Patents Issued in November 21, 2000
  • Patent number: 6148500
    Abstract: Inductive electrical components fabricated by PWB techniques of ferromagnetic core or cores are embedded in an insulating board provided with conductive layers. Conductive through-holes are provided in the board on opposite sides of a core. The conductive layers are patterned to form with the conductive through-holes one or more sets of conductive turns forming a winding or windings encircling the core. The conductive layers can also be patterned to form contact pads on the board and conductive traces connecting the pads to the windings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Autosplice Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth P. Krone, John F. Trites
  • Patent number: 6148501
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a spindle hub assembly (90) including precision machining critical surfaces of the hub components (60, 33) that mount onto a spindle shaft (30) and accurately locate the critical surfaces for positioning of bearing cones (35, 36) on the shaft in spaced relationship of bearing seats (34) on the hub (60, 33) to ensure stable rotation of the hub on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventors: Alan Lyndon Grantz, Marten Byl, Matt L. Shumway, Norbert Parsoneault, Etoli Wolff, Hans Leuthold, Roger Allen Addy
  • Patent number: 6148502
    Abstract: An improved surface mount resistor and method for making the same includes a body comprised of an elongated strip of electrically resistive material and a resistor terminal formed at each end of the resistive material. The resistive material is machined with a laser beam to create a current path having a desired resistance. The pattern cut is determined by partitioning the resistive material into a plurality of squares forming a current path through the resistive material with the correct resistivity. The resistive material is cut primarily with axial cuts so that the beam strength of the resistive material is maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Vishay Sprague, Inc.
    Inventors: George V. Gerber, Joel J. Smejkal
  • Patent number: 6148503
    Abstract: A method of forming a porous composite separator layer for an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of printing a thin layer of a separator precursor solution on the surface of one of the electrochemical cell electrodes, curing the thin layer of separator precursor solution so that it transforms into a microporous composite separator structure. In the preferred embodiment, the separator precursor solution is formulated as an ink comprising a silica aerogel filler material dispersed in a solution of chlorinated polyolefin binder which is dissolved in a suitable solvent. The process allows the manufacture of thin and flexible composite separators which are conformally bonded to the underlying electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Imra America, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Delnick, Shoichi Doi, Shigenobu Denzumi
  • Patent number: 6148504
    Abstract: A cycle of operation of an attaching apparatus begins with determining whether an operator's extremity is in an area in which it can be struck by a downwardly moving ram during attachment of two fasteners to each other and to a material therebetween. If it is determined that the operator's extremity is not in the area in which it can be struck by the downwardly moving ram, the remainder of the cycle of operation is completed. If it is determined that the operator's extremity is in the area in which it can be struck by the downwardly moving ram, the cycle of operation must begin again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Eastlex Machine Corporation
    Inventors: Volker Schmidt, James E. Linville
  • Patent number: 6148505
    Abstract: A system and method for wiring electronic components in a three-dimensional manner. The wiring system includes a means for temporarily placing components on a substrate, a means for directly or indirectly connecting electrodes of the components together with wires, a means for removing the temporarily-placed components from the substrate, and a means for rearranging the components in a three-dimensional manner. The movable section permits the means for bonding to bond the wires to the components from any direction in the three-dimensional space. The means for directly or indirectly connecting the electrodes of the components together with wires includes a means for placing a wiring-branch pad in a space between the electrodes of the components to be indirectly connected together, and a means for bonding the electrodes of the components to the wiring-branch pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsushiro Fujishima
  • Patent number: 6148506
    Abstract: The invention relates to an insertion/extraction tool for inserting and extracting printed circuit boards from a card cage. The invention uses fewer parts than the prior art and reduces bending stress on the printed circuit board by simultaneously applying the insertion or extraction force to both sides of the plane of the printed circuit board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventor: Louis Raymond Vermette
  • Patent number: 6148507
    Abstract: A machine for pressing a fastener through sheet metal with a magazine for holding a strip of fasteners that self load semi-automatic, a clamp for loading the fastener, and holding material to be fastened, a fastener barrel guide to establish proper position of the fastener to be installed, a first stage low power source to provide pressure for loading the fastener and clamping the material, a second stage high power source for installing and securing the fastener, a lock seat set opposed to the clamp, to hold the opposite side of the material and the second part of the fastener component. A preferred embodiment includes a lock seat for holding the second part of the fastener. A preferred embodiment includes a removable lock seat, so that the tool will have the ability to use different type lock-seats, therefore allowing the same tool the capability of installing different type fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: Jeffery S Swanson, Eric S Swanson
  • Patent number: 6148508
    Abstract: A method for fabricating a capillary element for electrokinetic transport of materials. The method comprises providing a first capillary element which has a first capillary channel disposed through its length. The capillary channel comprises first and second ends and an outer surface. A continuous layer of an electrically conductive material is applied along a length of the outer surface such that the continuous layer of electrically conductive material extends along the outer surface to a point proximal to, but not up to at least one of the first and second ends. The capillary element is then segmented into at least first and second separate capillary element portions at an intermediate point of the capillary element and the continuous layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Caliper Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Wolk
  • Patent number: 6148509
    Abstract: An inventive Leads-Over-Chip (LOC) lead frame includes an assembly of interdigitated leads constructed to overlie double-sided adhesive tape on the front-side surface of an integrated circuit (IC) die. An attachment surface of each lead is adhesively attachable to the tape, and at least some of the leads are constructed to extend across the front-side surface of the die from one edge substantially to another edge, such as an adjacent or opposing edge. As a result, a substantial area of the front-side surface of the die is adhesively attachable to the leads through the tape, so the die is supportable in an IC package in an improved manner, and the heat may be conducted away from the die through the lead frame in an improved manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron Schoenfeld, Jerry M. Brooks
  • Patent number: 6148510
    Abstract: An electric wire work is produced in the following manner. That is, a combination of a plurality of coaxial cables are cut to a predetermined length. External conductors are exposed in the vicinity of the ends thereof. The external conductors is fixed at a predetermined pitch with a ground bar. Insulators are exposed outside the ground bar. The plurality of insulated cores are fixed at a predetermined pitch with a plastic tape. Then, the insulator layers are shifted together with the plastic tape at a point between the ground bar and the plastic tape so that core conductors 7 are exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyonori Yokoi, Hideo Kikuchi, Akinori Mori, Seiji Endou, Shizuyoshi Satou
  • Patent number: 6148511
    Abstract: A component mounting machine for mounting electronic components onto a plurality of circuit boards in high speed with a simple structure is disclosed. The electronic component mounting machine includes a board conveyer section which has first and second positioning areas, where the first positioning area is movable in the Y direction, and a plurality of transport units, each unit having a plurality of component pick-up units and being movable independently in the X direction on a same X-guide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Juki Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Taguchi
  • Patent number: 6148512
    Abstract: A method for attaching a flip chip or other microelectronic device to a circuit board or other substrate. The method entails the forming of recesses having precise volumes above and surrounding each terminal pad so as to enable the deposition on each pad of a controlled volume of conductive material, such that reduced spacing between terminals can be enabled. If a conductive adhesive is used as the conductive material, the method drastically reduces the likelihood that an inadequate amount of adhesive will be deposited, while excess adhesive can be accommodated without causing shorting between adjacent terminals. If flip chip attachment is achieved with a solder composition, the method eliminates the prior art requirement for circuit board terminal bumping and bump flattening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Vernon L. Brown
  • Patent number: 6148513
    Abstract: A method is indicated for applying a connecting element (3) in a moisture-proof manner to a high-frequency cable (1) containing at least one tubular electric conductor (7) which is surrounded by a sheath made of an insulating material. First, the sheath (10) is removed from the end of the conductor (7). Then a socket-shaped metal contact part (11,12) is attached to this end of the conductor (7) so that it makes electrical contact. A sealing material is placed between the contact part and conductor (7) on the one hand, and the contact part and the sheath (10) on the other. The sealing material for a seal (15) is made up of at least two components, which after the installation of the contact part (11, 12) enlarges its volume to such a degree that it fills the peripheral hollow space between the contact part (11, 12) and the conductor (7), and between the contact part (11, 12) and the sheath (10), at least in the transition area from the conductor (7) to the sheath (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Jurgen Schiefer, Thomas Horn, Michael Stansbie
  • Patent number: 6148514
    Abstract: A process and system for repairing electromechanical cables having an external armor wire layer using a butt welding technique and an arc vanishing machine. A short (break) in a cable having both an external and inner helically wrapped wire layer over an inner conductor(s) is located using conventional techniques. After the inner conductor(s) and inner wrapped layer are repaired (i.e., spliced), the outer wire layers are reconnected using a butt-end welding process and form individual arc shapes. The cable automatically passes through dies on headers to vanish (displace) each of the arcs to the end of the cable. A safety system activates an alarm to shut down the system when a jam occurs before any cable wires break. The system is reactivated after the jam is cleared.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Emmanuel Marie Eugene Beaufrand
  • Patent number: 6148515
    Abstract: The method of the present invention comprises the steps of:providing a first aluminum member and a second aluminum member to be bonded to each other;forming a zinc alloy soldering layer on the surface while applying ultrasonic vibration to any one of the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member; andbonding the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member through the zinc alloy soldering layer. That is, the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member are formed by casting. The first aluminum member is thereafter immersed in a molten zinc alloy soldering bath. Ultrasonic vibration is applied, and a zinc alloy soldering layer is formed in a prescribed region of the first aluminum member. Further, a zinc alloy soldering layer is formed in a prescribed region of the second aluminum member in the same manner as in the first aluminum member. Then, the first aluminum member and the second aluminum member are bonded through the zinc alloy soldering layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Suzuki, Akihiro Sagara, Shigenori Yamada, Sotaro Terada, Yutaka Takayanagi, Hidehiko Amano, Yoichi Shimasaki, Masahiro Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6148516
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metallic cylinder head gasket for an internal combustion engine, having a carrier plate which is arranged between cover plates. The carrier plate and cover plates are provided with passages which are commensurate with the combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The cover plates are provided, around each passage, with a resilient bead. Adjacent to each bead, and also extending around each passage, is a bead deformation limiter. The deformation limiters are shaped to prevent the occurrence of high edge pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Elring Klinger GmbH
    Inventors: Armin Diez, Hermann Randecker
  • Patent number: 6148517
    Abstract: A process is provided for repairing the horizontal mount area of a JT9D turbine exhaust case having two mounting flanges by inspecting the horizontal mount area, weld repairing any defects found in the case wall and installing a reinforcement brace onto the inside of the case wall in the horizontal mount area, wherein the reinforcement brace overlaps an area under one mounting flange and extends to and overlaps the area under the second mounting flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Chromalloy Gas Turbine Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Johnson, Ben Blumanstock
  • Patent number: 6148518
    Abstract: A method for assembling a rotary machine, such as a gas turbine engine, having rotor elements and associated seal lands. Various details of the method are developed for facilitating assembly of the rotary machine that are, in one embodiment, applicable to installing fan blades to a fan rotor disk while rotating the rotor disk by hand. In one embodiment, a lubricant is applied to a seal land to reduce friction between the rotor element and the seal land during assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Harvey I. Weiner, Christopher G. Demers
  • Patent number: 6148519
    Abstract: A process for installing a fiber wrap or a packing material in a tubular construction, for example a muffler assembly, includes a step of compressing a mat of packing material by removing at least a portion of air from the mat of packing material. The mat is oriented against a tubular wall. After the step of orienting the mat, a shell, such as a muffler shell, is oriented over and against the mat. The step of compressing a mat may include drawing a partial vacuum through a perforated tubular wall, where the perforated tubular wall is the tubular wall that the mat is oriented against. Alternatively, the step of compressing a mat may include drawing a partial vacuum through the perforated wand inserted into the mat. Apparatus for installing the packing material can include a mandrel, a pump apparatus, and a sealing arrangement; or, the apparatus can include a wand and a vacuum pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Donaldson Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Eivind Stenersen, Wayne M. Wagner, Daniel T. Risch
  • Patent number: 6148520
    Abstract: A knife has a housing and a blade slide carrying a blade and displaceable longitudinally in the housing between a rear retracted end position with the blade wholly received in the housing and a front extended end position with the blade extending forward from the housing and through an intermediate position. A spring urges the blade slide continuously rearward into the retracted position. An actuator slide is displaceable in the housing independently of the blade slide between a front end position and a rear end position and through an intermediate position and is provided with an externally accessible actuating formation. Another spring urges the actuator slide continuously into the rear position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Martor-Argentax E.H. Beermann KG
    Inventor: Harald Berns
  • Patent number: 6148521
    Abstract: A tube slitter for removing the outer metallic cladding of an optical power ground wire includes a channel guide for directing the movement of the tube slitter along the length of the ground wire. The ground wire includes an inner grooved spacer that engages with the channel guide. A cutting wheel is formed within the tube slitter and is free to rotate as the slitter is pulled along the length of the ground wire. The cutting wheel is positioned to provide a depth of cut sufficient to slit open the cladding tube without damaging the underlying optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Hossein Eslambolchi, John Sinclair Huffman, Ronald L. Sims
  • Patent number: 6148522
    Abstract: A dual blade utility knife that includes double-ended, retractable, separately actuatable cutting blades, one at each end, permitting extension of only one blade at a time, mounted in a non-complex housing unit that allows ready access through individual access panels to exchange and replace a single end blade when necessary. The utility tool is also capable of using the same type of blade at each end or different types of blades and dual-faced blades so that each blade can be reversed for extending the life and use of the tool between blade changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Frank Dobandi
  • Patent number: 6148523
    Abstract: A line trimmer head (10) includes a line feed configuration which facilitates reloading the head (10) with new line without requiring removal of the spool (24) from the housing. Line (18) is sequentially fed first into the housing through a peripheral opening (20) in the housing, through a guide channel (84, 86) in the spool, and then out of the housing beyond a lower flange (26) of the spool through an opening in the hub (98) of the spool. Finally, the line is fed into a small opening in a spool flange (94) to secure the line with respect to the spool. Rotation of the spool then 46 causes the line to be drawn into the housing through the peripheral opening and wrapped around the spool. The spool provides separate storage compartments (38, 40) for different lines. Additional payout of line is provided when a bump knob is bumped on the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Ryobi North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert G Everts, Harold J Coleman, Harry G Rickard
  • Patent number: 6148524
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a low vibration and low noise cutter arrangement for a motor-driven chain saw. The cutter arrangement includes a guide bar and a saw chain. The guide bar has a guide groove for the saw chain which extends along the peripheral edges of the guide bar. The saw chain includes center links and side connecting links which are pivotally connected to each other. The connecting links on the right-hand and left-hand sides of the saw chain include cutting links and side links which are displaced relative to each other. The center links are provided with respective rakers which engage in the guide groove and can be driven in the longitudinal direction of the guide bar by a drive sprocket. The connecting links are supported with slide surfaces on the peripherally extending guide surfaces which lie at both sides of the guide groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co.
    Inventor: Karl Nitschmann
  • Patent number: 6148525
    Abstract: A chain tension device for tensioning a cutting chain of a chain saw utilizing a guide bar having an outer periphery and a drive sprocket. The chain saw body supports the guide bar, the sprocket and a drive source. A cutting chain is wound around the sprocket and the outer periphery of the guide bar and a leaf spring is supported by the chain saw body and interposed between the guide bar and the sprocket. The leaf spring abuts and biases the guide bar away from the sprocket so as to apply automatically an appropriate amount of tension to the cutting chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Mizutani, Hideki Abe
  • Patent number: 6148526
    Abstract: A handheld machine tool, for example a circular saw, has a disk-shaped tool which is driven in rotation in a housing which holds a drive motor and a tool shaft carrying the tool. The tool can be clamped between a clamping nut, a clamping screw, and two supporting flanges. One supporting flange can be rotated easily relative to the tool shaft without use of auxiliary tools and is supported with an extensive friction at the tool. This supporting flange can be dependably clamped or loosened without tools. The machine tool further has an adjusting device which is coupled with that supporting flange to displace the latter axially toward the tool when that supporting shaft is rotated relative to the tool shaft due to rotational driving. The adjusting device therefore clamps the tool with an increasing force and tries to displace that supporting flange axially away from the tool automatically when the tool is stopped and accordingly reduces the clamping force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Kirn, Manfred Bleicher, Gerd Hahn, Justus Lamprecht, David Matzo, Herbert Faerber, Andreas Hoelderlin, Joerg Dehde, Leon Bujalski, Alex Gawron, Michael Holzer, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6148527
    Abstract: A can opener has two relatively pivotable body portions (1,2), one carrying a rotary cutting wheel (8) and the other a rotary traction wheel (12) having parallel axes, the opener being arranged to receive the rim (R) of a can (C) between the two wheels and to orbit the can as the traction wheel is rotated while the cutting wheel makes a peripheral cut, the traction wheel (12) being shaped to distort the rim during cutting and the cutting wheel (8) having an outwardly angled body portion (10c, 10d), adjacent its cutting tip (10a, 10b), the angled body portion being adapted to contact the outside of the rim below the cut to exert a force in the opposite direction to the traction wheel (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: William Levene Limited
    Inventor: Joseph Augustine Terence Pereira
  • Patent number: 6148528
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the position and/or alignment of objects such as motor vehicle wheels, and including targets for attachment to the objects, a pair of optical sensing means such as television cameras for viewing the targets, an electronic processing means connected to the optical sensing means for processing data relating to images of the targets to determine position and/or alignment information, and a display means for displaying the position and/or alignment information. The optical sensing means view a target located on each object and form an image of each target. Electronic signals corresponding to each of the images are transferred to the electronic processing means which correlates the image signals of each of the targets with the true shape of each target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Snap-On Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernie Fergus Jackson
  • Patent number: 6148529
    Abstract: A multipurpose retractable leveling device including a pair of side housings each having a generally rectangular configuration. A central level portion is positioned between the pair of side housings. The central level portion is defined by a rectangular housing with a vertically oriented spirit level and a horizontally oriented spirit level. A pair of strings have first ends secured to a first side housing with the strings extending through the central level portion with second ends of the pair of strings extending inwardly of a second side housing whereby the central level portion is slidably disposed on the pair of strings. A locking retractable spool is disposed within the second side housing for engaging the second ends of the pair of strings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Seamus Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6148530
    Abstract: A spirit level having a sub-assembly on the body. The sub-assembly has a vial holder having two spaced pockets. A curved vial having two ends received in the pockets and resilient ribs having a curve matched to the vial and engaging the vial to hold the vial in an adjusted position. Each vial can be adjusted relative to a separate vial holder and each vial holder/vial sub-assembly can be independently adjusted and set relative to an appropriate edge of the level. The vial snaps into a fixed receptacle on either side of the vial holder. One side of the holder is curved to match the curve of the vial to insure that the vial is properly positioned. The underside of the vial holder may be relieved to increase flexibility to make it easier to snap the vial into place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventors: Sydney Jacoff, Sheldon Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6148531
    Abstract: A tool for accurately determining and setting angles using an x beam and a y beam that pivot about a common axis and may be locked in position relative to each other with an axle lock and by locking one leg of each beam to a slotted stabilizer bar. Index holes on the x beam and the y beam receive movable index pins between which measurements are taken. Trigonometric calculation may be used, or a precalculated reference book or data table may be consulted, to determine or set the angle between the x and y beams for various index pins separations, when the pins are located in the various combinations of x and y beam holes. Relatively course linear measurements permit very fine angular measurements and settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Bridge City Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: John J. Economaki
  • Patent number: 6148532
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring flatness of a surface includes a locator element slidingly engageable with a slider element in a first direction, and a height measuring instrument having a linear probing device is mounted to the slider element. An alignment feature is used for limiting relative motion between the sliding element and the locator element to the first direction when the slider element is engaged with the locator element. An exemplary embodiment includes a locator block having a top side and a bottom side and a slider block engageable with the locator block on the top side. An elongated aperture is disposed through the locator block and is elongated in the first direction. A mechanical dial indicator with a plunger rod projecting is mounted in the slider block and the plunger rod is positionable through the elongated aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Robert W. Ellis
  • Patent number: 6148533
    Abstract: A tool and method for aligning multiple shaft segments which are coupled together to form a single rotating shaft. The device comprises a cylindrical bar having an annular, axially-extending outer surface, rotating means on a first end of the bar, and engaging/disengaging means fixed on the second end of the bar. The bar is temporarily inserted through a bolt hole in the collar of the first shaft and partially through an aligned hole in an adjacent coupling of the second shaft until at least a portion of the engaging/disengaging means is positioned within the bolt hole of the second collar. The engaging/disengaging means engages the second collar so that a turning force from the first shaft is transmitted to the second shaft. The engaging/disengaging means also disengages from the second collar by rotating the bar after rotation of the shaft is ceased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Edward F. Hutter
  • Patent number: 6148534
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tape rule with an elaborate buffer comprising a tape, a tape rule housing, and a buffer, wherein the buffer together with its buffer block and strut is formed as a whole piece and installed in the housing, and combined with the housing to form a gate in the opening making the tape able to pass therethrough either extending out of or retracting into the housing. During the retraction of the tape, a hook provided at the tip of the tape is detained by the buffer and backlashing forces are transmitted to the buffer. In this manner impact force is absorbed by the buffer to avert damaging the tape hook or even tearing the tape thereby protecting the accuracy of measurement and ensuring durability of the tape rule. Further to this, by virtue of buffer's whole piece structure, the manufacturing process and assembly procedure of the tape rule can be simplified thereby improving its productivity and minimizing production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Shih Lin Li
  • Patent number: 6148535
    Abstract: A gas dryer comprises a chamber with an inlet and an outlet for a gas which is to be dried by flowing under pressure through the dryer. The chamber is arranged so that the direction of flow of the gas is between its end faces. The location of the inlet and the outlet for gas to be dried are such that, when the chamber is mounted so that the direction of flow of gas between the inlet and the outlet is off the vertical, neither the inlet nor the outlet is arranged centrally at the low point of the chamber. The dryer includes a medium in the chamber for adsorbing liquid entrained with the gas. A drain tube extends from the low point region of the chamber at which liquid can collect when the dryer is mounted for use off the vertical into a depressurization outlet through which gas leaves the chamber when the dryer is depressurized. Liquid which has collected in the low region of the chamber is discharged into the depressurization outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Domnick Hunter Limited
    Inventor: David Porter
  • Patent number: 6148536
    Abstract: A two-fluid nozzle for atomizing a liquid by mixing the liquid and a gas at high speed, wherein desired particle size is obtained at a low pressure, and a device employing the same nozzle for freezing and drying a liquid containing a biological substance are disclosed. The two-fluid nozzle which is provided with a first injection hole for injecting the liquid and a second injection hole for injecting the gas, wherein the second injection hole is provided around the outer periphery of the first injection hole; a revolving means (108 or 118) is provided to at least the front portion of the first injection hole for rending the liquid into revolving flow; and a revolving means (117) is provided to at least the front portion of the second injection holes for rending the gas into revolving flow, is suitable for atomization of a liquid containing a biological substance because the atomization at a low pressure is possible through operation of the revolving means for rending the gas and liquid into revolving flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventor: Tetsuo Iijima
  • Patent number: 6148537
    Abstract: A hot air blower such as a hair dryer utilizes an inner body with an inlet, sides and a front outlet end. The inner body houses a heater, a motor and a fan. The motor rotates the fan so that air is drawn in the back inlet end, heated and forced out through the front outlet end.A muffler surrounds the inlet and sides of the inner body, but does not cover the opening in the outlet. At least one, and preferably two, inlets are disposed on the muffler and are preferably positioned a predetermined distance from the front end, facing the front end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Wahl Clipper Corporation
    Inventor: Nicolo Altamore
  • Patent number: 6148538
    Abstract: Condensation device and suction element including a condensation device for machines for manufacturing and refining a fibrous material web. The condensation device includes at least one condensation element positioned in a region of at least one of steam formation and accumulation and a condensate receptacle. The suction element includes a hollow body coupled to a vacuum source. The hollow body is adapted to guide a transport belt carrying a moist and heated web. The suction element also includes at least one opening positioned to face the transport belt, at least one condensation element, and at least one condensate receptacle. The at least one condensation element and the at least one condensate receptacle are positioned within the hollow body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Voith Sulzer Papiermaschinen GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Steiner, Markus Oechsle
  • Patent number: 6148539
    Abstract: A body drier system is provided including an enclosure having a pair of opposed side walls and a top face coupled between top edges of the side walls. The side walls and the top face are each defined by an outer wall and an inner wall being spaced to define a hollow interior. Also included is a channel positioned within the side walls and the top face of the stall. Next provided is a plurality of vent assemblies mounted on an interior of the side walls and remaining in communication with the channel. Also included is a blower assembly including a fan for directing air through the channel and out of the vent assemblies upon the actuation thereof and a plurality of heating elements mounted within a flow of the air the fan for heating the air upon the actuation thereof. A control panel is provided for actuating the fan and the heating elements upon the depression thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventors: Judith A. Hatfield, Mel E. Hatfield, III
  • Patent number: 6148540
    Abstract: The present invention provides a particulate drying method and drying apparatus, which can disperse particulates in the drying apparatus, prolong the particulate residence time, and improve the drying conditions, while retaining the advantages of conventional flash dryers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Nara Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimasa Ohmura, Takeshi Kato, Kenji Ono, Atsushi Omachi
  • Patent number: 6148541
    Abstract: A fluid-bed drying unit, particularly but not exclusively used in the field of tobacco drying comprising a drying chamber having a loading inlet and an outlet for discharging the product and provided with openings for the passage of a drying medium. The drying chamber has a substantially tubular shape extending along a longitudinal axis and a substantially triangular vertical cross-sectional shape; the longitudinal axis is substantially inclined with respect to a horizontal axis and means are provided to inject a drying fluid substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Garbuio S.p.A.
    Inventor: Mansueto Favaro
  • Patent number: 6148542
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing an information carrier which cures an adhesive by means of UV radiation in an inert-gas atmosphere. The adhesive is interposed as an adhesive layer between two superposed layers of a disc-shaped information carrier. The device includes a UV source, a supplier for an inert gas, and a holder for holding the information carrier in a centered position with respect to a centering axis. The inert-gas supplier has discharge openings for inert gas, situated in a circular zone around the centering axis, at a distance from the centering axis which substantially corresponds to the radius of the peripheral edge of the information carrier, so as to cause inert gas to flow past the peripheral edge during curing, as a result of which locally present oxygen which would interfere with curing is expelled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: U.S. Philips Corporation
    Inventors: Petrus H. G. M. Vromans, Remberto L. T. Martis, Paulus W. J. Brugel
  • Patent number: 6148543
    Abstract: In the present method of drying iron ore pellets, e.g., magnetite pellets, moisture-containing iron ore pellets are formed into a bed comprising a multiplicity of the pellets. A current of drying gas is forced upwardly through the bed of pellets to at least partially dry some of the pellets. A plurality of pipes, each having an opening such as an elongated slot provides counter-current jets of a drying gas above the bed. The drying gas jets are directed downwardly so as to impinge on the upper surface of the bed through which the current of drying gas rises. The bed of pellets is thus dried with the current of drying gas flowing through the bed from below as well as the jets of drying gas impinging onto the upper surface of the bed. In a preferred form of the invention, in a second stage downwardly directed jets of drying gas are used together with a downward current of drying gas to further dry the pellets before they are fired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: Daniel R. Chapman
  • Patent number: 6148544
    Abstract: A gaiter of flexible, substantially water-proof material, attached to the vamp portion and heel collar of a shoe upper. Preferably, the gaiter is a permanent, integral part of the shoe, due to a continuous stitching of the gaiter to the heel collar and eyelet stay along the vamp region of the upper. In a particular implementation, the gaiter has an elongated tongue portion extending along and underlying the tongue slot in the vamp region, and attached to the eyelet stays of the slot. A substantially tubular riser portion of the gaiter is integral with the tongue portion and is attached to and extends upwardly from the heel collar, to an open end. Conventional means, such as shoe laces, engage the eyelet stays directly or indirectly, for tightening the vamp over the wearer's instep. With the invention, however, the tongue of the shoe is constituted by the extension of the gaiter and therefore no water or debris can enter the forepart of the shoe through the vamp region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Spalding Sports Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin W. Keen, Gary M. Siriano
  • Patent number: 6148545
    Abstract: A foot warmer which has a shape to fit into a boot and an insulating foam adjacent the top of the warmer. Below the insulating foam is a heat retaining material that can be heated in a microwave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Inventor: James L. Yeager, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6148546
    Abstract: Sport boot, especially for gliding sport, including an external sole adapted to be affixed to a sporting item, and from which an upper covering the foot extends, wherein the upper is composed of two portions the first of which is made of a relatively rigid material constituting a cradle which forms a rear envelope adapted to house the user's heel and is integral with the sole in the heel zone. A second portion of the upper is made of a relatively flexible material constituting a vamp for covering the forefoot of the user, which is adapted to be fixedly fastened to the free front portion of the sole, on the one hand, and to lateral zones of the rear envelope which affixed thereto, on the other hand, via a connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Salomon S.A.
    Inventor: Jean-Louis Demarchi
  • Patent number: 6148547
    Abstract: A chain saw guide bar for a tree harvester is arranged to yield when an excessive force is applied such as when the guide bar becomes jammed in a cut. Yielding of the guide bar protects the bar holder from damage. The guide bar is heat treated or otherwise structurally modified to provide the desired yield strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Blount, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher David Seigneur, Duane M. Gibson
  • Patent number: 6148548
    Abstract: A construction machine comprising two hydraulic pumps; right and left traveling motors for causing the construction machine to travel; work machine actuators for actuating a work machine of the construction machine; a control valve which makes control so that a hydraulic oil discharged from the two hydraulic pumps is fed to at least either the right and left traveling motors or the work machine actuators and so that when both traveling operation and work machine operation are performed simultaneously, the hydraulic oil discharged from one of the two hydraulic pumps is fed to the traveling motors and the hydraulic oil from the other hydraulic pump is fed to the work machine actuators, the control valve providing communication between the two hydraulic pumps through a pump communication path; a drive signal detecting device which detects drive signals with respect to the two hydraulic pumps when the traveling operation and the work machine operation are performed simultaneously; and a controller which controls
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho
    Inventor: Yutaka Tohji
  • Patent number: 6148549
    Abstract: The invention pertains to construction earth-moving machinery for overhauling of main oil pipelines, gas pipelines, or pipelines for other purposes, namely machines for uncovering pipelines of a broad range of diameters, with trench working much lower than the lower generatrix of the pipeline for digging under it in repair of the pipeline in the trench without its lifting. Furthermore, the invention pertains to operating elements, predominantly of machines for uncovering of pipelines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignees: Obschestvo S Orgranichennoi Otvetstvennostju Nauchnoissledovatelsky I Teknichesky Tsentr "Rotor", Aktsionernoe Obschestvo OtkrytogoTipa Aktsionernaya Kompania Po Transportu Nefti "Transneft", National Stock Company
    Inventors: Alexandr V. Bykov, Stanislav K Vasilenko, Alexandr S. Dzhardzhimanov, Marat Sh. Ibragimov, Alexandr S. Kumylganov, Jury M. Mamontov, Aly A. Movchan, Vladimir D. Musiiko, Vladimir P. Reshetnikov, Valery D. Chernaev, Viktor I Yakovlev