Patents Examined by Roger Hernandez-Prewitt
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Patent number: 8398302Abstract: A protruding length L1 that is a distance between an inner circumference of a flow path through which fluid flows on an axis of a temperature sensor disposed in the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device is 50 mm or more. A protruding location that is a distance between an inner circumferential surface of the flow path and the center of said temperature sensitive device on a cross section extending perpendicular to the axis of said flow path through the center of said temperature sensitive device is defined as L1?. A flow path width that is a distance between intersections of the axis of the temperature sensor with the inner circumferential surface of said flow path when the temperature sensor is projected onto said cross section is defined as D1. A relation of L1?/D1 is specified as a function of the value of D1, thereby reducing heat transfer in an exhaust temperature sensor and enabling the temperature to be measured accurately.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2008Date of Patent: March 19, 2013Assignee: Denso CorporationInventor: Tsunenobu Hori
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Patent number: 8387454Abstract: The present invention provides a hybrid fluid flow meter pressure vessel assembly (1) that includes an interior housing (11) fabricated from plastic, and an exterior ring structure (26) fabricated from metal. Interior housing (11) has sidewalls (14) and an internal chamber (17). The sidewalls (14) of the interior housing (11) have first and second apertures (20, 23) that are each in fluid communication with the internal chamber (17). The exterior ring structure (26) encompasses at least a portion of an exterior (29) of the sidewalls (14) of the interior housing (11), and includes outwardly extending first and second conduits (38, 41) that are in respective fluid communication with the first and second apertures (20, 23) of the interior housing (11).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2010Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignee: Arad Ltd.Inventors: Shaul Margalit, Nitzan Cohen, Yoel Ben Moshe, Jerry Potter
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Patent number: 8381569Abstract: A method for determining the amount of laundry in a laundry treating appliance comprises a drum defining a treating chamber for receiving the laundry and a motor for rotating the drum that may be operated to simulate a spring to oscillate the drum relative to a predetermined rotational position. The angular decay of the drum relative to the predetermined position may be determined and used to determine the amount of laundry.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2009Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Dietmar E. Lilie, Rodrigo S. Teixeira
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Patent number: 8381586Abstract: A metering apparatus for measuring the flow of water or other fluid through a conduit. The meter comprises a measuring chamber, in which is disposed a nutating ball and disc. A unitary biaxial member, comprising a drive shaft and a spindle having a longitudinal axis offset from that of the drive shaft, couples the ball and disc to a rotating magnet. The unitary biaxial member both controls the offset of the ball and disc from horizontal, such that it nutates in response to water flow through the meter, and translates this nutation to rotation of the magnet, allowing for measurement of water volume flowing through the measuring chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2010Date of Patent: February 26, 2013Assignee: Neptune Technology Group, Inc.Inventor: John Raymond Scarborough, III
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Patent number: 8348505Abstract: The present invention relates to a calibration circuit, computer program product, and method of calibrating a junction temperature measurement of a semiconductor element, wherein respective forward voltages at junctions of the semiconductor element and a reference temperature sensor are measured, and an absolute ambient temperature is determined by using the reference temperature sensor, and the junction temperature of the semiconductor element is predicted based on the absolute ambient temperature and the measured forward voltages.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: January 8, 2013Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventors: Viet Nguyen Hoang, Pascal Bancken, Radu Surdeanu, Benoit Bataillou, David van Steenwinckel
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Patent number: 8342032Abstract: This invention relates to a tribology device for assessing mouthfeel-related tribological properties of a food sample, comprising a measuring surface composed of a thermoplastic polymer as an integral part.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2008Date of Patent: January 1, 2013Assignee: Cargill, IncorporatedInventors: Stéphane Jules Jérôme Debon, Jozef Guido Roza Vanhemelrijck, Stefan K. Baier, Brian D. Guthrie
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Patent number: 8336378Abstract: A method for estimating the moment of inertia of a rotating unit of a washing or washing-and-drying machine comprising the steps of: establishing one or more linear parameters; rotating the drum of the rotating unit in such a way as to reach a set of speeds of a pre-set value; once each speed of a pre-set value is reached, detecting the value of the torque provided to the rotating unit; and finally estimating the moment of inertia of the rotating unit through a linear combination of the torques detected and by means of the linear parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2009Date of Patent: December 25, 2012Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Terenzio Girotto, Marco Giovagnoni
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Patent number: 8297836Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the temperature of a nozzle having fluid material injected from an injection molding machine through a flow channel in a heated manifold that is coupled to a nozzle that is coupled to the cavity of a mold, the apparatus comprising: a heating device comprising a controllably heatable thermally conductive heating element; the heating element of the heating device being mounted on or around the outer surface of the tube of the nozzle at an end point; a temperature monitor comprising a temperature sensor mounted on or around the nozzle at a selected position along the axis of the bore of the nozzle; and, a thermal insulator disposed along the axis of the nozzle separating the end point of the heating element and the temperature sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: October 30, 2012Assignee: Synventive Molding Solutions, Inc.Inventors: John Peter Kuntz, Sebastiaan Hubertus Franciscus Smits, Michael Lewis Vasapoli, Christian Götz, Vito Galati
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Patent number: 8287183Abstract: A method of thermal inspection of a component defining at least one internal passageway. The method includes receiving a continuous sequence of thermal images of at least an exit hole defined by the at least one internal passageway at a surface of the component. The method also includes delivering a pressurized airflow pulse into the at least one internal passageway, receiving a temperature response signal as function of time based on the received thermal images, determining a first derivative of the temperature response signal, and determining a level of blockage of the at least one internal passageway based on the first derivative of the temperature response signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2011Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Thermal Wave Imaging, Inc.Inventors: Steven Shepard, James R. Lhota, Tasdiq Ahmed, Bharat B. Chaudhry
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Patent number: 8272266Abstract: Gyroscopes using surface electrodes are provided. In this regard, a representative microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) gyroscope, among others, includes a top substrate and a bottom substrate. The top substrate includes an outermost structure that is open and enclosed and a first driving structure that is disposed within the outermost structure and includes first driving electrodes disposed on a bottom surface. The bottom substrate is disposed below the top substrate and includes second driving electrodes disposed on a top surface of the bottom substrate. The second driving electrodes are substantially aligned below the first driving electrodes such that a force can be applied to the first driving structure by an electrostatic force generated between the first and second driving electrodes. The first and second driving electrodes are also configured to provide a capacitance signal based on the movement of the first driving structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 25, 2012Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Inventors: Wenhua Zhang, Peter George Hartwell, Lennie K Kiyama, Robert G Walmsley
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Patent number: 8266956Abstract: A method for demonstrating the comparative break-though strengths of at least two tissue products is disclosed. The steps include: a) providing a break-through test apparatus b) providing the tissue products; c) observing a first condition of each tissue product; d) disposing a first of the tissue products between a lower platen and an upper platen in a face-to-face-to-face relationship between coextensive apertures disposed within the lower and upper platen; e) providing a simulated mucous composition; f) directing a first portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the first tissue product; g) observing a second condition of the first tissue product; h) disposing a second tissue product between the coextensive apertures; i) directing a second portion of the simulated mucous composition toward the second tissue product; j) observing a second condition of the second tissue product; and, k) comparing the second condition of the first tissue product and the second condition of the second tissue product.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Gregg Thomas Weaver, Michael Scott Prodoehl, LaTisha Evette Salaam, Joseph Jay Bullock, Elizabeth Ann Kreider
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Patent number: 8266963Abstract: A method for generating electrical power from an acceleration of an object is provided. The method including: vibrating a mass-spring unit upon an acceleration of an object; transmitting a force resulting from the acceleration from the mass-spring unit to the one or more piezoelectric elements; converting the vibration of the mass-spring unit to an electrical energy; and calculating at least one of the force and acceleration based on an output of the one or more piezoelectric elements.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2009Date of Patent: September 18, 2012Assignee: Omnitek Partners LLCInventors: Jahangir S. Rastegar, Thomas Spinelli
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Patent number: 8261601Abstract: The described invention relates to a method for determining corrosion in wet gas pipelines comprising: a) using a portion of the liquid phase from a wet gas pipeline; b) placing said portion in a high pressure, high temperature autoclave to prepare a saturated vapor phase; c) transferring the saturated vapor to a corrosion test unit, said unit having a specimen holder section having external, temperature adjustable means, and specimens being arranged in one or more positions within the specimen holder; d) chilling said specimen holder section so as to cause condensation onto said corrosion testing specimens; and, e) calculating a value selected from the group consisting of corrosions rate, pitting of the specimen, weight loss of the specimen, and any combination thereof. The invention process can be practiced in a separate laboratory apparatus designed to accomplish the above method, or in a similar online apparatus set up in a semi-batch mode or continuous mode.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2009Date of Patent: September 11, 2012Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research CompanyInventors: Joseph W. Stolle, Dylan V. Pugh, David A. Norman, Wei Sun
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Patent number: 8256290Abstract: Angular rate sensor for detecting rotation about first, second and third mutually perpendicular input axes having a plurality of generally planar proof masses coupled together for linear drive-mode oscillation along multi-directional drive axes in a plane formed by the first and second input axes. The masses are mounted on a generally planar sense frame for linear movements relative to the sense frame in drive-mode and for rotation together with the sense frame in sense modes. The sense frame is mounted for rotation with the masses in sense modes about the first, second, and third input axes independent of each other, in response to Coriolis forces produced by rotation of the masses about the first, second, and third input axes respectively. And capacitance sensors responsive to the rotational movements of the masses and the sense frame in sense modes are employed for monitoring rate of rotation.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Inventor: Minyao Mao
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Patent number: 8250910Abstract: A method for incrementally ascertaining a rotation angle of a shaft, in particular of a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine, the shaft being connected to a sensor wheel having teeth and tooth gaps, and at least one sensor being associated with the sensor wheel, the sensor generating a square-wave signal as an output signal which may assume a first value or a second value, and a signal edge being associated with a tooth edge, and the position in time of a counteredge with respect to the edge encoding a direction of rotation, an assignment of a direction of rotation reversal point to a tooth of the sensor wheel or a tooth gap of the sensor wheel being encoded by the position in time of the counteredge with respect to the edge, the rotation angle being ascertained by adding an increment for each signal edge to a counter, after a direction of rotation reversal while a tooth passes the sensor, a half-increment, having a sign of the direction of rotation after the direction of rotation reversal, being increType: GrantFiled: November 9, 2007Date of Patent: August 28, 2012Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Eduard Rolew, Uwe Kassner
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Patent number: 8240200Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Southwest Research InstituteInventors: Isaias S. Chocron, Arthur E. Nicholls, Charles E. Anderson, Jr., James D. Walker
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Patent number: 8230747Abstract: An apparatus for a burst safe pressure-neutral high pressure cylinder in pVT and condensate cells is described. The dimensions of an outer cylinder are such as to prevent plastic flow of the inner cylinder wall caused by elevated inside pressure and/or temperature.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2006Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Sinvent ASInventor: Erik Gøsta Bruno Lindeberg
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Patent number: 8230718Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus that precisely measures the bearings in a rotor pitch link. The apparatus permits measurements to within a thousandths of an inch to be taken in multiple perpendicular orientations. Namely, measurements can be taken in the axial direction, in the longitudinal radial direction, and in the transverse radial direction. All of these measurements can be taken without having to reorient the pitch link. By using the apparatus of the present invention, a user can detect unacceptable levels of wear within the pitch link bearings to thereby permit timely replacement and/or repair.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2008Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Walin Tool, LLCInventors: Linda K. Swadling, Bryan Hinman, Dan Oliverius
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Patent number: 8225667Abstract: A self propelled scanning device is disclosed. The device includes a self propelled chassis that is locomotive across a surface to be scanned, a translator attached to the chassis, and a carriage attached to the translator and adapted to receive a scanner. The translator selectively moves the carriage in at least one dimension across the surface to be scanned.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Veracity Technology Solutions, LLCInventors: Jay Hanan, Walter Matulewicz
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Patent number: 8225655Abstract: An altitude sensor includes a support frame and a sensor unit mounted in the support frame. The support frame has an upper shield and a lower shield. The sensor unit includes a beam and a damper. The damper is configured to move up and down in response to the air flow, which drives the beam to move up and down accordingly. Distances from the damper to the upper shield and the lower shield are less than those from the beam to upper shield and the lower shield. The altitude sensor possesses super specific properties such as unlimited sensitivity to flying height because of no size constraints and unchanged sensitivity under a changing environment, a selfprotective mechanism to resist deformation in case of an accident, easy manufacture process as well as low production cost. The present invention also discloses an altitude sensor for use in a disk drive device and a disk drive device with the altitude sensor.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: SAE Magnetics (H.K.) Ltd.Inventor: MingGao Yao