Patents Issued in September 5, 2000
  • Patent number: 6112566
    Abstract: A method of rolling rod-shaped rolling stock, particularly rod steel or wire, in a roll stand having two work rolls which are adjustable relative to each other in an adjusting direction and which together form a roll groove with an actual roll gap, so that the rolling stock exits the roll stand with an actual height and an actual width at a rolling speed, wherein the rolling stock is rolled with an actual rolling force. The method includes the steps of adjusting the work rolls through a hydraulic cylinder unit; measuring the actual rolling force; measuring with the aid of the actual rolling force a roll gap spring-back resulting from the rolling force; determining with the aid of the roll gap spring-back and a desired roll gap a roll adjustment correction value such that the actual roll gap approaches the desired roll gap; and changing a roll adjustment within a stand control time by the roll adjustment correction value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: SMS Schloemann-Siemag Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Otmar Palzer, Lutz Broll
  • Patent number: 6112567
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping a hollow body from a tubular blank inserted into a shaping tool that can be opened and closed, by internal high pressure introduced into the interior of the blank. The cross section of the blank, prior to the internal high-pressure shaping, can be changed and pre-shaped from a round or rectangular shape, depending on the workpiece. In order to be able to produce workpieces with a circumference that varies considerably over the length without overstretching the material, according to the invention, for pre-shaping the blank, a dent that differs in depth over its length is formed in the blank. During the internal high-pressure shaping of the pre-shaped blank to form a hollow body, a U-shaped fold is formed from the dent that projects into the interior of the hollow body, with the walls of the fold abutting one another directly and merging at the periphery with the circumferential wall of the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Arndt Birkert
  • Patent number: 6112568
    Abstract: To roll form a worksheet by a turret punch press, at least one pair of coacting tools are mounted to the opposed turrets so that when those tools are rotated to the work location, they could be driven to a predetermined relative distance towards each other to make contact with the workpiece. The depth of the formed shape is determined by the relative distance the coacting tools are driven towards each other. By moving the worksheet at the same time that the coacting tools are making contact with the worksheet, roll forming of the worksheet is effected. By providing the coacting tools in the opposing indexing stations and synchronously rotating those stations, a complex pattern can be roll formed on a worksheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Finn-Power International, Inc.
    Inventor: Mikko Lindstrom
  • Patent number: 6112569
    Abstract: A bending device for a rolling mill having four-high or multi-roll stands having working rolls with bearing chucks, support rolls and, as applicable, intermediate rolls arranged between the working rolls and the support rolls. First bending blocks that act bilaterally on each bearing chuck of the working rolls are run vertically in windows of the roll stand. Vertically opposite of the first bending blocks of each working roll pair are movable toward and away from each other via first piston-cylinder units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann AG
    Inventor: Horst Ossendorf
  • Patent number: 6112570
    Abstract: A method for making slots in metal pipe and, in particular, slots less than 15 thousandths of an inch in width. Firstly, providing a metal pipe (10) having an exterior surface (12) and an interior surface (14) which defines an axially extending interior bore (16). Secondly, cutting an axially extending elongate slot (18) having a width that is larger than desired in the pipe (10) with a cutting tool, the slot (18) providing fluid communication from the exterior surface (12) to the interior surface (14), the slot (18) having longitudinal peripheral edges (20). Thirdly, applying pressure to the exterior surface (12) of the pipe (10) along at least one of the longitudinal peripheral edges (20) of the slot (18) until the metal pipe (10) is deformed sufficiently to close the slot (18) to a desired width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignees: Laurie Alfred Venning, Terry James Mclean, Lawrence Alexander Hruschak
    Inventor: Lawrence Alexander Hruschak
  • Patent number: 6112571
    Abstract: A two-point double toggle mechanism, in which a motor is used to drive a flywheel and cause a crankshaft to rotate, is arranged such that the crankshaft is pivot-jointed with a connecting rod to drive two sets of double toggle mechanisms disposed symmetrically on left and right sides of the crankshaft. Each toggle mechanism includes an L-arm. One end of the L-arm is pivot-jointed to the connecting rod via a guide pin, and one of two holes formed in the L-arm accommodates an eccentric shaft. The other end of the L-arm connects a toggle strip via a post pin, and the other end of the toggle strip is pivot-jointed with a guidepost via another post pin, which connects a sliding block located thereunder. When the crankshaft rotates to drive the connecting rod, the guide pin will move up and down linearly to unify angular motion of the double toggle mechanisms and keep the sliding block constantly horizontal while it is moved vertically up and down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ing Yu Precision Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jung-Kuei Tung
  • Patent number: 6112572
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating the end cap round transducer horn assemblies used in debubbling operations wherein the ECR THA can be evaluated off-line at both high and low power and on-line by making electrical measurements on the ECR THA. The electrical measurements are used to characterize the physical condition of the piezoelectric ceramics of the THA. A test box is employed to practice the method. The test box is connected between the THA and a signal analyzer. Power is supplied to the THA and the electrical signals across the THA are sampled. The sampled electrical signals are transmitted to the signal analyzer while maintaining the amplitude and phase relationship thereof. The sampled electrical signals are used to generate an impedance trace for the particular THA. That impedance trace is compared to a model impedance trace. In such manner, it can be determined whether the ECR THA is operational.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Robert Peter Kraus, Jr., Fugui He, Roland J. Koestner, Steven D. Possanza, Paul P. Zontek
  • Patent number: 6112573
    Abstract: A process for determining the lubricant power of lubricant oils for slip-controlled clutches. In a test container (14) consisting of a double-walled, temperable vessel and filled with test lubricant oil, two friction partners (6, 8) are rotated against each other under a test load with practical conditions. A coefficient of friction characteristic curve (27, 28) is determined depending on the sliding speed. If in a working range (26) a progressive characteristic curve is obtained, the lubricant oil is suitable for use in slip-controlled clutches. Since the device required to carry out the process has a relatively simple structure and requires only a small amount of test lubricant oil, the process and device can be used to test production charges in lubricant oil development, during test bench or field tests and to test aging processes in a laboratory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Edgar Thelen
  • Patent number: 6112574
    Abstract: An exhaust gas analyzer for measuring a dry-based concentration and a dry-based flow rate of exhaust gas from a vehicle has a trace gas supply source for providing a trace gas to the vehicle at a supply rate, a flow rate controller for controlling the supply rate of the trace gas, a exhaust gas sampling passage in communication with an exhaust pipe of the vehicle for sampling the exhaust gas from the vehicle, a dehumidifier disposed on the exhaust gas sampling passage, a trace gas detector disposed on the exhaust gas sampling passage for measuring the trace gas, and a gas analyzer disposed on the exhaust gas sampling passage for measuring a component to be measured in the exhaust gas. The trace gas detector and the gas analyzer are disposed downstream from the dehumidifier and in parallel on the exhaust gas sampling passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Horiba Ltd
    Inventors: Takashi Hirano, Masayuki Adachi
  • Patent number: 6112575
    Abstract: A method and apparatus to provide a very compact and low power measurement of vehicular (automobile) exhaust emissions with results similar to those obtained with traditional CVS dynamometer lab emissions equipment. The sample dilution necessary for the analysis is performed by a computer controlled PWM valve as a function of measure exhaust mass flow, with the result that a "mini CVS" is accurately performed on a small fraction of the total exhaust flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: AC Propulsion, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan G. Cocconi
  • Patent number: 6112576
    Abstract: A sensor responds to a magnetic wind produced by the magnetic susceptibility of a target component gas, such as oxygen, which is present together with a background gas in a sample located in a measurement field produced in a measurement device. A background sampler also determines thermal and physical characteristics in a conditioned flow path, and a processor performs a computational correction on the detected magnetic wind signal to more accurately determine the concentration of the target gas. The background sampler includes a mass flow cell in series with a laminar flow device to measure heat capacity and viscous properties of the sample. It derives the gas viscosity from a differential pressure measurement; and preferably determines the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of background gases, the composition of which may be unknown, to compensate for their effects on the magnetic wind sensor elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Panametrics, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Gregory Tsopelas, Yufeng Huang, Robert H Hammond
  • Patent number: 6112577
    Abstract: A piezoelectric resonance type knock sensor that is highly responsive and easy to assemble, wherein a bulged round seat section (washer 7) arranged under the lower surface of a thin metal plate 5 and coaxally with a support bolt 9 in such a way that the outer diameter of the bulged round seat section exceeds the inner diameter of an annular piezoelectric element 5, the lower end of a resilient connector member 11a arranged between a rod-shaped output terminal 11 and the vibration sensing member 4 is resiliently held in contact with an upper electrode 5a of the annular piezoelectric element 5 at a position located inside the outer periphery of the bulged round seat section, and the resonance frequency of its vibration sensing member can be regulated very easily to make itself a highly responsive and effective knock sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Kawajiri, Junichi Suzuka, Osamu Shinkai
  • Patent number: 6112578
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for leak testing a first and a second cavity of a part. A fixture is provided for engaging and individually sealing the cavities of the part. Pressurized fluid from a pressure source is introduced into each of the cavities. The first cavity is allowed to stabilize and its leak rate is measured using a pressure-measuring device. The first cavity is then vented. Upon stabilization of the second cavity, the leak rate thereof is similarly measured. The second cavity is then also vented. The leak rates are then evaluated to determine if a leak is present in either of the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Gregg T. Black, Michael C. Lefebvre
  • Patent number: 6112579
    Abstract: A conductive fluid leakage sensor capable of detecting a leak from a first electrically conductive or non-conductive container with a conductive liquid disposed therein, has a second or outer electrically conductive coating surrounding a first conducting or non-conducting inner container. An electrical connection is made between the outer member and to the conductive fluid disposed within the container, so that conductive fluid leaking from the container that comes into contact with the outer electrically conductive coating creates a pulse, which may be sensed by a sensing apparatus providing an indication thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen A. Tryba
  • Patent number: 6112580
    Abstract: Apparatus for status detection, in particular leak detection, in pipelines for the transportation of media, in particular, steam or hot water. The pipeline respectively comprises an inner medium-carrying pipe (1), an adjoining heat-insulating layer (2), and a outer protective pipe (3). Disposed in the region of the heat-insulating layer (2) is at least one sensor unit (4) with an induction coil (5) and a moisture and/or temperature dependent sensor (7). An interrogation device (20), which includes an exciter coil (25) with a transmitting device (22), a receiving device (23), and an evaluation device (24), permits interrogation of the condition of the sensor unit (4). The interrogation device can be portable, coupled to a lap-to, or can be in the form of a stationary fitment above the sensor unit (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Michael Hesky GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Hesky
  • Patent number: 6112581
    Abstract: A transducer for a vibratory viscometer includes a hollow cylindrical sheath and a hollow cylindrical shaft disposed within the cylindrical sheath. The shaft has a first end portion and a second end portion connected to a distal end portion of the sheath. The viscometer includes a sensor tip connected to the distal end portion of the sheath. The sensor tip has an inner surface defining a hollow region and a support tube disposed within the hollow region configured to hold a temperature sensor. The viscometer further includes a crossbar coupled to the first end portion of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: National Metal Refining Company
    Inventors: Gerard Scheider, John L. Batton, John S. Vilichka
  • Patent number: 6112582
    Abstract: A glide head that can be coupled to a mounting base via a load arm includes a gimbal. A slider is coupled to the gimbal and includes an air bearing surface having a downward protrusion. The distance between the protrusion and a disc under test is substantially insensitive to changes in a height measured from a bottom of the mounting base to an upper surface of the disc. Furthermore, the protrusion can have a distal end extending downward such that a distance from the distal end to the disc under test is less than a distance from every other surface of the slider to the disc during operation of the glide head. The glide head can have a fly height that is substantially constant. Therefore, the glide head can provide more accurate and more uniform detection of outwardly projecting defects on the surface of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei H. Yao, Ramesh Sundaram
  • Patent number: 6112583
    Abstract: A position detector for a motor includes a pulse plate, having a fitting hole, for generating pulse signal, a connection shaft having protrusion portions and a washer having a connection hole. Each protrusion portion of the connection shaft is inserted into the fitting hole of the pulse plate and further inserted into the connection hole of the washer, and top ends of each protrusion portions are fastened to the washer. Thus, even if a rotational torque transmitted from the connection shaft to the pulse plate becomes large, the rotational force of the connection shaft can be accurately transmitted to prevent only the connection shaft from idling without releasing the connection between the connection shaft and the pulse plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: ASMO Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kengo Yamamura
  • Patent number: 6112584
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for detecting the presence of a snap ring in a bearing assembly of a transmission system. A magnetic field is generated and a switch is positioned within the magnetic field, whereby the switch switches from its normal position to an opposite position when a snap ring is placed in the magnetic field. In response to the switch position, the presence or absence of the snap ring is indicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Honda of America, Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Brent C. Rankin
  • Patent number: 6112585
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring device for a vehicle having several wheels comprises a central receiving and evaluation device at the vehicle. Each a receiving antenna (A, B, C, . . . N) is arranged stationarily at the vehicle structure adjacent to at least each active wheel and thus attributed to said specific wheel. All said receiving antennas (A, B, C, . . . N) being connected via each a distinctive connecting line (a, b, c, . . . n) with a single receiver means. Said receiver means comprises a multiplexer-circuit connecting per time interval only one single selected receiving antenna or several selected receiving antennas with said receiving means. Further, said receiver means sensing a field strength of each specific radiogram and thus selecting said specific receiving antenna comprising the highest field strength of a received radiogram during said specific time interval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Alpha-Beta Electronics AG
    Inventors: Michael Schrottle, Willi Schmidiger
  • Patent number: 6112586
    Abstract: A method and system for controlling an automotive vehicle spindle-coupled road simulator with a predetermined effective road profile for a road surface uses tire loss-of-contact compensation to modify the tracking parameter in a control loop to avoid incorrectly loading a test vehicle. Tire deflection obtained during measurement of a vehicle's tire profile calculation is used to detect and flag regions where the tire profile is not a function of the road input so that the tire profile motion is governed only by the free dynamic response of the suspension. A tire model is first developed for a vehicle. The vehicle is then coupled to the spindle-coupled simulator, and a set of control signals is generated in a control loop. The control signals are used for driving the spindle-coupled simulator with the vehicle attached thereto so that a response generated by the simulator is consistent with the predetermined effective tire profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Fricke, Fayyaz Saleem, Lawrence A. Mianzo, Rakan C. Chabaan
  • Patent number: 6112587
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out the allocation of the wheel position to tire pressure control devices (6a to 6d) in a tire pressure control system of a motor vehicle. The tire pressure control devices (6a to 6d) transmit their individual identifiers to the central unit (10) of the tire pressure control system at pregiven time intervals. The individual identifiers are transmitted at transmitting time points. At these time points, the wheel assumes a defined angular position so that a defined angular offset is present between two transmission time points. The rotation signals, which are supplied by the rpm sensors (4a to 4d), are checked in the central unit (10) as to which rotation signal exhibits the same angular offset. In the central unit (10), the tire pressure control devices (6a to 6d) are allocated to that wheel position whose rpm sensor (4a to 4d) likewise has measured the pregiven angular offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Continental Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Holger Oldenettel
  • Patent number: 6112588
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring and controlling the size of drops of viscous material dispensed from a dispensing system. A dispensing apparatus in accordance with embodiments of the present invention includes a housing, a dispenser that dispenses a quantity of the viscous material, a measuring apparatus having a bottom plate to receive the viscous material, a top plate that is positioned over the bottom plate after the viscous material has been dispensed, and a compressing apparatus that compresses the material between the top and bottom plates. The dispensing apparatus further includes a viewing system that views the compressed material to determine the quantity of material dispensed by the dispenser. In one embodiment, the dispensing apparatus includes a controller that controls the quantity of viscous material dispensed based on the quantity of material determined by the viewing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Speedline Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Cavallaro, Jeffrey P. Fugere, Todd Edwin O'Neil, John Kaplan, Stephen M. Franklin
  • Patent number: 6112589
    Abstract: Disclosed is a fiber testing apparatus which permits creep and strength testing of one or more fibers in a controlled environment, including a vacuum, at high temperatures. Components of the fiber tester provide for accurate measurement of the effects on the fiber(s) being tested when exposed to a chosen environment. The fiber tester includes a furnace system, fiber testing system, a fixed sample, a environmental control system, a mass flow control system, a Computer Data Acquisition and Control (CDAC) system, and a support system. Most of these systems are contained in a test chamber which is part of the environmental control system. These systems of the fiber tester allow various types of mechanical tests to be performed on one or more fibers under a variety of environmental conditions not previously achievable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: The Penn State Research Foundation
    Inventors: Richard E. Tressler, Douglas J. Pysher, Paul M. Benson, Darryl Butt
  • Patent number: 6112590
    Abstract: Device for measuring the mass of a flowing medium has a measuring element accommodated in a measurement fitting, wherein a flow rectifier with a grating is provided upstream of the measuring element. For simple manufacturing, assembly, and precise alignment of a grating in relation to a flow rectifier, the flow rectifier has detent elements that can elastically deform during installation of the grating in order to secure the grating to the flow rectifier in a detachable fashion. The device provided for measuring the mass of a flowing medium, in particular for measuring the flow of an intake air mass for internal combustion engines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz Rilling
  • Patent number: 6112591
    Abstract: Disclosed is a flow sensor for sensing heat transfer with a high-speed response, which is manufactured by applying IC micro-machining technology, and which attains an improved heat transfer efficiency by controlling the flow's direction between a heating portion and a sensing portion or by utilizing the intrinsic characteristics of the gas flow.A flow sensor having a substrate whereon a heating portion and a sensing portion are formed each in the form of a bridge supported at both ends or at one end in said order in the direction of the flowing gas to be measured, and which is placed, its surface with the elements down, at the upper inside wall of a pipe for gas to be measured. Its output signal is taken out through lead wires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Ricoh Elemex Corporation
    Inventor: Junji Manaka
  • Patent number: 6112592
    Abstract: A two-part housing (1) for pressure sensors, with a bottom part (2) as the process connection and a top part (3) as the component receiver which contains at one-half of the electrical and electron components. Joining of the bottom part (2) and the top part (3) of the described housing (1) is especially simple and reliable in that the bottom part (2) and the top part (3) are connected to one another by an elastic press fit and in the area of the press fit there are straight surfaces (6) and curved surfaces (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: i f m electronic GmbH
    Inventor: Benno Kathan
  • Patent number: 6112593
    Abstract: A non-destructive inspection device has an inspection unit body and a support casing which is used as a set-up type device by combining the inspection unit body and the support casing in ordinary inspection, and is used as a portable type device by separating them for special inspection situations involving narrow places or high places. The support casing can be freely combined to or separated from the inspection unit body. When combining the two components, the non-destructive inspection device can carry out the inspection based on a stable set-up mode in the same way as conventional devices. When separated, the inspection unit body is used as a portable device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shigenori Aoki, Tohru Miyata, Seigo Kikuchi, Shigeru Miwa, Hajime Mizunoya, Takenori Hiroki
  • Patent number: 6112594
    Abstract: Acceleration measurement device comprising a housing (1), an acceleration sensor unit (6) and a carrier (2) defining a location for the acceleration sensor unit (6). The carrier comprises connecting legs (3) in order to produce at least one mounting plane (18, 20) for the housing (1), wherein the location plane (20) is placed at any angle (Alpha) to the mounting plane (18, 19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Temic Telefunken Microelectronic GmbH
    Inventors: Gerald Brinks, Viktor Tiederle
  • Patent number: 6112595
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for characterizing semiconductor wafers or other test objects that can support acoustic waves. Source and receiving transducers are configured in various arrangements to respectively excite and detect acoustic waves (e.g., Lamb waves) in a wafer to be characterized. Signals representing the detected waves are digitally processed and used to compute a measurement set correlated with the waves' velocity in the wafer. A characterization sensitivity is provided that describes how different wafer characteristics of interest vary with changes in the propagation of the acoustic waves. Using the characterization sensitivity and measurement sets computed at a setup time when all wafer characteristics are known and one or more process times when at least one of the characteristics is not known the perturbation in wafer characteristics between the setup and the process times can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Sensys Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Fred E. Stanke, Butrus T. Khuri-Yakub, Hung Pham, Talat Hasan
  • Patent number: 6112596
    Abstract: A shaker table assembly for a test chamber is provided. The test chamber has side walls defining an enclosure with the enclosure receiving a product to be tested. The shaker table assembly comprises a table top plate having a first side and a second side with the product being releasably secured to the first side of the table top plate. An insulation layer is provided having a first side and a second side with the first side of the insulation layer being secured to the second side of the table top plate. An understructure support member is provided having a first side and a second side with the first side of the understructure support member being secured to the second side of the insulation layer. At least one vibrator assembly is mounted to the second side of the understructure support member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: QualMark Corporation
    Inventor: John C. Hess
  • Patent number: 6112597
    Abstract: Pressure sensor (10) for measuring hydraulic pressures, in particular for use in mining hydraulics, having a hydraulic connection (12) and a hydraulo-electrical pressure transducer (15) which is loaded hydraulically via the said connection, and having a circuit board (18) which processes the electrical measured values from the pressure transducer. In order to ensure a secure fastening of the circuit board to the pressure transducer with, at the same time, easy exchangeability of the board, it is proposed by the invention that the circuit board be screwed to the pressure sensor (10) at a distance from the pressure transducer (15), preferably with at least one spacer (23, 24) interposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: DBT Automation GmbH
    Inventor: Jurgen Tschope
  • Patent number: 6112598
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor/guide wire device for biological pressure measurements having a guide wire (16, 17, 18, 21, 23) having a distal and a proximal end, and a pressure sensor device (19) mounted at the distal end of the guide wire. The distal portion can be a solid wire member (16) surrounded by a spiral member (18), and the sensor (19) can be an electrical sensor of a piezoresistive type. The sensor (19) is mounted on the solid wire (16). The sensor is mounted in a cantilevering fashion such that a pressure sensitive end of the sensor does not contact any structure other than its mount. This prevents forces (bending artifacts) from being exerted on the sensor, which could otherwise interfere with pressure measurements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Radi Medical Systems AB
    Inventors: Lars Tenerz, Ola Hammarstrom, Leif Smith
  • Patent number: 6112599
    Abstract: A sample-holding container having a structure that may be heated and internally pressured with water to subject the sample to its anticipated working conditions as the sample is tested. A single, oil-encapsulated transducer transmits acoustic energy waves through a chamber containing the sample and receives reflections of the waves from the chamber floor. The transducer converts the received reflected acoustic waves to an electrical signal that is analyzed to evaluate the sample. Pressurized water in contact with the sample is employed in the chamber to pressurize the sample during the test. A movable, pressure-responsive barrier between the oil encapsulating the transducer and the water pressurizing the sample maintains the transducer and the sample at the same pressure. A thin membrane between the transducer and the sample permits the transducer to be in physical contact with the sample while protecting the transducer from chemical exposure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Cement Test Equipment, Inc.
    Inventor: Voldi E. Maki, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6112600
    Abstract: The measuring platform according to the invention, for recessing into road surfaces, consists of a base plate and cover plate supported in cross section on two supporting points fitted with piezoelectric shear crystals, enabling the shear force of an overrunning wheel to be measured. If the supporting points are equipped with piezoelectric pressure crystals, it is possible to measure the axle load with the same platform arrangement. This offers new possibilities, especially on or after gradients, for verifying the functional efficiency of braking and ABS systems and taking out of service vehicles with defective braking equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: K.K. Holding AG
    Inventor: Hans Conrad Sonderegger
  • Patent number: 6112601
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the flow rate of a flowing fluid on the basis of two ultrasonic signals transmitted consecutively in mutually opposite directions between two ultrasonic transducers. In the method, n clock signals CK.sub.i, where i=1 to n, that are at mutual phase offsets of 2.pi./n are formed, the first clock signal, referenced CLS, that occurs immediately after a characteristic portion the first received ultrasonic signal SIG.sub.1 appears is identified and stored, the time t.sub.1 is determined that corresponds to the sum, over an integer number m of consecutive periods, of the times elapsed between the instant at which the characteristic portion of each of the m periods of the signal SIG.sub.1 appears, and the instant at which the following signal CLS appears, likewise, for the signal SIG.sub.2 received in the opposite direction, the time t.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Schlumberger Industries, S.A.
    Inventor: Alain Bazin
  • Patent number: 6112602
    Abstract: A device and method for the continuous on-line or discrete off-line concentration and measurement of organic compound contaminants in a fluid sample stream is disclosed, in which an adsorbent trap means, which may be a tube of metal packed with an adsorbent composition such as a carbon-based composition, is used to adsorb the organic compound contaminants, while venting out permanent gases, such as CO, CO.sub.2, N.sub.2, O.sub.2, NO.sub.2, SO.sub.2, CH.sub.4, and H.sub.2 O. The adsorbent trap means is capable of rapid heating and cooling, and when a pulse of electrical energy or microwave energy is applied thereto, the adsorbed organic compound contaminants are rapidly desorbed therefrom; after which they are carried to a detector means for measuring the organic compound contaminants. Embodiments are included in which gas chromatography (GC) is not employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: New Jersey Institute of Technology
    Inventor: Somenath Mitra
  • Patent number: 6112603
    Abstract: A method for handling a microplate, in which liquid (22) is dosed into a sample well (21) and the liquid is removed and, if necessary, the sample wells are further washed and/or rinsed. According to the invention, the liquid to be dosed is dosed into the sample well (21) of the sample plate (10), after which the sample plate is centrifuged so that the centrifugal force is exerted towards the bottom of the sample well to remove air bubbles, and/or the sample plate is centrifuged so that the centrifugal force is exerted away from the bottom of the sample well to empty the sample plate. The device relating to the invention comprises a dosing device and at least one centrifuge (24). In dosing, a distributing valve (14) and a dosing nozzle (12) are usually needed, and where necessary, a vibrator device (32, 33) to bring the liquid (22) in the sample well (21) of the sample plate (10) into a motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Wallac Oy
    Inventors: Pekka Pietila, Petri Kivela
  • Patent number: 6112604
    Abstract: This disclosure sets out a method and apparatus for extracting repeated process samples. Each sample is put into a segregated bottle or container and the container is dated and time stamped. The containers are arranged in sequence on a feed system and are filled in sequence and marked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Roger Peterson
  • Patent number: 6112605
    Abstract: A low volume liquid handling system is described which includes a microdispenser employing a piezoelectric transducer attached to a glass capillary, a positive displacement pump for priming and aspirating liquid into the microdispenser, controlling the pressure of the liquid system, and washing the microdispenser between liquid transfers, and a pressure sensor to measure the liquid system pressure and produce a corresponding electrical signal. The pressure signal is used to verify and quantify the microvolume dispensed and is used to perform automated calibration and diagnostics on the microdispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Packard Instrument Company
    Inventors: Roeland F. Papen, Richard E. Pelc, Nicholas S. Chibucos, Wilhelm Meyer
  • Patent number: 6112606
    Abstract: The present invention is intended to prevent vibration of a piston while reciprocating the piston without frictional contact by replacing a cross head for preventing the vibration of the piston with a leaf spring fixed by a rod at the lower end of the piston and a cylinder, and applied to a stirling cycle machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Dong-Koo Shin
  • Patent number: 6112607
    Abstract: A slant hole pumping unit includes a base mounting a support structure. A drive system is mounted on the support structure and is connected to a bridle strap assembly for reciprocating same. A constraint link assembly includes a lower end pivotally connected to the base and an upper end engaging the bridle strap assembly for constraining the movement thereof to an arc defined by the pivotal movement of the bridle strap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Westherford Artikicial Lift Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis A. Pauls
  • Patent number: 6112608
    Abstract: A robotic device is provided for moving a shift lever of a vehicle including a shift actuator device drivingly connected to an elongated shift arm which is connected to a bracket assembly which is adapted to be mounted to a shift lever. The shift arm has a longitudinally extending elongated slot which is adjustably engaged by the shift actuator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Jenny Y. Spravsow, Nelson A. Kothe, Stephan A. Vitous
  • Patent number: 6112609
    Abstract: A gear arrangement 10 which comprises a first disc member 12 rotatable about a first axis 14 and carrying rings 16 of teeth 18, the rings 16 being centered on the axis 14 and at respective distances therefrom. A second member 20 is rotatable about a second axis 22 and carries further teeth 24. The second member can move toward and away from the first axis 14. The teeth 18, 24 are so formed as to allow the second teeth 24 to mesh in driving manner with each ring of teeth 18 as the second member 20 moves toward and away from the first axis 14. In this way, the transmission ratio of the gear arrangement can be changed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: Gary Henry Brown
  • Patent number: 6112610
    Abstract: A ball nut and screw system provides a helical raceway for load bearing balls disposed to occupy portions of the turns of the helical groove in the nut. The nut has a passage extending generally radially from its exterior surface to its interior to permit the balls to be fed into a ball-occupied portion of the turns. A snap-in crossover button inserted into the nut passage has an axially diagonal ball return channel in its underface for channeling the balls from one portion of one of the adjacent turns over an intervening land surface on the screw to a portion of another turn to recirculate them. The nut passage and snap-in button comprise a laterally compressible system with passage recesses and snap-in button projections received in the recesses which is operable automatically upon insertion of the button to a predetermined position to locate the button radially in a position in which the crossover channel aligns helically with the turns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Thomson Saginaw Ball Screw Company, LLC
    Inventor: William E. Welling
  • Patent number: 6112611
    Abstract: A curvature of a locus of contact points at a higher torque value is increased such that the torque-dependent characteristic of the working transmission error assumes a minimum value in the vicinity of a working torque value T.sub.1 at the tooth surface position corresponding to the working torque value T.sub.1, in the vicinity of a working torque value T.sub.3 at the tooth surface position corresponding to the working torque value T.sub.3, and in the vicinity of a working torque value T.sub.5 at the tooth surface position corresponding to the working torque value T.sub.5. As a consequence, the change in the working transmission error at the working torque is minimized making it possible to reduce the working transmission error in a wide working torque range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Maki
  • Patent number: 6112612
    Abstract: A single lever hand control for multiple functions having two distinct axes of movement. In the case of a stand-up, battery powered lift truck having a mast, a carriage with forks raised and lowered on the mast, and the forks side shifted on the carriage, which also can be tilted from vertical, forward or back, the operator stands facing to the side with reference to the direction of travel of the truck. Movement of the control lever right to left from a neutral position relative to the direction the operator is facing controls the forward or reverse direction and the speed of the truck. The mast and carriage operations are controlled by the lever being pushed or pulled by the operator transversely to the direction of travel. The force required to displace the lever in one direction is less than that required in the other consistent with the large muscle groups employed to overcome the respective forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Clark Material Handling Company
    Inventors: Arun K. Seksaria, William C. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6112613
    Abstract: An actuating device for the automatic actuation of a transmission includes at least two actuating units whose driven parts can be driven in a translatory movement by which a transmission shaft of the transmission can be driven in rotary and translatory movement for gear selection and accelerator selection. The driven parts which can be driven in translatory movement cooperate with a lever element which is connected with the transmission shaft and which is mounted in an articulated manner by means of at least one joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Lutz Leimbach, Thomas Wirth, Thomas Goppner, Andreas Ratte
  • Patent number: 6112614
    Abstract: A brake lever arm is mounted to a base member, with the base member fixed to a bicycle handlebar. The lever arm is pivotal about a pivot point on the base. The lever arm includes an adjusting mechanism that adjusts the position of the lever arm when the lever arm is in a brake dis-engaged position. The adjusting mechanism is slideable in grooves in the lever arm such that the adjusting mechanisms may be moved to positions that are differing distances away from the pivot point. The adjusting mechanism includes a contact member that engages a brake cable connected to the lever arm when the lever arm is moved from the brake dis-engaged position toward a brake engagement position. The position of the contact member with respect to the pivot point determines the effect movement of the lever arm has on the cable. In this manner, the adjusting mechanism adjusts the length of the stoke or travel of the lever arm from the brake disengaged position to the brake engagement position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Yamashita
  • Patent number: 6112615
    Abstract: A supporting structure of a pedal device for a vehicle is provided in which displacement of the stepping surface of the pedal device can be controlled at the time when an external force of a predetermined value or greater is applied from the front of the vehicle. An elongated hole whose longitudinal direction is a substantially longitudinal direction of the vehicle is formed at the intermediate portion of a pedal supporting portion. A clevis pin is inserted into the elongated hole at the front end portion thereof. A bush, which is away from the elongated hole due to the application of load, is mounted to the other remaining portion of the elongated hole. A bush stopper is provided at the rear side of the bush such that, when an external force of a predetermined value or greater is applied from the front of the vehicle, due to the bush stopper, the bush is away from the elongated hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumi Nawata, Hiroshi Isono