Patents Issued in October 31, 2002
  • Publication number: 20020157413
    Abstract: A selectively driven compressor for stopping the power generating operation of a motor when an internal combustion engine is operating to make it unnecessary to provide the motor that can withstand high voltage. The system reduces the load on the internal combustion engine. The system includes a pulley driven by a main drive source, an electric motor, which includes an armature and a field system, driven by a power source. The compressor is driven selectively by the pulley or the electric motor. The armature and the field system of the electric motor are independently supported. The pulley is mechanically connected to either of the armature and the field system, and the compressor is mechanically connected to the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Yasuhiko Nimi, Yukio Ogawa, Takashi Inoue
  • Publication number: 20020157414
    Abstract: A low-cost vehicle air-conditioning apparatus for idle stopping vehicles is capable of performing both cooling and heating operations throughout the year. The air-conditioning apparatus includes an engine-driven compressor and engine-driven pump for a heating unit. The air-conditioning apparatus includes a motor-driven compressor and pump. A control unit drives the motor such that the motor-driven compressor is operated when there is a need for cooling and the motor-driven pump is operated when there is a need for heating when the engine is stopped. Battery power is conserved through various methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Shigeki Iwanami, Yasushi Suzuki, Yasushi Yamanaka, Yukio Ogawa, Keiichi Uno
  • Publication number: 20020157415
    Abstract: A room air-conditioner (10) for installation into a pre-constructed aperture through a building wall (34) has a depth substantially equivalent to the wall thickness and is adapted to stand at floor level within said aperture with front and rear covers (11,12) flush with internal and external surfaces of the wall, respectively. The necessary compact design is achieved by stacking the components vertically within the air-conditioner whereby the condenser coil (16) is at the bottom and air for the condenser is drawn in and extracted from the rear whereas the evaporator coil (22) is towards the top and air for the evaporator is drawn in and extracted from the front. Fans (19,24) for each coil are arranged coaxially and driven by a single motor (21). The coils have a C-shaped configuration. Condensate is collected from the evaporator coil in containers (29,31) and is used to cool refrigerant pipes (30,32) entering and leaving the condenser coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Wan Min Liu
  • Publication number: 20020157416
    Abstract: A vapor compression system includes an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser interconnected in a closed-loop system. In one embodiment, a multifunctional valve is configured to receive a liquefied heat transfer fluid from the condenser and a hot vapor from the compressor. A saturated vapor line connects the outlet of the multifunctional valve to the inlet of the evaporator and is sized so as to substantially convert the heat transfer fluid exiting the multifunctional valve into a saturated vapor prior to delivery to the evaporator. The multifunctional valve regulates the flow of heat transfer fluid through the valve by monitoring the temperature of the heat transfer fluid returning to the compressor through a suction line coupling the outlet of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: XDX, LLC.
    Inventor: David A. Wightman
  • Publication number: 20020157417
    Abstract: This evaporator (12) is constructed such that bundles of heat exchanger tubes (15) for flowing cold water are disposed inside the container (14) for admitting the cooling medium. When a total cross sectional area of the heat exchanger tubes (15) at various locations in the flow direction of the cold water is compared, the total area in a downstream location is less that a total area in an upstream location of the flow passage. Therefore, even though the temperature differential between the cold water and the cooling medium is small, the flow speeds of the cold water in the downstream tubes become faster than that in the upstream tubes, so that the heat flux is increased and heat transfer rate is improved even in tube group D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Yoichiro Iritani, Akihiro Kawada, Koji Hirokawa, Sunao Aoki, Yoshinori Shirakata, Wataru Seki
  • Publication number: 20020157418
    Abstract: This invention resides in a process for making silica articles having few or no visible bubbles by sintering silica gels derived from a sol-gel process. The process incorporates control of pH during hydroxylation and gelation, as well as chlorination at temperatures previously considered unsuitable. The process optionally incorporates addition of dispersant to the silica solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Rahul Ganguli, Steven G. Colbern, Matthew S. Gleason
  • Publication number: 20020157419
    Abstract: An improved sol-gel process is disclosed for producing a synthetic silica glass article, in which a sol is formed having a silica loading as high as 34 to 40%. This high loading is achieved by introducing an aqueous colloidal silica suspension into a silicon alkoxide solution and slowly stirring the mixture together, during which time the mixture hydrolyzes and the colloidal suspension is broken down by chemical reaction. This produces a hydrolyzed sol incorporating a suspension of very fine aggregates of colloidal particles, having particle sizes less than about 10 microns. The need for a stabilizing agent and/or continuous ultra-sonicating or violently stirring the sol is eliminated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Rahul Ganguli, Enrico C.J. Westenberg
  • Publication number: 20020157420
    Abstract: A method for forming a fused silica glass includes delivering a silica precursor to a burner and passing the silica precursor through the flame of the burner to form silica particles, depositing the silica particles on a planar surface to form a flat, porous preform, dehydrating the porous preform, and consolidating the porous preform into a flat, dense glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Kenneth E. Hrdina, Nikki J. Russo, Michael H. Wasilewski
  • Publication number: 20020157421
    Abstract: A method for producing a fused silica glass containing titania includes synthesizing particles of silica and titania by delivering a mixture of a silica precursor and a titania precursor to a burner, growing a porous preform by successively depositing the particles on a deposition surface while rotating and translating the deposition surface relative to the burner, and consolidating the porous preform into a dense glass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Bradford G. Ackerman, Kenneth E. Hrdina, Lisa A. Moore, Nikki J. Russo, C. Charles Yu
  • Publication number: 20020157422
    Abstract: A method of making an all-fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer comprising at least two optical fibers comprises the steps of bringing the fibers in a reciprocal contact relationship for a contact section thereof; fusing together and tapering the fibers in at least a first portion of said contact section; forming at least two optical couplers between the fibers in a second and a third portions of said contact section, located at opposite sides of said first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Valeria Corio, Aurelio Pianciola
  • Publication number: 20020157423
    Abstract: A hybrid method of and apparatus for producing a structure capable of being drawn into an optical fiber. The method includes the steps of conducting vapor-phase reactants into an interior region of a glass tube, conducting aerosol form reactants into the interior of the glass tube. The tube is exposed to a heat, thereby causing a reaction among the vapor-phase and aerosol reactants. The reaction yields a product, in a solid form, within the tube. The apparatus includes a reaction tube, a vapor-phase reactant conduit, an aerosol-form conduit, and a heat source. The vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactant conduits facilitate introduction of vapor-phase and aerosol-form reactants into the reaction tube. The aerosol-form reactants are introduced proximate to a reaction zone created by the heat source. The aerosol-form reactants conduit and heat source travel the axial length of the reaction tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Intelcore Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Abdelouahed Soufiane
  • Publication number: 20020157424
    Abstract: A method of fusion-splicing optical fibers having different mode field diameters or small mode field diameters is provided, which method is advantageous in that the splicing loss is smaller. The method comprises a fusion splicing process in which fusion splicing is performed by butting end faces of two optical fibers together and a heat treatment process in which the fusion spliced part of the optical fibers and the vicinity thereof are heated. The heat treatment process is performed by moving an arc heating unit in a direction other than the Y-axis direction (a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction and the opposing direction of arc electrodes) and Z-axis direction (the axial direction of the optical fiber), via the fusion spliced part in a Y-Z plane formed by the Y-axis direction and Z-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Osamu Kasuu, Motonori Nakamura, Tomomi Sano, Tomomi Moriya, Shinji Kayou
  • Publication number: 20020157425
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for manufacture of a quartz glass body by deposition of SiO2 particles on the outer surface of a cylindrical mandrel rotating around its longitudinal axis under formation of an essentially cylindrical porous blank with an inside bore hole, and by removing the mandrel and sintering of the blank, characterized in that the mandrel in the area of one of the ends of the successively forming blank is surrounded by a shaping element rotating at the same rotation velocity as the mandrel, such shaping element having a core area facing the blank which is at least partially removably embedded into the front face of the successively forming blank and which is removed before sintering after having widened the inside bore hole of the blank with a shape complementary to that of the core area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Jorg Werner, Clemens Schmitt, Gerhard Kotulla, Wolfgang Krock
  • Publication number: 20020157426
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of preparing preforms for optical fibers. The invention allows one to remove or significantly reduce undesirable refractive index variations in the central portion of the optical fibers. The method of preparing the preform having a central duct includes the steps of a first collapsing step, an etching step and a second collapsing step. The first collapsing step reduces the size of the central duct without closing the central duct by heating the preform at a first preform collapsing temperature. A portion of the last deposited layer of the core glass layers is etched by flowing an etchant gas through the central duct at a lower temperature than the preform collapsing temperature. The preform is finally collapsed at a second collapsing temperature to close the central duct of the preform and form a solid rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: David Mazzarese, George Edward Oulundsen, Timothy Francis McMahon, Michael Thomas Owsiany
  • Publication number: 20020157427
    Abstract: The invention relates to a circular knitting machine with a frame (1) having a plurality of feet (2, 3, 4). A needle carrier (7), a cam box ring and a take-down and/or winding-up device (14) are mounted in the frame (1). At least one of the feet (3, 4) is adjustable for altering the machine width (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Stefan Seeger, Dietmar Traenkle
  • Publication number: 20020157428
    Abstract: A latch needle (1) has a leaf spring (8, 8′) that is associated with the latch (4), that is disposed in the sawslot (3) and is held in corresponding bearing seats (14, 15) at the narrow sides or end walls (11, 12) defining the sawslot 3. Each bearing seat (14, 15) has a support surface (18) for the respective end of the spring, and at least one counterpart surface (21), with the respective end (16, 17) of the leaf spring (8) extending between these two surfaces and being held there. The axial or longitudinal play of the leaf spring (8, 8′) is so small that the leaf spring (8, 8′) cannot fall out of the space between the support surface (18) and the counterpart surface (21), even when it is deflected to a considerable extent. The leaf spring (8, 8′) is therefore held securely in the sawslot (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Lothar Dehner
  • Publication number: 20020157429
    Abstract: The invention is aimed to provide a three-dimensional marquisette-like knitted fabric that is good in air retainability, air and water conductibility, light transmittance, as well as dimensional stability and shape retainability in the knitting and knitting-width directions, and in linearity; and has unevenness and slippage preventing property on its surface, thus being suitable in various uses. To this end, a three-dimensional marquisette-like structure is made as follows. A double-web knitted fabric is made by warp knitting, and is preferably comprised of the front and back mesh webs (1, 2) and connecting yarns (3) passed between the mesh webs alternately. At least one of the mesh webs (1, 2) has a marquisette-like construction formed by the rows of chain stitches (11, 21) and inlay yarn (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Koichi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20020157430
    Abstract: A drum washing machine with a draw-out inner spin basket is disclosed, in which the inner spin basket (3) is spigotted movably on the driving shaft (4) through the driving hole in the back plate of the inner spin basket. An axle (7) of the spin basket is provided at the front plate of the inner spin basket (3). An end of the axle (7) is inserted in the bearing (9). A cover (8) is disposed in front of the front plate of the inner spin basket (3). Said bearing (9) is positioned in the bearing box (21) inside the cover (8). The inner spin basket (3) is rotatably attached to the cover (8) through the axle (7) of spin basket and the bearing (9). A door (22) of the inner spin basket is formed of the opening on the side wall of the inner spin basket (3). A seal ring (11) is mounted around the circumference of the front of the outer tub (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Fuyu Ren, Da Li Sun
  • Publication number: 20020157431
    Abstract: A lock down assembly is provided for securing a multi-sided three dimensional device, e.g., a laptop computer, a DVD player, a palm pilot, an MP3 player etc., to a support surface. In one preferred embodiment of the presently disclosed lock down assembly, the assembly includes a lock down member which is adapted to be secured to a support surface, at least one retention member secured to the top surface of the lock down member and a locking member which is removably secured to the top surface of the lock down member. Each retention member and the locking member is configured to prevent movement of a device supported on the lock down member in a particular direction or directions such that the combined effect of the retention member(s) and locking member is to secure a device on the top surface of the locking member. The lock down member includes a plurality of mounting bores for securing the retention member(s) and locking member at multiple locations on the lock down member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Alan E. Lurie, Hans E. R. Bosch
  • Publication number: 20020157432
    Abstract: A lock for a door (10) comprising a casing (11), a bolt (55) operable to extend from or retract into the casing, a pivoted operating handle (36) operable at one side of the door movable from a rest position to an operating position to retract the bolt, the interior of the casing having a lug (21) through which a screw (27) passes into engagement in a tapped hole (23) in a fixing plate (12a) which is secured to said one side of the door, thereby indirectly securing the casing to the door. A screwdriver blade (27a) can be inserted through an opening (34, 35) in the casing to access the screw (27) when the handle is in its operating position, such access being prevented when the handle is in its rest position, by said handle blocking said opening, the handle being lockable in its rest position from said one side of the wing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Edward Cowper
  • Publication number: 20020157433
    Abstract: A locking device for preventing movement of the operating handle of a valve comprising a U-shaped rod member engageable with a portion of the valve and having a curved proximal portion from which extends parallel portions for disposition on opposite sides of the valve handle to prevent movement thereof. First and second pivotally connected elongated arm members are positionable on opposite sides of the U-shaped member so that when they are brought together the U-shaped rod member is confined thereby to prevent said movement of said valve handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Michael W. Wadsworth, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20020157434
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lock for doors of housings or cabinets with particularly narrow frame profiles, comprising a bolt mechanism which is longitudinally moveably guided in the frame profile, and a door plate which can be fixed on the outside of the door leaf, said door plate having a first door plate area (11) with the handle (13) located therein and a second door plate area (12) in which the locking device is located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Masayuki Naya, Takashi Kubo, Nobuhiko Ogura, Nobufumi Mori
  • Publication number: 20020157435
    Abstract: The invention relates to a locking device, in particular for a vehicle, having a rotary catch (1), which encloses a locking bolt (2) and can be arrested or released by a pawl (7), the pawl (7), via a lever which is connected to a grip via connecting elements, being actuable by the grip, which locking device is distinguished by the fact that the at least one lever is mounting about a fixed pivot (8), at least one grip acting on the lever, which is designed as actuating lever (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: HERBERT WICKER
  • Publication number: 20020157436
    Abstract: An external actuating mechanism for vehicle doors in doors, hoods, lids or the like, wherein the mechanism includes a handle for opening the door, a locking unit for activating and deactivating the lock, and at least one electrical light source for temporarily illuminating a field of operation of the mechanism. An electrically operated sensor is mounted in the interior of the handle and is connected to the current supply of the vehicle. When an authorized person who is in the possession of a data carrier approaches, the sensor releases a data communication with the data carrier and deactivates the lock after a successful data comparison. A bore in the handle serves as housing for receiving the light source. The light source is connected to the electrical supply lines of the sensor arranged in the interior of the handle. The electronic system of the sensor serves for switching on the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Klein
  • Publication number: 20020157437
    Abstract: A coin bank with time-release lock including a housing having an openable upper end. The openable upper end, when opened, exposes a hollow interior of the housing. The hollow interior of the housing is dimensioned for holding a quantity of money therein. The openable upper end has an opening therein allowing money to be inserted into the hollow interior therethrough. A locking system is disposed within the housing. The locking system is in communication with the openable upper end. The locking system includes a first display, a second display, and a control panel. The first display and the second display are programmable by the control panel. The first display shows a current date. The second display shows a future date. The locking system opens the openable upper end once the future date and the current date correlate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Ernest Laurie
  • Publication number: 20020157438
    Abstract: A lock for a door (10) has a casing (11), a blot (55), a pivoted operating handle (36) operable to retract the bolt, and lock means comprising a lock cylinder (39). The lock cylinder (39) is secured to the housing by a screw (38g) covered by a rose (110) around said part of the housing, the rose being secured in place by fixing screws (38h) which can only be accessed upon removal of the casing assembly from the door and with the bolt in a refracted position. In this state the shank of the screwdriver to undo each fixing screw can easily be passed through respective aligned openings in a cover plate (12) of the housing assembly, the bolt (55), and the housing (38), thereby allowing removal of the rose and subsequent replacement of the cylinder (39) without the need to remove components of the door lock itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Brian Edward Cowper
  • Publication number: 20020157439
    Abstract: A resource regeneration process for creating an organic biomeal nutrient-rich product from raw biosolid waste material is provided. The process comprises initially mixing and conditioning the raw organic biosolid waste material to a substantially uniform size, oxidizing the raw organic biosolid waste material, secondarily mixing the oxidized and transformed organic biosolid waste material, drying the oxidized and regenerated organic biosolid waste material thereby completing the resource regeneration process for creating an organic biomeal nutrient-rich product from raw biosolid waste material wherein the resource regeneration process is completed within a time range of approximately twenty (20) minutes to approximately thirty (30) minutes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: R. Gene Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20020157440
    Abstract: A stretch leveling apparatus having at least two stretching zones and wherein the lengths of the first and second stretching zones are each at least 0.5 times the maximum strip width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: BWG Bergwerk- und Walzwerk-Maschinenbau GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Noe, Rolf Noe
  • Publication number: 20020157441
    Abstract: A hemming assembly and method for joining the edges of a pair of panels together includes a main die supporting edges of the two panels. The main die-containing hemming fixture can be stationary with the pre-hem and final hem dies moving, or the main die can move and the pre-hem and final hem dies can remain stationary during hemming. A pre-hem slide supporting a pre-hem tool at an angle to the tool fixture supporting both the final die holder and the slide. For table top applications, the hemming fixture uses guide mechanisms to control travel of the pre-hem slide and tool fixture. The hemming fixture is also movable with respect to an assembly drive to facilitate different hemming operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: William Patrick
  • Publication number: 20020157442
    Abstract: The press has a punch that slides in a punch-guide, and a ram that slides in a ram-guide, ther respective lines of action forming a T-configuration, whereby one unidirectional stroke of the ram-head provides a complete in/out stroke of the punch. The ram is driven by a prime-mover, which may be a hydraulic ram coupled directly to the ram-head, or preferably is a ball-screw-jack operated by an electric servo motor, under computer control. The ratio between the prime-mover and the ram-head remains constant throughout the stroke of the ram-head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Horst Udo Petersen
  • Publication number: 20020157443
    Abstract: A hydraulic drawing system for a press is provided for controlling a blank holder. The blank holder can be moved by at least one hydraulic cylinder-piston unit which has at least one pressure chamber. By way of a connection line, the pressure chamber is connected directly with a control block provided for controlling the movements of the at least one cylinder-piston unit. At least one storage element for storing pressure for the at least one cylinder-piston unit is connected by way of a connection line with the control block and, by way of another connection line at least one valve device is connected with the control block. The connection lines extend in each case at least approximately completely within the respective components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Publication number: 20020157444
    Abstract: In a method of making an axle element for a motor vehicle, a rod-shaped semi-finished product of aluminum is use used as starting material and heated to a desired shaping temperature. A first end of the semi-finished product is upset in a cavity of a shaping die by means of a first punch. Subsequently, the other end of the semi-finished product is compressed in the cavity by a second punch, whereby compressed material is forced into a branch of the cavity to form a pre-forge part with a leg portion. The pre-forge part is then forged into a finished axle element, e.g. a swivel bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: BENTELER AUTOMOBILTECHNIK GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Michael Heussen, Bernard Comte, Vincent Von Niederhausern, Andreas Baak
  • Publication number: 20020157445
    Abstract: Angle (&thgr;) formed by straight lines (A, B) connecting a fixed shaft (23) and two connecting shafts (24, 25) of a triaxial link (16) of a slide drive unit (10) is set acute, so that position of a slide at any crank angle can be made higher than a conventional arrangement throughout the entire slide motion and the slide can be located above a height necessary for conveying a workpiece for a longer time per the same cycle speed, thereby driving a transfer feeder with sufficient time, allowing secure conveyance of the workpiece while improving productivity of a press and avoiding restriction of design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Akio Kawado, Shigeru Nakayama
  • Publication number: 20020157446
    Abstract: A calibration system includes an acoustic wave gas sensor array, and a delivery device adapted to eject a measured quantity of a liquid calibrant to the gas sensor array. The delivery device includes a connector adapted for connection to an air supply source, a reservoir adapted to store a supply of the liquid material, an outlet arranged for placement adjacent to the gas sensor array, a dosing chamber sized to define and store a measured quantity of the calibrant, a conduit disposed between the dosing chamber and the reservoir and arranged to provide flow communication therebetween, a portion of the conduit arranged to be responsive to a pressure gradient within the dosing chamber over a predetermined time interval to thereby prevent flow from the dosing chamber toward the reservoir during the predetermined time period, and a valve mechanism adapted to apply the pressure gradient to the dosing chamber over the predetermined time interval.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: John P. Dilger
  • Publication number: 20020157447
    Abstract: An automatic calibration mode for a carbon dioxide sensor is based on using a zero gas. The sensor is designed to recognize a distinctive rate of change pattern of carbon dioxide concentrations that would be indicative of a zero calibration routine. This approach can be used for other infrared sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Michael B. Schell
  • Publication number: 20020157448
    Abstract: A heat type mass flowmeter calibration apparatus includes standard heat type mass flowmeters and sonic nozzle type mass flowmeters connected in series. Periodically or when required, the national-standard-traceable sonic nozzle type mass flowmeter that is traceable with respect to a national standard is used to calibrate the standard heat type mass flowmeters. Actual flowmeter measurements are conducted using the calibrated standard heat type mass flowmeter values. Therefore, consistently high precision of calibrations and measurements is guaranteed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Katahisa Hirai, Masao Hayakawa, Takeshi Yakuwa, Akira Hirai
  • Publication number: 20020157449
    Abstract: A plurality of fixing holes are made in the upper and side faces of a hollow rectangular prism block body at least the top and four side faces of which are quartz glass or monocrystalline quartz rectangular plates. A plurality of reference members, each having a reference measuring face with which the fore end of a probe of a measuring apparatus is brought into contact, are inserted into the fixing holes, respectively, and secured in place. An inspection master block ensuring a high inspection accuracy by minimizing the effect of ambient temperature variation and a method for producing the same are thereby provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Susumu Asanuma
  • Publication number: 20020157450
    Abstract: A system and method for testing an airbag proximity suppression system is disclosed. The testing system includes a positioning system that controls movement of an occupant model inside of a vehicle and toward a suppression zone. A proximity detector provides a first output signal indicative of when the occupant model actually enters the suppression zone by monitoring movement of a position marker. The airbag suppression system, the device under test, provides a second output signal indicative of when the airbag suppression system detects that the occupant model has entered the suppression zone. The timing difference between the first and second output signals is indicative of a performance factor of the airbag suppression system. Further, a controller identifies a position of the occupant model when the airbag suppression system detects that the occupant model has entered the suppression zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Alan J. Hutchenreuther, Philip A. Derosier, Kathleen M. Krause
  • Publication number: 20020157451
    Abstract: In a hydropneumatic suspension for vehicles having greatly varying axle loads, in particular tractors having hydraulic suspension cylinders that are connectable to a pneumatic feed pump via supply lines—with a pressure regulating valve being provided in the supply line leading to the annular spaces of the suspension cylinders—the pressure regulating valve being designed as a proportionally regulated valve which is controlled by a control current from an electric control unit which electronically processes the measured signals of a pressure sensor connected to the piston chambers of the suspension cylinders or links them to additional functional data or to external control signals from the working hydraulics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Walter Brandenburger
  • Publication number: 20020157452
    Abstract: Method for operating a sensor for determining the concentration of oxidizing gases in gas mixtures, especially of the nitrogen oxide concentration in exhaust gases of internal combustion engines, wherein the sensor includes: at least one chamber (1; 2) mounted in a solid state electrolyte (20), the chamber being connected to the gas mixture via a first diffusion barrier (4); a second chamber (3) arranged in the solid state electrolyte (20) and the chamber having a pregivable constant oxygen partial pressure; on the solid state electrolyte, an oxygen pump electrode (9) subjected to the exhaust gas; a further oxygen pump electrode (7; 8) as well as an NO pump electrode (10) in the at least one chamber (1; 2); and an oxygen reference electrode (6) arranged in the second chamber (3); and at least a voltage is made available at the electrodes and at least a pump current is evaluated as a measurement signal, is characterized in that the voltages (U_IPE; U_O2; U_NO), which are applied to the electrodes, are changed
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Berndt Cramer, Bernd Schumann
  • Publication number: 20020157453
    Abstract: An assembly for desorbing sampling tubes comprises a gas chromatograph known per se provided with an injector. The sampling tubes are provided with an inflow opening and an outflow opening. The assembly comprises an adapter which is placed in the injector and which is provided with a chamber which is bounded by a heat conducting housing. The adapter is arranged for placing a sampling tube in the chamber thereof, while in a condition of a sampling tube wherein it is placed in the adapter, the inflow opening thereof is in fluid communication with a first carrier gas supply duct, while the outflow opening of the sampling tube is in fluid communication via the injector with a gas chromatography column disposed in the gas chromatograph.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Marinus Frans van der Maas
  • Publication number: 20020157454
    Abstract: An inspection machine by compression for inspecting a ceramic sample (1), in which the ceramic sample (1) is disposed in a cylindrical container (8) via an elastic sheet (9), and the ceramic sample (1) is compressed by a hydrostatic-pressure-applying medium injected between the cylindrical container (8) and the elastic sheet (9). A rubber material having a thickness of 5 mm or less and a hardness of 30-50° is employed as the elastic sheet (9). Since the elastic sheet interposed was made thin and given a predetermined hardness to eliminate pressure decrease almost completely, pressurization can be conducted with high accuracy even under low pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Shinichi Shimada, Shinichi Naruse, Takashi Teraguchi
  • Publication number: 20020157455
    Abstract: A method of testing a product for leaks includes applying to the product a reference pressure that is less than 50.6 KPa. The method also includes developing a gas flow through a leak detection sensor in response to applying the reference pressure to the product. Another step of the method includes determining, based upon the gas flow between the product and the pressure system, whether the product leaked an unacceptable amount during the test period.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: ATC, Inc.
    Inventors: Nehemiah Hemi Sagi, Guosen Ronald Zhang, Ranajit Rana Ghosh, Xuguang Wang
  • Publication number: 20020157456
    Abstract: A method for checking the tightness of a tank-venting system of a vehicle wherein one introduces an overpressure or underpressure compared to the atmospheric pressure via a pressure source alternately into the tank-venting system and a reference leak of a defined size connected in parallel to the tank-venting system over a pregiven time interval and wherein one detects at least one operating characteristic variable of the pressure source when introducing the pressure into the tank-venting system (tank measurement) as well as when introducing the pressure into the reference leak (reference measurement) and wherein one compares the two measurements and, when there is a deviation of the tank measurement from the reference measurement by a pregivable value, one draws a conclusion as to a leak when there is a deviation of the tank measurement from the reference measurement by a pregivable value and the method is characterized in that one draws a conclusion as to the operability of the tank-venting valve of the tan
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Thorsten Fritz, Lutz Reuschenbach
  • Publication number: 20020157457
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a method and apparatus for performing Atomic Force Microscopy. In the method of the invention, a force profile is defined, and a sample is scanned by the AFM probe in such a way that the force between the sample and the probe is changed according to said predefined profile. The invention is equally related to an apparatus with which to perform said method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Wilfried Vandervorst, Pierre Eyben
  • Publication number: 20020157458
    Abstract: A method of measuring a rate of change of carbon dioxide concentration in recirculated air of an engine, is disclosed. The method includes installing a conductive sample tube into an engine's pre-combustion/air-mixing chamber, and installing a carbon dioxide sensor, remote from the chamber, to measure relative concentrations of carbon dioxide. The method may also be used to measure nitrogen oxide exhaust gas levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Michael B. Schell
  • Publication number: 20020157459
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting combustion misfires in multi-cylinder internal combustion engines having several simultaneously igniting cylinders wherein, for each crankshaft rotation, rough running values are determined by measuring segment times, the segment times including the times, which correspond to the piston movement of individual cylinders after their ignition time point, wherein the crankshaft passes through an associated circular segment angular region. A combustion misfire is determined in the affected crankshaft circular segment regions from the determined rough running values LUT for crankshaft segment regions having several simultaneously igniting cylinders via a desired value comparison to a threshold value SW2, which is lower in value than the threshold value SW1 for the misfire check in crankshaft segment regions having individually igniting cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Lehner, Heiko Oertel, Klaus Ries-Mueller
  • Publication number: 20020157460
    Abstract: Methods of and apparatus for identifying faults in cooling systems of internal combustion engines include a first temperature sensor clamped to the top radiator hose and a second temperature sensor clamped to the bottom radiator hose. The first temperature sensor is connected to a first array of heat switches, each of which has an output indicative of a selected temperature level detected in the first radiator hose. The second sensor is connected to a second array of heat switches, each of which has an output indicative of a selected temperature level in the second radiator hose. Each of the heat switches is connected through a collator to logic circuitry, which logic circuitry also has inputs from a timing circuit. The logic circuitry has outputs which energizes indicators, such as an indicator lamps, when the temperature/time condition of the engine is within selected ranges indicative of selected cooling system faults.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventor: Curtis A. Ford
  • Publication number: 20020157461
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system and method for vehicles equipped with anti-ing lock breaking systems (ABS), especially vehicles with more than two axles, is provided. Wheel sensors associated with the ABS are utilized to sense variables which depend on wheel rotation, such as speed of rotation of the wheels or travel distances covered by the wheels. An ABS control unit logically combines the determined variables with one another and performs an evaluation with respect to change of rolling radii of the wheels while allowing for changes of the variable caused by driving operation. The ABS control unit generates a warning signal when the change of variables caused by tire pressure decrease exceeds a preselected limit value. In addition to the wheel sensors, a tire pressure measuring system which measures the absolute tire inflation pressure of the wheels of at least one axle and generates a warning signal when the measured tire inflation pressure drops below a preselected setpoint pressure can be utilized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Detlef Schmidt, Andre Bork, Klaus Pape, Gerhard Ruhnau, Thomas Dieckmann
  • Publication number: 20020157462
    Abstract: A system for measuring the pressure in a rotating tire and transmitting the information via magnetic pulses to a sensor pickup located near the tire, but on a non-rotating part of the vehicle, for transmittal via wire to a micro controller for conversion to air pressure units and display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Inventors: Lewis Lee Knox, James Allen Roberts