Patents Issued in April 20, 2004
  • Patent number: 6723925
    Abstract: A flat cable includes a strip having lead wires therein, and projecting portions formed on the strip as branch joints and projecting in the width direction of the strip. The branch joint allows a connection between the lead wires or between the lead wire and an electric connection line. A laminated cable harness includes the flat cables laminated one on top of the other, and connecting terminals or wires for electrically connecting between the lead wire of one flat cable and the lead wire of the other flat cable so that the branch joint is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsutaka Ohara, Hajime Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6723926
    Abstract: A mounting configuration of electric and/or electronic components, in particular electrolytic capacitors, on a printed circuit board is described. The printed circuit board is formed by at least two metallic plates insulated electrically from one another by an insulating layer that preferably conducts heat well and has holes for the connecting pins of the electric and/or electronic components. Through which holes the connecting pins are plugged and connected electrically to the respectively associated metallic plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Gross, Volker Karrer, Michael Kirchberger, Stefan Kulig, Gunter Ludwig, Hans Rappl
  • Patent number: 6723927
    Abstract: An interposer provides a high reliability interface between an LGA connector and a motherboard. The interposer includes a stepped spacer for each solder interconnection which prevents the relaxation of mechanical contact force while ensuring the integrity of each solder interconnection. The interposer provides noble metal plated contact pads on a first surface to receive the contact members of an LGA connector, and contact pads for BGA solder connections for attachment to a motherboard. A description of the processes to manufacture the interposer is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: High Connection Density, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhineng Fan, Ai D. Le, Che-Yu Li
  • Patent number: 6723928
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a flat flexible dielectric substrate less than 0.050 inch thick and having a generally round hole of a given diameter. A substantially square or polygonal terminal pin is inserted into the round hole in the substrate. The pin has a given cross-dimension between opposite diametral corners thereof greater than the diameter of the round hole. The difference between the cross-dimension of the pin and the diameter of the round hole is on the order of 7% to 67% of the diameter of the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Molex Incorporated
    Inventors: Paul Christopher Berg, Harry N. Etters, Robert M. Fuerst, Todd A. Hester, Fred Love Krehbiel
  • Patent number: 6723929
    Abstract: A touch sensor comprising an acoustic wave transmissive medium having a surface; a plurality of acoustic wave path forming systems, each generating a set of incrementally varying paths through the transmissive medium; and a receiver, receiving signals representing the sets of waves, a portion of each set overlapping temporally or physically by propagating in the transmissive medium along axes which are not orthogonal. The waves may also be of differing wave modes. The receiver system may include a phase, waveform or amplitude sensitive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ELO TouchSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joel Kent
  • Patent number: 6723930
    Abstract: On a printed wiring board (13), switch parts (21 to 24) are disposed so as to correspond to four positions of corner parts in the side parts of a rectangular form of a pusher (20). A switch circuit member is provided. The switch circuit member includes the first to fourth switch parts and a plurality of resistances connected together between a pair of terminals and a resistance value between the pair of terminals is changed for each of different switch operation patterns of the switch parts in accordance with the pressing operations of the side parts of the pusher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Keiji Minami
  • Patent number: 6723931
    Abstract: A switchable shunt has an insulating layer separating conductive lead and spring metal layers. The shunt includes a base region formed on the spring metal layer, one or more arms formed in the conductive lead layer and at least one of the insulating and spring metal layers, one or more pad regions electrically coupled to an arm and formed in at least the conductive lead layer, and one or more gaps. Each arm extends through a gap and is resiliently biased toward a shunted state with the pad region in electrical contact with the base region. The shunt is movable to an electrically open state where the pad and base regions are electrically isolated. A method of making the shunt includes etching the shunt from laminated material and pushing the arm and pad through the gap. The shunt may be operated by applying a force to the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Stevenson J. Marek, Craig A. Leabch, Larry C. Webb, Jr., Mark A. Miller, Anthony J. Liberko, Raymond R. Wolter, Steven R. Lagergren
  • Patent number: 6723932
    Abstract: A water-immersed switch which does not conduct electricity in the absence of a dielectric liquid, such as water, and which conducts electricity in the presence of the dielectric liquid. The water-immersed switch includes a modified copolymer containing acrylonitrile and at least one of styrene and/or a conjugated diene, as constituent units, and acidic groups introduced into said modified copolymer, and a plurality of electrically conductive electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ohki, Haruo Watanabe, Yasuhito Inagaki, Tsutomu Noguchi
  • Patent number: 6723933
    Abstract: A flexible, capacitive strip for use in a non-contact obstacle detection system is disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, the strip includes an elongated body for flexible mounting to a panel along a bottom surface of the elongated body. A first elongated planar conductor is contained within an upper section of the elongated body, and a longitudinal cavity is formed through a central portion of the elongated body, the longitudinal cavity being disposed between the planar conductor and the bottom surface. The first elongated planar conductor forms a first electrode of a sensing capacitor and the longitudinal cavity defines a portion of a dielectric material of the sensing capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Ronald Helmut Haag, Brian Deplae, Jeremy M. Husic, John Pasiecznik, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6723934
    Abstract: A system is provided for aiding left-handed individuals or individuals whose right hands are immobilized to be able to start a vehicle by turning an ignition key in which the key slot is movable or placeable to the left of the steering wheel at the driver's option to permit starting of the vehicle utilizing an individual's left hand only. In one embodiment a duplicate key slot is positioned to the left of the steering wheel on the dash of the car or, in a further embodiment, for key slots mounted to the steering column, the column is provided with a duplicate key slot to the left-hand side of the column. In another embodiment, a rotatable sleeve or collar is made part of the steering column, which when rotated rotates the key slot from an initial right-hand position to a left-hand position, thus to enable the starting of the vehicle only utilizing one's left hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Marybeth Enright
  • Patent number: 6723935
    Abstract: A keyswitch device includes first to third levers, a holder, and a switch. One side of each lever rotatably engages a base plate. The holder is supported so as to be movable vertically with respect to the base plate by being engaged with the other side of each lever. The switch is disposed between the base plate and the holder, and is used to perform a switching operation when the holder is moved vertically. A rotary shaft of the third lever is disposed so as to cross rotary shafts at engaging sections of the respective first and second levers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Makoto Watanabe
  • Patent number: 6723936
    Abstract: An active energy ray-curing adhesive composition is provided that has high curing rate as well as excellent adhesion and bonding workability, and a keypad (11) for push-button switches that has not only high bonding rate of a hard resin keytop (20) to a base portion (12) but also has excellent adhesion and excellent bonding workability in the bonding step. The active energy ray-curing adhesive composition includes a urethane (meth) acrylate, a (meth)acrylamide compound, and a hydroxyl group-containing (meth)acrylate. Optionally, the composition may further contain particulate silicic anhydride, and at least one of a tertiary amine salt and a tertiary amine. In the keypad (11) for push-button switches, the hard resin keytop (20) is fixed to the base portion (12) made of a rubbery elastic material through an adhesive layer (19) made of the adhesive composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: Denki Kagaku Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Polymatech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Ootsuka, Kunio Iriuchijima, Tetsuya Sakurai, Kengo Nishi
  • Patent number: 6723937
    Abstract: In a touch switch with a keypad 2, a tactual feedback of its operation, perceptible to the user, is said to be achieved. For this purpose a transducer 7 is provided, which upon a touching of the keypad 2 impressed a movement on the latter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schott Glas
    Inventors: Harry Englemann, Kurt Schaupert
  • Patent number: 6723938
    Abstract: A particle separator for the separation of particulate mixture having species that exhibit difference in electrical conductivity. The separator has a conductive surface including a separation zone, has feeder means for feeding the species to the separation zone, and has an electrode arrangement for inducing charge in conducting species and lifting them from the conductive surface once charged. Also, the separator has cleaning means and drive means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Jon Gates
  • Patent number: 6723939
    Abstract: The movable conductors of a three-phase isolation switch are incorporated into the electrically insulative molded shaft, thereby mechanically supporting them and isolating them from the metal axle of the shaft. Movable contacts on the ends of each movable conductor are angularly spaced by &agr; degrees, where &agr; is less than 180° and is 90° in the exemplary embodiment. A common fixed load contact is located angularly between, and spaced &agr; degrees from, both the fixed line and ground contacts so that the shaft is rotated only &agr; degrees between a first, closed position, in which the movable conductors connect the fixed load contact for each phase to the corresponding fixed line contact, and a second, grounded position, where the fixed load contact of each phase is connected by the movable conductor to the corresponding fixed ground contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Justin R. Hoglund, Robert Yanniello, Joe M. Kellis
  • Patent number: 6723940
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for interrupting the flow of current in a power distribution system is disclosed for use with an enclosure containing insulating fluid. The apparatus (10) includes a housing (20) formed from insulating material and having a mounting flange (28) formed along the exterior of the housing (20). The flange (28) is located so that the housing extends away from the mounting side and the upper side of the flange. An electrical current interrupter (16), having electrical input and output ends (16a, 16b), is positioned in the housing (20) so that a portion lies within the portion of the housing extending away from the flange mounting side. An actuator (12) is mechanically connected to the interrupter (16) to provide the mechanical actuation required to interrupt the current flow between the input and output ends of the interrupter. When the flange (28) is attached to the enclosure, the portion of the housing (20) extending away from the flange mounting side extends into the fluid within the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Book, Guenter Leonhardt
  • Patent number: 6723941
    Abstract: In the wire electric-discharge machining apparatus, when a measured voltage exceeds a proportional constant switching voltage that is set higher than a short circuit reference voltage, a relative feed rate determining unit outputs a relative feed rate based on a preliminarily set proportional constant A according to an increase in the measured voltage. When the measured voltage is equal to a reference voltage, the relative feed rate determining unit outputs a target feed rate that becomes a target value, and also outputs a relative feed rate that follows a preset proportional constant B (<A) and that is a positive value when the measured voltage exceeds the short circuit reference voltage but is below the proportional constant switching voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsushi Sato, Junichi Shibata
  • Patent number: 6723942
    Abstract: An automatic breakthrough detection device for drilling electric discharge machine is provided. The automatic breakthrough detection device utilizing the facts of the variations of high frequency spectrum components of the provided discharge voltage and the variation of servo-feed-rate of the electrode as drilling discharge. The device includes a high frequency spectrum detecting analyzer to produce digital logic determining signals and a breakthrough judging logic device to judge the breakthrough by the electrode on the workpiece. Accordingly, the drilling electric discharge machine automatically adjusts the discharge parameters and the electrode withdrawals from the drilled hole and continues the next drilling hole on the workpiece. The present invention also provides a method of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jui-Kuan Lin, Yung-Feng Nien
  • Patent number: 6723943
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing metallic strip for packaging comprising strip steel covered on at least one of its faces with a coating containing a sub-layer of tin and an external film of polymer, according to which: on one hand, a layer of tin is deposited on at least one of the faces of the steel strip; and on the other, a layer of tin is vacuum-deposited on one face of at least one polymer film; then at least one polymer film covered with tin and the steel strip having at least one layer of tin are brought together in such a way that the face of at least one film of polymer covered with tin or tin base alloy will be across from one face of the steel strip having a layer of tin and injecting a flux between the said faces to clean the surfaces covered with tin; and at least one polymer film is welded on the face of the steel strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: USINOR
    Inventor: Daniel Fousse
  • Patent number: 6723944
    Abstract: A pinch type weld gun wherein the weld arms are pivotally mounted on the frame structure via a ball bearing structure including annular members of insulative material positioned in apertures in the weld arms, inner races fixedly mounted on a common pivot pin, outer races positioned within the respective insulative annular members, and ball races positioned between the respective inner races and respective outer races. A shunt is fixedly secured at one end thereof to a gun electrode and fixedly secured at another end thereof to the gun transformer, and the other end of the shunt defines a coolant passage communicating with the transformer coolant passage system whereby coolant may be delivered to the transformer coolant passage system through the coolant passage in the other end of the shunt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Progressive Tool & Industries Co.
    Inventor: Jeffrey R. Angel
  • Patent number: 6723945
    Abstract: A welding device includes a holder for a weld part (1) adapted to be moved substantially perpendicularly to, and away from, a surface of a workpiece (2) on which the weld part (1) is to be welded. An arc producing system produces an arc between the weld part (1) and the surface of the workpiece (2) with the arc generating a magnetic flux. A field former (3) includes a low-retentivity steel and provides a flux path for the magnetic flux generated by the arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventor: Roland Kurz
  • Patent number: 6723946
    Abstract: An electrolytic reactor system for producing non-joule heat has a plurality of small cells arranged in an interconnected array, wherein each cell is characterized by having a relatively small cathode separated from a relatively large anode by a small gap, with the cells immersed in an electrolytic bath.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Rod F. Gimpel, Dennis J. Cravens, John S. Frick, Vince F. Golubic, Dennis G. Letts
  • Patent number: 6723947
    Abstract: A saddle 18 is movable along a guide means 16 provided, passing through an neighborhood of machining area MA of a plurality of machine tools 1, 2. The saddle 18 is provided with a machining head 33, being free to selectively insert in and retreat from the machining area MA, and a plurality of kinds of nozzles 48 for ejecting laser beam. The nozzle 48 suitable for a portion of workpiece 3, 4 to be hardened is selected so as to attach it to the machining head 33. When hardening is instructed, the nozzle 48 is moved to a desired position with respect to the workpiece 3, 4 in the state of the workpiece 3, 4 located on the machine tool 1, 2, and the laser beam 51 is ejected from the nozzle 48 so as to harden the workpiece 3, 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Inoue, Masaki Itoh, Toshihiko Asari, Naoomi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 6723948
    Abstract: A device for enhancing and processing printed cardboard, cardboard packaging, paperboard, paper or similar substrates (2), especially designed for a rotational stamping process, wherein the substrate (2) can be introduced in between two rotating processing cylinders (4, 5) in an advance direction (A) and is processed as it passes there through by tool parts (7, 8) acting in a working gap (6). The inventive device (1; 1′; 1″; 1′″) is provided with a processing cylinder (4) having at least one gripper (9) for register-controlled conveyance of the substrate (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Schober GmbH
    Inventor: Ebe Hesterman
  • Patent number: 6723949
    Abstract: A sharp corner judgment means judges as to whether a corner of cut shape in a workpiece is a sharp corner is not on the basis of a machining program. When the corner is regarded as the sharp corner, an additional locus producing means for producing sharp corner produces an additional locus for producing sharp corner when machining on the corner regarded as the sharp corner, and a sharp corner machining execution means executes machining on the corner on the basis of the produced additional locus for producing sharp corner. Then, the additional locus for producing sharp corner can be automatically produced for the sharp corner so as to execute machining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoomi Miyagawa, Toshihiko Inoue, Hikaru Iryoda
  • Patent number: 6723950
    Abstract: A system and method for reliably welding a relatively thin tab into a relatively wide slot is provided. The system and method forms a protrusion on the tab. When the tab with the protrusion is inserted into the slot, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly pressed against one side of the slot. With the tab pressed firmly against the side of the slot, the tab can then be welded to the slot. Because the tab is pressed firmly against the side of the slot during welding, the reliability of the welding process is improved. The present invention is applicable to all welding procedures, but is particularly applicable to laser welding used in precision manufacturing. In those applications, the protrusion causes the tab to be firmly held against the side of the slot while the laser welds the tab and slot together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. Lund
  • Patent number: 6723951
    Abstract: A method for determining the angular orientation of a hole in a component relative to the component's surface includes the step of angularly varying a machine vision system and a hole in a component relative to each other such that the machine vision system views the hole at a plurality of angles. The machine vision system determines the angular orientation of the hole relative to the component surface by detecting the angle at which the greatest amount of light emanates from the hole. The machine vision system and the hole in the component can be angulary varied relative to each other by moving the machine vision system at various angles relative to the hole in the component, or by moving the component at various angles relative to the machine vision system. The component can be a turbine engine component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Westinghouse Power Corporation
    Inventor: Julie M. McGraw
  • Patent number: 6723952
    Abstract: The present invention disclose a laser cutter for cutting an object being cut such as a two glasses-attached panel for LCD using a laser beam. The laser cutter includes a laser unit for irradiating a laser beam with a specific wavelength along a marked cutting line of the object, a pre-scriber for forming a pre-cut groove at starting edge of the marked cutting line, and a cooling unit for cooling the cutting line which said laser beam has been irradiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-ho Choo, Byeong-ill Kim, Sung-uk Jung, Woo-shik Lee, Bum-soo Kim
  • Patent number: 6723953
    Abstract: A method for safeguarding regions of an airfoil adjacent to a work area from collateral damage as a result of laser operations. The method utilizes apparatus that includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly is fixedly attached to the laser nozzle assembly and moves with the laser nozzle assembly. The laser operations are controlled by a preprogrammed CNC controller. A fixture is used to position the workpiece in relationship to the nozzle on a laser table, the table movable in response to instructions from the controller. A beam stop material is placed over the regions of the airfoil adjacent to the work area to prevent back wall burn or to absorb reflected laser beam energy and to protect the region from other collateral damage such as stray material. The beam stop material is held in place on the workpiece and the workpiece is held in position on the fixture by elastomeric bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen Aleshin
  • Patent number: 6723954
    Abstract: A core composition of a metal-cored wire comprising a combination of graphite and potassium compounds has been proven to stabilize the arc in a straight polarity welding configuration. In particular, adding a combination of graphite and potassium manganese titanate (K2MnTiO4) and potassium sulfate (K2SO4) in the preferred combination of graphite and potassium compounds from the range of about 0.3% to about 5.0% wt resulted in a greatly stabilized arc, reduced spatter and reduced warpage while maintaining high deposition rates of the DCEN welding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Hobart Brothers Company
    Inventors: Anthony Nikodym, Steven Barhorst
  • Patent number: 6723955
    Abstract: A cleaning system process and apparatus for welding torches performs the cleaning by subjecting the welding torch, including the weld tip, nozzle and gas diffusers, to cooling. The cooling provides a temperature shock sufficient to loosen the weld spatter from the torch. In one embodiment the loosened spatter may then be carried away from the torch by either or both of positive or negative fluid pressure, for example an air blast or a vacuum line, respectively. The cooling may be done by subjecting the torch to a pressurized flow of coolant medium such as dry ice pellets or the like. The system may further cleanse the torch with an anti-spatter compound which can be applied by mixture with the coolant medium if desired. The cleaning system process is thorough, quick, subjects the torch to little stress, and improves performance of the nozzle including operation time between cleanings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: InterTech Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Friedolin Thielmann
  • Patent number: 6723956
    Abstract: Process for the arc welding in pulsed mode of one or more workpieces made of carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum or aluminum alloy, with the use of a gas shield, in which an electric arc welding torch is supplied with at least one consumable wire at a wire feed speed (Vwire) and the consumable wire is subjected to current pulses, in order to melt the end of the consumable wire in which, for a given pulse frequency, a wire feed speed (Fwire), a mean current (Imean) value and an rms current (Irms) value are chosen, so as to detach one drop of molten metal per current pulse and to obtain a low degree of spatter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignees: L'Air Liquide - Societe Anonyme a Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude, La Soudure Autogene Francaise
    Inventors: Francis Briand, Christophe Mas, Georges Caillibotte, Jean-Pierre Eyschen
  • Patent number: 6723957
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for MIG welding is disclosed. When in an ac mode the output is unbalanced, or the balance may be controlled. The balance may be controlled to provide a desired deposition rate and/or to obtain a desired dilution. The frequency may be any frequency, for example 30 Hz, 60 Hz, 90 Hz, or more. The weld path may have groove with angle of less than 50 degrees. A consumable, cored, wire may be used, and provide at rates of 30 or 35 pounds per hour using a single arc. In various embodiments the balance may have a negative portion of at least 1.5 times the positive portion. The process may be started using an extended negative portion, for example 0.5 or 0.75 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Todd Holverson, Anthony Nikodym, Lin Zhang, Steven Barhorst, Jon Reynolds
  • Patent number: 6723958
    Abstract: Display with a heater, a) the display having at least one display glass, b) the heater having an electrically operated heating element connected to a voltage supply (UB, GND), c) the heating element comprising a thin layer, d) the layer being made of a material forming an electrical resistance, and e) the layer being applied over a surface area to the at least one display glass or being embedded over a surface area in the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Peter Brandt, Wolfgang Siegel
  • Patent number: 6723959
    Abstract: A glow plug and a process for joining a heating rod of a glow plug to a glow plug body such that a centered force fit between the heating rod and the glow plug body is produced by the radial force acting on the glow plug body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: BERU AG
    Inventors: Rudi Heinz, Rainer Uain
  • Patent number: 6723960
    Abstract: A heater device for orthopedic splints is organized in a portable container to preheat plastic splint sheets for immediate use in forming various shapes to fit and to stabilize the injured body portion of the patient. The heater is incorporated in a container having heating elements, a temperature controller, a cut-out sensor, and a supply of plastic orthopedic splint sheets inside. A control panel outside contains a power-on indicator lamp, a heater-on indicator lamp, and a temperature dial control or a toggle switch having multiple preset temperature settings. An AC power input element is on one side of the container. A supply of plastic splint sheets are contained in a separate inner compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventors: Arthur DiMartino, William A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6723961
    Abstract: A self-cleaning sequence for a convection cooking appliance employs high velocity air to heat an oven cavity and components/ducting of an air circulation passage to self-cleaning (pyrolitic) temperatures. In accordance with the invention, the self-cleaning sequence includes four stages: a vent catalyst pre-heating stage; a low molecular weight hydrocarbon burn-off stage; a high temperature cleaning stage; and a cool down stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey T. Choat, Timothy M. Pace, Robert Z. Whipple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6723962
    Abstract: An oven having a cooking chamber which has a pair of opposing sidewalls and a rear wall member having a pair of end portions and a protruding portion between the end portions. First and second stationary heaters are located within lower and upper portions, respectively, of the cooking chamber and a pair of movable heaters located between the first and second stationary heaters. Each movable heater is movably attached to a corresponding one of the end portions of the rear wall member and movable between a resting position and a heating position. Each movable heater is adjacent to a corresponding sidewall when the movable heater is in the resting position. A manually operated mechanical drive system moves both movable heaters simultaneously between the resting position and the heating position. Rack support members are attached to the sidewalls for supporting a lower rack below the movable heaters and an upper rack above the movable heaters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Sun Cupid Industries Ltd.
    Inventor: Antony Sit
  • Patent number: 6723963
    Abstract: A quick-cooking pot, comprising two complementary containers to be stacked in a hermetic reversible coupling, the first container being provided with means for heating the water contained therein and with at least one first controlled-opening valve for the passage of a preset and presettable dose of hot water and/or water vapor into the second container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Ronda S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Ronda
  • Patent number: 6723964
    Abstract: A heating and cooling apparatus is provided which employs a series of thermally conductive plates thermally coupled to heating and cooling devices to heat or cool a mounting plate loaded with semiconductor devices. The mounting plate is assembled on a heating plate, which is then assembled on a cooling plate. The heating plate includes upper and lower plates with a heater therebetween which can heat the heating plate to a desired temperature, which in turn heats the mounting plate and the semiconductor devices. The cooling plate has ‘S’ shaped flow grooves formed throughout. When cooling fluid is flowed through the flow grooves, the cooling plate is cooled, which cools the heating plate, which in turn cools the mounting plate and the semiconductor devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Mirae Corporation
    Inventors: Hyun Joo Hwang, Byeng Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 6723965
    Abstract: According to the present invention, when controlling a heater in an air-fuel ratio sensor, a crack of sensor element due to an exhaust condensed water is certainly avoided. To this end, an element temperature is detected by measuring an impedance of the sensor element and a power supply amount to the heater for heating the sensor element is feedback controlled so that the element temperature reaches a target temperature. Here, the target temperature is set to a lower side temperature, compared to other conditions, on a condition that a wall temperature of an exhaust system is low and a water content in the exhaust is condensed in the exhaust system. Or, an initial value of the power supply amount is set corresponding to the element temperature before the start of power supply to the heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Shigeo Ohkuma, Hiroyuki Ohsaki
  • Patent number: 6723966
    Abstract: A PTC heater mainly comprises PTC ceramic sheets and cooling fins, and it comprises an inner support in which the PTC sheets are disposed, two electrode plates being disposed on both sides of the support and the PTC sheets to abut against the PTC sheets tightly, the cooling fins being disposed at the exterior of the electrode plates, insulating plates being mounted between the cooling fins and the electrode plate, in the interior of upper and lower ends of the two cooling fins, corresponding clamping grooves being formed through which the two cooling fins are clamped together, and elastic rods being inserted in the clamping grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Inventor: Guomo Jiang
  • Patent number: 6723967
    Abstract: A heating/warming textile article (11) with a fabric body (13) with electrical resistance heating/warming elements (15) also contains a phase change component (17) which releases and absorbs latent heat in a cycle corresponding to ON/OFF operation of a power source (23), e.g., a battery, thus to conserve and extend useful battery life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Malden Mills Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Moshe Rock, Vikram Sharma
  • Patent number: 6723968
    Abstract: A conductive metal jumper strap has a plate portion with a pair of connection legs forming a u-shape. The connection legs are adapted to connect to terminals to make an electrical connection between two components of a heating device. The plate portion has a bend in it to allow flexing so that the connection legs can make a jumper connection between terminals where the terminal spacing may vary between heating devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Tutco, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Danko, Jimmy L. Sherrill, Keith Howard
  • Patent number: 6723969
    Abstract: An electrical resistance ceramic heating element comprises: a) three or more ceramic legs comprising regions of the element in which at least the majority of the electrical heating occurs (hot zones), at least one of the legs being effectively entirely a hot zone and at least two of the legs each comprising a hot zone and a cold zone; b) a number of leg terminal portions less than the number of legs, for connection to a power supply; and, c) ceramic bridging portions providing electrical connectivity between the legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Kanthal Limited
    Inventor: John George Beatson
  • Patent number: 6723970
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity and a forced air convection system having a convection fan, a heating element and a ventilation system including a duct. The duct includes a first compartment adapted to receive an oven air flow, a second compartment adapted to receive an exhaust air flow, and an air inlet opening into each of the first and second compartments, wherein an incoming air flow is introduced into each of the first and second compartments through operation of a fan assembly. According to one aspect of the invention, the incoming air flow combines with the oven air flow prior to passing over a convective heat element. As such, the combined air flow is heated combusting food byproducts contained therein. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the incoming air flow is combined with the exhaust air flow, lowering the temperature of the exhaust prior to release to the surroundings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Z. Whipple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6723971
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for modifying ice adhesion strength of ice adhered to an object. The system includes an electrode that is electrically insulated from the object and a DC source, e.g., a battery coupled to the object and the electrode. The source generates a DC bias to an interference between the ice and the object when the ice completes the circuit. The system preferably includes an electrically insulating material disposed-between the object and the electrode. In another embodiment, a coating comprising a ferroelectric, lossy dielectric, ferromagnetic or semiconductor material is applied to a object. Electromagnetic energy causes the coating to generate heat, which melts snow and ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: The Trustees of Dartmouth College
    Inventors: Victor Petrenko, Charles Sullivan
  • Patent number: 6723972
    Abstract: The invention is, in its various embodiments and implementations, a method and apparatus for planar actuation of a flared surface to control a vehicle. In one aspect, the invention comprises an apparatus for controlling a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium. The apparatus includes a flare; a planar yoke operably associated with the flare; a plurality of actuators capable of moving the planar yoke to manipulate the flare through the operable association between the planar yoke and the flare; and a load bearing structure through which the translating means imparts a moment from the flare to the vehicle. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a method for controlling the maneuvering of a vehicle capable of moving through a fluid medium. The method includes moving a planar yoke to deflect at least a portion of a flare.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Wayne K. Schroeder, Johnny Edward Banks
  • Patent number: 6723973
    Abstract: A method of quickly and accurately inspecting the stitching accuracy at which regions of a lithographic pattern are stitched at boundaries. The numerous regions of the lithographic pattern are exposed or drawn, one at a time. Inspected regions are scanned with a charged-particle beam to detect secondary electrons. The obtained signal is stored as an inspected image in an image memory, together with positional data about the inspected regions. After completion of acceptance of image from all the inspected regions, the inspected image is compared with a separately prepared reference image by an image processing unit. Pattern elements in the inspected regions corresponding to the reference image are extracted. Deviations at field boundaries or the like can be detected from the relative positions of these pattern elements, if any.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventor: Manabu Saito
  • Patent number: 6723974
    Abstract: A process for the adaptive beam control of medium-energy laser weapons for fighting electro-optical sensors and windows, wherein the behavior of the laser power reflected from a bright spot of the target and measured by a thermal image apparatus during increasing irradiation intensity is analyzed during a phase of measurement. The laser power to be emitted that will lead to the desired laser beam diameter or to the highest possible laser intensity at the target during the subsequent phase of fighting is then derived by calculation from this as well as other parameters influencing the thermal beam expansion. It is thus made possible that the laser does not always have to be operated with the maximum power, but only with the currently needed power during the phase of fighting, so that a saving is achieved in the consumption of primary laser energy. One example is explained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: LFK Lenkflugkörpersysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Gunther Sepp