring, and in response to the second control signal and the main contacts being closed, the primary drive moves to allow the opening spring to discharge thereby resulting in the main contacts opening independent of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Roger Castonguay, Joseph G. Nagy, Narayansamy Soundararajan, Dennis Zuffelato, Craig Benjamin Williams, Heather Pugliese
  • Patent number: 7342187
    Abstract: A rotating input selection device is equipped with a rotating input unit, a case member rotatably supporting the rotating input unit, a circuit substrate opposing the rotating input unit, and a contact connection structures formed from a fixed contact point and a movable contact point. A rubber sheet, interposed between the rotating input unit and the circuit substrate, includes a tilting pressure section supported on the rotating substrate by way of a tilting support section, so that a tilting motion is possible. The contact point connection structures are disposed so that they are separated from each other and are aligned with the ends of the tilting pressure section on the circuit substrate. Rotation of the rotating input unit causes the tilting pressure section to tilt in the direction of rotation, resulting in the tilting pressure section pushing the movable contacts toward the fixed contact points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: SMK Corporation
    Inventor: Mitsuaru Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 7342193
    Abstract: An electronic apparatus with an electrostatic discharging structure is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a key cap, a switch component, a discharging conductor, a grounding point and a circuit board. The switch component is mounted on the circuit board. The key cap is installed on the switch component. The grounding point is used to make contact with the ground of the electronic apparatus and is formed on the circuit board. The discharging conductor extends from a side of the key cap. When the key cap is pressed by a user, a part of the discharging conductor approaches or makes contact with the grounding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: ASUSTeK Computer Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Chang, Yu-Feng Huang
  • Patent number: 7342477
    Abstract: An inductor comprising one or more windings disposed on opposed first and second surfaces of a flat-plate substrate. The windings are applied to the substrate by plating or photoresistive deposition techniques, with through-holes through the plate accommodating the windings from opposed surfaces. Windings of more than one layer are obtainable with insulation between adjacent layers. The resulting inductor is usable, for example, as a component of an EMI filter in a power converter circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Randy L. Brandt, H. Bruce Turner
  • Patent number: 7342189
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuating device (1) for an electrical switch device comprising a body (10) upon which is mounted a hand lever (2) that rotates about a main axis (A), cooperating with a transmission shaft (3) able to control the opening or the closing of electrical contacts of the electrical switch device and elastic linking means between the hand lever (2) and the transmission shaft (3). The device also comprises means (7) for locking the rotation of the hand lever (2) with respect to the body (10), used when an angular divergence between the hand lever (2) and the transmission shaft (3) exceeds a specified threshold. The purpose of the invention is to limit the damage to the hand lever and to the electrical device when an operator attempts to return the hand lever (2) to its “Off” position whilst the contacts are welded and to prevent the beginning of electrical arcing if the operator should succeed in unsticking the contacts when rotating the hand lever 2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Lionel Bravard, Yew Keong Clarence Chan, Wai Luen Eugene Cheong, Kok Kiong Low, Jean-Marie Periot
  • Patent number: 7342472
    Abstract: A deformable suspension bridge is attached to a substrate by two legs arranged in such a manner as to transversally subdivide the bridge into a medial segment arranged between the legs and into two outwardly projecting peripheral segments. Peripheral actuators and medial actuators enable the peripheral segments and the medial segment to be respectively and independently deformed perpendicularly to the substrate. As a result, an electrical contact between a first conductive element formed on the substrate, while being situated between the bridge and substrate, and a second conductive element, which is integrally secured to the underside of the bridge, can be made or broken, the switch whereby taking two mechanically stable positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Commissariat a l'Energie Atomique
    Inventor: Pierre-Louis Charvet
  • Patent number: 7342186
    Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a housing, a circuit board, a rotary knob, a rotary actuated potentiometer and a rotation assembly. The housing has a front face. The circuit board is located in the housing, with the circuit board having a front and a rear. The rotary knob extends from the front face of the housing, with the rotary knob being located in front of the circuit board. The rotary actuated potentiometer is connected to the rear of the circuit board. The rotation assembly mechanically transfers a rotation force of the rotary knob to the rotary actuated potentiometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Juan J. Montalvo, Cristian D. Delamora
  • Patent number: 7342473
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are disclosed for magnetically-actuated relays/switches that suppress cantilever and/or hinge deformation. A permanent magnet produces a first magnetic field. A movable element is held between a pair of axially-aligned, rotationally flexible hinges. A space is present between the permanent magnet and the movable element. The space allows at least one end portion of the movable element to move toward the permanent magnet. A bar member is positioned in the space. A coil produces a second magnetic field to switch the moveable element between first and second stable states. At least the central portion of the movable element is magnetically attracted toward the permanent magnet. The bar member physically prevents the central portion of the movable element from flexing toward the permanent magnet due to the magnetic attraction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS
    Inventors: Junho Joung, Jun Shen, Cheng Ping Wei
  • Patent number: 7342191
    Abstract: A button assembly includes a panel (10), an indicating lamp (30) and a button member (20). The panel defines a through hole (15) with supporting collar. The button member defines a securing hole (28) corresponding to the through hole. The securing hole is aligned with the through hole with the supporting collar connecting therethrough, and the indicating lamp is positioned in the through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chieh Yang, Chen-Lu Fan, Li-Ping Chen
  • Patent number: 7339132
    Abstract: A puffer type gas circuit breaker has a piston, which is connected with a center shaft via a link mechanism. At an initial stage of an interruption operation, the link mechanism drives a puffer cylinder and the piston both in an interruption direction while maintaining an almost constant distance therebetween. Even when a pressure rise occurs in a compression chamber by the heat of an arc generated in accordance with opening between a fixed arc contact and a movable arc contact, the pressure rise does not become an operation counterforce to an operator. At a final stage of the interruption operation where the fixed arc contact is removed from a throat of an insulating nozzle, the link mechanism drives the piston in an almost stopped status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Japan AE Power Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Urai, Youichi Ohshita, Makoto Koizumi, Naoki Osawa, Hiroaki Hashimoto, Junzo Kida
  • Patent number: 7339130
    Abstract: A composite switch is provided to output corresponding default signals through two different operation actions. The composite switch includes a housing, a pressing member, a sensor, a first pin, an electrical connection portion, and a metal spring leaf. The sensor is disposed in an accommodation portion of the pressing member to sense external changes and output a first signal through the first pin. The metal spring leaf selectively electrically contacts the electrical connection portion through pressing the pressing member and outputs a second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Altek Corporation
    Inventor: Chin-Hsing Ho
  • Patent number: 7339455
    Abstract: A platinum temperature sensor incorporating an evaporation-suppressing layer containing platinum in the vicinity of the platinum thin-film resistor of the sensor. The evaporation-suppressing layer is preferably positioned between the platinum resistor and a porous layer that is formed close to the platinum resistor and in contact with the evaporation-suppressing layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Fujita, Masatoshi Ueki, Hitoshi Yokoi
  • Patent number: 7335843
    Abstract: Embodiments of a peripheral backlighting system for keyboards are shown and described, which include one or more light-emitting panels exterior to the keyswitches of the keyboard. The panels are preferably electroluminescent material or light-emitting chemical cells and surround at least two sides, and preferably all sides, of the actuation portion of a keyswitch or the space in which the actuation portion slides up and down during use. Alternatively, the panel(s) may extend substantially continuously between and underneath a plurality of keyswitches. The panels extend closely adjacent to the actuation portion or actuation path, or under the keyswitch, to be as far under the key cap as possible without extending into the keyswitch. Preferably, the keyswitch is translucent or partially translucent, and the housing plate over the light-radiant panels, if any, is at least partially translucent or transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: FireFly International, Inc.
    Inventors: Sam E. J. Chan, King Sum Chu, W. Edward Church, Randall Krafft, W. Steve Rector, Will R. Harwood
  • Patent number: 7335841
    Abstract: A timepiece button structure has a base having a first cavity, a first button member, a second button member having a second cavity part, first and second urging members, and first and second movement-limiting members. The second button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the first cavity part with the second urging member urging the second button member in the direction protruding from the first cavity part and the second movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction. The first button member is disposed to protrude from and recede into the second cavity part with the first urging member urging the first button member in the direction protruding from the second cavity part and the first movement-limiting member limiting movement in the protrusion direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Noriaki Ozawa, Kimikazu Kawahara
  • Patent number: 7335840
    Abstract: This invention is an installation of a safety apparatus to prevent safety problems of machine tools caused in work-loading process. The safety apparatus comprises an actuator, used for connecting circuits of the machine tool to control its power on-off status, and a storing unit to ensure the chuck wrench resting at a designated safe position. This safety system will activate the actuator when the chuck wrench is returned to the designated position and, therefore, it will keep the circuits of the machine tool stay active during the machining operation. On the other hand, this safety apparatus will remain in power-off status if the chuck wrench is not placed at the designated position and, therefore, it will make the power circuits open and paralyze the machine tool operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Hong-Tsu Young, Ching-Chang Liao, Ming-Shiue Jiang