Patents Issued in October 14, 2003
  • Patent number: 6633122
    Abstract: An electroluminescence device has at least three kinds of laminated bodies, in each of which an emission region is independently present in each of a hole transfer layer and an electron transfer layer. The laminated bodies include the hole transfer layers, which each have a layer including a common material. The electron transfer layers each include a layer having a common material. The electroluminescence device emits at least three colors of light. A process for producing an electroluminescence device is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Yasunori Kijima, Shinichiro Tamura
  • Patent number: 6633123
    Abstract: The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence device including a base structure and at least an organic electroluminescence device structure over the base structure, wherein the base structure includes a substrate made of a plastic material, and at least a heat radiation layer which is higher in heat conductivity than the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Hidehisa Tazawa
  • Patent number: 6633124
    Abstract: A method for producing an organic electroluminescent device, which is provided with first electrodes formed on a substrate, a thin film layer formed on the first electrode containing at least an emitting layer composed of an organic compound and a plurality of second electrodes formed on the thin film layer, and has a plurality of luminescent regions on said substrate, comprising the steps of forming spacers having a height at least partially exceeding the thickness of said thin film layer on the substrate, and vapor-depositing a deposit for patterning while the shadow mask having reinforcing lines formed across its apertures is kept in contact with said spacers. Highly precise fine patterning can be effected under wide vapor deposition conditions without degrading the properties of organic electroluminescent elements, and high stability can be achieved by a relatively simple process without limiting the structure of the electroluminescent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Toray Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshio Himeshima, Shigeo Fujimori, Akira Kohama
  • Patent number: 6633125
    Abstract: A cathode structure for an image intensifier tube operates to extend the spectral range of an image intensifier to the short wavelength infrared (SWIR) range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which is between 1.0 to 1.75 &mgr;m. The cathode structure utilizes a multi-layer structure consisting of a layer of GaSb disposed upon a layer of GaAs. The layers form a heterojunction therebetween where the GaSb material absorbs radiation and the GaAs is for emission characteristics. The doping profiles in each material are used to maximize the effects of band gap offsets of the heterojunction as well as provide a nearly flat conduction band profile for the cathode structure. The condition of nearly flat conduction band is enhanced by the use of blocking contacts at the emission surface of the cathode, where a bias is applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Arlynn Walter Smith, Rudolph George Benz
  • Patent number: 6633126
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a plasma display panel, including a front glass substrate, a rear glass substrate, a rod, a base plate, and a screw. The rear glass substrate includes a first plane and a second plane, wherein the first plane is connected with the front glass substrate. The rod is adherent to the rear glass substrate by means of an adhesive. The base plate is tightly connected with the rear glass substrate, wherein an integrated protrusion is formed on the base plate at a location corresponding to the rod. An accommodation space is formed between the protrusion and the rear glass substrate to accommodate the rod, and the screw is provided to lock the rod onto the base plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Acer Display Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Tzeng-Shii Tsai, Yu-Kai Lin
  • Patent number: 6633127
    Abstract: The high-pressure discharge lamp comprises a discharge vessel provided with a first and a second lamp electrode, an outer envelope which surrounds the discharge vessel with space and which is provided with a lamp cap. A tube-like UV enhancer having a longitudinal axis is provided in the space having a ceramic wall and provided with an internal enhancer electrode connected to the first lamp electrode and by way of a capacitive coupling connected to the second lamp electrode, and which enhancer electrode has an end inside the enhancer. The capacitive coupling is formed by a metal curl positioned around the UV enhancer in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the UV enhancer and close to the end of the enhancer electrode. The lamp shows on ignition with a relative small ignition voltage only a very small ignition delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Theodorus Petrus Cornelis Maria Vos, Martinus Joseph Maria Kessels, Maria Louisa Renders
  • Patent number: 6633128
    Abstract: A low-pressure discharge lamp with a double spiral shaped discharge tube including two spiral shaped tube portions. The tube portions define a central axis of the discharge tube. A cold chamber portion connects the ends of the spiral shaped tube portions. The cold chamber portion has a first transversal dimension substantially perpendicular to the central axis which is larger than the diameter of the tube portions. The cold chamber portion further has a second transversal dimension substantially parallel to the central axis. The second transversal dimension of the cold chamber portion substantially corresponds to the diameter of the tube portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: László Ilyés, József Tökés, József Fülöp
  • Patent number: 6633129
    Abstract: An electron gun that generates multiple electron bunches and the application of this gun to produce rf energy. The electron gun includes an rf input cavity having a first side with multiple emitting surfaces and a second side with multiple transmitting and emitting sections. The gun also includes a mechanism for producing a rotating and oscillating force which encompasses the multiple emitting surfaces and the multiple sections so electrons are directed between the multiple emitting surfaces and the multiple sections to contact the multiple emitting surfaces and generate additional electrons and to contact the multiple sections to generate additional electrons or escape the cavity through the multiple sections. A method for producing multiple electron bunches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Frederick M. Mako
  • Patent number: 6633130
    Abstract: In a lighting apparatus using microwave energy including a magnetron for generating microwave energy, a bulb for generating lights by the microwave energy, a wave guide for connecting the magnetron and the bulb and transmitting the microwave energy generated in the magnetron to the bulb and a casing housing the magnetron and the wave guide and combining with the bulb, a cooling system of a lighting apparatus using microwave energy comprises a heat exchanger installed to the exterior of a magnetron and having a coolant path, a radiating unit installed to the exterior of a casing and radiating heat of the coolant heated while passing the path of the heat exchanger, and a flow generating means installed between an outlet of the radiating unit and an inlet of the heat exchanger in order to make the coolant circulate the heat exchanger and the radiating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young-Jin Bae
  • Patent number: 6633131
    Abstract: A ring-shaped depressed groove 11 is formed between a joining surface 10 of a stem insulating material 6 with a tubular metal container 16 and a joining surface 9 with cathode leads 2a and 2b. A metallized layer 8, formed at joining surface 9 and joining surface 10, is separated from edges 12 and 13 of ring-shaped depressed groove 11. The resulting magnetron reliably prevents discharges generated between the joining surface of the stem insulating material, with the tubular metal container, and the joining surface, with the cathode leads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Murao, Kazuki Miki, Setsuo Hasegawa, Noriyuki Okada, Satoshi Nakai
  • Patent number: 6633132
    Abstract: An apparatus and process for processing a substrate using components and particles formed in a remote plasma generation section of a processing chamber. The processing chamber includes a processing section and a plasma generation section. A plasma field is generated in the plasma generation section, such that the plasma field is generated remotely from the processing section. Components and particles from the plasma field can diffuse and/or drift from the plasma generation section through a passageway to the processing section. The processing chamber may include a plurality of plasma generation sections for generating additional plasma fields. In each instance, the additional plasma fields are generated remotely from the processing section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: WaferMasters Inc.
    Inventor: Woo Sik Yoo
  • Patent number: 6633133
    Abstract: An ion source is furnished with a gas introducing mechanism for introducing an inert gas and an organometallic gas being a raw gas into a plasma production container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Nissin Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuya Ishida
  • Patent number: 6633134
    Abstract: Each unit pixel of an active-matrix-driven organic EL display device includes a pixel EL element and an associated pixel circuit. An array of the pixel EL elements are formed on the front surface of a multilayer substrate, the rear surface of which mounts thereon a drive IC and the plurality of pixel circuits. The electrodes of the drive IC are connected to the anode and cathodes of the pixel EL elements through via holes and interconnects formed in the multilayer substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Yuji Kondo, Atsushi Kota
  • Patent number: 6633135
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for evaluating an organic EL display, with which there is a simple drive circuit used for testing an organic EL display 10, evaluation of high reliability can be achieved, and an evaluation of the organic EL display 10 itself is performed prior to the installation of finished product drive circuits to the organic EL display 10, which makes it possible to suppress the decrease in yield caused by dealing with defective products due to the evaluation results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Wintest Corporation
    Inventors: Shouji Nara, Masatoshi Itoh, Makoto Ookuma, Tomoharu Innami
  • Patent number: 6633136
    Abstract: A current control circuit for a display device is disclosed. The current control circuit for a display device includes a current mirror circuit consisted of high voltage electronic devices, for outputting current equivalent to a power source voltage to a load, a current set unit connected with the current mirror circuit, for setting a value of the current flowing in the load, and a switching element connected with the current mirror circuit, for switching the operation of the current set unit through an external control signal. An amount of the current applied to the load can accurately be controlled due to nonlinear characteristic of the high voltage devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hak Su Kim, Young Sun Na
  • Patent number: 6633137
    Abstract: An electrical apparatus comprises a circuit board, providing an electrolytic condenser and electrical components, and a housing. The housing accommodates the circuit board. The electrical components include resin containing one or more halogen compounds of about 1% by weight or less in terms of bromine (Br).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Matsunaga, Hajime Osaki, Kenichi Asami, Isao Abe
  • Patent number: 6633138
    Abstract: The described DC to AC inverter efficiently controls the amount of electrical power used to drive a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL). The output is a fairly pure sine wave which is proportional to an input control voltage. The output waveform purity is ensured by driving a symmetrical rectangular waveform into a second-order, low pass filter at the resonant frequency of the filter for all conditions of line voltage and delivered power. Operating stress on the step-up transformer is minimized by placing the load (lamp) directly across the secondary side of the transformer. When configured to regulate delivered power, the secondary side may be fully floated which practically eliminates a thermometer effect on the operation of the lamp. All of the active elements, including the power switches, may be integrated into a monolithic silicon circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Monolithic Power Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John Robert Shannon, James Copland Moyer, Michael Ren Hsing
  • Patent number: 6633139
    Abstract: An electronic converter converts high-voltage AC power main voltage, such as 120V, 240V or 277V, to a low-voltage suitable for driving a halogen lamp. The converter includes a rectifier circuit, starter circuit, a driver circuit, a current sensing circuit and a transformer circuit. The current sensing circuit senses an output current of the converter. The sensed current is used to govern pulse-width modulation of the lamp drive voltage, to provide over-voltage protection. Temperature protection can also be provided to reduce drive current when the converter overheats. This enables reliable operation of the converter over an extended temperature range, and reduces the occurrence of converter component failures due to ground faults or overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Groupe Delta Xfo, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew D. Piaskowski
  • Patent number: 6633140
    Abstract: A display apparatus using clamps for coupling an electron gun unit with a video unit is provided. The display apparatus may be constructed using a panel on which a picture is displayed, a funnel fastened to the panel, an electron gun inserted into a neck of the funnel, a video unit coupled with the electron gun for transmitting a video signal, and first and second clamps respectively coupled with the electron gun and the video unit for preventing the video unit from separating from the electron gun. With this configuration, the video unit is easily combined to the electron gun and prevented from separating from the electron gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Sub Lee
  • Patent number: 6633141
    Abstract: A cathode ray tube display having an in-line tube includes an electromagnetic unit for dynamically influencing the path or shape of the electron beams. The power for supplying current to the electromagnetic unit is drawn from the line deflection circuit, either through supply coil on a transformer arranged in parallel with the line deflection coil, or from a supply coil sound around the deflection unit core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Willibrordus Jurrianus Dijkman
  • Patent number: 6633142
    Abstract: A cathode ray tube is provided having an electron gun equipped with a main lens having a function of controlling a shape of an electron beam spot which is deflected to the peripheral portion of a display screen, to improve a resolution at the peripheral portion of the screen of the cathode ray tube for use in a direct view color television receiver or a color display terminal. To reduce the dynamic correction voltage of the electron gun, an electrostatic quadrupole lens with a simple structure is used, thereby reducing deterioration due to the deflection aberration of the electron beam spot at the peripheral portion of the screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Shoji Shirai, Kenichi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6633143
    Abstract: An articulating probe head includes motors 12 and 18 for driving respective output shafts 14 and 20 about respective orthogonal axes z and x to move a stylus 22 over the surface of a workpiece under the control of a controller 26. At least one of the motors is inertia balanced by mounting the stator 32 of the motor on bearings 42 to allow it to rotate in opposition to the rotation of the rotor 34. Control of the speed of the spinning stator is achieved by connecting it to the winding assembly 46 of an additional “back-to-earth” motor 47 the magnet assembly 48 of which is connected to the housing. The motor 47 acts as a brake to prevent overspeeding of the rotatable stator, and can have power supplied to it to ensure that the stator does not slow down excessively when the main motor is running at constant angular velocity. Control of the power supply to the motors is achieved by the controller 26.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas J. Weston, Kenneth C-H Nai, Geoff McFarland, David R McMurtry
  • Patent number: 6633144
    Abstract: A system and method determine the parameters of a field of a DC motor. The method comprises obtaining parameters of the DC motor; and performing an iterative processing loop, the iterative processing loop being performed n times. The iterative processing loop includes regulating field current based on the parameters of the DC motor, and calculating a field resistance from a field voltage and the field current measured during the regulating of the field current; operating in a closed loop mode to determine a first field firing angle and a second field firing angle; operating in an open loop mode to determine a first time constant and a second time constant based on applying the first field firing angle and the second field firing angle; and determining at least one parameter of the field of the DC motor based on the first time constant, the second time constant, and the calculated field resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventors: Sidney A. Barker, Eddy Ying Yin Ho
  • Patent number: 6633145
    Abstract: A system and method of advancing the commutation sequence of a brushless DC motor is provided. The motor having a plurality of coils, each of the coils coupled together at one end to a common center tap and coupled at an opposite end, through a respective coil tap, to both a source voltage and ground via selectively actuateable switches having diodes coupled in parallel therewith. The motor operates in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode having PWM-on states and PWM-off states. During PWM-off states, a coil tap voltage from the coil tap of a floating phase is provided to a preconditioning circuit. The preconditioning circuit adjusts the floating phase coil tap voltage to compensate for an amount of voltage substantially equal to an amount of voltage by which a voltage at the center tap deviates from zero. The preconditioning circuit further includes sharpening circuitry for amplifying the adjusted floating phase coil tap voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Jianwen Shao, Dennis C. Nolan, Kwan A. Haughton, Thomas L. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 6633146
    Abstract: A braking device for an electrical tool and including an actuation member (1), a braking drum (4) secured on the shaft of the electrical tool for joint rotation therewith, and a braking member (5) secured on the actuation member for joint displacement therewith, the actuation member being linearly displaceable upon a biasing force of a return spring acting thereon for pressing the braking member against a circumferential surface of the braking drum for braking the shaft and thereby the working tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Markus Hartmann, Günter Haas, Andreas Dieterle
  • Patent number: 6633147
    Abstract: A method for closing a motor-driven window is disclosed, including the steps of raising the window after the window has been stopped; evaluating the torque after initially raising the window; and stopping the window if the pinch force exceeds a predetermined limit. Torque is preferably estimated according to the present invention using the sum of dynamic torque, electromagnetic torque, and core loss compensation. Consistent values of torque are estimated during window starts and stops, which is beneficial in providing accurate pinch force measurements and avoiding false pinch indications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Gerbetz
  • Patent number: 6633148
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for adjusting a motor vehicle part between at least two positions, the motor vehicle part being driven by an electric motor, pulse signals being generated according to the rotary motion of the electric motor and being supplied to a control unit for controlling the electric motor, in the first computation (50) with a first parameter set the first value for the instantaneous force acting on the motor vehicle part is determined from the acquired pulse signals at certain first instants. Parallel to the first computation, in at least the second computation (52) with a second parameter set which differs from the first parameter set the second value for the instantaneous force acting on the motor vehicle part is determined from the acquired pulse signals at certain second instants, the two values being considered for the instantaneous action of the force in order to decide whether the electric motor is turned off or reversed or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Klesing
  • Patent number: 6633149
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for digital control of a universal motor, in particular for electrical household appliance, comprising steps which consist on: measuring said engine (21) rotation speed; determining the difference between the measured speed and a set speed; and controlling the motor on the basis of said difference. Said method further comprises a step (24, 25) which consists in estimating at least one of the values of the resisting torque (C) and the current (i) in the motor windings. The invention is useful for controlling washing machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Crouzet Appliance Controls
    Inventor: Phillippe Foureys
  • Patent number: 6633150
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for improving traction for mobile robots where traction is a concern. The mobile robot of the invention includes wheels and brushes. The wheels are mounted to the body of the robot. The brush is mounted to the body close to the wheels. When the wheels are rotating, the brush rubs against the wheel to get rid of debris on the tread of the wheel and cleans the wheel so that traction for the robot can be improved. An alternative way to improve traction by reducing slippage utilizes suction cups or wiper elements mounted on the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Personal Robotics, Inc.
    Inventors: Bret A. Wallach, Harvey Koselka, David Gollaher
  • Patent number: 6633151
    Abstract: An electric drive system is provided to generate varying amounts of output torque supplied to a driven member over a wide range of constant revolutions per minute speeds to reduce power consumption. The electric motor includes a rotor and a stator assembly. The stator assembly is disposed around the rotor and is inductively coupled to the rotor. The stator assembly further includes a plurality of poles, each pole consisting of a plurality of split windings wound so that the magnetic fluxes generated therefrom are added. Power switching circuits are provided for energizing the partition drives of split windings on each of the stator poles. A controller is used to selectively control the frequency, pulse width modulation, and partition configuration to vary the rotational speed and torque generation supplied to the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Eltra Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6633152
    Abstract: A rechargeable flashlight and charging assembly are provided in which the charger has a receptacle for vertically receiving a flashlight therein. The charger further has a second receptacle for holding an auxiliary battery, and a latch for securely holding the auxiliary battery in the second receptacle. The flashlight is formed to removably contain a battery assembly. A pivotal cover member of the flashlight provides access to the battery compartment and has a pair of conductors situated therein for connection to charging contacts within the charging receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Streamlight, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond L. Sharrah, John C. DiNenna
  • Patent number: 6633153
    Abstract: The method is directed to preserve the starter/alternator in an IC engine installation from potential failure owing to insufficient electrical charge in the system energy storage device. The system controller monitors starter/alternator controller signals relating to energy storage device charge level and whether the starter/alternator is available for operation. When monitored charge is detected to be insufficient to operate the starter/alternator, the starter/alternator is disabled and the system controller provides this information to the vehicle operator as a warning signal that the starter/alternator is disabled. Once the operator has effected a remedy (i.e., recharging or replacing the energy charging device), the starter/alternator is again made available for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dana Corporation
    Inventor: Scott Evart Blackburn
  • Patent number: 6633154
    Abstract: Polarized electric charge storage devices economically provide high available capacitance. The present invention directly employs polarized electrical charge storage (PECS) devices such as polarized capacitors or electrochemical batteries in general AC applications with a novel circuit topology. In one embodiment, an anti-series configuration of first and second PECS devices are used within an AC network for enhancing operation of the AC network. At least one DC source is provided for maintaining the PECS devices forwardly biased while they are subjected to an AC signal. The AC signal, which drives an AC load, is applied to the anti-series devices. The devices are sufficiently biased by the at least one DC voltage source so that they remain forwardly biased while coupling the AC signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: William B. Duff, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6633155
    Abstract: A wireless mouse induction power supply comprises a wireless mouse and a mouse pad. The wireless mouse is installed with a first induction coil which is connected to a first capacitor of a power supply circuit in parallel as an oscillating circuit. The oscillating circuit is connected to a charging capacitor through a diode. A second coil is embedded in the mouse pad; the second coil being connected to a power wire. When power is inputted into the second coil in the mouse pad for generating electromagnetic wave, the electromagnetic wave is received by the first induction coil in the wireless mouse. The induction coil will generate an electromotive potential so as to oscillate with the first capacitor; then the potential will charge the capacitor through the diode. Then, power is outputted to a transmitter in an interior of the wireless mouse; thereby, the wireless mouse remotely controlling a computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Hui-Pin Liang
  • Patent number: 6633156
    Abstract: A device for monitoring the flow of a current in a load powered by a DC voltage source and a method for the implementation of the device. The device includes, series-connected with the load, a first device to detect the presence of an alternating current and a second device to interrupt the current flowing in the first device while keeping the current substantially direct in the load. Advantageously, the second device includes at least one first electronic switch series-connected with the load and with the first device, the first electronic switch being controlled so as to set up the alternating current in the first device. A method of implementing the device cyclically opens and closes the electronic switch while making the second device operable or inoperable, also cyclically, to keep the current substantially direct in the load and let the current flowing in the load pass through the second device only periodically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Thales Avionics S.A.
    Inventor: Joël Choisnet
  • Patent number: 6633157
    Abstract: Displacement of a mechanical element is accurately detected by a simple and inexpensive structure. To provide displacement detecting device including: a mechanical element capable of being displaced; a magnet connected to the mechanical element and magnetized in displacement direction of the mechanical element; and a magnetic sensor for detecting a magnetic flux generated by the magnet and outputting a sensor output corresponding to a detected magnetic-flux value, so as to detect displacement of the mechanical element in accordance with the sensor output. In one embodiment, a Hall element is used as the magnetic sensor and the magnet longer than distance of movement of the mechanical element is used. Thus, an output having a linear relation with displacement of the mechanical element is obtained, and detection of the displacement is easily implemented. The displacement detecting device can be applied to an actuator of intake/exhaust valves of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiro Yamaki, Kenji Abe, Kouichi Ikoma, Yasuo Shimizu, Minoru Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6633158
    Abstract: Micro magnetic position sensor apparatus includes a magnet for producing a magnetic field, a fixed contact, and a cantilever having magnetic material positioned therein to produce a torque on the cantilever in the magnetic field, the torque tending to align the cantilever with magnetic field lines in the magnetic field. The cantilever is mounted to provide it with a first position in electrical connection with the fixed contact and a second position in electrical disconnect with the fixed contact. The cantilever is further mounted so as to be normally in one of the first and second positions and movable to the other of the first and second positions when the magnetic field lines in the magnetic field are altered relative to the cantilever by proximity of an external object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Jun Shen, Chengping Wei
  • Patent number: 6633159
    Abstract: A method and system for detecting or measuring defects in a rope having ferromagnetic tension members includes a magnetic field exciter and an array of magnetic flux sensors corresponding to the tension members in a known relationship. Measurements of magnetic flux leakage are indicative of defects. Another aspect of the invention includes a method and system for detecting or measuring defects in an elevator rope having electrically conductive tension members, whereby measured electrical resistance in the tension members is indicative of defects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Terry M. Robar, William A. Veronesi, Paul A. Stucky, Jack F. Gieras
  • Patent number: 6633160
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for improving the sensitivity of a fluxgate magnetometer for which high-order harmonics are detected and utilized in determining a weak external magnetic field expressed in the core region. These harmonic signals are processed coherently so as to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, since noise can only add to the signal incoherently at these harmonic frequencies. Also disclosed is a method for improving the sensitivity of a fluxgate magnetometer for which the technique of waveform autocorrelation is used in determining a weak external magnetic field expressed in the core region. By convolving the gated signal with a waveform duplicating the signal itself, noise content is effectively suppressed, thereby increasing the resolution power of the fluxgate magnetometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventors: Hoton How, Carmine Vittoria
  • Patent number: 6633161
    Abstract: An RF coil suitable for use in imaging systems is provided which coil has a dielectric filled cavity formed by a surrounding conducting enclosure, the conducting enclosure preferably being patterned to form continuous electrical paths around the cavity, each of which paths may be tuned to a selected resonant frequency. The patterning breaks up any currents induced in the coil and shortens path lengths to permit higher frequency, and thus higher field strength operation. The invention also includes improved mechanisms for tuning the resonant frequency of the paths, for selectively detuning the paths, for applying signal to the coil, for shortening the length of the coil and for controlling the field profile of the coil and the delivery of field to the object to the image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: The General Hospital Corporation
    Inventor: J. Thomas Vaughan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6633162
    Abstract: A method of filtering frequency encoded imaging signals includes receiving the frequency encoded imaging signals in the time domain and demodulating the frequency encoded imaging signals. The method further includes upsampling the frequency encoded imaging signals by an integer upsampling factor, reducing the bandwidth of the frequency encoded imaging signals, and downsampling the frequency encoded imaging signals by an integer downsampling factor. The frequency encoded imaging signals are resampled by a resampling factor substantially equal to the integer upsampling factor divided by the integer downsampling factor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventors: James Nengjie Zhang, Chris J. Gilling, Kevin Scott Kreger
  • Patent number: 6633163
    Abstract: An excavator vehicle has sensors thereon at different heights. Each sensor may have a coil which is generally horizontal and which detects the magnetic field generated by a current in a buried conductor. By detecting the relative magnitudes of the component of the field parallel to the ground, as detected by the sensors, it is possible to determine whether or not the excavator vehicle is proximate the buried conductor. A warning may be generated, or the excavating tool of the excavator vehicle controlled, to prevent the excavating tool damaging the buried conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Radiodetection Limited
    Inventor: Richard William Fling
  • Patent number: 6633164
    Abstract: A petroleum well (20) for producing petroleum products that incorporates a system adapted to controllably measure a formation resistivity using induction chokes (91-95) to form electrically isolated piping structure sections that can be used as the formation contact electrodes for time-varying current, and methods of producing petroleum products while measuring formation resistivity, are provided by the present invention. The system comprises a first induction choke (91), a second induction choke (92), and a device (50). The first induction choke (91) is located about a piping structure (30) of the well (20). The second induction choke (92) is also located about the piping structure (30) of the well (20), but the first induction choke (91) is distally spaced from the second induction choke (92). The device (50) is located outside of the piping structure (30) and comprises two terminals (71, 72).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Harold J. Vinegar, Robert Rex Burnett, William Mountjoy Savage, Frederick Gordon Carl, Jr., John Michele Hirsch, Peter Anthony Crossley
  • Patent number: 6633165
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method of monitoring a battery in an automotive vehicle are provided. An output is provided which can be a relative output as a function of minimum and maximum parameters of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Midtronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin I. Bertness
  • Patent number: 6633166
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for producing a fault signal indicating a short-circuit between a first phase conductor and a second phase conductor of two different, parallel-running, three-phase power transmission lines. The method produces a fault signal indicating a short-circuit which has occurred between a first phase conductor and a second phase conductor of a power transmission arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiensellscraft
    Inventor: Steffen Kaiser
  • Patent number: 6633167
    Abstract: In a signal supply apparatus such as might find use in an electro-optical device, signals that are supplied from multiple digital-to-analog converters are subject to impedance conversion by respective voltage followers, and provided as outputs to control the operation of the device. In the signal supply apparatus in a diagnostic examination mode, switching elements are operated so that output lines of the voltage followers are short-circuited by an output examination line. A current value measured as a result of the short circuit is compared with a specified current value to make a good-or-bad determination for the signal supply apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Akira Morita
  • Patent number: 6633168
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a partial discharge in a voltage transformer, the transformer having a first voltage winding and a second voltage winding. A grounded electrostatic shield being operably attached to the transformer, preferably between the windings. A radio frequency current transformer is operably connected to the electrostatic shield wherein the partial discharge occurring within the voltage transformer is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventors: Philip J. Hopkinson, Vadim Raff
  • Patent number: 6633169
    Abstract: Monitoring a leakage current from an isolator for a high voltage conductor to ground includes directing the leakage current through a primary wire inductively coupled to a secondary winding energizing an amplifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Doble Engineering Company
    Inventor: George A. Cavigelli
  • Patent number: 6633170
    Abstract: A new method and apparatus for detecting and measuring the level of metal present on the surface of a substrate is achieved. Energy, in the form of rf or light or microwave energy, is directed at the surface of a wafer, the reflected energy or the energy that passes through the semiconductor substrate is captured and analyzed for energy level and/or frequency content. Based on this analysis conclusions can be drawn regarding presence and type of metal on the surface of the wafer. Furthermore, by inclusion of metal within the resonating circuit of an rf generator changes the frequency of the vibration and therefore detects the presence of metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.
    Inventors: Sik On Kong, Tsui Ping Chu
  • Patent number: 6633171
    Abstract: A comparison circuit for comparing the desired voltage levels of electronic components and for disabling the supply of power to those components if the desired voltage levels are not equivalent. The comparison circuit receives the desired voltage level indication signals and provides a signal indicating whether the desired voltage levels are equivalent. If the desired voltage levels are not equivalent, the comparison circuit provides a signal indicating non equivalency to a power supply, wherein the power supply is disabled from supplying power so as not to damage the computer components from receiving power at a non allowable voltage level. The comparison circuit also provides an output signal indicative of an equivalent voltage level to the desired voltage levels if the desired voltage levels are equivalent. A power supply converter supplies power to the components at a voltage level as indicated by the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
    Inventors: Alan E. Brown, Steven J. Lash