Patents Examined by K. Hantis
  • Patent number: 5561516
    Abstract: A casing-less down hole sampling system for acquiring a subsurface sample for analysis using an inductively coupled plasma system is disclosed. The system includes a probe which is pushed into the formation to be analyzed using a hydraulic ram system. The probe includes a detachable tip member which has a soil point mad a barb, with the soil point aiding the penetration of the earth, and the barb causing the tip member to disengage from the probe and remain in the formation when the probe is pulled up. The probe is forced into the formation to be tested, and then pulled up slightly, to disengage the tip member and expose a column of the subsurface formation to be tested. An instrumentation tube mounted in the probe is then extended outward from the probe to longitudinally extend into the exposed column. A balloon seal mounted on the end of the instrumentation tube allows the bottom of the column to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1996
    Assignee: Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald T. Noble, Steven D. Braymen, Marvin S. Anderson
  • Patent number: 5559631
    Abstract: Methods are described for the control of the brightness in a manner independent of color and for the control of the color temperature in a manner independent of brightness, of the illumination light for a microscope device. An apparatus for carrying out the methods includes, beside a main light source 4, a secondary light source 5 with a color filter 6. Both light sources are electrically connected to a common regulating apparatus 8. By means of stored current values and by means of controllers 9, 10 and/or 19 which are to be operated manually, the light sources 4, 5 are driven using appropriate current values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Leica Mikroskopie und Systeme GmbH
    Inventors: Lucius Remer, Joerg Schoenenborn, Manfred Gilbert
  • Patent number: 5559605
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining directional variation of shade of pile or napped materials. This directional variation of shade can be determined in multiple directions either simultaneously or sequentially utilizing spectrophotometers with bifurcated fiber optic cables. The bifurcated fiber optic cable is repeatably and accurately positioned over the pile or napped materials. A typical non-limiting example of pile materials includes carpeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Milliken Research Corporation
    Inventor: Morton W. Reed
  • Patent number: 5559597
    Abstract: An optical spectrograph utilizes a plurality of holographic transmission optical gratings operative to receive an incoming source of light to be analyzed and diffract the light such that different spectral components impinge upon spatially separated regions of an opto-electronic detector. Various grating configurations are disclosed, including a physical stack of gratings conducive to extreme compactness, as well as a spaced-apart configuration used to preclude spectral cross talk in certain configurations. Diverging light emerging from a fiber-optic bundle is collimated by a first lens assembly prior to passing through the gratings, and a second lens assembly is used to focus the diffracted light onto the detectors, preferably in the form of a two-dimensional CCD array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Kaiser Optical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David E. Battey, Harry Owen, James M. Tedesco
  • Patent number: 5557398
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a photometric device for measuring optical parameters. The invention functions in the ultraviolet light range through use of a monochromator and splits the test light in multiple channels by a rotor assembly, including a mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Assignee: Molecular Devices Corporation
    Inventors: Mark Wechsler, Howard H. Barney, Roger A. Kaye, David G. Ogle, Michael M. Lacy, Calvin Y. Chow, Kimberly L. Crawford, Dean G. Hafeman
  • Patent number: 5552880
    Abstract: An optical probe for simultaneously detecting radiation emitted from a plurality of different areas of a device. The probe includes a plurality of optical signal acquisition devices. Each of the optical acquisition devices is formed from at least one optical fiber strand having a terminal end portion. The probe includes a hollow longitudinal member with an outer surface having a length and a perimeter perpendicular to the length. The outer surface has a plurality of openings disposed at intervals about the perimeter of the outer surface. Each of the plurality of openings has a different one of the terminal end portions from one of the optical acquisition devices disposed therein. Each of the optical acquisition devices has a different optical field of view corresponding to one of the plurality of different areas of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Inventors: Vincent F. Shapanus, Kevin J. Phipps
  • Patent number: 5550631
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of an electrical generator having at least one conductor. An insulator is provided for surrounding the conductor, the insulator includes a light generating material for producing a distinctive optical signature when the insulator degrades. An optical acquisition device is provided for acquiring the optical signature when the insulator degrades. A light detector means is coupled to the optical acquisition device and detects and then converts the optical signature to an electrical signal. A signal processor, responsive to the electrical signal, then monitors degradation of the insulator by sensing the electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: Vincent F. Shapanus, Kevin J. Phipps
  • Patent number: 5550629
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring the condition of an electrical generator formed of a stator core punching assembly having a plurality of winding slots for receiving a plurality of generator windings. The plurality of winding core slots lie along an interior cylindrical surface of the stator core punching assembly, and the stator core punching assembly has an outer cylindrical surface opposite the interior cylindrical surface. The stator core punching assembly also has a plurality of internal vent openings extending from the outer cylindrical surface toward the inner cylindrical surface. A first optical probe is disposed outside of the stator core punching assembly and is formed of a plurality of optical acquisition devices each of which is formed from at least one optical fiber strand. Each of the optical acquisition devices is disposed to acquire light generated at one of the winding slots and passing through one of the internal vent openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Inventors: Vincent F. Shapanus, Kevin J. Phipps
  • Patent number: 5543920
    Abstract: A system and a method for preventing use of unauthorized software contained at a remote location which is to be used with a device having stored information is disclosed. The device includes firmware having a hash code, and a hash function for operating on an initiation string. The device has a communication interface. A remote storage location has an initiation string. The communication interface of the device and the remote storage location are interconnected for transferring information such as the initiation string between the device and remote storage location. The result of the hash function operation on the initiation string is compared with the hash code. The communication interface is enabled when the result of the hash function operation on the initiation string and hash code contained in the firmware are the same. In the illustrated embodiment, the device is a color sensor having a sensor body. The sensor senses and stores information about the color of a selected object such as on an automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Kollmorgen Corporation
    Inventors: John B. Collins, Richard J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 5537202
    Abstract: A powder sample forming apparatus includes: a guide table horizontally secured on a mounting table; an upper fixed board which is fixed to the guide table and arranged in parallel with the guide table with a certain distance apart above the guide table and has a transparent plate for metering in its approximate center; a slide block having a through-hole for holding a sample in its one end and disposed between the guide table and the upper fixed board so as to move back and forth within a sliding distance longer than the length of the upper fixed board; and a sample pressing device which is disposed under the guide table in a position of the transparent plate and presses a sample from the underside of the transparent plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Japanese Research And Development, Association For Intelligent Control System In The Food Industry
    Inventors: Takashi Komatsu, Hiroomi Uehara, Syuji Shinkai
  • Patent number: 5537500
    Abstract: A two-way line monitor has a signal beam splitter, first and second optical sensors and a mirror. The beam splitter is positioned on the light axis and angled so as to receive first and second input lights at 20 to 40 degrees of the angle of incidence. The first and second optical sensors arranged so as to receive first and second sample lights, reflected from the beam splitter and the mirror, at around 20 degrees of the angle of incidence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Jun Yokoyama