Patents Examined by Jay L. Politzer
  • Patent number: 6481264
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting the presence of gas and methods for use. The sensor has a low sensitivity to relative humidity and high sensitivity to the presence of gases such as carbon monoxide. The sensor is comprised of ternary oxides of the formula Cr2−x(M1zM21−z)xO3 with M1=Fe or Mn, M2=Fe, Mn, or Al, 0.005≦x≦1.95, 0.005≦z≦0.995; ternary oxides of the formula Cr2−x(M1zM21−z)xO3 with M1=Fe or Mn, M2=Ti, 0.005≦x≦1.95, 0.005≦z≦0.45; or quaternary and quinternary oxides of the formula Cr2−x((M1aM2bM3c)zM41−z)xO3 with M1=Fe, M2=Mn, M3=Al, and M4=Ti, 0≦a,b,c≦1, 0.005≦x≦1.95, and 0.005≦z≦0.45.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Capteur Sensors and Analysers Limited
    Inventor: David Edward Williams
  • Patent number: 6477886
    Abstract: An apparatus (1) for measuring the amount of air entrained in the fluid of a power steering pump. The apparatus includes a fluid conduit (3) having a connector (4) adapted to connect to a power steering pump (2) with the fluid conduit (3) in fluid communication with the internal fluid cavity (5) of the power steering pump (2). A pressure gauge (6) is operatively connected to the fluid conduit (3) for determining the pressure in the power steering pump (2), and a meter (7) is operatively connected to the fluid conduit (3) for measuring the rate at which mass is removed from the power steering pump (2). The apparatus further includes a vacuum pump (8) operatively connected with the fluid conduit (3) for drawing air out of the power steering pump (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Alex David Colvin, Kenneth Miller Junkins
  • Patent number: 6477888
    Abstract: A moisture permeability method comprising the steps of measuring the weight of a specimen in constant temperature and humidity room without taking out the specimen from the constant temperature and humidity room to the atmosphere and without being affected by vibration and objectively evaluating the results of the weight measurement by detecting the state of the water vapor permeating a sample and the temperature of stored water; a moisture permeability measuring device, wherein a precision electronic scale (7) is installed on a damoing stand (6) set in the constant temperature and humidity room (P), the weight of the specimen (T) in which the sample (2) is installed on a measuring cup (1) containing water (W) is measured by the precision electronic scale and the measured results are converted into a moisture permeability, the measuring cup (1) comprising a cup main body (10) and a retaining ring (11), thermocouples (40) immersed in water being installed through the peripheral wall part of the cup main body,
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Inventor: Kunitaka Mizobe
  • Patent number: 6474136
    Abstract: There are provided a method and an apparatus capable of accurately analyzing impurity component having high adsorptivity or reactivity in a short time. Prior to starting measurement, predetermined amount of sample gas is introduced into analyzing system in plural times with predetermined time interval and then, analysis of impurities is started.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Akira Nishina, Makoto Tanaka, Tetsuya Satou
  • Patent number: 6474151
    Abstract: The present invention relates to analysis tools for analyzing the ground 1, from a surface 2 thereof, by means of a sonde 3 having a given analysis lobe 4 and a resolution time T. The tool of the invention is essentially characterized by the fact that it comprises a drive head 10 driven to move in continuous translation at a speed V relative to the surface 2 and along a direction 11 parallel to the surface 2, a skid 12, means 13 for associating the sonde 3 and the skid 12 so that the sonde can analyze the rocks contained in its lobe 4, and means 14 for coupling together the drive head 10 and the skid 12 so that the two elements can be displaced relative to each other along the direction 11 over a distance D. The tool of the invention finds a particularly advantageous application in analyzing oil-bearing rocks surrounding the wall 30 of an oil well 31, in order to determine both the distribution of the porosity of the rocks, and their associated permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Martin, Robert Dovis, Jean-Michel Fedele
  • Patent number: 6453730
    Abstract: A Stylus 1 is moved along the surface of a workpiece 20 and the surface texture of the workpiece 20 is measured based on the displacement of the stylus 1 in the Z direction. A spherical reference gage of known radius is measured with the stylus 1 in advance and radius values r of the tip sphere of the stylus 1 are calculated according to angle by subtracting the radius R of the reference gage from the measured values. The actual contour of workpiece 20 is calculated by using the radius values r as the correction data according to angle and subtracting the correction values according to angle and subtracting the correction values according to angle from the measured data obtained by movement along the surface of workpiece 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Mitutoyo Corporation
    Inventor: Isamu Takemura
  • Patent number: 6450010
    Abstract: For determining the adequate perviousness of venting tube nipples (4) on fuel tanks (3) made of plastics material a test duct (12) is connected to the nipple (4) and air drawn into the test duct (12) from the tank (3). From measuring, the partial vacuum of e.g. approx. 5 mbar or the volume flow rate in the test duct (12) it can be determined whether the nipple (4) and its joint (9) to the tank (3) are sufficiently permeable. This test is very precise and silent and needs only little consumption of compressed air. Thereby the load on the sealing seat (14) between test duct (12) and nipple (4) is only slight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: bielomatik Leuze GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Joern Korte
  • Patent number: 6446487
    Abstract: Method for measuring and/or regulating a quantity of heat contained in a fuel gas, the calorific value of the fuel gas being used as an input parameter, in which method a) the fuel gas or a part-stream of the fuel gas is guided through a volumetric meter or a mass flow meter, and the volumetric flow rate or the mass flow rate is measured, b) the speed of sound of the gas is determined under first reference conditions, c) one of the measurement variables dielectric constant, speed of sound under second reference conditions, carbon dioxide content of the fuel gas, nitrogen content of the fuel gas or density under standardized conditions is recorded; and d) the quantity of heat supplied is derived from these parameters, together with the calorific value of the fuel gas, as a measurement variable or control variable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignees: N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie, Ruhrgas Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Petrus J. M. M. Van Wesenbeeck, Manfred Jaeschke, Johannes A. Schouten
  • Patent number: 6442997
    Abstract: In a surface acoustic wave sensor mounted within a body, the sensor having a surface acoustic wave array detector and a micro-fabricated sample preconcentrator exposed on a surface of the body, an apparatus for collecting air for the sensor, comprising a housing operatively arranged to mount atop the body, the housing including a multi-stage channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel having a first stage having a first height and width proximate the inlet, a second stage having a second lower height and width proximate the micro-fabricated sample preconcentrator, a third stage having a still lower third height and width proximate the surface acoustic wave array detector, and a fourth stage having a fourth height and width proximate the outlet, where the fourth height and width are substantially the same as the first height and width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford A. Megerle, Douglas R. Adkins, Gregory C. Frye-Mason
  • Patent number: 6443001
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an extraction, analysis and measuring method and system intended for constituents carried along by a well fluid during drilling operations. The system comprises in combination: draw-off means (4) for taking a volume of the fluid, extraction means (3) for extracting in vapour form the constituents contained in the fluid, comprising a space placed under underpressure, a transport line (14), sampling means (27) comprising a sampling loop allowing to take a determined amount of the vapors circulating in the line, distribution means (40) that inject the amount into analysis and measuring means (31), control means (33) for controlling the temperature of the sampling means so as to prevent condensation of said amount of vapors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Gilbert Duriez, Jean-Paul LeCann, Jérôme Breviere, Jean-Charles de Hemptinne
  • Patent number: 6435012
    Abstract: An improved method for measuring the chromatographic properties, such as excluded volume, of hydrophobic polymer substrates is disclosed. Use of 0.05-1 micron sized crosslinked ionically-charged polymer particles, especially emulsion-form or ground polymer particles, as a large-molecule probe, allows environmentally friendly aqueous-based solvent systems to be used as mobile phases to characterize hydrophobic polymer supports for use in analytical or preparative scale chromatographic applications. This method eliminates the use of non-polar organic solvents that is required when conventional non-polar large-molecule probes (such as polystyrene) are used to characterize chromatographic media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Rohm and Haas Company
    Inventor: John Joseph Maikner
  • Patent number: 6435013
    Abstract: A ferromagnetic particle sensor includes a housing having a first electromagnet and a second electromagnet attached to the interior surface thereof. A mass sensitive surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor is disposed between the electromagnets. The sensor is submerged in lubricating fluid and as the electromagnets are energized they produce magnetic forces that draw fluid-borne ferromagnetic particles past the SAW sensor. The SAW sensor is used measure the mass of the ferromagnetic particles and determine when the volume of particles in the lubricating fluid increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Guadalupe Rodriguez, Warren Baxter Nicholson
  • Patent number: 6435021
    Abstract: Process for measuring the effects on the mechanical proper-ties of shales due to interaction with drilling fluids, which comprises: (a) preparation of a shale sample; (b) measurement of the transmission velocity of ultrasonic waves through the sample (a), (c) preparation of a mixture of water-or oil-based drilling fluid and the sample (a); (d) removal of the shale sample (a) from the mixture (c) and measurement of the ultrasonic wave transmission velocity; (e) comparison between the measurements of step (d) and those of step (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignees: ENI S.p.A., Enitecnologie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Alberto Marsala, Lucilla Del Gaudio, Stefano Carminati
  • Patent number: 6427522
    Abstract: A temperature programmed module for use in a gas chromatograph. The module has micropacked column and inner and outer jacket tubes. The inner jacket tube surrounds the column to provide a space between the that tube and the column. The outer jacket tube surrounds the inner jacket tube to provide a space between the two jacket tubes. Air which has a controlled temperature flows only in the space between the two jacket tubes when it is desired to heat the column. Air flows in both spaces when it is not desired to heat the column. The temperature of the air is controlled. The module along with the sample injection valve and flame ionization detector are in an enclosure that is not temperature controlled. The air that flows in both spaces also flows in the enclosure to keep the heat from the valve and the flame ionization detector from heating the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: ABB Automation Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Thomas, Ronnie D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 6427544
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for inspecting a part to detect defects in the part. The process comprises the steps of placing a part to be inspected in an immersion tank, introducing a mixture of a penetrant dye and a supercritical carbon dioxide solvent into the immersion tank, maintaining the part immersed in the mixture for a time sufficient for the penetrant dye to penetrate any defects in the part, removing the part from the immersion tank, and inspecting the part for the presence of any defects. A system for carrying out the process is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Stuart A. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6427526
    Abstract: To economically perform preparatory chromatography, a plurality of pumps each having a corresponding one of a plurality of pistons and a corresponding one of a plurality of cylinders are driven by one motor to draw and pump solvent simultaneously into corresponding columns. To form a gradient the pumps are connected to two-way valves that are connected alternately to a first solvent and a second solvent, whereby the time said valve is in a first position controls the amount of solvent drawn from said first reservoir into said pumps and the amount of time in said second position controls the amount of said second solvent drawn into said pumps and the solvent is mixed in the pumping systems. The detectors are photodiodes mounted to light guides in the flow cells that generate signals related to light absorbance and communicate with a controller, whereby said controller receives signals indicating solute between the light guides and causes collection of solute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Isco, Inc.
    Inventors: Dale A. Davison, Scott L. Blakley
  • Patent number: 6422067
    Abstract: Slurry useful for wire-saw slicing has viscosity adjusted to 400-700 mPa·second at a shear speed of 2/second and of 50-300 mPa·second at a shear speed of 380/second. The viscosity of slurry is measured using a cone and plate type viscometer which can measure viscosity at different shear speeds. Since the slurry sufficiently flows into inner parts of grooves formed in an ingot and consumed for wire-saw slicing due to the viscosity controlled in response to the shear speed, the ingot can be efficiently sliced to wafers or discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignees: Super Silicon Crystal Research Institute Corporation, Ohtomo Chemical Industrial Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oishi, Keiichiro Asakawa, Junichi Matsuzaki, Akio Ashida
  • Patent number: 6422059
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the detection of changes in concentrations or amounts of components of a fluid mixture by measuring changes in an electrical or a mechanical property of a sensing element when the sensing element is exposed to the fluid mixture. The preferred property of the sensing element to be measured is its electrical resistance which changes when the sensing element adsorbs at least one component of the fluid mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Calgon Carbon Corporation
    Inventors: Micahel Greenbank, David T. Doughty, Mark Allen Bollinger
  • Patent number: 6422073
    Abstract: A device for use in an anaesthetic administration apparatus for identifying at least one liquid anaesthetic in the anaesthetic apparatus has a measuring unit for determining at least one parameter related to the refractive index of the liquid anaesthetic, a unit for determining the temperature of the liquid anaesthetic and an analysis unit for identifying the anaesthetic from the determined parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Elema AB
    Inventors: Erik Krahbichler, Tom Pessala
  • Patent number: 6418777
    Abstract: A gas sensor 1 includes an outer cylinder 18, a metallic shell 3, and a sensor element 2. The metallic shell 3 is disposed inside the outer cylinder 18. The sensor element 2 is disposed in a through-hole 30 formed in the metallic shell 3 and is adapted to detect a component of a gas to be measured. A sealing material layer 32 is mainly made of glass and is disposed between the outer surface of the sensor element 2 and the inner surface of the metallic shell 3 or between the outer surface of the sensor element 2 and the inner surface of an insulator 4 disposed between the metallic shell 3 and the sensor element 2. Cushion layer 33 and 34 are each made of a porous inorganic substance. At least either the cushion layer 33 or 34 is disposed so as to abut one end of the sealing material layer 32.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Noda, Kazuo Taguchi, Hisaharu Nishio, Katsuhisa Yabuta