Patents Issued in October 28, 2004
  • Publication number: 20040211226
    Abstract: Method of handling or moving the stitches of a textile article, the method comprising removing the stitches from the needles of a textile machine by with the transferring article is formed at a first station, transferring the article from said first station to a second operating station, said transfer being operated by engaging the said stitches with a plurality of members intended for the removal of same stitches form the needles of the textile machine and transferring said members from said first station to said second station, characterized in that it comprises the reversible transfer of at least one portion of said removal members from a first support or carrier which is being movable from said first and second stations to a second support or carrier intended for temporary retaining the said at least one portion of removal members along with the stitches being removed by them, and/or the reversible transfer of a plurality of members, intended for the temporary retention of the stitches and not involved in
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Paolo Frullini, Alberto Frullini
  • Publication number: 20040211227
    Abstract: A garment refreshing appliance comprising: an enclosure for receiving at least one garment to be refreshed,a support positioned in said enclosure to receive and suspend said garment in said enclosure, an air moving device arranged to circulate a flow of air within said enclosure, and an air duct associated with said air moving device to direct said circulating flow of air within said enclosure, said air duct having a plurality of flow directing vanes associated therewith to direct said recirculating flow of air against said garment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Floyd G. Jackson, James C. Perso, Robert J. Pinkowski, Viktor N. Kopyrin
  • Publication number: 20040211228
    Abstract: When an operation for washing is completed and door is unlocked, water level in a water tank is monitored only for a prescribed time period. When there is no water leakage, monitoring is stopped after the prescribed time period and the power is turned off. When there is a water leakage, water level in the water tank increases. When it is detected that a first water level is reached, the door is locked to prevent opening. After a prescribed time period, the power is turned off while the door is kept locked. If the door cannot be locked, the door lock error is notified and the water collected in the water tank is drained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Masahiro Nishio, Kazuhiko Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20040211229
    Abstract: Disclosed is a wet hand towel supply apparatus characterized in that a winding-up initiating protrusion is formed on a surface of the hand towel guide member facing to the hand towel fabricating passage exclusively in a portion thereof facing to an end portion of the front belt portion in said winding roller side. As a result, the starting of the winding-up operation of the sheet material can be delayed as compared to the case of a conventional apparatus. Consequently, a cutting position of the sheet material can be set always in a location of a perforated line or a location shifted therefrom a little toward the leading edge side of the sheet material. Owing to this, the sheet material can be cut smoothly in the exact cutting position into pieces each having a correct length for a single piece of hand towel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Shoutoku Ohyama
  • Publication number: 20040211230
    Abstract: An adjustable coupler lock for locking a trailer hitch such that a trailer cannot be removed from a vehicle. The coupler lock comprises a lock body with a locking mechanism and a locking plate, and also comprises a shaft having a narrow and a flange end, and also having multiple recesses along the length of the shaft for engagement with the locking plate of the lock body. The recesses along the length of the shaft have a vertical edge which engages the locking plate such that the lock body cannot be removed from the shaft without unlocking the locking mechanism. The recesses also have a tapered edge that allows for slidable movement of the lock body along the shaft, without unlocking the locking mechanism, for the purpose of adjusting the lock to the size of the latch. The components of the coupler lock are made of stainless steel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: MASTER LOCK COMPANY
    Inventors: Jim Recknagel, Ken Burmesch, Victor Yip, John Zapushek
  • Publication number: 20040211231
    Abstract: A locking arrangement serving for locking a door hinged on a casing on e.g. a container by a combination or key lock. The locking arrangement comprises a rotatable closing rod for keeping the door closed by engaging the casing in a closed position; a fitting having a U-shaped part encompassing at least a length of the closing rod; two flushing locking holes made with one hole in each of the opposite walls of the U-shaped part; a transverse hole made in the closing rod and flushing with the locking holes in the closed position; and a bolt having a first section provided with a head, and a second section displaceably mounted in the lock between a locked inner position and an unlocked outer position; whereby the locking arrangement is locked when the bolt is extending through the transverse hole and the locking holes in locked inner position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Allan R. Larsen, Henning Kummerfeldt
  • Publication number: 20040211232
    Abstract: The present invention is related to the locking device with extending functions, a body of the locking device can optionally connect different additive members, such as an article with a hanging hole, a timer, a compass, a thermal meter, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Sinox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Renny Tse-Haw Ling, Yung-Li Kuo, Chien-Fu Huang
  • Publication number: 20040211233
    Abstract: A combination lock configured to resist surreptitious compromise by radiographic imaging and automatic dialers. In one aspect, the combination lock may include gate wheels having one true gate positioned among a plurality of false gates in which the true gate is configured for disguising its angular position among the false gates. Additional resistance against radiation imaging is provided by the rotational symmetry of the features of the gate wheels. The combination lock may include a combination scrambler that rotates a gate wheel when an incorrect combination is dialed for defeating the operation of automatic dialers. The combination lock may also include a combination change key and the gate wheels may be configured to be selectively disengaged from the combination dial by the combination change key so that the lock combination may be modified.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Lockmasters, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Jasper
  • Publication number: 20040211234
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for increasing the activity of agrichemicals and controlling their drift by specially formulating an deposition agent with fertilizer. This unique combination has been seen to allow lower use rates of fertilizers as pesticide efficacy enhancers and improved deposition of sprays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Helena Chemical Company
    Inventors: Greg Volgas, Johnnie R. Roberts, Robert Mack
  • Publication number: 20040211235
    Abstract: The present invention intends to provide the partially reinforcing method and apparatus for reinforcing the required part of the metal material having good forming property and relatively low strength (hardness and yield stress) by the press processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Hirotaka Todaka, Yoshiaki Kadoma, Masataka Iida
  • Publication number: 20040211236
    Abstract: A high-speed wire spring forming apparatus capable of easily adjusting a coil diameter is provided that includes: a wire feeder having a pair of feeding rollers (22) for feeding a wire (1) to a spring forming stage (100) via a quill (10) serving as a wire guide; a revolving mechanism (30) for revolving the feeding rollers (22) about the axis (X1) of the wire (1) to twist the wire (1) fed out of the leading end of the quill (10) to change the circumferential position, or angular position, of the wire (1); and a multiplicity of spring forming tools (120) arranged radially on a spring forming stage (100), each of the spring forming tools (100) movable in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis (X1) of the wire (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: ORII & MEC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sinichi Yamaguchi, Naoki Haruyama
  • Publication number: 20040211237
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press comprising a bottom panel, a moving top panel, N bending-tool clamps, each clamp being mounted to pivot about a common axis, and means for causing the clamps to pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Eric Gascoin, Jean-Louis Fourmy
  • Publication number: 20040211238
    Abstract: A method for testing inertial measurement devices on a multi-axis rate table without having to utilize slip rings to transfer signals between the inertial measurement devices and remote processors by incorporating a processor internal to the inertial measurement devices and transferring the signals directly to the processors for determining and storing the calibration coefficients of the inertial measurement devices internally so that they are self calibrating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Joel G. Hanse
  • Publication number: 20040211239
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing an acoustic device that has multiple transducing elements adapted for conversion between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical transmission signal is generated. The electrical transmission signal is transmitted to one of a first set of channels through a relay element in accordance with a state of the relay element. The electrical transmission signal is transmitted to one of a second set of channels through a multichannel switch of an adapter in accordance with a state of the multichannel switch. The electrical transmission signal is transmitted to a selected transducing element. An electrical received signal is received from the acoustic device in response to the electrical transmission signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Sonora Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Gessert, William H. Phillips, G. Wayne Moore
  • Publication number: 20040211240
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for testing an acoustic device that has multiple transducing elements adapted for conversion between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical transmission signal is generated. The electrical transmission signal is transmitted to a selected transducing element. An electrical received signal is received from the acoustic device. A reference signal is generated. A capacitance associated with the selected transducing element is determined from the reference signal. Operational characteristics of the selected transducing element are diagnosed from the determined capacitance and the electrical received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Sonora Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James M. Gessert, William H. Phillips, G. Wayne Moore
  • Publication number: 20040211241
    Abstract: In a lubricant application system, a prescribed volume of lubricant is transferred from a lubricant discharge port 8 of a prescribed liquid volume discharge device to a rolling element 703 of a rolling bearing 700 in a state in which the lubricant discharge port 8 is positioned directly above and sufficiently close to the rolling element 703, whereby the lubricant is applied to the interior of the rolling bearing 700. Further, the application system inspects whether or not a prescribed volume of lubricant is injected from the discharge device for injecting a lubricant into the interior of a rolling bearing 700.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: NSK LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Sekine, Katsuyoshi Yamashita, Michiharu Naka
  • Publication number: 20040211242
    Abstract: A multipurpose monitoring system provides instantaneous, simultaneous and continuous acquisition and storage of changes in concentrations of oxygen and inorganic ions such as Ca2+, K+, H+, TPP+, the changes in the intensity of light scattered by a sample and changes in the fluorescence of the sample. The system provides for simultaneous operation of three (or more) ion-selective electrodes using a single reference electrode having a high polarization limit. The electrodes are laterally integrated into a measuring chamber having low volume. The design of the chamber and holders for the electrodes provide for a hermetically sealed attachment of electrodes within the chamber. In addition, the system integrates an electrically insulated oxygen sensor, allowing simultaneous measurements of the concentration ionic composition and dissolved oxygen in aqueous solutions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Ekhson Holmuhamedov
  • Publication number: 20040211243
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for sensing chemical and/or biological analytes includes a deflectable arm of a microcantilever at least partially embedded within a sensing element. A gaseous or liquid medium which may include the analyte being detected is introduced to the sensing element. The sensing element undergoes volumetric expansion or contraction in the presence of the analyte sought to be detected, typically by adsorbing the analyte. The volumetric change of the sensing element causes the deflectable arm to deflect. The deflectable arm includes at least one measurable physical property which changes when the arm deflects. Detecting means are provided to measure the change in the physical property to determine the presence and amount of analyte present. An array of microcantilevers in which each microcantilever is dedicated to detecting a particular analyte which may be included in the medium, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy L. Porter, Michael P. Eastman, Clay Macomber
  • Publication number: 20040211244
    Abstract: A mechanical breathing aid has first and second inlets respectively connectable to a source of air and a source of oxygen. A mixing location is in gaseous communication with the first and second inlets, at which controlled amounts of air and oxygen from the respective inlets are mixed. An acoustic analyzer operates during a measurement procedure to access a moisture content value for air from the source of air, to generate acoustic velocity-related information from acoustic energy interaction with the breathing gas, and to determine therefrom an oxygen content. The analyzer operates during a calibration procedure to generate acoustic velocity-related information from acoustic energy interaction with air from the source of air, and to determine therefrom an oxygen content value for the air from which is determined a moisture content value for air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Maquet Critical Care AB
    Inventors: Erik Cardelius, Ake Larsson, Lars Skoglund
  • Publication number: 20040211245
    Abstract: A system for testing the integrity of liners for fluid storage tanks prior to filling the tanks with fluid and placing the tanks into service includes a plurality of highly fluid transmissible paths of highly transmissible structure such as geogrid arranged in the interstitial space between the tank and the liner. Vacuum applied to the interstitial space causes fluid to flow through the breaches or leaks in the liner and into the interstitial space. Acoustical equipment is used to detect the sounds of the fluid flow to determine whether the liner and the liner seals are intact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Collin Watson, Gary Low
  • Publication number: 20040211246
    Abstract: An oil change sensing system for an internal combustion engine, having an oil pressure sensor adapted to provide an oil pressure signal to an engine control module; an oil temperature sensor adapted to provide an oil temperature signal to the engine control module; wherein the engine control module comprises an algorithm which determines the oil's viscosity by using the measured oil temperature and oil pressure and the determined oil viscosity and a fresh oil viscosity are used to determine whether the oil is in a preferred operating range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Taeyoung Han, Su-Chee Simon Wang, Mark K. Krage, Yingjie Lin
  • Publication number: 20040211247
    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: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Symyx Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Damian Hajduk, Paul Mansky
  • Publication number: 20040211248
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine the device for determining an absolute rotary angle of a crankshaft, a component which is in operative connection with a camshaft has a plurality of markings, and the cost reduction is retained in that at least one sensor is arranged at the component and can determine the rotary direction of the camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Uwe Kassner
  • Publication number: 20040211249
    Abstract: In a configuration where it is judged whether or not a misfire occurred, based on the comparison between diagnosis data indicating a variation of an engine rotation speed and a threshold based on engine operating conditions, the threshold is corrected based on data indicating an average correlation between the diagnosis data and the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicants: HITACHI UNISIA AUTOMOTIVE, LTD., FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
    Inventors: Akira Kiyomura, Masanobu Ohsaki, Hisanori Ozaki
  • Publication number: 20040211250
    Abstract: A tire assembly with integrated power generation features includes one or more piezoelectric devices and power conditioning modules. Piezoelectric devices may include a plurality of piezoelectric fibers embedded in a generally unidirectional fashion within an epoxy matrix, a piezoceramic wafer provided on a substrate and substantially surrounded by a protective casing, or a piezoceramic unimorph structure adhered with a thermoplastic polyimide to respective top and bottom conductive layers. Each piezoelectric device may include multiple piezoelectric elements connected in series and/or parallel arrangements, configured with respective poling directions in opposing or in-phase arrangements and/or configured in d33 or d31 displacement modes. Piezoelectric devices are preferably mounted within a tire or wheel assembly such that electric charge is generated therein as the wheel assembly moves along a ground surface and is subsequently stored in one or more energy storage devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: John David Adamson, George Phillips O'Brien
  • Publication number: 20040211251
    Abstract: A transducer includes a substrate and a thin membrane having a shape that can be deflected relative to the substrate to provide an amount of membrane deflection useful for sensing or actuation purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Junghoon Lee, JaeHyun Chung, Kyong-Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20040211252
    Abstract: Method and device for evaluating, simultaneously and with a single equipment, physical parameters such as the absolute permeability and the porosity of fragments taken from a fragmented artificial or natural porous medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Roland Lenormand, Patrick Egermann, Arnaud Templier
  • Publication number: 20040211253
    Abstract: A thermal type flow measuring device comprises a heating resistor(HF), a temperature measuring resistor(Ru) upstream of the heating resistor(HF) with respect to a fluid(Q), and a temperature measuring resistor(Rd) downstream of the heating resistor(HF). A heat sensitive resistance element(CF), the upstream temperature measuring resistor(Ru) and the downstream temperature measuring resistor(Rd) form a first bridge circuit, and this first bridge circuit and the heating resistor(HF) form a second bridge circuit. Feedback control means(OP1, Tr) heat the heating resistor(HF) in accordance with an output for keeping a balance of the second bridge circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Junichi Horie, Izumi Watanabe, Shinya Igarashi, Keiichi Nakada, Kei Ueyama
  • Publication number: 20040211254
    Abstract: A gaseous flow sensor that utilizes non-platinum resistive sensing elements and a method for fabricating such sensor are disclosed. The gaseous flow sensor is constructed by an insulating substrate; a reference resistor formed on the substrate and disposed in the gaseous flow at an ambient temperature without heating; a flow-sensing resistor formed on the substrate disposed in the gaseous flow that is heated to a temperature higher than the ambient temperature; and an electrical circuit in electrical communication with the reference resistor and the flow-sensing resistor for feeding a current into the flow-sensing resistor in order to keep the two resistors at the same temperature during the operation of the gaseous flow sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Gary Mark Crosbie, Russell James Haeberle, Randall Roy Hume
  • Publication number: 20040211255
    Abstract: This invention concerns gravity gradiometers for airborne surveys for minerals. The gravity gradiometer comprises an inertially stabilised platform, a rotor that is between 0.4 and 1.5 m in diameter mounted in the stabilised platform, and between twelve and seventy two accelerometers arranged in complements of four each on the rotor; and signal a signal processor operative to: (i) substract noise calculated from the mass distribution of the aircraft and the inertial platform, and by the angles of the gimbals of the stabilised platform; (ii) use measures of the accelerations experienced by the gravity gradiometer to estimate the sensitivities of the gravity gradiometer to the acceleration, and use this estimate to correct the gravity gradiometer output; and (iii), use measures of the rotations to which the gravity gradiometer is subjected to calculate the contribution of rotation to the gravity gradiometer noise, and top remove it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Edwin Hans van Leeuwen, Ken G. McCracken, James Beresford Lee, Robert John Turner
  • Publication number: 20040211256
    Abstract: A micro-machined multi-sensor that provides 2-axes of acceleration sensing and 1-axis of angular rate sensing. The multi-sensor includes a rigid accelerometer frame, a first proof mass, and a second proof mass. The substrate has two associated acceleration axes in the plane of the substrate, and one associated rotation axis perpendicular to the acceleration axes. The proof masses have a common vibration axis, which is perpendicular to the rotation axis. The multi-sensor further includes a drive electrode structure for causing the proof masses to vibrate in antiphase, a first pair of acceleration sense electrode structures disposed along one of the acceleration axes, and a second pair of acceleration sense electrode structures disposed along the other acceleration axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: John A. Geen
  • Publication number: 20040211257
    Abstract: A micro-machined multi-sensor that provides 1-axis of acceleration sensing and 2-axes of angular rate sensing. The multi-sensor includes a plurality of accelerometers, each including a mass anchored to and suspended over a substrate by a plurality of flexures. Each accelerometer further includes acceleration sense electrode structures disposed along lateral and longitudinal axes of the respective mass. The multi-sensor includes a fork member coupling the masses to allow relative antiphase movement, and to resist in phase movement, of the masses, and a drive electrode structure for rotationally vibrating the masses in antiphase. The multi-sensor provides electrically independent acceleration sense signals along the lateral and longitudinal axes of the respective masses, which are added and/or subtracted to obtain 1-axis of acceleration sensing and 2-axes of angular rate sensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventor: John A. Geen
  • Publication number: 20040211258
    Abstract: A six degree-of-freedom micro-machined multi-sensor that provides 3-axes of acceleration sensing, and 3-axes of angular rate sensing, in a single multi-sensor device. The six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device includes a first multi-sensor substructure providing 2-axes of acceleration sensing and 1-axis of angular rate sensing, and a second multi-sensor substructure providing a third axis of acceleration sensing, and second and third axes of angular rate sensing. The first and second multi-sensor substructures are implemented on respective substrates within the six degree-of-freedom multi-sensor device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Analog Devices, Inc.
    Inventor: John A. Geen
  • Publication number: 20040211259
    Abstract: A pendulous sensor component of an apparatus in one example reacts to a parameter. One or more pickoff sensors that obtain a value of the parameter from a substantially zero net dampening torque location of the pendulous sensor component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Stanley F. Wyse
  • Publication number: 20040211260
    Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the resonance frequency of a resonator, using the Doppler effect. An interrogating sonic beam including a carrier frequency and one or more resonator exciting frequencies is directed at a resonator disposed in a measurement environment. Resonator vibrations are excited by the resonator exciting frequencies. The carrier frequency is modulated by the vibrating part(s) of the resonator. The returning signal is received and analyzed to determine the amplitude of the Doppler shifted sideband frequencies. The resulting data is processed to determine the resonator's resonance frequency. Using calibrated resonating sensors having a resonance frequency that varies as a function of a physical parameter in a measurement environment, the method and systems allow determining the value of the physical variable from the sensor's resonance frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Doron Girmonsky, Ran Eisenberg, Nissim Avraham
  • Publication number: 20040211261
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for inspecting pipes using ultrasound, in particular for inspecting the end regions of a pipe. Said device comprises at least one ultrasonic inspection head (38) with an inspection tank (24), which a) has a receiving chamber (26) that is designed to receive a coupling fluid, in particular water (27), b) forms an axial passage through which a pipe (20) that is to he inspected can be transported along an inspection line (28) relative to the inspection tank (24) c) has sealing elements at the front and rear (34, 36), said elements being adapted to the external diameter of the pipe (20) that is to be inspected and delimiting the receiving chamber (26), and d) contains the inspection head(s) (38) in such a way that only coupling fluid is present between the inspection head (38) and the pipe (20) that is to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Reinhard Prause
  • Publication number: 20040211262
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a pressure sensor house assembly which contains a reference cavity, in which a vacuum exists, and a getter capable of being thermally activated. The getter is activated by directly contacting the getter with an exterior heated body, conducting heat from the exterior heated body, maintaining the exterior heated body in direct contact with the getter for a predetermined period of time, and removing the exterior heated body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: MKS Instruments Inc.
    Inventor: Staffan Jonsson
  • Publication number: 20040211263
    Abstract: In a method for continuous measuring of dynamic fluid consumption, particularly fuel, the pressure beyond the flow sensor is adjusted to a constant value by means of a pressure regulator by using a continuously-operating flow sensor with variable pressure drop, preferably a mass flow sensor. Fluid is guided into the pressure regulator after exceeding a discretionary pressure to allow continuous, accurate, as well timely and highly discriminating consumption measuring with regulated exit pressure for the fluid even at a back-flow of short duration or during temperature-related expansion of the fluid. A pressure regulator (9) provided for this purpose has a housing (41, 42), which contains an element (40) biased by a changeable force whereby the element (40) is coupled to a valve arrangement (49, 50) that is also arranged in the housing (41, 42) for the fluid to build up pressure therein. The pressure regulator (9) contains a catch volume for the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Wiesinger, Ferdinand Purkathofer
  • Publication number: 20040211264
    Abstract: A non-contact method for evaluating stress in a substrate. An impurity is non-uniformly introduced into at least one region of a crystalline substrate. The crystalline substrate is subjected to physical stress. Fluorescence producing energy is directed at the crystalline substrate. A fluorescence produced by the crystalline substrate is measured. The fluorescence is correlated with the stress on the crystalline substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Joseph A. Miragliotta, Kenneth R. Grossman, R. Kelly Frazer, Robert J. Bamberger
  • Publication number: 20040211265
    Abstract: A method for test pressing tablets by means of a rotary tabletting machine, a rotationally driven rotor which has a series of upper and lower rams, a die-plate with dies with which the rams interact, a control cam system for said rams, and a filling assembly to continuously fill said dies with said rotor rotating, further by means of at least one pressure station at which the material located in said dies is compressed into a tablet, and a measuring device having a plurality of measuring positions which measures at least the compression force applied by said rams and the number of revolutions of said rotor, comprising the process steps below:
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Juergen Hinzpeter, Ingo Schmidt, Ulrich Gathmann, Joerg Gaedecke
  • Publication number: 20040211266
    Abstract: A method of measuring material in which the material is conveyed by a conveying unit and dropped from a discharge portion of the conveying unit to be supplied into a measuring unit arranged under the discharge portion, and is measured by the measuring unit, includes a first supplying step of supplying the material through the discharge portion into the measuring unit until a quantity of the material measured by the measuring unit reaches a preparatory target value which is small compared to a final measuring target value of the material, and a second supplying step of receiving a portion of the material to be supplied through the discharge portion into the measuring unit on the way to where the material is dropped for recovery, whereby the material is supplied through the discharge portion into the measuring unit at a supplying rate that is smaller than that in the first supplying step, wherein the material is stopped from being supplied through the discharge portion into the measuring unit at a time when the
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Yata
  • Publication number: 20040211267
    Abstract: A liquid flow meter (50), including a microcontroller (60) and associated algorithm, monitors urine flow through a cartridge trap (20). Measuring the duration of such flow and the number of times the urinal is used will determine, in accordance with preset criteria, when servicing or replacement is needed, and alerts a service person to that effect by a warning light (68) or other signal. Because urine has a high mineral content, it is electrically conductive, effective to complete circuits between closely spaced metal contacts (62a-62c, 64a-64c) coupled to the PROM, which allows the manner and existence of the urine to be detected. The liquid flow meter is installed in the cartridge trap by utilizing and placing a split ball stem (52) located at the base of the meter into a mounting hole (42) located in the center of the drain holes (36) on the cartridge cover (26).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Michael Higgins
  • Publication number: 20040211268
    Abstract: A magnetic force sensor and method for measuring a force applied to an object. A magnetostrictive element mounted on at least a portion of the object is subjected to a prestress. A conductive coil is wound around at least a portion of the magnetostrictive element. An excitation source, which includes one of a current source and a voltage source, excites the conductive coil. A detection circuit detects one of an induced voltage across the conductive coil and a voltage drop across a resistor in series with the conductive coil. The detected voltage can be used to determine the applied force. A second coil can be used in a bipolar sensor or to correct for variations in ambient conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Donald T. Morelli, Thaddeus Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20040211269
    Abstract: A device for measuring torque on an electric motor, which has a first motor portion and a second motor portion, which are rotatable in relation to each other, is proposed, the device comprising a rotatable holding plate for receiving the first motor portion, by means of which plate a rotational movement of the first motor portion in relation to the second motor portion can be driven, and a holding device for the second motor portion for holding the second motor portion in a rotationally fixed manner, the holding plate being disposed and formed in such a way that, when external forces are exerted on the electric motor via the holding device, the electric motor can position itself in relation to the holding device in such a way that external forces influencing the torque measurement are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hermann Flammer, Hubert Hauser, Norbert Irmer, Guido Schmid
  • Publication number: 20040211270
    Abstract: A polyhedron inspection apparatus 10 includes a polyhedron inspection feeder 12 having a passage forming member 22 for inspecting a surface of cubic chip W. The polyhedron inspection feeder 12 is formed with a V-letter groove, and includes two rotating feed sections 25A and 25B arranged on the midway of the passage forming member 22. The rotating feed sections 25A and 25B are individually formed with grooves having V-letter type, U-letter type and V-letter type sectional shapes in succession. The passage forming member 22 is provided with a shooter 18 for moving the chip W one by one in a state of being estranged from each other, and further, is provided with cameras 13A to 13D for inspecting the surface of the chip W, and retrieve element 30 for retrieving the chip W in accordance with the inspection result.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Lintec Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kimura, Kazuhiro Kikawa
  • Publication number: 20040211271
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a probe for detecting surface signals or chemical signals through a long and slender rod-shaped nano structure such as tungsten nanowire, carbon nanotube, boron nanotube, etc., being attached to a tip end portion thereof. According to the method, a holder, acting as the probe, including a first electrode to which the rod-shaped nano structure is attached, and a second electrode at a predetermined distance from the first electrode are partially or fully immersed in a solution containing the rod-shaped structure. When a voltage is applied between two electrodes, an electrical field is generated, and the rod-shaped nano structure is attached to the holder, acting as the probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Chang Soo Han, Eung Sug Lee, Hyung-Woo Lee
  • Publication number: 20040211272
    Abstract: A system for monitoring at least one parameter of interest relating to a flow conduit having a through passage and a fluid flow therein comprises at least one measurement station coupled to the flow conduit for taking a measurement relating to the parameter of interest. An interrogation device is adapted to move proximate the measurement station and to transmit a first signal to the measurement station, and to receive a second signal from the measurement station relating to the parameter of interest. The measurement station receives power from the first signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Peter S. Aronstam, Colin N. Morrison
  • Publication number: 20040211273
    Abstract: A starter for cranking an internal combustion engine is composed of an electric motor, an output shaft driven by the electric motor, a pinion gear unit helical-spline-coupled to the output shaft, and a magnetic switch for supplying electric power to the electric motor in an ON-and-OFF fashion and for engaging or disengaging the pinion gear unit with a ring gear of the engine. The pinion gear unit is made by fixedly connecting a pinion gear, a rotation-restricting ring and a bearing member together. These components are separately formed from one another and then assembled to a unitary body of the pinion gear unit. Therefore, they can be forged with simple dies, or may be manufactured by other methods such as machining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazushige Okumoto, Masami Niimi, Tsutomu Shiga
  • Publication number: 20040211274
    Abstract: A power takeoff assembly includes a housing, a drivingly engageable input shaft, a power takeoff shaft, a source of pressurized fluid, a fluid filled clutch assembly with a first clutch element operatively connected to the input shaft and a second clutch element operatively connected to the power takeoff shaft, and a brake operable to engage the power takeoff shaft to the housing. The clutch assembly is placed in an engaged state when pressurized fluid from the pressure source causes the first clutch element to engage the second clutch element such that the input shaft drives the power takeoff shaft. The clutch assembly is placed in a disengaged state when pressurized fluid from the pressure source is removed from the clutch assembly. The brake engages the power takeoff shaft to the housing when the clutch assembly is in the disengaged state to prevent fluid forces within the clutch assembly from driving the power takeoff shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: John M. Seipold
  • Publication number: 20040211275
    Abstract: A telescopically moving structure (1) comprising a nut (2) mounted in a rotationally fixed manner in relation to a frame part, a spindle tube (3) with an external thread in engagement with the nut (2), which spindle tube (3) furthermore has an internal thread (4) with the opposite direction to that of the external thread, which internal thread (4) is in engagement with a non-rotational spindle (5) provided with an external thread, the spindle tube (3) being connected in a rotationally fixed manner, but in the axial direction in a slidable manner to a driving shaft (6), wherein the driving shaft (6) has an essentially polygonal cross section with a perimeter forming two opposite longitudinal tracks for engagement with torque-transferring rolling bodies which are journalled in a bushing fastened in the spindle tube (3) to thereby enable transfer of a large torque without the risk of seizure between the driving shaft (6) and the spindle tube (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventors: Preben Bo Fich, Christian Noergaard