Patents Issued in April 1, 2003
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Patent number: 6539786Abstract: A vehicle sensor assembly includes a plurality of engagement members which lock into a sensor receipt member attached to a vehicle gas directing component. Each of the engagement members include a first segment which is receivable within a corresponding slot and an enlarged segment which is preferably sized greater than the slot. To install the sensor assembly, the sensor assembly is pressed into the sensor receipt member until the enlarged segment of each engagement member encounters an associated extension. By providing additional force on the sensor assembly the engagement members are spread outward from their normal position to pass by the extensions such that the first segment snaps into the slots and the enlarged segments lock the sensor assembly into the installed position. Although no tools and only a minimum of force is required to install the sensor assembly, a much greater force is required to remove it.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Siemens Canada LimitedInventor: Paul D. Daly
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Patent number: 6539787Abstract: A gas tight and simplified glow plug includes a combustion pressure sensor. The plug main body includes a cylindrical housing to be mounted in an engine head with one end side positioned at a combustion chamber side of the engine head. A cylindrical sheath tube is held in the housing with one end side exposed from the one end of the housing. A heating coil is received and held in the sheath tube. A central shaft acts as a rod-like electrode having one end side received in the sheath tube and an other end side exposed from other end of housing.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Denso CorporationInventors: Hiroyuki Murai, Kouichi Hattori
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Patent number: 6539788Abstract: A method for determining preselected performance characteristics of a tread of a tire consists in dividing the tread in a grid of cells forming piles of cells which are full, empty or partially full; identifying a group of piles of cells in each contact area; determining longitudinal stiffness values cxj and transversal stiffness values cyj for each pile; identifying families of discrete areas and transversal strips in each contact area; determining, for each strip, forces per unit of length by means of cxj and cyj, longitudinal stiffness values per unit of length cpx and transversal stiffness values per unit of length cpy and by means of cpx and cpy and a preselected state of deformation; determining total forces associated with all contact areas by means of single forces associated with the discrete areas, and evaluating their pattern so as to establish whether the arrangement of full and empty cells optimizes the performance characteristics of the tread.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.Inventors: Federico Mancosu, Giuseppe Matrascia, Andrea Devizzi
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Patent number: 6539789Abstract: A device for the contactless detection of a potentially existing essentially edge-free irregularity in a convex surface, which has a structuring that is delimited by edges, comprises a unit for creating a three-dimensional representation of the surface, a unit for extracting the convexity from the three-dimensional representation of the surface and for smoothing the edges of the structuring so as to obtain a convex-free representation of the convex surface which exhibits the irregularity and the structuring, whose edges have now been smoothed, a unit for comparing the convex-free representation with a threshold value so as to identify areal regions of the convex-free representation which are determined by a predetermined relationship to the threshold value, and a unit for analyzing the areas of the identified regions, a region being detected as an irregularity if its area exceeds a predetermined area.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung e. V.Inventors: Guenther Kostka, Peter Schmitt, Ulf Hassler, Randolf Hanke
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Patent number: 6539790Abstract: A bulge tester (20) for determining residual stresses, and mechanical, thermal and other properties of a thin film (26) of material. The bulge tester includes a chuck (22) that supports the substrate (24) on which the film is deposited by stiction rather than through the use of mounting waxes, adhesives and mechanical clamping. The stiction inducing media (52) may be viscous grease, a flexible sheet of material such as a rubber, an elastomer, both or other materials. Bulge testing performed using the stiction-based chuck involves inducing stiction between the base (42) of the chuck and substrate of at least at least 1 kPascal (0.69 lb/in2), as determined using a corner peel test. The pressurized fluid is delivered to the film to be tested, and materials properties of the film are determined as a function of pressure of the fluid and deflection of the film.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: University of Vermont and State Agricultural CollegeInventors: Dryver R. Huston, Wolfgang Sauter, Peter A. Sonntag
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Patent number: 6539791Abstract: A calorimetric flow measuring device is characterized by a single thermistor for measuring flow. The thermistor is connected within a bridge circuit which compensates for the temperature of the medium whose flow is being measured and a pulsing heater is provided to periodically heat the thermistor, the rate of cooling of which is a function of the rate of flow. A control devise such as a transistor is connected in the bridge circuit and with the pulsing heater so that temperature compensation is prevented when the heater is activated.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Günther Weber
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Patent number: 6539792Abstract: A sensor that includes a first resistor, a second resistor, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The first and second resistors each has a resistance that varies in response to a change in a physical property. The first circuit is electrically coupled to the first resistor and sets the resistance of the first resistor. The second circuit is electrically coupled to the second resistor and adjusts the resistance of the second resistor to equal the resistance of the first resistor. A processing circuit may be coupled to the first and second circuits to measure a difference in an amount of energy provided by the first and second circuits to the first and second resistors, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Unit InstrumentsInventors: John Michael Lull, Nelson Urdaneta
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Patent number: 6539793Abstract: The invention provides a flow rate detector capable of precisely detecting a flow rate of an object fluid and effectively reducing a leaning error even when the object fluid is pulsating, thereby improving precision in detection of flow rate. The flow rate detector comprises a flow detector 50 for outputting a flow-detecting signal Sf according to a flow rate of the object fluid utilizing heat transfer phenomenon from an exothermic resistor 12 disposed in a fluid passage to the object fluid, and a gain compensator 60 for compensating an error in a flow-detecting signal Sf by amplifying the flow-detecting signal Sf from the flow detector 50, wherein the gain compensator 60 is arranged to amplify the flow-detecting signal Sf by a substantially constant alternating current gain G3 larger than a direct current gain G1 at the time of zero frequency, in a frequency range higher than a frequency f2A corresponding to the minimum pulsating frequency of the object fluid.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Koji Tanimoto, Shinji Taniguchi, Tomoya Yamakawa, Ryuji Toyama
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Patent number: 6539794Abstract: A continuous measurement of the level of contents in a container is effected by a level measuring device functioning in accordance with the transit time principle by means of waves transmitted from a position located above the highest possible contents level onto the surface of the material in the container. A measuring circuit determines the contents level from the transit time of the useful echo reflected from the material surface. In addition, one or more limit sensors are located at the container, each of which furnishes a signal indicating whether the contents level is above or below a level to be monitored by the limit sensor and which is situated between the minimum and maximum contents levels of the container. The measuring circuit receives the output signals of all limit sensors and uses these output signals to check and eventually to correct the contents level measured value determined by the level measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventors: Johanngeorg Otto, Wolfgang Lubcke
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Patent number: 6539795Abstract: A method for determining the depth (DL) of a fluid contact level between a first fluid (F1), such as water, and a second fluid (F2), such as crude oil or natural gas, within the pores of an oil and/or gas bearing formation surrounding a borehole comprises measuring the phase pressure PF1 and PF2 of said pore fluids using a pressure probe assembly which is lowered to a depth (DP) above the depth of said contact level (DL) and determining the depth of said interface on the basis of the equation: D P - D L = P F1 - P F2 g ⁡ ( ρ F1 - ρ F2 )Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Shell Oil CompanyInventors: Willem Scherpenisse, Johannes Nicolaas Maria Van Wunnik
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Patent number: 6539796Abstract: A liquid level sensor 18 has sensor probes 20a to 21b, and a monitor unit 23. The monitor unit 23 has a probe potential difference detecting section 25 for detecting the output potential difference between sensor probes 20a, 20b, and the output potential difference between sensor probes 21a, 21b; and a liquid level determining section 26 for determining the level of the liquid from the result of detection. The monitor unit 23 has a bubbling detection pulse generator section 28 for detecting an occurrence of bubbling of a bubbling gas from the result of detection by the probe potential difference detecting section 25 and generating a pulse signal, and a pulse counter 29 for counting the number of pulses generated by the bubbling detection pulse generator section 28, thereby making it possible to grasp the number of bubbling periods of the bubbling gas.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.Inventors: Yoshikatsu Shirai, Yuji Murayama
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Patent number: 6539797Abstract: A capacitive sensor array is adapted to be disposed in a reservoir containing fluid or material along an axis of measurement of the fluid or material to determine the level of fluid or material contained within the reservoir. The sensor array includes a plurality of reference electrodes, wherein the capacitance of each of the electrodes varies in accordance both with the extent of the array's immersion in the fluid or material and the dielectric constant of the fluid or material. The plurality of reference electrodes preferably includes a lower electrode adapted to be immersed within the fluid or material in the reservoir and whose capacitance provides an estimate of the dielectric constant of the fluid or material contained within the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Becs Technology, Inc.Inventors: Richard A. Livingston, Roger D. Chamberlain
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Patent number: 6539798Abstract: An acceleration threshold sensor includes a supporting device, a seismic mass, and a connecting device with the aid of which the seismic mass is attached to the supporting device. The connecting device is provided with a predetermined breaking point interrupting the connection between the seismic mass and the supporting device when said seismic mass is subjected to an acceleration exceeding a predetermined acceleration. This sensor has a simple structural design, can be produced at a reasonable price and is always ready to carry out a measurement. Additionally, this sensor is able to store, without any auxiliary power, that it has been subjected to an acceleration exceeding a predetermined acceleration.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung e.V.Inventors: Wolfram Geiger, Heinz Kück, Axel Erlebach, Wolf-Joachim Fischer
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Patent number: 6539799Abstract: A spin rate measurement device for rotating missiles. Preferably, three micromechanical spin rate sensors whose three spatial axes are aligned at right angles to one another, each of which is designed to be excited, read and reset capacitively, are arranged on a single platform that can be rotated by means of a servo loop for rotation decoupling. The spin rate measurement device is distinguished by high bias and scale factor stability that can be checked at any time.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: LITEF GmbHInventors: Eberhard Handrich, Hermann Hog
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Patent number: 6539800Abstract: A wheel speed sensor-mounting structure has a wheel speed sensor mounted on an attachment member fixed to a non-rotatable vehicular portion, such as a torque plate and a dust cover, by way of a fastener accessible from the outside of the drum brake.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Nisshinbo Industries, Inc.Inventor: Tadashi Yamashita
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Patent number: 6539801Abstract: A microgyroscope having a suspended vertical post uses the Coriolis force to detect the rotation rate. The microgyroscope consists of a single vertical post which senses the rotation rate. The vertical post is supported by multiple silicon suspensions. The vertical post is driven electrostatically to oscillatory in-plane (x and y directions) by vertical capacitors. The Coriolis force induced motions of the vertical post is detected capacitively by the vertical capacitors.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: California Institute of TechnologyInventors: Roman C. Gutierrez, Tony K. Tang
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Patent number: 6539802Abstract: The invention provides an angular velocity sensor capable of obtaining vibration which is close to a linear-operation for a large amplitude input, and a high sensitivity at the same time. The sensor comprises a vibrator, which is made of a piezoelectric element having a perovskite crystal structure expressed as ABO3, and 0.1-1.0 wt. % of MnO2 is added to this piezoelectric element.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jiro Terada, Masami Tamura
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Patent number: 6539803Abstract: A center mass and a pair of outer masses are connected to each other via supporting beams displaceable in the X-axial direction. When an angular velocity sensor is operated, a vibration generator causes masses to vibrate substantially at opposite phases to each other with respect to the X-axial direction. In this state, if an angular velocity on the Y-axis is added, the displacements of the masses, caused when the masses are displaced in the Z-axial direction, are detected as the angular velocity. Moreover, fixing portions, formed on a substrate, support the nodes of the supporting beams corresponding to the nodes to suppress vibration of the masses from being transmitted to the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yoichi Mochida
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Patent number: 6539804Abstract: A two-axis yaw rate sensor (1) includes a vibration ring (15) and a ring support plate for supporting the vibration ring (15). The vibration ring (15) includes first to fourth vibrating drive surfaces (16a-16d) arranged in turn in a circumferential direction and narrow portions (17) located between the adjacent drive surfaces (16a-16d). The first and the third drive surfaces (16a, 16c) are opposed to one another on the axis Y passing through the center of the vibration ring (15). The second and the fourth drive surfaces (16b, 16d) are opposed to one another on the axis X passing through the center of the vibration ring (15). The axis Y is substantially perpendicular to the axis X. A PZT film (15) is formed on the drive surfaces (16a-16d) and vibrates the drive surfaces (16a-16d) in a radial direction of the vibrating ring (15).Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki SeisakushoInventor: Hitoshi Iwata
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Patent number: 6539805Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the condition of the flow of liquid metal in or from a teeming vessel includes one or more sensors for detecting vibration caused by a flow of liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel and for outputting a sensor signal corresponding to mechanical and acoustic vibrations detected by the sensor. A signal processor receives the sensor signal and compares the sensor signal to a reference calibration signal and outputs a comparison signal. A logic unit receives the comparison signal and outputs a status signal indicative of the condition of the flow of the liquid metal in or from the teeming vessel which can be used to stop the flow of metal. The calibration signal can be static or may be dynamically updated.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Vesuvius Crucible CompanyInventors: Lawrence J. Heaslip, James D. Dorricott
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Patent number: 6539806Abstract: Magnetic force from a momentarily excited coil (34) results in oscillatory flexure of a flexible diaphragm (30) loaded on one side by a liquid (10) whose level is to be measured. A permanent magnet (42) mounted on the diaphragm (30) so moves with diaphragm flexure as to vary the magnetic saturation of a saturable circuit in which the coil (34) generates flux. By determining the coil's inductance under quiescent-diaphragm conditions, a computer (56) can infer the ambient pressure that bears upon the liquid (10). By compensating for the static pressure thus inferred, it can then determine liquid level by observing diaphragm oscillations reflected in coil electromotive force generated by the magnet (42) as the diaphram (30) undergoes oscillatory flexure in response to the coil's momentary excitation.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Starr-JohnsonInventor: Hubert A. Wright
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Patent number: 6539807Abstract: The invention pertains to differential pressure transducers for gas turbine motors, for measuring variable pressure differences within a medium or between different media. The differential pressure transducer is constructed as a linear displacement sensor according to the linear variable displacement transducer (LVDT) principle, and has a ferromagnetic core that can be moved in a translatory manner, a spring element for the set position of the core given nominal differential pressure, a primary coil and two secondary coils arranged in succession axially over the length of the stroke range of the core, and a tubular housing having a delivery connection on both sides of the stroke area of the core.Type: GrantFiled: November 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: MTU Motoren-und Turbinen-Union München GmbHInventors: Dankwart Wohlrab, Friedrich Schwamm
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Patent number: 6539808Abstract: A press-fit remote diaphragm assembly includes a diaphragm member and a mounting portion which can be press-fit assembled by hand and without the use of tools. The diaphragm member includes a flexible diaphragm and a first press-fit member receiving portion. The mounting portion includes a second press-fit member receiving portion. The first and second press-fit member receiving portions align to form a press-fit member cavity which contains a press-fit member. The press-fit member engages the first and second press-fit member receiving portions to couple the diaphragm member to the mounting portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: P I Components CorporationInventors: Olaiz A. Saenz, Jon R. Schroeder
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Patent number: 6539809Abstract: A test apparatus is provided for measuring loads applied to an object and for measuring the deformation of the object in response to the loads. The test apparatus includes a stationary work head and a movable arm. The movable arm is selectively movable toward or away from the stationary work head. A load cell has a driven end mounted to the movable arm and a sensing end spaced from the movable arm. A movable work head is mounted to the sensing end and is configured for applying a load to a test object positioned between the stationary and movable work heads. A liner scale also is mounted to the sensing end of the load cell, and a linear encoder or read head is mounted in spaced relationship to the linear scale. The encoder reads deflection in the apparatus in view of loads applied during a test. A controller is provided for moving the movable work head in accordance with test parameters.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Testing Machines, Inc.Inventors: Walter W. Weiss, John L. Sullivan, Jeffrey J. Bott, Jacek A. Eubig
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Patent number: 6539810Abstract: A method to estimate the tensile properties of HIPed cast IN718 components at various grain sizes and different operating temperatures by using transfer functions to estimate ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Ling Yang
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Patent number: 6539811Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for measuring the flow of a medium (11) to be measured which flows through a measuring tube (2) in the direction of the measuring tube axis (3), having a magnetic arrangement which generates a magnetic field which permeates the measuring tube (2) and runs essentially transversely with respect to the measuring tube axis (3), having at least one measuring electrode (4; 5) which is arranged in a lateral region of the measuring tube (2) and is coupled electrically or capacitively to the medium (11) to be measured, and having an evaluation/control unit (8) which, using the measurement voltage induced in the measuring electrode (4; 5), yields information about the volumetric flow of the medium (11) to be measured in the measuring tube (2).Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Thomas Budmiger
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Patent number: 6539812Abstract: An improved system for measuring the flow-rate of a gas by means of ultrasound, including a tubular element in which a plurality of openings are formed to allow one or more gas-flows to flow into the tubular element, and two or more devices for transmitting/receiving ultrasound beams. The system further includes two or more devices for focusing ultrasound beams. The transmitting/receiving devices transmit and receive, respectively, the ultrasound beams which pass through the focusing devices and the one or more gas-flows inside the tubular element and thus measure the flow-rate thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Giorgio Bergamini
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Patent number: 6539813Abstract: A flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a fluid passing through a fluid passage is provided with a throttle structure disposed at the inside, and it is connected to the fluid passage. The fluid passes through a groove via expanded grooves formed on a surface of a substrate which constitutes the throttle structure. The flow rate of the fluid passing through the fluid passage can be measured by detecting pressures and temperatures of said fluid on an inflow side and an outflow side concerning the throttle structure.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: SMC Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Toru Horiuchi, Kenji Shinozaki
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Patent number: 6539814Abstract: A flowmeter for measuring fluid flow including a body having a receptacle including a cavity formed by a threadless cylindrical side wall, a stopper adapted to be inserted into the cavity of the receptacle including a generally cylindrical threadless shank having an annular groove, and a clip member slidably located in a passage of the body. The clip member is slidable between a first position wherein the clip member is located within the annular groove of the stopper to prevent removal of the stopper from the body, and a second position wherein the clip member is located outside of the annular groove of the stopper whereby the stopper may be longitudinally removed from the receptacle of the body.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Dwyer Instruments, Inc.Inventors: Michael A. Popp, Michael A. Morningstar
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Patent number: 6539815Abstract: A high-resolution pressure-sensing device is disclosed. The device includes an insulating flexible matrix having a plurality of filler particles. Application of a force to the matrix causes compression of the matrix. This results in the filler particles occupying a greater amount of space within the matrix relative to when no force is applied. A detector attached to the matrix detects or measures the volume of the filler particles relative to the volume of the matrix, and therefore determines the force applied to the matrix. Preferably, the resistivity of the matrix is inversely proportional to the volume percent of the filler particles, in which case the detector is a resistance-measuring circuit.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.Inventors: Tongbi Jiang, Zhigiang Wu
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Patent number: 6539816Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a compact torque detector. The present invention solving the object has a conversion member 23 provided on the outer circumferences of an input shaft 20 and an output shaft 21 to convert the amount of relative rotation of the input and output shafts to a displacement in the axial direction; an annular-shaped ring member 26 secured on the outer circumference of the conversion member 23 and made up of a magnet; and a plurality of magnetically sensitive devices 27 arranged at intervals around the ring member 26 and facing the ring member. The magnetically sensitive device 27 detects the amount of travel of the ring member 26 in the axial direction and supplying the detected amount as a voltage signal to a controller C.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Kayaba Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshinori Kogiso, Koji Ando
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Patent number: 6539817Abstract: The invention provides a biological sampling and storage container which is easy and sanitary to use, may be shipped through regular mail, and includes a drying material or desiccant for drying feces samples that are stored therein. The sampling and storage container consists of a body having a sampling chamber and a drying chamber which are in gaseous communication with each other. Preferably, a sampling wand is frictionally retained in the sampling chamber and the drying material is disposed in the drying chamber.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Meridian Bioscience, Inc.Inventors: Kenneth James Kozak, Ching Sui Arthur Yi
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Patent number: 6539818Abstract: A process for testing compaction of a swaged heater for an anode sub-assembly of a Hollow Cathode Assembly (HCA), in which a test sample is cleaned, its mass measured before and after immersion in kerosene for 24 hours, and a compaction percentage calculated. A swaged heater is rejected if the compaction percentage exceeds 84%, plus or minus 4%.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: Michael J. Patterson, Timothy R. R. Verhey, George C. Soulas
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Patent number: 6539819Abstract: A sensor which includes a sensor section and an electronics section. The sensor section includes a sensor element. The electronics section includes a insert containing electronics. A passageway extends between the sensor section and the electronics section, through which the electronics section is connected to the sensor section. A connection element for the electrical connection of the sensor element of the sensor section to the electronics of the electronics section, which is an integral part of the insert, extends into and seals the passageway. With a sensor in accordance with the present invention, the sensor element is permanently protected against moisture.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co.Inventors: Volker Dreyer, Jutta Kuhny
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Patent number: 6539820Abstract: A control system/method controls a vehicular automated transmission system so as to overcome a tooth butt condition. The automated transmission system including an internal combustion engine having an engine output member, a multiple speed change gear transmission having an input shaft, a centrifugal friction clutch for drivingly connecting said engine output member to said input shaft, a throttle responsive to manually requesting of a degree of engine fueling, and a system controller. The system controller varies the engine speed to encourage gear engagement upon sensing the tooth butt condition.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2002Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Eaton CorporationInventor: Ronald K. Markyvech
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Patent number: 6539821Abstract: A rack and pinion steering gear (10) comprises a housing (12). A yoke assembly (40) is in the housing (12) for at least partially supporting and guiding movement of a rack bar (34) relative to a pinion gear (26). The yoke assembly (40) comprises a yoke (42) and a plurality of rotatable members. The yoke (42) has a first end surface (48) and an axis (A) that extends transverse to the direction of movement of the rack bar (34). Each of the plurality of rotatable members is supported by the yoke (42). A portion of each rotatable member projects outward of the first end surface (48) of the yoke (42) for contacting the rack bar (34). Each rotatable member is rotatable about its axis and is fixed against movement along the yoke axis (A) relative to the yoke (42).Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Mark J. Bugosh
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Patent number: 6539822Abstract: A shifter assembly (10) for mounting on the steering column (12) of a vehicle (14) and for shifting a transmission (16) having a shift position indicator (30). The shifter assembly (10) comprises a base (50) for supporting the shifter assembly on the vehicle steering column (12), and a shift lever (120) supported on the base (50) for pivotal movement relative to the base about a pivot axis (60). An actuator plate (70) is supported for pivotal movement with the shift lever (120) relative to the base (50) about the pivot axis (60). The actuator plate (70) has first and second attachment portions (96, 110) spaced apart from each other on opposite sides of the pivot axis (60). A transmission actuator cable (150) has a first end portion (152) connected with the first attachment portion (96) of the actuator plate (70) and a second end portion (154) for connection with the vehicle transmission (16).Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventor: Michael W. Wilson
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Patent number: 6539823Abstract: In a supporting structure for a brake pedal assembly pivotally mounted for rocking motion on the rear surface of a dash panel of an automobile through a first bracket, a front portion of the first bracket is fixed to the dash panel and the rear end thereof is coupled to a second bracket, fastened to a cowl member in a cabin, so as to be disengageable by the application of a load of automobile collision above a predetermined level. The brake pedal assembly is pivotally mounted for rocking motion to the first bracket. At the lower end of the second bracket, a pedal lever stop is provided which abuts against the rear end of the brake pedal assembly when the first and second brackets are disengaged in an automobile collision so that the brake pedal assembly moves backward. The brake pedal assembly is restrained by abutment on the pedal lever stop against backward movement.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Mazda Motor CorporationInventors: Kazunori Tomono, Shuji Sanagi, Kouki Makino, Keisuke Miyoshi, Hideaki Tanaka, Kazutaka Ishikura
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Patent number: 6539824Abstract: A chipping hammer for removing oxidation and slag from a welding bead, usually an arc welding bead, wherein the hammer includes a long lasting narrow replaceable chipping point economically formed by a hardened nail. Easily operated attachment means removably maintain the point on the hammer head.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Charles D. Wedhorn
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Patent number: 6539825Abstract: A ratcheting wrench comprises a handle and a head extending from the handle. A cavity is defined between a first side and a second side of the handle. A transverse hole is defined in the first side of the handle and communicated with the cavity. A drive member is rotatably mounted in a hole of the head. A block is mounted in the cavity of the handle, and a fixing member extends through the transverse hole of the handle and retains the block in the cavity. A pawl is mounted in the cavity of the handle. An elastic element is attached between the block and the pawl for biasing teeth of the pawl to engage with teeth of the drive member and for biasing the pawl to press against a wall defining the cavity of the handle.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Yen-Wen Lin
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Patent number: 6539826Abstract: In a screwing element (1) for accommodation of a fastener head (5) of a fastener (6) there are provided jaws (3, 4) for seizing the fastener head. The jaws (3, 4) can be axially inserted into or withdrawn from the holder (2), wherein the jaws in the withdrawn position can be pivotably forced apart into open position. At their free end the jaws are provided with incisions (15, 16) and, adjoining these, with gripper-like parts (17, 18) jutting outwardly toward the central axis for the purpose of engaging mechanically and/or frictionally with the fastener head (5) from behind.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: SFS Industrie Holding AGInventors: Helmut Oesterle, Norbert Koeppel, Felix Scheiwiller, Peter Kouwenhoven
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Patent number: 6539827Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing chips from a workpiece on a lathe including a spindle with a through hole formed therein, a chuck having a through hole formed therein and affixed adjacent a forward end of the spindle, a cutting mechanism cooperative with the chuck so as to remove metal chips from a workpiece mounted on the chuck, and a coolant line connected to the cutting mechanism and directed generally toward the through hole of the chuck so as to drive metal chips through the through hole of the spindle and outwardly of a rear end of the spindle. A guide sleeve is positioned within the through hole of the spindle so as to be fixed and nonrotatable therewithin. The coolant line includes a high pressure coolant line and a low pressure coolant line. The cutting system includes a turret with a cutting tool affixed to a station of the turret. The coolant line is connected to the turret and extends so as to have an outlet adjacent to the cutting tool.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Japan Machine Tools, Corp.Inventors: Ryoichi Yamaji, Toshio Yato
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Patent number: 6539828Abstract: A device for catching cut off workpieces from a C. N. C. lathe, the lathe having a toolholding turret and a turret back wall. The device attaches to the turret. A basket for catching cut off workpieces is attached to a bracket. The bracket is shaped to be attachable to the turret, to permit the basket to fit underneath the workpiece and to permit the basket to clear the turret back wall when the turret is rotated about its axis into any position. Preferably, an L-shaped bracket is used for octagon type turrets and an oblique angled bracket is used for VDI turrets. One version of the invention comprises a lathe to which a C. N. C. parts catcher is attached. Another version of the invention is a method for catching workpieces cut off from the spindle of a C. N. C. lathe.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Bosko Todoroski
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Patent number: 6539829Abstract: A fluid valve for controlling fluid flow and/or vacuum to a plurality of ports and fluid lines in a rotating member has a rotary phase plate with a plurality of apertures therein which can be brought into fluid communication with selected ports and fluid lines in the rotating member by rotation of the rotary phase plate to one of at least two rotational positions with respect to the rotating member. Preferably, the fluid valve has at least a rotary union adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to a one-port rotary union or a roll adapter coupling the rotary phase plate to the rotating member. Most preferably, the fluid valve has both such adapters.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Company, Inc.Inventors: Greg M. Kauppila, Andrew P. Tijan
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Patent number: 6539830Abstract: In preferred embodiments the invention includes a transverse board conveyor, a board extrusion portion, a marking station a sawing portion, and one or more board feeding portions, all of which are controlled by a process controller. In such, preferred embodiments, one or more stacks of boards are serially fed onto the transverse board conveyor and are conveyed in a direction transverse to the length of the boards. The boards are individually deposited into an elongate receiver of a board extrusion portion to be conveyed longitudinally. A carriage in the receiver transports the boards past an end detection station, past a marking station, and to a sawing station. The carriage has a moveable clamping member which pinches the board between a wall of the receiver and the clamping member. The carriage moves down the receiver with the board clamped thereto conveying the board in a longitudinal direction to position the board in a desired position for sawing the board.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1999Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: The Koskovich CompanyInventor: Jerome E. Koskovich
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Patent number: 6539831Abstract: A circular power saw includes a saw base having a stand and a table on the stand, and a tool rack coupled to one side of the stand and turned between the open position and the close position for keeping tools.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Durq Machinery Corp.Inventor: Peter Huang
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Patent number: 6539832Abstract: A hydraulic stretching device for a saw chain active in sawing apparatus having a saw bar and including a holder (1), a driving wheel (3) for the saw chain arranged essentially stationary in relation to the holder and a guiding part (7) permanently arranged at a saw bar to interact with the holder (1). The guiding part (7) is permanently attached to resist turning and axially displaceable in relation to the holder (1) in the longitudinal direction (8) of the saw bar to allow stretching of a saw chain running round the saw bar (6) and the driving wheel (3). The stretching device for a saw chain is arranged to be active between the holder (1) and the guiding device (7) and including a hydraulically influenced piston (10). The piston (10) is arranged in a displaceable manner at the holder in parallel with the longitudinal direction (8) of the saw bar and has an engaging surface (11) intended to engage an opposing surface (12) on the guiding part (7).Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Partek Forest ABInventor: Gunnar Nilsson
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Patent number: 6539833Abstract: The present invention relates to a dropping device, preferably borne by a carrier aircraft, for distributing interference medium and especially electronic raspberry. The device according to the invention represents in principle an improvement to the device known through SE 8302508-0 and it is characterized firstly in that it has been provided with separately rotatable accelerator shafts (14, 15), which have the dual function firstly of acting as locks for an unwanted feed-out of interference medium packs (4) and secondly, when a feed-out has been activated, of executing this and giving the fed-out interference medium pack (4′) an increased feed-out speed, partly due to the device having been provided with a totally new, specially configured indexing mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: Saab ABInventor: Christer Zätterqvist
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Patent number: 6539834Abstract: Two rods 2 and 3 disposed in parallel to each other are supported through hydrostatic bearings 8 and 9 on a main body block 1, one end portions of the rods project from opposite faces facing each other of the main body block, and the projecting ends of the rods 2 and 3 projecting from the main body block are respectively fixed to both 15a and 15b of a table 15 surrounding the main body block including the opposite face sides from which the rods project.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Assignee: SMC CorporationInventors: Seiji Takanashi, Satoshi Suzuki
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Patent number: 6539835Abstract: A piston machine with at least one axially movable piston in a cylinder is designed with a force conversion mechanism implying sinusoidal piston movement by rotation of the power input or power output shaft of the machine, depending on its application. As the pistons of the machine are fastened perpendicularly to a crosshead yoke (5) at their preferably light, cylindrical piston-rods (2,2′), in which two crosshead slides (14,14′) each are provided on a crank pin journal (7,7′; 8,8′) which is synchronized to perform rotation with mutual opposite directions of rotation (indicated as arrows). This arrangement causes the crosshead slides longitudinally in the yoke to move in exact mutual opposition and to reverse their direction of movement at the exact same time. Thus, the lateral pressure on pistons is completely eliminated and without any addition of any extra balancing mechanism there may be achieved a complete outbalancing of the reciprocating and rotating masses in the machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 1, 2003Inventor: Gunnar Vestergaard Rasmussen