Patents Issued in May 6, 2003
  • Patent number: 6559604
    Abstract: A method of the invention for forming a pixel-defining layer on an OLED panel is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ritdisplay Corporation
    Inventors: Tien-Rong Lu, Yih Chang
  • Patent number: 6559605
    Abstract: A synchronous multiple serial-lamps sets includes a plurality of serial or serial and parallel lamp sets; an IC set, an IC set auxiliary part, a power supply connector; and a signal transmission line. The leads connect the lamp sets, IC set, IC set auxiliary part, power supply connector so as to be formed as an integral structure. The power supply connector is connected to a power supply for supplying power to IC set and IC set auxiliary part. In operation, multiple functions are generated, and the lamp sets are operated so that the light emitters are illuminated or extinguished. Any one IC set transmits a signal to each IC set, so as to start or reset each lamp sets and thus they have the same preset electric functions, and thus a function of synchronous operation in a plurality of lamp sets is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventors: Jeng-Shyong Wu, Ming-Tang Lee
  • Patent number: 6559606
    Abstract: A lamp driving system that includes a first impedance and a second impedance coupled to the secondary side of a transformer, where the second impedance has a phase shifted value compared to the first impedance. Two lamp loads are connected in series together, and in parallel to the first and second impedances and to the transformer. The phase shift between the impedances ensures that the transformer need not supply double the striking voltage to strike the series-connected lamps. A difference in the resistance between the first and second impedances ensures that the lamps ignite in a specified sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: O2Micro International Limited
    Inventors: John Chou, Arnel Dela Cruz
  • Patent number: 6559607
    Abstract: The present invention is a microwave excited electrodeless bulb and a process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb. A process of generating ultraviolet light with a microwave excited electrodeless bulb in accordance with the invention includes providing an electrodeless bulb (19) with an envelope (32) containing an ultraviolet emissive material which emits ultraviolet light in response to microwave excitation. The envelope is filled with an ultraviolet emissive material. The envelope has a major internal dimension (30) between ⅓ and ½&lgr; to which a strong field of the microwave excitation is coupled during emission of ultraviolet light with &lgr; being the free space wavelength of the microwave excitation which varies between 2.4 and 2.5 GHz. The strong field is produced by a microwave source having a steady state rated output power of no greater than 0.85 kW. The bulb is rotated at a rotational velocity of at least 20 revolutions per minute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Fusion UV Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Ervin, Pedro A. Lezcano, Miodrac Cekjc
  • Patent number: 6559608
    Abstract: A threshold detector for detecting lamp voltage includes an opto-coupler. The opto-coupler includes a radiation-emitting semiconductor element coupled to a source of a sensed voltage and an optically-coupled radiation-receiving semiconductor element with an impedance which varies with received radiation. A switching element coupled to the radiation-receiving semiconductor element produces a first or second signal, depending on the sensed voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Kurt W. Wicklund, Patrick E. Troy
  • Patent number: 6559609
    Abstract: A raster center control circuit for a CRT-type display device that automatically determines a correct horizontal center position of a raster, regardless of a horizontal sync frequency input from a video card. The raster center control circuit includes a horizontal deflection circuit, electrically connected to a horizontal deflection yoke, to supply the horizontal deflection yoke with a parabolic wave signal used to determine a horizontal center position of the raster. A memory device stores predetermined values for raster control according to horizontal sync signal frequencies. A microprocessor determines a frequency of a horizontal sync signal and generates a raster control signal by converting one of the predetermined values stored in the memory device into a raster control signal according to the predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sang-soo Jo
  • Patent number: 6559610
    Abstract: A continuous wave electron-beam accelerator that accelerates a continuous wave electron beam having a large average current includes an electron beam generator, an electron-beam accelerating unit using a radio-frequency electric field having a frequency of approximately 500 MHz to accelerate an continuous wave electron beam, and electron-beam bending units located across the electron-beam accelerating unit and that bend the continuous wave electron beam a number of times. Each electron-beam bending unit includes divided magnets having identical-polarity magnetic fields, and controls the continuous wave electron beam so that the beam passes through the electron-beam acceleration unit a number of times on almost the same path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6559611
    Abstract: At a starting of a motor which receives an electric power from a generator driven by an engine, an excitation current controller controls an excitation current so as to cause an output frequency of a generator to approach a predetermined frequency which is lower than a rated frequency when an output voltage detected by an output voltage detector is reduced to lower than a first predetermined voltage. Thereafter, the excitation current controller controls the excitation current so as to cause the output voltage of the generator to be the rated voltage when the output voltage detector detects a second predetermined voltage which is higher than the first predetermined voltage. In this way, the load capacity which enables the starting by the engine-driven generator without directly controlling the engine is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Satake Corporation
    Inventors: Satoru Satake, Yukio Hosaka, Hideharu Maruyama, Yuuji Matsumoto, Kiyonori Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 6559612
    Abstract: A system for electronic control of an actuator of an automatic control system in a motor vehicle, has a control unit with at least one control function unit for controlling the actuator as a function of at least one operating parameter at a defined adjusting speed. The control unit has an adjusting rate limiting device assigned to at least one control function unit, for limiting the desired adjusting speed for controlling the actuator defined by the control function unit, to a defined limit value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Goetz Baumgarten
  • Patent number: 6559613
    Abstract: An open end power wrench includes an operating scheme that identifies when the item within the drive socket is an item that should be rotated by the drive socket. The method for controlling the tube nut wrench includes the steps of operating the motor to generate an output torque. The method then measures an angle of rotation through which the drive socket rotates. The angle of rotation is then compared with an angle defined by the clearance opening. The output torque is limited to a minimal torque level when the angle of rotation of the drive socket is less than the angle defined by the clearance opening. The method then increases the output torque to an operating torque level when the angle of rotation of the drive socket exceeds the angle defined by the clearance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: AcraDyne
    Inventors: David J. Elliott, Mark W. Lehnert
  • Patent number: 6559614
    Abstract: An electrical circuit arrangement for controlling a unit, such as an adjustment system for windows or a sliding sunroof, that is driven by a motor and is situated in a motor vehicle. The arrangement guarantees that, in the case of a short-circuit of circuit components, especially a control device operation of a motor is still possible, especially in a preferred direction of motor rotation, whereby the direction of rotation results in an opening of the unit and the short-circuit is caused by salt water for instance. Two circuit-breaker elements that operate the motor in either direction can be directly activated by an allocated circuit device which bypasses a failed control device. The remaining circuit-breaker element is blocked at least when the first circuit-breaker element is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Cassian Kock, Ulrich Hulsmann, Hartmut Paschen
  • Patent number: 6559615
    Abstract: A motor control includes a driver, an inverter, and a controller. The inverter electrically couples an input of the driver, an input of the controller, and a plurality of outputs of the controller. The controller is configured to actuate the driver. The method actuates a motor through the driver and the inverter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Continental Teves, Inc.
    Inventor: Lalit Sethi
  • Patent number: 6559616
    Abstract: A motor rotational pulse generating circuit for a motor is provided which generates a correct pulse signal even at an initial turning-on stage of the motor, by adjusting a filter cutoff frequency in response to motor rotational condition. The motor rotational pulse generating circuit includes a rotational pulse generation circuit 20 which generates ripple pulses based on a signal being inputted from the DC motor 1, in which a ripple is superposed whose frequency is in proportion to a rotation number of the DC motor 1. A filter 3 makes a cutoff frequency variable on the basis of a clock signal issued from a PLL circuit 6. An oscillation frequency at an oscillator VCO10 is determined by the ripple pulses and a motor rotation condition signal inputted by way of circuits 12 to 16 inclusive. A microcomputer 20 operates, when the motor is turned on, to cause the oscillator VCO10 to issue a preliminary clock signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Aoki, Nobuyasu Kimura, Hideyuki Kanie, Hitoshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6559617
    Abstract: A method for reducing a torque ripple of a Switched Reluctance Motor for detecting a position of the rotor using a position detection sensor, designing a pulse width if a position detection signal as an optimum one and decreasing a torque ripple of the motor by adjusting a duty rate of the pulse width modulation signal comprises the steps of setting a pulse width of a position detection signal in accordance with a position detection result of a motor rotor, outputting a signal for controlling of each phase in synchronization with a rising and falling edge of the position detection signal, and varying and outputting a duty rate of a pulse width modulation signal from the moment that a falling edge of the position detection signal is detected thus to have advantage of decreasing more than fifty percents of the torque ripple.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6559618
    Abstract: A system and a method of vector sensorless control for electrical drives with induction motors, based on the generation of a high frequency rotating magnetic field which, by composing with the main magnetic field, produces a change of the saturation level as a function of the relative positions taken during the motion. Variation of the saturation level produces a modulation of the zero sequence component of the stator voltage, which is used to evaluate the position of the main field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Universita Degli Studi di Catania
    Inventors: Alfio Consoli, Giuseppe Scarcella, Antonio Testa
  • Patent number: 6559619
    Abstract: An improved energy controller that increases the electrical efficiency of AC induction motors and electrical lights that is comprised of a microcontroller integrated with a signal control circuit to regulate the amount of the input line A/C signal that passes from the input the to electrical device. The microcontroller includes circuitry to measure the phase of the voltage and current of the input A/C signal and the shift of the phase across the motor or electric light. Using this phase difference, the microcontroller can determine the power factor and regulate the amount of power provided to the electric motor or light in response to changes in loading on the motor or light. The energy controller includes software that enables the microcontroller to provide a soft-start for induction motors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Daniel G. Bach
  • Patent number: 6559620
    Abstract: A method and a system for remotely monitoring a person includes a portable unit including a self-recharging battery, the portable unit being adapted to monitor a biological parameter and a physical location of the person; a global positioning satellite transmitting global positioning system (GPS) data to the portable unit; and a central unit disposed remotely from the portable unit, the central unit being in communication with the portable unit via a ground station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Digital Angel Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Y. Zhou, Dexing Pang
  • Patent number: 6559621
    Abstract: A system and method for improving the performance of a hybrid power supply apparatus comprising a power generating device, such as a fuel cell, and a primary energy storage device, such as a battery. The purpose of the invention is to provide an equalization charge to the battery from a source other than the fuel cell when the battery achieves a predetermined state of charge condition, thereby avoiding the need to operate the fuel cell in a low power output mode. When the predetermined state of charge condition is detected by a controller, the fuel cell is shut-down. In one aspect of the invention the equalization charge is provided to the battery by a secondary energy storage device, such as a plurality of capacitors or secondary batteries. The predetermined state of charge condition may be satisfied, for example, when the state of charge of the battery exceeds a predetermined threshold, such as 80% of the battery's storage capacity, for a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cellex Power Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Adrian J. Corless, David Leboe
  • Patent number: 6559622
    Abstract: The system includes an enable signal applied to an output AND element. A comparator compares the voltage ratio of selected measured and calculated phase-to-phase or single phase voltages against a threshold value. An AND gate is responsive to a high signal from the comparator and indications of a three pole open condition, a single pole open condition for selected poles, and a loss of potential condition. A high output from the AND gate is applied to a timer, which produces a high output for a short period of time, which controls the output element. The output element provides a blocking signal for the protective elements under particular conditions and a permissive signal under other conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph B. Mooney
  • Patent number: 6559623
    Abstract: A method and circuit are shown for controlling an in-rush current to a voltage regulator circuit. A sense transistor is coupled in parallel with a pass transistor of the voltage regulator circuit and used to monitor the current through the pass transistor. A sense current through the sense transistor is converted to a voltage signal and input to an amplifier along with a ramping voltage signal generated in response to a circuit activation signal. An output of the amplifier drives a control gate of a current source that sources current to gate terminals of both the pass transistor and the sense transistor. A limiting circuit also monitors the sense current and sinks current from the control terminal of the current source in order to limit a maximum current through the pass transistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Integration Associates Inc.
    Inventor: Matthijs D. Pardoen
  • Patent number: 6559624
    Abstract: In a voltage converter, a voltage-controlled switching device of a power stage receives a control signal and operates accordingly at a switch-ON mode, where the control signal is a high-level signal, and a switch-OFF mode, where the control signal is a low-level signal. A comparator compares a trigger signal and an input signal associated with an output signal outputted by the power stage, and outputs the control signal, wherein the control signal is the high-level signal when the trigger signal is greater than the input signal, and wherein the control signal is the low-level signal when the trigger signal is less than the input signal. A trigger circuit receives a reference voltage and the control signal, and supplies the trigger signal to enable the comparator to output a periodic pulse signal that serves as the control signal such that the voltage-controlled switch device is activated periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Kuan Hong
  • Patent number: 6559625
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a circuit arrangement with an inductive load and a buck converter, wherein the inductive load serves as coil, as well as to an electrical appliance with such a circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Dirk Freund, Martin Giersiepen, Brigitte Harttmann, Ulrich Heck, Stefan Hollinger, Frank Kressmann, Gerrit Rönneberg, Fred Schnak, Dieter Wunder
  • Patent number: 6559626
    Abstract: A voltage detection circuit detects a regulator output voltage. A current detection circuit detects a regulator output current. A first amplifier circuit generates a voltage error signal in response to a command output voltage level indicative of a target value of the regulator output voltage, and in response to the detected regulator output voltage. A second amplifier circuit generates a current limiting signal in response to a command limit current level indicative of a limit value of the regulator output current, and in response to the detected regulator output current. A device controls the regulator output current in response to a control current. A first transistor provided in a flow path for the control current is driven in response to the voltage error signal. A second transistor provided in the flow path and connected in series with the first transistor is driven in response to the current limiting signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Masakiyo Horie
  • Patent number: 6559627
    Abstract: A voltage regulator having a comparator with an output terminal that is the output of the regulator, terminals for connection to a voltage supply, a source of a reference voltage connected to an input terminal of the comparator, and a feedback circuit connected between the output terminal and the other input terminal of the comparator. To prevent transients upon the transition from the standby state to the active state, there is provided a second reference-voltage source that provides a reference voltage substantially equal to that of the first source, a switch for connecting the second source to the other input terminal of the comparator, and a control circuit that can activate the supply of the regulator and can close the switch for a predetermined period of time when the supply of the regulator is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Osama Khouri, Ilaria Motta, Rino Micheloni, Guido Torelli
  • Patent number: 6559628
    Abstract: A high voltage regulation circuit, in which an output voltage is regulated by the resistance distribution method using a differential amplifier during a normal state but by having a current flow through both ends of the resistors of a high voltage regulator when a noise is inputted thereto. The present invention includes a high voltage regulation part regulating a high voltage by having a constant current flow through both ends of resistors of a high voltage regulator when a noise is inputted thereto, a high voltage level detection part controlling a high voltage regulation operation by detecting that an output voltage is reduced to a level equal to or lower than a predetermined level, and a current mirror part providing the high voltage regulation part with a constant current by being equipped with a current source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Hynix Semiconductor, Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 6559629
    Abstract: A voltage monitor having a bandgap reference circuit driven by a voltage to be monitored. The bandgap reference circuit produces a voltage and a second voltage that each vary with the voltage to be monitored. The magnitudes of these voltages are compared by an open loop comparator to provide a high speed output state. The output of the voltage monitor can be used to monitor a supply voltage and produce a reset signal to a processor if the supply voltage falls to a magnitude below a specified threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Cygnal Integrated Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth W. Fernald
  • Patent number: 6559630
    Abstract: A method of measuring frequency samples a waveform, calculates waveform voltages based on an initial time base and adjust the time base for a particular waveform to determine the actual frequency of the measured AC power. A microprocessor can be used to implement the method so a small quantity of electronic elements is required, and the manufacturing cost is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Phoenixtec Power Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chia-Ming Tsai
  • Patent number: 6559631
    Abstract: An electricity meter which, in one embodiment, includes a temperature sensing unit for determining a signal representative of the temperature within the meter is described. In the one embodiment, the meter includes a current sensor, a voltage sensor and a processing unit. The current sensor generates an signal representative of a line current and the voltage sensor generates a signal representative of a line voltage. The current and voltage sensor and temperature sensing unit outputs are coupled to the processing unit. The processing unit includes an analog to digital (A/D) converter, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microcomputer. The digital outputs of the A/D converter are connected to the DSP. The outputs of the DSP are connected to the microcomputer. Temperature characteristics of the meter are stored within the DSP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Richard A. Balch, David D. Elmore
  • Patent number: 6559632
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining linear and angular velocity of a moving body. A magnet is attached or fixed to the body, the velocity of which is to be determined. The apparatus comprises a sensor comprising a core of magnetic material and a coil wound about the core. The movement of the body and magnet relative to the core effects a time-varying magnetic field between the magnet and the core thereby producing Barkhausen effect time-varying voltage signals in the coil. The apparatus further comprises a system for detecting and processing the time-varying voltage signals so as to effect a transformation of the signals into data defining the velocity of the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Theodore R. Anderson, Edward R. Javor
  • Patent number: 6559633
    Abstract: A speed sensing seal with a first support member, a second support member, a magnetic elastomer member, a sensor member and an elastomeric seal member is disclosed. The magnetic elastomeric member with alternating adjacent poles is formed on the first support member and the sensor member is attached to an aperture in the second support member and overmolded with a layer of elastomer. The first and second support members are formed in the unitized body to form an internal cavity which contains the sensor, magnetic member, and the elastomeric seal. The first support member has a low wear surface to reduce initial seal failures and to enhance seal life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Freudenberg-NOK General Partnership
    Inventors: Daniel Nachtigal, Casimir R. Kiczek
  • Patent number: 6559634
    Abstract: In a vehicle wheel rotation detecting system, a signal input portion of an ECU accurately detects a vehicle wheel speed and a rotating direction of the vehicle wheel speed of the respective wheels. On the basis of the detected results, the respective computers are operated to perform ABS control, TC control and VSC control. When a computing result of the vehicle wheel speed is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a change in the rotating direction is inhibited. This may prevent an error in the result of detection of the wheel rotating direction owing to an external magnetic filed and the like so as to further optimize the vehicle state control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Noritaka Yamada
  • Patent number: 6559635
    Abstract: This invention is a method for nondestructively determining the deterioration of determining ferromagnetic materials by quantifying the change in brittleness with aging of the materials. This invention supposes acquirement of an embrittlement coefficient b by measuring a magnetic susceptibility &khgr;b of ferromagnetic materials under a magnetic field having a specified intensity H. And the coefficient b of the ferromagnetic materials is calculated by putting the intensity H and the susceptibility &khgr;b into an equation: b=&khgr;bH2. By the coefficient b, a correlation between the coefficient b and a referenced embrittlement factor of materials like said determining materials is obtained previously. The coefficient b of the determining materials in the initial and the deteriorated states is acquired. The factor corresponding to the coefficient b is obtained from the correlation. It is possible to quantify the change by comparing the values of the factor in the initial and deteriorated states.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Iwate University
    Inventor: Seiki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6559636
    Abstract: A modular waveguide assembly for use in a position sensor promotes efficient manufacturing, and can be tested and handled separately from the electronics module of the sensor. The waveguide assembly includes a channel having an opening extending along its length, a waveguide located within the channel, a conductor located within the channel, and a mode converter, such as a coil, located within the channel and positioned to generate an electrical signal from a signal traveling along the waveguide. A damping material can be inserted into the channel opening and around a portion of the waveguide such that the material adheres to the waveguide. Preferably, the damping material is at least initially partially flowable, and is then cured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Balluff, Inc.
    Inventors: Arwed Brunsch, Ernst Ehling, Martin Kurz, Jürgen Petrik
  • Patent number: 6559637
    Abstract: A non-contact sensor for sensing a rotational position of a rotating object is provided. A ring-shaped permanent magnet magnetized in the axial direction is sandwiched between two pairs of magnetic plates from above and below. Two pairs of upper and lower protruded magnetic substance portions are provided between the upper and lower magnetic plates at opposite outer ends thereof. Magnetic sensitive devices are inserted in air gaps between the two pairs of upper and lower protruded magnetic substance portions. A magnetic flux generated from the ring-shaped permanent magnet is substantially concentrated to the protruded magnetic substance portions and passes the magnetic sensitive devices. The amount of magnetic flux passing each magnetic sensitive device is substantially proportional to the rotational angle of the ring-shaped permanent magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Miyata, Satoshi Shimada, Fumio Tajima, Toshifumi Usui, Masanori Kubota
  • Patent number: 6559638
    Abstract: A magnetic position detector includes a soft magnetic target wheel, a magnetic sensor and a permanent magnet. The invention includes magnetoresistive sensors in several geometrical configurations of the target wheel, the sensor and the magnet. All configurations result in a big change of direction of the magnetic field at the location of the sensor as a result of a rotation of the target wheel. The configurations have in common that the direction of the magnetic field at the location of the sensor, as generated by the permanent magnet, is predominantly in the plane of the sensor surface, both when the sensor is next to a slot and next to a tooth of the target wheel, the surface of the sensor being substantially normal to the direction of movement of the target wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Derk J. Adelerhof
  • Patent number: 6559639
    Abstract: A permeability estimation technique for use with spin echo signals that are received from a sample includes summing indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals. The results of the summing are used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination. The products of indications of the amplitudes of the spin echo signals may be summed, and the results of the summing may be used to determine an indication of a permeability of the sample, without using a distribution of relaxation times in the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Chanh Cao Minh, Nicholas J. Heaton, Abdurrahman Sezginer
  • Patent number: 6559640
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for making NMR measurements uses an electromagnet for producing the static magnetic field. When used in well logging applications, the absence of a strong permanent magnet eliminates almost completely the amount of ferromagnetic debris picked up on the logging tool when passed through casing. The absence of debris results in the static magnetic field being substantially in conformance with design. The electromagnet is designed to give a static field of 0.6-6 mT (10-100 times the earth's magnetic field). Free induction decay or spin echo measurements may be made to give low resolution measurements of bulk properties of earth formations. The same coil configuration may be used to estimate body fat measurements of a human body. An alternate embodiment of the invention uses a capacitive discharge through an electromagnet with a time varying magnetic field with the receiver operating at a different frequency from the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Gersh Zvi Taicher
  • Patent number: 6559641
    Abstract: In a method for the operation of a magnetic resonance tomography apparatus having a gradient system and a radio-frequency system that, among other things, serve for location coding, a region to be imaged in an examination subject is placed in an imaging volume of the apparatus. Image datasets of at least parts of the region to be imaged are generated in a time sequence. A positional change of at least a part of the region to be imaged with respect to the imaging volume is determined by a comparison of at least a first image dataset to a second image dataset that have been generated in chronological succession. A location coding is adapted corresponding to the identified positional change for at least one image dataset that is generated following the compared image datasets in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Stefan Thesen
  • Patent number: 6559642
    Abstract: Calibration data is acquired during a prescan in an MRI system from each local coil in a coil array. The calibration data is used to calculate a sensitivity matrix S which is employed in a SENSE technique to reconstruct an MR image acquired with the same local coils.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Kevin F. King
  • Patent number: 6559643
    Abstract: For the purpose of restraining an effect of residual magnetization caused by a previous MR imaging pulse sequence on an MR image, a demagnetizing gradient pulse sequence RS1-RS4 is applied prior to an MR imaging pulse sequence to cancel the residual magnetization caused by the previous MR imaging pulse sequence and reduce the residual magnetization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: Mitsuharu Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 6559644
    Abstract: Magnetic resonance temperature change monitoring of a heated portion of a tissue mass undergoing thermal treatment is more accurately accomplished by compensating for false temperature change measurements caused by movement of the mass and/or temporal changes of the magnetic field during the thermal MR Imaging, wherein the compensation is based on subtracting out “apparent temperature change” measurements of one or more unheated portions of the tissue mass located in a neighborhood of the heated portion, which form a temperature bias map of the tissue mass region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: InSightec - TxSonics Ltd.
    Inventors: David Froundlich, Yerucham Shapira
  • Patent number: 6559645
    Abstract: Transceiver and methods are included that are especially suitable for detecting metallic materials, such as metallic mines, within an environment. The transceiver includes a digital waveform generator used to transmit a signal into the environment and a receiver that produces a digital received signal. A tracking module preferably compares an in-phase and quadrature transmitted signal with an in-phase and quadrature received signal to produce a spectral transfer function of the magnetic transceiver over a selected range of frequencies. The transceiver initially preferably creates a reference transfer function which is then stored in a memory. Subsequently measured transfer functions will vary depending on the presence of metal in the environment which was not in the environment when the reference transfer function was determined. The system may be utilized in the presence of other antennas, metal, and electronics which may comprise a plastic mine detector for detecting plastic mines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: G. Dickey Arndt, Phong H. Ngo, James R. Carl, Kent A. Byerly, John Dusl
  • Patent number: 6559646
    Abstract: Establishing a location of at least a portion of a particular path taken by a boring tool uses a portable locator and information generating arrangement for generating a set of positional information characterizing a position of the boring tool relative to a locating position. A transmitter arrangement transmits an electromagnetic signal from the boring tool and a sensing arrangement including less than five spaced-apart sensors at the portable locator senses the electromagnetic signal at a series of spaced-apart reference locations along a reference path, associated one-for-one with spaced-apart measuring locations of the boring tool, for locator movement along the particular path, so each reference location is determined by an associated measuring location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Digital Control Incorporated
    Inventor: John E. Mercer
  • Patent number: 6559647
    Abstract: The present invention related generally to a method for determining spark plug malfunction and more particularly to a method for determining spark plug malfunction in an internal combustion engine in which at least two spark plugs are disposed in each cylinder. In a dual plug configuration, a spark plug malfunction is detected by disabling one of the spark plugs during a test period in a particular cylinder. A misfire provides an indication of malfunction of the other spark plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Karl Bidner, Lynn Edward Davison, William Najib Mansur
  • Patent number: 6559648
    Abstract: In power circuit breakers including a current transformer with a current detection coil without any iron and including an integration circuit connected downstream from the current detection coil, the unavoidable time constant of the integration circuit can lead to spurious trappings. This is avoided by a method in which the instantaneous values of the current are detected and stored at defined periodic intervals. The stored measured values are compared on the basis of polarity and magnitude. If it is found that the stored values have the same polarity and fall monotonally, it is assumed that the DC element is originating from the integrator and a tripping inhibit signal is set in the electronic release of the power circuit breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Baumgaertl, Manfred Schiller
  • Patent number: 6559649
    Abstract: A connector assembly for removing static electricity generated in high-speed communication cable as a result of tribocharging is described. The invention is realized with a typical high-speed cable having a connector provided with a dissipative medium and at least one conductive pad. Static electricity on the jacket material of the cable induces a charge in the cable wires, which is bled to the pads via the dissipative medium. The charge on the pad is then grounded prior to or as the cable is connected to a cable jack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventors: Edward W. Deleu, Min-Chung Jon, Vito Palazzo
  • Patent number: 6559650
    Abstract: A probe interface for an RF probe head improves the dissipation of heat resulting from RF power. The interface includes a conductor for transmitting RF power to a plasma chamber, and a sensing board for generating an analog signal based on the RF power. An electrically insulative bushing is disposed between the conductor and the sensing board, where the bushing is thermally conductive such that the bushing dissipates heat resulting from the RF power. By enabling the bushing to be thermally conductive, thermal instability is reduced and the overall RF power handling capacity increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: ENI Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Coumou
  • Patent number: 6559651
    Abstract: A method includes locating an open in a conductive line of an insulated conductor surrounded by an insulative sheath. In accordance with one embodiment, the insulated conductor is beneath an earthen surface and a locator signal and carrier signal including synchronization are introduced into the conductive line. A ground current is capacitively transmitted from capacitive points along the conductive line across the insulative sheath to a ground reference in response to the locator and carrier signals. A ground locator signal and a ground carrier signal are received in response to the ground current flowing past a pickup positioned in electrical communication with earth at a downstream point proximal to one of the capacitive points. The ground locator signal has a real component and a quadrature component and the ground carrier signal has real and quadrature synchronization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Inventor: Robert G. Crick
  • Patent number: 6559652
    Abstract: The method of correcting measurements is intended to limit the risk of unnecessary tripping of a differential phase current protection system that computes the vector sum of the currents of an area to determine the differential current between the inputs and outputs of said area in the course of regular tests. It is based on a statistical balancing method using measured current vectors each obtained from a measurement of the real current vector supplied at the time of each test by a current transformer, and it uses at the time of at least one test an iterative convergence algorithm for determining from the erroneous differential current vector formed by the sum of the measured current vectors the correction vector to be applied to each measured current vector in order to correct statistically the erroneous differential current vector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Alstom
    Inventor: Jean-Jacques Carrillo
  • Patent number: 6559653
    Abstract: A three-wire sensor interface for field wiring of conventional on/off type control sensors that delivers power to the sensor, provides a normally open control output from the sensor and, concurrently, provides a normally closed control output from the sensor. The sensor interface includes a plurality of external terminals including a normally open external terminal for electrically connecting to zero, one, or more normally open load devices to control the operation of the normally open load device, and a normally closed external terminal for electrically connecting to zero, one, or more normally closed load devices to control the operation of the normally closed load device. A plurality of interface terminals are preferably electrically coupled between the sensor interface and the sensor and include a normally open control terminal and a normally closed control terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: Becs Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Macke, Sr., Roger D. Chamberlain