Patents Issued in April 25, 2002
  • Publication number: 20020046575
    Abstract: An inclined trough assembly (10) or gob scoop (20, 40) for conveying, by gravity, formable gobs of glass at an elevated temperature to a section of a glass container forming machine of the I.S. type. The trough assembly has a trough member (12) configured, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing V and a manifold (14) at least partly underlying the trough member and having a configuration, in cross-section, generally corresponding to that of an upwardly facing U. The trough member is inserted into the manifold partly to the bottom thereof, and the manifold has a compressed air inlet (14a) for receiving compressed or fan air to flow along the manifold in cooling contact with the trough member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Dan M. Hayes, Mark R. Tipping
  • Publication number: 20020046576
    Abstract: Decorative panels are manufactured by cutting out profiled shaped-pieces, using a numerically-controlled water-jet cutting machine. The shaped-pieces are picked from the cutting table by hand, and placed in the apertures of a pre-cut template, positioned on a base-pane. Colouring and texturing may be included. The base-pane, together with the shaped-pieces located thereon by the template, are placed in a furnace, and heated to fusing temperatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: John Ross Campbell
  • Publication number: 20020046577
    Abstract: On molding a glass product by pressing a glass gob by the use of a mold composed of upper and lower dies each of which has a molding surface, a molten glass is supplied as the glass gob onto the molding surface of the lower die. Cooling is carried out for an upper surface of the glass gob supplied onto the molding surface of the lower die. After the cooling, heat radiation suppression is carried out to suppress heat radiation from the glass gob so that an inner part and an upper part of the glass gob are close in temperature to each other. Thereafter; the glass gob is pressed by the molding surfaces of the upper and the lower dies when the glass gob has a viscosity within a range between 103.5 and 106.5 poises (dPa·s). Preferably, the heat radiation suppression is carried out by making a heat shielding member lower in temperature than the inner part of the glass gob approach the upper part of the glass gob in a non-contact state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: HOYA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuhiro Maeda, Jun Saitou
  • Publication number: 20020046578
    Abstract: The apparatus for melting off a glass top part from a hollow glass blank has individual burner sections (3) each containing at least one burner nozzle. The individual burner sections (3) are held in a cutting plane and movably connected with each other. A control device (4a,4b,5) controls the respective positions of the burner sections (3) so that they fit any arbitrary circumference of the hollow glass blank (1). The control device (4a,4b,5) holds and maintains the burner sections (3) at a constant distance from the exterior surface of the hollow glass blank (1). This apparatus separates the glass top part from oval or triangular glass blanks, or also from glass objects with a circular cross-section, but which should be cut at an inclined orientation, in a single step.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fischer, Alois Christ, Heiner Muehl
  • Publication number: 20020046579
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for reducing the density of sites on the surface of fused silica optics that are prone to the initiation of laser-induced damage, resulting in optics which have far fewer catastrophic defects and are better capable of resisting optical deterioration upon exposure for a long period of time to a high-power laser beam having a wavelength of about 360 nm or less. The initiation of laser-induced damage is reduced by conditioning the optic at low fluences below levels that normally lead to catastrophic growth of damage. When the optic is then irradiated at its high fluence design limit, the concentration of catastrophic damage sites that form on the surface of the optic is greatly reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: John E. Peterson, Stephen M. Maricle, Raymond M. Brusasco, Bernardino M. Penetrante
  • Publication number: 20020046580
    Abstract: A fluorine-containing synthetic quartz glass article is produced by feeding a silica-forming reactant gas, hydrogen gas, oxygen gas, and optionally, a fluorine compound gas from a burner to a reaction zone, flame hydrolyzing the silica-forming reactant gas in the reaction zone to form fine particles of silica, depositing the silica particles on a rotatable substrate in the reaction zone to form a porous silica matrix, heating and vitrifying the porous silica matrix in a fluorine compound gas-containing atmosphere to form a synthetic quartz glass ingot, removing a surface portion from the ingot, and heating and molding the surface-removed ingot. The article is optically homogeneous as demonstrated by a high transmittance to vacuum UV light of less than 200 nm like ArF or F2 excimer laser light as well as a low birefringence and a small refractive index distribution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Matsuo, Motoyuki Yamada
  • Publication number: 20020046581
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a drum for accommodating laundry and a variable speed electric motor for rotating the drum. A rise time is detected when the drum or the motor is accelerated from a first predetermined rotational speed to a second predetermined rotational speed while a predetermined constant power is being supplied to the motor. A fall time is detected when the drum or the motor is decelerated from a third predetermined rotational speed to a fourth predetermined rotational speed while the motor is in a free running state. A weight of the laundry in the drum is detected on the basis of the detected rise and fall times. A balance of the laundry in the drum is detected. The detected weight is compensated according to a result of balance detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Katsuyuki Shimakage, Kiyoe Ochiai
  • Publication number: 20020046582
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide an easy to use unit which is able to reproduce cooking states in a precise manner. The unit can also be started with cold water. Several consecutive monitoring operations of cooking states should be possible without long intermediate waiting times. To achieve this, the invention provides a device for signaling at least one cooking state of at least one piece of food, such as an egg, a potato, a pepper, rice or noodles, in a liquid cooking medium (7), comprising at least one partially floating jacket (1), a temperature sensor (6a), an analog digital converter (6b), a digital computer (6) and a signal transmitter (2, 20, 21, 19). In the digital computer, the temperature value &dgr;a(t) of the liquid cooking medium (7) such as water is delayed with at least one thermal time constant T1, T2, T3 (15, 15a, 15b) to form a thermally delayed inner temperature value &dgr;i(t).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Rupprecht Gabriel
  • Publication number: 20020046583
    Abstract: A padlock includes a U-shaped lock casing having intercommunicated core receiving space and latch recess, aligned first and second shackle insert holes, and a slide channel communicating the second shackle insert hole with the latch recess. A lock core unit is received in the core receiving space, and includes a latch member extending into the latch recess and rotatable inside the latch recess between locking and unlocking positions. The latch member has an end face formed with a pin hole eccentric to an axis of the lock core unit. A shackle bar extends into the first and second shackle insert holes. A catch member is disposed slidably in the latch recess, and is formed with a pin extending rotatably into the pin hole in the latch member for engaging the latch member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Waterson Chen
  • Publication number: 20020046584
    Abstract: A padlock includes a standard pop-out lock cylinder having a retractable bolt. The bolt is insertable into a channel in the padlock housing body containing ball bearings that fit against notches in a shackle of the padlock. The bolt provides a detent against which the ball bearings are forced against the notches of the shackle, locking it into a closed position. Upon rotation of the lock cylinder, the bolt is retracted, allowing the ball bearings to cam inward, thereby allowing the shackle to be released from the padlock housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Jerry M. Lumpkin, Peter H. Field
  • Publication number: 20020046585
    Abstract: A waste of asbestos-containing inorganic building materials is reacted and burnt at a temperature in a range of 600° C. to 1,500° C. to obtain a recycled silicic acid type fertilizer with decomposed asbestos. Thus, the asbestos contained in the inorganic building material waste, which is said to be harmful to the health, is decomposed and recycled as the silicic acid type fertilizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: IG-Technical Research Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Ishikawa, Ryuichi Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20020046586
    Abstract: A process for the production of tubular structural parts fabricated from PGM materials and having circumferential undulating bulges by forming from smooth-walled tube pieces. A smooth-walled tube piece (1) is inserted into a cylindrical forming die (2) with an internal diameter that corresponds substantially to the external diameter of the tube piece and that has radial undulating recesses (3). This die is provided at both axial ends with a press tool (4,5) that tightly seals the tube ends. The space that is thus formed is completely filled with an hydraulic fluid (6), and an hydraulic internal pressure is then produced by exerting an axial compression via the press tools (4,5) in such a way that under simultaneous shortening of the tube piece bulges (7) are formed in the wall of the latter that correspond to the recesses (3) of the forming die (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Rudolf Singer, Hubertus Golitzer
  • Publication number: 20020046587
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a helical spring which comprises the steps of providing a plurality of parameters for defining a desired configuration of a target helical spring, setting at least bending positions and twisting positions on the basis of the plurality of parameters, and bending and twisting the element wire at the positions set in response to every predetermined feeding amount of the element wire, to produce the target helical spring. The parameters includes number of coils, coil diameter and lead of the target helical spring. At least the bending positions may be adjusted in response to the cycle of alternating diameters between a local maximum diameter and a local minimum diameter of the target helical spring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Chuo Hatsujo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Keiji Hasegawa
  • Publication number: 20020046588
    Abstract: The invention provides apparatus and methods for coiling and uncoiling a metal strip in which the angular position of a coiler is measured and an actuator is provided for a moveable roll, the moveable roll position being varied as a function of the coiler. The present invention aims to avoid tension variations in the metal which cause width and thickness variations in rolling operations for instance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Clark, Anthony Marples
  • Publication number: 20020046589
    Abstract: A leveler for stretcher-leveling of a metal strip or sheet and including a frame, at least two roller leveling units supported in the frame and arranged, respectively, above and below a rolled stock, and a guide for displacing the roller leveling units between their operational position and their roller maintenance and exchange position thereof, with each of the roller leveling units including a roller magazine including at least one leveling roller and having a support unit for supporting the leveling roller and pivotally arranged on the run-in side or the run-out side of the roller magazine for pivotal movement between operational and maintenance and exchange positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Dietmar Rohleder
  • Publication number: 20020046590
    Abstract: A method of continuously rolling a ferrous workpiece into a finished round, comprising rolling the workpiece in successive first and second roll passes at an elevated temperature of between about 650 to 1000° C., the first and second roll passes each being defined by two work rolls and being dimensioned to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of at least about 20-55%, with an accompanying effective strain pattern dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross sectional area; and while the effective strain pattern remains dominated by a concentration of maximum effective strain at a central region of the cross section, continuing to roll the workpiece in at least third and fourth consecutive roll passes, each of the third and fourth roll passes being defined by at least three rolls and being sized to effect a combined reduction in the cross sectional area of the workpiece of not more than about 4-25%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: T. Michael Shore, Pieter L. Keyzer, Bruce V. Kiefer
  • Publication number: 20020046591
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing ductile sheet material brackets (12) comprises cutting out the shape of a plurality of brackets (12) in a single piece of ductile sheet material (10) except for frangible retaining means (28) retaining the brackets (12) on the piece of ductile sheet material (10). The components (12) are arranged within the piece of ductile sheet material (10) such that the bend lines (14) of the brackets (12) are arranged in at least one common bend line (16,18). The piece of ductile sheet material (10) is bent about the at least one common bend line (16,18) to bend a plurality of brackets (12) in a single operation. The frangible retaining means (28) are subsequently broken to allow removal of the brackets (12) from the piece of ductile sheet material (10). This reduces manufacturing costs and increases usage of the ductile sheet material (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Brian N. Rodwell, George I. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20020046592
    Abstract: A manufacturing method for a shaped light metal article includes the steps of forming a plastic worked article by plastic working an article for plastic working made of light metal material, and subjecting the plastic worked article to a post-plastic working heat treatment for between 20 minutes and 10 hours at a temperature in a range of 250 to 400° C. As a result, a shaped light metal article is produced with sufficient ductility.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Kazuo Sakamoto, Yasuo Uosaki, Nobuo Sakate
  • Publication number: 20020046593
    Abstract: A multi-axially forged mono-bloc piston includes a lower crown part forged of steel and including a pair of pin bosses and an integral skirt formed as one piece with the pin bosses 20. The lower crown part is friction welded to an upper crown part to form at least one closed oil gallery within the piston head. The lower crown part is forged in the longitudinal direction of the piston as well as laterally to impart longitudinal and laterally forged features of the piston. The laterally forged features may comprise undercut recesses formed in the piston skirt to reduce material in the overall piston structure. The lateral forging may also result in the piston skirt portion being discoupled from the piston head by laterally forged slots formed in the lower crown part 14 between the skirt and head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Carmo Ribeiro, Richard R. Gofton, Hongsheng Lin, Randall R. Gaiser
  • Publication number: 20020046594
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus of sliding friction coefficient for vehicle running road surface includes a measuring wheel (4) supported rotatably on a support frame (10) and a brake unit (22) for braking said measuring wheel (4). A load cell (2) is disposed on the support frame (10) horizontal to a rotating shaft (19) of the measuring wheel (4) for measuring a tension yielded between the support frame (10) and the measuring wheel (4) by braking the measuring wheel (4), and a load cell (11) is disposed on the support frame (10) vertical to the rotating shaft (19) of the measuring wheel (4) for measuring a carrying weight loaded on the measuring wheel (4). The support frame (10) is arranged elevatably in the inside of a box-like casing (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Akira Kashiwagi, Koichi Takagi
  • Publication number: 20020046595
    Abstract: A cloud condensation nucleus spectrometer having a streamwise segmented condensation nucleus growth column. The condensation nucleus growth column includes alternating hot and cold temperature-maintaining segments arranged next to one another. The temperature difference between adjacent hot and cold temperature-maintaining segments increases from the input opening to an output opening of the condensation nucleus growth column to produce a supersaturation distribution that increases from the input to the output opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: California Institute of Technology, a California corporation
    Inventors: Richard C. Flagan, Patrick Yung-Shie Chuang
  • Publication number: 20020046596
    Abstract: A system for in-situ and on-line monitoring of a preform layup process for liquid composite molding allows for gathering of permeability measurements of a fabric preform for use in a liquid composite molding process after situation of the preform within the mold wherein the molding process is to occur. The system uses a plurality of pressure sensors located within one of the mold sections of the liquid composite molding process mold. The sensors take pressure measurements which are processed to obtain a permeability profile of the preform. From such data, any local permeability variations that are caused from defects in the preform, deformation of the preform, or from mold misfit can be noted and acted upon before resin flow. The system is relatively simple to use and is easy to implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Chun Zhang, Zhiyong Liang, Ben Wang, Chiang Shih
  • Publication number: 20020046597
    Abstract: The invention comprises measuring or responsive instruments, including (but not limited to) viscometers, having a music wire (20) or like high tensile wire support between driving/driven shaft assemblies (18, 16) and appropriate mounting to eliminate drag, friction, radial misalignment, vibration problems, especially at high rotational speeds, and afford an enhanced accuracy and speed of measurement or other response of the instrument as a whole, including such specific features allowing large angular deflections or small ones (full scale under one degree) and axial and radial rigidity. The instrument can also be used with a plate for cone plate, oscillation and normal force measurements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 1997
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: DAVID A. BROOKFIELD
  • Publication number: 20020046598
    Abstract: A system and method for testing whether proper connections (30, 34) are made between wire harnesses and fuel injector assemblies (26) includes at least one gripper mechanism (44) for grasping a selected portion (32, 36) of a wire harness associated with the fuel injector assembly (26). The gripper mechanism (44) preferably moves relative to the fuel injector assembly after it has been positioned on an appropriate support (40). The gripper mechanism (44) preferably grasps a selected portion (32, 36) of the wire harness and pulls it in a direction away from the fuel injector assembly (26). If a proper connection is made, the wire harness does not become disconnected from the fuel injector assembly. If a proper connection is not made, however, that is revealed as the gripper mechanism (44) pulls the wire harness off of the fuel injector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Siemens Automotive, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonino Grado, Diane Burling-Doyle, Jennifer Gryn
  • Publication number: 20020046599
    Abstract: A condition sensor of pneumatic tire is configured to be attached on a pneumatic tire of a vehicle, and the pneumatic tire has a rim with a rim bed. The condition sensor comprises a sensor circuit for detecting the condition of the tire, a power source for supplying the sensor circuit with electric power; and a housing having a cover portion and a base portion, in which the base portion is used to receive the sensor circuit and the power source. The cover portion is provided with an arc-concave surface having a convexity, in which the arc-concave surface is in arc-line contact with the rim bed and the convexity can be used to adjust the relationship position between the housing and the rim bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: LITE-ON AUTOMOTIVE CORP.
    Inventors: Marvin Chuang, Ching Hsiung Kuo
  • Publication number: 20020046600
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system of processing and presenting drill hole data such as obtained by taking a drill hole measurement, characterized in that
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Swie Djin Nio
  • Publication number: 20020046601
    Abstract: In a slide detector, a contact member provided on a slider is made of gold or a gold alloy including an abrasion resistant metallic component, and a plurality of electrodes provided on an electric insulating board is made of a silver alloy including glass. Preferably, the contact member sliding on the electrodes is made of a gold alloy consisting of 99% by weight of gold and 1% by weight of cobalt, so that an anti-sulfurization and an abrasion resistance between the contact member and the electrodes is ensured. However, the weight percent of gold and other alloys may vary depending upon the abrasion characteristics desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Atsushi Yasuda, Shinji Tsuda
  • Publication number: 20020046602
    Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope has first and second coplanar bodies suspended over a substrate and movable in their plane relative to the substrate. The first body is dithered along a dither axis and is movable relative to the second body on the dither axis, but is rigidly connected for movement along an axis transverse to the dither axis. The second body is anchored so that it is substantially inhibited from moving along the dither axis, but can move with the first body along the transverse axis. The gyro has stop members and an anti-levitation system for preventing failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Geen, Donald W. Carow
  • Publication number: 20020046603
    Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope has first and second coplanar bodies suspended over a substrate and movable in their plane relative to the substrate. The first body is dithered along a dither axis and is movable relative to the second body on the dither axis, but is rigidly connected for movement along an axis transverse to the dither axis. The second body is anchored so that it is substantially inhibited from moving along the dither axis, but can move with the first body along the transverse axis. The gyro has stop members and an anti-levitation system for preventing failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Geen, Donald W. Carow
  • Publication number: 20020046604
    Abstract: An angular velocity measuring apparatus for detecting an angular velocity of a rotation about a rotation axis including a vibration element, a semiconductor integrated circuit chip for processing signals supplied to and from the vibration element and a circuit board on which the semiconductor integrated circuit chip is mounted, and the vibration element is mounted on the semiconductor integrated circuit chip by means of a supporting member including a metal support rod and an adhesive layer. The vibration element and semiconductor integrated circuit chip are arranged to be overlapped with each other viewed in a direction of the rotation axis and are arranged substantially in parallel with each other in planes which are substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Ishikawa, Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Publication number: 20020046605
    Abstract: A micromachined gyroscope has first and second coplanar bodies suspended over a substrate and movable in their plane relative to the substrate. The first body is dithered along a dither axis and is movable relative to the second body on the dither axis, but is rigidly connected for movement along an axis transverse to the dither axis. The second body is anchored so that it is substantially inhibited from moving along the dither axis, but can move with the first body along the transverse axis. The gyro has stop members and an anti-levitation system for preventing failure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Geen, Donald W. Carow
  • Publication number: 20020046606
    Abstract: A method for transferring an object levitated by sound waves from a transporting device to an unloading device. The transporting device includes a transporting vibrator, which levitates the object with sound waves. The unloading device includes an unloading vibrator mounted on a platform. The platform is arranged at a predetermined position below the object, at which the distance between the top surface of the unloading vibrator and the bottom surface of the object is less than one half the wavelength of a standing wave generated by the unloading vibrator. The platform is then moved upward toward the object from the predetermined position to levitate the object. The unloading vibrator generates sound waves to levitate the object. The object is then levitated by the platform to a position at which the levitating force of the transporting vibrator does not affect the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Masaki Takasan
  • Publication number: 20020046607
    Abstract: To correct the rotational balance of a spindle motor for rotating a disc on a base, a position and an amount of offset for correcting dynamic balance are determined from a position deviation signal, which is obtained from vibration transmitted to a rotary type position control unit located on the base similarly by lowering the servo gain thereof, and an index signal from the spindle motor. With this arrangement the dynamic balance of the spindle motor of an information recording/reproducing apparatus can be simply and accurately corrected without adding an accelerator sensor and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Hagiwara
  • Publication number: 20020046608
    Abstract: An air spring system for a motor vehicle includes essentially a flexible member (4) having first and second ends. At a first end, the flexible member is closed off by the cover plate (8) as a connecting part and, at its second end, by a roll-off piston (10) as a second connecting part. To carry out a contactless distance measurement in accordance with the pulse/echo method in the interior space (6) of the air spring (2), an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver (14) is mounted on one of the two connecting parts (8, 10) and a reflector (16) is provided on the other one of the two connecting parts (8, 10). A separate reference reflector (18) is not used in order to simplify the construction and to save mounting space for the components. Instead, the reflector is configured as a two-step reflector. The one step functions as a target reflector (16) and the other step (26) functions as a reference reflector. A bumper (28) is preferably configured as a two-step target reflector (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Siegfried Reck, Volker Plett
  • Publication number: 20020046609
    Abstract: A fuel vapor purge system is tested for abnormalities. The fuel vapor purge system includes a line that connects an intake passage of an engine to a fuel reservoir and a canister inlet valve. The fuel reservoir is sealed by closing the canister inlet valve after the engine is started when cold or before the engine is started. The pressure in the sealed reservoir is measured. The absolute value of the difference between the pressure in the reservoir and the atmospheric pressure is compared with a predetermined reference value. It is judged whether the reservoir is abnormal in accordance with the comparison. If it is determined that the reservoir is abnormal, negative pressure is applied from the air intake passage of the engine to the purge line. In this state, the fuel vapor purge line is tested for abnormalities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tokiji Ito
  • Publication number: 20020046610
    Abstract: A universal regulator tester is disclosed wherein a bleed valve is used to exhaust pressurized gas through an exhaust passage that is designed and configured to simulate the pneumatic action of an actuation of a marker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Daniel H. Colby
  • Publication number: 20020046611
    Abstract: An arrangement for measuring a fluid pressure, comprising a pressure sensor portion (10), which is devised for accommodation in a recess (12), which is open at least at one end, wherein the pressure sensor portion (10) in relation to the recess (12) is to be dimensioned in such a way that the pressure sensor portion (10) is surrounded by a gap (14) for receiving fluid, wherein first and second surfaces (16a, 16b, 18a, 18b), which are situated on the pressure sensor portion (10) and in contact with fluid, are so dimensioned and aligned that forces, which are exerted by the fluid pressure on the first surfaces (16a, 16b) and push the pressure sensor portion (10) in the direction of the open end of the recess, are equal to or lower than the forces, which are exerted by the fluid pressure on the second surfaces (18a, 18b) and push the pressure sensor portion (10) away from the open end of the recess (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Helmut Gegalski
  • Publication number: 20020046612
    Abstract: Fluid mass flow meters, particularly for measuring a wide range of relatively low flow rates of gas used in semiconductor fabrication processes include a body adapted to be interposed in a purge gas line leading to or from a mass flow controller or in a process gas line with the mass flow controller. The flow meter body includes a flow restrictor interposed in a passage and plural mass flow sensors which sense overlapping full scale fluid mass flow ranges across the flow restrictor to increase the overall range of fluid mass flow rates sensed by the meter. The flow meter body may include series or parallel arranged flow restrictors, a second set of mass flow sensors, and valving to cause a set of mass flow sensors to sense fluid mass flow rates across one or both of the flow restrictors. Embodiments of the flow meter include a pressure transducer mass flow sensor and conduits arranged with additional flow restrictors therein to selectively vary the full scale measurement range of the mass flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: FuGasity Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel T. Mudd
  • Publication number: 20020046613
    Abstract: In a flow meter, especially for liquid cooling media in injection molds, comprising a housing with an inlet and outlet conduit and inside the housing a piston that is slidable against the force of an axially acting spring by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the housing in such a way that the displacement of the piston takes place in dependence upon the flow rate and is indicated through a window, provision is made, to attain a high measuring accuracy with a simple construction, for a helical spring (22) that is guided in extension of the inlet conduit (2) in an axial direction to be disposed in such a way that the entering fluid is transported around the centrically disposed helical spring (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Wieder GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Wieder, Bernd Reyer
  • Publication number: 20020046614
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing a specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth Alley
  • Publication number: 20020046616
    Abstract: In order to configure the downshift method, and to create signals for an automobile automatic transmission more conveniently, a tilting device of a multi-function device with at least one moveable magnet element as a downshift sensor device is used. When a pedal element causes actuation of a magnet element, a downshift characteristic curve (KL3) is generated with a curve-shaped increase and a maximum followed by a curve decrease (KLS) that ends in a stop window (60). A downshift point (KP) is determined using a tolerance window (59) with a path width, which corresponds to a downshift signal (KS) on a characteristic motion curve (AS) of a motion sensor element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Peter Apel
  • Publication number: 20020046617
    Abstract: A system for controlling an automatic transmission of a vehicle, wherein if the change of the destined gear GB (i.e., the target gear SH) is required when the jumping shift, i.e., two-gear downshifting is in progress, the input/output rotational speed ratio GRATIO (indicative of degree of shift progress) is compared with the predetermined input/output rotational speed ratio #GRCN312 or #GRCN423, and based on the result of comparison, how the shift to establish or effect the required destined gear GB, i.e., the shift mode QATNUM is determined, thereby enabling to improve or enhance the response to the change of the destined gear GB during two-gear downshifting. It can also prevent the clutch from being degraded in such a shifting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasushi Inagawa, Satoshi Kato, Masahide Saito, Masamitsu Fukuchi, Yoshikazu Nemoto, Yoshiharu Saito
  • Publication number: 20020046618
    Abstract: A control system for a hydraulically-operated transmission for a vehicle is disclosed. The transmission is connected to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine and having a plurality of friction engagement elements. A working oil temperature of the transmission, a cooling water temperature of the engine, and an operating condition of the transmission are detected. An estimated value of the working oil temperature is calculated on the basis of the detected cooling water temperature and the detected operating condition of the transmission. A weighting factor is calculated according to the detected working oil temperature. A weighted average value of the working oil temperature and the estimated working oil temperature is calculated as an actual working oil temperature by using the weighting factor. A hydraulic pressure of the working oil is controlled according to the actual working oil temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: HONDA GIKEN KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Yamashita, Masatoshi Shimizu, Osahide Miyamoto, Masanori Takagi
  • Publication number: 20020046619
    Abstract: The invention provides an optimal structure able to reduce sound leakage and improve transmission characteristics and control a vibration transmitting path of internal and external portions in a living organism conductive actuator. Therefore, the living organism conductive actuator has a communication signal transmitting portion for transmitting a communication signal in contact with an operator's wrist, hand, hand rear portion, finger, or nail tip, and a voice input portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Tokin Corporation
    Inventors: Koji Uchida, Masaaki Fukumoto, Toshiaki Sugimura
  • Publication number: 20020046620
    Abstract: A steering wheel having partially applied wooden outer covers, which can be produced without having the wooden outer covers scratched, and the like, and can be produced with high working efficiency, and a method for manufacturing the steering wheel are provided. Raw materials, from which wood members are formed, are attached at a rim portion of a core metal, and cores are formed in this state. Thereafter, the wood members are shaped from the raw materials. Further, resin pieces are attached in spaces between the wood members and the cores to limit displacement of the wood members. Then, the cores and the resin pieces are covered with covering portions. As described above, spaces are formed, and the cores are formed in a state in which the raw materials of the wood members are attached. This allows shaping of the wood members after formation of the cores.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Hiroki Mori, Hisao Yamada, Yuji Tajiri, Keizo Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20020046621
    Abstract: Gear selector device of an automatic transmission in which a first lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an down-shift of the gear and a second lever which can be operated manually is movable between a rest position and a first operating position to control an up-shift of the gear engaged. The first and the second lever produce respective second operating positions to control the following operations: the engagement of reverse gear; the selection of an automatic mode of operation of the automatic transmission; and the selection of a ‘sports’-type of mode of operation of the automatic transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Giuseppe Medico, Giovanni Tornatore, Cesare Sola, Gianluigi Lenzi
  • Publication number: 20020046622
    Abstract: To provide a continuous rotary actuator using a shape memory alloy, having a simple structure, being small and light-weighted, and having high torque, which can lock the rotation during non-energizing, an inner drum 2 rotating around the axis as a rotating shaft 3 is provided in an outer cylinder 1, wherein a first shape-memory-alloy torsion spring 6 and a second shape-memory-alloy torsion spring 7 wound in opposite directions and unwound to recoil due to electrical heating are fixed between the outer cylinder 1 and the inner drum 2, and wherein switching means 4 and 5 for alternately switching the electrical heating according to the rotation angle of the inner drum 2 are connected to the first and second shape-memory-alloy torsion springs 6 and 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2000
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Agency of Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Eiichi Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20020046623
    Abstract: A vibration damping device for a motor vehicle drive system includes a base body rotatable about an axis of rotation and a deflection mass arrangement having at least one deflection mass and a deflection path associated with the at least one deflection mass. The at least one deflection mass is movable along the deflection path when the base body rotates about the axis of rotation. The deflection path defines a radial outer area of a movement space in the base body in which the at least one deflection mass is movable. The base body includes a carrier element in which the movement space is arranged and a first closure element connected with and constructed separately from the carrier element and arranged at a first axial side of the carrier element for closing the movement space in a first axial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: Mannesmann Sachs AG
    Inventors: Cora Carlson, Bernd Peinemann, Jurgen Weth
  • Publication number: 20020046624
    Abstract: A fabricated control rod is disclosed having a spacer with a “C” or “U- shaped” channel cross-section. The spacer also has a bushing tube welded to each of its ends. Each end of the spacer is shaped to have a substantially continuous mating engagement with the exterior side surface of the adjacent bushing tube. Also, at least a substantially complete perimeter weld joins both the interior and exterior of each shaped end to the bushing tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventors: Mark W. Dankow, Christopher W. Forrest, Vincent Mastrangelo, Thomas Sholeen
  • Publication number: 20020046625
    Abstract: A multi-piece crankshaft is disclosed having a shaft with two ends, an axis and adapted to rotate about its axis. A crankpin also has two ends and an axis parallel to but spaced radially outwardly from the shaft axis. The crankpin optionally has at least one indentation. A plate has two spaced openings such that one end of the shaft is positioned in one of the plate openings while the other end of the shaft is positioned in the other plate opening. At least one counterweight extends between said one end of the shaft and said one end of the crankpin, and this counterweight is formed by casting a liquid metal around the ends of the shaft and the crankpin as well as around the plate. The liquid metal fills the at least one indentation and, upon hardening, locks the counterweight to the crankpin and shaft and encases the plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Inventor: Donald G. Leith