Patents Examined by Michael Brock
  • Patent number: 6161422
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) and methods for testing the quality of foundry green sand. The apparatus includes three testing stations where filling (60), compaction (80), weighting (94), gas permeability testing (120), moisture testing (40), fracture testing (160), and shear testing (180) occur. Each station is automated and controlled by a computer programmed control system or controller (200). Known foundry sand testing formulas are entered into the system or controller which in turn receives input from each of the testing stations. The condition and quality of the foundry sand is output. A method for testing is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2000
    Assignee: Hartley Controls Corporation
    Inventors: Perry L. Thomas, Ronald W. Roethlisberger
  • Patent number: 6134949
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-line detection of leaky emergency shutdown or other valves in a fluid transport system having an upstream pipe, a downstream pipe and the valve connected between the upstream pipe and the downstream pipe for controlling fluid flow through the system. The valve has at least one upstream seal and at least one downstream seal and an inner cavity effectively isolated by the seals from the fluid flow stream through the system. The apparatus comprises a first transducer in fluid communication with the fluid flow stream at at least one of: a predetermined distance upstream of the upstream seal; and a predetermined distance downstream of the downstream seal. The first transducer is for sensing pressure pulsations resulting from at least one of: dynamic energy due to fluid flow through the transport system; and transient energy within the fluid in the transport system after the valve is closed and for generating representative electrical signals as a function of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Crane Nuclear, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Leon, David Q. Heagerty
  • Patent number: 6134952
    Abstract: On-line measurements of an amount of dissolved solids in a liquid sample are determined by using both conductivity and UV measurements. More particularly, an amount of dissolved solids in a pulp and paper mill process water or effluent is determined by irradiating at least a portion of a liquid sample with ultraviolet light and subsequently measuring an absorption of the light by the liquid sample. Furthermore the conductivity of the liquid sample is measured and subsequently a computation is from a first relationship between the measured absorption of the first wavelength by the liquid sample and the measured conductivity of the liquid sample using a suitably programmed processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Alberta Research Council Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore M. Garver, Kenneth Boegh
  • Patent number: 6116082
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a fluid conduit system for leaks. The apparatus is connected to an isolated section of a domestic fuel gas system which is suspected of leaking. The apparatus determines over recorded time periods the pressure drop in the system as a result of the actual gas leak and subsequently the pressure drop in the system as a result of an actual leak plus the leakage through an introduced artificial and calibrated orifice provided by the apparatus. The data is used in an equation for calculating the actual leakage rate from the system. This method avoids the need to repressurize the system between pressure drop measurements or having to know or assume the volume of the system being tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: BG plc
    Inventor: Russell Desmond Pride
  • Patent number: 6112588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the size of drops of viscous material dispensed from a dispensing system. A dispensing apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a housing, a dispenser that dispenses a quantity of the viscous material, a measuring apparatus having a bottom plate to receive the viscous material, a top plate that is positioned over the bottom plate after the viscous material has been dispensed, and a compressing apparatus that compresses the material between the top and bottom plates. The dispensing apparatus further includes a viewing system that views the compressed material to determine the quantity of material dispensed by the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispensing apparatus includes a controller that controls the quantity of viscous material dispensed based on the quantity of material determined by the viewing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Cavallaro, Jeffrey P. Fugere, Todd Edwin O'Neil, John Kaplan, Stephen M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6094968
    Abstract: A continuous emissions monitoring system for continuously monitoring and evaluating air flow samples from a plurality of emission sites. The monitoring system includes a microprocessor controlled Fourier transform infrared scanning laser system for identifying and quantifying compounds in the air flow samples based on known spectral absorption bands. The monitoring system also includes an auxiliary gas chromatograph for separating and analyzing compounds belonging to a common family which exhibit interference patterns or overlapping spectral bands. The auxiliary gas chromatograph is employed in cases where the infrared scanning laser system detects high levels of compounds, above a predetermined threshold level, exhibiting such interference patterns, or when an unknown compound is detected by the infrared scanning laser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Optimum Air Corporation
    Inventors: Fred G. Scheufler, Richard D. Scheufler, William H. Bayard, Nimalakirthi Rajasinghe
  • Patent number: 6097204
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus comprises a prober section having a main chuck and a prober, and a loader section having a support table, a sub-chuck and a forceps assembly. A controller controlls the forceps assembly, the sub-chuck, the main chuck and the prober such that the forceps assembly conveys a semiconductor wafer in a cassette on the table before inspection from the cassette to the sub-chuck, the sub-chuck prealigns the semiconductor wafer, the forceps assembly conveys the prealigned semiconductor wafer to the main chuck, the prober inspects the semiconductor wafer supported by the main chuck, and then the forceps assembly conveys the inspected semiconductor wafer to the cassette.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Hideaki Tanaka, Yuichi Abe
  • Patent number: 6082179
    Abstract: A particle measurer used in a semiconductor clean room includes a funnel-shaped collector for facilitating the measurement of a particle level of an air sample in the clean room. The particle measurer is arranged so that a narrow end part of the funnel-shaped collector is connected to an intake of the particle measurer. A wide end of the funnel-shaped connector receives the air sample through a sample air pipe. A pump is used for suctioning the air sample through the intake of said particle counter and for discharging the air sample through an exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Kang Jeon, Joung Sun Lee, Jae Heung Choi, Dong Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6055850
    Abstract: A multi-directional permeameter apparatus is disclosed for the purpose of determining the coefficients of permeability by utilizing a constant (or falling) head method for the laminar flow of a fluid, such as water, through a specific material or sample which is being tested. The apparatus includes a mold removably secured to a base. A lid is removably secured to the mold to render a device which can be used for compaction as well as testing. Inlet and outlet ports are located in the apparatus for allowing fluid flow to occur in both the horizontal plane and the vertical plane for determining the coefficients of permeability of a particular sample either horizontally, vertically, or simultaneously horizontally and vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Inventors: Daniel R. Turner, Cristina S. Crawford
  • Patent number: 6050130
    Abstract: An oil contamination detection assembly includes a housing adapted for installation into a vehicular pneumatic brake system having a supply of air contaminated with oil. A surface is disposed within the housing for communicating with the air of the brake system and accumulating a film of the oil contaminating the air. A sensor directs a wave, such as an electromagnetic wave, having a predetermined characteristic at the surface, receives a wave reflected from the surface having a characteristic altered by the film of oil accumulated on the surface, and produces an oil contamination warning signal based upon the altered characteristic of the reflected wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2000
    Assignee: Meritor Heavy Vehicle Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Dennis A. Kramer
  • Patent number: 6044689
    Abstract: The disclosed apparatus for sensing low concentration NOx in a measurement gas especially in the atmosphere has at least a sensor element made of an oxide arranged in a flow path of the measurement gas, the resistance of the sensor element varying in response to changes in NOx concentration in the measurement gas. As suitable options of this type of the NOx sensor, there are disclosed a chamber used for an apparatus for sensing low concentration NOx, a gas sensor element and a method of manufacturing the gas sensor element, and an ammonia removing apparatus and an NOx sensor utilizing the ammonia removing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yoshida, Naoyuki Ogawa, Tomonori Takahashi, Shinji Ohtsubo
  • Patent number: 6041644
    Abstract: A device for detection of a defined relative position of a first, movable means, relatively a second, fixed means and including a sensor (1) arranged at least at one of the first and second means which sensor is provided with a pressure sensing means (CC.sub.M). The sensor (1) gives rise to an electric detector signal, which indicates whether the defined relative position has been taken. The sensor (1) is also provided with a closed cavity (13) which communicates with a pressure sensing means (C.sub.M) and with means (14/36/45) to momentarily limit the volume of the cavity and thereby create a pressure pulse adapted to activate the pressure sensing means of the sensor. The detector device includes means to convert the pressure pulse to a detection signal to detect the defined relative position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2000
    Assignee: AB Volvo
    Inventor: Bo Harde
  • Patent number: 6035698
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the dew point humidity of air, e.g. from compressed air lines of any tupe (for example, brake lines of railroad trains), composed of a conduit with a connector at one end for connecting the conduit to a source of air to be measured, a T-branch in which a probe of a dew point humidity meter is receive with the tip of the probe extending into a stream of air or other gas flowing through the conduit, and an electrical power supply for the meter, all arranged in a convenient, portable assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Henry Lewin
  • Patent number: 6035706
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the wax appearance temperature of paraffinic petroleum oils which comprises measuring and plotting the density of the paraffinic oil as a function of temperature at constant pressure, with the wax appearance temperature being indicated by the inflection point of the graph.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: Petroleo Brasileiro S.A. - Petrobras
    Inventors: Eugenio Andre Campagnolo, Reinaldo Washington Ferreira Santos, Valter Antonio Monteiro Branco
  • Patent number: 6037783
    Abstract: In a process for determining the solids content of a gas flow, in particular for regulating the firing of a boiler with coal dust in a coal-fired power plant, electromagnetic waves are sent from a transmitter (20) to a receiver (21) through the solids-laden gas flow. The attenuation of these electromagnetic waves due to the absorption of part of them by the solids is then determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Inventor: Ernst Reich
  • Patent number: 6035700
    Abstract: A method of positively indicating leaks in the heat transfer surface area of a heat exchanger between the normally separate fluid paths denoted by side (A) and side (B) arranged in a heat exchange relationship is disclosed. The method comprises:placing a detector gas or gas mixture on one side;placing a carrier or entraining liquid in the other side;applying a positive pressure differential between detector gas and carrier fluid; anddetecting entrained bubbles within the carrier fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2000
    Assignee: APV Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan Graham Shaw
  • Patent number: 6032516
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the measurement of gasoline volatility characteristics, and is directed in particular to the provision of an ultrasonic-type gasoline characteristic determination method and apparatus capable of determining the volatility characteristics with good accuracy by measuring the velocity of an ultrasonic wave in a gasoline containing alcohol or other additives and by compensating for deviations from a reference temperature, and a method for determining gasoline volatility characteristics by using an ultrasonic wave is provided, comprising the steps of transmitting an ultrasonic wave into a gasoline being measured, measuring the velocity of the ultrasonic wave in the gasoline, and determining the volatility characteristics of the gasoline from the velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshimitsu Takahashi, Takuya Kondo, Hiroaki Saitou, Toshihiro Okazaki, Mamoru Ishikiriyama
  • Patent number: 6029499
    Abstract: A gas chromatograph includes a manifold having a plurality of gas conduits formed therein. A valve module includes a support, a first valve mounted to the support and having a plurality of ports, and a column coupled to the support and being in communication with a port in the first valve. The valve module is pluggably engagable with the manifold. A detector is coupled relative to the column to detect gasses expelled from the column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Rosemount Analytical Inc.
    Inventors: Fred C. Sittler, Cynthia R. Nelson, Lawrence R. Majerus
  • Patent number: 6026675
    Abstract: A method for testing threaded joints and threaded members comprising the steps of lubricating one or both threaded members, making up a joint, subjecting the joint to a pressure differential, and attempting to detect flow through said joint, characterized in that said method includes the step of subjecting said joint to heat during the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Manfred Jansch
  • Patent number: 6018981
    Abstract: A test kit for measuring vapor emission from a concrete floor or other planar surface prior to installing a flooring material includes a relatively rigid dome-shaped cover having an outer bottom rim for seating with the planar surface to be tested when the cover is placed on the surface over an uncovered container of moisture absorptive material such as calcium chloride. The test kit further includes a weight ring that is removably placed onto a shoulder portion of the cover located at the cover's outer bottom rim. Placement of the weight ring on the dome-shaped cover during tests acts to hold the outer bottom rim of the cover in seating contact with the test surface. The test kit is easy to use and provides for reusable components. It can also be used without leaving a residue on the test surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Sinak Corporation
    Inventors: Craig A. Higgins, Robert C. Higgins, Stanley S. Kuerbis