Patents Examined by Michael Cygan
  • Patent number: 7207224
    Abstract: A combination vacuum gauge provides simultaneous absolute and differential pressure measurements over a wide range of pressures ranging from atmospheric pressures to ultrahigh vacuum by processing the readings from an absolute high vacuum gauge (e.g., an ionization gauge and/or a heat-loss sensor), a differential low vacuum gauge providing a differential relative to ambient pressure (e.g., a diaphragm sensor), and a barometric absolute pressure sensor exposed to the ambient atmosphere outside the measurement region. The barometric absolute pressure sensor reading is used to convert the differential vacuum gauge reading from uncalibrated differential pressure to calibrated absolute pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul M. Rutt, Michael D. Borenstein
  • Patent number: 7207209
    Abstract: A leak detecting system detects fuel gas leakage of a fuel tank. The detecting system includes a fuel pump, a jet pump, and a bent valve, which are disposed in the fuel tank. A fuel flow path system includes a relief line connected to the fuel pump for relieving an excess fuel, a relief flow path switching valve disposed in the relief line, and a sub-line for connecting the switching valve and the vent valve. An air flow path system includes a first air flow line to connect the vent valve to a canister, a second air flow line for connecting the first air flow line to the jet pump, and an air flow switching valve for switching communication between the first and second air flow lines. An inner pressure sensor is provided to the fuel tank for detecting an inner pressure of the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignees: Nifco Inc., Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tateki Mitani, Toshihide Kimisawa, Tsuyoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 7204137
    Abstract: A thread breakage detection apparatus comprises a light source operable to generate a light beam, an emitter in communication with the light source, the emitter operable to emit the light beam, and a receiver in communication with and disposed in facing opposition to the emitter, the receiver operable to receive the light beam emitted from the emitter and to communicate the light beam to a sensor. The emitter comprises an emitter lens and a first fiber optic cable comprising proximate and distal ends. The proximate end of the first cable in communication with the light source and the distal end of the first cable in communication with the emitter lens. The receiver comprises a receiving lens and a second fiber optic cable comprising proximate and distal ends, the proximate end of the second cable in communication with the receiving lens and the distal end of the second cable in communication with the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Essex, Inc.
    Inventor: Peter J. Skalchunes
  • Patent number: 7204154
    Abstract: An online roll firmness measurement system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a contact element is placed in a fixed position. A roll of material is placed in between the contact element and a support surface. Based upon the amount of force exerted on the contact element, the firmness of the roll of material may be measured. In an alternative embodiment, the contact element applies a predetermined amount of force on the roll of material but is displaced when a roll of material is placed in between the contact element and the support surface. In this embodiment, the amount of displacement of the contact element is measured which allows for the calculation of roll firmness. In one embodiment, a roll firmness device made in accordance with the present invention may be placed in a system for winding rolls and used to maintain rolls of material being formed within preset roll firmness ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Sartain, Nathan Harris, Steve Wojcik, Rick Urquhart, Mike Daniels, James Baggot
  • Patent number: 7204160
    Abstract: A testing apparatus having four-bar linkages pivotable to sleeves on opposite vertices with the sleeves of each vertex rotationally attached to each other. Links of each linkage are pivotally attached to loading plate assemblies securing a test specimen. During loading, the assemblies move toward or away from each other; thereby, applying compression or tension to the specimen. A pressure system fluidly impacts opposite faces of a piston of the assembly such that one of the faces is pressurized and impacts arms of the assembly for a sliding motion to move toward or away from the longitudinal axis of the apparatus thereby, applying a compression or tensile load on the specimen or augmenting the loads applied by the movement of the loading plate assemblies. The pressure system includes a controller connected to a reservoir, a pressurized source, a plurality of shutoff valves and pressure-adjustable check valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Ali M. Sadegh, Paul V. Cavallaro, Claudia J. Quigley
  • Patent number: 7204124
    Abstract: A sheet material detecting device for identifying the material of a sheet by utilizing an impact applied to the sheet has an impact applying unit which is supported to be rotatable and shiftable toward the sheet, and applies an impact onto the sheet, an impact receiving unit which is supported to be rotatable and shiftable in a state of being in contact with the sheet onto which the impact has been applied, arranged opposite the impact applying unit with a gap permitting the passage of the sheet in-between, and receives via the sheet the impact applied by the impact applying unit onto the sheet, and a signal output unit which outputs a signal in response to the impact applied onto the sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoyo Gemma
  • Patent number: 7201035
    Abstract: A chemical sensing system has: an interrogation unit operable to wirelessly transmit an interrogation signal and wirelessly receive a response; an environmentally sealed container for holding a chemical analyte; a sensor array unit in fluid communication with the analyte disposed within the container, where the sensor array unit is operable to generate a response in the presence of a chemical stimulus; and a passive responder unit connected with the sensor array unit, the responder unit being powered from the interrogation signal, where the responder unit is operable to wirelessly receive the interrogation signal and wirelessly transmit the response to the interrogation signal to the interrogation unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Smiths Detection Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 7201042
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a measuring instrument (1) comprising a channel (60) for moving a sample liquid (BL) containing a solid component (B1) and providing a liquid reaction field and first and second electrodes (31, 32) which are used to apply voltage to the liquid reaction field. The first electrode (31) has an electron transfer interface (31a) for transferring electrons between it and the liquid reaction field when voltage is applied to the liquid reaction field via the first and second electrodes (31, 32). The measuring instrument (1) comprises concentrating means (51) for increasing the concentration of solid components at portions thereof which contact the electron transfer interface (31a) in the liquid reaction field. The concentrating means (51) preferably comprises a water-absorbing layer containing an absorbent polymer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Arkray, Inc.
    Inventors: Hideaki Yamaoka, Koji Katsuki
  • Patent number: 7201069
    Abstract: An angle sensor includes a first gear configured to be concentrically mounted to a rotor, a second gear configured to mesh with the first gear, and a first rotation angle detector configured to detect a rotation angle of the second gear, wherein the first rotation angle detector outputs absolute angle signals according to the rotation angle of the second gear, generates a first pulse based on rotation of the second gear, generates a second pulse having a different phase compared to the first pulse based on rotation of the second gear, generates a third pulse once per rotation of the second gear based on rotation of the second gear, varies each resolution of rotation angles of the first pulse, the second pulse, and the third pulse, and detects the rotation angle of the second gear in accordance with the resolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Sakabe
  • Patent number: 7201037
    Abstract: A mail tub in the form of a substantially rigid container and a removable lid which seals the container. The container includes an air inlet port and an air outlet port for sampling air in the mail tub for possible biological contamination, such as anthrax. The container includes structure along the bottom and walls to prevent mail from contacting the walls and bottom. Such structure, in one embodiment, may include raised standoffs along the bottom of the container and channels along the walls to facilitate airflow efficiency through the mail tub when the lid is attached and an air pressure source is applied to the one of the ports. Air samples of the sealed container air are collected for contamination analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Felice, Patrick J. Fitzgibbons
  • Patent number: 7201045
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor module, in particular for electrohydraulic brake system, with several pressure sensors arranged in a sensor housing that is connected with its flange surface to the mounting surface of a hydraulic housing in such a fashion that several pressure ducts arranged in the sensor housing and in the hydraulic housing are interconnected. The invention discloses that a cylindrical element provided with two fastening sections is arranged between the flange surface and the mounting surface, with the first fastening section being operatively and/or positively connected to the sensor housing, while the second fastening section is operatively and/or positively connected to the hydraulic housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Continental Teves AG & Co. oHG
    Inventors: Dieter Dinkel, Rüdiger Briesewitz, Peter Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7201051
    Abstract: A method for detecting fuel leaking into an oil pan containing oil which is used to lubricate an internal combustion engine utilizes a plurality of sensors. The method includes the step of measuring a plurality of parameters of the oil using each of the plurality of sensors to create measured values. A fuel leakage value is calculated incorporating each of the measured values. The method then determines when the fuel leakage value exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Su-Chee Simon Wang, Ming-Cheng Wu, Yingjie Lin, Taeyoung Han, Mark K. Krage
  • Patent number: 7197912
    Abstract: A gas sensor seal (40) comprising a body (122), an upper portion having a flange (124), and at least one channel (130). The flange (124) has an extension (131) that extends from the upper portion, a bend (129) which extends from the extension (131) along the body (122), and a protrusion (128) which extends from the bend (129) toward the body (122). The channel (130) extends through the body (122) from the upper portion to a lower surface (126). A method for using the gas sensor seal (40) within a sensor (10) is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Duce, Kathryn M. McCauley, Richard C. Kuisell
  • Patent number: 7197914
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for finding the location of one or more holes in a fluid flow system such as pipe, duct, or conduit using one or more tracers that interact with or can be chemically or physically differentiated from those of the liquid or gas contents located outside the system and pulled back into the system when the system is placed under a vacuum. The preferred embodiment of this detection and location method uses one or more interactive tracers that are injected into a pipe or duct that may be leaking at one location and then monitor the concentration of these tracers at the same or another location in the pipe or duct. Detection and location are accomplished by analysis of the characteristic features of measured curves of tracer concentration. Various types of interactive tracers may be used, including partitioning and reactive tracer gaseous tracers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Vista Engineering Technologies
    Inventors: Joseph W. Maresca, Jr., Wesley L. Bratton
  • Patent number: 7194890
    Abstract: A gas chromatograph having the capability of performing a reliable measurement under a condition that the baseline of a detector output is stabilized, and a breath component analyzer using the same are provided. This gas chromatograph comprises a gas separation column accommodating a member for causing a flow delay depending on gas component; air pump for supplying an air as a carrier gas into the gas separation column; gas supply port formed in a gas flow channel extending between the air pump and the gas separation column, and adapted to supply a subject gas containing a target gas component to be detected into the carrier gas flowing in the gas flow channel; buffer tank provided upstream of the gas supply port; and a detector for detecting the gas component of the subject gas supplied into the gas separation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignees: FIS Inc., Abilit Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Tanaka, Mariko Sugimura, Junko Yanagitani, Noriko Kiyoshi, Kazuo Onaga, Hiroshi Koda
  • Patent number: 7194900
    Abstract: A collision reaction force measurement apparatus has a collision surface receiving a collision of a portable electronic device and a measurement part measuring a collision reaction force occurring when the portable electronic device makes the collision against the collision surface, wherein the collision surface comprises a plurality of collision surface elements and the measurement part comprises a plurality of measurement part elements provided for the plurality of collision surface elements, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shigeo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7191665
    Abstract: A support (1) for a reflective target to be mounted on a turbine casing, which is used in casing bending measurements. The support (1) comprises a tube (2), which was chosen to ensure a thermal expansion coefficient near zero at the operating temperatures of the casing. The tube (2) is located at one end in a steel holder (3). In the middle of the tube (2) is arranged a metal rod (9), which is fixed to the holder (3). At the opposite end of the tube (2) is an insert (7), which has an apertures through which passes the metal rod (9). Within the insert (7) the metal rod (9) is screw threaded so it can be turned to provide always enough tension at all operating temperatures and the metal tube (9) is held tight, secure, and has minimal vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Duncan Saunders, Kurt Faller, Gustav Hagstroem, Ernst Vogt
  • Patent number: 7191641
    Abstract: A rotary position sensing assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a mounting socket rigidly attached to a structural support of a rotating component and a position sensor slidably engaged with the socket. A slidably engageable retainer maintains the sensor within the socket at a predetermined distance from the rotating component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Dale Mathew Mayol, John Paul Vivier
  • Patent number: 7191667
    Abstract: A vibration meter and a method of measuring a viscosity of a fluid flowing through a pipe are disclosed. The vibration meter comprises meter electronics and a transducer assembly with an electromechanical excitation arrangement and with a flow tube which oscillates in operation. A sensor arrangement produces sensor signals representative of inlet-side and outlet-side deflections of the flow tube. An evaluation circuit derives from said sensor signals and from an excitation current generated by an excitation circuit for the excitation arrangement a viscosity value representative of the viscosity of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Alfred Wenger, Michael Fuchs, Christian Matt, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Patent number: 7188521
    Abstract: A liquid level measuring system includes a housing mounted to a container and a flexible coupling connected between the housing and a tubular frame suspended in a container holding a liquid. The flexible coupling maintains the tubular frame in a vertical orientation in the container. The tubular frame has a pair of 270° rifling grooves therein. A float is mounted in the tubular frame. The float has a pair of projections that extend from opposite sides portion thereof into the rifling grooves so that the float is force to rotate as it moves vertically in the tubular frame to seek the liquid level. A magnetic coupler assembly transfers movement of the float to an indicator. The magnetic coupler assembly includes a pair of facing dielectric discs. Each dielectric disc has three magnets mounted thereon with opposite poles facing one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Inventors: William F Fling, John J. Fling