Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6557398
    Abstract: A method of measuring the liquid retention of absorbent articles (20) of the kind that includes an absorbent body having a top side which lies proximal to the wearer's skin when the article is worn, and a bottom side which is covered by a liquid-impermeable backing sheet, wherein the method comprises the steps of applying a determined amount of liquid to a region on the top side of the article, urging a pressure body (1) against a region of the top side of the article with a given force, and collecting and measuring the amount of liquid pressed out from the top side of the article. The force with which the pressure body (1) is pressed against the top side of the article, is set selectively on a device (2-4) for pressing the pressure body against the top side of the article (20), and the liquid pressed from the top side of the article is transported to a measuring vessel (15) with the aid of sub-pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Karin Lindmark, Christina Steger, Johan Granath, Berith Porso
  • Patent number: 6557399
    Abstract: A disk surface asperities tester including a glidehead member having a piezoelectric sensor fabricated directly on the glidehead member. The piezoelectric sensors are useful in applications utilizing 70%, 50%, 30%, or smaller glideheads. The invention discloses a method for manufacturing sensors utilizing microchip fabrication techniques to form the piezoelectric sensors directly on glidehead surfaces, including standard Al2O3.TiC glideheads. The fabricated piezoelectric sensors are used in combination with signal processors to detect and analyze asperities in a disk drive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Chiao-Ping Ku, Bruno Jean Marchon
  • Patent number: 6557400
    Abstract: Improved methods and systems are provided for detecting surge bleed valve faults and analyzing the performance of surge bleed valves in gas turbines. The method includes monitoring the rates of rotation of an engine fan and an engine gas generator in a gas turbine engine. While so doing, a valve status change signal is transmitted to a surge bleed valve in the gas turbine engine. The difference between the two monitored rates of rotation is determined. A surge bleed valve fault signal is generated if the difference between the two monitored rates of rotation does not change by at least a predetermined amount immediately following transmission of the valve status change signal to the surge bleed valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Yufei Xiong, Dave Faymon, John Rushinsky
  • Patent number: 6557401
    Abstract: A fuel vapor purge system is tested for abnormalities. The fuel vapor purge system includes a line that connects an intake passage of an engine to a fuel reservoir and a canister inlet valve. The fuel reservoir is sealed by closing the canister inlet valve after the engine is started when cold or before the engine is started. The pressure in the sealed reservoir is measured. The absolute value of the difference between the pressure in the reservoir and the atmospheric pressure is compared with a predetermined reference value. It is judged whether the reservoir is abnormal in accordance with the comparison. If it is determined that the reservoir is abnormal, negative pressure is applied from the air intake passage of the engine to the purge line. In this state, the fuel vapor purge line is tested for abnormalities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tokiji Ito
  • Patent number: 6557402
    Abstract: A flow master for testing a leak test head includes a housing having an upper body portion and a lower body portion, the housing defining a passageway therethrough, the housing further defining an internal volume substantially equal to a fuel volume of a fuel injector to be tested; and a porous metal flow restrictor disposed in the passageway. A method of testing a leak test head includes providing a flow master; measuring a flow rate of the flow master from a known standard; connecting the flow master to the leak test head; pressurizing the leak test head; measuring a flow rate through the flow master using the leak test head; and comparing the flow rate measured by the leak test head to the flow rate measured by the known standard to determine if the leak test head is accurate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Edward J. Nemie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6557403
    Abstract: A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method is disclosed for estimating pressure in the brake booster based on operating conditions. A method is also disclosed for estimating operating parameters based on measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor based on operating conditions. In addition, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors based on measured brake booster pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 6557404
    Abstract: An apparatus for emergency inflation of vehicle tires which includes an air transfer tube having a pressure gauge mounted along a length thereof and which tube is connected at its opposite ends to a pair of air valve chucks each of a size to cooperatively engage and selectively open an air valve of a conventional tire to thereby permit a regulated transfer of air between two or more vehicle tires.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Gholamreza Ziarati
  • Patent number: 6557405
    Abstract: An internal information detector is disclosed, which is capable of preventing the leakage of pressure from an attached portion to a pressure vessel, and also preventing the interference with the pressure vessel. This internal information detector comprises a pressure injection valve penetrating a partition wall of the rotatable pressure vessel, the pressure injection valve being fixed to the pressure vessel; and an information detection unit located in the pressure vessel to detect information inside the vessel, the information detection unit being united with the pressure injection valve. The position of a center of gravity is adjusted to cancel a rotation moment caused by a centrifugal force during the rotation of the pressure vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Shimura, Mitsuru Naito
  • Patent number: 6557406
    Abstract: In a device for measuring a tire pressure in a pneumatic tire of a vehicle by means of a measurement value sensor which is acted upon by the tire pressure and which is associated with a receiver, at the rim bed of a rim for the pneumatic tire, which rim accommodates the tire valve, connected to the tire valve which has a retaining nut is an electronics or signal housing which is associated with the rim base and which has base bar portions and which includes an electronic transmitter device as the measurement value sensor for the tire pressure and is connected to the tire valve by a hollow screw engaging into the valve bore and can be adjusted with respect thereto. Disposed at the inside of the retaining nut is projection as a desired-rupture element, and the base bar portions of the signal housing are pressed against the rim base by the hollow screw. The projection belongs to an installation portion at the inside surface of the retaining nut and is in the form of a leg provided at that inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alligator Ventilfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Volker Gabelmann
  • Patent number: 6557407
    Abstract: A tire pressure gauge with a light device. The device includes a cylindrical casing, a light penetrable scale mounted in the casing, a spring device mounted in the casing for biasing the scale in the casing, a piston movable in the casing, and a battery and lamp assembly which may be detachably fastened to one end of the scale outside the casing or provided inside the casing. The device further includes an air nozzle fixedly fastened to one end of the casing and adapted for being, engaged with the air valve of a vehicle tire to guide air from the vehicle tire into the casing to move the piston, causing the piston to force the scale out of the casing to an extent indicative of the pressure of the vehicle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
  • Patent number: 6557408
    Abstract: The match with a measurement characteristic curve of a device for air flow measurement is disturbed by pulsations, soiling and poor flow behavior. An improvement in the measuring performance of the device is achieved by provisions, which are adapted to one another, for reducing these sources of trouble, according to which the flow cross section of an inlet conduit narrows in a flow direction in the inlet conduit toward a deflection conduit, and a peripheral face of a first portion of the deflection conduit is embodied in inclined fashion, and at least one outer face of a sensor carrier, together with a peripheral face, closer to an outlet conduit, of the inlet conduit, forms a flush transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Mueller, Dieter Tank, Uwe Konzelmann
  • Patent number: 6557409
    Abstract: A mass flowmeter includes a flow straightener or rectifier having a honeycomb member. The honeycomb member has at least one honeycomb, which is aligned with a sensor element in a flow direction. Two walls of that honeycomb enclose an angle. The sensor element is positioned with reference to a bisector axis of the angle enclosed by the two honeycomb walls in such a way that a mass flow thereto corresponds approximately to a mean value of a wave-shaped air flow in direction of the bisector axis when the flow is about to change over from laminar to turbulent flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stephen Setescak
  • Patent number: 6557410
    Abstract: In a flow rate sensor, a sensing passage, into which a fluid is introduced and in which a flow rate sensing element is disposed, a support member for supporting the sensing passage, and a circuit case, in which an electronic circuit unit for controlling the flow rate sensing element is accommodated, are formed integrally with each other, and the support member extends into a main passage through a hole opened to the main passage so as to position the sensing passage in the main passage. A structural member, the outside shape of which is formed to have a fluid resistance approximately similar to that of the portion of the support member extending from the hole, is disposed at a position approximately symmetrical with the portion of the support member extending from the hole about the sensing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Fumiyoshi Yonezawa, Tomoya Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6557411
    Abstract: A heating element type mass flow sensor has a composition such that a heating resistor is located substantially in a straight line in the direction perpendicular to the air flow direction; at least a pair of resistance temperature-sensing elements are separately arranged upstream and downstream of the heating resistor, respectively; the heating resistors and the resistance temperature-sensing elements are symmetrically arranged with respect to the air flow direction (the x direction) and the direction perpendicular to the air flow (the y direction), that is, in the two-rotation symmetric manner; and slits are shaped in the respective regions near the two end sides of the heating resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masamichi Yamada, Izumi Watanabe, Keiichi Nakada
  • Patent number: 6557412
    Abstract: A non-fouling liquid level detector and control especially for a sealed system likely to have iron particle contaminants. The device employs a float projecting above the liquid level and bearing above the liquid level a unmagnetized ferromagnetic tell-tale. A magnetic field is generated by a magnet positioned outside the sealed system. The magnetic field extends around the float and tell-tale through a magnetically permeable partition comprising a wall of the sealed system that is positioned between the magnet and the float. The float position is monitored by a magnetic field sensor such as a Hall Effect device positioned adjacent the magnet, outside the sealed system. The sensor responds to the movement of the tell-tale. The output of the sensor is employed to control the monitored liquid level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: William J. Barbier, Mark W. Doane
  • Patent number: 6557413
    Abstract: The invention relates to a micromechanical structures that include movable elements. In particular the invention relates to an arrangement for coupling such movable elements to other structures of a microelectromechanical system (MEMS). The invention is characterized in that the arrangement comprises at least one coupling means (930-936) for coupling the movable element to the fixed structure, and at least one flexible means (980, 990-996) for allowing different thermal expansion between the movable element and the other structure in the direction which is substantially perpendicular to the characteristic movement of the movable element, wherein said coupling means and/or flexible means is reinforced in the direction of the characteristic movement of the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd.
    Inventors: Heikki Nieminen, Tapani Ryhänen, Vladimir Ermolov, Samuli Silanto
  • Patent number: 6557414
    Abstract: A sensor device has a sensing layer and an auxiliary layer for supporting the sensing layer, the two layers being superposed on each other in a laminar form. The sensing layer has a vibratory body displaceable in a direction parallel to a junction surface between the two layers. The auxiliary layer is affixed to the sensing layer and a recess or through-hole of a larger area than that of the vibratory body is formed in the auxiliary layer at a part thereof confronting the vibratory body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kohei Sakurai, Masahiro Komachiya, Masahiro Matsumoto, Seikou Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6557415
    Abstract: A simplified and smaller accelerometer-gyro is provided by combining gyro and accelerometer functions in a single sensor unit which has a pair of counter oscillating accelerometers each having a pendulum or sense element and a vibrating element. The pendulum and vibrating element of each accelerometer are designed to be symmetrical so that the center of mass for each accelerometer are on a line which is parallel to the dither motion of the unit. The geometry of these two pendulums is configured so that the centers of percussion of each is at the same point. Electrodes on the top and bottom cover of the sensor unit combine the pickoff and forcing function with the pendulum tuning function, thereby simplifying electrical connection. A pair of mounting tabs are fastened to the frame by respective compliant beams. The accelerometer-gyro may be mounted in an enclosure that maintains a pressure below atmospheric around the accelerometer-gyro.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Patent number: 6557416
    Abstract: A high resolution biosensing system for detecting and identifying a biochemical material to be tested by using proportional relationship between frequency variation of oscillation and mass of the biochemical material to be tested comprises a biosensor; an oscillatorfor generating oscillation based on the sensed result; a phase-lock loop circuit receiving the oscillation of the oscillator and generating pulse signals;an ultra-high frequency counter for counting the pulse signals; and a microprocessor for storing and displaying output from the ultra-high frequency counter and for controlling the oscillator. The phase-lock loop circuit generates the pulse signals of a frequency, which is n times the frequency of the oscillator and with a constant phase difference therebetween to trigger the ultra-high frequency counter. Accordingly, the resolution can be raised up to n times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ANT Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: I-Nan Chang, Chung Chih Lo, Wu Chin Chen, Yen-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 6557417
    Abstract: A method and device for void fraction measurement in a gas/liquid two-phase stratified flow system in disclosed. A couple of pressure-signal tubes are mounted to the through into the top and bottom walls of the horizontal pipeline portion of the flow system to measure the pressure differential value between the top and bottom interior position thereof. The height of liquid phase level of the stratified flow is calculated from the pressure differential value and the liquid-phase density. The void fraction is derived from the known geometric relation between the height of liquid-phase level and the cross section of the pipe. Each of the pressure-signal tubes is encased within a cylindrical cooling case to avoid flashing phenomenon from occurring within the pressure-signal tube. This method is applicable for the flow at steady or transient state under high temperature/pressure condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Tay-Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 6557418
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable pressure measuring apparatus to be used as an altimeter, which can be automatically switched to an optimum sampling period in accordance with a use of the apparatus before a pressure measurement at all times. A portable pressure measuring apparatus additionally comprises a pressure/altitude operation section for obtaining an altitude from a measured pressure by an arithmetic operation, a rate of pressure change operation section, and a movement detecting section, wherein, if the movement detecting section detects a movement, a pressure is measured in a sampling period, for example, in a 1-second sampling period, if a rate of altitude change is equal to or greater than a threshold or in a sampling period, for example, in a 5-second sampling period, if the rate of altitude change is smaller than the threshold and wherein, unless the movement detecting section detects any movement, the pressure sampling measurement is not performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Tomoharu Tsuji
  • Patent number: 6557419
    Abstract: A multi-material resonant thin film beam for a micromechanical sensor having a zero temperature coefficient of frequency (TCF) which is the resonant frequency shift with temperature change. One of the materials may be polysilicon and the other material may be silicon nitride or silicon oxide. Each material has a different thermal coefficient of expansion. The proportion of the various materials is adjusted and the specific geometries are determined so that the TCF is zero. One embodiment is a microbeam composed of two polysilicon thin films with a silicon nitride thin film inserted between the polysilicon films. The thickness of the silicon nitride film may be adjusted to trim the TCF to zero. The film of nitride instead may be placed on one side of a polysilicon film to form a beam. Dual or multiple beam resonators likewise may be made with several materials. The nitride may be placed in the shank areas which join and secure the ends of the beams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Herb, David W. Burns, Daniel W. Youngner
  • Patent number: 6557420
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing the structural integrity of a hand rail structure. The hand rail having a plurality of substantially horizontal parallel rail members. The apparatus has an elongate lever arm and a mounting portion on the lever arm. The mounting portion is sized to span at least two rail members. A receptacle on the mounting portion opposite the lever arm receives one of the rail members and vertically supports the lever arm and mounting portion. A force is applied through the lever arm and transmitted to the hand rail. The force is measured by a torque wrench on the lever arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ensco International Incorporated
    Inventors: Romeo E. Garcia, Michael Lanclos
  • Patent number: 6557421
    Abstract: A tensile test apparatus and method for testing a circumferential weld on a tubular member wherein the tube region of the weld is completely supported by a mandrel and the tubular specimen is gripped on both sides of the weld along the specimen's longitudinal length with a very small separation distance between the tensile test grips. If there are any non-bonded defects in the weld, they are captured by the weld fracture surface as mesa or void features with an orientation different from that of a well bonded region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Company LLC
    Inventors: Anand M. Garde, Gerald D. Boyer, John F. Kraus, Peter M. Hess
  • Patent number: 6557422
    Abstract: A method for online-determination of at least one characteristic value of a mass flowmeter operating by the Coriolis principal and incorporating a fluid-conducting Coriolis conduit. The method includes the following steps of exciting the Coriolis conduit in a first oscillation pattern, exciting the Coriolis conduit in a second oscillation pattern, the second oscillation pattern being different from the first oscillation pattern, capturing the response of the Coriolis conduit to the excitation in the first oscillation pattern and in the second oscillation pattern and determining at least one characteristic value of the mass flowmeter by evaluating the response of the Coriolis conduit with the aid of a model in real time during operation of the mass flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Krohne A.G.
    Inventor: Kourush Kolahi
  • Patent number: 6557423
    Abstract: An air-pressure head for determining parameters of an air flow, flow of other gases or fluids, as well as parameters of flight of the aircraft wherein the air-pressure head includes a multi-edged rod, whose edges are oriented in the longitudinal direction of the rod, having groups of orifices between the edges on smooth lateral surfaces of the rod which are connected via pneumatic ducts to outlet nipples disposed off the air flow. The edges in the longitudinal direction of the rod are continuous and the number n thereof is such that n<3. Groups of orifices are spaced from the edges at the values of a ≦0.1b, where b is the distance between the edges in any cross-section of the rod. The angle between the lateral surfaces in any cross-section of the rod being &ggr;<180°. Sharp edges can be rounded or rendered obtuse by chamfering and also can be implemented in the form of protrusions. The rod lateral surfaces can be convex, cylindrical and/or tapered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Gosudarstvennoe Unitarnoe Predpriyatie Tsentralny Aerogidrodinamichesky Institut Im. Prof.N.E. Zhukovskogo, Federalnoe Agentstvo Po Pravovoi Zaschite Rezultatov Intellektualnoi Deyatelnosti Voennogo, Spetsialnogo I Dvoinogo Naznachenia Pri Ministerstve Justitsii Rossiiskoi Federatsii
    Inventors: Evgeny Semenovich Vozhdaev, Vladimir Alexeevich Golovkin, Mikhail Alexeevich Golovkin, Andrei Alexandrovich Efremov, Valery Pavlovich Gorban
  • Patent number: 6557424
    Abstract: A system for measuring the weight of a seat occupant is used to control airbag deployment. The system includes a seat bottom that receives a vertical seat occupant weight force. The seat is divided into four quadrants, a front right quadrant, a left front quadrant, a left rear quadrant, and a right rear quadrant. Each quadrant includes a sensor that generates a weight signal corresponding in magnitude to the seat occupant weight in the respective quadrant. Each weight signal is comprised of a vertical force component and an error component induced by braking or deceleration forces acting on the seat bottom in a non-vertical direction. The sensors are orientated within their respective quadrants such that two sensors generate a positive error reading and two sensors generate a negative error reading. When the weight signals from each quadrant are added together to determine the total seat occupant weight, the error is eliminated as the positive and negative error components cancel each other out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Scott M. Morell
  • Patent number: 6557425
    Abstract: A torque sensor is comprised of a torque detection coil for detecting a torque generated between an input shaft and an output shaft by detecting a change of a relative rotational position between a cover member fixed to the input shaft and a covered member fixed to the output shaft as a change of impedance of a torque detection coil. The cover member is located between the covered member and the torque detection coil and has an outer cylinder portion which extends from an outer periphery of the cover member along a circumferential surface of the covered member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Haruo Kamiya, Satoshi Kubosawa, Shigetoshi Kumazaki
  • Patent number: 6557426
    Abstract: A system for determining whether sutures and/or bone anchors satisfy some minimum strength threshold. The system includes a handle that contains a sensor for measuring forces or loads (e.g., a strain gauge), an indicator, and a controller. The controller is coupled to the sensor and the indicator. During use, a surgeon installs an anchor into a patient's bone. To test the strength of the anchor, the sensor is connected to the anchor preferably by some mechanical linkage, such as a rod or shaft. The surgeon then pulls on the handle. By pulling on the handle, a corresponding force is applied to the anchor through the mechanical linkage. As the surgeon pulls, the controller receives a signal from the sensor that is proportional to the force or load being applied to the anchor. The controller compares the sensor signal with some pre-determined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Richard L. Reinemann, Jr., Keith M. Orr
  • Patent number: 6557427
    Abstract: A capillary for introduction of whole blood into an analysis device. The capillary has a variable volume along its length, which allows the liquid sample to be drawn into the interior of the cartridge, away from the inlet, reducing the risk of contamination of the sample from the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Micronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bernhard H. Weigl, Gerald L. Klein, Ronald L. Bardell, C. Frederick Battrell
  • Patent number: 6557428
    Abstract: A headspace gas sampling and venting method utilizes a vent port and a sampling port which are punched through the lid of a drum containing hazardous materials, such as transuranic waste. In accordance with the system, a punch having a hollow passage therethrough, which passage has a filter element therein is first inserted through the lid using a pneumatic gun. A second punch, similar to the first punch, but having a passage with a septa seal therein is thereafter inserted through the lid with the pneumatic gun. Headspace gas beneath the lid is then sampled with a needle inserted through the septa seal. Both the venting port and sampling port are configured with detachable punch points which pass through the lid and are then released from the venting and sampling ports so as to open ends of the passages therethrough for communication with the headspace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Nuclear Filter Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry J. Wickland, Darold M. Popish, Gilbert Brassell, Fred L. Popish, Mark A. Castagneri, Michael D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6557429
    Abstract: A method of testing whether a magnetic lifting device may safely lift a particular load where the magnetic lifting device is placed adjacent to the load, some or all of the magnetic elements of the magnetic lifting device are spaced such that the lifting ability of the magnetic lifting device is reduced by a predetermined amount. An attempt is then made to lift the load by a small safe distance. If this attempt is successful, the user can be sure use of the magnetic lifting device, when the lifting ability is restored, is safe. Conveniently, the spacing is achieved by the introduction of a substantially planar member between the magnetic lifting device and the load. The planar member has a similar footprint to that of the magnetic lifting device. The planar member may be made of stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Eclipse Magnetics Limited
    Inventor: Ian Asquith
  • Patent number: 6557430
    Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for determining at least one of a plurality of particle physical characteristics. The particle physical characteristics include particle size, shape, magnetic susceptibility, magnetic label density, charge separation, dielectric constant, and derivatives thereof. The method includes generating a region of space having a substantially constant force field, determining the velocity of at least one particle within the region by identifying and locating the particle and its coordinates in at least two temporally defined digital images, and determining the particle physical characteristics from the determined velocity and a predetermined force field magnitude and direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, The Ohio State University
    Inventors: Maciej Zborowski, Jeff Chalmers, Lee Robert Moore
  • Patent number: 6557431
    Abstract: A fail-safe ball screw assembly has a double-start screw and a corresponding nut. The screw has a first helix with a truncated, smaller diameter flat and an intertwined second helix with an extended, larger diameter flat. Similarly, the corresponding nut has a first helix with an extended, larger diameter flat and an intertwined second helix with a truncated, smaller diameter flat. When the screw is inserted with the nut, the screw's truncated first helix is paired with the nut's extended first helix, and the screw's extended second helix is paired with the nut's truncated second helix. The nut and screw helixes combine to form channels in which bearings balls travel. The bearings allow the fail-safe ball screw assembly to operate with high efficiency and precision, while the overlapping structure of the helixes prevents catastrophic failure caused by the removal or loss of the bearing balls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
    Inventor: John Thomas Pawlak
  • Patent number: 6557432
    Abstract: A controlled relative motion system comprising a base support, a manipulable support, a group of link end constrainers each having a first portion movably connected to a second portion thereof so that ends of the first and second portions can be selectively separated from one another in a selected direction so as to have a selected distance therebetween, and two groups of pivoting links. With at least four link end constrainers in the group thereof, the first group of pivoting links has corresponding links each rotatably coupled to force imparting means or to the base support so as to be rotatable about a corresponding base link axis where each of said base link axes extend into regions between adjacent ones of said first group of pivoting links into which regions said base link axes of said adjacent ones also extend, and each coupled to a first portion end of a corresponding one of the group of link end constrainers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ross-Hime Designs, Incorporated
    Inventor: Mark E. Rosheim
  • Patent number: 6557433
    Abstract: The invention comprises a male member (11) having an inner lateral surface and a female member (10) having an outer lateral surface both provided with longitudinal grooves (13) and longitudinal protrusions (15) in conjunction with longitudinal protrusions (16) and longitudinal grooves (17). They enable relative longitudinal sliding between the male tube member (11) and the female tube member (10). To avoid and to absorb play between the female tube member (10) and the male tube member (11) adjusting elements (24) are designed which, as shown in FIG. 1, comprise a substantially prismatic longitudinal body at the vertexes of which there are stumps (26).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Melchor Daumal Castellon
  • Patent number: 6557434
    Abstract: The steering column tilt assembly has a tilt housing that is pivotally attached to a fixed housing. A fixed shoe is attached to the fixed housing. A pivoted shoe is pivotally attached to the tilt housing. A shoe release lever has a wedge surface that holds the pivoted shoe in engagement with a fixed shoe when in a locked position. The shoe release lever has two trunions that are received in bores in the tilt housing. A release lever slot between the bores receive the pivot end shank portion. An open quadrant of the lower bore portion permits the shank portion to be moved into the slot. A spring urges the shoe release lever toward the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ray Garnet Armstrong, James Anthony Smazenka, Richard Kremer Riefe
  • Patent number: 6557435
    Abstract: A shift operating device for a bicycle is provided to change gears of the bicycle. The shift operating device is coupled to the front or rear derailleur via a shift cable. The shift operating device is also coupled to a gear indicator device via an indicator cable. The shift operating device has an attachment portion, a hand operating portion, and a take up member. The attachment portion is adapted to be coupled to a portion of a handlebar of the bicycle. The hand operating portion is coupled to the attachment portion to move between a plurality of shifting positions. The take up member is operatively coupled to the hand operating portion to move in response to movement of the hand operating portion. The take up member has a peripheral winding surface, a first cable attachment point and a second cable attachment point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Kenji Ose
  • Patent number: 6557436
    Abstract: A displacement modifying structure for receiving an input displacement from a motor source and generating a multiplied displacement therefrom for provision to a load. The structure includes a static beam and a dynamic beam. The static beam has a fixed end and a movable end while the dynamic beam has a first end and a second end. The first end of the dynamic beam is connected between the motive source and the movable end of the static beam. The second is also connected through a pivotless joint to the movable end of the static beam. Upon movement of the first end over a first distance by the motive source, the second end of the dynamic beam and the movable end of the static beam move over a second distance for provision to the load. The second distance, or output displacement is greater than the first distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Joel Hetrick, Sridhar Kota
  • Patent number: 6557437
    Abstract: A device for mounting a bicycle display to a steering member of a bicycle includes a mounting arch. A display coupler is disposed on the mounting arch. A first mounting section with a first mounting surface is disposed at a first end of the mounting arch. The first mounting section includes an opening that receives a fastener. A second mounting section is disposed at a second end of the mounting arch. The second mounting section includes a second mounting surfaces that does not face the first mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventors: Takuji Masui, Shigekatsu Okada
  • Patent number: 6557438
    Abstract: In the breather structure of an internal combustion engine for vehicles, an outer cover is installed through a sound absorbing material for noise suppression on the outside of a body cover. The body cover covers a power unit including at least one of the internal combustion engine and a power transmission device. An outlet of the breather provided in the power unit opens at the sound absorbing material. The present invention provides a breather structure having a simplified construction, a short breather passage, and is capable of preventing entry and attachment of dust and debris into and onto the breather structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuaki Maeda, Shinji Kuga
  • Patent number: 6557439
    Abstract: In a transmission in which transmission mechanisms (1st speed, 2nd speed, 3rd speed and reverse transmission mechanisms 11, 12, 13, 14) are disposed between transmission input and output shafts 1, 2 which are parallel with each other, a structure in which a driving force is distributed from the output shaft 2 for transmission to front and rear wheels of a vehicle comprising an intermediate rear wheel driving gear 32 rotatably disposed on the input shaft 1, a front wheel side driving gear 3a fixed to the output shaft for transmitting the driving force to the front wheels, a first rear wheel driving gear 31 fixed to the output shaft so as to mesh with the intermediate gear and a second rear wheel driving gear 33 rotatably disposed on a rear wheel driving rotating shaft 35 which is parallel with the input shaft and adapted to mesh with the intermediate rear wheel driving gear so as to transmit the driving force to the rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsuya Ohtani, Tadayasu Sanpe, Nobuo Takemasa, Takashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 6557440
    Abstract: The invention relates to a portable cork-screw provided with conventional spiral extraction means (1) which is hinged by means of a pin (4) to a planar part (2) constitutive of the cork screw body, in a position displaced towards one of its ends, the part being provided with two recess (5, 6) in opposite edges; one recess (5) is proximate to the articulation of the spiral (1); a second part (3) is hinged to the end of the part (2) which is closer to the pin (4); the second part (3) is formed by a first cylindrical portion (3a) which is hinged at a first end to the part (2) by means of a pin (7) and is rotationally joined by its other end to a second cylindrical portion (3a); the final section of said second portion is lowered to form a first curved portion having the shape of a tile; said first portion (3a) has a longitudinal opening which is slightly longer than the distance existing between the recess (5) and the hinge pin (7) of the second part (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Jacinto Presa Eguren
  • Patent number: 6557441
    Abstract: A tool (1) comprising a head (4) having at least two engaging surfaces (10) for driving the screwing member by its at least partially matching shape and a device (5) for driving the head rotation. The head globally behaves as a single-piece part when the screwing member is driven in rotation. The head includes a zone (7) linking the engaging surfaces and parts (9) transmitting to the engaging surfaces a rotation force applied on the driving device. The linking zone is located between the force-transmitting parts and the engaging parts. The head is designed such that the action of the rotational driving device on the force-transmitting parts tends to deform the shape of the head so as to bring the engaging surfaces closer to each other when a rotational driving force is applied via the driving device on the screwing member. The present invention is, for example, applicable to flat open-end wrenches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Facom
    Inventor: Gérard Charles Camille Brihier
  • Patent number: 6557442
    Abstract: A wrench comprising a wrench head with a stud at one end, a handle, including a handle end with a second stud at one end and an intermediate handle having yokes at opposed ends. A first yoke is pivotally engaged with the wrench head stud and a second yoke is pivotally engaged with the handle end stud. A plurality of paired detent surfaces are arranged over end portions of the yokes and cooperates with a detent ring carried by the handle end. The intermediate handle includes a longitudinal bore and a transverse bore which passes through the longitudinal bore. A positioning member, movable between a locking position and a non-locking position, is carried in the transverse bore. An engaging member, movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, is carried in the longitudinal bore. The positioning member is positionable to positively lock the engaging member with an associated stud and to allow the engaging member to become disengaged from the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Greg J. Owoc
  • Patent number: 6557443
    Abstract: A bar stock feeder and support mechanism for an automated machining center having a control system and a method for operation thereof. A work positioning structure is removably mounted to a work support and positioning table of an automated machining center and has a bar feeder top plate. Mechanized machine controlled pneumatic bar stock chucks on the bar feeder top plate have bar stock gripping collets which are closed and opened by the control system of the automated machining center for selectively gripping the bar stock during machining and selectively releasing the bar stock to permit its movement by a bar puller which raises the bar stock to a programmed height. A control umbilical cable is connected with the control system of the automated machining center and has controlling connection with each of the bar stock chucks. During operation of the machining center machining is performed serially on each bar stock, thus enhancing the productivity of the machining center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Mark C. Larue
  • Patent number: 6557444
    Abstract: A wood lathe includes a driving pulley unit disposed around a rotating inner rod, a driven pulley unit disposed around an output shaft that is used to rotate a workpiece, a V-belt unit trained on the driving and driven pulley units, and a speed-adjusting unit. When a rotary knob is rotated, amovable inner half of the driven pulley unit moves toward or away from a fixed outer half of the driven pulley unit so that the V-belt unit moves a movable outer half of the driving pulley unit away from or toward a fixed inner half of the driving pulley unit. As such, the position of the V-belt unit can be adjusted relative to the driving and driven pulley units to change the rotational speed of the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Juei-Seng Liao
  • Patent number: 6557445
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tool holding assembly with an adjustment means capable of causing the tool holding end of the assembly to bend in relation to the opposite attachment end of the assembly. This is accomplished by providing first and second contact surfaces longitudinally spaced from each other along the assembly, and providing an adjustment means having at least one adjustment screw, wherein by adjusting the screw, pressure can be simultaneously applied by the adjustment means onto the first and second contact surfaces, such that an axis of one end of the assembly can be displaced by bending in relation to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: NT Tool Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hitoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6557446
    Abstract: Diagnostic strips of the kind which are exposed to biological fluids such as blood or urine to detect or monitor medical conditions are cut sequentially from elongated cards by a reciprocating shear blade. The cards may be ones which exhibit defective areas that should not be included in the finished strips. Blade motion seats each newly cut strip on a movable strip carrier which abuts the blade during the cutting operation. The carrier then travels a nondefective strip to a pickup location where it is precisely positioned and picked off of the carrier for emplacement in a housing. A strip with a defective area is carried further to a discharge location where it is released into a waste receptacle. This enables more economical manufacture of diagnostic strips by efficiently making use of nondefective areas of cards that have defective areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kinematic Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Carlberg, Ford Garratt, Ted Meigs
  • Patent number: 6557447
    Abstract: A band sawing machine has a band saw which runs on a drive wheel and a driven wheel of the band sawing machine. The band sawing machine is provided with a slide seat to which the driven wheel is pivoted. The band sawing machine is provided with an eccentric wheel in contact with the slide seat. The eccentric wheel is turned to bring about a change in diametrical distance, thereby resulting in the up-and-down movement of the slide seat. The distance between the drive wheel and the driven wheel is thus shortened to facilitate the replacing of the band saw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Lien-Chu Lee