Patents Issued in May 11, 2004
  • Patent number: 6732553
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a frame, a tub rigidly mounted to the frame, and at least one basket rotatably mounted inside the tub. The basket is an open-lattice sided container having a releasably closable lid. The basket is adapted for holding articles of apparel or other flexible articles substantially stationary relative to the basket as the basket is rotated relative to the tub. A water supply cooperates with the tub for washing and rinsing the articles held in the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Esporta Wash Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall J. Rhode, Margie A. Rhode
  • Patent number: 6732554
    Abstract: For fastening water level regulators on parts of washing machines, an adapter including a housing having first and second portions each for accommodating a water level regulator, a fastening device for fastening the adapter on parts of a washing machine, and two openings in the accommodating portions for accommodating a fastening device disposed on the respective water level regulator. The fastening device of the adapter is disposed in a central portion of the housing, the first accommodating portion is disposed in a first side portion, and the second accommodating portion is disposed in a second side portion, the central portion being bounded by the two side portions. The opening in the first accommodating portion is disposed substantially perpendicularly to the opening in the second accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Lamprecht, Wolfgang Mücke
  • Patent number: 6732555
    Abstract: A securing mechanism is provided which can be attached to a conventional meter box lid which does not require the lid to be redesigned. The securing mechanism comprises a holding member attached to the latch on the underside of the lid. A threaded aperture is formed in said holding member. A bolt having a threaded shaft is extended through the upper wall of the lid from the top side to be secured into the threaded aperture of the holding member for preventing a key from moving the latch member to a release position. In the embodiment disclosed, the bolt has a head with two spaced apart apertures formed therein for receiving two prong of tool for allowing the bolt shaft to be screwed into and from the threaded aperture for locking and release purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: DFW Plastics, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffery N. Nielsen
  • Patent number: 6732556
    Abstract: The anti-theft device is for covering the brake and gas pedals of a vehicle. It includes a gas pedal cover placed over the gas pedal, a brake pedal cover placed over the brake pedal, with the brake pedal cover having an upwardly extending ledge having an opening therein. A slide bracket is placed opposite the brake pedal cover and has an opening opposite the opening in the ledge. An L-shaped bracket is provided having a pair of arms. Fasteners connect each arm of the L-shaped bracket to one of the pedal covers. A padlock extends through the openings in the slide bracket and ledge for securing the slide bracket to the brake pedal cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Russell
  • Patent number: 6732557
    Abstract: An electrified mortise lock where the same method and articles can be used for electrifying the mortise locks of many manufacturers and styles. The electrified mortise lock includes a solenoid and a cradle. The cradle includes a frame for embracing the solenoid and cradle pins for fixing the solenoid to a housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond E. Zehrung
  • Patent number: 6732558
    Abstract: A robotic bending apparatus for bending archwires and other types of elongate, bendable medical devices into a desired configuration includes a first gripping tool and a moveable gripping tool. The first gripping tool can be either fixed with respect to a base or table for the robot or positioned at the end of robot am. The moveable gripping tool is mounted to the end of a moveable robot arm having a proximal portion also mounted to the base. The robot preferably comprises a six axis bending robot, in which the distal end of the moveable arm can move relative to the fixed gripping tool about three translational axes and three rotational axes. The gripping tools preferably incorporate force sensors which are used to determine overbends needed to get the desired final shape of the archwire. The robot may also include a resistive heating system in which current flows through the wire while the wire is held in a bent condition to heat the wire and thereby retain the bent shape of the wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: OraMetrix, Inc.
    Inventors: Werner Butscher, Friedrich Riemeier, Rüdger Rubbert, Thomas Weise, Rohit Sachdeva
  • Patent number: 6732559
    Abstract: Integrating device to detect and recover the deformation of shoulders in a press-bending machine, including an optical ruler joined to the beater and reading trolley, pulled back elastically, and stressed by the false shoulder. The device provided for the false shoulder is made up of a rod perpendicular to the beater, which on one side is hinged to the shoulder of the machine, while on the opposite end, oscillating and facing the beater. It is stressed by the arm joined to the reading trolley of the optical ruler. The rod provides a slider in connection with an underlying plane plate that is part of the false shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Luciano Gasparini
  • Patent number: 6732560
    Abstract: Hydroforming apparatus is provided with retractable part locators that are adapted when extended to receive and hold end portions of a tubular part to be hydroformed and thereby support and hold the part between the hydroforming dies when the dies are open. Seal units mounted on separate elevators have a retractable seal carrier and the seal carriers are adapted when the seal units are elevated to advance and initially engage the respective tubular part end portions while the part is being so held. The part locators are adapted to release the end portions of the part and retract out of the way of the seal carriers to permit the seal carriers to then further advance on the respective end potions of the part to a position closely adjacent the end faces of the dies while also centering the part lengthwise with respective to the dies prior to die closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: George Thomas Winterhalter, Mircea M. Ghiran, Bruce Steven Shimanovski
  • Patent number: 6732561
    Abstract: A method of processing sheet metal comprises the steps of: providing a tension-leveling apparatus; providing a surface conditioning apparatus; leveling a portion of the sheet metal with the tension-leveling apparatus; and conditioning a surface of the portion of the sheet metal with the surface conditioning apparatus. The tension-leveling apparatus includes a first set of bridle rollers adapted to receive sheet metal from an upstream coil. The tension-leveling apparatus also includes a second set of bridle rollers downstream of the first set of bridle rollers. The tension-leveling apparatus is adapted to engage the sheet metal in a manner to subject the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers to a tensile force. The step of leveling the portion of the sheet metal between the first and second sets of bridle rollers includes engaging that portion with the tension-leveling apparatus in a manner to flatten the portion and reduce internal residual stresses in that portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: The Material Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kevin Voges
  • Patent number: 6732562
    Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for drawing continuous metallic wire having a first diameter to a metallic fiber having a reduced second diameter. A feed mechanism moves the wire at a first linear velocity. A laser beam heats a region of the wire to an elevated temperature. A draw mechanism draws the heated wire at a second and greater linear velocity for providing a drawn metallic fiber having the reduced second diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: University of Central Florida
    Inventors: Nathaniel R. Quick, Aravinda Kar, Yonggang Li, Raymond R. McNeice
  • Patent number: 6732563
    Abstract: A rivet tool to be used with a rivet includes a tube adapted to be received in an adjusting knob, a transmission rod movably received in the tube and a bolt having a front threading and a rear threading corresponding to the front inner threading. The bolt securely engages with the transmission rod in such a way that there is no relative movement between the bolt and the transmission rod. A Y-shaped head is provided to engage with the rivet tool so that when the rivet is deformed due to movement of the tube, the transmission rod and the bolt, a peripheral edge of the rivet abuts the recessed area of the Y-shaped head, which conforms to an outer contour of an oval tube, so that after the deformation of the rivet and the rivet tool is removed, the appearance of the oval tube is smooth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Dick Chen
  • Patent number: 6732564
    Abstract: An American style press brake tool and tool holder having a safety key. The holder has a body with walls defining a downwardly open, tool receiving recess having a top, a downwardly facing force-delivering shoulder adjacent the bottom of said recess, and a shelf within said recess having an upwardly facing surface spaced upwardly from said force-delivering shoulder. The tool comprises a body having a lower work-engaging surface, an upwardly facing force-receiving shoulder engageable with the shoulder of the tool holder, and an upwardly extending tang receivable in said recess, the upper end of the tang being spaced from the top of the recess. A manually operable actuator is spaced below said force-receiving shoulder, and a safety key is coupled to the actuator for movement horizontally into and out of alignment with the shelf between locked and unlocked positions, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Wila B.V.
    Inventors: David M. Runk, Glen M. Shuldes, Heath E. Harrington
  • Patent number: 6732565
    Abstract: A sensor element for limit current probes for determining the &lgr; value of gas mixtures and a method of calibrating such sensor elements. The sensor element has an internal and an external pump electrode arranged on a ceramic body, the internal pump electrode being arranged in a diffusion channel delimited by a diffusion barrier, and a gas intake orifice running through the ceramic substrate and the diffusion channel in a direction that is essentially perpendicular to the surface of the ceramic substrate. The diffusion resistance of the diffusion barrier can be adjusted essentially linearly by selectively changing the diameter of the gas intake orifice. Calibration is performed by selecting at least one sensor element of a production lot, whose pump voltage is, measured at a selected pump current, from which the optimum diameter of the gas intake orifice can be calculated from the deviations from the ideal values using a simple ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Jach
  • Patent number: 6732566
    Abstract: A device for side impact detection in a motor vehicle, and a plausibility sensor side impact detection. This plausibility sensor is located in a loudspeaker which is already present in the lateral part for playback of music. This loudspeaker is used as a low-frequency microphone, a circuit being provided for the loudspeaker to differentiate between sound and rapid fluctuations in air pressure. This circuit has a bridge circuit, the differential voltage across the bridge then being used as a plausibility signal. The circuit itself is preferably located in the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Roelleke, Pascal Kocher, Rolf-Juergen Recknagel, Rolf Aidam
  • Patent number: 6732567
    Abstract: A micro-gas chromatograph column is formed by texturing a channel into a plurality of green-sheet layers, which are then sintered together to form a substantially monolithic structure. A thick-film paste may be added to the channel textured in the green-sheet layers to provide a porous plug sintered in the micro-gas chromatograph column in the substantially monolithic. A thermal conductivity detector is formed in the substantially monolithic structure by depositing a conductive thick-film paste on the surface of one of the green-sheet layers to define a resistor in an exit channel of the micro-gas chromatograph column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Cynthia G. Briscoe, Huinan Yu, Piotr Grodzinski, Rong-Fong Huang, Jeremy W. Burdon
  • Patent number: 6732568
    Abstract: A sensor probe and method of use for determining the temperature, velocity, and/or liquid volumetric fraction of gas laden with droplets. In one variation, the probe includes a single heating element used in a well-characterized flow. The heating element is maintained above the Leidenfrost transition for the droplets, which prevents cooling effects from the droplets from impacting the temperature measurement. In another variation, the probe includes two or more heating elements arranged in similar flow environments. The property of interest is derived by relying on thermodynamic and heat transfer principles, which are not usable in conjunction with conventional devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: Marino Dimarzo, Paolo Ruffino
  • Patent number: 6732569
    Abstract: A system and method for collecting sub-hourly ambient particulate matter samples at flow rates of 170-260 L/min is suitable for either on- or off-line near-real-time multielement analysis by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry and other techniques for which a sample in slurry form is advantageous. Condensational growth of water vapor was used to grow fine particles by steam injection. The grown droplets are concentrated using a virtual impactor, then separated from the airstream using a real impactor. The particles are collected in a liquid slurry which is hydraulically delivered to sample vials every 30 minutes for offline analysis, or directly delivered into the graphite furnace for atomic absorption spectrometry analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventors: John M. Ondov, Christopher B. Kidwell, Thomas M. Tuch
  • Patent number: 6732570
    Abstract: A tube through which fluid flows is installed in a fluid system. A piezoelectric driver is mounted on the exterior of the tube. A piezoelectric sensor is also mounted on the exterior of the tube. A feedback loop from the sensor to the driver is adapted to cause vibrations in the tube at its resonant frequency or a harmonic thereof. One or more strain gauges mounted on the exterior wall of the tube sense the strain exerted on the exterior wall by the pressure of the fluid flowing through the tube. A temperature sensor mounted on the exterior wall of the tube senses temperature. A microprocessor determines the density of the fluid flowing through the tube responsive to the piezoelectric sensor, temperature sensor and the one or more strain gauges. The one or more strain gauges comprise a bridge circuit. Strain gauges comprise two arms of the bridge circuit and temperature dependent resistors comprise the other two arms of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Calibron Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward E. Francisco, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6732571
    Abstract: The invention relates to a film leak detector with two films (5, 6) each stretched in a frame (3, 4); in order to attain a simple and stable structuring, it is proposed that each of the frames (3, 4) is comprised of two synthetic material subframes between which the particular film (5, 6) is fastened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Flosbach
  • Patent number: 6732572
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for determining the viscosity of motor oil in an internal combustion engine comprising: measuring frictional torque of the engine based on engine data, such as, the clutch switch signal which shows whether the clutch is engaged transmitting torque to the drive train; a generator load signal, a starter load signal, acceleration power consumption, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Volkswagen AG
    Inventors: Detlef Pickert, Volker Schumacher, Harald Sölter, Martin Völtz
  • Patent number: 6732573
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the viscosity of the circulating blood of a living being over plural shear rates caused by a decreasing pressure differential by monitoring the changing weight of the blood, or the changing level of a column of blood over time. The apparatus and method utilize a riser, a capillary tube, a collector and a mass detector, such as a precision balance or a load cell, for monitoring the changing weight of a sample of fluid that flows through these components under the influence of the decreasing pressure differential; alternatively, the apparatus and method use a column level detector to monitor the changing level of the column of blood over time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rheologics, Inc.
    Inventors: Sehyun Shin, Young Cho, Kenneth Kensey, William N. Hogenauer, Sangho Kim
  • Patent number: 6732574
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring viscosity or related properties of fluid samples in parallel is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of tubes and reservoirs in fluid communication with the tubes. The tubes provide flow paths for the fluid samples, which are initially contained within the reservoirs. The apparatus also includes a mechanism for filling the reservoirs with the fluid samples, and a device for determining volumetric flow rates of fluid samples flowing from the reservoirs through the plurality of tubes simultaneously. The disclosed apparatus is capable of measuring viscosity or related properties of at least five fluid samples simultaneously. Useful reservoirs and tubes include syringes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Hajduk, Paul Mansky
  • Patent number: 6732575
    Abstract: In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe 12 is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors 14,16,18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1, x2, x3 along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors 14,16,18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines 20,22,24 which are provided to signal processing logic 60 which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic 48, which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture, or fluid, which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic 60 may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel L. Gysling, Alan D. Kersey, James D. Paduano
  • Patent number: 6732576
    Abstract: An outboard motor has a lubricant pump driven by an engine. The lubrication pump circulates lubricant to moving components of the engine through at least one lubricant passage. A pressure sensor is provided along the lubricant passage. The pressure sensor outputs a signal to an evaluator to determine whether a low pressure situation indicative of a malfunction has occurred. An alarm is activated based upon the determination of a malfunction. Activation of the alarm may occur if the engine is not warmed-up, if the engine is operating at a steady speed or encountering slow speed changes or has encountered a rapid speed change for a predetermined period of time. In this manner, false alarms related to pressure variations within the lubricant system may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Yamaha Marin Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akihiko Hoshiba, Yasuo Suganuma
  • Patent number: 6732577
    Abstract: Individual fuel injector performance deviations are determined with one of two in-chassis strategies for evaluating fuel injector performance, including a bare acceleration test and a loaded fuel injector performance test. In each of the tests, less than all of the engine cylinders are operated in a power mode. Individual fuel injector performance characteristics are extrapolated from at least one of engine response date and fuel injector response data from the tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Scott A. Leman, William J. Rodier, Ronald D. Shinogle
  • Patent number: 6732578
    Abstract: A direct injection engine is coupled to a vacuum brake booster wherein vacuum created from engine pumping is used to supplement driver braking force. The brake booster is coupled through a check valve to the engine intake manifold. A method is disclosed for estimating pressure in the brake booster based on operating conditions. A method is also disclosed for estimating operating parameters based on measured brake booster pressure. Further, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation, or monitoring, a brake booster pressure sensor based on operating conditions. In addition, a method is disclosed for diagnosing degradation in other vehicle and engine sensors based on measured brake booster pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: James Michael Kerns
  • Patent number: 6732579
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are presented for determining turbulent boundary layer thickness. In this method and apparatus, a pair of sensors are mounted to a solid surface interfacing with a fluid at two separate stream wise locations. A voltage output from the pair of sensors is recorded and a real non-dimensional value of a correlation coefficient is computed with measured data from the recorded voltage. A laboratory non-dimensional value of the correlation coefficient is independently determined from laboratory data. The real non-dimensional value is compared with the laboratory non-dimensional value to obtain a boundary layer thickness having a value which minimizes a difference between the values of the real non-dimensional value and the laboratory non-dimensional value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: William L. Keith, Kimberly M. Cipolla
  • Patent number: 6732580
    Abstract: A sensor for measuring the level of free-flowing particulate material in a storage bin comprises an electronic load cell fixedly positionable at the upper end of the storage bin and having a cable suspended therefrom in the storage bin. The lower end of the cable is adjacent the lower end of the storage bin so that the load of the cable alone causes of the electronic load cell to provide a first signal to a process controller indicative of an empty storage bin. The load of the cable plus the downward force of any particulate material in the storage bin on the cable causes the electronic load cell to provide a second output signal to the process controller proportional to the amount of particulate material in the storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Larry E. Dirksen
  • Patent number: 6732581
    Abstract: The spirometer has a low thermal capacity. A circuit supplies power to the spirometer in pulses to heat the spirometer to body temperature. The circuit senses the temperature of the spirometer between intervals. The circuit can also be used in a calorimeter to measure the heat exchange during chemical reactions using the palladium hydrogen. The heating and sensing functions are performed by a single element to result in a small pocket sized device. The portability of the device increases its usefulness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Biomedin
    Inventor: Giuseppe Torresin
  • Patent number: 6732582
    Abstract: To measure the flow rate of coolant through a cooling hole of a film-cooled part, a transient thermal response of an external surface temperature of the film-cooled part is measured and the transient thermal response is characterized mathematically. From the mathematical characterization, the flow rate through the film hole is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ronald Scott Bunker, Nirm Velumylum Nirmalan
  • Patent number: 6732583
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sensor element having a sensor substrate and a sensing portion supported by the sensor substrate. A resin film is provided between the sensor substrate and the sensing portion. The resin film has a high heat resistance to the temperature of the fabrication process and the use of sensor element, has excellent coverage of a three-dimensional structure, has a flat surface, applies a low stress to the sensing portion, is formed at low temperature, and prevents the sensing portion from being adversely affected in its fabrication process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoki Yasuda, Tatsuya Fukami, Motohisa Taguchi, Yuji Kawano
  • Patent number: 6732584
    Abstract: A fuel level sensor is provided having a flexible printed circuit cylinder, having a buoyant member mounted on a rod and a contact member mounted on the buoyant member which abuttingly contacts the rod and the conductive traces formed on the inside of the flexible cylinder wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregg R. Rapala
  • Patent number: 6732585
    Abstract: An apparatus for balancing wheels includes a chassis, a driven shaft extending from the chassis for rotating the wheel, a wheel mounting accessory operably mounted on the driven shaft for use in mounting the wheel, and an accessory storage device rotatably mounted on the chassis for storing the accessory when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles L. Cunningham, D. Randall Greer
  • Patent number: 6732586
    Abstract: The present invention presents an angular velocity sensor having a self diagnosis function. An angular velocity sensor of the present invention includes a driving part for stably vibrating a driving part of a sensor element having a driver part and a detector part for detecting an angular velocity. The angular velocity sensor also includes a detection means for detecting the angular velocity of the sensor element. The angular velocity sensor obtains a self diagnosis signal for a malfunction by detecting a mechanical coupling signal obtained at the detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Nozoe, Takeshi Uemura, Masami Tamura
  • Patent number: 6732587
    Abstract: Ultrasonic testing techniques may involve the measurement of ultrasonic waves from the tested part. These waves may reflect from surfaces of various layers within the part. Further, these waves may reflect from faults, defects, voids, fractures, and others. As such, the measured ultrasonic wave is a complex mix of these reflections. One method for detecting flaws, defects, and others may be to express the signal in terms of a set of basis functions. These functions may be summed to produce the measured signal. Further, basis functions may be chosen such that a select set of the basis functions characterize the fault and/or defect. In one exemplary embodiment, the coefficients associated with the basis function may be non-zero when a defect is present. As such, a defect may be detected quickly and automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Peter W. Lorraine, Marc Dubois, Robert J. Filkins, Barbara Venchiarutti
  • Patent number: 6732588
    Abstract: The present invention relates to compact solid state silicon-based condenser microphone systems suitable for batch production. The combination of the different elements forming the microphone system is easier and more economical to manufacture compared to any other system disclosed in prior art. In addition the invention is compatible with electronic equipment manufacturing processes, such as SMD pick and place techniques. The invention uses a transducer chip comprising a chamber, a diaphragm that is positioned at the first lower surface and covering the second opening of the transducer chip. The transducer chip is flip-chip mounted onto a post-processed chip also comprising a chamber. The microphone system can be electrically connected to an external substrate by conventional techniques such as wire bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Sonionmems A/S
    Inventors: Matthias Mullenborn, Peter Scheel, Pirmin Rombach
  • Patent number: 6732589
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a housing, an interior chamber of which is sealed by a diaphragm, and a flexible measuring element, which is positioned separately. In addition, the pressure sensor includes a transmission element, which is formed as a chip and is used to transmit force from the diaphragm to the measuring element. In response to a selected deformation of the measuring element, a stop element comes into contact with a region of the transmission element and opposes the applied force. Therefore, it forms an overload protection. The stop element may be configured as a bending bar and/or form a second measuring element, the first measuring element being configured to measure relatively low pressures, and the second measuring element or stop element being configured to measure relatively high pressures. The pressure sensor thus provides a plurality of measuring ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignees: EADS Deutschland GmbH, Kistler Holding AG
    Inventors: Martin Eickhoff, Gerhard Krötz, Christoph Richter, Claudi Cavalloni, Marco Gnielka
  • Patent number: 6732590
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor with an MEM structure (micro electro mechanical structure), which has a hollow housing in which a semiconductor chip with a pressure-sensitive area is arranged. In its interior and with parts of the semiconductor chip, the housing is covered by a first plastic compound, which has a lower level of deformation than a second plastic compound, which partly covers the pressure-sensitive area of the semiconductor chip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
    Inventors: Alfred Gottlieb, Martin Schröder
  • Patent number: 6732591
    Abstract: A device (10) for fatigue testing of materials comprises a frame (14), first and second clamping means (16,18) for holding a specimen (12) to be tested. First and second mounting means (20,22) mount the clamping means (16,18) on the frame (14). The mounting means (20,22) vibrationally isolate the clamping means (16,18) from the frame (14). Actuator means (24) moves the first clamping means (16) relative to the second clamping means (18) to apply a low cycle load on the specimen (12). Electrical insulating means (30) electrically insulate the frame (14) from the specimen (12). A shaker (26) is coupled to the second clamping means (18) to apply a high cycle load on the specimen (12). A detector (32) detects the vibration of the specimen (12) and sends an electrical signal to a control unit (42) which determines the resonant frequency of the specimen (12). The control unit (42) sends a signal to the shaker (26) to maintain the high cycle load at the resonant frequency of the specimen (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce plc
    Inventors: Toby J Miles, Gerald Deshais, Robin J Williams, Martin McElhone
  • Patent number: 6732592
    Abstract: A sensor package which is reliable, low cost, simple, robust, and usable to input additional seat occupant information to an airbag controller to control airbag deployment, and which is insensitive to cross axis loading of a seat belt. A second housing member is internally interfaced with the first housing member, wherein a suspension system frictionlessly suspends the first housing member springably with respect to the second housing member. A pressure sensor is mounted to one of the first and second housings, and a biasing spring is mounted to the other of the first and second housings in axial abutment with the pressure sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: BGM Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian K. Blackburn, Louis R. Brown, Edward James Burley
  • Patent number: 6732593
    Abstract: An attachment structure installs a load sensor between a seating portion of a vehicle seat and a vehicle body through an attachment structure unit. The attachment structure unit includes a first attachment bracket for holding one end of the strain unit, and a second attachment bracket for holding the other end of the strain unit. At least a pair of attachment structure units are arranged at right and left portions of a front side, right and left portions of a back side, or right and left portions of the front and back sides of the seating portion relative to the vehicle seat and the first attachment brackets of the attachment structure units of the right and left are connected to each other through a connecting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Sakamoto, Morio Sakai, Tsutomu Takeuchi, Yasunori Hasegawa, Kentaro Morishita, Osamu Fujimoto
  • Patent number: 6732594
    Abstract: A system for dispensing cryogenic liquid to a use device includes a bulk storage tank providing LNG to a sump containing a meter submerged in LNG. A temperature probe is also submerged in the LNG. A dispensing line is positioned between the meter and dispensing hose and includes a dispensing valve. A drain line bypasses the dispensing valve and features a check valve so that LNG trapped in the hose after dispensing is returned to the sump due to pressurization by ambient heat. A capacitance probe is submerged in the LNG in the sump and provides a dielectric that is compared by a microprocessor with the dielectric for pure methane at the same temperature to determine the purity of the LNG. An approximate linear relation between density and dielectric may be used to determine density and mass flow for the LNG from the measured dielectric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Chart Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas K. Drube, Paul A. Drube, Claus D. Emmer, Gilbert J. Bily, Jesse Gamble
  • Patent number: 6732595
    Abstract: A method of and system for analyzing the mass flow rate of a fluid flowing in a conduit wherein ultrasonic energy is transmitted along multiple v paths in multiple parallel quadrature planes through the fluid, the transit time of the ultrasonic energy through the fluid with and against the flow direction of the fluid is measured, and the flow velocity of the fluid in each quadrature plane is calculated based on the transit time in each quadrature plane. The density of the fluid in each quadrature plane is then determined and quadrature integration of the product of the fluid density and fluid velocity in each quadrature plane is performed to calculate the total mass flow rate of the fluid more accurately by eliminating errors associated with assuming that the density of the fluid in the conduit is uniform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Panametrics, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Lynnworth
  • Patent number: 6732596
    Abstract: A gas mass flow meter includes an elongated channel extending through a high thermal mass body and a critical flow nozzle in a downstream portion of the channel. A heat exchanger is provided upstream in the channel. Gas is forced through the heat exchanger and the critical flow nozzle at a flow rate of up to 5000 slm and at sufficiently high-pressure to ensure critical flow of the gas through the critical flow nozzle. The heat exchanger brings the gas close to the temperature of the high thermal mass body. The pressure of the gas is measured upstream and downstream from the nozzle and the temperature of the gas emerging from the heat exchanger is measured. The mass flow rate of gas through critical flow nozzle is computed from the upstream pressure, downstream pressure, temperature of the high thermal mass body, density of the gas, and a dimensional characteristic of the critical flow nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: CalAmerica Corp.
    Inventor: Pierre R. Delajoud
  • Patent number: 6732597
    Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus for precisely dispensing a desired weight of a particulate material from the outlet of a material hopper. The apparatus is made up of a trap chamber for collecting an initial weight that is less than the desired weight of the particulate material. The trap chamber includes an upper surface with an inlet in communication with the hopper outlet and a lower surface including an outlet. The surface area of the inlet is smaller than the surface area of the trap chamber outlet. The invention also includes a dispensing valve having a closed position covering the trap chamber lower outlet opening and an open position uncovering the trap chamber lower outlet opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Robert O. Brandt, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6732598
    Abstract: Automatic pipettor with a single-row, multi-channel pipetting head, with tip ejector mechanism by which the pipette tips attached to pipettes arranged in a row are successively removed and which, by means of the movable construction of a lifter arranged below the pipetting head and carrying, e.g., a microtitration plate, can be used in an all-purpose manner for different microtitration plates in the direction of the pipettes and the movability of the pipetting head in a direction orthogonal thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: CyBio Instruments GmbH
    Inventor: Torsten Schoeppe
  • Patent number: 6732599
    Abstract: A wiper ring to be applied to a nut of a ball screw having a screw shaft comprises a plurality of segments each constituted as independent element having a seal portion to be contacted to the screw shaft, support pins extending in an axial direction of the screw shaft so as to correspond to the segments, respectively, the segments being arranged in a circumferential direction of the screw shaft to be rotatable about the pins, the pins being connected to each other through support members so as to limit the relative movement of the respective pins, and a spring member for urging the segments arranged circumferential direction of the screw shaft so as to be directed towards radially central side of the screw shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: THK, Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekazu Michioka, Katsuya Iida, Tetsuhiro Nishide
  • Patent number: 6732600
    Abstract: A rotary bearing has a first lubricant passage having one end which opens in an inner peripheral surface of a radially outer bearing part and another end which is connectable with a lubricant supply, at least one second lubricant passage which leads from an outer peripheral surface of a radially inner bearing part to an inner peripheral surface of the radially inner bearing part, and a ring chamber between the outer bearing part and the inner bearing part, in which the first lubricant passage and the second lubricant passage open the ring chamber, and a lubricant distributing element formed as a separate part arranged on the ring chamber, and is in a lubricant supplying connection with at least one lubricant passage, and outflow paths including a first outflow path for supplying lubricant to the engaging surfaces of the bearing parts, and a second outflow path for supplying lubricant through the second lubricant passage to a further lubricating point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rexroth Star GmbH
    Inventor: Roland Greubel
  • Patent number: 6732601
    Abstract: A control apparatus of an automated manual transmission includes an input shaft provided with a plurality of drive gears, an output shaft provided with a plurality of driven gears engaged with the drive gears, and a reverse idler gear engaging with gears for backward movement respectively provided at the input and output sides when a backward moving stage is selected, as a mechanism for backward moving. Further, there is provided with a bypass clutch capable of selectively transmitting or shutting a power of the input shaft to the output shaft. When the backward moving stage is selected (S1), the bypass clutch is engaged (S3) so as to stop a rotation of the input shaft (S4), and thereafter, the reverse idler gear and the backward moving gears are engaged with each other (S5). Thus, a shift operation to a reverse mode can be securely and smoothly executed for a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hosei Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6732602
    Abstract: A dual-gearshift forward backward control mechanism installed in a remote control toy car to control forward/backward motion and high/low speed gearshift by means of power transmission through a set of gears and two idle gears and the shifting of a switching gear on the polygonal middle section of the output shaft of the mechanism between two of the gears and the effect of the centrifugal force of a swivel block at one of the gears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Ke-Way Lu