Patents Issued in March 6, 2003
  • Publication number: 20030042414
    Abstract: A method for improving the calibration of a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer wherein the frequency spectrum of a sample has been measured and the frequency (f) and intensity (I) of at least three species having known mass to charge (m/z) ratios and one specie having an unknown (m/z) ratio have been isdentified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Richard D. Smith, Christophe D. Masselon, Aleksey Tolmachev
  • Publication number: 20030042415
    Abstract: A method of setting a fill time for a mass spectrometer including a linear ion is provided. The mass spectrometer is operated first in a transmission mode and ions are supplied to the mass spectrometer. Ions are detected as they pass through at least part of the mass spectrometer in a preset time period, to determine the ion current. From a desired maximum charge density for the ion trap and the ion current, a fill time for the ion trap is determined. The mass spectrometer is operated in a trapping mode to trap ions in the ion trap, and the ion trap is filled for the fill time, as just determined. This utilizes the ion trap to its maximum, while avoiding problems due to overfilling the trap, causing space charge effects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: MDS Inc., doing business as MDS Sciex
    Inventor: James W. Hager
  • Publication number: 20030042416
    Abstract: A spectrometer is provided for the energy analysis of charged particles. The spectrometer consists of a hemispherical capacitor energy analyzer, a collimator and entrance aperture that define the solid angle of acceptance and geometric factor of the spectrometer, and a charged particle detector. The entrance aperture and collimator are arranged to maximize the geometric factor of the analyzer while retaining high energy-resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Luke Goembel
  • Publication number: 20030042417
    Abstract: An electron beam apparatus is provided for reliably measuring a potential contrast and the like at a high throughput in a simple structure. The electron beam apparatus for irradiating a sample, such as a wafer, formed with a pattern with an electron beam to evaluate the sample comprises an electron-optical column for accommodating an electron beam source, an objective lens, an ExB separator, and a secondary electron beam detector; a stage for holding the sample, and relatively moving the sample with respect to the electron-optical column; a working chamber for accommodating the stage and capable of controlling the interior thereof in a vacuum atmosphere; a loader for supplying a sample to the stage; a voltage applying mechanism for applying a voltage to the sample, and capable of applying at least two voltages to a lower electrode of the objective lens; and an alignment mechanism for measuring a direction in which dies are arranged on the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: EBARA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Takao Kato, Kenji Watanabe, Shoji Yoshikawa, Tohru Satake, Nobuharu Noji
  • Publication number: 20030042418
    Abstract: A cassette-type image taking apparatus for acquiring a radiograph of an object includes an electric circuit unit including a radiation image detecting unit, of which a radiation image detecting face is substantially formed of a quadrangle, a case which contains said electric circuit unit, a handle provided at a side face of said case facing one side of said quadrangle, where a face containing a radiation incident face of said case opposite said radiation image detecting face is supposed to be the front face, and a connecting port which is capable of connecting, in a detachable manner, a cable for electrically connecting said electric circuit unit and an external device, at least part of said connecting port being provided in a handle-side side region as a side face region of said case in the same side of said handle with respect to a plane containing said one side and a normal line of said radiation image detecting face crossing said one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Osamu Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20030042419
    Abstract: An apparatus used for an epitaxial vapor growing arrangement and for detecting whether a wafer is properly seated within a susceptor contained therein. The apparatus includes a semiconductor laser element that generates a laser beam which irradiates the wafer's surface. The apparatus, further, includes a combination of a stop mechanism, a condenser lens and a photo diode, which detects the laser beam reflected from the wafer surface and an operation circuit, which determines the wafer's posture on the susceptor. During operation, the reflected laser beam focuses on a receiving surface of the photo diode through the condenser lens. The operation circuit then compares the output signal from the photo diode with a preset reference value for discriminating the slope of the wafer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Hirohumi Katsumata, Takehiko Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20030042420
    Abstract: A flame sensor capable of being easily produced and accurately detecting a flame includes a broadband filter having a transmission band inclusive of a line spectrum of resonance radiation of a carbonic acid gas, a narrowband filter permitting the passage of only the line spectrum of the resonance radiation of the carbonic acid gas and having its band center not coincident with that of the broadband filter, a light reception device, amplifiers, a circuit for computing the difference of mean intensities of spectrums transmitting through the filters and passing through the amplifiers, and a circuit for raising an alarm when the output of the computation circuit exceeds a predetermined value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Shunsaku Nakauchi, Masanori Hirasawa
  • Publication number: 20030042421
    Abstract: A bolometer-type infrared sensor using a resistor with a hysteresis in its thermal characteristic of resistance increases the sensitivity. A first temperature controller raises or drops the temperature of the diaphragm from its outside. A second temperature controller raises the temperature of the diaphragm from its inside by supplying electricity to the bolometer film. The first temperature controller defines a lower-side temperature of a temperature cycle while the first and second temperature controllers define an upper-side temperature thereof. The temperature of the diaphragm is controlled according to the temperature cycle. A signal on the diaphragm is read out at the upper-side temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Naoki Oda
  • Publication number: 20030042422
    Abstract: An apparatus for simulating a blackbody utilizes several plates to absorb and reflect electromagnetic radiation. Electromagnetic radiation entering the apparatus from a certain view is reflected from one plate to another, until the direction of travel of the electromagnetic radiation is reversed. Each time the electromagnetic radiation is reflected, the majority of the electromagnetic radiation is absorbed resulting in a negligible amount of incoming electromagnetic radiation escaping the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: D. Allan Roberts, Doug Cohen, David S. Smith
  • Publication number: 20030042423
    Abstract: A nuclear camera system is provided in which the energy spectrum peaks identified by a camera detector head are automatically adjusted to account for drift and other sources of inaccuracy. Histograms of events detected by the photomultiplier tubes of the detector head are acquired continuously and updated periodically. A system operator initiates the adjustment with an autopeaking command which causes the system to ascertain the validity of the histogram data and, if it is valid, to determine a peak energy level. The determined level is compared to a theoretical value for an isotope present and the comparison is used to adjust the gain applied to energy data of the detector head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Hugo Bertelsen
  • Publication number: 20030042424
    Abstract: A radiation imaging system comprising a scintillator, an imager array, and a lamination layer. Lamination layer bonds and optically couples scintillator to imager array. Lamination layer is comprised of a lamination material that is substantially free from void spaces. Radiation imaging system fabrication comprises the steps of disposing lamination layer between a light imager and a scintillator to form a subassembly. Light imager comprises imager array, an imaging plate surface and a plurality of contact pads. Additional steps include subjecting subassembly to a vacuum; heating subassembly to a bonding temperature, exerting a bonding force on subassembly, maintaining the vacuum, the bonding temperature and the bonding force until light imager is bonded to the scintillator and the lamination layer is comprised of lamination material that is substantially free from void spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffrey Wayne Eberhard, Herbert Stanley Cole, Robert Forrest Kwasnick, Theresa Ann Sitnik-Nieters
  • Publication number: 20030042425
    Abstract: An image sensor has a plurality of pixels, each pixel including a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit for processing signals from the photoelectric converter and outputting processed signals and a scanning circuit, disposed between the photoelectric converters, included in each of at least two adjacent pixels among a plurality of pixels aligned in a single direction. An edge pixel accommodates, in order from an edge of the image sensor toward an interior, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. There is at least one position at which two adjacent pixels, the first of the two pixels accommodating, in order, a pixel circuit, a photoelectric converter and predetermined empty region, the second accommodating, in order, a predetermined empty region, a photoelectric converter and a pixel circuit. The scanning circuit is disposed in the predetermined empty region between the two adjacent pixels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuaki Tashiro, Noriyuki Kaifu, Shin Kikuchi, Tomoyuki Noda
  • Publication number: 20030042426
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting ionizing radiation emitted by material located over an extended area are provided. The method and system include a radiation detector disposed within a detector space on a detection axis. An array of collimating louvers is positioned about the radiation detector and is movable between different polar positions or angles relative to the detection axis. A mechanism is provided for moving the array of collimating louvers between the different polar angles to collimate the ionizing radiation from different locations over the area. The detector produces electrical signals as a function of the polar positions of the array of collimating louvers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas S. McGregor, Kimberlee J. Kearfott
  • Publication number: 20030042427
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for automatically tuning a charged particle beam system, such as an ion implanter. In one embodiment, a control parameter of a control component located upstream of a target component is modulated, and the beam current downstream of the target component is measured. The beam current measurements provide information that is used to evaluate tuning and, if necessary, to adjust the target component. The target component is typically a slow response component, such as a magnet. In another embodiment, evaluation of tuning is performed by modulating the target parameter and monitoring the effect of such modulation on the beam current. In a further embodiment, the spot size of the charged particle beam is evaluated by scanning the beam across the edge of an aperture and evaluating the sharpness of the beam focus. The tuning algorithms are preferably implemented in localized power supply interfaces for high speed operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Terence Sean Sullivan, David S. Holbrook, Clifford A. Lardin
  • Publication number: 20030042428
    Abstract: An apparatus for selected measurement of in particular luminescent and/or fluorescent radiation has a plurality of measurement light paths (M1, M2, M3), which each have their own measuring devices optimized for the particular measurement mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Berthold Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Peukert, Nortbert Klaiber, Berthold Breitkopf
  • Publication number: 20030042429
    Abstract: A radiation image storage panel composed of a substrate and a phosphor film of a stimulable phosphor which is composed of a mother component and an activator element and is formed by vapor deposition, is preferred to have a relationship of a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined one position on the phosphor film and a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined different position on the phosphor film satisfies the condition of 0.1≦Ra/Rb≦10 [Ra means a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined one position of the phosphor film and Rb means a molar ratio of activator element/mother component in an optionally determined different position of the phosphor film].
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: FUJI PHOTO FILM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuji Isoda
  • Publication number: 20030042430
    Abstract: Attenuation regions of laser light are removed or reduced in size using a slit located in the immediate vicinity of a surface to be irradiated so that a steep energy distribution is obtained in the end portions of the laser light. The reason why the slit is located in the immediate vicinity of the surface to be irradiated is to suppress the spread of the laser light. In addition, the attenuation regions of the laser light are folded by using a mirror instead of the slit to increase energy densities in the attenuation regions by one another so that a steep energy density distribution is obtained in the end portions of the laser light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichiro Tanaka, Tomoaki Moriwaka
  • Publication number: 20030042431
    Abstract: A high-resolution focused ion beam programming technique wherein fuse-like and anti-fuse-like elements are provided for on-chip tight-area circuit programming applications. The focused ion beam programming can be used in a very high density circuit area and thus increase the design flexibility. Compared to laser programming techniques, the yield of focused ion beam programming can be much higher due to its high-resolution, localized heating and non-destructive nature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Lawrence A. Clevenger, Louis Lu-Chen Hsu, Joseph F. Shepard, Keith Kwong-Hon Wong, Li-Kong Wang
  • Publication number: 20030042432
    Abstract: A method for estimating molecular nitrogen implantation dosage. The semiconductor wafers are first implanted with various concentration of molecular nitrogen. After implantation, the implanted wafers and a non-implanted wafer are subjected to thermal process to grow oxide layer. The thickness of oxide layer on the wafers with various implantation dosage is measured. Because implanted nitrogen on the wafers suppresses the growth of oxide layer, a suppression ratio is computed from the difference in thickness of the oxide layer between the implanted and non-implanted semiconductor wafers to stand for the thickness variation. Then, a relation between the suppression ratio and the dosages of molecular nitrogen is built. A molecular nitrogen dosage needed to grow a predetermined thickness of oxide layer on a process wafer is computed by inputting the predetermined thickness into the relation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Chun-Yao Yen
  • Publication number: 20030042433
    Abstract: Methods are disclosed for determining a reticle pattern to be defined on a reticle used for charged-particle-beam microlithography performed using a high beam-acceleration voltage. The pattern is determined so at to define pattern elements, destined for transfer-exposure to respective edges of chips, on the reticle in a manner serving to reduce proximity effects in such elements when imprinted on the substrate, whether or not the elements are in peripherally situated chips (located at or near a wafer perimeter) or in chips located centrally on the substrate. On the reticle the profile of such an element is reconfigured as required to reduce proximity effects caused by proximal pattern elements in neighboring chips. To reduce variations in the imprinted profile of such an element in peripherally located chips versus centrally located chips on the substrate, portions of neighboring chips that straddle the substrate edge are imprinted nevertheless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Nikon Corporation
    Inventor: Koichi Kamijo
  • Publication number: 20030042434
    Abstract: An electron beam lithography system includes a laser for generating a laser beam, and a beam splitter for splitting the laser beam into a plurality of light beams. The intensity of the light beams is individually modulated. The light beams are of sufficient energy such that, when they impinge on a photocathode, electrons are emitted. Modulation of the light beams controls modulation of the resulting electron beams. The electron beams are provided to an electron column for focusing and scanning control. Finally, the electron beams are used to write a scanning surface, for example, using an interlaced writing strategy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Marian Mankos, Steven T. Coyle, Andres Fernandez, Allan L. Sagle, Paul C. Allen, Xiaolan Chen, Douglas Holmgren, Windsor Owens, Jeffrey Sullivan, Tim Thomas, Mark A. Gesley
  • Publication number: 20030042435
    Abstract: A powdered far-infrared radiator includes a quartz schist pulverized into a powder having a grain diameter not exceeding 6 &mgr;m and heat-treating the powder at or above 200° C. The quartz schist radiates far-infrared rays at an ordinary temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Koichi Imai
  • Publication number: 20030042436
    Abstract: A film is formed on the discharge parts of the main discharge electrodes. In order to prevent erosion of the discharge parts by the halogen gas contained in the laser gas, a substance that tends not to react with the halogen gas, i.e., a halogen-resistant substance, is used for this film. Furthermore, in order to prevent deformation of the discharge parts by the bombardment and heat of the main discharge, a substance that has a higher hardness than the metal of the main discharge electrodes or a substance that has a higher melting point than the metal of the main discharge electrodes is used for this film. As a result, deterioration of the electrodes can be inhibited, so that a stable laser output can be obtained, and the replacement interval of the electrodes can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Tsukasa Hori, Akira Sumitani, Takayuki Yabu, Teiichirou Chiba, Hakaru Mizoguchi, Osamu Wakabayashi, Junichi Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20030042437
    Abstract: Flyback power supplies require three chip integrated circuits to control the switching cycles on the primary of a transformer including a chip that detects when a voltage threshold and optionally when a current threshold has been crossed on the secondary side of the transformer, an opto-coupler to isolate the secondary to primary feedback from the first chip, and a switch control circuit that receives the feedback information from the opto-coupler and uses the information to modulate the primary pulses in order to regulate the secondary voltage and to optionally set a current compliance limit on the secondary current. This invention shows how these three integrated circuits can be combined into one package using silicon based LEDs. Furthermore, circuit techniques are presented that allow the detection of low level light produced by silicon based LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Eugene Robert Worley, Charles Ye Ying Jie Chu
  • Publication number: 20030042438
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for detecting an amount of soiling of a bill. The method includes steps of (A) illuminating at least a portion of the bill with excitation light; in response to the excitation light, (B) emitting response light from the portion of the bill; (C) detecting an intensity of the emitted response light; and (D) correlating the detected intensity with an amount of soiling of the bill. The method can include a further step of (E) correlating the amount of soiling with an amount of wear of the bill, and may also further include a step of (F) detecting a presence of a substantially specular surface region on the bill, indicating a presence of a foreign substance, such as a piece of transparent or semi-transparent tape. Also disclosed is a method and system for detecting a presence of a foreign substance on a surface of a bill.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Nabil M. Lawandy, John A. Moon
  • Publication number: 20030042439
    Abstract: Time-correlated photon counting is used to measure integrated circuit (IC) performance related to signal jitter (such as clock jitter) in a manner that is non-invasive to the circuit or node of interest. The signal jitter is measured by counting photon emissions at various nodes of interest across a controlled collapse chip connect (C4) mounted die, without interfering with the normal operation of the circuit of interest. This increases the precision and accuracy of the measurement of signal jitter significantly, since small amounts of phase noise on a particular clock signal edge can be detected. The emitted photons can be detected and subsequently correlated to a precise time base to obtain a statistical spread of switching events in time. The range of the photon distribution can be used to reliably determine safe and reasonable timing guard bands for clock and data paths in an IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Stefan Rusu, Harry Muljono, Gary L. Woods, Jeremy A. Rowlette, Dean J. Grannes
  • Publication number: 20030042440
    Abstract: A sensing head for providing bi-dimensional and tri-dimensional data determinative of a position and an orientation of a target object is provided. The sensing head combines both a bi-dimensional and a tri-dimensional sensors. General illumination is associated to the bi-dimensional sensor to allow the acquisition of bi-dimensional data representative of the target object. A stripe-shaped laser light output is projected and diffused on the target object and is sensed by the tri-dimensional sensor. Tri-dimensional data is thus acquired. By proper processing of the bi-dimensional and tri-dimensional data, the position and orientation of the target object may be determined without moving the sensor head and without knowing its position and orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: Servo-Robot Inc.
    Inventors: Jean-Paul Boillot, Raymond Boridy, Jacques-Andre Gaboury
  • Publication number: 20030042441
    Abstract: An edge detector with sub-micron accuracy. The edge detector comprises two single mode optical fibers with an optical path between them. One fiber is coupled to a laser light source, and creates a light beam. The other fiber is coupled to an optical power detector. The optical power reaching the optical power detector is determined by how much of the light beam is obscured by an object. Thus the position of the edge of the object may be determined from the optical power measured by the detector. The edge of an object may be positioned automatically according to the optical power measured by the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Edward Steketee, John Bernard Medberry, Benno Guggenheimer
  • Publication number: 20030042442
    Abstract: The present invention includes a servo-shutter mechanism comprising a servo-motor and a first gear rotatably attached to the servo-motor. The gear has teeth. The invention also includes a second gear having a first end and a second end. The first end has teeth in meshing contact with the teeth of the first gear and the second end is adapted to be joined to a cam ring. The cam ring has an aperture and a plurality of pivot pins where one of the pivot pins is joined to the second end of the second gear. Additionally, the invention includes at least one shutter blade having a first end and a second end where the first end is adapted to be pivotably joined to the cam ring and the second end is adapted to block the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
    Inventors: Joe Schill, Steve Walker, Mark Plymale
  • Publication number: 20030042443
    Abstract: For examining defects in sheet material, in particular bank notes, the sheet material is convexly curved and tested in the area of the convex curvature. A detector is disposed tangentially to an apex line of the convex curvature for detecting elevations on the bank note surface due to bank note defects against a light background. A suitable optic is used to image this silhouette onto the detector. The detector is formed as a pixel array, and the number and height of shaded pixels are assessed as measures of defect density and size and nature of defects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Christian Pechan, Bernd Wunderer
  • Publication number: 20030042444
    Abstract: The gain correction image is composed of a grid- free image regardless of the presence or absence of the grid or the kind thereof. The gain correction images are stored in the image memory unit, and, under the control of the pre-process unit and according to the result of the grid detection means, reference is made to the image process parameter table stored in the image process parameter memory unit and the matching gain correction image is downloaded from the image memory unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Osamu Tsujii
  • Publication number: 20030042445
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for reading a latent image stored on a storage layer radiation screen, the apparatus comprising: a light source adapted to provide excitation light across a width of a storage layer radiation screen; and an excitation and image acquisition station comprising a mechanism for shaping the excitation light as an elongated region of excitation light across the width of the screen, optics for collecting a region of light emitted by a lateral strip of the screen excited by the elongated region of excitation light, and an elongated pixelated sensor array positioned to capture from the optics the region of light emitted by the screen; wherein the latent image stored on the screen is read by collecting and capturing light emitted from the screen as the screen moves past the excitation and image acquisition station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Christopher R. Mitchell, Gregory A. Sprehn, Stephan Hoffmann, Joseph R. Rimsa
  • Publication number: 20030042446
    Abstract: A diaphragm type of flush valve for use with toilet devices such as urinals and water closets includes a body with an inlet and an outlet. There is a valve seat between the inlet and outlet and a valve member movable to a closing position on the valve seat. The valve member includes a diaphragm which is peripherally attached to the body. There is a pressure chamber above the diaphragm for holding the valve member on its valve seat and there is a filter and bypass orifice connecting the inlet and the pressure chamber. There is a filter chamber in the diaphragm upstream of the bypass orifice, which chamber extends downwardly below the diaphragm. Water within the filter chamber is quiescent and substantially less turbulent than water beneath the diaphragm. There are filter openings into the filter chamber which have a cross sectional area greater than that of the bypass orifice, but shaped to prevent the passage of particles of a size which will not pass through the bypass orifice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: John R. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030042447
    Abstract: A nonrefillable valve is especially adapted for an initial charge or fill of a pressurized container, and selective discharge of the container, but prevents subsequent refill of the container. The valve is characterized by a valve body which receives a valve operating assembly. The valve operating assembly includes a valve stem which is raised or lowered within the chamber of the valve, and a valve core which is slidably received in the distal end of the valve stem. In a first or pre-position, the valve core resides above a rim or protrusion within the chamber. After filling of the container, the valve stem is operated to force the valve core beyond the protrusion, and in seating engagement with a valve seat thus sealing the container. A second or closed position of the valve is defined when the valve stem forces the valve core against the valve seat. The valve is then selectively operated in a third or open position to discharge the container as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: De Fu Chen
  • Publication number: 20030042448
    Abstract: A throttle body for use in the air intake system of a motor vehicle comprising a throttle body defining a throttle bore. The throttle plate is rotatably mounted within the throttle bore, having an outside diameter smaller than an inside diameter of the throttle bore. A plurality of fins, located on the throttle plate, extend from the throttle plate in a direction generally perpendicular to a plane defined by said throttle plate. The fins are optimized in number, thickness, spacing, length, shape, and angle to reduce air-rush noise without impacting engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: David A. Conley, Christopher Edward Shaw, Stephen Joseph Hamby
  • Publication number: 20030042449
    Abstract: A vacuum control valve comprises a valve chamber with a valve opening which has a portion with a cylindrical inside wall on which an elastic sealing washer is provided. A closing body is included which comprises a cylindrical portion with a first end and a second end, adjoined by a portion of the closing body that widens into a cone, wherein at least one groove is present in the cylindrical portion of the closing body which extends to the first end of the cylindrical portion and which either widens along its extent to the first end, or deepens, or widens as well as deepens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: VAT Holding AG
    Inventor: Robert Andreas Gsteu
  • Publication number: 20030042450
    Abstract: A force-balanced gas control valve assembly having an integral cylindrical actuator housing and tubular valve body. A mounting flange attached to the housing has a central aperture through which the valve body projects. An annular valve seat is provided in the valve body. A pintle shaft within the valve body has a valve head matable with the valve seat, a force-balancing piston, an interstem separating the valve head from the piston, and an armature extending into a solenoid actuator subassembly disposed within the actuator housing. The pintle is formed of a ferromagnetic material such as a magnetic stainless steel. In a flow chamber within the valve body, pressure is exerted equally on both the piston, in a direction tending to open the valve, and the valve head, in a direction tending to close the valve. Thus the valve is force-balanced, and the solenoid need operate against only the frictional forces within the valve itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Raul A. Bircann
  • Publication number: 20030042451
    Abstract: A solenoid operated valve having a valve obturator moved by an armature disposed within a coil. A stationary pole piece is disposed to define with the end of the armature cooperating opposing surfaces defining a working air gap. One of the cooperating surfaces has an annular rib formed integrally on one of the pole piece and armature with the rib operative to prevent sufficient flux concentration to cause residual magnetic latching of the closed air gap upon energization and consequent armature sticking when the coil is de-energized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: EATON CORPORATION.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Bendzinski, Jorge A. Moreno
  • Publication number: 20030042452
    Abstract: A solenoid valve assembly for a vehicle includes a barrel and a solenoid disposed in the barrel for connection to a source of power. The solenoid valve assembly also includes a movable plunger disposed in the barrel and cooperating with the solenoid and a latch connected to the plunger and cooperating with the barrel to maintain the plunger in either one of an open state and closed state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: David Howard Burke
  • Publication number: 20030042453
    Abstract: To provide an electromagnetic valve where an end cover can easily be fitted into a valve hole, and a valve body can be small-sized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Hideharu Sato, Yoshio Aso, Shinichi Yoshimura, Takumi Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20030042454
    Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator, particularly for use with valves in the automotive field, such as, for example, exhaust-gas recirculation valves, secondary-air valves, etc., having a housing with an electrical connector plug, a magnetic yoke, a coil unit, a guide element, a magnetic core and an armature that cooperates with a valve adjusting member. The armature is formed by first and second armature elements, the second armature element being in the form of a disk mounted so that it is spaced from the first armature element by an air gap when current is not supplied to the actuator whereby high, abrupt force is developed on the first armature element to open the valve when current is supplied..
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Martin Kloda, Markus Herring, Gunther Weitkamp, Heinz Creutz
  • Publication number: 20030042455
    Abstract: A center core laminated part and a side core laminated part are formed separately from each other. The center core laminated part is integrated with the side core laminated part by engaging depressed engaging portions with projected engaging portions, wherein the depressed engaging portions and the projected engaging portions are formed relatively on the corresponding opposite surfaces, to form a laminated core part for forming a magnetic path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Masafumi Sugawara, Masatoshi Ueda, Kazuhiko Fukushima, Akihiko Imagi, Masao Morita
  • Publication number: 20030042456
    Abstract: An electromagnetic fluid controller can prevent the action force of magnetic attraction between both abutting faces of an armature and a stator, and eliminate the necessity of a junction of the armature and a valve needle. Upon coil energization, the armature is attracted by an electromagnetic stator force, and the armature and the stator abut through a nonmagnetic material film. The nonmagnetic material film is formed of a material containing NiP on the end face of the stator with a thickness in a range from 30 to 100 micrometers. Thus, the action force of magnetic attraction between both the abutting faces upon deenergization of the coil can be prevented without providing an air gap, and delays in the timing of the separation of the armature from the stator can be decreased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tadaaki Makino
  • Publication number: 20030042457
    Abstract: A valve assembly including a main body defining a central axis and a gate. The gate includes a curved surface relative to the central axis and the gate is disposed within the main body. The gate is rotatable about an axis of rotation running along the length of the gate. The valve assembly also includes an actuation assembly for rotating the gate about the axis of rotation between a first position where said valve is open and a second position where said valve is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: WaferMasters, Inc.
    Inventor: Woo Sik Yoo
  • Publication number: 20030042458
    Abstract: In a capillary valve, which can be pulsed and which includes a capillary with a constriction forming a nozzle, a plunger is movably disposed in the capillary and forms, together with the capillary constriction, a seal, and a drive is provided for actuating the plunger within the capillary providing for a small, rapidly responsive, nozzle valve design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Egmont Rohwer, Ralf Zimmerman, Ralph Dorfner, Antonius Kettrup
  • Publication number: 20030042459
    Abstract: A unitary diaphragm and seat assembly for making the removal and replacement of diaphragms and seats practical, simple, and easy is taught. The inventive device includes a diaphragm cap, one or more diaphragms, and a diaphragm plate all respectively stacked and welded together in concentric alignment. A valve seat is attached to the lower face of the diaphragm plate. This assembly is concentrically retained within the valve body. The valve actuator installs over the top of the assembly and mechanically attaches onto the valve body. The diaphragm cap is a tubular shaped metal structure. The diaphragm is a circular thin metal disc preferably dome shaped. The diaphragm plate is a disc shaped metal structure having an upper and lower face. The valve seat is a tubular plastic structure. The valve body is a metal structure containing fluid ports and attachment means to a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: Roger J. Gregoire
  • Publication number: 20030042460
    Abstract: To simplify and facilitate working/grinding or the like on a valve hole in a body for a valve reduce a manufacturing cost of the body for a valve. A body for a valve 10 provided with a valve hole for inserting a valve member slidably therein is formed by splitting the body for a valve on split faces 13 including an axial line of the valve hole and extending along directions of flow paths 12p, 12a, 12b, 12r communicating towards the valve hole from ports P, A, B, R opened to a body outer face and mutually joining body portion pieces which are respectively molded individually.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Applicant: SMC Corporation
    Inventors: Shinji Miyazoe, Masaru Narita, Makoto Ishikawa
  • Publication number: 20030042461
    Abstract: One embodiment of the invention includes an MR fluid of improved durability. The MR fluid is particularly useful in devices that subject the fluid to substantial centrifugal forces, such as large fan clutches. A particular embodiment includes a magnetorheological fluid including 10 to 14 wt % of a hydrocarbon-based liquid, 86 to 90 wt % of bimodal magnetizable particles, 0.05 to 0.5 wt % fumed silica, and an additive package including a paraffin oil, a phenol and a sulfide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: John C. Ulicny, Anthony L. Smith, Mark A. Golden, Brian L. Mc Dermott, Thomas J. Chapaton
  • Publication number: 20030042462
    Abstract: A magnetic fluid is provided comprising a block copolymer stabilizer, magnetic particles and a fluid polysiloxane medium. The stabilizer comprises an anchor block which chelates magnetic metal particles, and at least one end block which is compatible with the polysiloxane medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Judy S. Riffle, Janice Paige Phillips, James P. Dailey
  • Publication number: 20030042463
    Abstract: Multicomponent refrigerant fluids for generating refrigeration, especially over a wide temperature range including cryogenic temperatures, which are advantageous over conventional refrigerant fluids especially for certain applications, and which are non-toxic, non-flammable and low or non-ozone-depleting and preferably are maintained in variable load form through compression, cooling, expansion and warming steps in a refrigeration cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventors: Bayram Arman, Neil Mark Prosser, M. Abdul-Aziz Rashad, Henry Edward Howard