Patents Examined by Tu Hoang
  • Patent number: 7072378
    Abstract: An induction heating apparatus includes a measurement device for indicating an electrical resistance of a material to be heated. A controller is configured for energizing an inductor in response to the indicated resistance. An inductor may be energized with an alternating current, a characteristic of which may be selected in response to an indicated electrical resistance. Alternatively, a temperature of the material may be indicated via measuring the electrical resistance thereof and a characteristic of an alternating current for energizing the inductor may be selected in response to the temperature. Energizing the inductor may minimize the difference between a desired and indicated resistance or the difference between a desired and indicated temperature. A method of determining a temperature of at least one region of at least one material to be induction heated includes correlating a measured electrical resistance thereof to an average temperature thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: John G. Richardson, John L. Morrison, Grant L. Hawkes
  • Patent number: 7071810
    Abstract: An over-current protection apparatus comprises a plurality of over-current protection devices and a bonding sheet. Each over-current protection device comprises at least one current-sensitive element, two outer electrode layers and at least one insulating layer disposed on a surface of the current-sensitive element. The bonding sheet penetrates and connects the plurality of over-current protection devices, and is disposed on a surface of the at least one current-sensitive element for insulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Polytronics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yun Ching Ma, Ching Han Yu
  • Patent number: 7067776
    Abstract: The invention concerns a controlling and monitoring device for avoiding damage through overheating in the case of flexible, textile surface heating elements which include at least two opposed contact conductors (3.1, 3.2) made of electrically conducting, non-insulated fibers or wires between which there extends a plurality of heating conductors (8) which are electrically connected to the contact conductors (3.1, 3.2) and to a current-voltage source. At least one additional conductor (1) is guided along at least one contact conductor over the heating conductors (8), wherein the additional conductor (1) is electrically insulated by a covering material and is connected to an electric or electronic evaluation switch (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: I.G. Bauerhin GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Michelmann
  • Patent number: 7068142
    Abstract: A pressure-sensitive sensor includes two base films opposite to each other, a pair of electrodes provided on the two base films, and first and second pressure-sensitive resistors provided by two layers on the electrodes to form a predetermined gap therebetween. Further, a contact state between the first and second pressure-sensitive resistors is changed in accordance with a pressure applied to at least one of the base films, and a resistance between the electrodes is changed in accordance with the contact state between the pressure-sensitive resistors. In addition, each of the pressure-sensitive resistors is constructed with a binder resin having an elasticity modulus in a range between 10 and 1000 Mpa, and electrical conductive particles each of which is coated with a polymer. Accordingly, the pressure-sensitive sensor including the pressure-sensitive resistors can accurately detect a pressure in a range between 1 and 20 kPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoyasu Watanabe, Kenichi Yanai, Masashi Totokawa, Yuuichi Sekine
  • Patent number: 7064300
    Abstract: A method and apparatus achieves making a surface-analysis determination precedent to allowing an electrofusion welding operation on pipe stock which is prescribed to be scraped, skinned or cleaned of surface contaminants prior to being graded ‘passable’ for such electrofusion welding. The method and apparatus utilizes non-contacting probes affixed to the welding power-supply leads such that inspection is automatic on the applicable pipe section(s) contemporaneously prior to enabling power-supply to the hot-wire welding coils. If the applicable pipe section fails the inspection, the welding equipment is disabled until the probes are disassembled, and then re-assembled for a succeeding inspection, such that during the interim an operator presumptively rectifies the situation as by re-scraping or skinning the applicable pipe section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Inventor: Dave Emerson
  • Patent number: 7064650
    Abstract: A foil-type switching element comprises a first carrier foil having a first electrode arrangement applied thereon and a second carrier foil having a second electrode arrangement applied thereon, said first and second carrier foils being arranged at a certain distance by means of a spacer in such a way that said first and second electrodes face each other in an active area of said switching element. At least said second electrode arrangement comprises a resistive layer which faces said first electrode arrangement. In response to a pressure acting on said switching element said first and second electrode arrangements are pressed together, the shape and/or the size of a mechanical contact surface between said first and second electrode arrangements being given by a mechanical response function depending on the amount of pressure applied. According to the invention, said resistive layer has a shape such that an electrical response function of said sensor is decoupled from said mechanical response function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: IEE International Electronics & Engineering S.A.
    Inventors: Werner Bieck, Yves Decoster, Alain Schumacher, Thomas Schleeh
  • Patent number: 7064649
    Abstract: A magnetoresistive layer system including a layer sequence including at least two magnetic layers, a non-magnetic, electrically conductive intermediate layer being arranged between them; the electrical resistance of the layer system being changeable as a function of an external magnetic field acting on the layer system. At least one magnetically hard layer is integrated in the layer system, at least in certain areas, applying a magnetic field at least in the area of a boundary surface between the magnetic layers and the intermediate layer. The magnetoresistive layer system is suitable in particular for use in a GMR sensor element including coupled multilayers or in an AMR sensor element having a barberpole structure. In addition, the system includes a gradiometer including a plurality of such layer systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schmollngruber, Henrik Siegle
  • Patent number: 7060931
    Abstract: Disclosed is a neutral beam source used for etching a semiconductor device. The neutral beam source includes a plasma chamber having quartz provided at an outer wall thereof with an RF coil, a grid assembly, a reflective member, and an electromagnet arranged around the plasma chamber while surrounding the plasma chamber. Plasma density becomes high due to the magnetic field applied to the plasma chamber so that an amount of ion flux is increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Sungkyunkwan University
    Inventors: Geun-Young Yeom, Do-Haing Lee, Byoung Jac Park
  • Patent number: 7061364
    Abstract: A sensor and method of manufacturing a variable resistance sensor with a protective sheath that is cost effective and highly reliable, with stable resistance with an operating range of up to 1700° C. in hostile environments. The sheath is formed of highly stable dispersion hardened materials capable of withstanding mechanical loads and chemical attacks at elevated temperatures while maintaining internal chemical integrity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Harco Labratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Samir W. Habboosh
  • Patent number: 7061363
    Abstract: A passive, high-temperature-resistant resistor element for measuring temperature is provided, the resistor element having an essentially interior insulating layer and two exterior conducting layers of a ceramic composite structure; the conducting layers being connected to one another at the tip of the resistor element; and the ceramic composite structure including trisilicon tetranitride, a metal silicide, and yttrium oxide or trisilicon tetranitride, a metal silicide, and a matrix phase of SixOyCzNw, where x signifies 1–2, y signifies 0–2, and w signifies 0–2. A combination element of this resistor element and a sheathed type glow plug, for example, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Albrecht Geissinger, Gert Lindemann, Jens Stefan Schneider, Wolfgang Dressler, Friederike Lindner, Ulrich Eisele, Frank Stanglmeier, Volker Rothacker, Christoph Kern, Thomas Moser
  • Patent number: 7060946
    Abstract: An analytical device includes a heat output portion for heating an interior of a housing with which an analyzing portion is surrounded; a first temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the analyzing portion; a second temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of an interior of the housing; and a control portion. The control portion determines a setting value of the temperature in the housing according to a transfer function of a PID control based on a difference between a preset temperature of the analyzing portion and the temperature measured by the first temperature sensor. Further, the control portion determines an output value of the heat output portion according to a transfer function of PID control based on a difference between the setting value of the temperature in the housing and the temperature measured by the second temperature sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuo Yamauchi
  • Patent number: 7061964
    Abstract: An electrostatic levitation furnace is improved by providing three pairs of electrodes opposed to each other respectively on three axes perpendicularly intercepting each other at a position where the sample is to be levitated in the vacuum chamber, and disposing a plurality of access ports, which are directed to the position of the sample, to the vacuum chamber tree-dimensionally, whereby the accessible direction against the sample is diversified, it becomes possible to improve the degree of freedom in distribution of various apparatuses and easily cope with increase of apparatuses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: IHI Aerospace Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazunori Kawasaki, Hiroaki Asahi, Shoji Muramatsu, Tetsuya Takada
  • Patent number: 7057490
    Abstract: A resistor having reliability in electrical connection between an upper surface electrode and a side face electrode, and in bonding strength between a first thin film and a second thin film is provided. The resistor includes upper surface electrodes formed on a main surface a substrate and side face electrodes disposed to side faces of the substrate and connected electrically to the pair of upper surface electrodes, respectively. The upper surface electrode includes a first upper surface electrode layer and a bonding layer overlying the first upper surface electrode layer. The side face electrode includes a first thin film disposed to a side face of the substrate, a second thin film composed of copper-base alloy film and connected electrically to the first thin film, a first plating film formed by nickel plating for covering the second thin film, and a second plating film covering the first plating film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Masato Hashimoto, Akio Fukuoka, Toshiki Matsukawa, Hiroyuki Saikawa, Tsutomu Nakanishi
  • Patent number: 7057491
    Abstract: An impedance network configuration in the form of a snake-like or ladder structure is provided. The ladder configuration enables the provision of tabs extending outwardly from the normal conducting path, the tabs providing a location for the provision of contact layers. Using such a configuration the contribution of the contact impedance can be minimized and also programming of the configuration may be effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Dempsey
  • Patent number: 7053750
    Abstract: A resistive pin for use in a voltage probe includes a pin-head that is configured to contact a test point in a device under test, and a resistor that is attached to the pin-head. Other systems are also provided for establishing electrical connections between testing instruments and devices under test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: David J Dascher
  • Patent number: 7053749
    Abstract: A metal plate resistor includes a resistive body comprising a metal plate, and at least a pair of electrodes joined respectively to opposite ends of the resistive body, the electrodes being made of a highly conductive metal conductor. The resistive body has a main section positioned between the electrodes and a pair of electrode sections progressively wider than the main section in directions away from the main section. The electrodes are disposed respectively beneath the electrode sections and identical in shape to the electrode sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: KOA Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ishida, Satoshi Chiku
  • Patent number: 7053748
    Abstract: A composite circuit protection device includes a laminar insulating member and first and second laminar circuit protection devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Tyco Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Justin Chiang, Shou-Mean Fang, William C. Beadling
  • Patent number: 7049926
    Abstract: Disclosed is a variable voltage protection device for electronic devices which in one aspect comprises a thin layer of neat dielectric polymer or glass positioned between a ground plane and an electrical conductor for overvoltage protection, wherein the neat polymer or glass layer does not include the presence of conductive or semiconductive particles. Also disclosed is the combination of the neat dielectric polymer or glass thin layer positioned on a conventional variable voltage protection material comprising a binder containing conductive or semiconductive particles. A multi-layer variable voltage protection component is disclosed comprising three layers of overvoltage protection material wherein the outer two layers contain a lower percentage of conductive or semiconductive particles and wherein the inner layer contains a higher percentage of conductive or semiconductive particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: SurgX Corporation
    Inventors: Karen P. Shrier, Gerald R. Behling, James B. Intrater, Kailash C. Joshi, William W. Alston, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7049930
    Abstract: An arrangement of several resistors jointly positioned in one and the same well of a semiconductor device, as well as to a semiconductor device including at least one such arrangement of resistors, wherein the resistors, when viewed in a longitudinal direction of the resistors, are displaced in relation to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Joachim Schnabel, Andre Schaefer, Xaver Obergrussberger, Sebastian Mosler
  • Patent number: 7049927
    Abstract: A resistance substrate includes a substrate member, two conductive elements provided on the substrate member, and a resistor element provided on the substrate member, the resistor element electrically connecting the conductive elements to each other. Each of the conductive elements includes an exposed portion of a metal terminal and an electrode film, the exposed portion of the metal terminal being exposed on a surface of the substrate member and the electrode film being electrically connected to the exposed portion and extending along a direction in which the resistor element extends. Each of the conductive elements is covered by an insulator film such that an exposed portion of the electrode film is left uncovered. The resistor element is electrically connected to the exposed portions of the electrode films at both ends thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naotake Hasegawa