Patents Examined by Jay L. Politzer
  • Patent number: 6354137
    Abstract: A reusable small-scale explosive testing apparatus has a structural member with a curved internal chamber, a head piece that inserts into the chamber, a cap to hold the head piece, a pressure-time gage, water to fill the chamber and a pressure release mechanism. The apparatus is used to test small amounts of explosive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Raafat H. Guirguis, Harold W. Sandusky, George P. Chambers
  • Patent number: 6351987
    Abstract: A DC pressure and temperature sensor system for sensing and measuring the DC pressure and temperature of a production fluid (such as oil, gas and water mixtures) in tubing, such as tubing used to extract production fluid from a drilled site. The sensor system includes at least one fluid sensor, but sometimes two. Only one is needed if either the DC pressure or temperature of the production fluid (but not both) is provided by an independent measurement. In general, though, the sensor system includes: a first and second fluid sensor, the first using a first sensing material, and the second using a second sensing material in which sound travels at a rate that depends on the DC pressure and temperature of the second sensing material in a measurably different way than for the first sensing material. Each sensing material is coupled to the production fluid, preferably via a thin-walled membrane, so as to be at a DC pressure and temperature that is, preferably, the same as for the production fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Charles R. Winston, Daniel L. Gysling, Mark R. Myers, Alan D. Kersey, Rebecca S. McGuinn
  • Patent number: 6351986
    Abstract: This invention concerns a method of measuring parameters of fresh and waste water, where the time change or the first derivative of the measured values is determined from the measured values of at least two successive measurements, considering the time interval between the measurements. The pause interval until the next measurement is then determined, depending on that value for the time change or first derivative.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: WTW Wissenschaftlich-technische Werkstaetten GmbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Schwab
  • Patent number: 6349595
    Abstract: A method for selecting a drilling parameter is disclosed. The method includes determining a loading displacement relationship for samples of earth formations. The loading displacement measurements are made by an indenter. The drilling parameter is selected from the loading displacement relationship. In one embodiment of the invention, the loading displacement relationship is determined from cuttings made during drilling of a wellbore. The loading displacement relationship determined during drilling is used to select at least one drilling parameter during drilling to improve drilling performance. Drilling parameters which can be selected include mill tooth and/or insert bit type; type of gauge protection to be used on the bit; type, size and orientation of jet nozzles on the bit; and blade structure, cutter type and density as well as the cutter impact resistance for fixed cutter bits. Other drilling parameters include weight on bit, drill bit rotation rate, and drilling fluid flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Smith International, Inc.
    Inventors: Lorenzo Civolani, Fabrizio Zausa
  • Patent number: 6347546
    Abstract: A method is described of non-destructive testing an evacuated package for the presence of a leak, said evacuated package comprising a sealed filled evacuated bag (1) containing a predetermined quantity of a comminuted product, which comprises: causing a surface (2) of a sealed filled evacuated bag (1) under test to impact under controlled conditions with a supported piezo electric device (7), and measuring a resultant transient electrical test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Kraft Foods, Inc.
    Inventor: Martin Christopher Rule
  • Patent number: 6339954
    Abstract: In a method of analyzing a concentration of a target substance contained in a fluid using a quartz oscillator having a surface covered with a layer capable of absorbing the target substance, the temperature of the fluid and the quartz oscillator is controlled at substantially the same predetermined temperature selected according to the concentration of the target substance in said fluid, so that the analysis can be made with optimum sensitivity. A device for analyzing a concentration of a target substance contained in a fluid, includes a contacting chamber accommodating a quartz oscillator, a temperature controller, disposed in a feed passage for feeding the fluid into said contacting chamber, for adjusting a temperature of the fluid at a desired predetermined temperature; and a detector of a frequency of the quartz oscillator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Secretary of Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Ryuichi Naganawa, Kazutoshi Noda, Hiroaki Tao, Mamoru Tominaga
  • Patent number: 6340359
    Abstract: A process of reversibly increasing a compression pressure on a compromised diaphragm, which comprises the steps of compromising the diaphragm to enhance its penetrability; then applying pressure to a receptacle which encircles the diaphragm, to seal the diaphragm; then releasing the pressure; and then permitting an insertion member to permeate the diaphragm in its compromised region for fluidic communication after relief of the pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Inventor: David G. Silverman
  • Patent number: 6339952
    Abstract: A hot fill apparatus for use in the testing of hollow thermoplastic containers, the apparatus having a reverse osmosis filter system, a heater system and a fill head system. The reverse osmosis filter system removes chlorine and other particulates and contaminants from the water prior to the water entering the heater system. The heater system is designed to maintain strict temperature control of the water while maintaining a steady flow rate and pressure. The fill head system includes a manually operated spigot and an automatically operated fill head, the operations of which are mutually exclusive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Teadt, Rising, Burton & Associates, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Terry C. Potter, Andrew E. Potter, Peter J. Hatas
  • Patent number: 6338268
    Abstract: A leak detection system and method for fluid operated device includes a backloaded fluidic oscillator having an interaction chamber, a power nozzle at its upstream end coupled to a source of fluid under pressure and an exit throat at its downstream end. The interaction chamber first diverges from the power nozzle and then converges towards the exit throat. A pair of outlet passages are connected to the exit throat; one of the outlet passages is connected to the fluid operated device and the other of the outlet passages is connected to a fixed volume and a vent whereby the backloaded fluidic oscillator oscillates at a rate which is a function of the leakage of the fluid operated device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Bowles Fluidics Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald D. Stouffer
  • Patent number: 6336356
    Abstract: The invention relates to a leak detector comprising a primary pump unit, a secondary pump unit having at least one secondary pump, a gas analyzer, a test module, a calibration module, a delivery module of the secondary pump unit, valves, and link segments. In the invention the leak detector includes a one-piece main block provided with spaces making it possible to integrate at least some of the component elements of the leak detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jean Marc Paquet, Gilles Baret
  • Patent number: 6332348
    Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for gas flow calibration of mass flow controllers (MFCs) is presented. A second mass flow controller that has a full scale range substantially less than that of a mass flow meter (MFM) may be calibrated by the MFM using a “gas biasing” technique. A first MFC is set such that a first flow of gas through the MFM at a first flow rate results. The first flow rate is preferably approximately 50% of the full scale range of the MFM. A first reading of the MFM is then recorded. The second MFC is then set such that a second gas flow of gas through the MFM at a second flow rate results. A second reading of the MFM is then recorded. The difference between the second and first readings is then compared to the set flow rate of the second MFC to determine the calibration of the second MFC. The full scale range of the second MFC may be less than 1% of the full scale range of the MFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark E. Yelverton, Tom Timmons
  • Patent number: 6330826
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method are described for measuring the sag properties of a drilling fluid by using a conically or frustro-conically shaped inner body and an outer body having an opening with contours closely matching those of inner body such that in conjunction inner and outer body are separated by a narrow gap defining a conically or frustro-conically volume with a vertex; a motor drive for rotating the inner body with respect to the outer body; and a sampling access to determine the density of said drilling fluid within a localized part of said volume, wherein said sampling is permanently located in vicinity on said vertex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald H. Meeten
  • Patent number: 6327893
    Abstract: A filter media testing arrangement and method including a flow-through test tower composed of a preselected number of clamped modular rings capable of supporting test samples in adjacent or spaced position therein so as to comparatively measure and control pressure drop and particulate separation characteristics of test sample media.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: AAF McQuay
    Inventor: Kyung-Ju Choi
  • Patent number: 6327892
    Abstract: The present invention provides a measuring apparatus and method for measuring the quantity of ventilation, whereby the quantity of ventilation correlates to the heating characteristics. [The present invention is also] able to measure the quantity of ventilation of a gas permeable packing material used in heating packets in a short period of time, regardless of the type or pore diameter of the packing material. The present invention provides heating packets displaying stable heating characteristics. In the present invention, one surface of a gas permeable packing material is exposed to the atmosphere, while the opposite surface is scavenged with a carrier gas which does not include oxygen. The present invention measures the oxygen diffusing capacity, [as the diffusion of oxygen] from the atmosphere through the gas permeable packing material, by measuring the concentration of oxygen in the carrier gas after scavenging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Pionics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Koiso, Naoto Wagatsuma, Yoshiki Matsumoto, Masayuki Fujisawa, Koichi Yata, Kohshi Ochi
  • Patent number: 6324891
    Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring one or more gas components in a fluid wherein either a) a sample gas obtained from the fluid is enriched in at least one target gas which is to be subjected to analysis; b) at least one target gas which is to be subjected to analysis is separated from a sample gas obtained from the fluid; or c) both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Gibeault, Bernard Noirhomme, Renyan Qin
  • Patent number: 6324897
    Abstract: A partial pressure sensor is disclosed which is suitable for determining the partial pressure of a gas or vapor in a thermally uncontrolled gas atmosphere over a large measurement range and with high measuring accuracy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Jenoptik Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Manfred Schrenk, Peter Weissbrodt, Erich Hacker, Dirk Mademann
  • Patent number: 6324904
    Abstract: Sensor modules are provided which are pumped into a well by first being pumped downhole within a drill string, then passing through the drill bit and being circulated uphole in the annulus between the drill string and the borehole of the well. The sensors take measurement readings as they are being pumped uphole through the annulus. The sensors are preferably separated from the mud returns from the well, and then read at an inductive read unit. The sensor modules are provided by semiconductor substrates which measure downhole well parameters, and then store the date for retrieval at the surface. The semiconductor substrates preferably have a plurality of sides on which measurement sensors and circuitry may be formed, allowing the circuitry and the sensors to be made of smaller sizes. Such sensors include temperature sensors, three-dimensional stain gauges, which are also useful as pressure transducers, inductive pressure transducers, inclination sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes and radiation detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Ball Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventors: Akira Ishikawa, Nabuo Takeda, Suzanne I. Ahn, Steven R. Hays
  • Patent number: 6321591
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring liquid from a liquid dispensing system is disclosed. In an illustrated application, a flux measuring device is described that measures flux dispensed from a flux applicator system. The flux measuring device is a test unit that simulates a printed circuit board. Once the distribution of flux is measured, different parameters in the flux applicator system can be modified to ensure that the proper distribution of flux is applied to printed circuit boards during their manufacture. In one aspect, a mesh board having substantially uniform thickness includes a plurality of spaced-apart holes that extend through the mesh board. The holes are sized so that liquid dispensed from a nozzle that contacts the bottom surface of the mesh board enters the holes and is detected on the top surface of the mesh board. A cover is mounted to the mesh board and uniformly maintains detection material in contact with the top surface of the mesh board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Electronic Controls Design, Inc.
    Inventors: Rex L. Breunsbach, Paul M. Austen
  • Patent number: 6318165
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for measuring the stickiness of a flowable medium, in particular a printing ink, which is led as a layer between two surfaces that can be moved in the same direction, through a convergence zone, a pressure zone and a divergence zone; it being possible to use a measuring device to measure, as a measure of the stickiness, that force which is needed to separate the surfaces from each other. At least one surface is led on a circularly cylindrical path. The two surfaces are driven positively in the same direction and at the same speed. The surfaces contain, at least in some sections, those materials of which the surfaces which are assigned to each other during the processing of the medium to be tested in intended devices, such as printing machines, are composed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventor: Peter Bauernschmid
  • Patent number: 6318153
    Abstract: A sensor (1) is proposed for noncontacting thickness gauging on films (2), in particular blown films, with a sensor head (3) and a mount (4) for the sensor head (3), which provides reliable measuring results despite transportation-caused movements of the film (2), and which is particularly suitable for a continuous quality control during the production process. In accordance with the invention, the sensor head (3) comprises at least one noncontacting sensor element for gauging the thickness in accordance with the physical properties of the film (2). Furthermore, the position of the sensor head (3) is adjustable such that the sensor head (3) is held during the entire measuring process at a predeterminable, at least largely constant distance from the film (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Micro-Epsilon Messtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Dumberger, Axel Seikowsky, Martin Sellen, Karl Wisspeintner