Patents Issued in August 5, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040149023
    Abstract: An apparatus monitors at least one fuel quality characteristic of fuel passing through a fuel delivery system of a motor vehicle. The apparatus includes a fuel rail assembly connectable to the fuel delivery system of the motor vehicle. A fuel rail assembly has at least one housing associated with either a pressure regulator or an accumulator. A sensor is associated with the fuel rail assembly for measuring at least one characteristic of fuel quality of fuel passing through the fuel rail assembly. At least one characteristic includes temperature and/or impedance. The sensor can include a pair of plates spaced from one another by a gap of between approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 1.0 mm, inclusive, for measuring impedance across the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Oscar Alfonso Lecea, Steven Douglas Thomson, Yingjie Lin
  • Publication number: 20040149024
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine including an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle. The method includes the steps of: checking the operability of at least one component by a diagnostic function (D); causing the diagnostic function (D) to transmit data (CB), that the diagnostic function (D) could have found a fault, to a central function (CF) in a format uniform for all diagnostic functions (D); and, causing the central function (CF) to process the data (CB).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Matthias Knirsch, Alexander Hinz
  • Publication number: 20040149025
    Abstract: A sensor unit body 10 of a tire pressure sensor unit 1 is provided with external signal-importing terminals 22 for rewriting data of self-identification code stored in a ROM 21, so that a complex operation of associating the self-identification code of the sensor unit with its mounting position in the vehicle is eliminated by rewriting the self-identification code of the sensor unit 1 after the replacement to be identical to the self-identification code of the sensor unit 1 before the replacement, when a tire wheel is replaced due to a breakdown of the tire unit or a replacement between a summer tire and a winter tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Masanobu Toyofuku
  • Publication number: 20040149026
    Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a method and system are provided for analyzing the adhesion of a coating. The method comprises the steps of directing light into the coating, using an image detector to collect light and fluorescence images from the coating/substrate combination, and applying a set of analysis tests to the collected light and fluorescence images. In another aspect of the invention, a method and system are provided for quantitatively analyzing the spatially resolved curing condition of a coating. The method comprises the steps of providing a coating with a fluorophore that is responsive to a defined curing condition, applying the coating onto a substrate, and using the defined curing process to cure the coating. The method comprises the further steps of using an image detector to collect fluroescence image from the coating, and applying a set of analysis tests to the fluorescence image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Radislav Potyrailo, George F. Medford, James Cawse
  • Publication number: 20040149027
    Abstract: A flow meter incorporating thermal loss sensors and an installation adapter to provide known flow conditions upstream of the meter. The installation adapter is in the form of a tubular extension projecting from a flange which in use is sandwiched between a pipeline flange and a flow meter flange. The flanges are configured such that a passageway defined by the adapter extension is located in a predetermined position relative to the flow meter. The flow meter may comprise a sensor array supporting at least three sensors which are not in alignment, one of those sensors being located centrally within the flow meter and the others being distributed at equal distances around the central position. In use, normal readings may be taken from a single one of the sensors, the other sensors being used for initial calibration and subsequent calibration test purposes only.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Chris Gimson
  • Publication number: 20040149028
    Abstract: A flow sensor with a tube through which flows a medium to be measured and a housing comprising a lower shell and an upper shell and receiving electronics with unions provided with a flow bore communicating with the tube and which are received in recesses made in facing sides of the lower shell and upper shell, wherein the unions have an outer part, an inner part and a central piece, the inner part of both unions is provided with a blind hole concentric to the flow bore, and in which are mounted the ends of the tube, and the central piece is constructed cylindrically with a reduced diameter compared with the parts of the unions, and the lower shell and upper shell are in each case provided with a semicylindrical portion receiving the central piece of the unions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: SENSORENTECHNOLOGIE GETTORF GmbH
    Inventors: Eckart Hiss, Stefan Michelsen
  • Publication number: 20040149029
    Abstract: A housing or enclosure for time of flight ranging systems and/or level measurement devices. The housing comprises an upper lid section and a lower section which are coupled together to form an enclosure for holding a transducer module and electronic circuitry to provide the level measurement funtionality. The housing has an exterior surface which is covered in at least part with a reflective coating. The reflective coating reflects solar radiation and serves to reduce the solar gain and temperature rise variations inside and surrounding the housing. According to another aspect, the reflective coating may also be applied to all or parts of the interior surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Siemens Milltronics Process Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Ian George Watson
  • Publication number: 20040149030
    Abstract: The invention relates to an economical device for reliably determining and/or monitoring filling of a medium in a container. Said device comprises the following components: a housing (20) to which at least one oscillating unit (3) is affixed; a drive/receive unit (4; 13, 14) that is directly fixed to the oscillating unit (3) and that causes it to oscillate at given time interval in at least one of its own modes, in addition to a regulation/evaluation unit (8) that recognizes when a predetermined filling level has been reached based on the detected oscillations or a time change in the detected oscillation of the oscillating unit (3) and/or recognizes a disturbance caused by the sensor and/or the process on the basis of the detected oscillations or a change in the detected oscillations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Clemens Heilig
  • Publication number: 20040149031
    Abstract: The invention concerns bubble level meter having a pneumatic tube connected to a gas generator and to a pressure sensor. A deflecting valve is interposed along the pneumatic tube, for deflecting the air outlet at a predetermined height from the usual lower outlet of the tube. A control circuit controls the deflecting valve and the gas generator based on predetermined set values, processes the pressure measurements obtained from the pressure sensor, checks the calibration of the sensor on the basis of the measurements and the differences in height between the tube outlet, and generates level data based on the processed pressure measurements and a calibrating coefficient. Another valve interposed between the sensor and the tube and monitored by the circuit control, enables to take into account the possible drift of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Claude Bouchard
  • Publication number: 20040149032
    Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor provides for a reliable and inexpensive means to measure fluid height. The capacitance measured at a sensor is interpreted by a control unit, which relays information regarding the liquid level to a display unit visible to the driver of the motor vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor consists of two parallel electrode strips of a conductive material supported along their respective lengths by a substrate of an insulated material. The strips and the exposed side of the substrate are coated with a low conductivity porous material. The strips are connected to a control unit by a pair of electrical leads. When the sensor is immersed in a liquid, the control unit measures capacitance between the two strips and calculates the actual liquid height, based on the known dielectric constant of the liquid and the gas above it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Sell
  • Publication number: 20040149033
    Abstract: A high-accuracy wheel spacer is used in an off-vehicle wheel servicing machine. The servicing machine includes an elongated mounting shaft operatively connected to a drive motor and extending outwardly from a motor housing. A face plate is fixed to the mounting shaft proximate the motor housing and cooperates with a clamping assembly to sandwich and dynamically center the vehicle wheel on the shaft. The wheel spacer includes a base having first and second opposing major surfaces. A plurality of outwardly-projecting spacer pins depend from the first major surface of the base, and are adapted for engaging a limited surface area of the face plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Allan H. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20040149034
    Abstract: A wheel speed sensor has a detection element having at least one lead for detecting a wheel speed, at least one terminal portion connected to the lead of the detection element, a holder portion having a detection element fitting portion fitting the detection element therein and a terminal portion fitting portion fitting the terminal portion therein, and a resin sealed portion sealing the holder portion in a state the detection element and the terminal portion connected with an electric wire are held in the holder portion. The detection element fitting portion and the terminal portion fitting portion are disposed such that the lead of the detection element is brought into abutment with or proximity to a predetermined location of the terminal portion when the detection element and the terminal-portion are fitted in the detection element fitting portion and the terminal portion fitting portion, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Jun Iijima, Kazuhiro Ota, Shigeru Fukazawa
  • Publication number: 20040149035
    Abstract: A micromachined design and method with inherent disturbance-rejection capabilities is based on increasing the degrees-of-freedom (DOF) of the oscillatory system by the use of two independently oscillating proof masses. Utilizing dynamical amplification in the 4-degrees-of-freedom system, inherent disturbance rejection is achieved, providing reduced sensitivity to structural and thermal parameter fluctuations and damping changes over the operating time of the device. In the proposed system, the first mass is forced to oscillate in the drive direction, and the response of the second mass in the orthogonal direction is sensed. The response has two resonant peaks and a flat region between peaks. Operation is in the flat region, where the gain is insensitive to frequency fluctuations. An over 15 times increase in the bandwidth of the system is achieved due to the use of the proposed architecture. In addition, the gain in the operation region has low sensitivity to damping changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Cenk Acar, Andrei M Shkel
  • Publication number: 20040149036
    Abstract: A system for tracking the motion of an object relative to a moving reference frame includes a first inertial sensor mounted on the tracked object; a second inertial sensor mounted on the moving reference frame; a third inertial sensor mounted on the moving reference frame and spaced apart from the second inertial sensor; and an element coupled to said first and second and third inertial sensors and configured to determine a position of the object relative to the moving reference frame based on the signals from the first and second and third inertial sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Foxlin, Yury Altshuler
  • Publication number: 20040149037
    Abstract: An acceleration transducer for use in an accelerometer includes a proof mass that comprises a transmissive optics device arranged to receive an optical signal such that the optical signal propagates through the transmissive optics device along a first optical path having a selected optical path length. A support assembly is arranged to support the proof mass such that the transmissive optics device moves from a reference position along a selected sensing axis in response to an acceleration of the proof mass along the selected sensing axis and produces an optical path length change that indicates the acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Michel J.F. Digonnet, Elliot M. Burke, John J. Fling
  • Publication number: 20040149038
    Abstract: A device for measuring the oscillation amplitude of the tip of a capillary by means of a light beam comprises a light source and an opto-receiver and two apertured diaphragms that are arranged between the light source and the opto-receiver and which lie on a common axis. The apertured diaphragms are preferably formed by means of drill holes arranged on a common axis in side walls of a channel formed in a body. The two apertured diaphragms define the diameter of the light beam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: ESEC TRADING SA
    Inventor: Martin Melzer
  • Publication number: 20040149039
    Abstract: An acoustic meter assembly has a measurement chamber for receiving a pressurized fluid to be monitored; an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy into and receiving the transmitted energy from the measurement chamber; and a holder for the acoustic transducer including a receiving section in which the acoustic transducer is locatable to expose a front surface to fluid pressure within the measurement chamber. The holder further has a pressure transfer arrangement for communicating pressure between the measurement chamber and a rear surface of the transducer, opposite to the front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventor: Erik Cardelius
  • Publication number: 20040149040
    Abstract: A transducer-based sensor system including a first transducer system and a second transducer system spaced from the first transducer system so as to define a sample area between the first transducer system and the second transducer system where the first transducer system and second transducer system are collectively configured to transmit surface acoustic waves in multiple directions through the sample area and receive such surface acoustic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Daniel Robert Blakley
  • Publication number: 20040149041
    Abstract: An apparatus determines how well a semiconductor wafer (4) is clamped to a support member (1). The apparatus has at least one ultrasonic transducer (2a,2b,2c,2d) configured to emit ultrasonic energy (3) toward an interface between the wafer (4) and the support member (1) so that the interface generates echo signals, and a data processing unit (11) configured to analyze the echo signals to arrive at a determination as to how well the semiconductor wafer (4) is clamped to the support member (1) before semiconductor process is started. A first method ensures that a wafer (4) is securely clamped to a support member before a semiconductor process is started.A second method verifies proper de-clamping of a semiconductor wafer (4) from a support member (1) before the semiconductor wafer (4) is removed from the support member (1) upon completion of a semiconductor process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: William Jones, Paul Moroz, Andrej Mitrovic
  • Publication number: 20040149042
    Abstract: A pressure sensor that is particularly suitable inter alia for the food industry and the measuring accuracy of which is stable over a long time, having a diaphragm seal (3, 45) with a separating diaphragm (7, 53) on which a pressure (P) to be measured acts and having a ceramic measuring cell (9, 57) which is connected to the diaphragm seal (3, 45) exclusively by inorganic materials, is provided, in which sensor the separating diaphragm (7, 53) and all further sensor components coming into contact during measurement with a medium of which the pressure (P) is to be measured are metallic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: ENDRESS + HAUSER GMBH + CO.
    Inventors: Peter Gerst, Karlheinz Banholzer, Karl Flogel, Thomas Uehlin, Frank Hegner, Elke Schmidt, Ulfert Drewes, Rainer Martin
  • Publication number: 20040149043
    Abstract: An improved self-retaining pressure sensor assembly includes a pressure sensor having a housing, a depending ported stem terminated in an enlarged foot, and a flanged resilient seal disposed about the stem between the pressure sensor housing and foot, with the seal flange having one or more notches about its circumferential periphery to ease insertion and extraction of the assembly with respect to a circular opening formed in a pressure vessel. The notches reduce the effective area of the flange, proportionately decreasing the force (insertion force) needed to insert the assembly at the time of installation and the force (extraction force) needed to subsequently remove the assembly for repair or replacement. The number and size of the notches can be adjusted to provide acceptable insertion and extraction forces, without lubricant, while not significantly compromising the self-retention capability of the assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Philip D. Kuznia, Paul J. Pitzer, Clyde H. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040149044
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the displacement of visco-elastoplastic media below a surface thereof comprises an upper plate mounted such that a displacement force exerted on the top surface thereof will move the upper plate a displacement distance downward toward a base. Guides maintain the upper plate and the base in alignment such that movement is along a displacement axis. A calibrated bias element exerts a calibrated bias force resisting movement of the upper plate toward the base. A displacement measuring device measures the displacement distance, and is operative to generate a movement signal corresponding to the displacement distance. A data acquisition system is operative to receive and record the movement signal, and calculate the displacement force exerted on the top surface of the upper plate required to move the upper plate the displacement distance against the calibrated bias force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: R. Lal Kushwaha, Louis Roth, James Schnaider, Tyrel Lloyd, William C. Roberts, Wayne Morley, Denise Stilling
  • Publication number: 20040149045
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring stress is provided that includes a stress sensor including, in part, a sensing device configured for generating and outputting sensor measurement signals representative of a stress or a component of a stress. In one embodiment, the stress sensor permits sensing and measurement of a shear component of a stress substantially exclusive of a normal component thereof. The stress sensor may be suited for measuring stress between mated bodies, such as at an interface between the mated bodies. A method of measuring stress using the stress sensor and a rocket motor including at least one stress sensor are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Mont A. Johnson, Randy L. Everton
  • Publication number: 20040149046
    Abstract: A measurement pipe for an electromagnetic flowmeter includes a cylindrical pipe main body, a pair of flanges, and a lining material. The cylindrical pipe main body has openings at its two ends. The pair of flanges are integrally formed with the pipe main body to project outside the openings. The lining material is made of a reinforcing-material-mixed synthetic resin to cover at least an inner surface of the pipe main body and side surfaces of the flanges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Yoshio Yamazaki
  • Publication number: 20040149047
    Abstract: To conduct a fluid, the transducer has a flow tube which in use is vibrated by an excitation system and whose inlet-side and outlet-side vibrations are detected by means of a sensor system. In response to transverse forces produced in the vibrating flow tube, the latter is, at least temporarily, laterally displaced from an assigned static rest position. To improve the dynamic balance of the transducer, a first cantilever and a second cantilever are rigidly fixed to an inlet-side tube section and an outlet-side tube section, respectively. By means of the cantilevers, the inlet-side and outlet-side tube sections are deformed as a result of lateral displacements of the flow tube. This produces counterforces which at least partially counterbalance the transverse forces produced in the vibrating flow tube. One advantage of the proposed transducer is that it is well balanced even during variations in fluid density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Alfred Rieder, Wolfgang Drahm
  • Publication number: 20040149048
    Abstract: A cable slackness monitoring device has a pull cord to detect movement of support pins associated with the cables. In the case of a slack cable the support pin moves downwardly relative to a carrier frame. Fixedly clamped between a nut and a locknut is a trigger element which engages the pull cord in the case of movement of the support pin. The pull cord is fixed at one end to a fixing point of a bracket, and is, and is connected at the other end to a displaceable slide. The deflection of the taut pull cord caused by the movement of the support pin moves the slide, actuating a limit value detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Adrian Attinger
  • Publication number: 20040149049
    Abstract: A testing system for conveyor belts where there is a plurality of testing sections positioned at various locations along the length of the belt to ascertain condition of the belt in these locations. Each test section comprises a radio frequency identification member so that when the test section passes through a monitoring region where there is a monitoring apparatus, the radio frequency identification member transmits an identification signal to indicate the presence of a testing device. The monitoring apparatus transmits an activating signal to the testing device which in turn directs an electric current through a conductive loop extending transversely across the belt. If there is a fault in the belt which severs the wire so that current does not flow, this is detected by the monitoring apparatus to indicate a fault.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Larry J. Kuzik, Ronald M. Ninnis
  • Publication number: 20040149050
    Abstract: In order for a load cell with a force transducer for recording a weight, the force transducer having a part which does not deform under loading and a force introduction part with an elastically deformable part, the elastically deformable part and the non-deforming part having in a measuring portion a defined spacing in relation to each other which changes under loading, with a sensor arrangement with an inductively operating sensor element, which is disposed in the measuring portion opposite a signaling face, in order to detect changing of the spacing as an electric signal, and with a circuit for converting the electric signal into a weighing signal, to be developed further in such a way that it can be used in particular in conditions which are very difficult in terms of measuring technology, and in particular under the other special ambient conditions within a vehicle, and the weighing signal of which is substantially uninfluenced by this, it is proposed that the force transducer has a recess in the elastica
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Bizerba GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Peter Selig, Klaus Wurster
  • Publication number: 20040149051
    Abstract: A pressure point detector has a simple structure and is capable of detecting which location of a two-dimensional surface such as a circle a pressure is applied can be detected. The pressure point detector is comprised of a flexible insulation member in a predetermined shape, a resistance film formed on one side of the flexible insulation member, a conductive member made of conductive material and established to face the insulation member with a with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a pair of electrodes established on said resistance film in a parallel fashion to produce voltage distribution, thereby producing an output voltage from said conductive member indicative of a location of the pressure applied to the insulation member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Fumio Mieda, Haruhiko Motohashi
  • Publication number: 20040149052
    Abstract: A proportioning device, comprising a manually operable actuating device, a sensor associated with the actuating device for detecting a force manually exerted on the actuating device, an electric driving motor, an electric control connected to the sensor and electric driving motor for controlling the driving motor during the detection by the sensor of a force exerted on the actuating device, an electric voltage supply connected to the sensor, electric driving motor, and electronic control, and a displacement device coupled to the actuating device and electric driving motor for proportioning a liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Bernd Jagdhuber
  • Publication number: 20040149053
    Abstract: A sample handling system includes a sample probe that is adapted to intermix a solvent with a sample obtained from a process to dissolve undesirable components within a sample. A separator is provided in the sample handling system that receives the solvent/sample mixture and separates the sample from the solvent and undesirable solutes. The so separated sample is then provided to a suitable analyzer for analysis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Stephen Staphanos
  • Publication number: 20040149054
    Abstract: A water cloud evaluating device includes a partition member for partitioning an outer space of the vehicle lighting fixture into a front space and a rear space, vehicle outside environment simulation setting means and vehicle inside environment simulation setting means. In the bench test, the water cloud evaluation is made in the artificial environment close to the state where the vehicle lighting fixture is mounted on the actual vehicle. The partition member is formed with an opening portion in a sheet that is easily cuttable by a knife or the like. A water spray unit, an illumination unit and an air flow generating unit are made movable as the simulation setting units comprising both the simulation setting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: KOITO MANUFACTURING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Shigeyuki Soga, Akira Kaneko, Masahiro Ikegaya, Masaki Hagiwara, Makoto Ohishi
  • Publication number: 20040149055
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for transporting and inspecting semiconductor substrates (6), having at least three workstations (8, 10, 12), a changer (14), which has at least three arms (14a, 14b, 14c) which are designed to load the individual workstations (8, 10, 12) with semiconductor substrates (6). A measuring device (15) is assigned to the second workstation (10), determines the deviation of the current position of the semiconductor substrate (6) and makes it available to the arrangement (3) for the further inspection of the semiconductor substrate (6). In addition, the changer (14) is not equipped with means for exact positioning of the semiconductor substrates (6) in the workstations (8, 10, 12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: LEICA MICROSYSTEMS JENA GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Birkner, Frank Bernhardt, Knut Hiltawski
  • Publication number: 20040149056
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a system and a method which surmounts the problems of prior art. According to the inventive system and method for measuring horizontal deviation of a load receiving element in relation to a position of a hoist traveling trolley, the load receiving element is suspendedly arranged on a plurality of supporting cables on said hoist traveling trolley and least two cable length sensors are provided, said sensors being operatively connected to a data processing means, preferably a processor. The cables of the at least two cable length sensors are disposed between the hoist traveling trolley and the load receiving element in such a way that a computer unit which is connected to the data processing means determines the horizontal deviation of the load receiving element in relation to the position of the hoist traveling trolley for the length of the respective cables of the cable length sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Gunther Lukas
  • Publication number: 20040149057
    Abstract: Touch-triggered probe comprising a fixed part, designed to be fastened onto a measuring machine or a machine tool, and a mobile contact feeler that can be oriented on two independent axes along a multiplicity of spatial directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Pascal Jordil, Adriano Zanier, Claude Rouge
  • Publication number: 20040149058
    Abstract: The subject invention provides a pivot assembly for rotatably connecting a rotor to a swash plate in a variable displacement compressor. The rotor and swash plate each having pivot arms supporting pivot pins. A hinge is mounted to both of the pivot pins for operatively connecting the rotor to the swash plate. The hinge includes a first mounting portion receiving one of the pins and a second mounting portion receiving the other pin with a central planar region disposed between the first and second mounting portions. A tab extends from the central planar region toward each of the first and second mounting portions to engage the pins and fixedly secure the pins within their respective mounting portions. The pins therefore remain mounted to the hinge during an operation of the variable displacement compressor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: David Michael Ebbing, Alan L. Woodmansee, Rebecca E. Bish, Christopher F. Laub
  • Publication number: 20040149059
    Abstract: A ring-like lubricant supply device 6 is fitted into a recess 4 of a nut member 2. The lubricant supply device 6 contains a lubricant and is formed in an outer peripheral surface with notches 7. Tubular members 8 each having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the notch 7 are inserted into the notches, pushing and widening the notches 7 in a circumferential direction. One end of the tubular member 8 is fitted into a recess 9b of a retaining ring 9 and the retaining ring 9 is fixed to a nut member 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Toru Tsukada, Soichiro Kato
  • Publication number: 20040149060
    Abstract: A drop away leaf pivot unit for use with a clamp in a manufacturing environment. The drop away leaf pivot unit includes a body having a plurality of orifices therethrough and a chamber defined therein. A base member is connected to the body at one side thereof. The pivot unit includes a cylinder extending from an end of the body with a cylinder having a piston and piston rod therein. A spline shaft is rotatably supported by the body and has a drive link engaged therewith. The drive link is also connected to the piston rod on the opposite end. At least one stop member is engaged with the shaft on an end. The drop away leaf pivot unit also includes an arm secured to the shaft on an outer portion of the shaft, outside of the body of the pivot unit. A cover plate is secured to both ends of the body to ensure an enclosed operating environment for certain components of the pivot unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Matthew Rentz
  • Publication number: 20040149061
    Abstract: A selector transmission for a motor vehicle in which two transmission shift positions G1, G2; G3, G4; G5, G6 situated in a shifting gate 55 of an H or multi-H shifting gate 51 within a transmission 1 can be respectively shifted via two different shifting sets 29, 30, 31, 32. The transmission 1 has one transmission input shaft 5, two countershafts 15, 16, one reverse gear shaft 22 and one transmission output shaft 28 available. The fixed and idler gears of each ratio step are positioned on the transmission shafts so that, departing from a single starting and separating clutch 4 of the transmission, the transmission gears are disposed in a sequence G2 and RG, G4 and G6, G3, G1, G5.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Ebenhoch
  • Publication number: 20040149062
    Abstract: A differential having a differential case, a pair of side gears disposed in the differential case and a biasing element disposed between the side gears to force the side gears against the differential case, creating a torque bias between the side gears and the differential case. The torque bias may also include the torque bias between the biasing element and the side gears. In some embodiments, the differential may include washers disposed between the side gears and the differential case, so that the torque bias may be the sum of the bias created between the side gears and the biasing element, the side gears and the washer, and the washer and the differential case. In an alternative embodiment, the differential includes a pair of pinions rotatably engaging the side gears, wherein the biasing element applies a force to the pinion gears to create a torque bias on the pinion gears, thereby inhibiting the side gears from movement relative to each other until the pinion torque bias is overcome.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Aaron W. Atkinson, Joseph Palazzolo
  • Publication number: 20040149063
    Abstract: A tumbler gear having radial serrations on which, during the operation of the chain running gear, roll guide elements of a chain. The radial serrations are made at least in sections of a noise-dampening material. The radial serrations are an integral form of an elastomer form body into which is integrated a support-ring structure made of an inherently stable metallic material with an annular tooth-system structure, the pitch of which corresponds with the pitch of the radial serrations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Helmut Kanzler
  • Publication number: 20040149064
    Abstract: An articulated robot capable of reducing dead space while maintaining a wide operating area and simplifying a power transmission system necessary for moving each joint. A plurality of joint arms A1 to A7 are connected via first rotating shafts 15, 15A, and 15B as horizontal rotating shafts and via second rotating shafts 32, 32A, and 32B as inclined rotating shafts alternately. A motor M for driving the rotating shaft and a speed-reducing mechanism are provided for each rotating shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2004
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Applicant: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideo Narita, Hisanori Nakamura, Morihiko Ohkura, Masato Shirai
  • Publication number: 20040149065
    Abstract: A computer-controlled parallel-leg mechanism, with three pairs of remotely-actuated tendon legs, provides accurate six-degrees-of-freedom motion and positioning for a tool platform. Leg pair termination at a common point with three degrees of pivoting freedom is provided by a unique linkage joint. Non-intrusive tool-position feedback is enabled by nine shaft encoders mounted at the mechanism's base end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Julius Moran
  • Publication number: 20040149066
    Abstract: A movable carriage (5) in a main conduit (1) transporting a viewing tool (12) or a work tool (12) sends this tool into adjacent conduits (3) which connect to the previous one via a box and with a difference in level by deploying a semi-rigid and turning arm (10) longer than the radius of the main conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Philippe Garrec
  • Publication number: 20040149067
    Abstract: Provided is an ultra-precision feeding apparatus. The feeding apparatus comprises an actuator horizontally positioned between a base and a motion stage movably provided to the top of the base, first hinge member which is fixed to the base and one end of the actuator, second hinge member which is fixed to the other end of the actuator, third hinge member with two hinges which is fixed to the motion stage, and a lever member with a notch hinge which is fixed to the base and cooperates with the second hinge member and the third hinge member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Heui-Jae Pahk, Jong-Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20040149068
    Abstract: A shifting arrangement for a manual shift lever has an intermediately connected adjusting device which comprises a rigid outer lever connected with a shifting shaft, in which outer lever a swingingly disposed inner lever is arranged which is connected with transmission devices to the manual shift lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2002
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Edmund Sander, Ralph-Maria Netzker
  • Publication number: 20040149069
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accelerator pedal module for controlling the power of a driving engine having a pedal lever held rotatably about a pivot axis by means of a pivot connection on a bearing block, which pedal lever can be made to strike an associated bearing block stop by at least one pedal lever stop. In the region of the pedal lever stop and/or the bearing block stop, elasticities are present such that during a relative rotary motion executed about the pivot axis between the pedal lever and the bearing block to establish the pivot connection, the pedal lever stop slides past the bearing block stop because of elastic deformations and after springing back engages the bearing block stop from behind.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventors: Radek Caba, Josef Rossmueller, Vaclav Cizek, Petr Kovar, Rostislav Solta
  • Publication number: 20040149070
    Abstract: The invention relates to an accelerator pedal module for controlling the power of a driving engine having a pedal lever which is retained rotatably about a pivot axis on a bearing block and which actuates a sensor shaft of a rotation sensor, the sensor shaft being coaxial with the pivot axis. At least a part of the sensor shaft is directly supported rotatably in a bearing bore of a bearing region that is integral with the bearing block, of which bearing region at least a part of the radially outer circumferential surface forms at least one bearing face for the pedal lever.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Rostislav Solta
  • Publication number: 20040149071
    Abstract: A pedal assembly (12) for electronically controlling an engine throttle (38). The pedal assembly (12) includes a pedal housing (14), a pedal arm (18) pivotally engaging the pedal housing (14), and an electrical generator (30) supported by the pedal housing (14). The pedal arm (18) is operable between an idle position (24) and a plurality of operable positions. When the pedal arm (18) is pivoted to a predetermined operable position (50), a kickdown member (46) provides a kickdown feel to a user. The kickdown member (46) slides within a kickdown housing (54) to provide the kickdown feel. In particular, a plurality of detent members (53a-53d) springably move into and out from a plurality of detent pockets (55a-55d) to provide the kickdown feel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Crack
  • Publication number: 20040149072
    Abstract: A pedal assembly (12) for electronically controlling an engine throttle (38). The pedal assembly (12) includes a pedal housing (14), a pedal arm (18) pivotally engaging the pedal housing (14), and an electrical generator (30) supported by the pedal housing (14). The pedal arm (18) is operable between an idle position (24) and a plurality of operable positions. When the pedal arm (18) is pivoted to a predetermined operable position (50), a kickdown member (46) provides a kickdown feel to a user. Simultaneously, the electrical generator (30) generates a control signal having a predetermined magnitude causing the automatic transmission (42) to downshift to a next lower gear. The kickdown member (46) is adjustable to synchronize the kickdown feel provided by the kickdown member (46) with the downshift to the next lower gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: August 5, 2004
    Inventor: Avtar S. Kalsi