Patents Issued in March 30, 2004
  • Patent number: 6711895
    Abstract: An assembly of a one-way clutch and a bearing in which a thrust load due to a stator is absorbed and a dynamic pressure is generated is configured to prevent an abrupt temperature rise even when the pressure becomes high so that wear of sliding faces is prevented. The assembly of the one-way clutch and bearing is attached a stator of a torque converter. Dynamic pressure grooves and an escape groove serving as the bearings are formed in at least one of opposing faces of a flange portion formed on the stator and a pump member, or opposing faces of a bearing support which is placed on the side opposite to the flange portion of the stator, and a turbine member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd., NOK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Miura, Katsumi Sekine
  • Patent number: 6711896
    Abstract: A non-grounded hydraulic transmission apparatus (16) is provided for transferring power from a power source to a work unit, Transmission apparatus (16) includes an input device (20) having an input shaft (26) coupled to the power source and a plurality of pumps (30) configured to rotate with input shaft (26). Pumps (30) are configured to transfer energy received from the power source into a fluid (22). Transmission apparatus (16) further includes an output device (24) having an output shaft (38) coupled to the work unit and a plurality of turbines (34) configured to rotate output shaft (38). Turbines (34) are configured to remove energy from fluid (22) and transfer said energy to the work unit through output shaft (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Kenneth O. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6711897
    Abstract: An installation to apply ocean energy to power generation. The installation includes a floater, lever, chain, ratchet wheel, flywheel, generator, cable, etc. The floater and weight fixed to the floater move up and down with the motion of wave and drive the strength enlargement mechanism made up of a number of levers to travel alternately and pull the heavy flywheel to rotate constantly. The rotation of the flywheel enables the generator to run and yield electricity. The installation has simple structure and high efficiency and can easily increase or decrease the enlargement mechanism according to the capacity of generation. This installation with low cost can be widely utilized for pollution-free power generation in the coast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Wai Fong Lee
  • Patent number: 6711898
    Abstract: A fuel injector assembly for dispensing fuel in the combustion chamber of a gas turbine engine, includes in one embodiment an elongated, multi-layered, convoluted nozzle feed strip having an internal passage for directing fuel through the length of the strip from the inlet end to an outlet end; and a cylindrical, multi-layered fuel dispensing nozzle unitary with the feed strip and fluidly connected to the outlet end of the feed strip for dispensing the fuel. The multi-layered feed strip and nozzle allow complex porting of fuel circuits through the injector. The internal fluid passages through the feed strip and nozzle are formed by etching. In another embodiment, the feed strip can be used for directing fuel from the manifold to one or more fuel injectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Parker-Hannifin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Laing, Dale L. Arnold, Charles R. Bovard, Jeffrey R. Lehtinen
  • Patent number: 6711899
    Abstract: The invention relates to a heat shield block, in particular for lining a combustion chamber wall, having a hot side which can be subjected to a hot medium, a wall side opposite the hot side, and a peripheral side adjoining the hot side and the wall side. A tension element which can be prestressed to a prestress (Fz) is attached to the peripheral side, release of a fragment, formed during a fracture, of the heat shield block being reliably prevented by the prestress (Fz) of the tension element. The invention also relates to the use of a heat shield block, in particular for lining a combustion chamber wall of a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulrich Bast, Uwe Rettig, Christine Taut
  • Patent number: 6711900
    Abstract: A combustor wall louver for ducting a flow of compressed air through an inlet opening in the combustor wall from a source of compressed air outside the combustor where the louver is a circumferentially extending member, mounted to an interior surface of the combustor wall and covering the inlet opening with outlet openings fed by a channel in flow communication between each outlet opening and the inlet opening. Preferably, the circumferential member is made of arcuate segments of cast metal removably mounted to the interior surface of the combustor wall with threaded studs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan Bhai Patel, Parthasarathy Sampath, Jason Araan Fish
  • Patent number: 6711901
    Abstract: The rocket motor nozzle assembly of this invention includes a throat insert and a carbon or silica protective eyelid. The throat insert has a carbon throat support and a refractory metal shell. The shell is positioned radially inside the throat support to cover the inner surface of the throat support. The protective eyelid covers a sufficient portion of the forward surface region of the shell and the underlying converging portion of the throat support to protect these components against particle impingement. The protective eyelid extends sufficiently far forward along the converging/diverging pathway to cover and protect the forward face or edge of the throat insert and prevent the combustion gases from passing under the throat insert and reaching the radially outer surface of the throat insert. However, the protective eyelid leaves the throat surface region of the shell exposed to the converging/diverging pathway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Inc.
    Inventors: Alan R. Canfield, John K. Shigley
  • Patent number: 6711902
    Abstract: An integrated-cycle power system and method, comprising thermal transfer assembly, recuperating heat exchanger assembly, heat integrator, thermal conduit assembly and gas turbine. The thermal transfer assembly receives heat emitted from the effluent of a heat source, wherein the heat is preferably in the form of high temperature gas. Within the thermal transfer assembly, the energy of the high temperature gas is transferred to a conductive medium carried within a thermal conduit assembly. Due to a thermal potential between the augmenting heat source effluent and the heat integrator, the augmenting heat-source energy is transferred to the heat integrator, wherein energy from a novel recuperating heat exchange assembly is integrated therewith and introduced into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine. The recuperating heat exchanger assembly receives exhaust heat from the gas turbine and recuperates this energy via the heat integrator back into the combustion chamber of the gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Richard E. Douglas
  • Patent number: 6711903
    Abstract: A power plant generates electricity from carbonaceous material and fuel provided by a syngas plant such that clean electric power is generated and flue gas emissions are minimized. The syngas plant produces liquid fuel and unreacted syngas in a Fischer-Tropsch reactor, and the unreacted syngas is conducted to a combustion chamber of the power plant for use as a clean fuel moiety of the carbonaceous material burned in the combustion chamber. The unreacted syngas enables the electric power plant to operate below acceptable environmental limits in producing steam to generate electricity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: John W. Rich, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6711904
    Abstract: The present invention facilitates semiconductor cooling by combining a semiconductor die and a thermoelectric cooler into a single, integrated package or system. The thermoelectric cooler is controllably operated so as to dissipate thermal energy generated by the semiconductor die. Active thermal management of the package is performed by a controller, which monitors temperature(s) of the semiconductor die and increases or adjusts cooling such that desired performance levels can be obtained. The invention can also thermally manage one or more regions of a semiconductor die and can thermally manage a plurality of semiconductor dies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jonathan Michael Law, Nigel Henry Harley
  • Patent number: 6711905
    Abstract: A thermoacoustic engine for acoustically driving a thermal exchange includes a hollow drive tube, a heat transfer medium, an acoustic resonator, and a first thermal element. The hollow drive tube partially contains the heat transfer medium and is connected to and opens into the acoustic resonator. The acoustic resonator is adapted to store acoustic energy and deliver at least one acoustic wave to the heat transfer medium. The first thermal element includes a first channel and a first working fluid. The first channel is positioned to cross and open into the hollow drive tube, at least partially contains the first working fluid, and is sized to decrease the propagation of the at least one acoustic wave within the first channel. The first thermal working fluid is adapted to interact with and undergo thermal exchange with the heat transfer medium by conduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: Robert J. Howard
  • Patent number: 6711906
    Abstract: A variable evaporator control system and method in a gas dryer for maximizing the cooling which can be accomplished for a given length heat exchanger by adjusting the evaporator refrigerant approach temperature responsive to changes in the gas load on the system. Pressure and/or temperature sensors positioned at particular locations in the system provide feedback for controlling adjustments in the approach temperature depending on the gas load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hankison International
    Inventors: Brian W. Pritchard, Mark F. Honath, Timothy J. Fox
  • Patent number: 6711907
    Abstract: A method for conditioning air for an enclosure in which a supply air stream is cooled with a refrigerant system containing a variable compressor by passing the air over a cooling coil to reduce the temperature thereof; the thus cooled supply air stream is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel under conditions which increase its temperature and reduce its moisture content, and then delivered to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a regeneration air stream with the condensing coil of the refrigerant system, and then passing the heated regeneration air stream through another segment of the rotating desiccant wheel. At least one condition of the supply air stream, the regeneration air stream, and/or the refrigerant system is sensed or monitored and the output of the compressor is controlled in response to the sensed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Munters Corporation
    Inventors: Paul A. Dinnage, Kevin H. Young
  • Patent number: 6711908
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for monitoring power outages in a household appliance such as a refrigerator are disclosed. According to the method, a household appliance determines a prior occurrence of a power outage to the appliance. The household appliance then computes a duration of the power outage. Further, the household appliance alerts a user of the duration of the power outage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, John L. McNamara, Louis Montuoro
  • Patent number: 6711909
    Abstract: An outdoor unit includes a pulse width modulation compressor, an outdoor heat exchanger. First and second outdoor fans are positioned near to the outdoor heat exchanger. The operation modes of the first and second outdoor fans are determined in accordance with the amount of refrigerant discharged from the compressor and external conditions. An outdoor temperature sensor is electrically connected to the input port of the outdoor control unit, and first and second outdoor fan operating units for respectively operating first and second outdoor fans are connected to the output port of the outdoor control unit. The outdoor control unit operates the first and second fans in a preset operation mode by confirming outdoor temperature data input from the outdoor temperature sensor and the loading time of the compressor and controlling the first and second outdoor fan operating units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joong-Ki Moon, Young-Man Kim, Jae-Myoung Moon, Jung-Min Lee, Jong-Youb Kim, Il-Yong Cho
  • Patent number: 6711910
    Abstract: An ice cube-making machine that is characterized by noiseless operation at the location where ice cubes are dispensed and be lightweight packages for ease of installation. The ice cube-making machine has an evaporator package, a separate compressor package and a separate condenser package. Each of these packages has a weight that can generally by handled by one or two installers for ease of installation. The noisy compressor and condenser packages can be located remotely of the evaporator package. The maximum height distance between the evaporator package and the condenser package is greatly enhanced by the three package system. A pressure regulator operates during a harvest cycle to limit flow of refrigerant leaving the evaporator, thereby increasing pressure and temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and assisting in defrost thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Mile High Equipment Co., Scotsman Ice Systems
    Inventors: Daniel Leo Ziolkowski, Matthew W. Allison, David Brett Gist
  • Patent number: 6711911
    Abstract: An expansion valve is controlled in response to sensing conditions at the outlet of at least one compressor within a refrigeration loop in a manner that achieves low suction superheat operation of the compressor. In particular, a discharge superheat is computed using data obtained from a specific mathematical model of the compression process corresponding to the current capacity stage of the compressor. The position of the expansion valve is controlled so as to result in an actual discharge superheat being within a predetermined dead band amount of the computed discharge superheat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Michel K. Grabon, Philippe Rigal, Ba-Tung Pham
  • Patent number: 6711912
    Abstract: This invention relates generally to cryogenic devices and, more particularly, to cryogenic devices of very small size based on superconducting elements, low thermal transmission interconnects and low dissipated power semiconductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Daniel B. Laubacher, Zhi-Yuan Shen, Philip Shek Wah Pang, Alan Lauder, Dean Face
  • Patent number: 6711913
    Abstract: An air conditioner equipped with self-production oxygen capability comprises an oxygen machine in a space close to where a radiation fan is. The oxygen machine comprises an air compressor, a revolving valve and two oxygen filter units. This design provides air to the compressor for the process of compressing and flows through the revolving valve into the two oxygen filter units in different time scheme, the oxygen filter units filter oxygen from the air to be blown to an exhale of the air conditioner through pipelines, while dirty air flows through the inhale back to the revolving valve and is expelled out. The revolving valve arranges oxygen to be blown out through the oxygen filter units in sequence so as to maintain a constant oxygen output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Yin-Hsiang Tung
  • Patent number: 6711914
    Abstract: Process for pretreating a natural gas under pressure containing hydrocarbons, acid compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide, and water. The natural gas is cooled to condense part of the water. The partially dehydrated natural gas is then contacted with a liquid stream consisting of a majority of hydrogen in two successive contact zones so as to obtain a natural gas containing substantially no water any more. Finally, this dehydrated natural gas is cooled to condense and separate the acid compounds, this cooling stage being carried out by means of a heat exchanger, an expander or a venturi neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventor: Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 6711915
    Abstract: A device (10) for mounting gemstones and decorative components on a jewelry piece (1). The mounting device (10) has a mounting stud (30) configured for supporting a gemstone (5) or other decorative component on the jewelry piece (1). A mounting base (40) is connected to the mounting stud (30) and disposed inside a cavity (28). The mounting base (40) is held in an abutting relationship with a toggling mechanism (50) that permits rotation of mounting base (40) within the cavity (28). The mounting stud (30) is adjustable to orient a gemstone (5) or decorative component in a plurality of orientations relative to the jewelry piece (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan F. Quach
  • Patent number: 6711916
    Abstract: A glass forming machine has a set machine cycle time. Each of the mechanisms, etc., is cycled during the time of one machine cycle. A computerized model of a mathematical representation of a network constraint diagram of the unwrapped bottle forming process which takes more than two machine cycles to complete is defined to facilitate the analysis and control of the machine cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Emhart Glass S.A.
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Simon
  • Patent number: 6711917
    Abstract: Photochromic float glass and methods of making the same are provided. In especially preferred forms, the present invention is embodied in float glass having a non-photochromic glass substrate layer and a photochromic layer fused onto the substrate layer. During production, layers of the photochromic and non-photochromic glass are brought into contact with under conditions which fuse the layers one to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Guardian Industries Corporation
    Inventors: Ksenia A. Landa, Leonid M. Landa, Anthony V. Longobardo, Scott Thomsen
  • Patent number: 6711918
    Abstract: The present invention provides a simple method for fabricating fiber-optic glass preforms having complex refractive index configurations and/or dopant distributions in a radial direction with a high degree of accuracy and precision. The method teaches bundling together a plurality of glass rods of specific physical, chemical, or optical properties and wherein the rod bundle is fused in a manner that maintains the cross-sectional composition and refractive-index profiles established by the position of the rods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Sandia National Laboratories
    Inventors: Dahv A. V. Kliner, Jeffery P. Koplow
  • Patent number: 6711919
    Abstract: A method for producing multiaxial warp knit fabrics with extended threads in longitudinal, transverse and diagonal directions as a result of direct insertion of the diagonal threads as weft sections onto backs of rising needles of needle bars. The method includes simultaneously inserting at least two diagonal thread systems contrarily as part wefts for each needle bar on a right/right warp knitting machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Textilma AG
    Inventors: Rolf Arnold, Evelin Hufnagl, Jens Stopp, Franco Puffi, Patrizio Sfregola
  • Patent number: 6711920
    Abstract: A knitted convolute protective sleeve is disclosed. The sleeve is knitted from filamentary members to form alternating crests and troughs lengthwise along the sleeve. The crests and troughs may be formed by alternatingly knitting segments from relatively stiff and relatively flexible filamentary members, by interlacing stiffening hoops at spaced intervals lengthwise along a knitted sleeve having a smaller nominal diameter than the hoops, or by varying the knitting parameters, such as loop density and loop length as a function of length along the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Federal-Mogul World Wide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica L. Akers, Janice R. Maiden, Danny E. Winters
  • Patent number: 6711921
    Abstract: A locking device has a base, a positioning element, a positioning frame, a cable and a lock assembly. The base has a positioning tab and a squeezing device. The positioning element is attached to the bottom of the base configured for the base being attached to an object. The positioning frame is pivotally attached to the base and has a telescopic body. The cable is moveably received in the base and has one end extending out from the base and provided by a hook to connect to the positioning frame. The lock assembly is mounted in the base and detachably locks the cable. Accordingly, a PDA and a charging base can be securely held on the base with the positioning frame and the cable. This can keep the PDA and the charging base from being unauthorizedly moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: Jin Tay Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Tsung Yang
  • Patent number: 6711922
    Abstract: A mechanism of a combination lock for beginning and ending combination-changing operation includes a pressing block, which is fitted to a front end of the spindle of the combination lock and associated with a pad. The pad has posts contacting a most front one of several spring-loaded tooth dishes, which separably engage respective dials. The pressing block is pressed towards a rear end of the spindle to force the tooth dishes to disengage respective dials so that the dials can be turned relative to the tooth dishes for changing the unlocking numeral combination to a new one. When the combination changing operation is finished, the pressing block is pushed back to the original position for the tooth dishes to engage respective dials; thus, after the combination changing operation, movement of the pressing block back to the original position can't cause rotation of the dials accidentally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Jaeyou Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheng-Tao Tsai
  • Patent number: 6711923
    Abstract: A motor vehicle lock for the door of a motor vehicle which can be locked from the outside, preferably with a key and locking cylinder. The lock mechanism includes a force application element which is preferably a cylindrical nut that can be turned around an axis of rotation, and includes a measurement system for detecting the position of the nut. The measurement system can have at least one stationary sensor and at least one measurement element which is dynamically coupled to the nut of the lock and is located in the measurement range of the sensor in order to detect the position of the nut. The measurement element is located directly on the outside cylindrical surface of the nut while at the same time is made as a component which is separate from the nut of the lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Bernd Weyerstall
  • Patent number: 6711924
    Abstract: In some embodiments of the present invention, a freewheeling lock assembly is provided that includes a housing at least partially defining a cavity and having a central axis, an actuator rotatably coupled to the housing and substantially axially fixed with respect to the housing, a lock cylinder received within the cavity, having a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, and rotatable with respect to the housing in both the locked and unlocked configurations, and a clutch having a sleeve and a disk that are received by the cavity and that selectively couple the lock cylinder and the actuator for rotation together in response to rotation of the lock cylinder in one of the locked and unlocked configurations. In some embodiments, the lock cylinder remains substantially axially stationary with respect to the housing when rotated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Strattec Security Corporation
    Inventor: Alan J. Ritz
  • Patent number: 6711925
    Abstract: In a process for manufacturing a conductive wire that is suitable for use in semiconductor packages, a core wire of an extensible metal other than gold is first prepared to have a diameter ranging from 300 &mgr;m to 500 &mgr;m. Thereafter, a gold-containing outer layer having a thickness ranging from 2.5 &mgr;m to 25 &mgr;m is plated onto an outer surface of the core wire so as to form a gold-plated core wire. Subsequently, the gold-plated core wire is drawn to result in the conductive wire having a diameter ranging from 1 &mgr;m to 50 &mgr;m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Asep Tec Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pen-Tien Liao
  • Patent number: 6711926
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a hockey puck for enhancing a hockey player's skills, strength and endurance. The method of manufacturing a hockey puck includes the steps of severing a disk member off a solid metal shaft, rounding perimeter edges of the disk member, and pressing a gripping into an outer perimeter surface of the disk member. The metal shaft may be comprised of various types of metal such as but not limited to aluminum and steel. The disk member is preferably 2-5 times heavier than a conventional hockey puck depending upon the metal utilized. The disk member is preferably three inches in diameter in order to simulate the size of a conventional hockey puck, however the disk member may have diameters greater or less than three inches depending upon the type of training the hockey puck is to be utilized within.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy W. Stark, Shane P. Tibiatowski
  • Patent number: 6711927
    Abstract: A bending apparatus for a long material comprises: supporting device for supporting a long material in cantilever fashion at least in a bending direction; bending device which nips the material at an input point apart from the supporting device and is rotated by a predetermined angle so as to bend the material between the supporting device and the input point; driving device for rotating the bending device; feeding device for moving the material toward the bending device and setting a position of the material; and moving device which sets up a separation distance between the supporting device and the bending device prior to bending of the material and allows the supporting device and the bending device to move relatively during the bending of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignees: NHK Springs Co., Ltd., Morita & Company
    Inventors: Tsutomu Furuyama, Yoshihiro Koshita, Mitsushige Kawakubo, Osamu Shinkai
  • Patent number: 6711928
    Abstract: Metal coldworking tooling and a method of employing such tooling. The tooling is used to produce deformation in a workpiece, preferably via use of stress waves, to provide a selected beneficial residual stress profile in the workpiece, in order to provide high fatigue life structures in a minimum number of manufacturing steps. Preferably, action of an indenter causes propagation of stress waves to coldwork a workpiece, causing dimples in the workpiece. Preferably, the dimples are provided with a shape formed by application of a uniform pressure profile to the workpiece surface. By optimized use of the method, a relatively uniform beneficial residual stress profile is provided at both the surface and at the midplane apertures in a workpiece, so as to improve overall fatigue life. An improved indenter tool profile shape is described, having a smoothly curved indenter surface portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Stresswave, Inc.
    Inventor: Eric T. Easterbrook
  • Patent number: 6711929
    Abstract: A load applied to a slider by a suspension is adjusted as follows. First, the suspension is held while no external force to bend the suspension is applied to the suspension. Then, in this state, a position of a load beam is measured with a position measuring instrument. From the information on the position, a pitch angle of the load beam is determined, and conditions for laser light irradiation are determined from the pitch angle. Under the conditions thus determined, laser light is projected onto the front face or the rear face of a bent section of the load beam of the suspension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: TDK Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Yamaguchi, Ekihiro Nakae
  • Patent number: 6711930
    Abstract: A fiber optic cable trough notching system with a punch and a punch aperture spaced apart by a wall receiving opening for receiving a fiber optic cable trough component wall, the punch disposed to impart a force on the trough component wall to deform it into the punch aperture, and thereby create a detent and/or projection. The detent and/or projection are then utilized to operatively attach two trough components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Telect, Inc.
    Inventors: Terry T. Thom, Steven W. Ellison
  • Patent number: 6711931
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for accurately and repeatably positioning metallic parts having variable length extrusions and shaped sheet metal in a modular die system that forms a joggle in the metallic parts. The apparatus of the present invention includes a standard joggle die system that is currently in use in the art. The apparatus further includes a movable back gage assembly that works in combination with the joggle die system to allow an operator to accurately position the workpiece between the joggle dies at a preselected position. The back gage assembly is movable in both the horizontal and vertical directions. The back gage assembly moves into a stored position away from the working area of the dies to permit the joggle to be formed in the workpiece. The back gage assembly can then move back into the working area to accurately position the next workpiece without the need for further adjustments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: David Patrick Calder, Albert Randy Wolfe
  • Patent number: 6711932
    Abstract: An oxygen sensor includes a detector to be positioned between the ambient air and the exhaust gas, which generates a voltage corresponding to a difference in oxygen partial pressure therebetween. A controller performs monitoring of the output voltage from the oxygen sensor and determines an occurrence of fracture in the detector when detecting the generation of a lean signal, which is a signal indicating the above-described difference in the oxygen partial pressure is small, being frequently more than a certain value, and carries out an abnormality diagnosis to the oxygen sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yasushi Iwazaki, Kazuhiro Yamada, Takashi Ogawa
  • Patent number: 6711933
    Abstract: A system and method of calibrating a vehicle odometer (12) includes a controller (18) receiving signals from the odometer (12) indicative of movement of the vehicle (10) and a receiver (26) indicative of distance traveled. The controller (18) obtains information indicative of movement of the vehicle (10) in response to travel at a constant speed. The receiver (26) provides signals indicative of the distance traveled to the controller (18). The controller (18) determines an average number of signals relative to distance and compares the average number to a current number of signals relative to distance. Odometer calibration updates if the average and current number of signals relative to distance differs by a predetermined amount. The number of signals relative to the distance is only recorded when the vehicle (10) is traveling at a constant speed, eliminating aberrant data from odometer calibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Paul Price, Todd Alan Biegler
  • Patent number: 6711934
    Abstract: A system for the operation of a number of commercial washing machines and automatically feeding liquid chemicals to the washing machines. The system has chemical reservoir pods with a pressure sensor and an output valve on each. The chemical pods are supplied with liquid chemical by refill pumps. The quantity of chemical in a chemical pod, and the quantity of chemical dispensed from each chemical pod is calculated from information received by a controller from the pressure sensor to determine when to open and close the valve. A further pressure sensor is provided in the supply pipe to each washing machine to verify and measure flow quantity of water and chemical to the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: U.N.X. Incorporated
    Inventor: David J. Barbe
  • Patent number: 6711935
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously or repeatedly monitoring road surface friction utilizes a separate test wheel attached to a vehicle and in contact with a road surface and a device for detecting slippage of the test wheel resulting from applying either a braking or accelerating torque on the test wheel. A signal corresponding to the applied braking or accelerating torque at the moment slip is detected and used to provide an indication to the driver of the slip condition. The method and apparatus is useful in vehicles as well as aircraft or in other applications where it is desired to monitor road friction. An embodiment of the invention applies and maintains a measured vertical force to the surface of the test wheel of the friction monitor utilizing an electromagnetic force field under processor control. The processor can combine signals from the vertical force torque motor circuit, and the test wheel torque motor circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: James Kevin Hurson
  • Patent number: 6711936
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to both an apparatus, a test form and a method for evaluating sock-drop. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus able to simulate particular forces exerted by human movements, a test form resembling a human leg as well as a method for testing sock-drop so that properties such as compression and comfort can be balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Donald H. Brunk, Jill A. Conley, Douglas K. Farmer, Tony M. Whitener
  • Patent number: 6711937
    Abstract: A sensor module for an incubator or other patient support includes a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the air within the interior of the hood of support, a humidity sensor for determining the relative humidity of air drawn from the hood, a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the air sensed by humidity sensor, and a correlator for adjusting the sensed relative humidity to provide an indication of the relative humidity within the hood.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Services, Inc.
    Inventors: John H. Richards, Ronald S. Kolarovic
  • Patent number: 6711938
    Abstract: A device for determining the adequacy of a sealant between construction elements is attached to a source of compressed air whose pressure is controlled by a regulator. The device includes a cylinder containing at least one piston, the piston containing an air chamber and a plunger, the air chamber being in communication with a pressure gauge. The device also includes an armature having a first and a second end, the first end being attached to the cylinder, the second end having a flow valve and an air fitting in communication with the air source, the handle containing tubing as a means to conduct air from the compressed air source, the tubing being interrupted with a bleed valve. The device also includes a moveable tip such that the tip moves in the direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder, said tip comprising a wheel, a wheel bracket and a plunger shaft, the plunger shaft being attached to the plunger within the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel N. Huff
  • Patent number: 6711939
    Abstract: A method and system for expelling test sample-volumes from luggage/packages includes, in one form, a set of superposed or otherwise cooperating belt conveyor (16, 24) and a cooperating biohazard detection system (14). Luggage articles (L) or packages to be inspected are moved by the belt conveyor (18) and subject to a momentary compressive force to reduce the internal volume of the luggage article or package sufficient to expel some of the interior air within the luggage article or package. The biohazard detection system (14) samples some of the air expelled from the interior of the luggage article (L) and subjects that air sample to various test of undesired or prohibited materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Clifford A. Megerle, Philip T. James
  • Patent number: 6711940
    Abstract: An indication of the elasticity of a non-Newtonian fluid is obtained by extending a fluid bridge between a pair of relatively movable surfaces that hold a fluid sample therebetween, and continuing a timewise progression of separation between two opposed moveable surfaces in a controlled manner until the displacing extension is great enough to cause a break point in the fluid sample. The extension of a fluid bridge at the break point is determined and used as an indication of elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Inventors: David James, Thayananthan Yogachandran
  • Patent number: 6711941
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for evaluating the rheological properties of Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids and melts employs the principle of capillary breakup following rapid stretching of the fluid between two plates. The apparatus includes opposed surfaces defining a sample site disposed therebetween. A liquid sample undergoes an extensional deformation between the opposed surfaces which separate using a user-defined motion profile. The time profile of the diameter of the liquid filament is monitored and recorded as a function of time. Preferred embodiments of the present invention include data analysis of the diameter of the filament as a function of time which provides information regarding rheological parameters including, but not limited to, extensional viscosity versus strain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Cambridge Polymer Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Gavin J. C. Braithwaite, Stephen H. Spiegelberg, Gareth H. McKinley
  • Patent number: 6711942
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for determining and/or monitoring the viscosity of a medium in a container, having a unit which can oscillate, having a drive/reception unit and having a control/evaluation unit, in which case the unit which can oscillate is arranged at a defined measurement position within the container and/or in which case a unit which can oscillate is fitted such that it is immersed as far as a defined immersion depth in the medium, and in which case the drive/reception unit excites the unit which can oscillate to oscillate and/or in which case the drive/reception unit receives the oscillations from the unit which can oscillate. The control/evaluation unit uses the frequency/phase curve (&phgr;=g(f)) of the unit which can oscillate to determine the viscosity (&eegr;) of the medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Igor Getman, Sergej Lopatin
  • Patent number: 6711943
    Abstract: In a method for the determination of the viscosity (&eegr;) of a liquid, e.g. of blood, which is forwarded by a pump, e.g. a blood pump, said pump having a rotor for the forwarding of the liquid from the inlet of the pump to the outlet, the rotor is used for the determination of the viscosity (&eegr;). For the determination of the viscosity (&eegr;) of the liquid no spatial deflection of the rotor from its operating position takes place, but rather the rotor is left in its operating position and the viscosity (&eegr;) is determined from measurement parameters of the pump or of the rotor respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Levitronix LLC
    Inventor: Reto Schöb
  • Patent number: 6711944
    Abstract: A method of testing the assembled state of an internal combustion engine and quickly and accurately judging whether there is at least one fault with the assembling of the engine. While an exhaust-valve side space is closed and a crank shaft is rotated at a constant speed, the pressure in the exhaust-valve side space and the pressure in a surge tank are detected by pressure sensors, respectively. The assembled state of an engine is tested based on the predetermined conditions of the detected two pressures. Those predetermined conditions may be the crank-shaft angles when the two pressures take respective maximal values, the crank-shaft angles when the two pressures change from their constant states to their increasing or decreasing states, etc. Based on those values, incorrect phases of crank and cam pulleys, incorrect clearances of intake and exhaust valves, missing of a compression ring, etc. can be identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoyuki Maruta, Nobuaki Suzuki