Patents Issued in November 18, 2003
  • Patent number: 6647749
    Abstract: A yarn carrier comprises a carrier base, a reciprocator, a feeder, and a movement converter. The reciprocator is supported on the carrier base to move in reciprocation with a traveling direction of the carrier base. An engaging surface is temporarily engageable with an accompanying member of a carrier accompanying device. The feeder, has a main-yarn feeding hole and a plating-yarn feeding hole, and supports at least one of the yarn feeding holes to freely rotate about an axis in a longitudinal direction of the feeder. The movement converter converts reciprocating movement of the reciprocator into rotation movement of the yarn feeding holes provided in the feeder, such that when the reciprocator is moved with its engaging surface engaged with the accompanying member, the yarn feeding holes can be rotationally displaced to change a positional relationship between the main-yarn feeding hole and the plating-yarn feeding hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Ikoma
  • Patent number: 6647750
    Abstract: In a buckle, in which a housing of a female body and an inserting plate of a male body are engaged with each other and which is provided with a simple locking mechanism by using a key, the housing of the female body is provided with an engaging portion, while the inserting plate of the male body is provided with an engaged portion. Alternatively, the housing is provided with an engaged portion while the inserting plate is provided with an engaging portion. Therefore, the female body and the male body can be engaged with each other to be locked. When they are locked, a belt adjusting portion of the male body is concealed in the housing of the female body, so that a belt is difficult to be adjusted. Specifically, the belt can be never loosened but only adjustable in a direction of fastening. Thus, the buckle is provided with a convenient belt adjusting portion, which can not adjust a length of the belt when the female body and the male body are locked with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kaneko, Ryuichi Murasaki, Yoshinobu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6647751
    Abstract: A motor vehicle steering column lock includes a locking element that is movable reciprocally by a rotatable control element between a locked and an unlocked position. The control element extends around the locking element and includes two inner bevel surfaces and four terminal surfaces cooperating with two radial locking element projections that are arranged diametrically opposite to each other relative to the control element's axis of rotation. The projections each engage at their ends a bevel surface or one of its two terminal surfaces located in planes extending orthogonal to the control element's axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Huf Hulsbeck & Furst GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Horst Zillmann
  • Patent number: 6647752
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an electronic key (10) for an automotive vehicle, said key being of generally flat parallelepipedal shape and comprising: a housing (12) for an electronic card, said card being adapted to control electronically a locking/unlocking device onboard the vehicle and permitting the locking/unlocking of the openings of the vehicle, and an insert compartment (11) housing an emergency insert adapted to lock/unlock mechanically the openings of a vehicle in case of malfunction of the electronic card, said electronic key being characterized in that the insert (13) is constituted solely of a key blade and is provided with recesses (16) adapted to coact with retaining means (15) provided in the insert compartment to hold firmly the insert in the compartment no matter what its position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive
    Inventor: Frederic Chaillie
  • Patent number: 6647753
    Abstract: A lock with an electromechanical coupling device, which only consumes little electrical power, comprises an operating handle which constantly is in operative connection with a drive member of an electromechanical coupling device and upon recognition of an authentication code makes an operative connection with a driven member, which in turn is in constant operative connection with the operating mechanism of the lock. The drive member and the driven member of the coupling device are each spring-loaded into a rest position and can be coupled via a locking mechanism, which by means of an electromechanical transducer can be switched between a disengaged position and an engaged position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Sphinx Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Engler
  • Patent number: 6647754
    Abstract: A variable width roll forming apparatus forms a web and includes a first side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus and a second side plate extending substantially an entire length of the roll forming apparatus, the first side plate and the second side plate being oriented substantially equidistant from one another. A plurality of roller die assemblies are disposed in apertures formed in the first side plate and the second side plate. An adjusting apparatus is utilized to selectively change a separation width between predetermined roller die assemblies in the first side plate and the second side plate, wherein the roll forming apparatus defines at least two differing widths between roller die assemblies disposed in the first side plate and the second side plate while maintaining the substantially equidistant spacing between the first side plate and the second side plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Formtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Ernest Bodnar, Joseph A. Ruckauf, Gregory C. Nichols
  • Patent number: 6647755
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for manufacturing small diameter ultrasonic probes capable of vibrating in a transverse mode that can be used in ultrasonic tissue ablation. The apparatus includes a die, a style puller which is used to engage a functional end of the medical device, and a die room puller which is used to draw the medical device through the die. The die includes a bell-shaped lead-in on a front side of the die and a bell-shaped lead-in on a back side of the die allowing for reversal of the direction of the draw. The method of manufacturing includes heat treating a large diameter medical device, drawing the large diameter device through a die and reversing the draw of the medical device through the die to provide a medical device having a varying diameter along a length of the device. The method is repeated until a final diameter is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: OmniSonics Medical Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Rabiner, Bradley A. Hare, Janniah S. Prasad
  • Patent number: 6647756
    Abstract: An apparatus for stamping sheet metal is disclosed. The apparatus has a lower bolster having a number of air pins disposed at predetermined locations. A first die set having first and second die shoes and a stamping ring and cap are disposed on the lower bolster. The first and second die shoes are matable to form a stamped component. The second die shoe is coupled to the lower bolster so that at least one air pin is operable to apply force to the ring. The system further has third and fourth die shoes which are used to form a second stamped component. The third and fourth die shoes further have a second stamping ring and second cap. The system is such that the third and fourth die shoes can be inserted into the press after the first and second die shoes have been removed. It is not necessary to remove the air pins disposed in the lower bolster to change the die shoes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel F Nieschulz
  • Patent number: 6647757
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for detecting rpm signal errors, in which pulses (t0, t2, t4, t6, t8 and t10) and pulse intervals (t1, t3, t5, t7, t9) are generated by poles that generate rpm signals and are disposed on the circumference of a pole wheel. To ascertain a change in speed, pulse intervals (t1, t3, t7, t9) within a first allowable tolerance range are compared in a first step for equality and in a second step for inequality in terms of duration, during one wheel revolution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schneider
  • Patent number: 6647758
    Abstract: An impactor assembly comprises a base for supporting a plurality of cups that form impactor plates, and a nozzle above each of the cups through which a flow passes for classification. The cover is removable, and a test cover can be put into position for mounting in place and providing outlets connectable to pressure sensor for determining pressure drop across the nozzle plates at each impactor stage. The cover also is designed to be easily washed by having no blind cavities or moving parts on the cover, and the latch and other hinge assemblies are all supported on the base. The flow enters and exits the impactor without having external connections on the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: MSP Corporation
    Inventors: Virgil A. Marple, Daryl L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 6647759
    Abstract: A sensor of physical quantities, such as a pressure sensor or an acceleration sensor, and more specifically to the mounting of the active part of the sensor on a base bearing connection pins. An active part of the sensor includes, for example, micro-machined silicon wafers bearing electronic elements, electrical conductors, and connection pads. A base is also prepared, provided with pins whose upper ends are spatially arranged, with each pin facing a respective connection pad. The face bearing the connection pads is applied to the upper part of the pins, and the unit is dipped into an electrolytic bath to deposit metal that rigidly solders the pins to the connection pads. Preferably, the conductive parts, pins, and connection pads of the unit are then covered with an insulator to prevent electrical leakage between pins subjected to different potentials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Bertrand Leverrier, Marie-Dominique Bruni-Marchionni
  • Patent number: 6647760
    Abstract: A vibration pickup has a pressure sleeve which is placeable on a component causing vibrations, a sensor element which detects the vibration, a seismic mass which is placeable outside of the sleeve on a support surface of the sensor element with an axial pretensioning, so that the sensor element is held between the seismic mass and a flange-like segment of the pressure sleeve, the seismic mass and the pressure sleeve being formed as a one-piece integral component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang-Michael Mueller, Uwe Konzelmann
  • Patent number: 6647761
    Abstract: A hand held refrigeration fluid leak detector for observing and detecting optical fluorescence resulting from optical excitation of the leaking refrigeration fluid provides single hand operation for a user while holding the main body of the detector with either one of two hands. The flexible stalk is coupled to the main body and to a head containing an LED light source which provides spectral emissions in the UV to blue range. In one embodiment, the hand held detector includes a gas detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mastercool, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Barjesteh
  • Patent number: 6647762
    Abstract: An apparatus for permanently or semi-permanently fitting to an underground water pipe 15, 16 for detecting leaks therein, comprises a hydrophone 26 mounted to acoustically monitor water flowing along the pipe 15, 16 and means 29 for analysing a parameter of the output signal of the hydrophone 26 and for generating an alarm signal, in the event that the parameter is above a maximum value or below a minimum value. The apparatus further comprises a radio transmitter for transmitting the alarm signal to a remote receiver, so as to indicate the detection of a leak. The maximum and minimum values are preferably calculated using historical data obtained from the hydrophone 26, so that the values are automatically adjusted to suit location of the apparatus. In use, a plurality of leak detection apparatus can be installed to pipes at various locations around a geographical area of supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Palmer Environmental Limited
    Inventor: Keith John Roy
  • Patent number: 6647763
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a device and a method for determining if a system with multiple seals has a leak and, if so, which of the multiple seals is causing said leak. The device and method employ a change in the optical reflectivity of a transparent, plastic membrane due to pulling a vacuum on the seal to make the above mentioned determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Paul J. Smith
  • Patent number: 6647764
    Abstract: An analytical apparatus, such as a quartz crystal microbalance, comprising a piezoelectric sensor and an oscillator circuit, coupled to the sensor, to oscillate at a frequency substantially determined by a resonant frequency of the sensor, and to provide an output signal at the oscillator frequency at an output, the oscillator circuit incorporates means to maintain a substantially constant drive signal to the piezoelectric sensor. Preferably the substantially constant drive signal is maintained by AGC means (33) within a feedback loop of the oscillator. Advantageously the gain control signal is used as an indication of the Q of the piezoelectric sensor. It is desirable that the drive signal to the sensor is substantially sinusoidal since this provides greater accuracy, sensitivity and stability for the apparatus. This can be achieved by ensuring that all the elements in the feedback loop providing signal gain and attenuation are configured to operate in a substantially linear mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventors: Frank Paul, Karl Pavey, Richard C Payne
  • Patent number: 6647765
    Abstract: The present invention 10 discloses a cleaning device having a base portion 14 with a peel and stick adhesive 20 underside and a clear permeable topside 22 having a color reactive substance 24 contained therein wherein the base portion 14 further includes a malleable flap 12 disposed thereon. The present invention is to be placed in areas to be cleaned such as floors, walls, counters and the like for the purpose of monitoring the efficiency of the people that will be doing the cleaning. The peel and stick adhesive base 20 will maintain the cleaning detector 10 in place and the user will put the malleable flap 12 into a substantially perpendicular position relative to the base portion 14. The malleable flap 12 will be deformed away from the substantially perpendicular position if the area proximal to the present invention 10 has been properly swept, mopped, dusted, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Eric Downing
  • Patent number: 6647766
    Abstract: A device for contacting and/or modifying a surface having a cantilever connected to an almost plane carrier element staying apart from said surface, said cantilever having a tip at its loose end being in close contact to said surface. It is proposed that the cantilever stand out of the plane of said carrier element. Further, a method for producing the cantilever having a tip at its loose end. The device is suitable for thermomechanical writing and thermal readout of binary information, lithographic and imaging techniques, and for surface modification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michel Despont, Ute Drechsler, Mark I. Lutwyche, Hugo E. Rothuizen, Peter Vettiger
  • Patent number: 6647767
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the movements of a component in a drive train assembly, such as an axle housing in a vehicular drive train assembly, includes a motion transfer member having a first end that is connected to the axle assembly for movement therewith. A second end of the motion transfer member extends from the axle assembly into engagement with a measuring device that is supported co-axially with or relative to the axle assembly. The measuring device is responsive to the movements of the axle assembly for generating a signal that is representative thereof. The electrical signals generated by the measuring device are fed to an electronic controller for storage and/or analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy A. Rapp, James E. Smith
  • Patent number: 6647768
    Abstract: An intake negative pressure detection apparatus for detecting an intake negative pressure of all cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine by using negative pressure sensors, the number of which is fewer than the number of cylinders and each of the negative pressure sensors provided commonly for two cylinders of the internal combustion engine and connected to intake passages of the two cylinders, respectively through a change-over valve, which is so constructed as to introduce a pressure within the intake passage having a higher absolute value of the inner negative pressure among the intake passages into the negative pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Kokusan Denki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Kishibata
  • Patent number: 6647769
    Abstract: A diagnostic system is provided for aiding a technician or engineer in verifying that a fuel injector in a fuel injected engine is operating properly. The diagnostic system comprises a controller operatively coupled to an actuator for the fuel injector and to a fuel pressure sensor. The controller is configured such that, during a fuel injector test, the controller outputs a signal to the fuel pump so that pressurized fuel is supplied to the fuel injector. After the pressurized fuel is supplied to the fuel injector, the controller outputs a signal to the actuator to operate the fuel injector for a predetermined amount of time. The controller is also configured such that after the predetermined amount of time the fuel pump is turned off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenichi Fujino, Hitoshi Motose
  • Patent number: 6647770
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing internal combustion engine valves is provided. The apparatus includes a housing with a bore for receiving a seat fixture. The seat fixture, in turn, receives a seat insert. A valve is inserted into the apparatus so the valve head is received at the seat insert and the valve stem extends through the seat fixture and through an axial bore in the housing. One end of the valve engages an actuating apparatus that provides a lifting action of the valve so that the valve head moves off of the seat insert as well as a rotating action to the valve. Another actuator is provided to move the valve from a lifted position to a seated position. A heater is employed to heat the valve to high temperatures to simulate extreme operating conditions. A cooling system is also provided to rapidly cool the valve and associated elements to simulate a rapid cooling condition. A method for testing internal combustion engine valves is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Mysore S. Satish, Timothy E. McGreevy, James J. Buettner, David A. Cusac, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Ronald P. Maloney, Brian A. Cull, John R. Davenport, Burhan Hamdan, David E. Hackett, Reid A. Peterson, Gary L. Spadin, Loren L. Randle, Michael L. Lusher
  • Patent number: 6647771
    Abstract: A magnetically coupled pressure display system particularly adapted for pneumatic tires of motor vehicles includes pressure transducer coupled for rotating a magnet field source within the tire and an external magneto-optical liquid crystal display attached to or integrally incorporated into the exterior sidewall of the tire for visually indicating pressure within the tire responsive to the orientation of the magnetic field source within the tire. The external display exploits the magneto-optical effects of liquid crystals and can be conformally and permanently attached to the outer tire sidewall surface. Elements (pixels) comprising the display have selective light polarization properties globally determined by direction (orientation) of the magnetic field each experiences, the primary component of which is that provided by the magnetic field source rotated by the pressure transducer within the vehicle tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: MLHD, Inc.
    Inventor: Alan Alexander Burns
  • Patent number: 6647772
    Abstract: A transmitter of a tire condition monitoring apparatus that has a superior moisture resistant characteristic, enables reduction in size, and facilitates manufacturing. The transmitter includes a casing formed from resin. An electric circuit unit is arranged in the casing to detect the condition of the tire and generate a signal corresponding to the condition of the tire. A battery is arranged in the casing to supply the electric circuit unit with power. The casing is insert molded to embed the electric circuit unit and the battery in the resin forming the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Ito, Setsuhiro Saheki, Youichi Okubo
  • Patent number: 6647773
    Abstract: A system and method for remote monitoring of vehicle tire pressure include monitors in each tire to transmit signals representative of tire pressure and receive control signals for use in regulating transmission of the tire pressure signals. A vehicle receiver receives the tire pressure signals and passive entry signals transmitted by a remote passive entry device. A vehicle transmitter transmits the control signals for use in regulating transmission of the tire pressure signals. A controller on-board the vehicle in communication with the receiver and transmitter conveys tire pressure information to a vehicle occupant based on the tire pressure signals, determines whether the vehicle is occupied based on the passive entry signal, and generates a control signal operative to halt transmission of the tire pressure signals when the vehicle is unoccupied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Nantz, Qingfeng Tang, Riad Ghabra
  • Patent number: 6647774
    Abstract: Wind direction relative to an aircraft, wind speed and left/right wind correction angle data are derived and serially transmitted to an instrument panel indicator which simultaneously displays such data in a graphic visual format. A simple 2-wire interface provides both power and data to the indicator which includes on-board data processing/display driver capability on one side of a PCB with the driven display elements on the other side of the PCB. The entire integrated driver display unit can be made quite small and adhesively mounted in virtually any desired location (e.g., even on a portion of another instrument face) and connected to the power/data source via an almost transparent 2-conductor umbilical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: John S. Youngquist
  • Patent number: 6647775
    Abstract: In devices for measuring the mass of aspirated air of an internal combustion engine, for instance, via a line, it is already known to provide a tubular body inside this line and to provide a temperature-dependent measuring element inside the tubular body. In order that dirt particles and liquid droplets entrained by the aspirated air will be kept away from the measuring element, in accordance with the invention, a protective screen is disposed inside the tubular body, upstream of the measuring element; the screen extends in inclined fashion in the flow direction, and dirt particles and liquid droplets are deposited on it and carried to a downstream end of the protective screen, so that via an outflow opening they can reach the inner conduit wall of the tubular body and be made to bypass the measuring element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Hans Hecht, Gerhard Hueftle, Thomas Lenzing, Manfred Strohrmann, Wolfgang Mueller, Dieter Tank, Holger Krebs, Uwe Konzelmann, Markus Sippel, Horst Kubitz, Henning Marberg
  • Patent number: 6647776
    Abstract: A split-flow-type flowmeter includes a detection element 2 disposed to face a flow path thereof and a venturi structure 4 formed within a flow path 1 in the vicinity of the detection element 2 and adapted to throttle a flow directed toward the detection element 2 to thereby reduce disturbance of the flow. The venturi structure 4 is disposed in opposition to the detection element 2 within the flow path 1 and includes a protrusion 5 protruding toward the detection element 2 within the flow path 1 of the split-flow-type flowmeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Kohmura, Shunsuke Maeda, Takio Kojima, Takafumi Oshima
  • Patent number: 6647777
    Abstract: A pipe line for fluid to be detected is formed so that heat from a flow rate detector in which a thin-film heating element and a thin-film temperature sensing element are laminated on a first surface of a substrate through an insulating layer is transferred to and absorbed by the fluid. In the flow rate detector, the temperature sensing which is affected by the heat absorption of the fluid due to the heating of the thin-film heating element is executed by the thin-film temperature sensing element, and the flow rate of the fluid in the pipe line is detected on the basis of the temperature sensing result. A fin plate extending into the pipe line is joined to a second surface of the substrate of the flow rate detector by a joint member, and the fin plate extends so as to pass through the central portion on the circular section of the pipe line. The dimension of the fin plate in the direction of the pipe line is larger than the dimension L2 of the thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirofumi Kotaka, Atsushi Koike, Kiyoshi Yamagishi, Toshiaki Kawanishi, Kenji Tomonari, Shinichi Inoue, Yukihiro Tochio, Hiromitsu Miyajima
  • Patent number: 6647778
    Abstract: A sensing device that comprises a micromachined tube on a substrate for resonant sensing of mass flow and density of a fluid flowing through the tube. The sensing device further incorporates on the same substrate at least a second micromachined tube configured for sensing another property of the fluid, such as pressure, viscosity and/or temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Integrated Sensing Systems
    Inventor: Douglas Ray Sparks
  • Patent number: 6647779
    Abstract: A temperature sensing resistance element includes a substrate made of an insulating material, a temperature sensing resistor formed on at least a part of the outer peripheral surface of the substrate to connect both ends of the substrate, a cap-shaped conducting member being electrically connected to the temperature sensing resistor and disposed at each end of the substrate, and a protective film covering at least the temperature sensing resistor. A gap is defined by an inner surface an enlarged portion of the conducting member and a part of the outer surface of the substrate, and the gap is widened gradually toward the end of the opening of the conducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Ishiguro, Zenji Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 6647780
    Abstract: An oscillating circuit is disclosed which is responsive to frequency variations caused by parameter changes in an associated slow wave structure sensitive element. A local oscillator and mixer circuit is used to subtract an offset frequency output to reset the oscillation frequency of the slow wave structure so that the output frequency will be in a range starting substantially at zero.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventor: David S. Nyce
  • Patent number: 6647781
    Abstract: A water depth measuring method comprises steps of making a bundle of reference water column pressure measuring tubes of a U character form of the number of n≧2 at a same length with a water depth measuring tube in order to compensate for a total error of a water depth measurement; filling an amount of water into the reference water column pressure measuring tubes to form water columns therein; measuring the water pressure in the reference water column pressure measuring tube by a pressure transducer before measuring a water depth; subtracting previously known water column pressure values derived from the measured water pressure values to calculate total error values; calculating a total error based on the total error values, in which the total error was generated upon measuring of the bubble generating pressure in the water column pressure measuring tubes; subtracting the total error from the bubble generating pressure, dividing the calculated water column pressures by the water column pressure in the refe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: Hydrosonic International Co., Ltd., International Hydrosonic Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tyan Khak Su
  • Patent number: 6647782
    Abstract: A humidity sensor has two detection electrodes located on a semiconductor substrate and a humidity sensitive film. The capacitance of the film changes in response to humidity. The sensor includes a reference capacitor and a feedback capacitor. An electrode of each capacitor is located beneath one of the detection electrodes to limit the size of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Inao Toyoda
  • Patent number: 6647783
    Abstract: A monitoring system, such as used to monitor the presence and/or concentration of gases or other such fluids, includes a housing through which fluid is permitted to pass and which includes a heater element. The housing includes one or more vent hole/vent plug combinations and fluid, including gas and/or liquid, passes through the vent hole/vent plug combinations to flow into, through and/or out of the housing. A heater element is located in the housing and maintains the housing interior above the dew point to facilitate proper operation of the sensor element. The heater element, in conjunction with the vent hole/vent plug combinations, facilitates a heated-air plume through the housing to avoid the build up of moisture therein and to expose the sensor element to a steady stream of ambient atmosphere for monitoring the gas concentrations in same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Manning Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank J. Wewers, Brian K. EuDaly
  • Patent number: 6647784
    Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a balance adjusted wheel and its manufacturing method utilizing a cutting surface, for which cutting is performed by setting a point as a rotation center offset by a given distance from the central axis of a wheel central portion. The invention will improve the work efficiency for wheel balance adjustment and manufacturing of tire/wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Enkei Corporation
    Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Shiro Sato, Hisamitsu Takagi, Shinichi Watanabe, Hidemi Ichinose, Yukiyasu Shiroi, Yoichiro Ishiguro, Isao Takeshita
  • Patent number: 6647785
    Abstract: A rotation sensing system includes a rotation sensor that produces a signal in response to an input rotation about a sensing axis. A servo system is arranged to rotate the rotation sensor at an angle about the sensing axis to null the signal from the rotation sensor such that the rotation sensor is substantially inertially stable. The rotation sensing system is mounted on a resolver arranged to measure the angle through which the servo system has rotated the rotation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Litton Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, John T. Douglass, Stanley F. Wyse
  • Patent number: 6647786
    Abstract: A tuning-fork type vibration gyro enables to suppress pyroelectric noise caused by temperature change and to obtain sensor output having high signal-to-noise ratio. The tuning-fork type vibration gyro includes a tuning-fork type vibration body having two arms mutually disposed in parallel and a base for commonly supporting one end of the each arm, wherein a longitudinal direction of the two arms is defined as a z-axis and a perpendicular direction thereto is defined as an x-axis; driving electrodes respectively formed on the two arms for generating vibration of the two arms in a direction parallel to the x-axis; detecting electrodes respectively formed on the two arms for detecting electromotive force generated when the tuning-fork type vibration body is rotated around the z-axis; and dummy electrodes formed on the two arms in respective areas different from the driving electrodes and the detecting electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Media Devices Limited
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohta, Masanori Yachi, Yoshitaka Takahashi, Kazutsugu Kikuchi, Keiji Saito
  • Patent number: 6647787
    Abstract: The acceleration recorder provides a three dimensional mechanical record of the acceleration sustained in a collision or impact. The recorder converts impact into a rotational movement of an internal weight about three orthoganl axes. Mechanical indicators remain at the limits of the weight rotations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Inventor: Frank A. Fore
  • Patent number: 6647788
    Abstract: An acceleration detecting device comprising a movable weight, a movable electric contact disposed on the weight, a fixed electric contact, an resilient member, and a friction creating mechanism. The movable electric contact slides on the fixed electric contact when a force is given to the weight for moving the weight in a first direction. The resilient member urges the weight continually in a second direction opposing to the first direction. The friction creating mechanism gives a frictional force to the weight when the weight travels a distance in excess of a certain amount in the first direction. The friction creating mechanism increases the frictional force as the weight continues to advance further in the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Eiichiro Murai, Tohru Matsumoto, Yuji Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 6647790
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamically balancing a rotating system or rotating device utilizing data collection and correlation techniques to extract balance measures from sensor data is disclosed. Sensor data from the rotating system, containing information indicative of the dynamics of the rotating system, are filtered and sampled. A select time span of sampled data, adjusted upward to a nearest number of full revolutions of the rotating system, which is of sufficient size to extract balance measures, is collected. Data may be collected as a fixed number of samples per revolution, independent of a rotational speed, so as to simplify later computation. Several unique select time spans may be used for different ranges of rotational speeds so as to maintain the amount of data to be processed while still serving its original purpose. Window function may be applied to modify sampled data in the select time span so as to improve extraction performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin J. Stalsberg
  • Patent number: 6647791
    Abstract: A mechanism for the contactless gripping and positioning of a component having a planar peripheral edge region, including a sound producing device producing a pattern of levitation sound waves for keeping the component in suspension at a selected position. The sound producing device is configured wherein only the peripheral edge region of the component lies in the sound wave pattern to be acted upon thereby and is fixed in the sound wave pattern by Bernoulli forces. The total surface area of the sound producing device is less than the component's total surface area facing the sound producing device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Technische Universitat Munchen
    Inventors: Jürgen Höppner, Josef Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6647792
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe which does not require electric wiring to a large number of microcomponents and does not induce increase of crosstalk and electric impedance. This ultrasonic probe comprises an optical transmission path array incorporating a plurality of optical transmission paths on which light is incident at first ends thereof; and a plurality of ultrasonic detecting elements which are formed on these optical transmission at the second ends thereof and adapted to reflect the light incident through the respective fibers based on ultrasonic waves applied thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6647793
    Abstract: A pressure sensor of a pressure-sensor module is connected to a wet space in a vehicle door by a through-passage channel of a sealing cushion and a connecting branch, which is guided with sealing action through a partition. A housing of the sensor module is located in a dry space. An interior of the housing and the dry space are sealed in relation to the interior of the connecting branch, with the result that a water-tightness of the housing, in which a printed circuit board and electronic components are accommodated, does not have to meet high requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Josef Dirmeyer, Robert Gruber, Harald Schmidt
  • Patent number: 6647794
    Abstract: A barometric pressure sensor including a base layer, a sensor layer and a reference layer. The base layer has a passageway between a pressure inlet and a mounting face. The sensor layer is bonded by an insulating bond to the mounting face and includes a conductive diaphragm. The reference layer is mounted on the sensor layer to form a reference vacuum cavity. The reference layer includes a conducting surface facing the conductive diaphragm across the reference vacuum cavity to form a pressure sensing capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel S. Nelson, David J. Hillman, John McIntire
  • Patent number: 6647795
    Abstract: A capacitive physical load sensor includes a substrate, which has fixed electrodes, and a diaphragm, which has movable electrodes. The diaphragm is located across a gap from the substrate, and retaining parts for the diaphragm are formed around the diaphragm. Protruding parts extend into the gap from the diaphragm or from the substrate. The protruding parts support the diaphragm at different levels of deformation to alter the characteristics of the diaphragm and extend its range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasutoshi Suzuki, Seiichiro Ishio, Keiichi Shimaoka, Norikazu Ohta, Hirofumi Funabashi
  • Patent number: 6647796
    Abstract: An integrated microsensor includes a bowed micromachined membrane coupled to a substrate to define a microcavity therebetween. An integrated strain sensor is coupled to the micromachined membrane to generate a signal responsive to (deformation of the membrane and hence responsive to the pressure of the fluid in the microcavity. A frame is coupled to the peripheral edge of the membrane to assist in enlarging the microcavity. The membrane is composed of a nitride of B, Al, Ga, In, Tl or combinations thereof, or more particularly of p-type GaN where the frame is comprised of n-type GaN. The membrane and frame are fabricated using a photoelectrochemical etching technique. The fabrication of the integrated strain sensor creates stresses across the membrane. The strain sensor comprises an integrated circuit strain-FET. The strain-FET comprises an AlGaN/GaN heterostructure having an AlGaN/GaN interface where deformation of the membrane is coupled as strain to the AlGaN/GaN piezoelectric interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: California Institue of Technology
    Inventors: Robert A. Beach, Robert P. Strittmatter, Thomas C. McGill
  • Patent number: 6647797
    Abstract: A strain gauge strip (10a) of the type that can be mechanically applied to a support (1) subject to deformation, is made of Samarium sulphide and provides optimum performance in terms of precision and sensitivity, without being affected by temperature and covering a wide range of deformations that are well suited to commercial application (FIG. 1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Powerco, S.p.A.
    Inventor: Pavel Miodushevsky
  • Patent number: 6647798
    Abstract: The bearing load measuring system of the present invention is a bearing load measuring system which uses a bearing cartridge as a load cell to measure the bearing load, wherein the abovementioned bearing cartridge is constructed as a double-cylinder type cartridge consisting of an inside cylindrical part that makes internal contact with the outer race in which the bearing balls, and an outside cylindrical part which is linked to the inside cylindrical part via a ring-form supporting member, and the bearing load is measured by strain gauges that are disposed on the surface of the abovementioned outside cylindrical part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: National Aerospace Laboratory of Japan
    Inventors: Makoto Yoshida, Mamoru Oike, Masataka Nosaka, Masataka Kikuchi, Takayuki Sudo, Yoshiaki Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6647799
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for continuously measuring the soil strength on-the-fly and at different depths. The apparatus includes a downwardly extending probe having an impedance sensor mounted on a leading edge thereof so as to be impacted by the soil as the probe is moved in a horizontal direction therethrough. A reciprocating drive is also provided which is effective for simultaneously oscillating the probe in an up and down movement while it is passing horizontally through the soil. The mechanical impedance exerted upon the sensor is then measured as the probe is passed both horizontally and up and down through said soil, thereby providing a continuous depth-variable profile of the soil strength over a large area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of Agriculture, Auburn University
    Inventors: Randy L. Raper, Eric H. Hall