Patents Issued in April 13, 2004
  • Patent number: 6718803
    Abstract: A combination lock comprising a housing, a locking bolt and a locking breach, at least one locking assembly rotatably supported within the housing and comprising a disc member formed with a peripheral recess, a cam wheel and a reset cam. A locking member is formed with at least one locking lug angularly displaceable between an un-locked position in which all the looking lugs engage within the peripheral recess of the disc members and where the locking breach is disengaged from the locking bolt, and a locked position in which at least one of the locking lugs is disengaged from the peripheral recess, where the locking breach arrests the locking bolt. A planarly displaceable manipulating member comprises at least one follower corresponding with each cam wheel. A reset mechanism is provided for rotating all disc members into a reset position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Knollan Ltd.
    Inventor: Yehonatan Knoll
  • Patent number: 6718804
    Abstract: A lockout device (20, 120, 220) for locking a valve (22, 122, 222) into its closed position. In a first embodiment, a lockout device (20) is adapted for use with a valve (22) having a lever-type handle (24) and a valve body (28). Accordingly, the first embodiment includes a generally cup-shaped member (36) having an elongate close-ended slot (46) for receiving the lever-type handle. In a second embodiment, a lockout device (120) is adapted for use with a valve (122) that includes a handle (124) having raised indicia (174) on its upper surface (176). Accordingly, the second embodiment includes a generally cup-shaped member (136) that includes an end wall (140) having a recess (182) for receiving the raised indicia only when the valve is in its fully-closed position. A third embodiment of a lockout device (220) comprises a base (272) and a locking member (274) telescopically engaging the base. The locking member may alternately be positioned in a retracted, unlocked position and an extended, locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Innovative Fluid Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Jay L. Graves, Jay P. Tilley
  • Patent number: 6718805
    Abstract: A steering wheel locking device is attached to a smart ignition system to lock a steering shaft. The device has a key cylinder having a key insertion portion. The key cylinder is rotated between a locked position and an actuation position. A switch knob rotates the key cylinder. A lock bar locks the steering shaft. When the key cylinder is rotated from the locked position to the actuation position, the lock bar releases the lock of the steering shaft. When the key cylinder is rotated from the locked position to the actuation position, a locking lever maintains the lock bar unlocked. A slide body is moved by a key inserted in the key insertion portion. When the key cylinder is rotated from the actuation position to the locked position, the locking lever maintains the lock bar unlocked by the engagement of the key and the slide body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Masanari Okuno
  • Patent number: 6718806
    Abstract: An electronic locking system is provided wherein an electronic lock's restriction of movement of a locked securing member, such as a door latch or bolt, can be selectively overridden from inside a locked enclosure by manual manipulation of a handle. The handle moves the securing member to open a locked barrier even though the electronic lock remains in a locked condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Videx, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul R. Davis
  • Patent number: 6718807
    Abstract: A removable core lock and key device comprises a cylinder housing (3), a cylinder core (10) accommodated in said cylinder housing, and an essentially cylindrical plug (20) rotatably arranged in the core. A blocking pin (28) is provided in the core and is movable between an extended position, wherein it engages a recess in the cylinder housing, and a retracted position. An actuator element (26a, 26c) is controlled by at least one control pin tumbler. With a control key in the lock, the control pin tumbler displaces the actuator element so that it moves the blocking pin with the rotation of said plug. With a user key in said key slot, said pin tumbler is disengaged from the actuator element and the plug is free to rotate. In other positions the control pin tumbler blocks rotation of the plug and actuator element. A simple yet reliable and secure removable core arrangement is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Assa AB
    Inventor: Daniel Andersson
  • Patent number: 6718808
    Abstract: An improved tubular-type locking cylinder and dedicated key that provides for both theft- and trip-resistant tumbler pin assemblies, wherein the locking cylinder is comprised of an outer housing, a main base, a locking cylinder shaft, and a plurality of tumbler pin assemblies. The improved features are that a detent slot is formed in the interior wall along the locking cylinder shaft recess through the center of the main base body. The locking cylinder shaft consists of a bore through the center of the shaft member up to its top extremity, a movably disposed catch bolt and spring, and a plug obstructing the opening of the bore. A horizontal passage for seating a steel ball is formed in the shaft member at the lower side of a tumbler pin disc. A locating pin is horizontally situated near the upper extremity at one side of the catch bolt. A keyway slot is formed in the shaft member that is contiguous to the upper end of the bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Shen Yu
  • Patent number: 6718809
    Abstract: This method refers to a method by which the physical and mechanical properties intrinsic to a fine-grain structure may be formed in metal billets using pressure treatment. The method is designed to treat rods, bars and other particularly long billets. This method is designed to lower the cost of deformational treatment for long rods and large diameter billets and creates a pre-specified microstructure, including micro-crystal structure, and specific physical and mechanical properties. This may be achieved using various treatment techniques, one of which includes the deformation of at least a part of the billet through reduction of the billets cross-section. In this method, a long rod shaped billet is used. Reduction of the cross-section is achieved using tools that permit movement along and across the billet's axis as well as being rolled about its surface, for example, a roller. In this case at least one support stand is employed for correct placement of the billet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Farid Zainullaevich Utyashev, Oscar Akramovich Kaibyshev, Oleg Rayazovich Valiakhmetov
  • Patent number: 6718810
    Abstract: The object of the invention is a method and an apparatus for bringing elongated metallic scrap into a more compact form by bending the metallic scrap to be brought into a shape requiring less space substantially around a bending member (6a, 6b) comprised by a forming member (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Savonlinnan PR-Urakointi Oy
    Inventor: Pentti Räsänen
  • Patent number: 6718811
    Abstract: A tubular blank (22) is rolled on a mandrel (14) in a pilgrim rolling mill. In a first rolling stage, a first part of the blank (22) is rolled on a first part (18,19) of the mandrel (14), with a reduction of the outside diameter of the blank (22) to the outside diameter of the guide tube and a reduction of the wall thickness of the blank (22) to one of a first wall thickness (e1) and a second wall thickness (e2) exceeding the first wall thickness (e1). The mandrel (14) is advanced in the axial direction. A second part of the blank (22) is rolled on a second part (20,21) of the mandrel spaced from the first part in the axial direction with a reduction of the outside diameter of the blank to the outside diameter of the guide tube and a reduction of the wall thickness of the blank (22) to the other of the first wall thickness (e1) and second wall thickness (e2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Compagnie Europeenne du dirconium-Cezus
    Inventors: Jean Drillon, Jean-Luc Aubin
  • Patent number: 6718812
    Abstract: A method for making a beam from a metal sheet (10), includes the steps of providing a metal sheet having opposite first and second side edges (12, 14) extending longitudinally along opposing sides of the metal sheet, and a first and a second generally parallel opposing face surfaces (16, 18) provided between the first and second edges. The first and second generally parallel opposing faces define a thickness of the metal sheet therebetween. The thickness of the metal sheet is split at one of the first and second side edges to form first and second integral flanges (28, 30, 32, 34) from a portion of the metal sheet such that inner ends of the first and second flanges remain integrally connected with an unsplit portion (44) of the metal sheet. The first and second flanges are then bent so as to provide the metal sheet with a tubular portion extending along one side of and integrally formed with the unsplit portion. The first and second flanges are then fixed against movement relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Magna International Inc.
    Inventor: Federico G. Jaekel
  • Patent number: 6718813
    Abstract: In a pipe rack forming method, in a state of holding a pipe forming body by a holding portion in a holding metal mold, at a time of pressing a flat surface portion of the pipe forming body by tooth bottom forming surfaces of respective stages of tooth profile portions in a tooth profile metal mold, the structure is made such as to sequentially employ the tooth profile portions in which a tooth bottom height applied to the flat surface portion is reduced in sequence for the tooth profile portions in the tooth profile metal mold, repeatedly pressing and moving forward and backward mandrels having the same size to an inner periphery of the pipe forming body every time when the respective stages of tooth profile portions in the tooth profile metal mold press the flat surface portion, and forming a rack tooth having a final tooth profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Showa Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Yasuda, Masato Ishikawa, Yoshihisa Mikami
  • Patent number: 6718814
    Abstract: A swaging die assembly includes a plurality of die segments and a plurality of compressible spacing elements. Each die segment has a work surface for contacting a workpiece and is movable in a first direction. Each compressible spacing element is interposed between an adjacent pair of compressible spacing elements. Each compressible spacing element is configured to exert a separation force between the adjacent pair of compressible spacing elements. At least one of the compressible spacing elements constructed of polymeric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Computer Age Engineering
    Inventors: Michael A. Bartrom, Carl D. Waters
  • Patent number: 6718815
    Abstract: Tool, device and machine for crimping contacts 10 possibly arranged in a housing of connector 20 onto a flexible circuit 40. The tool principally has a solid block 1 provided with a plurality of stamps 3 for crimping. The device has a tool support mounted in a press 9 and an anvil 50, the tool and the anvil coming to crimp the contacts mounted in the connector onto the flexible circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: FCI
    Inventor: Flavio Fantini
  • Patent number: 6718816
    Abstract: The calibration circuit is used with a differential input, monolithic integrated circuit preamplifier in a sensor system. The calibration circuit tests the integrity of the sensor, the preamplifier, and the wiring in the sensor system. The calibration circuit includes first and second calibration capacitors having different capacitances connected to the preamplifier input leads. A calibration signal source is connected between the capacitors. The capacitors are preferably implemented on the same integrated circuit as the preamplifier. In operation, a calibration signal of known amplitude is applied to the calibration circuit and the level at the preamplifier output is determined. The level at the preamplifier output indicates certain conditions relating to the integrity of the sensor and its wiring, for example, an open circuit condition or a short circuit condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Thomas A. Freehill, Timothy B. Straw
  • Patent number: 6718817
    Abstract: The present invention herein relates to a sample injection device for micro gas chromatograph is assembled from five layers of thin plates and membrane. The first layer serves as cover plate and interfacial connection to outside columns. The second layer is fabricated with a sample channel and a carrier gas inlet split into an analytical channel and a reference gas channel, and two valve seats. The third layer is a flexible diaphragm for valve actuation. The fourth layer is fabricated with a pressurizing gas inlet hole and pressurizing channel leading to the diaphragms of valve seats. The fifth layer serves as another cover plate. An external solenoid valve is used to control the processes of sampling and injection. The channels and valve seats on each layer plate can be fabricated through several well-developed fabrication techniques such as photolithographic, LIGA processes or precision micro machining. All five layers are properly aligned and bonded by adhesives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hsien-Wen Ko, Wun-Shung Lee, Fu-Hsiang Wang, Jon-Wey Chu
  • Patent number: 6718818
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for detecting air leaks in tires and in a tire testing machine. Each of the tires is mounted on the tire testing machine; inflated with an air flow from an inflation system to a first pressure; and maintained at the first pressure by continued supply of air from the inflation system into the tire. The flow of the continued supply of air is measured with a calorimetric flow sensor calibrated to output a sensor signal having a full scale value corresponding to an identical model tire mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the model tire or the testing machine. The flow of the continued supply of air is compared with an averaged flow for previously measured tires mounted on the tire testing machine with no air leaks in the tires or the testing machine. A control signal indicating an air leak is outputted if the sensor signal is 20% to 80% of the full scale value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
    Inventors: William Randall Dutt, John Edward Fahringer, John Michael Maloney
  • Patent number: 6718819
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining the condition of engine lubricating oil includes a sensor having a plurality of spaced apart electrode pairs on a nonconductive polymer film. The sensor is operatively associated with an oil filter, which provides retro-fit capability and easy access for servicing and replacement. The multi-electrode pair design averages signal output to reduce operational electromagnetic interference noise. A forcing-function waveform reactive circuit is applied to the sensor input electrode as a common voltage potential. The output current from the sensor electrodes is then relayed to a current follower amplifier, which converts the output current into an equivalent voltage for comparison with predetermined values. Based on the voltage values, the on-board sensing system will determine the oil's condition, and will trigger a trouble code if the equivalent voltage falls within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey N. Schoess
  • Patent number: 6718820
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for indentation test, for measuring mechanical properties in the field. The present invention provides an apparatus which is suitable for measuring mechanical properties without compensative experimental constant for the analysis of measured data. The present invention provides an apparatus which is safe for testing the materials by utilizing a sensor for controlling indenter movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Frontics, Inc.
    Inventors: Dong-il Kwon, Yeol Choi, Yun-hee Lee
  • Patent number: 6718821
    Abstract: A scanning force microscope is provided with a force-feedback sensor to increase sensitivity and stability in determining interfacial forces between a probe and a sample. The sensor utilizes an interferometry technique that uses a collimated light beam directed onto a deflecting member, comprising a common plate suspended above capacitor electrodes situated on a substrate forming an interference cavity with a probe on the side of the common plate opposite the side suspended above capacitor electrodes. The probe interacts with the surface of the sample and the intensity of the reflected beam is measured and used to determine the change in displacement of the probe to the sample and to control the probe distance relative to the surface of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Jack E. Houston, William L. Smith
  • Patent number: 6718822
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling an internal combustion engine to improve air/fuel ratio control using a feed-forward observer-based control strategy include estimating current and future airflow actuator positions, determining corresponding mass airflow values, and determining a future in-cylinder air charge based on a difference between the current and future mass airflow values. In one embodiment, the difference between current and future mass airflow estimates is used as a feed-forward term and combined with a sensed or measured value generated by a mass airflow sensor prior to being processed using a manifold filling model to predict the future cylinder air charge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ihab S. Soliman, Tobias John Pallett, Jerry D. Robichaux
  • Patent number: 6718823
    Abstract: A MEMS gyroscope may be coupled to drive electronics that provide a pulse width modulation drive signal to the MEMS gyroscope. The pulse width modulation drive signal may be generated by comparing a pickoff signal and/or input signal to a direct current threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: William Platt
  • Patent number: 6718824
    Abstract: A semiconductor dynamic quantity sensor, for example, an acceleration sensor is formed on a SOI substrate having an activation layer and a supporting layer with an oxide film interposed therebetween. A structure for the sensor is formed in the activation layer. An opening is formed in the supporting layer and the oxide film to expose the structure. In this sensor, stress layer is formed in the activation layer at a side contacting the oxide film. The stress layer is removed at a region facing the opening to prevent the structure from cambering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Ito, Kazushi Asami, Tsuyoshi Fukada, Hirofumi Higuchi
  • Patent number: 6718825
    Abstract: A method for reduces the sticking of proof masses in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices to sense plates in the MEMS device due to acceleration forces to which the MEMS device is subjected. The method includes determining a beginning of acceleration events which would cause proof masses to contact sense plates, reducing sense bias voltages to the sense plates, determining an end of the acceleration event, and increasing sense bias voltages to their former levels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Platt, William A. Harris, Neil G. W. Hedtke
  • Patent number: 6718826
    Abstract: A balanced angular accelerometer is provided having a substrate, a fixed electrode with a plurality of fixed capacitive plates, and a rotational inertia mass with a central opening and substantially suspended over a cavity and including a plurality of movable capacitive plates arranged to provide a capacitive coupling with the first plurality of fixed capacitive plates. The accelerometer has a central member and an outer member fixed to the substrate. According to one embodiment, a plurality of inner support arms extend between the central member and the inertia mass and a plurality of outer support arms extend between the inertia mass and the outer member to support the mass over the cavity. According to another embodiment, one or more cut out apertures are formed in the inertia mass to compensate for a channel and signal line so as to balance the inertia mass about the center of the inertia mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Seyed R. Zarabadi, Ian D. Jay, Jack D. Johnson, John C. Christenson, Tracy A. Noll
  • Patent number: 6718827
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes an elastic member extending about a central axis, having a central region, a peripheral region, a first side, and a second side. An overpressure stop member has an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface of the overpressure stop member has a contour adapted to limit deflection of the elastic member caused by a differential pressure between the two regions across the elastic member. The outer surface of the overpressure stop member has an first electrically conductive region. A second plate is spaced apart from the outer surface of the overpressure stop member, and being connected to the central region of the elastic member by a post, wherein the post transfers deformation of the elastic member caused by differential pressure across the elastic member to movement of the second plate along the central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Setray Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shih-Ying Lee, Gino A. Pinto, Thomas Foley
  • Patent number: 6718828
    Abstract: Described is a sensing device, which is suspended in a filling material, particularly a liquid, by means of a cable 30. The cable 30 consists of a cable jacket of insulating material, a shielding jacket 32 of metal mesh beneath the cable jacket 31, and the electrical conductors connected to the sensor proper 11. In accordance with the invention, the shielding jacket 32 also serves to relieve pull. To this end, the end 33 that projects into the sensor housing 10 is exposed, i.e., is free of the insulating jacket material, and has a solid mechanical connection to the adapting piece 21 of a cable seat 20 inserted into the housing 10, and the connection is electrically conductive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kopp, Hermann Dieterle, Ewald Bohler
  • Patent number: 6718829
    Abstract: The full bridge circuit in a pressure sensor including semiconductor piezoelectric resistive elements in a pressure detection structure is connected to a filter. That is, first and second output terminals of the full bridge circuit is connected to a capacitor. One end of the capacitor is connected to the first output terminal through a first resistor. The other end of the capacitor is connected to the second output terminal through a second resistor. In an exhaust system of an engine, the pressure of the exhaust gas is detected to detect clogging in the black smoke removing unit. The filter removes the pulsate component in the detection signal derived from the pulsate component in the exhaust gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hironobu Baba, Kazuyoshi Nagase, Yukihiro Kato
  • Patent number: 6718830
    Abstract: A sensor chip has a piezo-resistive bridge, a first resistor network that can be used for biasing when connected to an external amplifier, a second resistor network that can be used to set gain when connected to the external amplifier, and a leadout resistor that connects an output of the bridge to a common summing point of the two resistor networks. The summing point is connected to the non-inverting input of the external amplifier. The leadout resistor has a predetermined number of squares. A portion of the squares has a light implant and the remaining portion of the squares has a heavy implant. The ratio of the heavy and light implant portions provides customized span compensation of the amplified output for specific operating temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6718831
    Abstract: A screwer test bench includes a coupling designed for coupling with the head of a screwer. The coupling is connected to a braking unit through a sensor unit for detection of mechanical magnitudes transmitted between the coupling and the braking unit. The braking unit includes a cap connected to the coupling and a movable member thrust on command in the brake operation direction. The movable member is constrained against rotation around the brake axis by an inextensible wall with a configuration deformable in the braking direction. Advantageously the wall is in the form of a bellows into which is fed pressurized fluid to bring about its elongation and operate the brake.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: BLM S.a.s. di L. Bareggi & C.
    Inventors: Angelo Chiapuzzi, Luigi Bareggi
  • Patent number: 6718832
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for determining a relationship between hydrostatic stress and volumetric strain in a sample of compressible material, where the sample is immersed in a fluid medium having a density. The method includes steps of varying the hydrostatic stress on the sample by changing the density of the fluid medium over a range of densities, determining a change in apparent weight of the sample as the density of the fluid medium is changed, and determining the volumetric strain in the sample based on the change in apparent weight of the sample and the change in density of the fluid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: John C. Hay, Jr., Barry N. Lucas
  • Patent number: 6718833
    Abstract: A multiaxial high cycle fatigue test system for testing bending, torsion, and tension of a test unit, comprises servo-hydraulic components, including a hydraulic service manifold, two small high frequency actuators along a first axis, and one large main actuator along a second axis The large main actuator is used to apply a radial centrifugal force, and the two small actuators are used to apply vibratory loading; the two small side actuators being offset independently of each other, to enable the machine to apply both bending loads and torque to the test unit. The test unit is subjected to torsion loading when the traverse actuators move in phase, that is when both actuators move either in or out at the same time. The test unit is subjected to bending loading when the actuators move out-of-phase, that is one actuator moves in when the other moves out or vice-versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignees: AdTech Systems Research, Inc., The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventors: Ming Xie, Som R. Soni, Charles J. Cross, Gary E. Terborg
  • Patent number: 6718834
    Abstract: A method and device for measuring the flow of a liquid utilizes at least one carbon nanotube. More particularly, the velocity of a liquid along the direction of the flow is measured as a function of the current/voltage generated in at least one carbon nanotube due to the flow of the liquid along its surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Indian Institute of Science
    Inventors: Ajay Kumar Sood, Shankar Ghosh
  • Patent number: 6718835
    Abstract: A pressure plate extractor for testing of soils and other porous solids has a pressure chamber defined by pressure chamber sidewalls resting above a pressure chamber base. A drain plate is situated on the pressure chamber base with its bounding edge surrounded by a seal and situated inwardly from the pressure chamber sidewalls, which rest atop the seal. When the pressure chamber sidewalls are urged towards the pressure chamber base, thereby compressing the seal and preventing air from passing between the pressure chamber sidewalls and pressure chamber base, the seal laterally expands to firmly engage the bounding edge of the drain plate, thereby preventing air from passing between the pressure chamber sidewalls and the drain plate. A substantially leak-free pressure chamber results, with low probability of drain plate failure because the pressure chamber sidewalls do not bear directly upon it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation
    Inventors: Xiaodong Wang, Craig Herbert Benson
  • Patent number: 6718836
    Abstract: The present application relates to brake actuators, and more particularly to a brake actuator of the hand-operated type in which a hand grip is rotated to release a pawl for enabling brake releasing movement of a brake lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ventra Group Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Revelis, Michael Sykes
  • Patent number: 6718837
    Abstract: A driving unit for a pressure application shaft in a welding apparatus including a housing for housing therein a ball screw mechanism for converting rotation of an output shaft of a motor into reciprocating motion of the pressure application shaft, and a direct acting type rolling guide mechanism provided between the pressure application shaft and the housing. The housing includes a housing body which is opened at one side, and a plate for covering the opened portion. The ball screw mechanism, the pressure application shaft member, the rolling bearing which is fixed to the pressure application shaft member, and a rail combined with the rolling bearing are fixed to the housing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Obara Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Sato, Yoshiyuki Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6718838
    Abstract: A rotary drive mechanism for use with a timer/sequence switch in an appliance is presented. The mechanism converts linear motion from a cam tracker following a programmed cam track to rotary motion to drive a vent damper in an appliance. The rotary motion output is derived as a multiple of the input linear motion through a gear set. This input linear motion is translated to rotary motion imparted to a tracking rod, which is coupled through the gear set to an output actuating rod. Tracking by a tracking lobe is accommodated by a spring bias force applied though a bias lobe that counteracts the force applied by the cam track. Alternatively, tracking by a tracker is accommodated by a spring bias force applied through a torque arm of the tracking rod that also counteracts the force applied by the cam track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated of Delaware
    Inventors: Ronald S. Joyce, Sudha Narayanan, Robert Van Der Linde, Lawrence T. Olges
  • Patent number: 6718839
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates speculative load operations in a multiprocessor system. The system operates by maintaining a record of speculative load operations that have completed at a processor in the multiprocessor system, wherein a speculative load operation is a load operation that is speculatively initiated before a preceding load operation has returned. Next, the system receives an invalidation signal at an L1 cache that is coupled to the processor, wherein the invalidation signal indicates that a specific line in the L1 cache is to be invalidated. In response to this invalidation signal, the system examines the record of speculative load operations to determine if there exists a matching speculative load operation that is completed and is directed to the same location in the L1 cache that the invalidation signal is directed to.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Shailender Chaudhry, Marc Tremblay
  • Patent number: 6718840
    Abstract: In a center of a sun gear an inner cylindrical portion is provided. The inner cylindrical portion is rotatably fitted to a fixed shaft. On the sun gear a circular groove is formed around the inner cylindrical portion. At a center of a planet lever an outer cylindrical portion is formed. The outer cylindrical portion fits to the inner cylindrical portion in the groove. On the inner cylindrical portion plural arms are formed, and an end of each arm contacts to a wall of the groove with an adequate pressure. When the sun gear rotates, a frictional force is generated by contact of between the wall and the arm and has an effect on the planet lever to swing with the sun gear. The planet gear attached to the planet lever revolts about the sun gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Optical Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenji Yamane
  • Patent number: 6718841
    Abstract: A transmission with a drive shaft (10), an output shaft (20) mounted coaxially thereto and a countershaft (30), there being provided a first constant gear pair (K1) that can transmit the rotation of the countershaft (30) to the output shaft (20) and wherein respective toothed gear pairs are allocated to the individual gears, the gear pairs optionally transmitting the rotation of the drive shaft (10) to the countershaft (30). A second constant gear pair (K2) can transmit the rotation of the countershaft (30) to the output shaft (20). The toothed gears (1-1, 1-2; 2-1, 2-2; 3-1, 3-2) of a gear of a first group of gears can be optionally select to be operative between the drive shaft (10) and the countershaft (30), the rotation of the countershaft (30) being transmissible via the first constant air (K1) to the output shaft (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Bernd Schepperle
  • Patent number: 6718842
    Abstract: Shift lever unit for transforming the tilting movements of a shift lever (1) in electrical control signals, in particular for controlling a gearbox, with a shift lever, a rotating element (30, 3′) which is rotated by the tilting movements of the shift lever (1) and a sensor (32, 41) detecting the angular position of the rotating element (30, 3′) and transforming it into electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Fico Triad
    Inventor: Josep Bofias
  • Patent number: 6718843
    Abstract: A gear-shift and brake-control assembly for a racing bicycle, comprising a first control lever located along and behind the brake lever and a second control lever projecting transversely from the internal side wall of the supporting body of the brake lever, is provided with a push-button for controlling the operating mode of a display associated to the handlebars of the bicycle, which is positioned further back (with reference to the direction of advance of the bicycle) and higher up than the aforesaid second control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Campagnolo S.r.l.
    Inventor: Valentino Campagnolo
  • Patent number: 6718844
    Abstract: A bicycle shift control device comprises a base member for attachment to the bicycle, a operating member rotatably supported relative to the base member for rotating in first and second directions, a transmission control member rotatably mounted relative to the base member for controlling the pulling and releasing of a transmission control element, a bracket for supporting a transmission control element diverting surface, and an intermediate member coupled for rotation with the transmission control member. The intermediate member rotates around a first axis, and the intermediate member can move in the direction of the first axis between an engagement position, in which the intermediate member engages the bracket, and a disengagement position, in which the intermediate member is disengaged from the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Shimano, Inc.
    Inventor: Masahiro Hanatani
  • Patent number: 6718845
    Abstract: A brake cover (18) and shaft (24) rotate with a pedal lever (20) relative to a central section (14) of the housing (12) rotate a pedal gear (76). The pedal gear (76) rotates a sensor gear (74) to rotate a sensor arm (46) about a sensor axis (48). The sensor arm (46) supports sensor members (58) that move along sensor bands (50) to generate an electrical signal. As the brake cover (18) rotates with the pedal lever (20) it uncoils coil springs (84) to cause brake shoes (80) to pivot radially outward about respective posts (82) frictionally engage the interior surface (78) of the central section (14) to thereby provide a resistance or hysteresis to movement of the pedal lever (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Teleflex Incorporated
    Inventor: Brad C. Menzies
  • Patent number: 6718846
    Abstract: An apparatus for aligning a bearing member with an actuator. The apparatus includes an actuator having a substantially cylindrical shape and disposed about an axis, a substantially spherical end on the actuator, a bearing member having a substantially spherical opening for housing the spherical end, the spherical end and the spherical opening being configured such that the bearing member is held in swiveling contact by the spherical end, a spring retainer located on the actuator a desired distance from the spherical end, and a spring located about the actuator from the spring retainer to the bearing member such that a spring force is placed on the bearing member to maintain alignment of the bearing member with the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Ellison
  • Patent number: 6718847
    Abstract: A venting or pressure release system releases pressure from a transmission housing through which extends a transmission shaft. A lower part of the transmission housing forms a collector in which fluid collect. A conduit communicates the collector with a storage container which is substantially sealed against the transmission housing. An overpressure in the transmission housing forces fluid from the collector through the conduit into the storage container. A pressure-release conduit communicates the transmission housing above the collector to the storage container. A shutoff device closes the pressure-release conduit when the transmission shaft is rotating and opens the pressure-release conduit when the transmission shaft is not rotating. This makes possible a rapid compensation of fluid after the transmission has been turned off so that the fluid level can be reliably determined. The shutoff device may be a pilot-controlled valve or a fluid barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Manfred Rimkus, Helmut Schäfer
  • Patent number: 6718848
    Abstract: A manual wire-stripper has first and second wire clamping jaws, a pair of stripping jaws disposed between the clamping jaws and an operating mechanism including a lever pivoted to the stripper body to extend alongside a fixed lever. A slidably mounted draw-bar is connected to the stripping jaws and provides a first cam surface. An arm projecting from the second clamping jaw provides a second cam surface, a roller being located between the first and second cam surfaces and a rearwardly directed edge of the operating lever. During initial movement of the operating lever the roller is driven against the first and second cam surfaces to effect closing movement of the wire-clamping jaws. Continued movement of the operating lever moves the roller along the second cam surface to drive the draw-bar rearwardly, to act on the first cam surface and effect sliding stripping movement of the stripping jaws.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Barry Peter Liversidge
  • Patent number: 6718849
    Abstract: A tensioning device with a tensioning lever (1) and a detachable tensioning nut (2) has a pivotal tensioning cam (6), mounted elastically in the tensioning lever (1). The tensioning lever (1) has a seat (3) with a noncircular inside surface (4) for receiving the tensioning nut (2), which is mounted axially displaceably therein. The tensioning nut has an outside surface shaped to correspond to the noncircular surface of the seat (3). The tensioning nut (2) can be fixed removably in the tensioning lever (1) by a recess, which is disposed in the tensioning nut and into which the tensioning cam (6) can be engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Günter Haas
  • Patent number: 6718850
    Abstract: This invention relates an improvement of the torque transfer mechanism exclusively applied to the socket wrench. General speaking, it is an improvement made on the prior art of the socket wrench now popular and available in the tool market. Inside the shank of the socket wrench, it contains a rotary rod connected with a bevel gear which is further meshed with a ring gears on the wrench head. Without changing the profile of the socket wrench, it forms a torque transfer mechanism with robust structure and easy assembly. It provides stable and practical output of the torque for tightening and loosening the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-chen Huang
  • Patent number: 6718851
    Abstract: Tool with self-locking grip featuring a handle (1), two levers (2a) and (2b), and a self-locking device (3), in which the handle (1) features a main body (45), containing two prismatic housing-guides (4a) and (4b) which hold the two levers. These are removable and interchangeable with other levers for performing different mechanical functions, where the self-locking device (3) is kinetically connected between the main body (45) and one of the levers. The main body (45) also contains a third prismatic guide (9) for a further removable lever (10); this lever, being connected as required to the same a self-locking device (3) and sliding inside its own housing, approaching a counter element (14) fixed to the main body (45) allows vice-like fastening of the tool to a protruding part of the work bench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Fernando Peggion
  • Patent number: 6718852
    Abstract: A garbage disposal plunger is provided that is designed to push refuse into a standard kitchen sink garbage disposal unit. The plunger apparatus includes four major sections: a knob portion, handle portion, stopper portion, and plunger portion. The knob portion is used to prevent the human hand of the user from slipping while gripping the device; the handle portion acts as a shank between the gripable knob and the plunger and, in conjunction with the knob portion, is designed to aid the human user of the device for maximum gripping capabilities and comfort. The stopper portion manifests a larger diameter which prevents the plunger portion of the device from contacting the blades of the garbage disposal, and prevents the human hand of the user from entering the garbage disposal. The plunger apparatus contains a liquid which can be dispensed through a spout which has a lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventors: Harry Mordt Bickel, Eugene L. Timperman