Patents Issued in April 8, 2003
  • Patent number: 6543239
    Abstract: An air-conditioning system operated with CO2 for a vehicle has a high-pressure section that is connected to the output of a compressor and includes a gas cooler, a low-pressure section that is connected to the suction side of the compressor and includes an evaporator, and an expansion member connecting the high-pressure section and the low-pressure section. The expansion member has a fixed restrictor with a throttle opening of predetermined length and diameter connected between an inlet from the high-pressure section and an outlet to the low-pressure section whereby under all operating conditions of the system, a pressure of refrigerant in the high-pressure section of the system is limited to values of less than 14 MPa. The restrictor can be connected in parallel with a pressure limiting valve and can include two or more different throttle openings that can be selectively connected for refrigerant flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernd Dienhart, Hans-Joachim Krauss, Hagen Mittelstrass, Karl-Heinz Staffa, Christoph Walter, Michael Katzenberger, Karl Lochmahr, Werner Strauss
  • Patent number: 6543240
    Abstract: An air conditioning arrangement for an emergency vehicle or the like including an evaporator unit comprising closely spaced first and second tubing arrays, with each array being operably associated with a respective refrigerant compressor. The tubing of each array is formed into coils involving a number of essentially parallel tubing runs connected by curved end members, with substantial portions of the tubing being provided with fins. A low voltage blower is positioned to cause air to be pulled across the tubing of the first and second tubing arrays and between the fin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: William W. Grafton
  • Patent number: 6543241
    Abstract: The present invention increases the efficiency of a refrigerant system by the addition of a special device that provides a constant amount of steam-generated refrigerant pressure in the condenser and is installed as a bypass to the refrigerant feed device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventors: Mikhail Levitin, Boris Khaytin
  • Patent number: 6543242
    Abstract: A system and method for monitoring and controlling an electrically driven transport refrigeration unit under varying operating conditions while maintain the system generator within its electric current and temperature limitations is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention the management of generator power through the combined use of controls for a suction modulation valve (an “SMV”), for diesel engine speed control, and for electronic expansion valve (“EXV”) superheat settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: John Robert Reason, Joao Eduardo Navarro de Andrade
  • Patent number: 6543243
    Abstract: An air conditioning system includes an engine driven compressor, and an independent electric motor driven compressor in a common housing. A controller adjusts the independent operation of the engine driven compressor and electric motor driven compressor in response to cooling demand input, and operational parameters of the engine and the battery, as well as optionally the electric motor driven compressor output and engine driven compressor output. A method of independently operating an engine driven compressor and electric motor driven compressor is also provided. The air-conditioning system, controller, and method are particularly useful in hybrid vehicles that use smaller displacement internal combustion engines and electric motor drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert John Mohrmann, Brian Robert Kelm, Rance Andrew Stehouwer
  • Patent number: 6543244
    Abstract: A transport refrigeration unit is utilized to cool a transport refrigerated container. Air cooled by an inclined evaporator is drawn through the evaporator by an evaporator transverse fan and discharged in the refrigerated container. Air drawn through a condenser by a condenser transverse fan approximately 1.2 to 1.5 times the size of the evaporator transverse fan is discharged outside the refrigeration unit. The axes of the pair of heat exchanger fans are substantially parallel to an axis of a motor shaft which drives the fans. A continuous belt passes over pulleys of the fans and motor shaft to drive the fans as the motor operates. A corrugated partition between the evaporator and the condenser insulates the walls of the refrigerated container and the frame of the refrigerated unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventor: Yehia Mahmoud Amr
  • Patent number: 6543245
    Abstract: A system and method of maintaining multiple temperatures using a single refrigeration system. A single refrigeration system includes a compressor, reservoir, condenser and associated piping is selectively coupled to one of a plurality of evaporator units. Each evaporator unit has an inlet valve, an expansion valve and an evaporator. A sensor signals a microprocessor that one of the plurality of evaporators requires cooling, initiating a cooling cycle. The compressor is energized and the evaporator inlet valve opens, allowing refrigerant to flow through the evaporator unit. At the conclusion of the cooling cycle, the evaporator inlet valve closes while the compressor continues to operate allowing the removal or drawing down of the refrigerant from the evaporator prior to cooling another evaporator section. At the conclusion of the draw down process, the compressor is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Thermo King Corporation
    Inventors: John Elliott Waldschmidt, William Leo Waldschmidt
  • Patent number: 6543246
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a computer's microprocessor includes a thermal housing having a receiving aperture in alignment with the microprocessor. A thermal head is inserted into and guided by the receiving aperture such that a cooled surface of the thermal head will be in thermal contact with the microprocessor. The thermal head defines a flow channel for passage of a refrigerant fluid so as to cause cooling at the cooled surface. A clamping arrangement is attached to the mounting structure to maintain the thermal head in operative position. The apparatus further includes a refrigeration system in fluid communication with the flow channel of the thermal head to supply refrigerant fluid thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Kryotech, Inc.
    Inventors: Lewis S. Wayburn, Derek E. Gage, Andrew M. Hayes, R. Walton Barker, David W. Niles
  • Patent number: 6543247
    Abstract: A waist-mounted evaporative personal cooling device designed to cool the back of a user, comprises a blower (25), a liquid reservoir (29), a means to deliver liquid from the reservoir a mist of droplets into blower-forced air (33) or directly onto the skin area to which the forced air will be directed (45), and a duct (27) to guide forced air under the user's shirt or blouse and directly onto or across the skin of the user's back. The device improves on prior art coolers by delivering a powerful evaporative cooling effect directly to a user's back, while being compact, comfortably wearable, and requiring the user to do little or nothing to get its benefit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Ted Strauss
  • Patent number: 6543248
    Abstract: The device for moulding frozen confectionery articles comprises a metering hopper connected to a volumetric metering device comprising a metering chamber and a metering element dispensing a predetermined volume of ice cream into passing containers by means of a metering nozzle. As the hopper is pressurized, the metering chamber is filled without the formation of air pockets in the aspiration phase, which makes it possible to manufacture moulded articles of hard ice cream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventors: Philip Igor Cathenaut, Bruno Delande
  • Patent number: 6543249
    Abstract: A cooling air supplying device of a refrigerator is provided. According to the cooling air supplying device, it is possible to supply cooling air to the respective cells divided by shelves of a chilling chamber, to thus impartially supply the cooling air to the chilling chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to uniformly maintain the spread of temperature of the chilling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Bae Kim, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 6543250
    Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having a selected height and width used in a recreational vehicle, the improvement comprises an installation template permanently installed as a ventilation frame. The installation template produces manufacturer specified ventilation requirements for the ventilating refrigerating apparatus provided on the refrigerator and located on the refrigerator within the refrigerator cabinet. The installation template includes a top, bottom and side flanges, the dimensions of each of the flanges being selected according to the height, width and ventilation requirements of said refrigerator. Ambient air flow through the installation template may be used to produce the specified ventilation requirements for the refrigerating apparatus. In addition, an air movement device for providing air flow through the installation template for ventilation around the refrigerating apparatus may be used, such as a fan, reducing the amount of ventilation area required for the installation template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Dometic Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Mills, Patrick N. McConnell, Christine Holland
  • Patent number: 6543251
    Abstract: A device useful for delivering carbon dioxide snow comprises a supply conduit for providing a flow of pressurized carbon dioxide, a plurality of tubes disposed side by side, each tube having a constant cross-sectional configuration and area throughout its length, each tube having a first end the peripheral edges of which are sealed to the outside of the conduit wall and a second end which is open to the ambient atmosphere, and a plurality of apertures for carbon dioxide to flow through the conduit wall and expand to solids and vapor, there being at least one aperture communicating with the interior of each of said plurality of tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore Hall Gasteyer, III, Yeu-Chaun Simon Ho, Gary Dee Lang, Steven Michael McCarty
  • Patent number: 6543252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vaporizer-condensor (4) of the bath type, comprising at least one heat exchange body (13), having a multitude of flat passages (18) for the countercurrent circulation of two fluids in a same direction, and a sealed chamber (14) for confining a fluid containing the or each heat exchange body, the confinement chamber comprising a central section (50) of generally cylindrical shape along a longitudinal axis (Y—Y). The longitudinal axis of the central section of said or each confinement chamber is orthogonal to the direction of countercurrent circulation of the fluids in the flat passages of the corresponding heat exchange body. Use in double column air distillation installations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Francois Fuentes, Marc Wagner, Claude Gerard
  • Patent number: 6543253
    Abstract: A method for providing refrigeration to a cryogenic rectification plant which enables the facile provision of varying amounts of refrigeration to the plant wherein a working fluid is pressurized in a recycle compressor, a first portion is at least partially condensed in a heat exchanger and passed into the plant, a second portion is cooled and then turboexpanded to generate refrigeration, the refrigeration bearing second portion passes refrigeration in the heat exchanger to the first portion to effect the condensation, and the resulting second portion is not passed into the cryogenic rectification plant but rather is returned to the recycle compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Herbert Raymond Schaub, Todd Alan Skare, Thomas John Bergman, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6543254
    Abstract: The invention relates to fused silica having low compaction under high energy irradiation, particularly adaptable for use in photolithography applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Corning Incorporated
    Inventors: Douglas C. Allan, Nicholas F. Borrelli, William R. Powell, Thomas P. Seward, III, Charlene M. Smith
  • Patent number: 6543255
    Abstract: A press bending station (12) for heated glass sheets includes a lower wheel bed (36) having a lower support (38) and wheel assemblies (40) with detachable connections (46) to a drive mechanism (48) of the lower support to provide rotational driving of a wheel (44) of each wheel assembly. An actuator (62) provides relative vertical movement that lifts a heated glass sheet received by the wheel bed (36) to provide press bending thereof between a lower press ring (52) and an upper press mold (58). The wheel bed (36) can have a curved shape or a flat shape. Connection and detachment of the wheel assemblies (40) facilitates switching from one production job to the next.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry A. Bennett, Paul D. Ducat
  • Patent number: 6543256
    Abstract: In an optical fiber coupler making apparatus which makes an optical fiber coupler by thermally fusing a plurality of optical fibers together by use of a heater and then elongating thus thermally fused part, the heater comprises a heating element which is made of zirconia and which has a slit for containing the optical fibers. The inner face of the heating element is preferentially heated due to a characteristic of its material. Consequently, if optical fibers are contained in the fiber receiving slit, then they can be thermally fused at a sufficiently high temperature in a short period of time, whereby reducing mingling of impurities into the optical fiber coupler. Therefore, the heating element made of zirconia is effective as means for preventing impurities from mingling from the outside thereof. Also, performances of the heating element can be maintained over a long period of time even if the optical fibers are thermally fused at a high temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiki Taru, Ichiro Tsuchiya
  • Patent number: 6543257
    Abstract: A porous optical fiber preform dehydration and sintering apparatus capable of improving the sealing performance between an upper lid and an elevating shaft and between the upper lid and a furnace tube or a furnace body, wherein an upper opening of a furnace tube for accommodating a porous optical fiber preform is shut by the upper lid, a preform holder is provided at the bottom end of an elevating shaft passing through the upper lid to be freely elevated therethrough, the porous optical fiber preform in the furnace tube is heated by a heater provided around the outer circumference of the furnace tube, the upper lid is formed by a metal, the preform holder is formed by a quartz glass or a ceramic, a corrosion-resistant layer is provided on an inner surface of the upper lid, a seal member made of rubber or resin is provided in an elevating shaft passage of the upper lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Koaizawa, Nobuaki Orita, Junichi Takeda, Satoshi Sugiyama, Yoshiyuki Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6543258
    Abstract: A nonwoven fabric is constructed of a highly flat glass fiber which is a glass fiber whose section is flat and has a flatness ratio of 2.0 to 10 and which has such a section that the packing fraction is at least 85%, preferably at least 90%. In this nonwoven fabric, the glass fiber section has a shape near rectangle, and hence, the glass fibers can be arranged very densely to form a thin nonwoven fabric having a high bulk density, and when it is used as a laminate material, the glass fiber content can be increased and the surface smoothness can simultaneously be enhanced and can be used appropriately as a reinforcing material for a printed wiring board. Moreover, the above flat glass fiber can be produced by use of, for example, a nozzle having such a shape that one side of the major axis walls of a nozzle chip having a flat nozzle hole is partly notched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michio Konno, Yasushi Miura, Shoichi Saito, Shin Kasai
  • Patent number: 6543259
    Abstract: A device for dosing rinse conditioner to a drum of a washing machine comprises three chambers connected in series to an interior of a drum of a washing machine. The first chamber receives the composition prior to a start of the wash cycle and includes an outlet through which the composition is transferred to a holding chamber under centrifugal forces generated during a first spin cycle. During a second spin cycle the treatment composition is similarly transferred from the holding chamber to a dispensing chamber from which the composition is delivered onto the fabrics upon completion of the second spin cycle. A washing process employing the device of the invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Robertson Sherratt, Mark Shickle
  • Patent number: 6543260
    Abstract: A coupler lock for securing a device within a sleeve of a vehicle hitch to prevent unauthorized removal of the device which can include a hitch ball insert, a cargo platform, bike carrier or similar accessory designed to be attached to the vehicle. The coupler lock includes a lock housing removably attached to one end of a lock bar configured to pass through apertures within the hitch sleeve and insert. The lock housing has a plurality of ball bearings radially movable in and out of an annular groove to lock and release the bar. A locking cup longitudinally movable within the lock housing in response to movement of the lock cylinder retains the bearings within the groove or releases the bearings from removal of the lock bar from the lock housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Fulton Performance Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Tim Vander Koy, Sung Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6543261
    Abstract: An EAS marker containing seal comprises a housing defining an interior recess seating an EAS marker and a latching structure adjacent an end of the housing. The housing has a flexible tail extending outwardly thereof and the tail defines a plurality of latching apertures. The housing defines an opening distal from each of the latching structure and the recess and of dimensions permitting entry of a free end of the tail into the housing members. The housing further defines an interior channel permitting movement of the tail over and beyond the EAS marker into the interior of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: B&G Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Chester Kolton, Michael Norman, Robert Whittemore
  • Patent number: 6543262
    Abstract: A lock is fitted with a locking element and a control element which is rotated by a drive to-and-fro in order to axially reciprocate the locking element through a coaxial drive element between a locked and an unlocked position. The drive element and the control element are also configured coaxially and cooperative by means of a cross-pin which is axially displaceable in a transverse borehole of the inner drive element and by means of two helical inner channels as well as an adjoining plane terminal surface of the outer control element which runs perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the control element and is bounded by a side ramp running from the bottom of one channel past the other channel on the outside thereof toward the drive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Limburg, Ludwig Zauser, Horst Zillmann
  • Patent number: 6543263
    Abstract: A heavy duty steering wheel securing anti-theft device. Embodiments are described herein that also protect any air bag contained in the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 6543264
    Abstract: A lock mechanism has a housing and a latch extending from the housing. The latch has an extended position and a retracted position. The mechanism includes apparatus for biasing the latch to the extended position, apparatus for defining a locked mode and an unlocked mode, and apparatus including a clutch for transferring an operator input motion to move the latch to the retracted position in the unlocked mode. The clutch includes a cam surface and a cam follower. A spring biases the cam follower toward the cam surface and a second override spring which biases the cam follower to compensate for any off-center relationship due to wear, excessive force and/or assembly misalignment and to prevent jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Harrow Products, Inc.
    Inventor: George Frolov
  • Patent number: 6543265
    Abstract: A door lock-and-handle assembly includes a housing receiving a latch bolt and a dead bolt adjacent to the latch bolt, an escutcheon defining a recess, a handle mounted on the escutcheon, a spindle coupled to the dead bolt, a locking member received in the recess and movable to a locked position to prevent turning of the handle when the dead bolt is moved to an extended position, and a lock releasing member extending from the dead bolt and capable of driven by the latch bolt so as to move the dead bolt from the extended position to a retracted position and the locking member from the locked position to an unlocked position when the latch bolt turns from an extended position to a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Fang-Yi Fan
  • Patent number: 6543266
    Abstract: A collapsible driveshaft and method of making the same. The collapsible driveshaft includes a tubular member having first and second portions that are integrally formed as a one-piece member. The first portion has splines formed on an exterior surface thereof. The second, opposite portion has both outer and inner diameters that are greater than the outer diameter of the first portion. The method includes placing a tubular metal blank into a hydroforming die having a die cavity and expanding the blank by pressurizing the interior of the blank with hydroforming fluid. During the hydroforming process, the first portion of the blank is expanded to form splines while the second portion is expanded to form inner and outer diameters that are greater than the outer diameter of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Federico G. Jaekel
  • Patent number: 6543267
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for substantial planarization of solder bumps. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a planarization member engageable with at least some of the plurality of outer surfaces to apply a planarization action on one or more of the outer surfaces to substantially planarize the plurality of outer surfaces, and a securing element to securely position the bumped device during engagement with the planarization member. Through application of “additive” and/or “subtractive” processes, the solder balls are substantially planarized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Hembree
  • Patent number: 6543268
    Abstract: A seamless candle can is formed in a blank and draw operation, and includes a complex bottom structure formed at the end of the drawing process. The bottom structure includes an annular base which occupies less than 30% of the area of the bottom surface, and a raised central platform for supporting a wick structure. The platform is raised at least 0.25 inch above the container bottom. A gently sloping surface joins the annular support ring to the central platform. The distance by which the platform is raised and the angle of the connecting surface are adapted to prevent overstretching of the material during the formation of the bottom, so as to prevent the formation of holes in the seamless can which would cause leaks. The central platform serves to support a wick sustainer at a location above the bottom of the can in order to reduce the possibility of flash-over.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: J. L. Clark, Inc.
    Inventors: Chet Wright, Walter P. Pietruch, Richard L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6543269
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming components from continuous stock includes a stock feeder, a tool bed, a source of pressured fluid and a control panel. The tool bed has a plurality of horizontally extending tooling rails mounted on a vertical front surface for selectively and releasably attaching one or more of a plurality of tool pallets. Each tool pallet has one or more tools for performing forming operations on stock received from the stock feeder. Tool actuators mounted on the pallet are connected to the fluid source through valves operated by the control panel. The tool pallets are easily replaced for maintenance or changeover to a new component. The control panel generates a plurality of screens for programming, testing and automatically running programs consisting of forming steps to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: HBE Engineering, INC
    Inventors: Herman A. F. Beuter, James A. Peter, Timothy M. Brockelbank
  • Patent number: 6543270
    Abstract: A kit of parts for auto body dent repair includes a plurality of tool bodies (11) and a plurality of tips (80). Each tool body includes a rearward shaft (20) and handle (60). The rearward shafts of the various tool bodies include both those with compound (bent) shafts and simple (straight) shafts. The lengths of the tool bodies varies to fit different needs. Each tool body also includes a forward shaft (40), which is adjustably attached to a forward end of the rearward shaft. The appropriate tip may be installed on the forward end of the forward shaft of the appropriate tool body. As an alternative to the tips (80) and forward shafts (40), an integral dent repair tip (50) provides the functionality of a both in a single unit. In use, the appropriate tip (80), or integral dent repair tip (50), for the job may be installed on the appropriate tool body. The overall tool is then used to remove the dent from an auto body panel by applying force correctly to the inside surface of the body panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Mike J Cmelik
  • Patent number: 6543271
    Abstract: IMPROVEMENTS MADE UP FOR TOOLS USED IN CRIMPING MACHINES, wherein the said tools bring a technical advance while compared to their basic operations, that is, for instance, the tool “guillotine and crimping” has multiplied its lifetime by six, i.e., sextupled the crimping applications of this tool; the “profile and crimping matrix support”, which used to be a sole piece, brings a refill-blade; the assembly “hammer bar”, which cuts, bends and prints the metal band in the crimping tools, allows for its hammer to be sharpen up to six times before its replacement, expanding its lifetime by six times, lowering the relative cost. The “anvil” tool, which helps the bending of the metal band, used to be in a sole milled piece, now are composed by two pieces fastened by themselves, wherein the cutting blade is twofold, lowering the cost and duplicating the tool lifetime.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Press Hold Industria E Comercio Ltda.
    Inventor: Adão Luiz do Nascimento
  • Patent number: 6543272
    Abstract: Systems and methods for testing the performance of a focused ultrasound transducer array include transmitting ultrasonic energy from the transducer array towards an acoustic reflector, such as a planar air mirror, and receiving ultrasonic energy reflected off of the acoustic reflector using a sensing element. A characteristic of the reflected ultrasonic energy, such as amplitude and phase, is measured by processing circuitry, for example, by comparing the characteristic of the received ultrasonic energy to a corresponding characteristic of the transmitted ultrasonic energy to obtain an actual gain and phase shift for the received ultrasonic energy. A controller compares the actual gain and phase shift of the received ultrasonic energy to an expected gain and phase shift of the received ultrasonic energy. This information is used to calibrate the transducer array and/or to declare a system failure if the comparison indicates an error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: InSightec-TxSonics Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuki Vitek
  • Patent number: 6543273
    Abstract: A unitary test piece which dimensionally conforms with standardized dynamic tear testing guidelines comprises a middle section and two end sections welded thereto. The middle section is made of the test-subject metallic material. The two end sections are each made of a metallic material which is compatible with the test-subject metallic material, and primarily serve the purpose of combining with the middle section at its longitudinal ends in order to together form the dimensionally suitable test piece. The length of the middle section is at least the minimum such length that will totally encompass plastic deformation of such metallic material when subjected to dynamic tear testing, this depending on the nature of such metallic material. Ferrous end sections are compatible with a ferrous middle section; non-ferrous end sections of a particular designation are compatible with a non-ferrous middle section of the same designation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Michael E. Wells, Robert DeNale, Roy A. Lindauer, Ralph W. Judy, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6543274
    Abstract: A sensor arrangement for ascertaining the density and the viscosity of a liquid is proposed, having an arrangement comprising at least two basic sensor elements, at least one of which can be wetted with the liquid, and having electro-acoustical transducers (6) in the basic sensor elements for generating and detecting surface acoustic waves with predetermined wave modes, from whose propagation behavior along a measurement path a measure for the density and the viscosity of the liquid can be ascertained. Liquid traps (17) for the liquid, which extend in the applicable measurement path, are disposed in the region of at least one of the basic sensor elements, parallel to the direction of propagation of the surface acoustic wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Falk Herrmann, Dietmar Hahn, Gottfried Flik
  • Patent number: 6543275
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for testing permeability of a clean room garment material are described. The apparatus is constructed by a flow regulator, a flow meter, a sample holder and a quantitative tube that is equipped with a fluid reservoir for generating a bubble through the tube. The components of the apparatus can be readily obtained and the apparatus can be constructed at low cost. The method for testing air permeability can be conducted easily by utilizing the present invention novel apparatus in a factory environment without elaborate and expensive equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Richard Wu, Shih-Jen Chang
  • Patent number: 6543276
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the effectiveness and reaction time of a breaker fluid in breaking a filter cake on the wall of a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation is disclosed. The method comprises employing an apparatus, such as for example the apparatus of the invention with a filter medium and the capability of applying differential pressure or dynamic conditions to form a filter cake on the filter medium with drilling mud. Breaker fluid is then substituted for the drilling mud, preferably without damage to the filter cake. The quantity of breaker fluid passing across the filter medium under static conditions is monitored over time. An increase in the rate of fluid passing across or through the medium indicates break-up of the filter cake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Murphy, Jr., Dale E. Jamison, Brad Todd
  • Patent number: 6543277
    Abstract: A monitoring assembly for a pneumatic tire includes an electronic monitoring device having at least one sensor disposed in a protective body. The monitoring assembly may be configured to float on a variety of liquids that are typically disposed within a tire. The body includes a device that predictably orients the monitoring assembly when the assembly is floating in the liquid. The monitoring assembly is simply placed in a tire before the tire is mounted on a vehicle rim and allowed to move about loosely in the tire chamber when the tire is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC
    Inventors: Russell W. Koch, Paul B. Wilson, Jack Dutcher, Guy J. Walenga, John D. Rensel
  • Patent number: 6543278
    Abstract: A friction coefficient on road is estimated for vehicles. An actual vehicle of a specific vehicle operating parameter is calculated. A first reference value of the vehicle operating parameter on a road with a large friction coefficient is calculated based on vehicle operating model for the road with the large friction coefficient. A second reference value of the vehicle operating parameter on a road with a small friction coefficient is calculated based on vehicle operating model for the road with the small friction coefficient. A friction coefficient on road is estimated based on the relationship between the actual value and the first and the second reference values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masaru Kogure
  • Patent number: 6543279
    Abstract: A transponder measures temperatures and pressure within a pneumatic tire. A temperature count is transmitted, which is a function of temperature. A pressure count is transmitted, which is a function of both temperature and pressure. The pressure is determined by dividing the temperature count by the pressure count. Within the transponder, a timing generator generates a first timing window during which temperature is measured and a second timing window during which pressure is measured; a temperature register captures first data indicative of the temperature within the tire; a pressure register captures second data indicative of the pressure within the tire; and a modulator circuit impresses the first data as a first portion of a data stream on a signal output by the transponder, and impresses the second data as a second portion of the data stream on the signal output by the transponder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: Dale Lee Yones, Richard Stephen Pollack, Donald Lee Black, Robert Walter Brown
  • Patent number: 6543280
    Abstract: A borehole probe and related method and apparatus that enables information related to the depth of the probe to be determined and utilized by the probe to perform tasks. The probe, comparing its sense of depth and other sensed physical and temporal information to pre-defined procedural and conditional constraints, causes a physical action to be performed, or signals another device, or signals the surface. Generally, the probe uses sensed benchmarks within the borehole that have an associated depth as a depth framework. Within the distances between the benchmarks, the probe uses inertial or other distance measuring devices to measure distance from the benchmarks. With accurate and constant knowledge of its own depth, the probe can perform tasks autonomously and at the correct depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Inertial Response, Inc.
    Inventor: Gerard J. Duhon
  • Patent number: 6543281
    Abstract: A measurement device is provided that determines fluid properties from vibration frequencies of a sample cavity and a reference cavity. In one embodiment, the measurement device includes a sample flow tube, a reference flow tube, vibration sources and detectors mounted on the tubes, and a measurement module. The sample flow tube receives a flow of sample fluid for characterization. The reference flow tube is filled with a reference fluid having well-characterized properties. The measurement module employs the vibration sources to generate vibrations in both tubes. The measurement module combines the signals from the vibration detectors on the tubes to determine properties of the sample fluid, such as density, viscosity, compressibility, water fraction, and bubble size. The measurement module may further detect certain flow patterns such as slug flow, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Pelletier, Mark A. Proett, Bruce H. Storm, Jr., James Robert Birchak, Thomas Edward Ritter
  • Patent number: 6543282
    Abstract: An air flow detection apparatus useful in operating an accessory item in an HVAC system includes a sensor printed circuit board assembly having a first thermistor adapted to be exposed to an air flow and associated with a first pair of heating resistors. A second thermistor is placed in parallel with the first thermistor and is adapted to be hidden from the air flow and is associated with a second pair of heating resistors. A control printed circuit board assembly is interconnected with the sensor printed circuit board assembly and has a voltage regulator circuit for applying a DC voltage source to a power regulator circuit and a sensor monitoring circuit interfaced therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Research Products Corporation
    Inventor: Luke P. Thompson
  • Patent number: 6543283
    Abstract: A sensor for determining the level and temperature of a liquid, in particular in a motor vehicle, has an elongate housing (1), in which all the components required for temperature measurement and level measurement are accommodated. This housing (1) consists of two half shells (2, 3) which rest one on the other and of which one half shell (3) has all the components required for level measurement and the wiring and resistance wire (21) necessary for this purpose and the other half shell (2) has all the components required for temperature measurement and the wiring necessary for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
    Inventors: Joachim Acht, Ralf Schimmel, Manfred Rother, Rudolf Stiller
  • Patent number: 6543284
    Abstract: A measuring vessel has cavity-defining wall structures and at least one ramp which rises from about the bottom of the wall structure toward the top of the wall structure. The at least one ramp has an upwardly directed surface with a lateral inner edge integral with portions of the wall structure below the ramp and a lateral outer edge integral with portions of the wall structure below the ramp. Indicia on the upwardly directed surface of the at least one ramp allows a user to look downwardly into the measuring vessel to visually detect the volume level of the contents in the vessel, thereby eliminating the need to look horizontally at the vessel at eye level. Preferably the vessel has two ramps, with at least one bearing indicia of standard English units, and another bearing indicia of metric units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: WKI Holding Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael G. Hoeting, Stephen C. Hoeting
  • Patent number: 6543285
    Abstract: A physical quantity detector apparatus detects a physical quantity in accordance with the displacement of a vibrator. The apparatus includes: a comb-like fixed electrode having a plurality of electrode fingers; and a comb-like movable electrode being displaceable together with the vibrator and having a plurality of electrode fingers. A voltage is applied between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masato Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 6543286
    Abstract: Pulse-width modulation (PWM) drive circuitry particularly applicable to an array of electrostatic actuators formed in a micro electromechanical system (MEMS), such as used for optical switching. A control cell associated with each actuator includes a register selectively stored with a desired pulse width. A clocked counter distributes its outputs to all control cells. When the counter matches the register, a polarity signal corresponding to a drive clock is latched and controls the voltage applied to the electrostatic cell. In a bipolar drive, one actuator electrode is driven by a drive clock; the other, by the latch. The MEMS element may be a tiltable plate supported in its middle by a torsion beam. Complementary binary signals may drive two capacitors formed across the axis of the beam. The register and comparison logic for each cell may be formed by a content addressable memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Movaz Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven L. Garverick, Michael L. Nagy
  • Patent number: 6543287
    Abstract: A method for acoustic imaging by angle beam, which includes generating a sound wave, coupling the wave at an angle to a first surface of a test piece via a physically continuous path. The test piece also has a second surface. The angle being such that the wave progresses along a vectors at an angle to the first surface and the second surface and along the test piece via a plurality of sound reflections reflecting between the first surface and the second surface at points progressing away from the transducer location. The angle also being such that the sound reflections at the first surface produce energy at the first surface such that a first part of every reflection of the wave continues through the first surface in the form of wave through a media toward a CCD acoustic imaging camera, while a second part of the reflection continues along in the test piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: William R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6543288
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for non-contact and non-invasive characterization of a moving thin sheet and in particular of a paper web on a production line. The method uses a laser for the generation of sonic and ultrasonic waves in the thin sheet and a speckle insensitive interferometric device for the detection of these waves. The generation is performed in conditions to avoid damage impeding further use of the sheet. When the generation and detection spots overlap, the method provides a measurement of the compression modulus. When the generation and detection spots are separated by a known distance and plate waves (Lamb waves) are generated and detected, the method provides a measurement of the in-plane modulus and of the tension applied to the sheet. By detecting waves propagating in various directions, either by rotating the detection sensor head or multiplexing the signals provided by several detection or generation locations, the anisotropy of the in-plane modulus is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: National Research Council of Canada
    Inventors: Alain Blouin, Benoit Reid, Jean-Pierre Monchalin