Patents Examined by Stephen A. Kreitman
  • Patent number: 4624128
    Abstract: A probe for measuring hydrogen in aluminum melts includes straight inner and outer tubes, the latter having upper and lower plugs and a ceramic fiber sleeve in contact with said upper plug, a straight, ceramic blanketed third tube surrounding said plugs and preventing melt from passing therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 25, 1986
    Assignee: Union Carbide Corporation
    Inventor: John F. Pelton
  • Patent number: 4623840
    Abstract: An actuator has a cylindrical body, on the outer peripheral surface of which an induction coil is formed directly and a piston accommodated in the body and functioning as a core. The displacement of the piston can be detected by a detecting circuit for the change of the coil inductance in response to the displacement of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignees: K.K. Tokyo Koki Seizosho, Institute of Science and Engineering Service, Inc.
    Inventors: Tadato Fujimura, Tsutomu Fujii
  • Patent number: 4622845
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the detection of a selected species in a gas sample and includes a photo-acoustic detector coupled to an infrared radiation source with an acousto-optic tunable filter disposed between the source of infrared radiation and photo-acoustic detector. This combination is capable of measuring concentrations of controlled vapors in the parts-per-million range. These measurements may be performed in a few seconds via the portable gas detection and measurement device of this invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp.
    Inventors: Frederick M. Ryan, Donald W. Feldman
  • Patent number: 4623844
    Abstract: The volume of interest is excited. An array of pickup coils with water cores provide an array of signals whose frequencies indicate the magnetic field distribution. These frequencies are estimated and used to produce controlled magnetic field inhomogeneities which substantially cancel the undesired inhomogeneities in the field. The control signals can be stored and updated with each subsequent excitation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1986
    Inventor: Albert Macovski
  • Patent number: 4621522
    Abstract: A method of determining the minimum level of enrichment required to render a substantially immiscible gas miscible in a liquid hydrocarbon by observing the behavior of enriched gas bubbles having incrementally increasing levels of enrichment as they rise through samples of liquid hydrocarbon. The lowest level of enrichment at which a bubble is observed to dissipate in the liquid hydrocarbon is the minimum level of enrichment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Marathon Oil Company
    Inventors: Richard L. Christiansen, Hiemi Kim
  • Patent number: 4621532
    Abstract: A chain-like self-moving robot includes three or more capsule units connected to one another in a string by means of couplers. By expanding and contracting intercapsule spaces in a predetermined sequence so that a smaller number of the capsules are moved while a larger number of capsules remain stationary, the chain-like robot can move forwardly or backwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo Gas Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Takagi, Shigeru Izumi, Fuminobu Takahashi, Chikara Sato, Shinji Naitoh, Shinji Sonoda
  • Patent number: 4621518
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring very low levels of moisture in gases and vapors including an absorption column packed with fibers to selectively absorb the moisture. Preferably, the column is loosely packed with glass fibers. The moisture is desorbed from the column with a carrier gas that is passed through a moisture analyzer, preferably a P.sub.2 O.sub.5 hygrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company
    Inventor: Walter F. Gerdes
  • Patent number: 4621531
    Abstract: An ultrasonic microscope having an ultrasonic head and an optical head is disclosed. A slide plate on which the ultrasonic head and optical head are arranged in such a manner that they are separated by a predetermined spacing in Y direction is slidably secured to an arm of the ultrasonic microscope. Under such a construction, an ultrasonic observation by an ultrasonic raster image and an optical observation by an optical image can be performed precisely for the same region of a specimen by moving the ultrasonic head and optical head integrally by a distance substantially equal to the spacing by means of the slide plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzo Nakamura, Soji Yamamoto, Mitsugu Sakai, Fumio Uchino
  • Patent number: 4620437
    Abstract: A gas sensor has a heater circuit with a voltage-dividing element, and a voltage to energize the heater circuit is applied through a resistive lead wire element, while a sensor voltage to measure the resistance of a gas-sensitive element is branched from the heater circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Akio Takami, Toshitaka Matsuura, Toshifumi Sekiya, Yoshiaki Kuroki
  • Patent number: 4620443
    Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope is disclosed for the detection and location of near surface flaws, inclusions or voids in a solid sample material. A focused beam of acoustic energy is directed at the sample with its focal plane at the subsurface flaw, inclusion or void location. The sample is scanned with the beam. Detected acoustic energy specularly reflected and mode converted at the surface of the sample and acoustic energy reflected by subsurface flaws, inclusions or voids at the focal plane are used for generating an interference signal which is processed and forms a signal indicative of the subsurface flaws, inclusions or voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventor: Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub
  • Patent number: 4620446
    Abstract: An improved vibration-responsive device is provided for monitoring the condition of a selected apparatus. The improved device is adapted to be mounted to the selected apparatus and comprises a vibration-responsive transducer capable of generating an electrical output signal when the transducer is subjected to vibrations or shock, an auxiliary transducer capable of producing mechanical vibrations in response to an input electrical signal, and means mounting said auxiliary transducer in force-transmitting relation to the vibration-responsive transducer. The device is adapted to be connected to (1) a monitoring system for monitoring the electrical output of the vibration-responsive transducer (the "primary transducer") and (2) means for selectively energizing the auxiliary transducer with an externally generated test signal. When the auxiliary transducer is energized by the test signal, it will cause the associated primary transducer to vibrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 4, 1986
    Assignee: Bruel & Kjaer Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorgen Jensen, Gregory C. Michel
  • Patent number: 4620153
    Abstract: In an MRI system of the present invention, data of a reconstruction starting point, a sampling interval of projection data for respective lines along a specific line direction in a reconstruction image matrix and a predetermined correction coefficient value of the projection data are transferred to a constant generating circuit. In response to these data, the data of the sampling interval and the correction coefficient value for the specific line direction by every projection are generated, and the reconstruction starting points of the respective lines are sequentially generated. An output from the constant generating circuit is supplied to a reconstructor. In the reconstructor, the sampling interval is added to the reconstruction starting point, thereby obtaining reconstruction sampling positions of the projection data for the line direction corresponding to the reconstruction starting point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Masaaki Hino
  • Patent number: 4619142
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring vibrational forces emitted by a reaction wheel assembly during rotation of its rotor includes a low mass carriage (12) supported on a large mass base (10). The carriage (12) is in the form of an octagonal frame having an opening which is adapted for receiving the reaction wheel assembly (W) supported thereon by means of a mounting ring (22). The carriage (12) is supported on the base (10) by means of air bearings (A) which support the carriage in a generally frictionless manner when supplied with compressed air from a source (50). A plurality of carriage brackets (34) and a plurality of base blocks (30) provide for physical coupling of the base (10) and carriage (12). The sensing axes of the load cells (B) are arranged generally parallel to the base (10) and connected between the base and carriage such that all of the vibrational forces emitted by the reaction wheel assembly (W) are effectively transmitted through the sensing axes of the load cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1986
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventor: Gary L. Gisler
  • Patent number: 4617825
    Abstract: Advanced analytic methods and formulas have been developed for 2- and 3- mineral solutions in complex lithology reservoirs. Required logs are density, neutron, acoustic, and photoelectric absorption index (PE curve). On the basis of developed mathematic models of complex reservoirs the limitations and maximum possible errors in the determination of porosities and lithologic compositions are presented for each method. In most cases, the formulas developed are simple enough to be used with programmable calculators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Halliburton Company
    Inventor: Naum Ruhovets
  • Patent number: 4617830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for checking a heterogeneous transformation process of diffusion kinetics taking in a turbulent flow of a liquid, whereby the real-time checking or control of the processes is possible. The method involves the steps of detecting acoustic vibrations caused by oscillations of bubbles present in the turbulent flow of liquid, producing an electric signal reflecting the spectral compostion of the detected signal, and forming therefrom a measure signal reflecting the relative instantaneous value of the turbulent diffusion coefficient of the flowing liquid. The apparatus comprises a series circuit including an acoustic sensing unit 1, an amplifier 2, signal processing means 3 and computing means 4, wherein the signal processing means 3 are equipped with a circuit for dividing the output signal of the amplifier 2 into spectral ranges and determining a characteristic value and the average value for each range and the ratio of the characteristic values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Inventors: Gabor Pal, Gabor Endroczi, Gyorgy Hollos, Gabor Nagy, Gabor Szonyi, Bodi Laszlo, Zoltan Balazs
  • Patent number: 4617821
    Abstract: A gas detecting device principally used for detecting liquor contained in expired gas of a driver of a car. The gas detecting device is of the type wherein an inlet opening for sucking expired gas of an object person for measurement is provided adjacent an end of a cylindrical member, and an air blower for attracting the expired gas thus sucked and a gas detecting element for detecting liquor in the expired gas are contained in said cylindrical member, and comprises an illuminating section connected to said power source for illuminating forwardly of said inlet opening of said cylindrical member. Thus, the gas detecting device is integrally provided with an illuminating function and a gas detecting function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Meiso Yokoyama, Makoto Takahashi, Tsunehiko Nishiwaki, Makoto Imai
  • Patent number: 4618990
    Abstract: For edge enhancement of a digitized fluorographic image, the original image is stored in a full frame memory. When each video vertical blanking pulse occurs time delays are initiated corresponding to shifting whole lines of pixels successively to the left and right and up and down by integral numbers before the pixels are read out of memory. As the pixels are read out for each vertical blanking cycle, they are multiplied by a coefficient related to the pixel shift number and the result is added to to image data from preceding cycles that are summed and stored in a second memory and the new result is returned to the second memory. The final result is an edge map in the second memory constituting digital values corresponding to the frequency components at edges. These are added to corresponding pixels in the original image, resulting in higher and sharper edges in a final digital image. The image is then converted to analog video signals to permit display on a video monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Lawrence E. Sieb, Jr., David G. Mliner
  • Patent number: 4617516
    Abstract: A cylindrical coil for providing a magnetic field having a substantially linear gradient in an axial direction within the volume of the cylinder, as can be utilized in NMR apparatus, includes a cylindrical coil support structure and electrically conductive winding turns wound on the outer surface of the support structure. The winding turns are electrically insulated from each other and are located such that the axial density of the winding turns increases linearly from the center of the coil to each axial end thereof. Preferably, the winding turns are located so that the angular position .phi. of the spiral path of the windings on the surface of the cylindrical support structure satisfies the relationship determined by the equation ##EQU1## The coil may also include additional electrically conductive winding turns for compensating for variations in the linearity of the magnetic field gradient which are due to the coil being of finite length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: John F. Schenck
  • Patent number: 4616501
    Abstract: A system employs ultrasound to determine the concentration of gases present within a chamber. The system causes ultrasound to propagate through the chamber at each of at least two operating frequencies. The amplitude of the ultrasound at a predetermined point within the chamber is recorded for each operating frequency to form a set of measured amplitudes. The set of measured amplitudes is compared to a mathematical model developed experimentally that expresses the amplitude response of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: American Sterilizer Company
    Inventor: Douglas M. Mechlenburg
  • Patent number: 4615217
    Abstract: A two-probe ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus, in which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted from a transmission probe into an object being inspected and ultrasonic waves reflected from a reflection surface in the object are received by a reception probe, operates to determine the position at which the combined intensity of ultrasonic waves reflected from each part of the reflection surface form a maximum. The reception probe is then moved to the position of maximum reception intensity. The position of maximum reception intensity is determined using as input parameters the ultrasonic characteristics of the object being inspected and of the transmission and reception probes, and the position of the transmission probe and the angle of incidence of the ultrasonic wave into the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1986
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Koike, Fuminobu Takahashi, Satoshi Ogura, Kazunori Koga