Patents Issued in May 4, 2004
  • Patent number: 6729140
    Abstract: An electrical machine, such as a generator or motor, is incorporated in a gas turbine engine. The engine has compressor blades which are shrouded at. Beyond the shroud, an electrical machine is provided by rotor projections which run in a channel in flux cores, with which excitor coils are associated. The result is an electrical machine which is external to the combustion gas paths of the engine, for ready access, and can have optimized magnetic flux paths for efficiency. High relative speeds within the electrical machine provide further advantages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Ian C D Care, Arnold C Newton
  • Patent number: 6729141
    Abstract: Air tubes are circumferentially spaced around the outer liner of an annular combustor for a microturbine engine in proximity to and downstream of a dam extending into the combustion chamber for reducing the emission of NOX. The air tubes are dimensioned so that the length to passage diameter is such that a swirling motion of the air injected into the combustion zone is normal to the center line of the annular combustor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Elliot Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Joe Britt Ingram
  • Patent number: 6729142
    Abstract: In a thermal turbomachine with a housing, a combustion chamber, an ignition device, a fuel supply, and an air supply, the ignition device includes an ignition space and an igniter arranged in the ignition space. The fuel supply and the air supply open into the ignition space. The ignition space is connected to the combustion chamber, and the ignition device is arranged outside the housing of the thermal turbomachine. A process is shown for the ignition of the thermal turbomachine outside the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Alstom Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Marcel Stalder, Franz Joos
  • Patent number: 6729143
    Abstract: Optical assemblies of the type supported on an optical bench and comprising a one or more components such as lasers, lenses, filters, isolators and waveguides, are sensitive to movement variation. One of the causes of movement is temperature tracking. Previously, thermo-electric coolers have been used to maintain the top-surface temperature of an optical bench within a certain range. However, although thermo-electric coolers are operable to maintain optical bench temperature they are themselves still sensitive to temperature tracking and can deform. Because an optical bench is typically supported on the top surface of a thermo-electric cooler this leads to deformation of the optical bench itself and as a result performance of the optical assembly is affected. An improved design of thermo-electric cooler is described where the top surface of the cooler is divided into separate regions, each having a neutral region in which deformation is minimal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: James Watts, Andrew Liu, Ian Abraham
  • Patent number: 6729144
    Abstract: A compact refrigeration unit attachable to furniture, medicine cabinets, backpacks or other pre-existing objects. The compact refrigeration unit includes racks or shelves specifically designed to hold cosmetics or medicines includes a security mechanism to prevent un-authorized access an information input assembly, and a display assembly to input and display information such as dosage, frequency, expiration date, interactions, etc. about the cosmetics or medicines stored in the compact refrigeration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Christa M. Kupferman
  • Patent number: 6729145
    Abstract: A process plant (1) for handling combustibles fluids, for example an oil production plant in which gaseous hydrocarbons are separated from oil and in which surplus gases or residual gases from uncontrolled build-ups of gas pressure in the process escape through process or safety valves in the plant and are conducted to a collection line (9). The surplus or residual gases are conducted via the collection line (9) to one or more low-pressure stores (2) and a connection line or return line (11, 3) is arranged from the store(s) (2) to the process or another treatment unit for processing the returned or collected fluid. The low-pressure store(s) can expediently comprise the crude oil or raw product store (2) of the process plant upstream of the process plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Norsk Hydro ASA
    Inventors: Sverre Johannesen Overå, Per Salater
  • Patent number: 6729146
    Abstract: The invention provides for the private use of an apparatus to cool down bottled and similarly packed beverages (further to other food products, if desired) and, at the same time, to keep at optimum temperature and relative humidity values tobacco products, in particular cagars. To this purpose, use is made in a cabinet (110) of a column (F1) of ascending air which, after undergoing refrigeration through a functional cooling unit (50) arranged in the lowest compartment (10), flows first through an intermediate compartment (120) holding the beverages, and then through the uppermost compartment (140) in w3hich the tobacco products are stored. Upon transfering its humidity over to said tobacco products, the air then flows back to the refrigerating unit (50) along a countercurrent flow (F3) with respect to the ascending column (F1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Società Vetraria Biancadese Sas
    Inventor: Luciano Lucatello
  • Patent number: 6729147
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling operation of a compressor in a refrigerator, which are able to prevent an explosion of refrigerant caused by leakage of the refrigerant by supplying or blocking power source to electric devices in the refrigerator after detecting error of the compressor, comprise a temperature sensing unit for sensing inner temperature of the refrigerator, a door open sensing unit for sensing opened/closed status of the refrigerator door, an operating time measuring unit measuring operating time of the compressor, a microcomputer outputting a control signal based on the inner temperature, opened/closed status of the door and the operating time of the compressor, and a driving unit for supplying or blocking power source to all electric devices in the refrigerator based on the control signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Won-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6729148
    Abstract: A vehicle refrigerating cycle device capable of preventing the air-conditioning from becoming inadequate and capable of improving vehicle fuel economy is installed in a vehicle having both, a vehicle engine capable of carrying out stratified combustion and a brake booster. Negative pressure generated in an intake system of the engine is accumulated as brake negative pressure, which drives the brake booster. The refrigerating cycle device has a variable displacement type compressor driven by the vehicle engine and a negative pressure detection means for detecting the brake negative pressure. In the stratified combustion operation and at the time of the brake operation to cause the vehicle to stop, the volume in the compressor is controlled to reduce the load on the compressor by a prescribed amount when the detected brake negative pressure is below a prescribed value. Then, the volume in the compressor is gradually increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Wakisaka, Kazuhito Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 6729149
    Abstract: In an ejector cycle system, a variable throttle is disposed at an upstream side of an ejector. When high-pressure side refrigerant pressure in the ejector cycle system is approximately equal to or higher than critical pressure of the refrigerant, the variable throttle is fully opened. When the high-pressure side refrigerant pressure is approximately lower than the critical pressure of the refrigerant, a throttle open degree of the variable throttle is reduced from the fully open degree so that high-pressure side refrigerant is decompressed in two steps of the variable throttle and the ejector. Accordingly, in both cases of a high heat load and a low heat load of the ejector cycle system, COP of the ejector cycle system can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hirotsugu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6729150
    Abstract: A method of controlling a multi-compartment type kimchi refrigerator having a plurality of evaporators which are mounted in respective storage compartments to refrigerate the storage compartments, a compressor which supplies the evaporators with refrigerant, and valves which are mounted in inlet sides of the evaporators, respectively, to be selectively opened and closed on the basis of temperatures of the storage compartments. The method includes selectively opening or closing the valves in priority order of operations of the valves in response to a signal to supply the refrigerant to two or more of the evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., LTD
    Inventors: Kyu-Ho Shin, Sung-Ho Cho, Woo-Yeol Yoo
  • Patent number: 6729151
    Abstract: A heat pump system for raising the temperature of a fluid includes a compressor for compressing a working fluid; a desuperheater heat exchanger provided with an inlet and outlet for a fluid to be heated and an inlet and outlet for the working fluid, the working fluid inlet being communicated with an outlet from the compressor; a condenser heat exchanger provided with an inlet and outlet for the fluid to be heated and an inlet and outlet for the working fluid, the condenser heat exchanger fluid outlet being communicated directly with the desuperheater heat exchanger fluid inlet, and the condenser heat exchanger working fluid inlet being communicated directly with the desuperheater heat exchanger working fluid outlet; and an evaporator with an inlet communicated with the condenser heat exchanger working fluid outlet, and an outlet communicated with an inlet to the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Peter Forrest Thompson
  • Patent number: 6729152
    Abstract: An evaporator assembly includes a support housing for mounting to an internal compartment of a delivery truck or trailer. At least one evaporator coil mounts to the support housing along with at least one cooling fan. Electric heating strips are attached to the bottom of the evaporator coils to heat the compartment and defrost the evaporator coils. A plastic outer skin incorporates a drain pan to collect condensation and moisture dripping from the evaporator coils during the defrost cycle. A heat shield is attached between the heating strips and the plastic outer covering to prevent heat from damaging the plastic outer covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Sylvain Gully, Bernard Valentin, Philippe Vaas, Stephane Boudonnet
  • Patent number: 6729153
    Abstract: Disclosed is an indoor unit in an air conditioner of which components are arranged symmetrically so as to enable a compact design. The present invention includes a case having an intake port and a blow outlet, a blower installed inside a central part of the case along a length direction of the case, a heat exchanger installed between the intake port and blower so as to heat-exchange a room air which is sucked in, a fan motor coupled with one side of the blower so as to drive the blower, and a pipe part installed at a space opposite to the fan motor centering around the blower and connected between the heat exchanger an outdoor unit so that an operational fluid circulates through the pipe part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Soo Moon, Mun Kee Chung
  • Patent number: 6729154
    Abstract: An air conditioner having a dust removing device which enables dust having stuck to its filters to be automatically removed without fail and prevents the removed dust from sticking again to the filters is to be provided. It is equipped with a sliding device 6 (motor 6) for sliding in a prescribed direction filters 5 arranged between an air intake port 121 and a heat exchanger 3, and with cleaners 7 to remove dust having stuck to the filters 5, automatically cleans the filters 5 and prevents the removed dust from being brought out of the cleaners 7.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu General Limited
    Inventors: Shinsei Takashima, Masamitsu Usui, Hideyuki Umenaka, Yoji Maki
  • Patent number: 6729155
    Abstract: A refrigerating and heat device has a compressor, a four-way valve, three heat exchangers, a switching component, and a plurality of pipes connecting these elements. The refrigerating and heating device can be used in multiple modes including at least a cold-hot synchronous mode, a hot mode, a cold mode or an ice-storing mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Chin-Liang Chen
  • Patent number: 6729156
    Abstract: The invention relates to a ram air duct for an aeroplane air conditioning system having an inlet channel which can be closed by an inlet valve and in which at least one heat exchanger is arranged, having a blower arranged in a blower chamber and an outlet passage closable by an outlet valve. In accordance with the invention, the outlet passage is divided into two separately extending passages of which one is guided as a blower outlet passage up to the blower into the blower chamber and the other is designed as a bypass passage. The outlet valve only closes the bypass passage in the closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH
    Inventors: Alfred Sauterleute, Joachim Haas, Norbert Brutscher, Stefan Hofer
  • Patent number: 6729157
    Abstract: An air conditioner with an ejector includes first and second interior heat exchangers for performing heat-exchange between refrigerant and air to be blown into a compartment. The second interior heat exchanger is disposed at a downstream air side of the first interior heat exchanger, and a decompression valve for decompressing refrigerant in a dehumidifying-heating operation is disposed in a refrigerant passage connecting the first and second interior heat exchangers. In a cooling operation, the first and second interior heat exchanger are used as evaporators. On the other hand, in the dehumidifying-heating operation, refrigerant decompressed in the decompression valve is evaporated in the first interior heat exchanger while bypassing a nozzle of the ejector, and refrigerant is radiated in the second interior heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshitani, Hirotsugu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6729158
    Abstract: An ejector for a refrigerant cycle includes a nozzle having therein a refrigerant passage, and a needle valve provided in the refrigerant passage of the nozzle upstream from a throat portion of the nozzle. The needle valve is disposed in the nozzle to define therebetween a throttle portion that is positioned upstream from the throat portion. A top end portion of the needle valve and an inner wall of the nozzle are formed, so that refrigerant is decompressed to a gas-liquid two-phase state at upstream of the throat portion. Accordingly, a throttle degree of the nozzle can be variably controlled while ejector efficiency is not deteriorated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Takeshi Sakai, Satoshi Nomura, Hirotsugu Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 6729159
    Abstract: Interchangeable Jewelry System for creating custom jewelry assemblies (20, 20′, and 20″). Custom assemblies of one or more interchangeable jewelry segments (22). Interchangeable jewelry segments can contain male (38) and/or female (44) interchangeable mechanisms and/or body connector assemblies (60, 60′, and/or 60″) for attaching to the body or to items which attach to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Laura Jeanene Rose
  • Patent number: 6729160
    Abstract: Apparatus (26) and a method for forming heated glass sheets in a heated chamber (22) of a housing (20) includes an upper mold support assembly (28) for supporting an upper mold (38) within the heated chamber for cyclical vertical movement between upper and lower positions. A lower mold shuttle (50) supports a lower mold (36) for cyclical movement between an idle position horizontally spaced from the upper mold and a use position below the lower mold. The apparatus also includes a lower mold support assembly (60) to which the lower mold is cyclically transferred from the lower mold shuttle (50) to provide support thereof while permitting horizontal alignment with the upper mold upon each cycle of downward movement to form a heated glass sheet between the molds. The lower mold shuttle (50) is supported by vertically movable rollers (70) to provide the transfer between the lower mold shuttle and the lower mold support assembly (60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Glasstech, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Nitschke, Eustace Harold Mumford, Dean M. Nitschke
  • Patent number: 6729161
    Abstract: An inorganic body containing rare earth and/or transition metal ions that has been irradiated with a pulsed laser beam in the manner such that a focal point of the pulsed laser beam is adjusted to an inner part of the inorganic body is disclosed. The inorganic body may be a glass or crystal containing one or more of oxide, halide and chalcogenide. The rare earth ion may be one or more of Ce, Nd, Pr, Sm, Eu, Tb, Dy, Tm, Tb. The transition metal ion may be one or more of Ti, Mn, Cr, V, Fe, Cu, Mo and Ru. When the focal point is relatively shifted with respect to the inorganic body, an ionic valence-changed domain is formed with a predetermined pattern at the inner part of the inorganic body. The pulsed laser beam preferably has a pulse width under a picosecond. The ionic valence change occurs at the focal point and its vicinity, but the rare earth or transition metal ion keeps its original valence at all other parts, so as to form a reformed domain with a predetermined pattern in the inorganic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Japan Science and Technology, Corporation, Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd., Central Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyotaka Miura, Jianrong Qiu, Yuki Kondo, Kazuyuki Hirao
  • Patent number: 6729162
    Abstract: An electric furnace extending method and apparatus for an optical fiber glass body alignment when connecting the extension use body and pulling member and making it possible to immediately start the extension after the fusing of the connection portion. A centering mechanism for centering the free end portion of the body and member on the furnace center side is provided between the furnace pipe of the electric furnace and grips of the extension use glass body and between the furnace pipe and the pulling member. The free end portion is centered by this centering mechanism, then the gripped sides of the body and member are fixed, the front ends of the two free end portions are abutted and fused and bonded at the highest temperature portion inside the electric furnace, then the highest temperature portion is moved to the extension portion of the glass body side and the extending of the glass body is commenced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Furukawa Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsuro Wada, Masahide Kuwabara, Yukio Komura
  • Patent number: 6729163
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high efficiency burner and an apparatus for over-cladding an optical fiber pre-form using the same. The high efficiency burner heating an optical fiber pre-form includes burner covers, burner bodies arranged between the burner covers, and fuel dischargers arranged in at least two rows between the burner bodies, and divided by a partition, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-Seong Yang, Mun-Hyun Do
  • Patent number: 6729164
    Abstract: A sporting stocking is capable of fitting pads at respectively predetermined positions only by selecting appropriate size of stocking and is not required to fit the protector by means of the accessory, to insert the protector into the pocket or to engage with the engaging member on the stocking. The sporting stocking includes a stocking body, and at least one of shank front pad, a shank back pad and a patella pad fitted on the stocking body in non-removably integrated at predetermined positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Spotrend Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshinori Shibata
  • Patent number: 6729165
    Abstract: A heating apparatus in a color test machine comprises a rotary tumbler seat, a rotating shaft for turning the rotary tumbler seat, a heater for heating the rotary tumbler seat, and tumbler recesses provided in the rotary tumbler. It is characterized in that solid micro particles are used as heat transfer media for heating and preserving the heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Min-Chung Hsu
  • Patent number: 6729166
    Abstract: By providing a shackle holding assembly mounted in controlling engagement with the termination end of the long leg of the shackle, movement of the shackle is controlled and accidental changes to the combination are prevented. Preferably, the shackle holding assembly comprises a rim-bearing holding member mounted to the free end of the elongated leg of the shackle which is engaged with a spring member biased to prevent unwanted axial movement of the shackle. As a result, user force is required to axially move the shackle into the combination re-setting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Sun Lock Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eric Lai
  • Patent number: 6729167
    Abstract: A key safekeeping device for fitting into a hole in a door, wall or corresponding structure includes a first tubular element (10) that carries a first collar (12) on an outer end thereof. A lock cylinder (14) is detachably fitted to the first tubular element. A second tubular element (20) that carries a second collar (22) is intended for lockable engagement with the first tubular element. At least one of the collars is comprised of a separate ring-shaped part (22) that includes an internal aperture for receiving a blocking means (24) in the form of a bent/curved element that is intended to be fitted into a peripheral groove (20c) in the barrel surface of the second tubular element. The blocking element, which lies hidden in the aperture of the ring-shaped part, cannot therefore be removed when the key safekeeping device is fitted and the lock cylinder is mounted in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: ASSA AB
    Inventors: Robert Fredriksson, Daniel Andersson
  • Patent number: 6729168
    Abstract: There is disclosed a circuit for determining the number of Logic 1 bits in a group of N data bits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Razak Hossain
  • Patent number: 6729169
    Abstract: A deadbolt manipulation adjunct and method that provides user selection between dual cylinder, single cylinder, and disabled modes, is capable of retrofitting on existing deadbolt structures, which maintains full deadbolt security while providing authorized user deadbolt operation between locked and unlocked positions via a thumb turn actuator to release the deadbolt in the case of an emergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Randall L. Moore
  • Patent number: 6729170
    Abstract: A fuser roller is obtained by heating a blank over predetermined regions starting from both the opening ends, and then necking the heated regions of the blank by moving a forming roller with rotation on the heated regions through the external pressing of the forming roller against the heated regions of the blank being rotated on its axis to draw form sidewalls integrally at both ends of a cylindrical body of the blank, respectively, and draw form cylindrical shafts integrally with the sidewalls, respectively. In this manner, the fuser roller can be fabricated using a single processing machine with respect to a single pipe member, which reduces equipment cost, further enhances production efficiency and implements low-cost production of fuser rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignees: Samtech Corporation, Samtech International, Inc.
    Inventors: Teppei Sakaguchi, Yoshiki Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 6729171
    Abstract: Method of cold forming a blank made of press sintered material which includes moving at least one tool towards the blank and subjecting the blank to rolling under a roughly constant load for a number of passes until the at least one tool reaches a chosen position. At least one of, the chosen position, the roughly constant load, and the corresponding number of passes, is determined so as to control a surface densification and at least one dimension of the rolled blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Escofier Technologie S.A.S.
    Inventors: Claude Ladousse, Michel Cretin, Charles Marcon
  • Patent number: 6729172
    Abstract: Methods for manufacturing a press formed article (22) may include half die cutting a substantially flat material (1, 10) by press forming, thereby forming a first processed material (10′) having a first intermediate press formed article (16) defined therein. The half die cutting step is preferably performed while simultaneously compressing the central portion of the material in order to induce outward plastic flow within the first intermediate press formed article. These methods optionally may include pressing the first intermediate press formed article back into the first processed material, thereby forming a second processed material (10″) having a second intermediate press formed article (20), and separating the second intermediate press formed article from the second processed material, thereby forming a final processed material (10′″) and an unfinished press formed article (22′).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Araco Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jiro Aizaki
  • Patent number: 6729173
    Abstract: A hydraulic drawing system for a press is provided for controlling a blank holder. The blank holder can be moved by at least one hydraulic cylinder-piston unit which has at least one pressure chamber. By way of a connection line, the pressure chamber is connected directly with a control block provided for controlling the movements of the at least one cylinder-piston unit. At least one storage element for storing pressure for the at least one cylinder-piston unit is connected by way of a connection line with the control block and, by way of another connection line at least one valve device is connected with the control block. The connection lines extend in each case at least approximately completely within the respective components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Schuler Pressen GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Hans Hofele, Andreas Lauke
  • Patent number: 6729174
    Abstract: The design and manufacturing processes for Hollow Cathode Assemblies (HCA's) that operate over a broad range of emission currents up to 30 Amperes, at low potentials, with lifetimes in excess of 17,500 hours. The processes include contamination control procedures which cover hollow cathode component cleaning procedures, gas feed system designs and specifications, and hollow cathode activation and operating procedures to thereby produce cathode assemblies that have demonstrated stable and repeatable operating conditions, for both the discharge current and voltage. The HCA of this invention provides lifetimes of greater than 10,000 hours, and expected lifetimes of greater than 17,500 hours, whereas the present state-of-the-art is less than 500 hours at emission currents in excess of 1 Ampere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Michael J. Patterson, Timothy R. R. Verhey, George C. Soulas
  • Patent number: 6729175
    Abstract: A test panel and process of preparing a test panel for evaluating the performance of inspection penetrants by inducing cracks into a brittle coating. The process includes drilling one or more holes from the back side of a test plate which has been plated on a plated side. The holes are drilled partway through the test plate and create cavities. A penetrating tool which has a point is inserted into a cavity and the point is pressed in a slow measured manner from the back side of the panel which has a brittle plated coating on the front side to be cracked. The result is a series of cracks formed in an area opposite the area of the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Sherwin, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Martin
  • Patent number: 6729176
    Abstract: A method for calibrating an orthogonal sensor suite includes the steps of imparting on the sensor suite a series of known accelerations at orientations known relative to each other, while recording readings from the sensors from each acceleration at each orientation. This data is used to create a transformation matrix which removes offsets from each sensor and removes any cross-coupling of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Magellan DIS, Inc.
    Inventor: John D. Begin
  • Patent number: 6729177
    Abstract: An airtightness failure inspection method according to the present invention comprises an initial step of generating an independent constant flow of gas in the interior of a cover 11 formed in such a manner as to surround an inspecting area of an inspection object and a detector 17, a pre-inspection step of sealing a tracer gas in the interior of the inspection object under pressure and placing the cover over the inspecting area, a measuring step of introducing a gas containing the tracer gas that has leaked from the inspecting area and which is drawn out of the cover into the detector for measuring the amount of the leak and a cleaning step of cleaning up flow paths constituting the flow path systems and instruments including the detector after the measurement is completed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Shioya, Atsushi Otani, Hiroaki Sasaki, Yoshikatsu Sekiai
  • Patent number: 6729178
    Abstract: A rolling wheel testing apparatus includes a spindle assembly adapted to support a tire and wheel assembly for rotation. The spindle assembly includes an output shaft end having a plurality of holes extending into the shaft end substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spindle assembly. A plurality of signal wires are provided in particular. A signal wire is disposed in each of the holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: MTS Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Paul J. Leska, Sr., Gerald L. Davis
  • Patent number: 6729179
    Abstract: A method for testing tires includes setting a tire, with a predefined inflation pressure and load condition, in rotation on a surface with a predefined speed, and applying a pressure against a sidewall of the tire in proximity to a contact area of the tire with the surface. The pressure is applied using a shaped body for deforming the tire sidewall according to a profile including at least two portions with opposite curvatures. A related apparatus includes a surface, an arm for supporting a tire, a device for setting the tire in rotation on the surface, and a shaped body movable transversely with respect to the tire between a non-operative position and an operative position. In the operative position, the shaped body pushes against a sidewall of the tire to deform the tire sidewall a predefined depth with respect to an undeformed profile of the tire sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Fabrizio Crema, Carlo Di Bernardo
  • Patent number: 6729180
    Abstract: A pressure transducer assembly mountable in an interior of a tire for sensing a pressure of a fluid in the tire comprising: a sensor housing having a first compartment in fluid communication with the fluid; a second compartment separated from the first compartment by a divider slideably engaged with and removable from the sensor housing; the divider having disposed thereon a circuitry; the circuitry including a pressure transducer in fluid communication with the first compartment, and a transmission circuit coupled to the pressure transducer for transmitting a signal responsive to the internal pressure to a remote location; a removable power source coupled to the circuitry contained entirely within the second compartment; and a cover sealingly engaged with the housing and the divider such that the second compartment is not in fluid communication with the first compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Ramon A Sanchez, Manuel S Sanchez, Robert A. Newman, Juan C Torres
  • Patent number: 6729181
    Abstract: The flow sensor has a first and a second housing section and a semiconductor chip with an integrated sensor element between the housing sections. The semiconductor chip is arranged at a measuring conduit formed by a groove in a first one of the housing sections. A sealing ring is arranged between the housing sections. A flexible support foil carrying strip conductors is connected to the semiconductor chip and extends between the sealing ring and the second housing section out of the housing. This simple arrangement is able to withstand high pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Sensiron AG
    Inventors: Felix Mayer, Mark R. Hornung
  • Patent number: 6729182
    Abstract: In a flow rate sensor, a sensing passage, into which a fluid is introduced and in which a flow rate sensing element is disposed, a support member for supporting the sensing passage, and a circuit case, in which an electronic circuit unit for controlling the flow rate sensing element is accommodated, are formed integrally with each other, and the support member extends into a main passage through a hole opened to the main passage so as to position the sensing passage in the main passage. A structural member, the outside shape of which is formed to have a fluid resistance approximately similar to that of the portion of the support member extending from the hole, is disposed at a position approximately symmetrical with the portion of the support member extending from the hole about the sensing passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Uramachi, Fumiyoshi Yonezawa, Tomoya Yamakawa
  • Patent number: 6729183
    Abstract: To provide a thermosensitive flow rate detecting in which no response lag occurs even if the flow rate change frequency is high, and no error in detection flow rate is produced even if the power source change would occur, a thermosensitive flow rate detecting device is provided which includes: a heat generating resistor provided in fluid to be measured for generating heat by electric power consumed in accordance with a flow rate of the fluid to be measured; a first temperature detecting resistor for detecting a temperature of the fluid to be measured which changes according to the flow rate; and a second temperature detecting resistor for detecting the temperature of said heat generating resistor, further including a bridge circuit provided with the first temperature detecting resistor and the second temperature detecting resistor, the heating current of the heat generating resistor being controlled such that a temperature difference between the first temperature detecting resistor and the second temperature
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koji Tanimoto, Shinji Taniguchi, Ryuji Toyama
  • Patent number: 6729184
    Abstract: A detector of liquid consumption condition includes a vibrating part that can vibrate relatively to a containing space that can be filled and refilled with a liquid. At least a portion of the vibrating part is exposed to the containing space. A piezoelectric device can cause the vibrating part to vibrate based on a driving signal and can generate a counter electromotive force signal by a vibration of the vibrating part. A liquid consumption condition detecting part can detect a liquid consumption condition, based on the counter electromotive force signal from the piezoelectric device. The containing space can contain only a predetermined volume of the liquid. The vibrating part is provided in a vicinity of a liquid surface in the containing space when the containing space contains the predetermined volume of the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 6729185
    Abstract: An improved photoacoustic vessel and method of photoacoustic analysis. The photoacoustic sample vessel comprises an acoustic detector, an acoustic couplant, and an acoustic coupler having a chamber for holding the acoustic couplant and a sample. The acoustic couplant is selected from the group consisting of liquid, solid, and combinations thereof. Passing electromagnetic energy through the sample generates an acoustic signal within the sample, whereby the acoustic signal propagates through the sample to and through the acoustic couplant to the acoustic detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Tom Autrey, Clement R. Yonker
  • Patent number: 6729186
    Abstract: A diagnostic vibration analyzing system and method for measuring and characterizing the torsional vibrations in a vehicle or a piece of industrial equipment (collectively a “vehicle”). An electronic control unit and sensor cooperate to measure speed fluctuations occurring between the passing of adjacent teeth of a rotating gear. These time measurements are the basis for displacement, velocity and acceleration calculations which, combined with driveshaft rotational order information, can be used to pinpoint the source of excessive driveline torsional vibrations. The use of multiple sensors can maximize per test the information available for analysis. The use of multiple sensors in a substantially simultaneous manner can isolate particular components in the tested vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Anthony Sirrine, Lon Charles Miller, Scott T. O'Neill, Frederick Earl James
  • Patent number: 6729187
    Abstract: A self-compensated strain gage sensor having a temperature co-efficient of resistance (TCR) of essentially zero comprised of a wide band semiconductor and a compensating metal functioning as serial resistors. Based on the resistivity of the semiconductor and the metal and the temperature range in which the sensor will operate the dimensions of the semiconductor and the metal are determined to provide a zero TCR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: The Board of Governors for Higher Education, State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
    Inventor: Otto J. Gregory
  • Patent number: 6729188
    Abstract: A testing module for destructively testing the crush strength of objects. Radially arranged fingers are moved against the object by rotation of a cam ring engaged against cam followers on the fingers. A hydraulic cylinder is connected to the cam ring, to rotate the cam ring. A load cell in one of the fingers records the force applied to the object until the object fails structurally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Karl Boecker, Gregg Thiel
  • Patent number: 6729189
    Abstract: Subject of the invention is a method to measure the compaction properties of soil and other similar masses. A mass specimen is placed in a cylinder. The mass specimen is then pressed with standard pressure between an upper platen and a lower platen, and the height of the specimen is measured. Also subject of the invention is a device to measure the compaction properties of soil and other similar masses. Characteristic to the method and apparatus according to the invention is the fact that there is a specimen cylinder (2) attached to the frame (1) to be rotated mainly with respect to its central axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Inventor: Antti Paakkinen