Patents Examined by Jacques Saint-Surin
  • Patent number: 7024917
    Abstract: An acoustic transducer is in contact with a near wall that has a much different acoustic impedance than a fluid. The transducer transmits an acoustic pulse into into the wall (such as a plate, a wall of a tube or a wall of a sample chamber) that is in contact with this fluid. As the acoustic pulse bounces back and forth within this “near wall”, each echo of this original pulse loses the same fraction of energy on each round trip so the echo energy decays exponentially. Knowing the acoustic impedance of the wall material and the reflection intensity at the transducer/wall interface (which is obtained when using air as the fluid), it is possible to calculate the acoustic impedance of an unknown fluid from the slope of a plot of the logarithm of echo energy versus echo number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Patent number: 6996481
    Abstract: General algorithms are developed for reconstructing the acoustic field generated by an arbitrary object subject to an arbitrarily time-dependent excitation. These algorithms enable one to visualize a time-domain acoustic pressure wave as it travels through three-dimensional space. Such a tool can be used to diagnose general noise sources and transmission since in engineering applications most structures are subject to arbitrarily time-dependent excitations. To facilitate the derivations of the temporal solutions, we make use of Laplace transform and expand the acoustic pressure in terms of the spherical Hankel functions and the spherical harmonics. The expansion coefficients are settled by solving an over-determined system of equations obtained by matching the assumed-form solutions to the measured acoustic pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Wayne State University
    Inventor: Sean F. Wu
  • Patent number: 6862934
    Abstract: A tuning fork gyroscope typically including at least one proof mass with an upper sense plate disposed above the proof mass and a lower sense plate disposed below the proof mass and means for sensing changes in the nominal gaps between the sense plate and the proof mass and for outputting a signal indicative of the gyroscope angular rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc S. Weinberg, Anthony S. Kourepenis, William D. Sawyer, Jeffrey T. Borenstein, James H. Connelly, Amy E. Duwel, Christopher M. Lento, James R. Cousens
  • Patent number: 6823735
    Abstract: In an acceleration sensor including a vibrator subject to a sliding vibration and a weight section connected to the vibrator and supported at a position different from the position of the center of gravity of an assembly of the vibrator and weight section, for detecting an angular moment about the support point, which is produced at the weight section by application of acceleration, as sliding vibration with the vibrator, the acceleration sensor includes a rectangular substrate having a plurality of electrodes electrically connected to the vibrator, a formation pattern of the plurality of electrodes is symmetrical about an axis parallel to at least one side of the substrate, and the plurality of electrodes have substantially equal thickness. Since the formation pattern of the electrodes on the substrate is symmetrical and the respective electrodes have substantially equal thickness, the vibrator that is bonded to this substrate does not incline and the detection sensitivity does not vary.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignees: Fujitsu Limited, Fujitsu Media Devices Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishikawa, Atsushi Machida
  • Patent number: 6799451
    Abstract: An ignition coil, spark plug, and pressure sensor for an internal combustion engine are, in a preferred embodiment, integrated into a single assembly and mounted directly on a plug hole of an internal combustion engine. A hard spark plug shell serves as a pressure member and on which a strain gage is affixed. Changes in the pressure in the combustion chamber deform the shell, causing a corresponding change in the resistance of the strain gage. A bridge circuit or the like is used to measure the resistance change thereby providing a direct indication of cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Robert A. Noel, James Tordt Wright, James Alva Boyer, Matthew W. Bell
  • Patent number: 6796177
    Abstract: A gyroscopic apparatus includes two gyro sensors having substantially the same structure. The two gyro sensors are arranged on first and second major surfaces, respectively, of a mounting base so that the gyro sensors have an approximately 180-degree rotation symmetry about a virtual rotation axis penetrating the mounting base substantially parallel thereto in the same direction as rotation detecting axes. The outputs of the two gyro sensors are added, and the sum is output. Thus, the output of the gyroscopic apparatus is much less susceptible to impact from a specific direction, and a high detection accuracy can be maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Mori
  • Patent number: 6796183
    Abstract: A method for compensating for a mechanical oscillation which has a frequency spectrum which can be approximately represented by a number of discrete frequency components, at a machine shaft via at least one actuator acting directly or indirectly upon the machine shaft. At least upon one of the discrete frequency components of the mechanical oscillation is superposed by the actuator, independently of the other frequency components, at least one substantially harmonic torque of the same frequency having a specific amplitude and phase in such a manner that the amplitude of the oscillation of the machine shaft at the this frequency is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventor: Matthias Noell
  • Patent number: 6763723
    Abstract: A sensor device for detecting vibration, including a laser light, a first optical fiber for transmitting the laser light, an oscillator to receive the transmitted laser light and reflect the light as a frequency modulated light; a second optical fiber to transmit the frequency modulated light; and a frequency modulated discriminator for receiving the frequency modulated light from the second optical fiber and producing a signal responsive of vibration of the oscillator. In a preferred embodiment, the frequency modulated discriminator further includes a frequency meter for determining the average number of cycles per unit time to provide a second signal responsive of the temperature of the oscillator. The optical fibers may be a pair of different fibers positioned for transmitting the laser light and the frequency modulated light respectively, or the same fiber positioned for transmitting both the laser light and the frequency modulated light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: J. David Zook, William R. Herb, David W. Burns
  • Patent number: 6745630
    Abstract: A method and device for detecting stenoses in a tubular line system during an extracorporeal hemotherapy. The tubular line system has an arterial branch going out from the patient and leading to a hemotherapeutic unit, and a venous branch going out from the hemotherapeutic unit and leading to the patient, where an oscillating pressure signal is generated in the tubular line system, and the oscillating pressure signal is measured. To detect stenoses, the frequency spectrum of the oscillating pressure signal is analyzed, in response to a change in the frequency spectrum. This method is based on the principle that, in response to the existence of a stenosis, the dynamic performance of the tubular line system changes, the higher frequency components of the pressure signal generated by the rollers of the blood pump, which propagates across the tubular line system, being attenuated due to the compliance of the line system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Fresenius Medical Care Deutschland
    Inventor: Malte Gross
  • Patent number: 6745626
    Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6742393
    Abstract: The object of this invention is to constitute a high-accuracy position control system even for a low-rigidity object to be controlled. To achieve this object, a vibration control apparatus includes a measurement device which measures the elastic vibration of an object to be controlled, a driving device which applies a force to the object, and a compensation device which determines a force to be generated by the driving device. The measurement device measures at least a position component out of the position, speed, and acceleration components of the elastic vibration. The compensation device controls the elastic vibration of the object on the basis of position information measured by the measurement device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ito
  • Patent number: 6739188
    Abstract: The invention relates to a test device for the ultrasonic testing of strand material, comprising a) a stationary container that defines a substantially cylindrical interior space that has a larger diameter than the strand material and that has a cylinder axis, and b) a device for producing a peripheral water jacket that is associated either with at least one nozzle for a water feed disposed substantially tangential to an inner surface of the interior space and leading to said interior space, and/or with a bucket wheel that rotates about the cylinder axis and that is provided with a drive unit, and c) at least one ultrasonic probe that is linked with the container and that has an active surface that is freely accessible from the cylindrical interior space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Agfa NDT GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhard Prause
  • Patent number: 6732587
    Abstract: Ultrasonic testing techniques may involve the measurement of ultrasonic waves from the tested part. These waves may reflect from surfaces of various layers within the part. Further, these waves may reflect from faults, defects, voids, fractures, and others. As such, the measured ultrasonic wave is a complex mix of these reflections. One method for detecting flaws, defects, and others may be to express the signal in terms of a set of basis functions. These functions may be summed to produce the measured signal. Further, basis functions may be chosen such that a select set of the basis functions characterize the fault and/or defect. In one exemplary embodiment, the coefficients associated with the basis function may be non-zero when a defect is present. As such, a defect may be detected quickly and automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Lorraine, Marc Dubois, Robert J. Filkins, Barbara Venchiarutti
  • Patent number: 6729186
    Abstract: A diagnostic vibration analyzing system and method for measuring and characterizing the torsional vibrations in a vehicle or a piece of industrial equipment (collectively a “vehicle”). An electronic control unit and sensor cooperate to measure speed fluctuations occurring between the passing of adjacent teeth of a rotating gear. These time measurements are the basis for displacement, velocity and acceleration calculations which, combined with driveshaft rotational order information, can be used to pinpoint the source of excessive driveline torsional vibrations. The use of multiple sensors can maximize per test the information available for analysis. The use of multiple sensors in a substantially simultaneous manner can isolate particular components in the tested vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Anthony Sirrine, Lon Charles Miller, Scott T. O'Neill, Frederick Earl James
  • Patent number: 6722197
    Abstract: A suspended, coupled micromachined structure including two proof masses and multiple support arms configured to suspend the masses above a substrate and a coupling spring element having two ends. Each end of the coupling spring element may be attached to a proof mass at a point between the proof masses. The frequency response characteristics of the proof masses may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Gary R. Knowles, Mark W. Weber
  • Patent number: 6722198
    Abstract: An external-force detecting sensor includes a sensor unit for commonly detecting angular velocity and acceleration; an angular-velocity/acceleration mix signal outputting unit for outputting an angular-velocity/acceleration mix signal comprised of an angular-velocity component in accordance with the magnitude of angular velocity and an acceleration component in accordance with the magnitude of acceleration that are detected by the sensor unit; and a signal separating unit for separating and extracting the angular-velocity component and the acceleration component from the angular velocity/acceleration mix signal to output as an angular-velocity signal and an acceleration signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Konaka
  • Patent number: 6722201
    Abstract: This invention relates to a device for determining vibration characteristics of vibrated, supported, generally round, substantially ellipsoid articles, such as eggs, comprising: an elastic hammer with handle and head, for tapping and thereby acoustically vibrating such article, a handle drive element for reciprocating the hammer generally in a plane around an axis in the handle, a microphone arranged immediately adjacent to and directed to the article, for picking up acoustic vibrations generated by the article, and a signal processing means for processing the signals picked up by the microphone for determining vibration characteristics of the article, characterized in that the handle adjacent the axis consists of an arm portion to be driven which is connected, through a hinge element, with a handle end having at the extremity thereof a mount having therein a ball as a head, while at least the hinge element and the handle end form a hammer rod in one piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: FPS Food Processing Systems B.V.
    Inventors: Josse De Baerdemaeker, Peter Coucke, Gerrit Hout, Bart De Ketelaere, Adrianus van Pinxteren, Willem van Veldhuisen
  • Patent number: 6718824
    Abstract: A semiconductor dynamic quantity sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor is formed on a SOI substrate having an activation layer and a supporting layer with an oxide film interposed therebetween. A structure for the sensor is formed in the activation layer. An opening is formed in the supporting layer and the oxide film to expose the structure. In this sensor, stress layer is formed in the activation layer at a side contacting the oxide film. The stress layer is removed at a region facing the opening to prevent the structure from cambering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Kazushi Asami, Tsuyoshi Fukada, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6711952
    Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the condition of a bearing mounted on a rotating shaft, particularly one present in an aircraft gas turbine engine, where the vibration sensor that monitors the bearing is remote therefrom but proximate to the rotating shaft. The vibration sensor obtains a broadband signal having frequencies that include the bearing defect peak of the monitored bearing. The broadband signal is analyzed to identify the presence of the bearing defect peak. If the bearing defect peak is present, the amplitude of this peak is quantified to determine whether degradation of the monitored bearing has at least reached a threshold criteria previously established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Kevin Richard Leamy, Thomas Ulmont Watson, William Joseph Simpson, William Joseph Myers, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6711954
    Abstract: A system for identifying ultrasonic displacements in a material under test utilizing a time-varying output pulse of a first laser beam. The system includes a seed laser light source for providing a laser beam, a modulating assembly in the path of propagation of the laser beam for time-varying of the laser beam, at least one optical isolation assembly placed in the path of propagation of the laser beam for preventing reflected laser light feedback into the seed laser light source, and at least one laser light amplification assembly placed in the path of propagation of the laser beam for amplifying the laser beam which passes the amplified time-varying output pulse of the laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas E. Drake, Jr.