Patents Issued in September 30, 2003
  • Patent number: 6625996
    Abstract: In a communication control system for an air conditioner including an outdoor unit, plural indoor units and control equipment such as a remote controller, etc. which is connected to each indoor unit through a communication line, data communication being carried out between each indoor unit and the control equipment through the communication line, each indoor unit is equipped with a communication control device having a power source circuit 59 to which a power source voltage is supplied from a main power source, a communication superposing circuit for superposing communication data on the power source voltage, a transistor 54 for ON/OFF-controlling the supply of the power source voltage from the main power source to the communication superposing circuit, and a polarity coincidence circuit 63A that passes the output of the communication superposing circuit therethrough to the communication line and depolarizes the power source voltage from the external.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Seiji Nakajima, Takaharu Tenma, Eiji Oohashi
  • Patent number: 6625997
    Abstract: An automotive air conditioning system is provided comprising a duct for introducing a flow of air into a vehicle cabin, a closed-loop refrigeration circuit including a condenser and an evaporator, a temperature sensor arrange in the duct for measuring the temperature of the evaporator, and a control unit for selectively commanding operation of the system in accordance with the measured temperature of the evaporator. In a preferred embodiment, the temperature sensor comprises an infrared (IR) temperature sensor that is remotely positioned downstream of the evaporator such that the sensor can measure the temperature of a downstream surface of the evaporator. The use of an infrared temperature sensor allows the temperature of substantially the entire downstream surface of the evaporator to be measured instead of a small finite area of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick K. Schultz
  • Patent number: 6625998
    Abstract: In a refrigerator, in order to provide a device for controlling a cooling air supply of a refrigerator which is capable of regularly maintaining a temperature distribution inside a chilling chamber in a short time by intensively discharging cooling air to a part having a relatively high temperature when a temperature of the part inside the chilling chamber rises due to lots of preserved foods, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Bae Kim, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Patent number: 6625999
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system configured to cool a compartment is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ziqiang Hu, Alexander Rafalovich
  • Patent number: 6626000
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigeration system for an air conditioner of an automobile, the system having at least a gas cooler, an evaporator, and an expansion valve assembly. The expansion valve assembly is provided with an expansion chamber that is in fluid communication with the gas cooler and the evaporator. A valve defines an opening from the expansion chamber to the outlet conduit and a diaphragm defines another boundary of the expansion chamber. An appendage at least partially located within the expansion chamber. A variable-force mechanism is adapted to cause movement of an appendage coupled thereto, and it is at least partially controlled by an electrical signal. An appendage is moved by the variable-force mechanism, resulting in throttling of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Joseph Meyer, Erik Lundberg
  • Patent number: 6626001
    Abstract: A clutch of the compressor is selectively engaged and disengaged by a coaction of an engine ECU and an air-conditioning ECU. If an air-conditioning system operating switch is detected as being turned on after a startup of an engine is detected, the clutch is changed from an off-state to an on-state to actuate the compressor to discharge a liquid refrigerant therefrom on the condition that an engine coolant temperature is higher than a reference engine coolant temperature. When the engine coolant temperature is higher than the reference engine coolant temperature, e.g., 40° C., the liquid refrigerant stored in the compressor is discharged of its own accord, and hence the amount of the liquid refrigerant stored in the compressor becomes small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masanari Hamachi, Akihiko Hayashi
  • Patent number: 6626002
    Abstract: In a motor driving unit controlled by switching to/from PWM control from/to PAM control so that the maximum limit of motor speed can be increased and, at the same time, the unit can be operated at maximum efficiency during steady-state operation, the motor speed is controlled by maintaining the DC voltage command to the converter control circuit constant, but altering the conduction ratio command value to the inverter control circuit when the load to the motor is low, and by maintaining the conduction ratio command to the inverter control circuit constant, but altering the DC voltage command to the converter control circuit. There is a commutating phase control circuit that alters the commutating timing of the coil of the motor, and the motor is so controlled that the efficiency reaches the maximum limit during steady-state operation and the speed reaches the maximum limit during high-speed operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Notohara, Yukio Kawabata, Kazuo Tahara, Makoto Ishii, Yuhachi Takakura, Hiroshi Shinozaki
  • Patent number: 6626003
    Abstract: Process for air conditioning of the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle by means of an air conditioning system (7) using solar power which is obtained via at least one solar module (1) which is attached to the motor vehicle, especially on the motor vehicle roof, and which is also used for charging a battery (4) of the motor vehicle, in which the solar power is used additionally or alternatively to charge the motor vehicle battery (4), and also to operate a ventilation system (6) when the vehicle is unoccupied, and in which the air conditioning system (7) is activated prior to entry of a passenger into the passenger compartment, the air conditioning system being operated so as to draw most of its power from the motor vehicle battery (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Josef Kortüm, Reinhard Wecker
  • Patent number: 6626004
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a defroster for an evaporator of a refrigerator. A defrosting heater 34 is installed close to a refrigerant tube 32 in which a refrigerant flows. The defrosting heater 34 is constructed to generate different amounts of heat according to positions in an evaporator 30. To this end, a hot wire 44 of the defrosting heater 34 has different wound pitches according to the positions in the evaporator 30. For example, the pitch of the hot wire 44 on an inlet side through which air that has circulated in the refrigerator is introduced toward the evaporator 30 is set to be small in order to generate a relatively large amount of heat. Since air that has circulated in a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator entrains a relatively large amount of moisture, the pitch of the hot wire 44 is relatively small at a region in the evaporator 30 by which air that has circulated in the refrigerating chamber passes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 6626005
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for cold carbonation are provided in which a carbonator (13) having one or more segments is provided within a relatively horizontal cold plate (12). A sensor (14) is provided that can be accessed from a side of a dispenser (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Lancer Partnership, Ltd.
    Inventor: Alfred A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6626006
    Abstract: An adjustable, removable shelving system for separating items stored in a cooler from ice or water in the cooler, including: (a) at least one generally flat, rectangular-shaped, one-piece, stackable, generally horizontally oriented shelf; (b) a number of generally circular, spaced-apart apertures in the shelf; (c) a number of evenly spaced, same-sized stationary legs projecting down from the shelf; and (d) a plurality of same-sized, reversible leg extensions, each including a projection on one end of the leg extension, which extends in the same direction as the remainder of the leg extension, each of the leg extensions further comprising a bore in an opposite end; wherein the projection of the leg extension is closely insertable in one of the apertures of the shelf, and a portion of the stationary leg is closely insertable in the bore of a leg extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Carl Kenneth Tedder
  • Patent number: 6626007
    Abstract: In order to ensure that a braising material applied onto the surface of a header pipe does not enter communicating passages for coolant intake/outlet at a connecting block during the furnace braising process implemented to weld the connecting block utilized to connect a liquid tank to the header pipe, pipe-like projections are formed at the pair of communicating passages for coolant intake/outlet formed at the connecting block for liquid tank connection on the side where the header pipe is connected and the pipe-like projections inserted at holes of the header pipe clad with a braising material are welded to a condenser to constitute an integrated part thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Zexel Valeo Climate Control Corporation
    Inventors: Yuichi Matsuzaki, Yoshihisa Eto, Isao Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6626008
    Abstract: A cryogenic rectification system for producing low purity oxygen from an auxiliary column to a double column system wherein the auxiliary column is reboiled by fluid taken from an intermediate level of the higher pressure column or by a portion of cooled feed air which is cold compressed to a higher pressure prior to the reboiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil Mark Prosser, Minish Mahendra Shah
  • Patent number: 6626009
    Abstract: Illuminated jewelry having a fastening mechanism that allows illuminated jewelry to be worn in either an energized or de-energized state. In the preferred embodiment, the jewelry takes the form of a necklace with an illuminated pendant. First and second electrical leads allow the necklace to be worn around the neck of a user. Each of the leads includes a connector at its distal end. Preferably, the connectors are electrical connectors with two coupling orientations. In the first orientation, the circuit is energized and illuminated. In the second orientation, the circuit is de-energized and not illuminated. Thus, the necklace can be worn around a user's neck in either an illuminated or non-illuminated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Calypso Worldwide Marketing, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen K. Ohlund
  • Patent number: 6626010
    Abstract: A method of floating glass gobs by means of a gas flow. A method of manufacturing glass gobs by floating a molten glass gob and simultaneously cooling it. A method of manufacturing glass spheres by floating a softened glass gob and simultaneously rendering it spherical. These methods employ a device having a depression for floating and holding a glass gob or the like, with a gas flow being supplied along all or part of the inner surface of the depression from the opening side of the depression toward the bottom. A manufacturing method comprising the steps of adjusting a glass gob to a temperature suited to press molding while floating said glass gob by means of a gas flow injected along part or all of the depression-shaped forming surface of a lower mold from the opening side of the lower mold toward the bottom of the lower mold; and a step of press forming the glass gob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hoya Corporation
    Inventor: Masahiro Yoshida
  • Patent number: 6626011
    Abstract: The invention provides a monomode optical fiber and a monomode preform (2) having a mother preform (22) housed in an outer sleeve tube (20). It is characterized in that it also includes an intermediate tube (21) between the mother preform (22) and the outer tube (20), the intermediate tube (21) possessing viscosity at fiber-drawing temperature which is less than the viscosity(ies) at fiber-drawing temperature of the mother preform (22) and of the outer tube (20). The invention also provides a method of manufacturing a monomode optical fiber. The fiber has a core that is better centered and less deformed than in the prior art. An application of the invention lies in making an optical amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventors: Frédéric Chiquet, Marylise Le Thuaut, Jean-Jacques Girard, Pascal Baniel
  • Patent number: 6626012
    Abstract: The invention concerns a knitting machine comprising two needle beds for guiding knitting needles, means for selecting said knitting needles, carriages for moving the selected knitting needles and members guiding the knitting thread. The method consists in arranging the needle beds so that the needles of a needle bed in their normal knitting travel do not cross the needles of the other needle bed, in moving the carriage in one direction along each needle bed, the displacement directions of said carriages along their respective needle beds being opposite relative to each other and in transferring the thread from the needles of one needle bed to those of the other needle beds, each time said thread reaches the end of the selected needles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventors: Anton Percy Spielmann, William Steven Spielmann
  • Patent number: 6626013
    Abstract: A washing machine in which a plurality of display image parts (ID=0 to 9) are disposed and displayed, on the basis of a display/arrangement structure, on the display surface of a display unit in which a transparent pressure-type touch panel is mounted, so as to form a display/operation unit which enables display and operation/instruction by depression. Thus, a user can change the layout of the display/operation unit and washing operations freely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Ohta, Toshifumi Koike, Yosuke Nagano, Katuhumi Takagishi
  • Patent number: 6626014
    Abstract: A compact drive apparatus for a front-loading laundry treatment machine includes a support having a projection and a rear face, a shaft having an axis, a laundry drum having a rear wall, and a motor having magnetic poles and a stator with field windings and laminated cores. The laundry drum is mounted substantially horizontally on the support through the shaft. The rear wall has a bell-shaped depression with an inner circumference. The depression extends in a direction of the longitudinal axis and accommodates the projection. The motor is disposed on the rear face and directly drives the shaft. The laminated cores are disposed on the projection, and the magnetic poles are distributed on the inner circumference and are disposed externally opposite the laminated cores to accommodate the field windings with an air gap therebetween. Preferably, the projection is a bell-shaped flange of the support or of the rear wall of the support to surround the shaft as a bearing sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Reinhard Heyder, Jörg Skrippek
  • Patent number: 6626015
    Abstract: A dyeing machine comprises multiple dyeing beakers, a rotating support assembly mounting the beakers, a frame mounting the support assembly for moving the beakers about an axis of rotation, and a dye coupling on the frame for receipt of dye and other chemicals from a dye source. At least one beaker is provided with a dosing hose mounted on the rotating support assembly for supplying the beaker with a dye and other chemicals during movement of the rotating support assembly. In addition, a receiving end of the dosing hose is in fluid communication with the dye coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Applied Color Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Lev Rapoport, Leonard D. Butler
  • Patent number: 6626016
    Abstract: A secure, anti-theft, tamper resistant locking device for 5th wheel type trailer hitch pins which conceals the padlock and the hinge inside a solid block of aluminum, which is placed around the 2″ pin of the 5th wheel trailer, thus denying access to the hitch pin for towing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Kathy Ann Nilges
  • Patent number: 6626017
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for an air handling duct which includes a plurality of interconnected modules which together made up the duct. The locking mechanism includes a male retainer contained on a frame member of a first module, with the male retainer having a locking arm adapted to be moved from an unlocked position to a locked position. A complementary female retainer is contained on a frame member of a second module, with the female retainer being in the form of an elongated keyway designed to receive and hold the locking arm in a locked position. Means are provided to move the arm from an unlocked position to a locked position when the male and female retainers are in alignment for locking the modules together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Christian C. Herbeck, Michael W. Austin, Walker A. Johnson, Jr., Timothy E. Ruhl, Peter J. Hoch
  • Patent number: 6626018
    Abstract: A lock mechanism for use with lever handles includes a lock core and a latch mechanism that is rigidly connected to the lock core to prevent the lock core from rotating in the door. Through-bolts are not needed, allowing a small diameter rose to be used. Stops and a spring return mechanism are entirely located within the lock core, allowing the rose to be thin. The lock core defines the rest position for the lever handles at an angle slightly above horizontal. To avoid the necessity for producing different locks in left and right-hand configurations, the lock core is made substantially symmetrical about a vertical plane, instead of a horizontal plane, and the inner and outer sides of the lock mechanism can be interchanged. A heavy-duty locking piece, including a pair of locking lugs that directly engage the lock core near its inner perimeter, allow the lock to withstand abusive forces applied through the lever handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Sargent Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Darren C. Eller, David A. Sorensen, Todd C. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 6626019
    Abstract: An improved cover assembling structure of a key ring, the key ring has a main body being provided respectively on an upper and a lower surface thereof with recesses that are provided at middle peripheral sections of the lateral sides of the main body with notches, at least an insertion hole is provided at each middle section of the recesses of the upper and lower surfaces. The upper and lower covers have contours in coincidence with those of the recesses, and have lateral wing pieces for inserting into the notches. Thereby, the upper and lower covers can be inserted into the recesses; insertion stubs provided on the upper and lower covers are insertion engaged with the insertion holes on the main body to complete assembling of the key ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Chin-Lin Huang
  • Patent number: 6626020
    Abstract: A method of producing a vibration-isolating bushing with which it is possible to secure a larger area of the edge surface of an inner cylinder than in the prior art method. In upsetting one extremity of the inner cylinder by cold plastic working, after a rubber elastomer is secured to the outer circumference of the inner cylinder by vulcanization molding, as a jig for pressing onto the edge surface of the inner cylinder, an upsetting jig whose top surface is flat is used and the top surface of the jig is pressed onto the edge surface of the inner cylinder while causing the jig to gyrate on a conical orbit centering the axis of the inner cylinder, whereby the outside diameter only of the extremity is enlarged while suppressing the enlarging of the inside diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kawada, Hiroaki Takahashi, Hideo Tadano
  • Patent number: 6626021
    Abstract: An oil pan includes an oil reservoir and a pair of side walls facing the reservoir. A bulge is formed in each side wall. Each bulge defines an oil sub chamber connected to the oil reservoir. The bulges are formed integrally with the side walls by deforming the side walls outward. In other words, the bulges are not fastened to the side wall but are part of it. The oil pan is therefore easily and inexpensively formed by pressing. Further, since there is no joint between each bulge and the side wall, the oil pan has improved strength and durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Okuda, Koji Tsuiki, Manabu Hayano
  • Patent number: 6626022
    Abstract: A double-acting or single-acting mechanical forging press has an eccentric drive acting on the entire ram or an outer ram member and a toggle mechanism which acts on an inner ram, e.g. via removable pins so that, when the pins are removed, the toggle mechanism is decoupled from the inner ram member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: SMS Eumuco GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Stamm
  • Patent number: 6626023
    Abstract: A pressing machine with fewer breakdowns in a hydraulic pressure compensating device for a pressure-equalizing apparatus for pressure pins is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Komatsu Artec Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeki Kodani
  • Patent number: 6626024
    Abstract: In an aircraft conventionally-including a redundant pair of independent primary altitude determination systems of accuracy certified for RVSM operations, an initially loosely calibrated backup altimeter receives independent static pressure data for use in calculating altitude. During normal flight of the aircraft, the current altitude determinations of the primary altimeters and, using a recursive filter, the static source error correction (SSEC) of the backup altimeter is recursively adjusted until the SSEC attains a steady-state value with which the calculated altitude determinations by the backup altimeter accurately conform to the altitude determinations of the primary altimeters. Through this self-correction functionality the backup altimeter is rendered sufficiently accurate for permitted use in RVSM airspace in the event of a failure of one of the primary altitude determination systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Geoffrey S. M. Hedrick
  • Patent number: 6626025
    Abstract: A device and method for the high throughput screening of the abrasion resistance of coatings. The device includes a plurality of transducers, each of the plurality of transducers having at least one external surface, and a plurality of coatings, each of the plurality of coatings deposited onto the external surface(s) of one of the plurality of transducers. The device also includes a plurality of oscillation sources, coupled to the plurality of transducers, for generating and applying an oscillation potential to each of the plurality of transducers. Further, the device includes a plurality of oscillation detectors, coupled to the plurality of transducers, for measuring the oscillation frequency and a variation in oscillation frequency associated with abrasion resistance in each of the plurality of transducers. The method includes exposing each of the plurality of coatings to an abrasive material, the abrasive material causing a change in mass and/or viscoelastic property in each of the plurality of coatings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Alexandrovich Potyrailo, Bret Ja Chisholm
  • Patent number: 6626026
    Abstract: An apparatus that is configured to sense the presence of gases, vapors and liquids using acoustic waves. The apparatus comprises a first part that is configured to generate acoustic waves. The apparatus further comprises a second part having a sensing and acoustic wave guiding device, which is configured to sense the presence of such substances and propagate acoustic waves. The first part is removably fixable to the second part of the apparatus. When the first part is fixed to the second part, the acoustic waves propagate in the second part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Interuniversitair Microelektronica Centrum (IMEC)
    Inventors: Pedro Banda, Andrew Campitelli
  • Patent number: 6626027
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a leakage rate for an article using nuclear magnetic resonance includes a source of hyper-polarized gas that is detectable using nuclear magnetic resonance. The hyper-polarized gas is used as a tracer gas. The method for measuring a leakage rate involves injecting hyper-polarized gas into a device under test and determining the leakage rate from the nuclear magnetic resonance measurements of the quantity of gas which passes through the article into a leak test chamber over a given test time period. The hyper-polarized gas is He-3, which is polarized by combining it with an optically pumped vapor of rubidium atoms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Intertech Development Company
    Inventor: Peter Davey
  • Patent number: 6626028
    Abstract: A hydraulic leakage rate testing device for testing hydraulic components has two circuits, a filling circuit that fast-fills the component with hydraulic fluid and a leakage circuit that measures the leakage rate of fluid flow through the component. The filling circuit is first connected to the component to fill the component. Once full, flow through the filling circuit is blocked and flow to the component is provided by the leakage circuit, which includes a leakage flow rate measuring device. The filling circuit provides a flow rate that is at least twice the flow rate provided through the leakage circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: George T. Fiala, Mark R. Pond, Justin E. Arney
  • Patent number: 6626029
    Abstract: A method for measuring surface roughness during formation of the surface due to grinding, polishing, and machining operations is described. It is also shown that the same technique can be used to measure the surface roughness after it has been formed. The measurement is accomplished by acoustically coupling a broadband piezoelectric transducer to the surface of the plate being measured by the use of petroleum jelly or other liquids that will eliminate an air interface between the surface to be measured and the transducer. Stress waves are generated in the plate by grinding or polishing operations. These same types of waves are generated by moving an object over a given surface (for example the human finger). Signals received by the transducer are split into two frequency ranges. One part of the signal is hi-pass filtered above 100 KHz, the other part of the signal is band-pass filtered between 20-60 Khz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Inventor: Harold L. Dunegan
  • Patent number: 6626030
    Abstract: In a cylinder discrimination device in an engine, a crank angle signal is output for each unit crank angle in synchronization with the rotation of a crankshaft in the engine, different numbers of cylinder discrimination signals are output corresponding to cylinders to be discriminated during a predetermined crank angle period, and a count value of the crank angle signals to be output after a cranking start is held each time the cylinder discrimination signal is output. By comparing the count value of the number of the crank angle signal outputs at a first cylinder discrimination timing with the past count values, to detect the number of the cylinder discrimination signals output during the predetermined crank angle period, and first cylinder discrimination after the cranking start is performed based on the number of the detected cylinder discrimination signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventor: Hirokazu Shimizu
  • Patent number: 6626031
    Abstract: Oscillations of a variable quantity, particularly of the rpm rate of an input shaft of a cone-pulley transmission in the power train of a vehicle, are detected by monitoring the rate of change of the variable quantity during time intervals of a predetermined length. The difference between the maximum and minimum levels that the rate of change reaches during the predetermined time period is compared to a threshold reference, and if it is found to exceed the threshold reference, the variable quantity is judged to be in a state of oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau Beteiligungs KG
    Inventor: Michael Reuschel
  • Patent number: 6626032
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing components used for leak detection in a closed vapor handling system of an automotive vehicle, implemented by a system, the method including providing leak detection components including a pressure switch that moves at a given relative vacuum, a control valve that operates to allow and prevent flow therethrough, and a shut off valve that operates to allow and prevent flow therethrough, running an engine, determining whether the pressure switch is closed, purging a canister, specifying a fail condition if the control valve is inoperative after purging, ascertaining whether the control valve is inoperative in a flow-through condition or inoperative in a non-flow-through condition if a fail condition is specified, specifying a pass condition if the control valve is functioning after purging, determining whether the shut off valve and pressure switch are malfunctioning if a pass condition is specified based on whether the pressure switch is open, and displaying an error if a component is ma
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Automotive S.A.
    Inventors: Laurent Fabre, Pierre Calvairac
  • Patent number: 6626033
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine, especially for a motor vehicle, is described, which is provided with a storage catalytic converter which can be loaded with and unloaded of nitrogen oxides. Several states of deterioration (points 13) of the storage catalytic converter can be determined by the control apparatus. A sulphur content of the fuel used can be determined by the control apparatus from sequential states of deterioration (points 13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Schnaibel, Oliver Schlesiger, Andreas Koring, Holger Bellmann, Andreas Blumenstock, Klaus Winkler
  • Patent number: 6626034
    Abstract: The method includes reducing pressure of a charged brake pipe to a predetermined pressure value. The brake pipe is then charged only from the head end unit. Each intermediate brake pipe monitoring and charging device sequentially reports on the network a pressure which is an increase if the brake pipe is continuous between it and the head end unit. Subsequent to receipt of a report of an increased pressure on the network from an intermediate unit, the head end unit commands that intermediate unit to participate in charging the brake pipe. The head end unit determines the brake pipe continuity from the pressure increases reported by the intermediate units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: New York Air Brake Corporation
    Inventors: Jon Marra, Dale R. Stevens, Kevin B. Root, Roger B. Lewis, John W. LaDuc, Patrick S. Lacombe
  • Patent number: 6626035
    Abstract: An apparatus is capable of determining inflation pressure of a pneumatic tire mounted on the wheel of a vehicle, the tire being in contact with a support over a contact area. The apparatus comprises: (i) sensing means comprising one or more sensors within said support, each sensor being adapted to measure the average contact pressure over the sensor between said tire and said support, and each having a surface area less than the said contact area; and (ii) processing means adapted to determine an average contact pressure between said tire and said support from an output of only a sensor or sensors which fall entirely within said contact area so as to provide a measure of the inflation pressure of the tire to a first order of accuracy. A corresponding method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Rollagauge Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Alastair Dent, Nigel Lewis
  • Patent number: 6626036
    Abstract: A system for calibrating the fill times of clutches using a pressure transducer service tool includes attaching the tool to an electronic controller on the vehicle and the a clutch hydraulic fluid line, signaling the controller to calibrate the clutch, then removing the service tool. The tool is sequentially moved from one clutch hydraulic line to another to calibrate several clutches. A single service tool with several transducers and a means of switching between them may also be used. The process is automated and the controller signals the user when to make the various connections. The operator then signals the controller when the connections have been made and calibration commences automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Case Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Milender, Bradley Johnson
  • Patent number: 6626037
    Abstract: A flow sensor, which can detect flow velocity in a wide range including high flow velocity area with simple structure. A flow sensor includes a substrate having a hollow portion; and a thin film structure portion provided above the hollow portion. The thin film structure portion is provided with a heater formed in a center portion, an upper and a lower stream temperature detectors for detecting temperature of the fluid, a fluid thermometer for detecting temperature of the fluid, and thermal couple films provided on the substrate at a portion, where is between the heater and both temperature detectors. According to this structure, the thermal couple films enhance thermal coupling between the heater and the temperature detectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Wado, Yukihiro Takeuchi, Toshimasa Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 6626038
    Abstract: A time domain reflectometry measuring instrument uses a microprocessor that provides added functionality and capabilities. The circuit electronics and probe are tested and calibrated at the factory. Installation and commissioning by the user is simple. The user installs the probe. The transmitter is attached to the probe. The user connects a standard shielded twisted pair to the electronics. Power is applied and the device immediately displays levels. A few simple parameters may need to be entered such as output characteristics and the process material dielectric constant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Magnetrol International Inc.
    Inventors: Boyce Carsella, Anthony Faust, Leo Klinstein, Lary Soroka, Mark Twaddle
  • Patent number: 6626039
    Abstract: An oscillatory gyroscope is described with decoupled drive and sense oscillators and reduced cross-axis sensitivity. The gyroscope is fabricated using a plasma micromachining process on standard silicon wafers. The electrical isolation of the drive and sense functions of the gyroscope, contained within the same micromechanical element, reduce cross-coupling while obtaining high inertial mass and high sensitivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: MilliSensor Systems and Actuators, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott G. Adams, James Groves, Donato Cardarelli, Raymond Carroll, Charles R. Dauwalter
  • Patent number: 6626040
    Abstract: A sensor including: a base; at least one component which moves relative to the base; and a locking device for locking the at least one component in a predetermined stationary position in response to an external stimulus. Where the sensor is an accelerometer, the external stimulus is preferably an acceleration of the sensor in which case the locking device locks the at least one component during periods in which the acceleration exceeds a predetermined value. The predetermined stationary position can be a null position taken by the at least one component corresponding to an acceleration that is substantially zero or an active position taken by the at least one component when acceleration equals a predicted acceleration other than zero. Further, the locking device can lock the at least one component actively or passively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Carlos M. Pereira, Jahangir S. Rastegar
  • Patent number: 6626041
    Abstract: Internal combustion engines and electric motors in motor vehicles generate, at all operating points, airborne emissions and solid-borne emissions, which are superimposed in the interior of the vehicle and perceived as engine noise by the occupants. To differentiate quantitatively between airborne and solid-borne portions of engine noise, sound measurement are made in the vehicle interior and engine compartment both with air and when the engine compartment is flooded with a gas having different acoustic characteristics than air. From analysis of the two measurements, the solid-borne portion and the airborne portion of the engine noise can be determined with a high degree of precision.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Hans Joachim Raida
  • Patent number: 6626042
    Abstract: A system for monitoring the flow of a fluid such as water in a pipe, including a remote pressure sensor operably connected to the pipe for sensing the pressure of the fluid at the location of the pressure sensor. An acoustic transmitter is placed proximate the remote pressure sensor for transmitting the output of the sensors by an acoustic signal transmitted through the fluid in the pipe to an acoustic receiver that generates a control signal in response thereto control a pressure control valve for adjusting the pressure in the pipe in response. The system is intended for a water distribution networks that include a plurality of pipes, with a remote pressure sensor, transmitter, receiver and control device for at least some of the plurality of pipes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Vladimir Havlena
  • Patent number: 6626043
    Abstract: A fluid diffusion resistant tube-encased fiber grating pressure sensor includes an optical fiber 10 having a Bragg grating 12 impressed therein which is encased within a sensing element, such as a glass capillary shell 20. A fluid blocking coating 30 is disposed on the outside surface of the capillary shell to prevent the diffusion of fluids, such as water molecules from diffusing into the shell. The fluid diffusion resistant fiber optic sensor reduces errors caused by the diffusion of water into the shell when the sensor is exposed to harsh conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy J. Bailey, Mark R. Fernald, Alan D. Kersey, Trevor W. MacDougall, Martin A. Putnam
  • Patent number: 6626044
    Abstract: A sensor having freeze resistant features is disclosed. The sensor includes a sensor die and a buffer member that are assembled for attachment to a process fluid conduit. The buffer member defines an opening in fluid communication with the process fluid. The sensor die has a flexible diaphragm, and a capillary channel establishes fluid communication between the diaphragm area of the sensor die and the opening in the buffer member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Haji-Sheikh, Richard Alan Davis, Mark Robert Plagens, Carl Edward Stewart, Gilberto Morales
  • Patent number: 6626045
    Abstract: A pressure measurement device comprising a housing enclosing an elastic pressure measurement element and a magnet attached to the measurement element. First and second Hall sensors operatively positioned near the magnet are connected to an electrical circuit which processes the sensor outputs to provide first and second output signals. The positions of the Hall sensors can preferably each be adjusted from outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: WIKA Alexander Wiegand GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Josef Krumpolz, Bernhard Friebe