Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6559404
    Abstract: A vacuum circuit interrupter for use in a switchgear connectable to a three-phase ac power system and having for each phase a vacuum valve including a pair of separable electrodes supported within a hermetic vessel by an electrode. Axes of the vacuum valves for three phases are arranged in parallel and at apexes of a triangle. Electrically insulating barriers are disposed for supporting and electrically insulating the vacuum valve from another vacuum valve in another phase and from the hermetic vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ookawa, Shinichi Miki, Masahiro Arioka
  • Patent number: 6559405
    Abstract: A positioning device for positioning a welding electrode near objects to be welded. A laser projects a light ray which is affixed to, and has a known spatial relationship with, the electrode. The laser is adjusted as to position, until the light ray strikes a target. At that time, the electrode stands in a corresponding position, which is the correct position for welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Mark Edward Mehl
  • Patent number: 6559406
    Abstract: A blow feed weld gun for welding a nut to a metal substrate is disclosed. The blow feed weld gun has an air feed mechanism and a nut drive mechanism. The nut drive mechanism contains a primary piston assembly located within a cylindrical working chamber. The primary piston assembly is coupled to a first driven piston which is hollow and defines a passage which welding gasses and/or air can be delivered to the threads of a threaded weld nut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Bruce R. Stepetic, Brian M. Wilkins
  • Patent number: 6559407
    Abstract: A cathode assembly 10 for an electric arc spray apparatus. The cathode assembly 10 utilizes a positive cathode retention design which provides for improved heat management characteristics, quick and easy cathode replacement and increased cathode life. The cathode assembly includes a cathode holder 14, a cathode 12 including a first portion 26 which resides within the cathode holder 14, a tip portion 28 which extends from the cathode holder, and a shoulder portion 33 which is formed on the outer surface of the cathode. The cathode assembly 10 further includes a retention member or nut 16 which removably attaches to the cathode holder 14 and which engages the shoulder portion 33, effective to positively retain the cathode 12 within the holder 14. The retention member 14 also includes an aperture through which the cathode tip 28 extends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Edward Chancey, Lawrence Edward Ellis, Larry Gerald Gargol, Srikanth Chinthagunta Reddy
  • Patent number: 6559408
    Abstract: An apparatus for dissociating gases includes a plasma chamber that may be formed from a metallic material and a transformer having a magnetic core surrounding a portion of the plasma chamber and having a primary winding. The apparatus also includes one or more switching semiconductor devices that are directly coupled to a voltage supply and that have an output coupled to the primary winding of the transformer. The one or more switching semiconductor devices drive current in the primary winding that induces a potential inside the chamber that forms a plasma which completes a secondary circuit of the transformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Science & Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald K. Smith, Xing Chen, William M. Holber, Eric Georgelis
  • Patent number: 6559409
    Abstract: A method for physically marking, on silicon wafers, of integrated circuits deemed to be defective during a testing step, so as to modify the visual appearance of the surface of these circuits, wherein the marking is done by the exposure of the circuits to a laser beam. The disclosure also relates to an instrument enabling the method to be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: SGS-Thomson Microelectronics S.A.
    Inventor: Bernard Cadet
  • Patent number: 6559410
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming simulated wear patterns and designs in denim pants using laser rays. The apparatus includes an indexable carousel having a plurality of circumferentially spaced pant-supporting mandrels that are sequentially indexable to a plurality of stations located about the carousel, including a loading station, a laser station, and an unloading station. The mandrels each comprise articulated linkage that is selectively actuatable between a retractable condition that permits positioning of a pair of pants onto the mandrel at the loading station and an expanded condition that tautly supports the pants in predetermined position at the laser station such that a laser generated pattern can be formed at predetermined locations on the pants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ellis Corporation
    Inventors: Roland D. Bowker, Jorge Michel, Dan Noltin, Thomas Schumacher, Richard Franzen, Dave Loranca
  • Patent number: 6559411
    Abstract: A method and apparatus (42) for laser scribing coatings on glass sheet substrates by conveying the substrate adjacent a laser source (83) that provides a pulsed laser beam (84) with a wavelength at a near-infrared fundamental frequency and having a frequency in the range of 50 to 100 kilohertz and a pulse duration in the range of 8 to 70 nanoseconds, and by reflecting the beam by an XYZ galvanometer controlled mirror system (90) toward an uncoated surface of the substrate for passage therethrough to the coating on the other surface to provide overlapping ablations through the coating and scribing at a speed of at least 1000 millimeters per second.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: First Solar, LLC
    Inventors: Frank A. Borgeson, Joseph J. Hanak, Ricky S. Harju, Norman L. Helman, Kenneth R. Hecht
  • Patent number: 6559412
    Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for vaporizing a target structure on a substrate. According to the invention, a calculation is performed, as a function of wavelength, of an incident beam energy necessary to deposit unit energy in the target structure. Then, for the incident beam energy, the energy expected to be deposited in the substrate as a function of wavelength is calculated. A wavelength is identified that corresponds to a relatively low value of the energy expected to be deposited in the substrate, the low value being substantially less than a value of the energy expected to be deposited in the substrate at a higher wavelength. A laser system is provided configured to produce a laser output at the wavelength corresponding to the relatively low value of the energy expected to be deposited in the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: William Lauer, Pierre Trepagnier, Donald Victor Smart, James Cordingley, Michael Plotkin
  • Patent number: 6559413
    Abstract: Method for laser machining explosives and related articles. A laser beam is directed at a surface portion of a mass of high explosive to melt and/or vaporize the surface portion while directing a flow of gas at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion. The gas flow sends the melted and/or vaporized explosive away from the charge of explosive that remains. The method also involves splitting the casing of a munition having an encased explosive. The method includes rotating a munition while directing a laser beam to a surface portion of the casing of an article of ordnance. While the beam melts and/or vaporizes the surface portion, a flow of gas directed at the melted and/or vaporized surface portion sends it away from the remaining portion of ordnance. After cutting through the casing, the beam then melts and/or vaporizes portions of the encased explosive and the gas stream sends the melted/vaporized explosive away from the ordnance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ross E. Muenchausen, Thomas Rivera, John A. Sanchez
  • Patent number: 6559414
    Abstract: Operating head, specifically for laser machine, comprising: a base (12), a rotary body (20) fitted on the base (12) so to turn on an axis (B), a terminal body (30) mobile with respect to the rotary body (20) in the direction of said axis (B), a first motor (36) for controlling the movement of the rotary body (20) on said axis (B) and a second motor (42) for controlling the movement of the terminal body (30) on said axis (B). The first motor (36) and the second motor (42) are direct motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Prima Industrie SpA
    Inventor: Luigi Gilli
  • Patent number: 6559415
    Abstract: A method for single sided laser shock peening an article includes laser shock peening a laser shock peening surface on a first side of the article while maintaining an opposite second surface on a back side of the article in acoustic communication with a shock attenuating material. The second surface is opposite the laser shock peening surface. The shock attenuating material is a material that does not allow tensile waves to be reflected back off the back side through the article. The shock attenuating material may be a liquid metal and the article made from a titanium alloy. One such article is a gas turbine engine airfoil of an integrally bladed disk and the surfaces may be on an edge of the airfoil. The shock attenuating material may be one that dissipates compressive waves or reflects back compressive shock waves caused by the laser shock peening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: SeethaRamaiah Mannava, Philemon Kennard Wright, III, Farzin Homayoun Azad, Mark Lloyd Miller
  • Patent number: 6559416
    Abstract: A current path for a mig welding gun assures a reliable and stable interface between a welding gun and a weld wire. In one embodiment, the current path is through a conductive insert that fits in the welding gun diffuser. Fingers of the insert resiliently contact the weld wire and thereby provide stable paths for welding power from the gun to the weld wire. In another embodiment, a contact tip assembly comprises a contact tip having resilient fingers in electrical contact with a body. An inner frusto-conical surface of a sleeve is urged against concentric frusto-conical outer surfaces of the fingers to bias the fingers radially inwardly against the weld wire. An insulative liner in the contact tip guides the weld wire between the fingers. A shield surrounds the contact tip and the sleeve. In a further embodiment, a single finger is pivotally connected to the contact tip. A spring biases a finger end against the weld wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works
    Inventors: Robert D. Steenis, Richard M. Hutchison, Richard W. Beeson, Lin Zhang, James L. Uecker, Todd E. Holverson
  • Patent number: 6559417
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a flux cored wire for arc welding of austenitic stainless steel which can restrain bending and high temperature cracking, and prevent a bead from being drooped. A flux filled in a sheath consisting of 18-8 stainless steel(C≦0.03 wt %, N≦0.02 wt %) comprises an alkali metal compound in an oxide converted amount of 0.05 to 1.0 wt % by weight of the welding wire, a metal fluoride in a fluorine converted amount below 0.08 wt %, Bi oxide in an amount below 0.1 wt %, Mn in an amount of 0.1 to 1.8 wt %, Cr in an amount of 2.0 to 4.0 wt %, SiO2 in an amount of 0.5 to 3.0 wt %, Al2O3 in an amount of 0.1 to 2.0 wt %, and TiO2 and ZrO2 wherein a ratio of (TiO2+ZrO2)/SiO2 is 0.8 to 1.6. Here, an amount of the flux filled in the sheath ranges from 15 to 35 wt % by weight of the welding wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kiswell Ltd.
    Inventors: Jongwon Kim, Chulgyu Park
  • Patent number: 6559418
    Abstract: A method of controlling caster and/or camber angle by controlling the amount of heat input during the welding process associated with the axle tube brackets and other suspension components such as the lower control arm, spring seat, shock bracket and sway arm bracket. In other words, larger hot weld spots versus smaller cooler welds will distort the axle tube differently. If the design of a tube assembly has undesirable caster and/or camber angles due to distortions caused by the welding of suspension components, the weld can be tuned to distort the assembly to a desired caster and/or camber angle. For example, if the camber desired requires the axle tube to be deflected up, the travel speed of welds on the top side of the tube may be slowed thus increasing the heat input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Sorg
  • Patent number: 6559419
    Abstract: A heatable vehicle window including at least three different heating zones. A conductive coating is divided into at least three different heatable coating portions which are spaced apart from one another. A top bus bar includes a step or protruding portion which extends toward the bottom bus bar at an area of an intermediate one of the heatable coating portions. This protruding portion enables, for example and without limitation, a rain sensor or toll device to efficiently transmit and/or receive signals (e.g. IR signals, RF signals, or the like) through the window at an area behind the protrusion where the coating has been deleted. Because of the division of the coating into at least three different heatable coating portions, approximately uniform current distribution is enabled along the top bus bar (even at the protruding portion thereof) so as to reduce the likelihood of overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Centre Luxembourgeois de Recherches pour le Verre et la Ceramique S.A. (C.R.V.C.)
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Sol, Issam Sabra, Bernd Feider, Charles Courlander
  • Patent number: 6559420
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating a liquid in a liquid metal micro-switch. In representative embodiments, the apparatus comprises a heater and a sub-channel inside a structure. The heater is located inside a cavity of the structure onto which the liquid metal micro-switch is fabricated. The sub-channel inside the structure connects the cavity to a main channel. The sub-channel has a cross-sectional area. The value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the main channel is less than the value of the cross-sectional area at the boundary between the sub-channel and the cavity. The gas permeates the cavity and the sub-channel and is capable of extending into the main channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Sasko Zarev
  • Patent number: 6559421
    Abstract: A fixing device for forming a toner image formed on a recording medium includes a heat roller accommodating a halogen heater. The halogen heater includes a glass tube formed of transparent quartz and provided with a wall thickness of 0.8 mm or below to increase transmission thereof. The increased transmission reduces a heat loss ascribable to the glass tube at the time of warm-up of the fixing device. The heat roller has such a thermal capacity that it can be warmed up in 10 seconds or loss. The glass tube is filled with inactive gas whose major component is krypton or xenon. A tungsten filament accommodated in the glass tube has its diameter reduced in order to implement a color temperature of 2,500 K or above. An image forming apparatus using the fixing device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Yura, Takashi Fujita, Hirokazu Ikenoue, Atsushi Nakafuji
  • Patent number: 6559422
    Abstract: An expandable chamber support system for vehicle seat and mattress applications includes an expandable chamber constructed from facing sheets of flexible impermeable material that are sealed along their marginal edges. One of the sheets is formed of electrically conductive an elastomeric membrane that is electrically resistance heated while providing a source of pressure support for an occupant supported by the expandable chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ctex Seat Comfort Limited
    Inventor: Steven Burt
  • Patent number: 6559423
    Abstract: An electric toaster includes a chassis with one or more toasting compartments. At least one electric heater is located in each compartment, and a cage is positioned in each compartment adjacent the heater. The cage includes lateral sides with a gap therebetween for receiving a food item and stationary supports that extend into the gap from the lateral sides for supporting the food item during a toasting operation. The electric toaster also includes a movable food support rod that is positioned in the toasting compartment for movement between an upper rest position and a lower toasting position below the stationary supports. The movable food support rod is adapted to support the food item above the stationary support and to transfer support of the food item to the stationary support when the movable food support rod travels below the stationary supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach/Proctor-Silex, Inc.
    Inventors: Nhiem Viet Nguyen, John J. Datovech, James Gaynor
  • Patent number: 6559424
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating semiconductor wafers in a thermal processing chamber using light energy is provided. In one embodiment, the apparatus contains a window located between the semiconductor wafer and the energy source. The window contains a member that defines at least one passage capable of being placed into communication with a coolant to cool the window and at least partially offset the “first wafer effect”. Additionally, in some embodiments, the window has a thickness greater than about 1 inch so that it can withstand pressures applied during wafer processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Conor Patrick O'Carroll, Rudy Santo Tomas Cardema, James Tsuneo Taoka, Zion Koren
  • Patent number: 6559425
    Abstract: A device (100) for the thermal treatment of friction lining surfaces (19) (scorching) is characterized in that at least one infrared light source is placed in the heating station (10) for heating the friction lining surfaces. Short-wave infrared light of approximately 780 to 1400 nm with a maximum at 1200 nm is preferably used. A suction bell (11) and a fan (12) for removing the decomposition gas are above the heating station (10). The irradiation can take place in depression or in special chemical atmospheres. An infrared thermometer (20) supervises the temperature of the friction lining surfaces (19) and eventually causes an elimination (14) of parts. A cooling station (17) is following the heating station (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Bremsbelag GmbH
    Inventor: Hansjörg Grimme
  • Patent number: 6559426
    Abstract: A device and method is shown for electrically heating a vehicle. The heating device has positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heating thermistors connected in groups, and a circuit for selectively turning on one or more groups. At least two of the groups have different rated heating powers. The circuit turns on the selection of the groups at least on the basis of the available electrical power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Valeo Klimasysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Horst Jirmann
  • Patent number: 6559427
    Abstract: Multiple, programmable appliance units are connected to a control unit which receives program data from a control panel including user input elements for selecting various operational parameters, such as operational modes and times, for the appliance units. The control panel also includes a display having both display zones which are dedicated to the individual appliance units and at least one common display zone. Preferably, the common display zone is centrally located and operates on priority and override bases to provide user information concerning the appliance units. In further accordance with the invention, the information provided in the common display zone is linked to a dedicated area for a corresponding one of the appliance units to clearly enable the user to relate the provided information with the respective unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Shelton T. Barnes, Theodore A. Becker, Perry A. Bennett, Kenneth E. Sauter
  • Patent number: 6559428
    Abstract: An induction brazing tool includes a pair of induction coil components each having a linear extension and a semi-circular coil at one end. A distal end of each component remote from the semi-circular coil includes a flange for connecting the tool to an induction brazer. The components are formed of electrical conductive hollow copper tubing. The opposite end of each component includes a flange for bolting the components to one another. Nipples are provided the ends of the coil portions and a flexible hose interconnects the nipples. A braid of electrical conductive material also connects the nipples. In use, the components are opened to form a clamshell configuration, disposed about parts to be brazed and bolted together and to the brazer. By flowing electrical current and cooling water along the tool, a brazed joint is effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Herbert Scharner Panczner
  • Patent number: 6559429
    Abstract: A method of defrosting frozen products of the present invention is the method of carrying out microwave heating while reducing the pressure, terminating microwave heating upon detection of a microwave-induced electrical discharge during the microwave heating step, reducing the pressure while microwave heating is in a terminated state to a pressure level at or below a sublimation pressure level to generate sublimation on the frozen products, returning the pressure to a prescribed pressure level to enable microwave heating to be restarted, and repeating the steps from the microwave heating step through the pressure returning step a prescribed number of times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ellie Corporation
    Inventors: Shunichi Yagi, Kazuo Shibata
  • Patent number: 6559430
    Abstract: A method for controlling heating and avoiding arcing in microwave food packaging having a conductive material such as a metal foil on the packaging by controlling the cross-sectional shape of the foil to have a predetermined shape at the edge portion of the foil including controlling a wedge angle and a corner radius of the edge of the foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Mills, Inc.
    Inventors: Randal J. Monforton, Hong Ji, Clifton F. Richardson, Achilles D. Speliotopoulos
  • Patent number: 6559431
    Abstract: A Microwave Cooking Tray and Sleeve Assembly comprises a tray for holding food to be cooked, a transparent heat seal covering the tray, and a sleeve designed to hold the tray. In order to cook the food in the tray, the assembly is placed in a microwave oven. During cooking, side vents on the tray channel steam out of the tray. Holes in the sleeve allow the steam to easily escape the box after passing through the vents in the tray. After a short period of cooking in the microwave oven, the tray is removed from the sleeve, the heat seal is removed from the tray, and the food in the tray is ready to eat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Steamway Franchise Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6559432
    Abstract: A fixture for use with a radio-frequency welding press includes an independent electrode that is not attached to a platen of the press and which is used to register directly on flexible material workpieces to locate and hold workpieces during a welding operation. The invention also includes shuttles that slidably move welding fixtures to respective positions beneath and laterally away from press platens so that welding and workpiece removal and loading operations can be performed simultaneously on fixtures mounted to respective shuttles. Methods and alternate embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Casco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: James B. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6559433
    Abstract: A display type image sensor using thin-film photoelectric conversion elements that function as light emitting elements and light receiving elements so that the sensor can be used both as an active matrix display and as an image sensor, wherein pixels (PX) arranged in matrix each comprise: a first pixel portion (PXA) having a first conduction control circuit (SWA) supplied with a scan signal through a scan line (gate) and a first thin-film photoelectric conversion element (11A) which can emit and receive light and connects to a first interconnect (D21) and a second interconnect (D22) through the first conduction control circuit (SWA); and a second pixel portion (PXB) having a second conduction control circuit (SWB) supplied with a scan signal through the same scan line (gate) and a second thin-film photoelectric conversion element (11B) which can emit and receive light and connects to the first interconnect (D21) and a third interconnect (D23) through the second conduction control circuit (SWB).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuroh Ozawa
  • Patent number: 6559434
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to enable manufacturing at low cost and to suppress blooming in providing an image reading apparatus using a contact image sensor. A two-piece backing plate divided into two parts in a main scanning direction of a CIS (perpendicular to the direction of movement of an original) is disposed to be opposite to the CIS. The original is advanced between the two-piece backing plate and CIS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shigeru Kida
  • Patent number: 6559435
    Abstract: A headlamp control system for a motor vehicle includes an imaging array sensor operable to sense light in a field of view forward of the motor vehicle and a control that is responsive to the imaging array sensor. The control is operable to identify at least one object of interest in the field of view by a spectral signature and/or a geometric organization of the object. The control is operable to control a headlamp of the motor vehicle in response to identifying the object as being at least one of a headlamp of another vehicle, a taillight of another vehicle, a traffic sign, a lane marker and a traffic light. The control may be operable to identify a headlamp and/or taillight of another vehicle in response to light sensed by the imaging array sensor during different exposure periods of the imaging array sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: Kenneth Schofield, Mark L. Larson, Keith J. Vadas
  • Patent number: 6559436
    Abstract: The invention is an improved image intensifier for night vision equipment. It includes an optical filter that is positioned between the phosphor output and eyepiece of the image intensifier. The filter is dichroic and limits light transmission to light that is substantially in the blue wave length. The filter minimizes reflections on the eye of the user that might otherwise be visible to others who are using night vision equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Brad E. Meyers
  • Patent number: 6559437
    Abstract: An optical fiber sensor, disposed in the insulation of a wire or cable, provides a means of detecting damage to the insulation of the wire or cable. An optical measurement device, such as an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), coupled to the sensor, detects the presence and location of a sensor fault or stress. The sensor is positioned between the conductor and the outside surface of the conductor so that the OTDR will sense damage before the conductor is exposed or contacted by a damage element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph E. Pope, Jr., Kenneth S. Watkins, Jr., Shelby J. Morris, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6559438
    Abstract: An optical scanner employs a scanning head provided with an array of light-emitting apertures. According to one embodiment, for example, light is directed through wave-guides or optical fibers, embedded in the scanning head, to the apertures. The head is oscillated by a micro electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) motor. This generates a rapidly sweeping array of light spots on the scanned surface. Light is projected to a scanned surface and collected through the same apertures. In an alternate embodiment, scanning head is provided with separate optical fibers, one for each light spot. Each fiber is vibrated by a separate MEMS motor and individually oscillated in synchrony.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Science Applications International Corporation
    Inventors: Adam Thomas Drobot, Robert Courtney White, Newell Convers Wyeth
  • Patent number: 6559439
    Abstract: An image taking optical unit comprises an image taking optical system including a lens, an image pick-up element mounting substrate on which an image pick-up element chip is mounted, and a frame member for retaining the both. The frame member comprises a lens positioning face and a substrate positioning face, both of which cooperate to align centers of the lens and chip and position them with a suitable distance. The lens positioning face comprises a vertically lens positioning section for determining a vertical lens position and a horizontally lens positioning section for determining a horizontal lens position. The substrate positioning face comprises a vertically substrate positioning section for determining a vertical substrate position and a horizontally substrate positioning section for determining a horizontal substrate position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Olympus Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Tsuchida, Yasuo Nakajoh
  • Patent number: 6559440
    Abstract: An automatic and intuitive calibration method is provided for calibrating a radiation detection system for processing counts from a known radiation source. A probe is positioned near the radiation source, which may be the surgical injection site of a radionucleide. A control unit generates audible and/or visual feedback signals to cue the operator as to where to position the probe relative to the radiation source, in order to obtain a pulse frequency (count rate) in an optimal range for processing. The control unit then automatically identifies a peak energy level and sets an energy acceptance window having a mathematical relationship to the peak energy level, whereby the radiation detection system thereinafter processes only counts corresponding to energy levels falling within the energy acceptance window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Yarnall, Jerome E. Gormley
  • Patent number: 6559441
    Abstract: An ion separation instrument includes an ion source coupled to at least a first ion mobility spectrometer having an ion outlet coupled to a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment, the ion source includes a molecule separation instrument operable to separate ions in time according to a molecular characteristic such as ion retention time. The resultant instrument is thus operable to provide molecular information separated in time as functions of retention time, ion mobility and ion mass/charge. In another embodiment, the ion separation instrument includes first and second ion mobility instruments disposed in a cascade arrangement between the ion source and mass spectrometer, wherein the two ion mobility instruments are operable to separate ions in time each according to different ion mobility functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Research & Technology Institute
    Inventor: David E. Clemmer
  • Patent number: 6559442
    Abstract: A system in accordance with the invention which generates electrons by means of a field-emission cathode comprises an array of electron-emitting micropoints associated with a grid and carried by a substrate with integral heater means for heating the micropoints to a temperature in the range approximately 300° C. to approximately 400° C. and maintaining them at that temperature during emission of electrons. The cathode can therefore function at higher residual air pressures with no risk of breakdown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Didier Pierrejean
  • Patent number: 6559443
    Abstract: An ionization apparatus and ionization method, wherein an ion trap type structural unit is used as the ion source and an ion emitter for emitting metal ions is provided inside or outside the ion source, metal ions are attached to ingredients of a sample gas to ionize the sample gas, a separation parameter is changed to separate ions relating to a target substance for analysis and the metal ions, the metal ions are trapped and accumulated inside the ion source, and the ions relating to a target substance are ejected to a mass spectrometry unit. Due to this configuration, in ion mass spectrometry, it is possible to accurately separate the ions desired to be analyzed and the ions desired to be trapped by a simple configuration and relatively low resolution and possible to improve the sensitivity of analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Anelva Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiro Shiokawa, Megumi Nakamura, Yoshiki Hirano, Toshihiro Fujii
  • Patent number: 6559444
    Abstract: The invention relates to a tandem mass spectrometer and a method for scanning daughter ion spectra which uses a quadrupole mass spectrometer for selection of parent ions and another one for the measurement of the daughter ions. The invention consists of not using a conventional third quadrupole filter as a collision cell for fragmentation of the parent ions but an ion guide system with helically coiled wires, especially in the form of a double helix, in which the ions can be completely decelerated and can be actively fed to the outlet aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Bruker Daltonik GmbH
    Inventor: Jochen Franzen
  • Patent number: 6559445
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electron energy filter with magnetic deflection regions and a substantially W-shaped beam path. The energy filter has at least four magnetic deflection regions, that are respectively separated from each other by drift paths in the space free from magnetic fields. The whole filter is thus symmetrical with respect to a midplane (M). The total deflection angle in the first and last deflection region is at least 135°, and all the deflection regions together effect a deflection of the optical axis through an angle between 90° and 210°, preferably through 180°. The energy filter has a large Helmholtz length that is greater than double the average value of the deflection radii in the deflection regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Harald Rose
  • Patent number: 6559446
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for measuring and/or imaging a feature having a re-entrant cross-sectional profile. Beams are emitted onto the feature and substrate at different angles during corresponding measurement intervals. An feature data set of the feature is characterized for each measurement interval. The data associated with each measurement interval are aggregated to provide a cross-sectional representation of the having dimensions proportional to the feature. As a result, a more accurate feature profile may be determined, including a cross-sectional dimension of the re-entrant feature at the juncture between the feature and substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan K. Choo, Bhanwar Singh
  • Patent number: 6559447
    Abstract: A lightweight camera or detector that does not require a shutter, chopper or thermoelectric stabilizer. Lightweight materials and lightweight packaging techniques are used, and in some embodiments, some or all of the calibration, compensation and processing hardware are moved from the camera itself to a remote station. Such a shutterless, lightweight, IR camera, which may operated at ambient temperature, can be mounted on a micro air vehicle (MAV) or the like, with the raw IR sensor data received and processed by a ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Roland Andrew Wood
  • Patent number: 6559448
    Abstract: The passive infrared detector contains a heat-sensitive sensor and a focusing device for focusing thermal rays incident on the detector from the room under surveillance onto the sensor. The focusing device has focusing elements for surveillance regions having different positions in the room under surveillance. Each focusing element comprises a number of sub-elements, with the result that the surveillance regions are split up vertically into subzones having slightly different elevation. In a majority of the surveillance regions, the subzones overlap at most only slightly. Human being and animals are distinguished by the amplitude of the sensor signal which is proportional to the number of subzones interrupted by the object in the room under surveillance. The number of sub-elements and correspondingly the number of subzones increases with decreasing radial distance of the respective surveillance region from the detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Buildings Technologies AG
    Inventors: Kurt Müller, Martin Allemann
  • Patent number: 6559449
    Abstract: A planar X-ray detector including an X-ray-electric charge conversion film converting an incident X-ray into an electric charge, a pixel electrode contiguous to the X-ray-electric charge conversion film and arranged for every pixel, and a switching element connected to the pixel electrode. Also included is a signal line connected to the switching element, and a scanning line supplying a driving signal to the switching element. Further, the X-ray-electric charge conversion film contains phosphor particles, a photosensitive material, and a carrier transfer material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mitsushi Ikeda, Masaki Atsuta, Katsuyuki Naito, Akira Kinno, Hitoshi Yagi, Manabu Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6559450
    Abstract: A method of correcting errors in imaging data in a Gamma Camera including determining a first correction map based on one or both of (1) calculated corrections and (2) a first data acquisition, determining a second correction map based on a second data acquisition and correcting the imaging data based on the first and second correction maps. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, error correction is implemented using a neural network. Alternatively, a neural network can be used to perform the entire calculation of event position and/or energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Gideon Berlad, Naor Wainer
  • Patent number: 6559451
    Abstract: A TFT array is formed on a glass substrate (step P1). A surface protection layer is formed on the glass substrate so as to cover the TFT array (step P2). The glass substrate is divided to form active matrix substrates with the surface protection layer being provided (step P3). The divided active matrix substrate is chamfered along its edges (step P4). The surface protection layer is removed from the active matrix substrate (step P5). An X-ray conductive layer is formed on the TFT array where the surface protection layer has been removed (step P6). By these steps, pollutants produced during the division and chamfering of the glass substrate are prevented from polluting the TFT array and the X-ray conductive layer, and the active element array and the semiconductor layer is prevented from deteriorating in terms of performance in manufacturing process for a two-dimensional image detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha, Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Izumi, Osamu Teranuma, Toshinori Yoshimuta, Shinya Hirasawa
  • Patent number: 6559452
    Abstract: An image input apparatus having a plurality of sensors each including a pixel area in which a plurality of pixels are arranged, is provided. The image input apparatus includes: a first group including one or a plurality of pixel areas; and a second group including a plurality of pixel areas arranged adjacently to each other surrounding one or the plurality of pixel areas of the first group, as viewed along an image input direction, wherein the plurality of pixel areas of the second group are arranged nearer to an image input surface than one or the plurality of pixel areas of the first group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kazuaki Tashiro
  • Patent number: 6559453
    Abstract: The present invention relates a method of enhancing contrast information from an x-ray detecting arrangement, when detecting a number of photons in said arrangement comprising at least two adjacently arranged sensors provided on one substrate, each sensor having a corresponding output signal, each of which can be influenced due to shared charge from a photon detected in one of said adjacent sensors, which detected photon indirectly creates an amount of free charges proportional to the photon energy, wherein said influence on said signal is considered by weighting said photon with respect to possible said photon charge-share between said at least two adjacent sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mamea Imaging AB
    Inventor: Mats Lundqvist