Patents Issued in July 8, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040129029
    Abstract: A method of measuring optical fiber-drawing tension, containing: measuring oscillation of an optical fiber when drawing; determining a fundamental oscillation frequency of the optical fiber based on peak frequencies contained in spectrum components of oscillation waveform; and converting the fundamental oscillation frequency into tension applied to the optical fiber being drawn; wherein the determination of the fundamental oscillation frequency is performed through specifying, as a harmonic oscillation series group, a group of peak frequencies containing at least two peak frequencies, in which an interval between zero (0) and first peak frequencies, an interval between first and second peak frequencies, . . . , and an interval between (n−1)th and nth peak frequencies (where n is a natural number) are equal to each other, from among the peak frequencies in the spectrum components, to carry out the method based on the peak frequencies in the specified harmonic oscillation series group.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: THE FURUKAWA ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Naka, Hiroyuki Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20040129030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making a glass tube. In the method, a diameter expanding member is inserted through a hole in a tubular glass blank so as to expand the diameter of the hole while the temperature of the glass blank is controlled to be more than or equal to the softening point. The tubular glass blank may be a purchased product or a self-made product. In the above-mentioned method of making a glass tube, the diameter of the hole in the glass blank may be expanded while at least the rear end of the diameter expanding member is supported. The diameter of the hole in the glass blank may be expanded while both ends of the diameter-expanding member are supported. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a glass tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Haruyoshi Tanada, Motonori Nakamura, Yuichi Ohga, Tadashi Enomoto, Masaaki Hirano, Masashi Onishi, Kazuyuki Soma, Tomomi Moriya, Eiji Yanada
  • Publication number: 20040129031
    Abstract: In commercial laundries, installations for the washing and, if appropriate, spin-drying of the laundry, which have a plurality of washing machines (10), are used. The washing machines (10) are conventionally arranged in a free-standing manner in the laundry. This takes up a large amount of space and makes it difficult to operate the washing machines (10) and supply them with electrical power and water. Moreover, the individual washing machines (10) make it difficult to treat sterile laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Wilhelm Bringewatt, Engelbert Heinz
  • Publication number: 20040129032
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating, refreshing or cleaning fabric articles, especially articles of clothing, linen and drapery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: John Cort Severns, Frederick Anthony Hartman, James Charles Theophile Roger Burckett-St. Laurent, Anna Vadimovna Noyes, Arseni V. Radomyselski, Paul Amaat France, Jeffrey John Scheibel, Christiaan Arthur Jacques Kamiel Thoen, John Christopher Deak, Phillip Kyle Vinson, Nabil Yaqub Sakkab
  • Publication number: 20040129033
    Abstract: A machine for dyeing textiles, includes a structure (1) able to receive a plurality of containers or vessels (2; C) holding substances which contribute to form dyeing baths within suitable dyeing tanks (3). A plurality of dyeing tanks (3) and a plurality of material-holding baskets (4) are located at corresponding and present positions. A motor-driven carriage (5) is associated with the structure (1) and a supporting device is provided (6; 8) for removing and subsequently delivering the substances held within the vessels (2; C). The carriage (5) supports structure (7) for removing and handling the material-holding baskets (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Mario Scatizzi
  • Publication number: 20040129034
    Abstract: The filter (3) comprises transversal walls (11) forming a labyrinth-like path with the inner surface of a hollow body (6) that is part of the water outlet circuit of the machine. On the peripheral edge of the said transversal walls (11) there are provided serrations (12) adapted to retain foreign bodies and break down the air bubbles that are present in the liquor taken in by the drain pump (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Fabio Zanello, Lucio Valent, Piero Babuin
  • Publication number: 20040129035
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine comprises: a cabinet forming an outer appearance of the washing machine; a tub fixed inside the cabinet for storing the washing water; a drum disposed in the tub and having both side surfaces supported by the cabinet to be rotatable and an inlet through which laundries come in/go out on a circumferential surface thereof; and a driving motor fixed on one side surface of the drum to rotate the drum. Therefore, washing capacity can be increased as maintaining entire size of the washing machine by increasing a diameter of the drum without increasing size of the cabinet, and entire size of the washing machine can be compacted by minimizing installation space of the driving motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jae Won Chang
  • Publication number: 20040129036
    Abstract: Paddles are fastened on an inside of a drum casing by fastening elements. The paddles contain a hollow body, which is open in the direction of the drum casing and has a cross-sectional surface area similar to a triangle, and stiffening structures on the insides of its flanks. For secure and permanently stable fastening, in the region of at least some of the structures, strip-shaped installation parts are connected in a form-fitting manner, by way of a section located essentially parallel to the surface of the drum casing, to the inside of the flanks. Moreover, the sections have at least two fastening elements by which the paddle is fastened on the drum casing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Uwe Ratfisch
  • Publication number: 20040129037
    Abstract: A laptop lock assembly is provided. The assembly includes a lock body configured to be coupled to a laptop, the lock body having a locking portion; a cable plug slidably coupled to the lock body, the cable plug including an arm; and a lock positioned at the lock body and configured to place the laptop lock assembly into a locked state in which the arm of cable plug and the locking portion of the lock body cooperate with one another to form an enclosed area between the arm of the cable plug and the locking portion of the lock body for constraining an object attached to or part of the laptop within the enclosed area, the lock being further configured to place the laptop lock assembly into an unlocked state in which the arm of the cable plug is slidably positioned away from the locking portion of the lock body, so that the object attached to or part of the laptop may be removed from the area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Alexander G. Avganim
  • Publication number: 20040129038
    Abstract: Described herein is a secure gun display, comprising a restraint for holding a gun through a trigger guard of the gun and around a stock of the gun, wherein the restraint provides increased security by approximating the configuration of a thumb and forefinger of a human hand in a trigger-pulling position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Todd L. Vercoe
  • Publication number: 20040129039
    Abstract: A method of transporting or shipping at least one item is provided. The method comprises placing the at least one item into a first container. The method further comprises securely closing the first container, locking the first container, placing the first container into a transport container so that the first container fits flush within the transport container, and shipping the containers to a recipient. A security container system for transporting or shipping at least one item is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Robert E. Reetz, Chris W. Connors, Thomas F. Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20040129040
    Abstract: In said devices the operation of the handle serves to open the door when the lock is in the unlocked position. The handle operation is achieved by means of an operating lever (30) and the rotation of the lock cylinder (60) is transferred to a carrier (45). According to the invention, the construction may be simplified and rendered flexible, whereby a control member (50) is used, which transmits the movement of the carrier (45) to the operating lever (30) of the handle. The operating lever (30) has an adjustable bearing position (31, 11 or 32, 12), which is determined in relation to the rotational position of the lock cylinder (60) by the control member (50). The transfer ratios (34.1 to 33.1 or 34.2 to 33.2) on the operating lever (30) are thus altered relative to a connector (40) leading to the lock. Although an identical operation of the handle occurs, differing working strokes (36) occur at the connector (40).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Reinhold Mathofer, Mirko Alexander Rohring, Rudi Kolle, Martin Lindmayer, Ralf Lennhoff, Udo Babatz
  • Publication number: 20040129041
    Abstract: In a steerage locking system for a vehicle, including a control knob mounted to a rotor capable of being turned from a LOCK position via an ACC position and an ON position to a START position, the control knob is detachably fastened to a front end of the rotor by a screw member from axially outside the rotor. Thus, the maintenance such as exchange of the control knob is facilitated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Katsuyoshi Shigeyama, Takeshi Taniguchi, Mitsuo Sasaki, Kentaro Yoshimura, Tomoaki Nakai, Kenichi Takizawa, Masashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20040129042
    Abstract: A holder coil spring is located between an inner surface of a bottom of a case main body and a bottom outer surface of a shutter holder. A shutter coil spring is located between a bottom inner surface of the shutter holder and a shutter. In each sidewall of the shutter holder, a tactile feedback piece and a locking piece are provided. The tactile feedback piece holds the shutter holder at the case main body. The locking piece locks an electronic key in the shutter holder. Even if an object other than the electronic key (for example, a finger) is inserted in the slot, the object is not locked in the shutter holder. When the object other than the electronic key is pulled out of the slot, the shutter holder and the shutter return to original positions to close the slot. Therefore, when no object is inserted, the slot of the slot mechanism is reliably closed with the shutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Shoichi Harada, Tomoyuki Funayama, Hiroyuki Yamada, Yoshinori Fukuoka
  • Publication number: 20040129043
    Abstract: An enclosure suitable for housing computer equipment for which controlled access is desirable. The enclosure has at least one, preferably two, enclosure doors secured by securing assemblies selected from a group consisting of a lock cylinder assembly, an electronic lock assembly, a quarter-turn latch assembly, a compression latch assembly, a folding T latch assembly, a lift and turn compression latch assembly, a pawl/cam action latch assembly, a multi-point latch assembly and a bolt assembly for securing to a rotary latch. Each securing assembly is secured to a mounting plate so that the respective securing assemblies may be easily exchanged within a standardized opening in the respective enclosure doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Randy L. Squier
  • Publication number: 20040129044
    Abstract: A cylinder lock device (10) for mounting to a security compartment (41), wherein the improvement comprises that the cylinder can be configured by the end user to permit opening of the compartment by at least two of the group of functional operations consisting of turnknob, mechanical key, and electronic key. The cylinder comprises a plug (11), a shell (12) surrounding the plug and defining a first shear line (36) therebetween, and a housing (17) surrounding the shell and defining a second shear line (35) therebetween. One configuration fixes the first shear line to prevent relative rotation between the plug and the shell while permitting rotation of the plug and shell together relative to the housing along the second shear line. Another configuration fixes the second shear line to prevent relative rotation between the shell and the housing while permitting rotation of the plug relative to the shell along the first shear line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Thomas J. DiVito
  • Publication number: 20040129045
    Abstract: Exhaust gas 2 from a coal power generator 4 may be used to provide a commercial soil additive. The exhaust gas 2 is fed to a growing cell 14 containing bio-mass material. After the bio-mass material matures, the bio-mass material is harvested to produce the commercial soil additive, which is preferably treated to produce mulch 18 and compost 20.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: L. Courtland Lee
  • Publication number: 20040129046
    Abstract: Battery cans are produced by a group of drawing press tools and merged into a single line of sequential intermediate operations, including a washer/dryer operation and a coating operation. The merge and washer/dryer speeds are established by the fastest drawing press speed. A variable capacity buffer between the washer/dryer and coating line adjusts for temporary overproduction or underproduction of the washer/dryer and sets the speed of the coating line downstream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Truelove & Maclean, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Benaglio, Grant Demerchant, Volker Seefeldt
  • Publication number: 20040129047
    Abstract: In a tool and a method having a system for monitoring the operability of the tool, a shank-like section is provided with a tool section subjected to wear and is equipped with a cavity, to which a pressure medium is admitted for monitoring the operability of the tool, the shank-like section having a predetermined breaking point, and a monitoring device being provided, by which a signal of failure may be generated in the event of a pressure change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Dieter Horstmann, Guido Soell
  • Publication number: 20040129048
    Abstract: Process for manufacturing a heat transfer management/compartmentalization system for a metal hydride hydrogen storage containment unit. The hydrogen storage alloy is divided into compartments having a honeycomb configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Vitaliy Myasnikov, Baoquan Huang, Rosa Young, Stanford R. Ovshinsky
  • Publication number: 20040129049
    Abstract: A curling machine provided with an adjusting device for evenly winding elongated workpieces into spirals, comprises a machine frame (1) sustaining a horizontal worktable (2); a vertical axis mandrel for a curling tool (4) and provided with counteracting means (26) of elongated workpieces passing through said worktable (2). The counteracting means (26) is connected to an actuator in the form of an oleodynamic cylinder (26) which is fixed on the worktable (2) and provided with a rod (23) carrying a tool holder (24) in the free end of the rod, said vertical axis mandrel (3) being removable from the horizontal worktable (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Alessandro Caporusso
  • Publication number: 20040129050
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bending die in which the fixed die 1 and the rotary die 2 are surface contacted to each other, the rotary die 2 is rotated rearward after press forming to cause the workpiece 3 to be moved away from the die, wherein the contact surface 9 between the fixed die 1 and the rotary die 2 is formed in a flat surface. In addition, the present invention is set such that the rotary center point P of the rotary die 2 is set outside the line 10 drawn from one end C1 of the linear line indicating the contact surface 9 of the rotary die 2 in a direction of right angle in respect to the linear line when the contact surface 9 is seen in a section of a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rotary die 2. With such an arrangement as above, a machining of the contact surface 9 can be facilitated more and under a lower cost than those as compared with those forming the arcuate surface as found in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Publication number: 20040129051
    Abstract: An upper die and a lower die are provided. An unpenetrating hole is formed at an upper face of a metal board with the upper die, so that a protrusion is formed on a lower face of the metal board at a portion corresponding to the unpenetrating hole. A flat portion is formed on the protrusion with the lower die. The unpenetrating hole is punched with the upper die while supporting the flat portion with the lower die to form the through hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Fujio Akahane, Nagamitsu Takashima, Kazushige Hakeda, Ryoji Uesugi
  • Publication number: 20040129052
    Abstract: A method for reducing the part-to-part cycle time of quick plastic forming and superplastic forming of a metallic sheet alloy into an automotive sheet metal component by locally modifying a die surface to control friction which militates against undesirable necking and thinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Edward Krajewski, John Robert Bradley, Frederick Irvin Saunders, Ravi Verma, Arianna T. Morales
  • Publication number: 20040129053
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydromechanical clamping device having two movable die halves (M1, M2) and two punches (S1, S2), a first hydraulic piston (K1) being mounted in a displaceable manner in an axially movable first hydraulic cylinder (Z1), and a second hydraulic piston (K2) being mounted in a displaceable manner in a second hydraulic cylinder (Z2). The second die half (M2) is fixed to the frame and the second punch (S2) is arranged on the second hydraulic piston (K2). According to the invention, the first hydraulic cylinder (Z1) is connected to a third hydraulic cylinder (Z3), in which a third hydraulic piston (K3) is mounted. The latter acts on a fourth hydraulic piston (K4), which is guided in a fourth hydraulic cylinder (Z4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Klaus Siegert, Aribert Schwager, Manfred Kammerer
  • Publication number: 20040129054
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing hydraulic pressure relief valves has a fixture body with an internal cavity sized to receive the valve completely within the fixture body. A closure may be secured to the body to seal the valve within the cavity. The apparatus further includes inlet and outlet ports for providing a flow of high-pressure hydraulic fluid though the cavity, and a pressure port for coupling pressure monitoring instrumentation to the cavity. When a valve is installed within the apparatus and the inlet is coupled to a source of high-pressure hydraulic fluid, the actuation pressure of the valve may be determined by monitoring the instrumentation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Columbus Equipment Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Hyme
  • Publication number: 20040129055
    Abstract: A measuring apparatus 2 comprises: a base 10 fixed onto the rotary table 83; a rotational angular position detector 35 having first and second members 36 and 37 mounted in relatively rotatable fashion about a preset rotational center axis, one member being provided with a scale and the other with a reading device, wherein the first member 36 is mounted fixedly on the base 10; a restraining mechanism 55 which engages with the second member 37 of the rotational angular position detector 35 and thereby restrains rotation of the second member 37, while allowing the base 10 and the rotational angular position detector 35 to move in vertical direction; and a ring-shaped detection member 49 mounted perpendicularly on the base 10 by orienting center axis at right angles to the upper surface of the rotary table 83 and accommodating therein the rotational angular position detector 35.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicants: MORI SEIKI CO., LTD, INTELLIGENT MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
    Inventor: Toru Yagami
  • Publication number: 20040129056
    Abstract: A sensor for monitoring gas content. The sensor comprises a housing defining at least two cavities and a resonating structure positioned in each of the cavities. Each of the resonating structures has a resonant frequency dependent upon a physical characteristic of a gas in its respective cavity. Means for exciting the resonating structures generates output signals therefrom, and means compares the output signals from each of the resonating structures and outputs a comparison signal indicative of a difference between the resonant frequencies of the two structures and the relative gas content of the at least two cavities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Bertil Hok, Ralph Bernstein, Per Gloersen
  • Publication number: 20040129057
    Abstract: A micro fluid analyzer having a concentrator and separator. A strip continuous through a channel in the concentrator may provide a hot zone that may move with the flow of fluid through the channel of the concentrator to provide a concentration of heat in the flow. A pump may provide a flow to the fluid through the analyzer. Detectors may be positioned at places where the fluid may flow. A processor or controller may be connected to the strip, separator, pump and detectors. The concentrator, separator, detectors and processor may be integrated on one chip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Ulrich Bonne, Robert Higashi, Cleopatra Cabuz
  • Publication number: 20040129058
    Abstract: A vapor trap for detecting VOCs includes a housing, having a first end portion, a second end portion and at least one opening for receiving gas vapor. The housing is at least partially buried in ground with a vapor containment mechanism detachably connected to the first end portion of the housing. The vapor containment mechanism can be removed and replaced with a vapor sampling mechanism. An organic vapor analyzer can be connected in fluid relationship to the vapor sampling mechanism to measure VOCs. Optionally, a vacuum pump can be utilized to draw vapor into the vapor trap and then subsequently into the organic vapor analyzer. There can be a first selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the vacuum pump and a second selector valve located between the vapor sampling mechanism and the organic vapor analyzer. A preferred organic vapor analyzer is a photo-ionization detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: PERTECT Detectors, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Kevin Boyd, Yale Lynn Clark
  • Publication number: 20040129059
    Abstract: A thick film resistor strain gauge is applied to a stainless steel shell portion of a spark plug. There are two preferable ways of applying a thick film resistor to the metal shell. In a first embodiment, the thick film resistor may be directly printed on to the shell portion with special screen printing equipment. In a second embodiment, the thick film resistor is printed and applied as a decal to the shell portion. The thick film resistors may be included in a quarter, a half, or a full wheatstone bridge strain gauge circuit. One of two embodiments of an automatic drift compensating circuit is used to determine the change in resistance experienced by the thick film resistors affixed to the spark plug. Either one of the automatic drift compensation circuits output a voltage signal which is proportional to the pressure changes occurring inside the engine cylinder into which the spark plug is threaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald J. Kiess, Lewis Henry Little, Marion E. Ellis, Raymond O. Butler
  • Publication number: 20040129060
    Abstract: A method for testing the integrity of filter elements, in which the convective component of the volumetric gas flow rate is determined from the ratio of the volumetric gas flow rates and the ratio of the solubility or diffusion coefficients of two different gases in the wetting liquid of the filter elements or is determined from the ratio of the volumetric gas flow rates and the ratio of the solubility or diffusion coefficients of a test gas in two different wetting liquids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Sartorius AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Grummert, Ina Pahl
  • Publication number: 20040129061
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a leak between two circuits of a plate-type heat exchanger (1) provided with means for filling two circuits with fluid at a different pressure, characterized in that said device comprises automatic control means for the convergence of the pressure inside said circuits with respect to a given threshold, and means for signalling a leak when the automatic control means have detected the occurrence of said convergence.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Gerard Rabelle
  • Publication number: 20040129062
    Abstract: In a method for evaluating a fixing member to fix a toner having a surface layer, a hardness test is carried out by applying a pressure deformation from the surface side of the fixing member, and when a deformation of the surface layer by the pressure deformation is within an elastic range, the fixing member is regarded as a standard product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Norihiko Aze, Kyoichi Ashikawa, Kohji Kamiya, Minoru Matsuo, Takayuki Yoshii, Nozomu Takahata
  • Publication number: 20040129063
    Abstract: Mechanical properties (e.g. storage modulus and loss modulus), nanoscale dynamics (dynamic behavior of a material in the nanoscale) and structural properties (crystallographic orientation) imaging of material, ranging from biological to electronic materials are obtained by modification of conventional atomic force microscopy. The device and method allows for simultaneous topography and properties (mechanical, nanoscale dynamics, and structural) imaging both in liquid and dry conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Mehdi Balooch, Kambiz Farnaam
  • Publication number: 20040129064
    Abstract: A recognition force microscope for detecting interactions between a probe and a sensed agent on a scanned surface and methods for its operation are provided. The microscope includes a scanning probe having a tip that is sensitive to a property of the scanned surface, and the probe is adapted to oscillate with a low mechanical Q factor. Operation of the microscope includes recording the displacement of the probe tip as a function of time and simultaneously recording both topographic images and the spatial location of interactions between said probe and one or more sensed agents on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Hinterdorfer, Jeremy Nelson
  • Publication number: 20040129065
    Abstract: A device and a method for monitoring a sensor for an exhaust-gas aftertreatment system, in particular a temperature sensor, are described. In specified operating states a first signal from the first sensor to be monitored is compared to a second signal from a second sensor. Errors are detected when at least the two signals differ from one another by more than a value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Holger Plote, Andreas Krautter, Michael Walter, Juergen Sojka
  • Publication number: 20040129066
    Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for checking the tightness of a vessel (10), especially of a tank-venting system of a motor vehicle, the vessel (10) is charged with a pressure generated by a motor-driven pressure source (30) and the motor current is determined. A reference leak (36) is selectively driven by a switchover valve (32) and is charged with a corresponding pressure and the motor current is determined. The determined electrical characteristic quantity and the determined reference characteristic quantity are compared and a conclusion is drawn therefrom as to the presence of a leak. To prevent the entry of moisture into the pressure source (30), it is provided that at least the pressure source (30) is heated intermittently. The heating takes place preferably by driving the switchover valve (32) at a suitable pulse duty factor. To prevent the entrance of moisture into the pressure source (30), a check valve (44) is provided and is suitably mounted in the connecting part of the pressure source (30).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfgang Schulz, Martin Maier, Manfred Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20040129067
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing a cooling system of a vehicle engine, including the steps of: acquiring operating data relative to operation of the cooling system (cooling system radiator water temperature/fan rotation speed) during a trip time between turn-on of the engine and subsequent turn-off of the engine; processing the acquired data, and accumulating the data for each trip to create a database; and examining the location of the data within the database to determine malfunction and/or potential malfunction situations of the cooling system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Mauro, Maria Paola Bianconi, Mario Gambera, Andrea Fortunato
  • Publication number: 20040129068
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining leakage in an evaporated fuel processing system is provided. The evaporated fuel processing system extends from a fuel tank to a purge passage through which evaporated fuel from the fuel tank is purged to an intake manifold of an engine. The apparatus comprises a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of the evaporated fuel processing system, an atmospheric pressure sensor for detecting an atmospheric pressure, and a control unit connected to the pressure sensor and the atmospheric pressure sensor. The control unit detects a stop of the engine. A determination value used for the leakage determination is corrected according to the atmospheric pressure. The evaporated fuel processing system is closed after the stop of the engine is detected. It is determined whether the evaporated fuel processing system has leakage based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor and the corrected determination value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Hideyuki Oki, Eisaku Gosyo
  • Publication number: 20040129069
    Abstract: An air-fuel ratio sensor includes a sensor element inserted through a cylindrical housing for detecting an air-fuel ratio in an atmosphere of unburnt gas, and a measured gas side cover disposed on an end of the cylindrical housing so as to cover the sensor element and defining an inside chamber for storing therein a gas to be measured. The cover has a nested structure composed of a plurality of cup-shaped cover members disposed one inside another, each cover member having a gas inlet hole formed in a side wall thereof and a bottom hole formed in a bottom wall thereof. The gas inlet hole of an innermost one of the plural cover members that directly faces the sensor element is offset from an air-fuel ratio detecting portion of the sensor element toward the housing in an axial direction of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicants: DENSO CORPORATION, NIPPON SOKEN, INC., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toshihiro Sakawa, Daisuke Makino, Hiroo Imamura, Fumihiko Sato, Katsuya Hirai
  • Publication number: 20040129070
    Abstract: A sample module is provided for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore. The sample module includes a sample chamber carried by the module for collecting a sample of formation fluid obtained from the formation via the downhole tool, and a validation chamber carried by the module for collecting a substantially smaller sample of formation fluid than the sample chamber. The validation chamber is removable from the sample module at the surface without disturbing the sample chamber. In another aspect, the present invention provides an improved sample chamber for use in a downhole tool to obtain fluid from a subsurface formation penetrated by a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Victor M. Bolze, Jonathan W. Brown, Andrew L. Kurkjian, Timothy L. Long, Angus J. Melbourne, Linward A. Moore, Robert P. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040129071
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a system helping glider pilots locate thermals in the air by constructing a database of places on the ground that are likely to generate thermals, and then, given the current weather conditions, showing the projected position of thermals in the air on a graphical display in the cockpit of the flying aircraft. The present invention achieves its objects by utilizing the two following methods: 1. Analyzing past flights from a given geographical area, extracting from them weather conditions during the flight, and places on the ground that have generated thermals in these weather conditions. 2. Analyzing the shape of terrain above which the flight is taking place to find places on the ground that receive the biggest amount of solar energy and wind energy, and therefore are most likely to generate thermals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: Jerzy Plaszowiecki
  • Publication number: 20040129072
    Abstract: A flow sensor includes a mounting plate, bending plate, and a sensing assembly. The mounting plate is mounted to an internal surface of an air hose. The mounting plate is flexibly coupled to the bending plate, which is displaced in response to the flow of gas. The sensing assembly is positioned on the bending plate and includes a temperature sensor for sensing relatively lower flow rates during a thermal mode, and one or more displacement sensors for sensing relatively higher flow rates during a displacement mode. The temperature sensor outputs a thermal mode signal and the displacement sensors output a displacement mode signal. A flow sensing system includes the flow sensor, processor, memory, and a computer. The processor is responsive to the thermal and displacement mode signals. The computer is coupled to the processor and controls calibration of the flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Festo Corporation
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz Forster, Josef Binder
  • Publication number: 20040129073
    Abstract: A heating resistor type flow measuring device comprising a housing having a support part provided between a frame body and a connector and connected to the mounting part of a fluid passage, a flow rate detection element held on the frame body side of the housing, and an electronic circuit held on the housing and connected electrically to the flow rate detection element and the connector, wherein the electronic circuit is held on the frame body side of the housing and positioned in the fluid passage, a member with the rigidity higher than the material of the main structural member of the housing is formed integrally with the support part, the housing is fixed to the fluid passage through the member with high rigidity. A metal plate is inserted into the support part so as to increase rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Naoki Saito, Masayuki Kozawa, Shinya Igarashi, Hiromu Kikawa, Akio Yasukawa, Akira Takasago
  • Publication number: 20040129074
    Abstract: A sensor capable of operating in ambient temperatures that are either above or below operating systems specification. comprises a transducer adapted to be coupled to a power supply for generating signals corresponding to and representative of the status of the targeted system. Signal conditioning means are coupled to the transducer and are responsive to generated signals. The signal conditioning means produces status signals in a format that is compatible with an information utilization device. A thermo electric module is attached to the signal conditioning means for changing the temperature of the signal conditioning means. In an alternative embodiment, the thermo electric module is connected to control the environment in which the signal conditioning means operate. The signal conditioning means are then able to operate in ambient temperatures that are outside of the normal operating parameters to which the to which the signal conditioning means were originally designed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Paul Rudewicz, Michael Vasquez
  • Publication number: 20040129075
    Abstract: A remote two-module electronic fluid monitoring system to be used as an agricultural aid in the application of a fluid to a field. A tank module sits atop a field tank and monitors internal fluid level. Fluid level detection is achieved by tracking the position of an embedded permanent magnet associated with a given internal fluid level within an existing float gauge mechanism. An integrated circuit capable of precisely detecting the orientation of magnetic fields senses the angular position of an existing magnet and outputs an angular field reading to an interfaced microcontroller which then translates angular reading to fluid level. The tank module contains a radio frequency transmitter which then sends fluid level information to a display module mounted within the tractor cab. The display module receives the signal from the tank module and reports to the user the present fluid level remaining in tank via a liquid crystal display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Applicant: Fluent Systems, LLC.
    Inventor: Chad Michael Sorenson
  • Publication number: 20040129076
    Abstract: A method for reducing effects of common mode oscillations between two respective proof masses in micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) devices is described. The MEMS devices also include a motor pickoff comb, a sense plate, and a motor drive comb for each proof mass. The method includes amplifying signals received from respective motor pickoff combs, inverting the amplified signal from one of the motor pickoff combs, and generating a difference signal between the inverted, amplified signal from one pickoff comb, and the non-inverted, amplified signal from the other pickoff comb. The method also includes inputting the difference signal into a control loop and generating motor drive signals for respective motor drive combs with the control loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventor: William P. Platt
  • Publication number: 20040129077
    Abstract: For a sensor whose sensor structure is implemented in a micromechanical structural component and which has parts which are movable in relation to the stationary substrate of the structural component, and which also includes
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Jochen Franz, Oliver Kohn, Frank Henning, Matthias Maute
  • Publication number: 20040129078
    Abstract: A high strength, high frequency acceleration transducer is used for measuring the acceleration of an impacted machine or structure. The acceleration transducer includes a diaphragm, the diaphragm including one or more strain gages for producing an output signal indicative of the transducer flexure. The diaphragm is securely clamped or held over part of its surface, and is free to deflect over other parts, for example, the remainder of its surface—the diaphragm can be clamped or held along its circumference with its middle free to flex, or alternatively the diaphragm can be clamped or held along its center with the outside portion of the diaphragm free to flex.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Thomas P. Kicher, Paul T. Kicher