Patents Examined by William Oen
  • Patent number: 6971268
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a diaphragm for sealing liquid. The diaphragm includes a plurality of convexities, which are disposed concentrically on the diaphragm. Each convexity has a circular arc cross-section in a radial direction and has a ring shape. The sensor has a configuration factor. The configuration factor is in a range between 2.5 and 3.5. The diaphragm of the sensor has excellent deformability so that detection error of the sensor is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Baba, Masatoshi Tokunaga
  • Patent number: 6971269
    Abstract: In a sensor device having a pressure detecting element and a temperature detecting element, a port portion has an opening portion from which a pressure medium is introduced to a pressure introduction passage of the port portion, and a lead wire connected to the temperature detecting element is disposed in the port portion to be fixed by a fixing portion at a tip end portion of the port portion. Furthermore, the temperature detecting element is disposed such that the pressure medium introduced from the opening portion passes the temperature detecting element and is conducted to the pressure detecting element through the pressure introduction passage. Because the temperature detecting element is disposed in the pressure introduction passage, a diameter of the port portion can be made small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Nomura
  • Patent number: 6968742
    Abstract: A control box for use, for example, to open and close a bypass valve (18, 19) of a turbocharger, in which the closing movement occurs with higher force than the opening movement, wherein the closing movement occurs in the direction of a spring force and the opening movement in the direction against said spring force. The control box comprises two pressure chambers (4, 6) and both pressure chambers may be set to either atmospheric pressure or negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Helmut Rodenhauser, Jürgen Tschirschke
  • Patent number: 6968737
    Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for automated position location using RF signposting. The present invention comprises a plurality of transmitting units placed throughout a service area. Each transmitting unit repeatedly transmits a signal including position information related to a position associated with the transmitting unit. The position information may be an absolute position or an encoded position based on the structure of a building in which the transmitting unit is located. A receiving unit receives the signal transmitted from a transmitting unit and determines the position of the receiving unit, based on the received indication. The transmitting units are placed to provide uniform coverage of the service area, thus providing position location indoors and in urban areas where GPS does not function properly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Kuo-Wei Herman Chen, Peter Frank Driessen, Richard Dennis Gitlin, Krishan Kumar Sabnani, Theodore Sizer, II
  • Patent number: 6968734
    Abstract: A pen-shaped tire pressure gauge includes a hollow body having one end formed with a pressure measuring head and the other end formed with an open end and its interior formed with an accommodating space. The pressure measuring head is formed with an air intake passageway communicating with the accommodating space and has its outside fitted with a metallic protecting ring. A scale rod is received in a coiled spring and they both are positioned in the hollow body. The coiled spring is fitted with a piston at the upper end, and the scale rod is fitted with a stop ring and a stop sleeve around the lower end. A fixing cap is combined with the open end to prevent the components inside the hollow body from dropping out, strengthening the pressure measuring head to prolong its service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Inventor: Jui-Tsun Tseng
  • Patent number: 6968744
    Abstract: A pressure sensor (30) for harsh environments such as vehicle tires, formed from a chamber (58) partially defined by a flexible membrane (50), the chamber (58) containing a fluid at a reference pressure. In use, the flexible membrane (50) deflects due to pressure differentials between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure, the membrane being at least partially formed from conductive material. A conductive layer (36) is deposited within the chamber (58) spaced from the flexible membrane (50) such that they form opposing electrodes of a capacitor. Associated circuitry (34) is also deposited for converting the deflection of the flexible membrane (50) into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. The conductive layer (36) is less than 50 microns from the membrane in its undeflected state because capacitative sensors with closely spaced electrodes can have small surface area electrodes while maintaining enough capacitance for the required operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Samuel George Mallinson
  • Patent number: 6968743
    Abstract: The present invention defines an implantable microfabricated sensor device for measuring a physiologic parameter of interest within a patient. The sensor device includes a substrate and a sensor, integrally formed with the substrate, that is responsive to the physiologic parameter of interest. At least one conductive path is integrally formed with said substrate and coupled to the sensor. Connected to the conductive path is an active circuit. The active circuit is further electrically connected to the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2005
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Collin A. Rich, Yafan Zhang, Nader Najafi
  • Patent number: 6966229
    Abstract: A pressure gauge is arranged to function on the outside of a measuring element. The measuring element has a central cavity and is constituted by at least to parts, which are tightly joined for creation of the cavity. The measuring element has sensor organs for determining the mechanical state of stress of the measuring element during pressure influence. The two parts of the measuring element are manufactured with planar techniques, preferably by silicon or quarts with the cavity running in the longitudinal direction. The central cavity has a considerably greater height than width. The sensor organs have form of piezo-resistive elements arranged near an outer surface of the measuring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Presens AS
    Inventor: Björn Erik Seeberg
  • Patent number: 6966221
    Abstract: A non-attached monitoring device includes monitoring assembly and an antenna configured to radiate signals from the monitoring assembly. The antenna is configured to radiate through the oriented attenuating body of the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device with respect to the tire sidewall. In one embodiment, the antenna has a body that is looped back on itself. The body may be parallel to or perpendicular to the antenna ground plane. In another embodiment, a radiating slot antenna is configured to provide transmissions through the tire sidewall regardless of the position of the monitoring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: Paul B. Wilson, John D. Rensel, Francis L. Merat, Gordon E. Hardman
  • Patent number: 6964198
    Abstract: In general, a pressure rail can be provide, which includes one or more pressure inlets and a plurality of pressured cavities formed therein. Housing components can be respectively located atop the pressured cavities, such that each housing component is sealed to a respective pressurized cavity. A connector component can be threaded into the top of each housing component for attachment to a sensor (e.g., a SAW sensor) for testing thereof. Each housing component can be configured from a clear thermoplastic material, which protects the housing components from RF frequencies, and high temperature and pressure conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Gary W. Eisenhower, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6964199
    Abstract: The present invention in the field of biotechnology, provides methods and compositions for providing enhanced growth of, and/or protein production from, cultured mammalian host cells used for the production of commercially useful amounts of expressed proteins, by the use of at least one Bcl2 encoding nucleic acid provided or transcribed in the host cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Cantocor, Inc.
    Inventors: ChiChang Lee, Xiaomei Shi, Celia Ly, Gordon Moore
  • Patent number: 6964200
    Abstract: The invention is intended to provide a small and highly reliable pressure sensor, which has a smaller number of components and can be produced by using a mold for resin molding in common. A sensor unit (11) is molded with resin and includes a semiconductor chip (1) for converting the change in pressure of a medium introduced through an introduction hole for measurement into an electric signal. A lead member (12) has one end exposed in a connector (23) and is electrically connected to the semiconductor chip (1) in the sensor unit (11) beforehand. Pressure is applied to the semiconductor chip (1) through a pipe (22). An outer case (21) is integrally formed of synthetic resin by insert molding of the sensor unit (11), the lead member (12) and the pipe (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Miyazaki, Katsuhiko Kikuchi, Masaaki Suzuki, Ryozo Tomosaki
  • Patent number: 6962076
    Abstract: A positioning system is provided for use in a wind tunnel that results in accurate and dynamic orientation for a model while reducing aerodynamic interference. The system includes a pitch-yaw sleeve having a generally cylindrical shape and a torque tube disposed askew within the sleeve and rotatable about its longitudinal axis to drive a shaft. The shaft is generally elongated and crooked. The sting, to which a model is affixed, is rotatably attached to a distal end of the shaft. Rotation of the pitch-yaw tube and/or the pitch-yaw sleeve provides precise pitch and yaw orientation of the model, and rotation of the sting relative to the shaft provides precise roll orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Swift Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Page, Neil Roberts, Tom Huschilt, Brian Kane, John Winkler
  • Patent number: 6962085
    Abstract: A pressure detector such as a combustion pressure sensor includes a pressure-sensitive element disposed in a cylindrical housing. Electrical signals responsive to pressure applied to the pressure-responsive element are generated in the element and led to output terminals through conductor patterns formed on the surface of a connecting member disposed between the pressure-responsive element and the output terminals. The conductor patterns may be formed in grooves formed on the surface of the connecting member. In place of the connecting member, a disc-shaped thin conductive member made of an anisotropiccally conductive material may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Teruo Oda, Inao Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6962084
    Abstract: A diaphragm cover apparatus and method for a sensor are disclosed. A sensor cover is located proximate to a base. A dimple can be located centrally within the cover, wherein the dimple comprises a component that is separate from the sensor cover and diaphragm. The dimple contacts a sense element of the sensor. Additionally, a foil can be adapted for use in blocking air permeation through the sensor diaphragm, when the sensor experiences pressure. An over mold diaphragm is generally located as part of the sensor cover. The dimple itself comprises a highly polished surface to reduce stress concentrators from contacting the sense element. The dimple can be formed from materials such as stainless steel, ceramic and the like to optimize the performance of the sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth E. Gall
  • Patent number: 6962081
    Abstract: An inexpensive, accurate, and reliable semiconductor physical quantity sensor having improved resistance to noise is provided, wherein pads that have been pulled down to ground inside a semiconductor chip are arranged closer to a ground pad, while pads and that have been pulled up to a power supply inside the chip are arranged closer to a power supply pad. Of the digital input/output pads that have undergone digital trimming to obtain a predetermined output, the pulled-down pads and the ground pad are electrically connected to a ground terminal outside the chip via internal exposed portions, wires, and a ground-connecting external wire. The pulled-up pads and the power supply pad are electrically connected to a power supply terminal outside the chip via the internal exposed portions, the wires, and a power-supply-connecting external wire. Terminals may be electrically connected together on a package or a mounting substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Fuji Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsumichi Ueyanagi, Kazunori Saito, Kimihiro Ashino, Mutsuo Nishikawa, Katsuyuki Uematsu
  • Patent number: 6962075
    Abstract: Method of determining at least one of the characteristics selected from: the three components of a resultant of forces which are exerted by the road on the contact area of a tire and the self-alignment torque generated by the tire, in which the said characteristic is derived from at least one measurement of the shear stresses at two fixed points in space, which are each situated in one of the beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: David Bertrand
  • Patent number: 6959595
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitor and a method of measuring a pressure in a tire include a decision whether the tire pressure should be measured. The decision is made in dependence on a magnitude of a change in a signal which is output by a sensor which senses the pressure prevailing in the tire or the temperature prevailing in the tire. As a result it is possible to reduce the size and the weight of the components of a tire pressure monitor to be accommodated in the tire or in the rim to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventor: Wilhard Christophorus Von Wendorff
  • Patent number: 6959605
    Abstract: Apparatus for repeatedly indicating incremental pressure fluctuations and methods employing same are disclosed. A chamber may be sealed at an initial pressure and configured to respond to a pressure difference between the initial pressure and subsequent pressure within a container. The container may be filled via a valve mechanism exhibiting a first operational state that may allow for entry of material into the container while sealing the chamber at the initial pressure of the container as it began to be filled. A movable element communicating with the sealed chamber and the container may respond to a pressure differential therebetween, thus causing an indicator to indicate an incremental pressure fluctuation. The valve mechanism may exhibit a second operating state that may allow for the chamber and container pressures to be substantially equalized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Shawn R. Comstock, George R. Melvick, Alan L. Godfrey
  • Patent number: 6959594
    Abstract: An external mount tire pressure sensor system with a stretch sensor having a variable resistance longitudinal displacement characteristic. The stretch sensor is coupled to a processor which samples the resistance of the stretch sensor periodically. The sensor body is attached to the external side wall of a pneumatic tire so that the body is displaced by the tire side wall and the resistance is a function of internal tire pressure. When the processor determines that the pressure is below a threshold value, an r.f. generator is activated by the processor to generate a low tire pressure signal. This signal is converted by a receiver to a warning for the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Silicon Valley Micro C Corp.
    Inventor: Su Shiong Huang