Patents Examined by T Miller
  • Patent number: 6988420
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing power transmission components of a locked gear train having two helical gears coupled on a first shaft meshed with two helical pinions coupled on a second shaft, with the two gears arranged to axially translate (while rotating) with respect to the two pinions when a linear force is applied to a thrust bearing at an end of the first shaft. The axial displacement of the two gears causes torsional displacements of the meshed gear and shaft elements, creating a dynamic torque within the locked train assembly. Under rotation, this dynamic torque subjects the components within the locked gear train to a much higher power level for testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Assignee: Lufkin Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Peterson, Curtis W. Havard, Robert Guizzetti, Kenneth O. Beckman
  • Patent number: 6973825
    Abstract: A mass fluid flow sensor includes an internal bypass passage characterized by a first section that converges along a first axis to define a nozzle, and a radially-expanded generally-cylindrical second section immediately adjacent to and coaxial with the first section so as to define a radial step at the nozzle exit. The passage further includes a semispherical third section adjacent to the second section having the same nominal diameter, a converging fourth section whose nominal axis is disposed at a right angle to the nominal axis of the first and second sections, and a fifth section adjacent to the fourth section that includes a further ninety degree bend. The resulting U-shaped passage features reduced pressure losses and an improved velocity profile, whereby the performance of a sensing element disposed in the passage proximate to the radial step is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Myers, Lawrence A. Zurek, Richard W. Caron
  • Patent number: 6966230
    Abstract: A dynamometric tool uses a four-mandrel press. The press head is provided with a specific press geometry which is predefined by the mandrels. The dynamometric tool produces a tool which can determine the actual force of compression in an easy-to-handle manner. The dynamometric tool also has two levers which are joined together and adapted to the geometry of the press head, and which interact upon a pressure sensor during compression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Gustav Klauke GmbH
    Inventor: Egbert Frenken
  • Patent number: 6959610
    Abstract: An improved manual purge system for periodically cleaning pressure sensing flow element tubing is provided that is a complete self-contained system for allowing manual determination and initiation of flow element purging. Additionally, the system can be easily upgraded to an automatic purge system without removal from the process system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Inventor: James R. Bowers
  • Patent number: 6951142
    Abstract: A thin plate-shaped six-axis force sensor chip comprising a semiconductor substrate formed by semiconductor film-forming processes, the sensor chip having through-holes formed therein and arranged so that the sensor chip is functionally divided by the through-holes into an action part to which an external force is applied, a support part to be fixed to an external structure, and a plurality of connecting parts each connecting together the action part and the support part and having a bridge portion of generally T-shaped configuration joined to the action part and an elastic portion joined to the support part. Each of the connecting parts has a plurality of strain resistance devices each comprising an active layer formed on at least one of front and rear faces thereof in an area thereof where deformation strain effectively occurs, the strain resistance devices being electrically connected to corresponding electrodes disposed in the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takeshi Ohsato, Yusuke Hirabayashi
  • Patent number: 6948385
    Abstract: One or plural rotors are coaxially provided on a first shaft and a second shaft connected with each other by a connection shaft. Plural targets are provided at each rotor. Two detecting means disposed opposite to the targets output detection signals having phases different from each other as the rotor rotates. The steering apparatus assists steering according to a steering torque applied to the first shaft detected based on the detection signals and a steering angle of the first shaft. The steering apparatus has comparing means for comparing the detection signals with each other; malfunction judging means for judging whether any one of the detecting means is malfunctioning or not on the basis of a comparison result; and notifying means for notifying a malfunction when the malfunction judging means judges that there is a malfunction and can notify the driver of a malfunction in a torque sensor when it occurs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Mahito Shiba, Naoki Maeda, Kenichi Kotaka
  • Patent number: 6948379
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter that incorporates a straight Coriolis measuring tube, two straight connecting pipes, at least one oscillator stimulating the tube, a measuring sensor associated with the tube and a compensating cylinder, where the tube is positioned within the cylinder, the two end sections of the cylinder are solidly connected to the respective end sections of the tube, the tube transitions with either end section into a connecting pipe, the connecting pipes extending outside the compensating cylinder, and by means of mounting flanges provided on the external ends of the connecting pipes, the mass flowmeter can be installed in a pipeline system. Each connecting pipe meets the requirements of the formula M ? ? ? f 2 e ? ? ? i / l 3 > 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Krohne AG
    Inventors: Yousif A. Hussain, Chris N. Rolph, Neil Harrison, Vincent Cook, Lawrence Davies
  • Patent number: 6948380
    Abstract: A torque-indicating wrench includes a wrench body with a head to engage and turn a workpiece, and a stem having an inner peripheral wall with longitudinal and transverse wall segments. A strainable body made of a material with an elasticity modulus smaller than that of the stem has an outer peripheral wall which includes front and rear bending force transmitting areas in engagement with and stretchable relative to the front and rear regions of the longitudinal wall segments, and two gage carrying regions and front and rear end regions that are spaced apart from the longitudinal and transverse wall segments, respectively. A strain gage unit is attached to one of the gage carrying regions to detect change in resistance values corresponding to stretching deformation of the strainable body for processing by a processing circuit so as to obtain a value of torque applied to the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Stand Tools Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hsuan-Sen Shiao, Da-Jeng Yao, Tsong-Li Lee, Chia-Ju Wu, Han-Tai Fan
  • Patent number: 6948381
    Abstract: A system and method relating to the measuring of torque in a rotating shaft is provided. An optical torque sensing system comprises a rotating shaft, wherein a sleeve of photo-elastic material overlays a portion of the shaft. A light emitting component delivers light into the photo-elastic material, wherein the light delivered by the light emitting component is directed through the photo-elastic material along an axis of the rotating shaft. A capturing component captures the light that exits the photo-elastic material. The exiting light comprises fringe pattern data, and a computing system computes torsion strain of the shaft based at least in part on the fringe pattern information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick M. Discenzo
  • Patent number: 6938497
    Abstract: An acoustic flow meter in the form of a valve key has an acoustic sensor 12 for measuring the peak sound level which occurs when the key is used to close a valve in a fluid pipeline. The peak sound level can be used to accurately calculate the flow through the valve and provide the flow information on a display unit 11. Parameters for the upstream supply pressure, pipe diameter and valve characteristics can be entered to ensure the accuracy of the flow calculations. The key therefore provides a way of determining fluid flow in a pipeline to a reasonable level of accuracy without having to install in-line flow meters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: RPS Water Services Limited
    Inventor: Arthur Arscott
  • Patent number: 6935195
    Abstract: A rotational angle detecting apparatus wherein one or more first targets 3a are provided on a steering shaft 13 so that first detecting means 1A outputs a detection signal as the steering shaft 13 rotates, second detecting means 1B outputs a detection signal having a phase different from that of the detection signal of the first detecting means 1A, and the rotational angle of the steering shaft 13 is detected on the basis of the detection signals outputted by the first detecting means 1A and the second detecting means 1B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitomo Tokumoto, Naoki Maeda, Mahito Shiba
  • Patent number: 6935190
    Abstract: An apparatus for flow rate measurement includes a body having a chamber with an inlet and an outlet and a structure, buoyant in the presence of a fluid, disposed in the chamber. The structure moves to a position in the chamber in proportion to a flow rate of the fluid flowing from the inlet to the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Murray J. Height, Eun Young Hwang, Timothy J. Prestero
  • Patent number: 6907767
    Abstract: A dropping test apparatus for a mobile communication terminal is provided. The test apparatus comprises: a main body; a first group of fixed members attached to a first group of inclined surfaces formed on the main body for providing one or more distinct dropping orientations for a folder type mobile communication terminal in an open position; a second group of fixed members attached to a second group of inclined surfaces formed on the main body for providing one or more distinct dropping orientations for a folder type mobile communication terminal in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Ho Seung
  • Patent number: 6901818
    Abstract: A device for measuring tension in a line for mooring a ship to a dock or an anchor. The device includes three pulleys secured to rigid frames or springs. Sensors are placed on rigid frames, springs or shafts for securing the pulleys. Portions of the mooring line extending from a center pulley to the other two pulleys are approximately perpendicular to portions of line extending from the two pulleys to a winch or a mooring post or hook. The springs between the pulleys may provide resilience in the mooring line which may obviate a need for a pendent line between the mooring line and the winch. The sensors communicate with a signal-processing unit which transmits amplified sensor signals to a monitor which is accessible to personnel aboard the ship. The monitor may display the tension in the mooring line in text or graphic formats.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Inventor: Maxwell C. Cheung
  • Patent number: 6901817
    Abstract: A neutral point voltage regulator of a torque sensor which has a pair of coils having inductances changing in opposite directions based on torques, and torque detecting means for outputting a torque detecting voltage Vt based on a voltage difference between a first voltage and a second voltage based on respective inductance changes of the pair of coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2005
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Koga, Takayuki Ueno
  • Patent number: 6898983
    Abstract: A strain gage apparatus for measuring the load applied to a derrick leg mechanically multiplies the deflection or distortion of a strain gage. The apparatus attaches to the derrick leg at two points that are spaced about five feet apart. Accumulated strain along the five-foot section moves one end of an elongate member a significant distance. The distance is much greater than any localized movement or minute strain in the derrick leg. The movement of the elongate member stresses a reaction member upon which the strain gage is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Key Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederic M. Newman
  • Patent number: 6892566
    Abstract: A gas concentration sensor includes a measurement chamber for measuring a concentration of a specific gas component in a gas under measurement; an inflow path for allowing inflow of the gas under measurement thereinto and an outflow path for allowing outflow of the gas under measurement therefrom; a reflection wall for reflecting an acoustic wave; and an acoustic wave transmitting-receiving element having a transmitting-receiving surface adapted to transmit an acoustic wave toward the reflection wall and receive an acoustic wave reflected from the reflection wall. The concentration of the specific gas in the gas under measurement is detected on the basis of a propagation time between transmission of the acoustic wave and reception of the reflected acoustic wave. When a predetermined member having the sensor attached thereto is placed in a horizontal plane, the transmitting-receiving surface faces downward. A recess is formed in a peripheral portion of the reflection wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2005
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masashi Sakamoto, Yoshikuni Sato, Hideki Ishikawa, Keigo Banno, Noboru Ishida
  • Patent number: 6874370
    Abstract: Machine vision is used to track nodes on the perimeter of a geometric shape associated with a body undergoing cyclic loading, the geometric shape defining a target. The movement of the nodes is related to calculate strain through principles of Finite Element Analysis. The calculated strain is used to determine fatigue damage in the body based on an equation and data obtained using strain-controlled test methods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Inventor: Reginald I. Vachon
  • Patent number: 6874374
    Abstract: A flowmeter is described which has a retrievable housing conduit which is locatable within a conduit or pipe and which seals against the pipe so that fluid only flows through the housing conduit, and a flow restriction is created within the housing conduit to create a Venturi when in use. At least two spaced pressure measuring stations are provided along the housing conduit, one of the stations located at an unrestricted flow location, the other at a restricted flow location, whereby pressures measured at these stations can be used to calculate fluid flow rates. Embodiments of the invention are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Expro North Sea Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Richards, Brett Lestrange
  • Patent number: 6874350
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing mechanical endurance of a surface of an optical disc are disclosed. The apparatus includes a rotating plate, on which an optical disc to be scratched is loaded, for rotating the loaded optical disc, and a plurality of abrasion wheels of a predetermined type, disposed at a perpendicular to the rotating plate, for contacting the optical disc and generating the scratch, the scratch being generated when the optical disc rotates a predetermined number of turns, e.g., a maximum of 5 turns for the abrasion wheels to apply a predetermined load on the optical disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hun Seo, Jin Hong Kim, Chang Ho Lee, Tae Hee Jeong, Keum Cheol Kwak