Patents Issued in February 17, 2004
  • Patent number: 6692814
    Abstract: In a retaining piece interposed between the adjacent rolling balls, a concave surface of each of both side surfaces of the retaining piece where it contacts with the spherical surfaces of the balls is configured to partly contact with the spherical surface of the ball. The concave surface includes a linear contact portion to be in contact with the ball and an approximate curved surface having the radius of curvature approximate to that of the ball, which is located on the inner side of the linear contact portion. In addition, recesses which are joined to the gate portion and the ejector pin in a molding process are formed in the concave surfaces. A recess is formed at the joining portion or near a parting line. Fins formed in the molding process are capable to be put into the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Shinichi Kasuga, Ryoichi Sato, Hiroki Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 6692815
    Abstract: A composite reinforced plastic lumber article, having a generally rectangular cross-section, is formed by extruding a wood particle/polymer composition through an extrusion die which forms a corrugated or relatively thin sheet cross-section core part. The core part is compressed to push corrugations closer together and then cooled in a two-stage cooling process with water spray and submersion followed by vacuum and air blast drying of the article, followed by extruding an outer coating of the same composition over the core part. A continuous plank-like composite article is thus formed and is cooled after the outer coating is extruded over the core part. Opposed surfaces of the article may be embossed to provide a woodgrain appearance. The two-stage article forming process provides rapid cooling of the material to enhance the speed of production of reinforced plastic lumber articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Vinylex Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Edgman
  • Patent number: 6692816
    Abstract: The invention provides abrasion resistant electrodes that comprise metal-coated conductive valleys between protrusions having a fractured metal coating thereon; the fractured metal coated protrusions are non-conductive. Electrical devices made from a plurality of said electrodes; and methods of making said devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Paul D. Graham, Douglas A. Huntley
  • Patent number: 6692817
    Abstract: A method for forming a composite structure is disclosed. The method includes four steps. Step one calls for applying a primer (104) to a surface (102) of a tool (100). Step two requires applying a coating (106) to primer (104). Step three calls for curing primer (104) and coating (106). The last step calls for forming the composite structure on tool (100). More specifically, primer (104) may be a powdered primer, and coating (106) may be a powdered fluorinated organic compound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventors: Ernie R. Silva, Jerry W. Brimer, Sandra J. Stash
  • Patent number: 6692818
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a circuit board with high thermal dissipation includes the following steps: preparing a thermal conductive resin composition including 70 to 95 mass % of an inorganic filler and 5 to 30 mass % of a resin composition that includes a liquid thermosetting resin, a thermoplastic resin powder, and a latent curing agent; bonding the thermal conductive resin composition and a metal foil together by heating at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the thermosetting resin starts to cure while applying pressure so that the thermal conductive resin composition increases in viscosity and thus is solidified irreversibly; providing holes and curing the thermosetting resin to form an insulating substrate; and forming through holes and a circuit pattern. This method can achieve improved productivity and low cost in processing the holes. It is preferable that the thermal conductive resin composition is integral with a reinforcing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Hirano, Yoshihisa Yamashita, Seiichi Nakatani
  • Patent number: 6692819
    Abstract: A method of transparentizing a cellulosic substrate which is suitable for use as a mailer or envelope having at least one transparentized portion is provided. The method includes the application of a transparentizing composition to a substrate by a flexographic printing apparatus in which one or more of the transparentizing composition, the substrate, and the transfer rollers of the printing apparatus are preferably cooled prior to application in order to raise the viscosity of the composition and allow more of the composition to be transferred to the substrate surface. A primer composition may also be applied to the substrate prior to application of the transparentizing composition in order to aid in penetration of the transparentizing composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Standard Register Company
    Inventors: William J. Castle, Rajendra Mehta
  • Patent number: 6692820
    Abstract: Organic photosensitive optoelectronic devices (“OPODs”) which include an exciton blocking layer to enhance device efficiency. Single heterostructure, stacked and wave-guide type embodiments. Photodetector OPODs having multilayer structures and an exciton blocking layer. Guidelines for selection of exciton blocking layers are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of Princeton University
    Inventors: Stephen R. Forrest, Vladimir Bulovic, Peter Peumans
  • Patent number: 6692821
    Abstract: The present invention provides an acrylic resin laminated film comprising a soft layer formed of an acrylic resin incorporated with rubber particles and having a flexural modulus of about 1,300 MPa or less, and a hard layer formed of an acrylic resin having a flexural modulus of about 1,800 MPa or more on at least one side of the soft layer, wherein the hard layer has a thickness of about 0.1 to about 30 &mgr;m and a ratio of the thickness of the hard layer to the overall thickness of the laminated film is about 50% or less. This acrylic resin laminated film has moderate surface hardness and flexibility and hence is capable of providing for a molding with less whitening when subjected to a molding or forming process including bending or stretching.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sumitomo Chemical Company, Limited
    Inventors: Koji Koyama, Yoshio Tadokoro
  • Patent number: 6692822
    Abstract: A cemented carbide has a <70 &mgr;m, preferably 10-40 &mgr;m, thick binder phase enriched surface zone containing W and Mo but depleted in cubic carbide. The overall content of Mo in the surface zone is the same as that in the inner portion of the cemented carbide. By alloying the cemented carbide with Mo, the performance has been improved particularly when used for turning at conditions causing intermittent thermal and mechanical load in stainless steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sandvik Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Gunilla Andersson, Mikael Lindholm
  • Patent number: 6692823
    Abstract: Described are hydrophilic fibrillated articles that include melt-processable polymer and hydrophilic component such as hydrophilic surfactant or hydrophilic polymer, as well as methods of preparing such articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Robert S. Kody, Mario A. Perez, Thomas P. Klun, Paul D. Graham, Christopher K. Haas, Ravi K. Sura, Diane R. Wolk, Julie S. Prudich, Larry R. Krepski, Terry R. Hobbs, John M. Sebastian, Paul DeRoussel
  • Patent number: 6692824
    Abstract: A light-permeable, IR-reflecting body which contains a stiff, amorphous base material comprised of light-permeable plastic and IR-reflecting particles which are oriented parallel to the surface, said light-permeable IR-reflecting body having a transmissivity (T) in the visible range of 45-75%, an overall energy permeability (g) of 30-60%, and a T/g ratio of >1.15, and the IR-reflecting particles oriented parallel to the surface are disposed in a coating layer comprised of a transparent water-insoluble binder, which layer is 5-40 micron thick and adheres to the base material, wherewith red-reflecting particles with a layer of titanium dioxide 60-120 nm thick on a platelet-shaped carrier pigment are present in the aforesaid coating layer in the amount of 20-40 wt. % of said coating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Roehm GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Volker Benz, Wolfgang Scharnke, Michael Meier-Kaiser, Michael Müller
  • Patent number: 6692825
    Abstract: A nonwoven web and method of preparing a novel nonwoven web of synthetic fiber are disclosed. An aqueous solution amide crosslinked synthetic precursor polymer is extruded under defined conditions through a plurality of die orifices to form a plurality of threadlines. The threadlines are attenuated with a defined primary gaseous source to form fiber under conditions of controlled macro scale turbulence and under conditions sufficient to permit the viscosity of each threadline, as it leaves a die orifice and for a distance of no more than about 8 cm, to increase incrementally with increasing distance from the die, while substantially maintaining uniformity of viscosity in the radial direction, at a rate sufficient to provide fiber having the desired attenuation and mean fiber diameter without significant fiber breakage. The attenuated threadlines are dried with a defined secondary gaseous source. The resulting fibers are deposited randomly on a moving foraminous surface to form a substantially uniform web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jian Qin, Yong Li, Wendy Lynn Van Dyke, Anthony John Wisneski, Palani Raj Ramaswami Wallajapet, Hannong Rhim
  • Patent number: 6692826
    Abstract: A process for producing plexifilamentary or foam products by flash spinning in selected spin agents a polymer from the group consisting of poly (1,3-propylene terephthalate), poly (1,4-butylene terephthalate), and poly(ethylene terephthalate), including their copolymers in which the spin agents have minimal or no ozone-depleting properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Hyunkook Shin, Joseph Robert Guckert, Joseph V. Kurian
  • Patent number: 6692827
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lyocell fiber having a high hemicellulose content. The fibers are readily cut into staple lengths and can be spun into yarns with excellent knitting and weaving characteristics which dye exceptionally well. The fibers have a cotton-like denier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Weyerhaeuser Company
    Inventors: Mengkui Luo, Vincent A. Roscelli, Senén Camarena, Amar N. Neogi, Michael J. Yancey, Paul G. Gaddis
  • Patent number: 6692828
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spandex fiber prepared to be excellent in resistance to both chlorine and heat without affecting the properties of the polyurethane polymer, and manufacturing method thereof. The spandex fiber contains hydrotalcite coated with 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a melamine-based compound. The melamine-based compound includes melamine compounds, phosphor-associated melamine compounds, melamine cyanurate compounds, melamine compounds substituted with an organic compound having a carboxyl group, phosphor-associated melamine compounds substituted with an organic compound having a carboxyl group, or melamine cyanurate compounds substituted with an organic compound having a carboxyl group, which are used alone or in combination. The spandex fiber has a high resistance to both chlorine and heat and is therefore useful for underwear, socks, and particularly, sports apparels such as swimsuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignees: Hyosung Corporation, Doobon Inc.
    Inventors: Byung Su Song, Tae Woo Lee, Ji Won Kim, Seung Won Seo, Dae Hwi Lee
  • Patent number: 6692829
    Abstract: The strand comprises a group of twisted metal wires, a plastic sheath and a pliant filling compound which fills internal interstices between the twisted wires of the group and a peripheral interstice lying between the periphery of the group and the inner face of the sheath. This peripheral interstice has, in a cross section of the strand, an area of between P×emin and 0.6×S2, where P is the external perimeter of the group of wires, emin=0.05 mm and S2 is the cumulative area of the gaps lying between the periphery of the group and the smallest circle within which the group is inscribed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Freyssinet International (STUP)
    Inventors: Jérôme Stubler, Manuel Peltier, Jean-Claude Percheron
  • Patent number: 6692830
    Abstract: Diffractive pigment flakes include single layer or multiple layer flakes that have a diffractive structure formed on a surface thereof. The multiple layer flakes can have a symmetrical stacked coating structure on opposing sides of a reflective core layer, or can be formed with encapsulating coatings around the reflective core layer. The diffractive pigment flakes can be interspersed into liquid media such as paints or inks to produce diffractive compositions for subsequent application to a variety of objects. The diffractive pigment flakes can be formed with a variety of diffractive structures thereon to produce selected optical effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Flex Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Argoitia, Richard A. Bradley, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6692831
    Abstract: A heat treatable coated article including an infrared (IR) reflecting layer (e.g., of or including Ag), the coated article being able to attain a &Dgr;E* (glass side) no greater than about 3.0, more preferably no greater than 2.5, and even more preferably no greater than 2.0, following or due to heat treatment (e.g., thermal tempering). Accordingly, low-E (i.e., low emissivity) coated articles of certain embodiments of this invention appear from the glass side thereof visually similar to the naked eye both before and after heat treatment. Coated articles herein may be used in the context of insulating glass (IG) window units, vehicle windshields, or any other suitable applications. In certain embodiments of this invention, an exemplary layer stack includes: glass/Si3N4/NiCr/Ag/NiCr/Si3N4. Other materials may instead be used without departing from the scope and/or spirit of the instant invention which is a low-E matchable product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Grzegorz Stachowiak
  • Patent number: 6692832
    Abstract: Substrates have anti-reflective hydrophobic surface coatings comprised of the reaction products of a vapor-deposited chlorosilyl group containing compound and a vapor-deposited alkylsilane. Most preferably the substrate is glass. In one preferred form of the invention, highly durable antireflective hydrophobic coatings may be provided by forming a silicon oxide anchor layer from a humidified reaction product of silicon tetrachloride, followed by the vapor-deposition of a chloroalkylsilane, preferably dimethyldichlorosilane (DMDCS). The layer thickensses of the anchor layer and the overlayer are such that the coating exhibits light reflectance of less than about 1.5% (more preferably less than about 1.0%) at a wavelength of about 525 nm (+/−50 nm).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventor: Nestor P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 6692833
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for depositing at least one layer (3) based on tungsten and/or on molybdenum by chemical vapor deposition on a non-conductive substrate (1), such as glass, ceramic, glass-ceramic, or polymer, which includes providing at least one tungsten- and/or molybdenum-containing precursor in the form of a metal halide and/or of an organometallic compound, and at least one reducing agent, such as hydrogen or silane, to form the at least one metal layer. The present invention also relates to the substrate obtained by the preceding process and its applications, especially for producing a glazing, mirrors, or emissive screens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Vitrage
    Inventor: Georges Zagdoun
  • Patent number: 6692834
    Abstract: Coating an implantable device, such as micro electromechanical devices, is highly desirable to protect the implantable device from corrosion. A coating method includes depositing, preferably by plasma glow discharge, a reactant monomer on at least one surface of an implantable device, preferably at ambient temperature. The method will likely decrease the manufacturing time required for assembling such devices because completely assembled devices can be coated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Gonzalo Martinez, Catherine E. Taylor, Kenneth W. Keeney, Markus Haller
  • Patent number: 6692835
    Abstract: Polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) is used as a slip coating on a cigarette package innerwrap to prevent the innerwrap from sticking to the rollers of cigarette packaging machinery during processing of the innerwrap material. PVOH unexpectedly has a low retention of menthol, as compared to conventional slip coating materials, which also makes it useful in mentholation processes that involve applying menthol to the innerwrap rather than to the cigarettes per se.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
    Inventor: John Joseph Tomel, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6692836
    Abstract: A composite material having an aluminum substrate, an intermediate layer located on one side of the substrate, and an optically active multilayer system applied to the intermediate layer. The multilayer system includes three layers. The two upper layers are dielectric and/or oxide layers and the bottom layer is a metallic layer applied to the intermediate layer. In order to controllably and selectively set the absorptivity and reflectivity in various wavelength regions, the intention also being to ensure good processability, in particular deformability, a high thermal conductivity and high long-term thermal and chemical stability of the material, the top layer is a dielectric layer, preferably an oxide, fluoride or nitride layer of chemical composition MeOz, MeFr, MeNs, with a refractive index n<1.8. The middle layer is a chromium oxide layer of chemical composition CrOx. The bottom layer of gold, silver, copper, chromium, aluminum and/or molybdenum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Alanod Aluminium-Veredlung GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Werner Reichert, Klaus Ganz
  • Patent number: 6692837
    Abstract: A semi-insulating InP substrate in which a Ru-doped semi-insulating semiconductor layer is formed on the surface is provided, wherein the Ru-doped semi-insulating semiconductor layer has a complete semi-insulating property. The semiconductor optical device is fabricated by forming the Ru-doped semi-insulating semiconductor layer on a Fe-doped semi-insulating InP substrate, and forming a semiconductor crystal layer to which a p-type impurity is doped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuzo Iga, Matsuyuki Ogasawara, Susumu Kondo, Yasuhiro Kondo
  • Patent number: 6692838
    Abstract: The invention includes a composition of matter which is resistant to metal dusting and a method for preventing metal dusting on metal surfaces exposed to carbon supersaturated environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Trikur Anantharaman Ramanarayanan, ChangMin Chun
  • Patent number: 6692839
    Abstract: A titanium based composite which includes a Ti(Al,O) base matrix, discrete ceramic particles, and an oxide layer on the surface of the composite. The discrete ceramic particles are integrally associated with the Ti(Al,O) base matrix and the oxide layer, so that at a temperature of above about 600° C., the composite is substantially resistant to oxidation and spallation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Titanox Developments Limited
    Inventors: Deliang Zhang, Wei Gao, Danyang Ying, Zhengwei Li, Zhihong Cai, Jing Liang
  • Patent number: 6692840
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to the use of a polymer coating composition having a dispersant, microbeads and a high Tg polymer with a Tg of greater than −10° C. for the inner coating on natural and synthetic rubber articles, particularly for latex gloves. The coating for rubber articles, provides an inner surface coating that reduces friction between the latex and the hand to allow convenient donning. They are deliverable from aqueous solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: National Starch and Chemical Investment Holding Corporation
    Inventors: Stanislaw Petrash, Chaodong Xiao, Apala Mukherjee, Zhixin Li, John S. Thomaides
  • Patent number: 6692841
    Abstract: A friction welded joint structure includes friction welded dissimilar first and second metallic materials. The first metallic material has a rigidity greater than the second metallic material. The angle of the first metallic material to a free edge of the first metallic material, at an end portion of a joined surface between the first and second metallic materials, is greater than or equal to 120 degrees or in the range of from 55 degrees to 85 degrees. A reaction layer between the first and second metallic materials is more than zero and less than or equal to 20 &mgr;m. The first metallic material is copper. The second, which has the smaller rigidity, is aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takahiko Shindo, Yoshiyasu Itoh, Katsumi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6692842
    Abstract: Wires and cables made from ceramic oxide fibers encapsulated within a matrix that includes aluminum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Colin McCullough, Doug E. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6692843
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium having first undercoating layers 40, 40′ formed directly or via substrate face undercoating layers on a substrate 40, second undercoating layers 42, 42′ directly formed on the first undercoating layers 40, 40′, magnetic films 43, 43′ formed on the second undercoating layers 42, 42′, and protective films 44, 44′ formed on the magnetic films 43, 43′. Clusters having a large amount of oxygen are dispersed on the boundary face of the first and second undercoating layers. Preferably, the first undercoating layer is made of an alloy which includes two kinds of elements in which the difference between oxide formation standard free energies &Dgr;G° of the elements at the temperature of 250° C. is large.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Japan, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshibumi Matsuda, Akira Ishikawa, Yotsuo Yahisa, Yuzuru Hosoe, Tetsuya Kanbe, Koji Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 6692844
    Abstract: The life of ceramic SPF dies can be enhanced significantly by plasma spray application of a cordierite glaze on the forming surface. The preferred glaze has a coefficient of thermal expansion close to or matching with the ceramic of the die, and, typically, is a 2•2•5 MAS system including 2-10 mol % TiO2 (or above 8 wt %).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Daniel G. Sanders, Martin A. Peterson, David C. Van Aken, D. Trent Weaver, F. Scott Miller, Jeffrey D. Smith
  • Patent number: 6692845
    Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for performing film-forming of a cathode comprising a metallic with a good adhesion, as well as a light-emitting device producing a good image to be displayed. An EL element is fabricated to have a structure in which an electron transport layer comprising a low molecular weight film is provided on a luminescent layer (104) comprising a polymer film and a cathode (106) comprising a metallic film is provided on the resultant electron transport layer. With such structure, occurrence of delamination or a dark spot derived from inferior adhesion of the cathode (106) can be prevented to obtain the light-emitting device producing a good image quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junya Maruyama, Hisao Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6692846
    Abstract: An organic electroluminescent device includes a substrate; an anode and a cathode positioned relative to the substrate; an emission layer disposed between the anode and the cathode; a hole-transport layer disposed between the anode and the emission layer; and an electron-transport layer disposed between the cathode and the emission layer. The hole-transport layer includes two or more sublayers, one sublayer containing a stabilizing dopant, and the sublayer adjacent to the emission layer containing no stabilizing dopant. Alternatively or in addition, the electron-transport layer includes two or more sublayers, one sublayer containing a stabilizing dopant, and the sublayer adjacent to the emission layer containing no stabilizing dopant. The stabilizing dopant includes rubrene or derivatives thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
    Inventors: Tukaram K. Hatwar, Ralph H. Young
  • Patent number: 6692847
    Abstract: A magneto resistive sensor having a GMR magnetic laminated film is disclosed. The GMR magnetic laminated film comprises a plurality of magnetic thin layers having a NiCoFeB composition alternately laminated with a nonmagnetic thin layer, such as copper layer. Since the magnetic thin layer contains B in its composition, the GMR magnetic laminated film can stand in magneto resistance ratio (&Dgr;R/R %) under a high temperature of up to 250 degrees centigrade. By the reason, electric wiring can be connected by a lead-free solder to assemble a magnetic resistive sensor for a magnetic rotary encoder. The thermal resistance variation and the magneto resistance ratio are further improved when a NiFeCr underlayer is used under the GMR magnetic laminated film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi Metals, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Shirasaki, Hiroyuki Mima, Hitoshi Harata, Hiromitsu Itabashi
  • Patent number: 6692848
    Abstract: Troubles caused by contaminants in a magnetic disk apparatus are prevented by providing a monofunctional compound in a gas phase in the magnetic disk apparatus, said compound capable of undergoing polymerization reaction with hydroxyl groups present on the protective overcoat surfaces of a magnetic head and a magnetic disk and further capable of reacting with contaminants, thereby attaining a high reliability of the magnetic disk apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Ohtani, Naotoshi Akamatsu, Kazufumi Azuma, Kenji Tasaka
  • Patent number: 6692849
    Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided comprising a non-magnetic support and at least one magnetic layer comprising ferromagnetic metal particles principally containing iron, having a spindle shape and having an average major axis length of 0.15 &mgr;m or less, and a binder resin, and optionally further comprising, between the support and the magnetic layer, at least one adhesive layer or at least one non-magnetic layer principally containing a non-magnetic inorganic powder and a binder, and wherein center line average surface roughness Ra of the magnetic layer surface being 2 to 6 nm, said recording medium having the following properties; steel ball wear at 23° C. and 70% RH being 2×10−5 to 4×10−5 mm3, surface C/Fe ratio measured by Auger electron spectroscopy being 50 to 100, and coefficient of friction between the magnetic layer surface and an SUS rod having a roughness of 8 to 10 nm being 0.2 to 0.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Araki, Mikio Ohno, Toshichika Aoki
  • Patent number: 6692850
    Abstract: A thin membrane having a thin film optical coating thereon is formed from multiple layers of different materials in which the overall stress of the thin film is not more than 15 MPa. Such films can be formed through thermal evaporation with ion assist, by directing an electron beam on a source and evaporating material from the source onto a thin flexible membrane while directing an ion stream onto the membrane. The current of the source of the ion stream should be sufficient to provide a thin film coating that has substantially no porosity. Successive applications at constant current can be deposited, while varying the voltage of the ion stream. The stress of the thin films deposited under each different voltage can be evaluated and the voltage at which the stress is acceptably low can be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: AXSUN Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher C. Cook
  • Patent number: 6692851
    Abstract: A control method for monitoring a fuel cell stack in a fuel cell system in which the actual voltage and actual current from the fuel cell stack are monitored. A preestablished relationship between voltage and current over the operating range of the fuel cell is established. A variance value between the actual measured voltage and the expected voltage magnitude for a given actual measured current is calculated and compared with a predetermined allowable variance. An output is generated if the calculated variance value exceeds the predetermined variance. The predetermined voltage-current for the fuel cell is symbolized as a polarization curve at given operating conditions of the fuel cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Donald H. Keskula, Tien M. Doan, Bruce J. Clingerman
  • Patent number: 6692852
    Abstract: This invention is related to a generating system for a fuel cell, and heat waste recirculating and cooling system of said generating system, comprising: a water tank for temporarily storing hot water generated by the fuel cell, a heat exchanger in thermal conductive communication with an anode gas supply, and a pump for pumping the hot water to the heat exchanger, whereby heat energy of the hot water is used to heat the anode gas supply for releasing anode gas, wherein water upon releasing the heat energy is transported back to the fuel cell to reduce the temperature of the fuel cell, thereby forming a heat waste recirculation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jefferson YS Yang
  • Patent number: 6692853
    Abstract: A fuel cell system 1 comprises a fuel cell stack 10, an evaporator 21, a reforming device 22, a supercharger 23, an offgas heating device 24, and a catalytic combustion chamber 25. Offgas exhausted from the fuel cell stack 10 is burnt in the catalytic combustion chamber 25, and the burnt offgas is introduced to the evaporator 21 to be heat exchanged with a reforming raw fuel and reforming air. The burnt offgas cooled by means of the heat exchange is introduced to the offgas heating device 24, to be used as a heat source for heating the offgas exhausted from the fuel cell stack 10. The offgas can be heated by the burnt offgas, and the moisture in the offgas can be vaporized and introduced to the catalytic combustion chamber 25.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoshi Hanai, Kiyoshi Kasahara, Naoyuki Abe
  • Patent number: 6692854
    Abstract: A fuel cell generator system capable of reducing the process cost is described. The fuel cell generator system comprises a fuel cell including a cooling water circulation system, a water process system for processing water to supply as cooling water to the fuel cell, a heater for heating water by utilizing the heat generated in the fuel cell and a hot water storage vessel for storing the hot water from the heater, wherein the water process system is equipped with a water processing apparatus for removing impurities in the supply water and a concentrated water feed line for feeding to the hot water storage vessel, concentrated water in which the impurities are concentrated by the water processing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Kurita Water Industries, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiteru Misumi
  • Patent number: 6692855
    Abstract: A solid electrolyte fuel cell comprising an air electrode, a solid electrolyte film, a fuel electrode, and an interconnector, wherein a ceramics layer which is tight in a certain degree and has a gas permeation flux Q1≦50 (m·hr−1·atm−1) is provided on the air electrode, and an interconnector film which is a tight ceramics film is provided thereon whereby the gas permeation flux Q2 of the interconnector film becomes 0.01 (m·hr−1·atm−1) or less so that a gas-permeability preferable as an interconnector film of the solid electrolyte type fuel cell can be ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Toto Ltd.
    Inventors: Masanobu Aizawa, Akira Ueno, Koji Omoshiki, Haruo Nishiyama, Ken-ichi Hiwatashi
  • Patent number: 6692856
    Abstract: A high throughput screening device for combinatorial chemistry, comprising a membrane electrode assembly, an array of sensor electrodes and one or more common electrodes, wherein a total cross-sectional area of the one or more common electrodes is greater than a sum of the cross-sectional areas of the sensor electrodes is disclosed. This device obtains performance data from each and every array electrode simultaneously and does not require the movement of any electrode during data acquisition. Some application among many possible applications of the device of this invention is in the development and evaluation of catalysts (anode and cathode catalysts) for fuel cells and electrolysis systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: NuVant Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Eugene S. Smotkin
  • Patent number: 6692857
    Abstract: Process for the production of a composite membrane comprising a porous film of a first polymer, the pores of which contain a second polymer, by depositing the second polymer from a solution in the pores of the first polymer, characterized in that the film of the first polymer is contacted with the surface of a first electrode which, together with at least one counterelectrode, is present in the solution of the second polymer and with such a potential difference being applied across the first electrode and the counterelectrode that the second polymer moves towards the first electrode, in which process it must pass the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: DSM N.V.
    Inventor: Edwin H. A. Steenbakkers
  • Patent number: 6692858
    Abstract: A method for producing an electrolyte membrane for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which comprises forming into a membrane a mixture of a perfluorocarbon polymer having sulfonic acid groups or their precursors and a fluorocarbon polymer which can be fibrillated, laminating a support membrane for stretching to at least one side of the resulting membrane, and stretching the resulting laminated membrane under heating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Asahi Glass Company, Limited
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Higuchi, Ichiro Terada, Hiroshi Shimoda, Satoru Hommura
  • Patent number: 6692859
    Abstract: A base manifold for a modular solid oxide fuel cell assembly comprises a plurality of receiving areas for receiving a plurality of solid oxide fuel cell stacks; a fuel inlet passageway disposed between a manifold fuel inlet port and a plurality of stack fuel inlet ports; an oxidant inlet passageway disposed between a manifold oxidant inlet port and a plurality of stack oxidant inlet ports; a fuel outlet passageway disposed between a plurality of stack fuel outlet ports and a manifold fuel outlet port; and an oxidant outlet passageway disposed between a plurality of stack oxidant outlet ports and a manifold oxidant outlet port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Subhasish Mukerjee, Karl Jacob Haltiner, Jr., Haskell Simpkins
  • Patent number: 6692860
    Abstract: A fuel cell includes a membrane electrode assembly having a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode side diffusion electrode and a cathode side diffusion electrode located at both sides of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a pair of separators which holds the membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell also includes a first seal and a second seal. The first seal is disposed between one of the separators and a periphery portion of whichever of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode has the larger surface area so as to surround whichever of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode has the smaller surface area. The second seal is disposed between the separators so as to surround whichever of the anode side diffusion electrode and the cathode side diffusion electrode has the larger surface area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masajiro Inoue, Nobuaki Kimura, Narutoshi Sugita, Hideaki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 6692861
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fuel cell that use carbon and oxygen as fuel sources. In particular, the fuel cell comprises a carbon-containing anode, an electrolyte and a solid state cathode. Heating the fuel cell to temperatures of 400° C.-2000° C. provides an electrical output of at least 1 mW·cm−2. The present invention also discloses a method for generating electricity with a fuel cell comprising a carbon-containing anode, an electrolyte and a solid state cathode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: CellTech Power, Inc.
    Inventor: Tao T. Tao
  • Patent number: 6692862
    Abstract: By realizing or installing check valve liquid vein interrupters in each compartment of the battery the phenomenon of slow discharge of the retained volumes of electrolytes during long periods of inactivity of a redox flow battery, with the electrolyte pumps stopped altogether, can be practically eliminated with the effect that the battery is perfectly ready to deliver electric power immediately upon request even after prolonged periods of inactivity. Moreover, the presence of liquid vein interrupters on each compartment in either an outlet or an inlet port substantially preventing by-pass current during a not pumping phase, permits to increase the by pumping the electrolytes through the compartments of a battery stack intermittently, in other words in a pulsed manner, with a certain duty-cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Squirrel Holdings Ltd.
    Inventor: Andrea Zocchi
  • Patent number: 6692863
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell includes a rolled-up electrode unit composed of a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween, and a negative electrode current collector plate and a positive electrode current collector plate joined to the respective ends of the electrode unit. The negative electrode collector plate is joined to an edge of the negative electrode projecting at one of the opposite ends of the electrode unit. The collector plate has a two-layer structure of a copper layer made of copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of copper, and a metal layer made of a metal not forming an intermetallic compound with lithium and having a lower laser beam reflectivity than copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of the metal. The collector plate has its copper layer contacted with the edge of the negative electrode and welded thereto with a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2004
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Nakanishi, Kouichi Satoh, Toshiyuki Nohma, Ikuo Yonezu