Patents Examined by Michael Cygan
  • Patent number: 7231807
    Abstract: Disclosed is a gas measuring device which comprises compensation of disturbances and offers high accuracy of measurement immediately after being activated. Said gas measuring device is provided with a gas sensor (1) for generating a measuring signal (S1) that depends on the gas concentration and can have a spurious component while a high-pass filter (13) having an adjustable limiting frequency is mounted downstream of said gas sensor (1). The limiting frequency can be predefined according to the spurious component by means of a selection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Paragon AG
    Inventors: Kurt Ingrisch, Markus Niemann, Gerald Hamm
  • Patent number: 7231821
    Abstract: A system for actuating an indicator in response to a depth change in a liquid that is confined to a container comprises a housing, a float constrained to vertical movement in response to changes in liquid depth in the container, a drive rod arranged to rotate in response to vertical movement of the float, and a coupler mechanism mounted between the drive rod and arranged to transfer movement of the actuator to an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: William F. Fling, John J. Fling
  • Patent number: 7231811
    Abstract: Apparatus for performing leak testing on products is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention includes a method, system, and apparatus for performing an adaptive leak test on products under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Inventors: Nehemia Sagi, Ronald Guosen Zhang
  • Patent number: 7231804
    Abstract: A non-electric, multiple shock event sensing device has shock sensors coupled to a substrate and arranged in an array defined by a plurality of rows and at least one column. At any given time, only one row of shock sensors is readied for the detection of a shock event. The occurrence of a shock event is detected by the readied row while simultaneously causing a next successive row in the array to be readied for detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Gabriel Smith, Daniel Jean, Wade Babcock
  • Patent number: 7231817
    Abstract: An inspection system formed at least from a viewing tube for inspecting aspects of a turbine engine during operation of the turbine engine. An outer housing of the viewing tube may be positioned within a turbine engine using at least one bearing configured to fit into an indentation of a support housing to form a ball and socket joint enabling the viewing tube to move during operation as a result of vibrations and other movements. The viewing tube may also include one or more lenses positioned within the viewing tube for viewing the turbine components. The lenses may be kept free of contamination by maintaining a higher pressure in the viewing tube than a pressure outside of the viewing tube and enabling gases to pass through an aperture in a cap at a viewing end of the viewing tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Power Generation, Inc.
    Inventors: Jan P. Smed, Dennis H. Lemieux, James P. Williams
  • Patent number: 7228723
    Abstract: Standardized bumper testing includes a barrier adapted for testing vehicle bumper impact strength and engagement. The present improvement includes first and/or second thermoformed components attached to the barrier to replicate a profile and crush characteristics of a “generic” vehicle bumper. The first face component is an energy absorbing component with crush boxes for impact absorption, and replicates an energy absorber. The second component covers the first component and replicates a fascia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: NetShape Energy Management LLC
    Inventors: Darin Evans, Wayne C. Graves
  • Patent number: 7228725
    Abstract: A gas sensor for sensing a gas stream constituent includes, mounted a substrate, a first gas-sensing element capable of sensing the constituent in a first concentration range, a reference element insensitive to the constituent and having electrical properties congruent with the first gas-sensing element, a heating element substantially circumscribing the first gas-sensing element and the reference element, a temperature-sensing element circumscribing the first gas-sensing element and the reference element, and a second gas-sensing element capable of sensing the constituent in a second concentration range. The first gas-sensing element and the reference element are preferably metal-gated metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) solid-state devices. The gas sensor is particularly configured to sense hydrogen concentration in a gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: H2scan LLC
    Inventors: Carlton Salter, Robert Pendergrass
  • Patent number: 7222545
    Abstract: A seat belt tension sensor assembly is adapted to be secured to the seat belt assembly of a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing for a seat belt anchor adapted for movement relative to the housing into an overload position where a portion of the anchor is abutted against a portion of the housing to limit and arrest the movement of the anchor relative to the housing and transfer the load from the anchor to the housing and then to an interior structure of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the housing forms a collar and the anchor includes an interior wall defining an aperture through which the collar extends when the anchor is mounted to the housing. Movement of the anchor relative to the housing is limited as a result of the contact between the interior anchor wall and the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: CTS Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick B. Blakesley, Robert R. Rainey, Murray Kaijala
  • Patent number: 7222516
    Abstract: The invention presents a gas sensor low in cost and easy to form a terminal member, a gas sensor cap connected to the gas sensor for sending an output signal to an external device, and a gas sensor unit capable of holding a stable electrically connected state between the terminal member of the gas sensor and the gas sensor cap. The gas sensor 100 of the invention includes a gas detecting element 120 and a terminal member 150.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisaharu Nishio, Takashi Nakao, Kazuhiro Kouzaki
  • Patent number: 7219561
    Abstract: Forces and moments are detected in a distinguishing manner by a simple structure. A supporting member (20) is positioned below a force receiving member (10), which receives forces to be detected, and between these components, four columnar force transmitting members (11 to 14) are connected. Connecting members, having flexibility, are interposed at the upper and lower ends of each of the columnar force transmitting members (11 to 14) so that the columnar force transmitting members (11 to 14) can become inclined when the force receiving member (10) becomes displaced upon receiving a force. Sensors (21 to 24), each equipped with capacitance elements, are positioned at the connections parts of the respective columnar force transmitting members (11 to 14) and the supporting member (20) to detect forces that are transmitted from the respective columnar force transmitting members (11 to 14) to the supporting member (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Wacoh Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Okada
  • Patent number: 7219533
    Abstract: A small hole diameter measuring apparatus including: a flow rate measurement section comprised of an automatic pressure control device which supplies a fluid to the inlet side of small holes in a plate while maintaining the outlet- and inlet-side pressures of the small holes in the critical state of the fluid and controlling the inlet-side pressure to a predetermined inlet-side pressure; a plate holding section comprised of a plate supporting device which rotatably holds the plate, and a test probe supporting device which supports a test probe so that the test probe is moved vertically and horizontally; and a control section comprised of a calculation and judgment part, which calculates the hole diameter during the supply of the fluid based upon the measured value of the flow rate from the flow rate measurement section, and an external output part, which outputs the calculated value to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignees: Fujikin Incorporated
    Inventors: Tadahiro Ohmi, Masaaki Nagase, Ryousuke Dohi, Kouji Nishino, Osamu Nakamura, Tomio Uno, Nobukazu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 7219538
    Abstract: A balanced momentum probe holder in an apparatus for characterizing a sample surface has first and second members each having extensible and retractable distal ends. The distal ends extend or retract substantially simultaneously in response to a signal from a detector thus balancing the momentums of the first and second members and reducing the net momentum of the probe holder to essentially zero. Balancing the momentum of the probe holder reduces parasitic oscillations in the apparatus thus enhancing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Massie
  • Patent number: 7219531
    Abstract: A testing apparatus and method for determining the impact an/or vibration absorbent characteristics of an impact and/or vibration absorbent material. The apparatus includes a base having upwardly extending vertical guide rods. A sample plate is maintained in a position above the base by one or more springs of known spring rate. A weight is adapted to move vertically along the guide rods and to impact the sample plate and a sample of impact and/or vibration absorbent material when dropped from a raised position. The impact of the weight causes a downward vertical displacement of the sample plate, which displacement is measured by a moveable indicator. This displacement can be used, along with the total spring rate provided by the spring(s), to calculate a pass-through impact force. The pass-through impact force can then be subtracted from the impact force generated by the falling weight to determine the amount of impact force absorbed by the impact and/or vibration absorbent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gary Hammons, Roger W. Kramer, Charles Marks, Kevin Porter, Robert Bogard, Traci Skahill, Mark Smith
  • Patent number: 7216551
    Abstract: A sensor device 2 has a magnetostrictive sensor 8 provided on a fixed-side raceway member 3 for detecting a gap between the sensor and a rotation-side raceway member 4, and means for processing the output of the magnetostrictive sensor 8. The processing means comprises a rotation detecting unit for determining the speed of rotation of the rotation-side raceway member 4 from the number of repetitions of a variation in the output of the magnetostrictive sensor 8, a unit for averaging output values of the magnetostrictive sensor 8 and a load calculating unit for determining the load acting on an antifriction bearing from the output averaged by the averaging unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Katsura Koyagi, Masahiro Inoue
  • Patent number: 7216526
    Abstract: The amount of wear on the vanes of a sliding vane rotary pump is determined by inserting a wear inspection dip stick into a wear inspection port providing in a housing of the sliding vane rotary pump. The wear dipstick includes one or more mark providing an indication of the amount of wear on the vanes, and a marking member which provides an indication of current vane length and allows a maintenance person to easily determine when a pump replacement is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Rapco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael R. Lotzer, Richard W. Plenkers, Mark A. Gaulke
  • Patent number: 7216528
    Abstract: There is provided a diaphragm sealed valve particularly advantageous in chromatographic systems. The valve is provided with first and second body and a seal member compressibly positioned therebetween. The first body comprises a first, a second and a common port, each opening and being interconnected to the others in a recessed fluid communication channel extending in a first interface of the first body. The valve is also provided with first and second plungers, each having a closed position wherein the plunger presses down the seal member against the seat of the corresponding port for closing said corresponding port, and an open position wherein the plunger extends away from the seat for allowing a fluid communication between the corresponding port and the channel. Complex valves are also provided as well as chromatographic systems and methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Mecanique Analytique Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Gamache, André Fortier
  • Patent number: 7213450
    Abstract: A sealing valve 28 that controls a communication state between a fuel tank 10 and a canister 26 is provided. During stop of an internal combustion engine, the sealing valve 28 is generally closed, and the canister 26 is opened to the atmosphere. The sealing valve 28 is opened when the internal combustion engine is stopped, and differential pressure exceeding a valve opening determination value is generated between tank internal pressure and atmospheric pressure. A change in the tank internal pressure generated between before and after the sealing valve 28 is opened is detected. When the change in the tank internal pressure is below a predetermined determination value, closing failure of the sealing valve is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takuji Matsubara, Toru Kidokoro, Yoshihiko Hyodo
  • Patent number: 7210333
    Abstract: A humidity-sensitive porous layer (13) of a humidity-sensitive element section (3) of a humidity sensor (1) is formed of a crystalline phase oxide grains such as Al2O3—SnO2—TiO2 and of a glass phase such as silicate glass covering the crystalline phase. The glass phase contains an alkali metal oxide and/or alkaline earth metal oxide such as Li2O. The humidity sensitive porous layer (13) assumes a skeletal structure that is formed of crystalline phase oxide grains covered or coated with the glass phase. A heater (17) of the humidity sensor is controlled to heat the humidity-sensitive element section (3) at a temperature ranging from 500° C. to 800° C. so as to clean off the humidity-sensitive element section while an internal combustion engine is running and exhausting fouling substances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujita, Koichi Fujita, Satoshi Sugaya, Kenji Kato, Ryuji Inoue, Noboru Ishida
  • Patent number: 7210331
    Abstract: A detecting element is described, in particular a gas sensor for detecting the concentration of a gas component in a measuring gas, including a sensor element which is exposable to the measuring gas and has a connecting end section which is contacted by connecting cables and is exposed to a reference gas atmosphere. The end section is accommodated in a protective sleeve having a radial opening over which a gas-permeable diaphragm covering the at least one radial opening is provided, the diaphragm, in turn, being engaged by a clamping sleeve having at least one radial opening. To avoid the axial penetration of liquids between the clamping sleeve and the diaphragm, which would cause the detecting element to malfunction, the clamping sleeve is caulked axially above and below the radial openings. Both caulking zones are designed in such a way that the diaphragm is compressed with increasing force from the inner caulking edges facing each other to the outer caulking edges facing away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Weyl, Bernhard Wild, Rainer Maier, Michael Liebler, Peter Dettling, Lars Berger
  • Patent number: 7207216
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for isolating a downhole tool section from hydraulic and mechanical noise. Anchoring grippers are used in conjunction with a fluid diverter valve to anchor the tool section to a borehole wall and divert fluid flowing in the drill string away from sensitive test equipment during formation testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Matthias Meister, Sven Krueger, Christian Liss