Patents Issued in October 6, 2005
  • Publication number: 20050217353
    Abstract: In a method of evaluating surface tension of a solid body surface, selection is made of at least three liquid samples having different surface tensions, and contact angles between the respective liquid samples and the solid body surface are measured. Thereby, a correlation between cosines (Y) of the contact angles and surface tensions (X) of the liquid samples is derived as a logarithmic function. Surface tension of the solid body surface is evaluated by the use of a value of X that is calculated by substituting 1 for Y in the correlation. When evaluated by the foregoing evaluation method, a magnetic disk has a surface where the value of X, when 1 is substituted for Y, is greater than 0 and no greater than 17 mN/m.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Masafumi Ishiyama
  • Publication number: 20050217354
    Abstract: There is provided a scanning probe microscope capable of simply and accurately confirming whether or not a sample shape satisfies specified conditions. A pseudo reference image Sref1 comprises a pair of reference line profiles Lref1 and Lref2 arranged apart form each other in parallel. An operator moves and rotates the position of the pseudo reference image Sref1 on a screen so that a sample shape line profile fits between the reference line profiles Lref1 and Lref2 of the pseudo reference image Sref1. If it is possible to fit the line profile of the sample shape between the reference line profiles Lref1 and Lref2, it is determined that the sample shape is in spec, while if it is not possible to fit the line profile of the sample shape between the reference line profiles Lref1 and Lref2, no matter how the pseudo reference image Sref1 is moved and rotated, it is determined that the sample shape is out of spec.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Akihiko Honma
  • Publication number: 20050217355
    Abstract: A camshaft testing system has a test sleeve, a controller, and main voltage supply. The camshaft position sensor is placed into the test sleeve. The controller activates the camshaft position sensor. The test sleeve has a test bar, which moves across the camshaft position sensor. The movement of the test bar creates a magnetic field disruption. An indication is made as to whether the camshaft position sensor can sense the magnetic field disruption. A signal indicator on the controller emits at least one flash of light if the camshaft position sensor senses the magnetic field disruption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Wildman
  • Publication number: 20050217356
    Abstract: A misfire detector detects a misfire in a cylinder based on a maximum value and the minimum value of the angular speed. A first crank angle range is defined in such a manner as to include a crank angle in which the angular speed is maximum during a power stroke. A second crank angle range is defined in such a manner as to include a crank angle in which the angular speed is minimum during the power stroke. The maximum value of the angular speed is calculated within the first crank angle range, and the minimum value of the angular speed is calculated within the second crank angle range. The calculated maximum and minimum values are brought close to actual values to enhance a reliability of the misfire detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Koichiro Matsumoto, Naoki Kokubo, Eiji Kogiso, Takashi Kawashima
  • Publication number: 20050217357
    Abstract: A device for determining at least one parameter of a medium flowing in a line, particularly the intake air mass of an internal combustion engine, having one part which has at least one measuring channel for conducting at least one partial flow of the medium flowing in the line in a main flow direction and which can be inserted into the line with a predetermined alignment with respect to the main flow direction, and having at least one measuring element situated in the measuring channel for determining the at least one parameter. In the part, a channel structure is formed, having an input region for the entry of a partial flow of the medium and having a measuring channel branching off from the input region. The input region has a separation zone with a separation opening, and at least two projections which protrude from mutually opposite interior walls of the input region into the input region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Lenzing, Hans Beyrich, Roland Mueller, Uwe Konzelmann, Tobias Lang, Henning Marberg
  • Publication number: 20050217358
    Abstract: An injection pressure regulator testing system has a sleeve, a pressure source, and a power supply. The injection pressure regulator is inserted into a test chamber formed by the sleeve. The power source activates the injection pressure regulator for operation at a selected pressure level. The pressure source pumps hydraulic fluid into the test chamber. A determination is made as to whether the injection pressure regulator can achieve a selected pressure level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Wildman
  • Publication number: 20050217359
    Abstract: A fuel injector testing system has a sleeve that mechanically isolates one or more test volumes in a fuel injector. The sleeve has interfaces on an inside surface. The interfaces sealably engage the O-rings on the fuel injector. An air displacement mechanism is connected to the sleeve. The air displacement mechanism adds or removes air from the test volumes. The pressure within each test volume is checked to determine whether there is any air leakage from the test volume.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Mark Wildman
  • Publication number: 20050217360
    Abstract: A device for automatic tire inflation and tire pressure display has a tire pressure measurement unit, a tire temperature sensor (a thermometer) and a gradienter for measuring the tire balance. The tire pressure measurement unit has a tire pressure measurement unit, a voltage regulating circuit of power source, a microprocessor control unit, a wireless transceiving module and an inflation/deflation control component. The tire pressure measurement unit measures the tire pressure value of a tested tire. The tire pressure value is then wirelessly displayed on a display unit in a vehicle so that the user can know the present status of a tire. The user can also maneuver a function key to select an operation according to the displayed data and send this message to the tire room to execute inflation or deflation of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Wen Yueh
  • Publication number: 20050217361
    Abstract: A tire pressure measurement device capable of automatically generating electric power has a tire pressure measurement unit, a microprocessor control unit and an automatic generating unit. One or more permanent magnets are disposed in the automatic generating unit and annularly arranged on a braking panel. An induction coil is disposed at a corresponding portion of the magnetic permanent. The induction coil is formed by continually winding a conducting wire around an aluminum ring. Each distal end of the induction coil is connected with an electric power lead-out wire. An electric power can thus be generated and led to the microprocessor control unit and the tire pressure measurement unit when a vehicle's wheel rotates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Wen Yueh
  • Publication number: 20050217362
    Abstract: The invention provides a locking mechanism having a catch with a first recess including a lateral wall that extends generally perpendicular to an applied load and an inclined portion that is inclined relative to the lateral wall. The locking mechanism can also include a guide block having a second recess. The guide block can further include a lock wedge that is slidably disposed within the second recess having a first inclined surface that corresponds to the inclined portion of the catch, a second inclined surface, and a contact surface. The guide block can also include a jam wedge that is slidably disposed within the second recess having an inclined surface corresponding to the second inclined surface of the lock wedge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Patrick Brahney, Richard Macioce
  • Publication number: 20050217363
    Abstract: A tire valve-gauge combination utilized to inflate and deflate conventional tubed or tubeless tires while giving the user an indication of the amount of air pressure within the tire's chamber. The accessory device of the present invention comprises; a flexible rim-attaching base having a larger lower body portion than the rim perforation of a conventional tire and a central neck portion having an outside diameter equal or lesser than said rim perforation, a rigid gauge portion having a transparent molded tube-like form imprinted with markings identifying the location of a moveable luminescent indicator adapted to travel longitudinally within said gauge portion, a cap base portion adapted to securedly attach to the upper portion of the gauge portion and slidably communicating with a cap portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: William Cousineau
  • Publication number: 20050217364
    Abstract: An inner cylinder has a reduced diameter portion and a proximally disposed transverse aperture. An outer cylinder has a distally disposed transverse hole. The inner and outer cylinders are coaxially disposed and sealingly engaged distally, thereby forming a cylindrical space between them. A cylindrical piston within the cylindrical space is slidably urged proximally by a coil spring. A cylindrical seal separates the space between a higher pressure proximal zone and a lower pressure distal zone, the seal moving with the piston. A mounting cylinder is sealingly engaged with the outer cylinder and terminates proximally with an internal thread for engaging a typical valve stem or a wheel mount for mounting the apparatus on an automotive wheel in place of a typical valve stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Brandon Maldonado
  • Publication number: 20050217365
    Abstract: A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Martyrn Greensmith
  • Publication number: 20050217366
    Abstract: A non-contact type sensor that measures a liquid level in a non-contact fashion and outputs a measured value as a digital pulse is provided. Then, a sensor-output converting circuit is caused to input the digital pulse, which is output from the non-contact type sensor, into an existing central processing unit as an analogue voltage that corresponds to a duty factor of the digital pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kenichi Tanaka, Toshiaki Fukuhara
  • Publication number: 20050217367
    Abstract: An ultrasonic fuel-gauging system has several probes each having a transducer mounted at the lower end of a still well. The transducers are connected to a processor, which measures the height of fuel above the transducers within the still wells. The processor also measures the resonant frequency of each transducer and from this calculates fuel density. The system calculates the mass of fuel in the tank from the density and the volume as calculated from the heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Smiths Group plc
    Inventor: Harry Atkinson
  • Publication number: 20050217368
    Abstract: A measurement system and a measurement method that are capable of accurately measuring liquid fuel stored in a container. When the air pressure within a first container (3) is less than a predetermined pressure, air is supplied into the first container (3) through a first pipeline (13) by a pressure application means (6). Also, both the volume of the supplied air and a quantity of change in the air pressure within the first container (3) due to the air supply are detected or calculated, and the volume of the liquid fuel within the first container (3) is calculated from both the volume of the supplied air and the quantity of change in the air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Eiji Akahane, Makoto Sakai, Kenji Takami
  • Publication number: 20050217369
    Abstract: A capacitive liquid level sensor is integrated with a drinking vessel or the like, and provides a sensory output signal having a characteristic that varies as a function of liquid level in the vessel. The vessel can have a hollow wall with conductive plates placed or affixed on a back surface of an inner wall panel of a hollow wall or protected by a handle. The plates form a capacitor for which liquid displacing air in the vessel provides at least part of the dielectric. A timing circuit is responsive to the capacitance of the plates, which changes when the liquid level displaces air from around or between the plates and changes the effective dielectric constant. The circuit can produce a preferably non-visual signal that varies over a range of liquid levels, or can change when the level passes a threshold level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kenneth Holappa, Lin Mu
  • Publication number: 20050217370
    Abstract: An outer casing for a gas sensor includes a cap, a mount base, and a heat shielding board. The cap, the mount base, and the heat shielding board are made of gas permeable ceramics. A target gas flows inside the gas sensor with the above outer casing from all directions, and makes the gas sensor highly responsive to the target gas. The outer casing also contributes to make temperature and humidity inside the gas sensor uniform in a short time, thereby stabilizing an output voltage of the gas sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Ikuo Takahashi, Junji Satoh, Hiroto Matsuda
  • Publication number: 20050217371
    Abstract: The invention relates to an acceleration and displacement sensor having a position signal generator, a signal-detecting and arithmetic unit, a power supper unit and a rolling ball. The position signal generator forms a closed space for defining the movement path of the rolling ball. The position signal generator includes a plurality of sensing terminals aligned to one another in axial direction. Each sensing terminal represents a certain position signal value. The position signal value of the sensing terminal, where the rolling ball is located, will be continuously given to the signal-detecting and arithmetic unit. When the rolling ball is forced to move in axial direction, the signal-detecting and arithmetic unit can calculate different position signal values and obtain their change during a certain time period, thereby determining the displacement distance and the acceleration value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Leao Wang, Peter Wu
  • Publication number: 20050217372
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a substrate; three angular speed sensors disposed on the substrate; and three acceleration sensors disposed on the substrate. The three angular speed sensors are capable of detecting three components of an angular speed around three axes, each two of which intersect perpendicularly. The three acceleration sensors are capable of detecting three components of an acceleration in another three axes, each two of which intersect perpendicularly. The three axes of the angular speed sensors intersect at one point, and the other three axes of the acceleration sensors intersect at another one point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Kenichi Ao
  • Publication number: 20050217373
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a sensing portion having a weight supported by beams, the weight being a movable portion, and a weight stopper that limits a movable range of the weight, the weight stopper being arranged in a vicinity of the weight with a given clearance and being a part of a substrate for the inertial sensor processed with MEMS techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishikawa, Yoshitaka Nakamura, Hiroshi Tokunaga, Kenji Nagata
  • Publication number: 20050217374
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a z-axial solid-state gyroscope. Its main configuration is manufactured with a conductive material and includes two sets of a proof mass and two driver bodies suspended between two plates by an elastic beam assembly. Both surfaces of the driver bodies and the proof masses respectively include a number of grooves respectively perpendicular to a first axis and a second axis. The surfaces of the driver bodies and the proof masses and the corresponding stripe electrodes of the plates thereof are respectively formed a driving capacitors and a sensing capacitors. The driving capacitor drives the proof masses to vibrate in the opposite direction along the first axis. If a z-axial angular velocity input, a Coriolis force makes the two masses vibrate in the opposite direction along the second axis. If a second axial acceleration input, a specific force makes the two masses move in the same direction along the second axis. Both inertial forces make the sensing capacitances change.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shyu-Mou Chen, Sheau-Shi Tzuoo, Chung-Ta Kau
  • Publication number: 20050217375
    Abstract: In a sensor system, a detection waveform-forming unit detects a vibration component and forms a waveform of a detected angular velocity based on the vibration component. Components of the waveform are of opposite phases relative to each other and acceleration waveform components are in phase relative to each other. An acceleration signal-forming unit operates on the waveform to cancel the waveform of opposite phases to each other, and produces a second kind acceleration signal. An abnormal condition-detecting unit detects an abnormal condition in either the angular velocity sensor unit or an acceleration sensor unit provided separately based on the second kind acceleration signal and a first kind acceleration signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Shunji Mase
  • Publication number: 20050217376
    Abstract: A tuning-fork type vibration gyro enables to suppress pyroelectric noise caused by temperature change and to obtain sensor output having high signal-to-noise ratio. The tuning-fork type vibration gyro includes a tuning-fork type vibration body having two arms mutually disposed in parallel and a base for commonly supporting one end of the each arm, wherein a longitudinal direction of the two arms is defined as a z-axis and a perpendicular direction thereto is defined as an x-axis; driving electrodes respectively formed on the two arms for generating vibration of the two arms in a direction parallel to the x-axis; detecting electrodes respectively formed on the two arms for detecting electromotive force generated when the tuning-fork type vibration body is rotated around the z-axis; and dummy electrodes formed on the two arms in respective areas different from the driving electrodes and the detecting electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Ohta, Masanori Yachi, Yoshitaka Takahashi, Kazutsugu Kikuchi, Keiji Saito
  • Publication number: 20050217377
    Abstract: A physical quantity sensor includes: a substrate; an angular speed sensor disposed on the substrate; and an acceleration sensor disposed on the substrate. The angular speed sensor includes an oscillator capable of oscillating by a driving force and displaceable in accordance with a Coriolis force attributed to an angular speed of the oscillator. The acceleration sensor includes a movable portion displaceable in accordance with an acceleration applied to the acceleration sensor. The oscillator has a driving direction, which is not parallel to a displacement direction of the movable portion. The physical quantity sensor having the angular speed sensor and the acceleration sensor detects both of the angular speed and the acceleration with high accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Kenichi Ao
  • Publication number: 20050217378
    Abstract: An inertial sensor comprising a sensing portion having a weight hung by beams extending from a frame, the weight being a movable portion. The beams include distortion portions partially arranged therein, and the distortion portions are arranged to avoid edges on which stresses applied to the beams are concentrated. Roots of the beams are not formed at right angle in connecting to the weights or the frame. The roots of the beams have wider angles. It is thus possible to dissipate areas on which stresses are concentrated and improve the impact resistance without sacrificing the sensor sensitivity. Both high sensor sensitivity and the impact resistance are obtainable in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Hiroshi Ishikawa, Yoshitaka Nakamura, Hiroshi Tokunaga, Kenji Nagata
  • Publication number: 20050217379
    Abstract: The preferred orientation, or planar oscillation plane, of a golf club shaft is located by measuring the oscillation of the shaft when an impulse is applied. Preferably, the out-of-plane oscillation is measured at a large number of angular positions about the shaft axis, and the principal planar oscillation plane is identified by that pair of opposed angular positions in which the out-of-plane oscillation is smallest. The location of the preferred orientation may be marked on the shaft and used to assemble a golf club with the planar oscillation plane in a predetermined orientation. The straightness of the shaft can also be determined by deriving its spring constant from its oscillation frequency and then measuring the restoring force when the shaft is deflected by the same nominal amount at different angular positions; differences in restoring force can be attributed to differences in actual deflection distance resulting from lack of straightness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Richard Weiss, Joseph Butler, Michael Twigg, F. Vowell, Larry Palmer
  • Publication number: 20050217380
    Abstract: A device for measuring structure-borne noise has a measuring sensor (10) for detecting the structure-borne noise and a coupling element (11) connected to the measuring sensor (10) for reducing interference noises which act upon the measuring sensor (10) at least during measured-value detection. The coupling element (11) has an adjustable coupling strength in order to enable measured-value detection that is as flexible and reliable as possible.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Ruediger Nebelsiek
  • Publication number: 20050217381
    Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying thermal response of a test structure. An example of the system includes a device that generates a excitation beam, a scanning device that scans the thermal excitation beam over a test structure, and a detector that detects acoustic waves produced scanning by the test structure. The system also includes a display device that generates and displays an image based on the detected acoustic waves. A second detector detects a reflection of the beam off of the test structure and the display device generates and displays an image based on the detected reflection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: OPTOMETRIX, INC.
    Inventor: Robert Falk
  • Publication number: 20050217382
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention quantify lengthwise shrinkage to a higher degree of accuracy over currently known methods by employing reactive force values, such as stiffness measurements, in conjunction with motive force values, such as chemical composition, of the wood product.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Stanley Floyd, Mark Stanish
  • Publication number: 20050217383
    Abstract: An electric wire insertion hole (41) arranged in a housing (4), an ventilation path of inside space (422) of which one end is opened to a pressure sensor internal space (7) and an intersection portion (421) communicating the both each other are provided. Since the electric wire insertion hole (41) and the intersection (421) intersect at right angles, water or dust entering into the electric wire insertion hole (41) does not enter a lot into the intersection (421). Therefore, water or dust hardly enters into the pressure sensor internal space (7). There is no need of a waterproof or a dustproof filter or the like to prevent water or dust, hence low cost manufacturing can be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Tohyama, Hayato Kobayashi, Ikuya Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20050217384
    Abstract: A pressure gauge includes a diaphragm having a substantially rigid outer portion and a displaceable inner portion that displaces in response to a pressure difference between first and second sides of the diaphragm. The pressure gauge further includes a sensor located proximate to the diaphragm and adapted to sense the displacement of the diaphragm inner portion. The pressure gauge further includes a monitor and control system coupled to the sensor (wired or wireless), and adapted to determine the pressure difference from the displacement of the diaphragm. The sensor and the monitor and control system can be implemented with one or more optical sensing designs, capacitive sensing designs, or other devices used to measure sub-micron displacements. For low pressure applications, such as lithography applications, the diaphragm is sensitive to pressure changes in a range of approximately 0.1 to 0.5 inches of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Boguslaw Gajdeczko, Kevin Violette
  • Publication number: 20050217385
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes: a main body case including a housing (1) and a joint (2); an electronic circuit (3) housed inside the main body case to convert detected pressure into electrical signals to send out; a connecting metal piece (5), one end (51)of which abuts on an electrode (31) of the electronic circuit (3); a terminal (4), one end (41) of which is joined to the other end (52) of the connecting metal piece (5) and the other end (42) of which is disposed outside the main body case; and a cushion (7) biasing the one end (51) to the electrode (31). The one end (51) and the electrode (31) are electrically connected by biasing force of the cushion (7), which eliminates welding, enabling manufacturing at low cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: NAGANO KEIKI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shuji Tohyama, Ikuya Miyahara, Hayato Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20050217386
    Abstract: A semiconductor force sensor capable of preventing a diaphragm part (37) from being broken and accurately measuring a force applied thereto in a direction orthogonal to the diaphragm part (37), wherein a force transmitting means for applying a measured force to the diaphragm part (37) of a semiconductor force sensor element (31) is formed of a sphere (33) having a rigidity, and a through hole (63) passing through an opposed wall part (55) toward the diaphragm (37) is formed in the opposed wall parts (55) at a position opposed to the center part of the diaphragm part (37) so that a part of the sphere (33) can face the outside of the opposed wall part (55) and stores a part of the remaining part of the sphere (33) to allow the sphere (33) to be moved only in a direction orthogonal to the diaphragm part (37) and rotated on the center part of the diaphragm part (37).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Hokuriku Electric Industry Co.,
    Inventors: Shigeru Hirose, Hiroyuki Sawamura, Masato Ando, Yoshimitsu Motoki
  • Publication number: 20050217387
    Abstract: A toner evaluation method that enables accurate evaluation of fixation performance of toner such as low temperature fixability and offset resistance, and a toner cartridge and an image forming apparatus adopting the toner positively evaluated by the evaluation method are provided. Toner is formed into a disc-shaped pellet. After preserved at a predetermined temperature, the pellet is compressed by a predetermined amount at a constant speed. If the maximum load (compression resistance) measured during the compression is a predetermined value or below, the minimum fixing temperature of the toner is relatively low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: BROTHER KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Satoshi Tanabe
  • Publication number: 20050217388
    Abstract: A bond strength tester and method for determining certain bond strength parameters of a bonded component, including a phaselocker, a transducer, a loading device that is capable of applying stress-loads to the bond, a controller for controlling the loading device, a data recording device to acquire data, and a computer device to analyze data calculating certain bond strength parameters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Joseph Heyman, John Lynch
  • Publication number: 20050217389
    Abstract: An insertion vortex flow meter for measuring a flow rate of a process fluid in a pipe has a mounting assembly, a shedding bar and a sensor assembly. The mounting assembly is attached to a surface of the pipe adjacent an opening in a side wall of the pipe. The shedding bar is inserted through the opening and extends an entire diameter of the pipe. The shedding bar is held in place by a compression force exerted by the sensor assembly on a proximal end of the shedding bar, such that the shedding bar is held by the compressive force between the sensor assembly and an opposing side wall of the pipe. The sensor assembly is adapted to measure motion of a pivoting element corresponding to vortices in the process fluid caused by the shedding bar. The sensor assembly adapted to produce an output indicative of the volumetric flow rate based on the frequency of the measured motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Rosemount Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffry Foster
  • Publication number: 20050217390
    Abstract: A system for measuring an automotive convertible top operating parameter, such as the amount of force required to operate the convertible top, includes a pulldown actuator for moving a convertible top from an open position into a closed position. The pulldown actuator is equipped with position and force transducers. A controller which operates the pulldown actuator records the operational position of the top, as well as the force required to close the top.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: GREGORY CONNER, GREGORY GRUDZINSKI
  • Publication number: 20050217391
    Abstract: A fluid sampling system and a method thereof are provided. The fluid sampling system is provided with a plurality of sampling channels, each of the sampling channels comprising a sampling line having an inlet, a regulated outlet, and first and second calibrated flow orifices connected in series between the inlet and outlet. Each of the sampling channels also comprises a controllable derivation line connected between the first and second orifices, for deviating fluid from the sampling line. The fluid sampling system is also provided with a connecting line for connecting together the outlets of the sampling lines. The connecting line has a main regulated outlet for providing a fluid sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: Controle Analytique Inc.
    Inventors: Yves Gamache, Andre Fortier
  • Publication number: 20050217392
    Abstract: A desorber for use with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer comprises a body portion that has a cavity formed therein, the cavity being arranged to receive a sample collector, the sample collector being preferably carried by a holding device that can be slid in and out of the cavity. The body portion includes an air intake passage in communication with the cavity and at least one heating element arranged to heat air drawn through the air intake passage into the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: MASS SPEC ANALYTICAL LTD.
    Inventors: John Luke, Richard Sleeman
  • Publication number: 20050217393
    Abstract: An auto-sampler successively collects liquid samples from plural sample containers through a metallic needle. A surface of the needle is coated with a coating material having a chemical activity smaller than that of a parent metal material of the needle, and the coated surface is polished to have an average roughness of 10 to 20 nm. The coating material may include a precious metal or synthetic resin plated or deposited on the parent metal material, or a quartz thin film formed by chemical vapor deposition on the parent metal material. The coating film on the needle is polished with a mechanical or chemical polishing method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: SHIMADZU CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masami Tomita, Yoshiaki Maeda
  • Publication number: 20050217394
    Abstract: An inspection robot is provided to traverse the interior of a pipeline for the purpose of checking the coating at the interior surface of the pipeline at the weld seams. The robot is designed to determine the thickness of the coatings and to provide a visual and recordable reading thereof. The robot is provided with a holiday detector in the form of a conductive brush mounted on a rotatable hub and adapted to sweep against the weld seam so as to locate any voids in the coating by means of electrical conductance, thus causing a holiday marker to activate and mark the pipeline interior surface so that the site can be revisited for repair.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Russell Langley, Jarod Carmichael, David Paulley, Charles Haworth, John Carter, James Huggins, Keith Roberts
  • Publication number: 20050217395
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method of inspecting a porous structure, capable of simply inspecting pore characteristics (porosity, average pore diameter, total pore volume) of the porous structure by inspection of a weight of a formed article which was formed, dried and worked into a predetermined dimension without requiring any special device or technique, and capable of easily performing a total inspection. A relation between a pore characteristics of a fired article obtained by firing a formed/dried formed article having a predetermined shape, and a weight of the formed article is measured beforehand, and a standard value of the pore characteristics of the fired article, and a standard value of the weight of the formed article are established. Thereafter, the pore characteristics of the fired article are inspected from the weight of the formed article based on the respective standard values.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Applicant: NGK INSULATORS, LTD.
    Inventors: Muneyuki Iwabuchi, Shinya Mori, Shuuji Ueda
  • Publication number: 20050217396
    Abstract: The invention relates to the production of a mechanical resonator with a planar monolithic vibrating structure machine in a crystalline material. Where the material is trigonal (1), trigonal (2) or hexagonal in structure, said material is cut in the [001] plane or, where said material is cubic in structure, said material is cut in the [111] plane and the vibration mode of order 2 is used. Where the material is tetragonal (1) or tetragonal (2) or hexagonal said material is cut in the [001] plane or where said material is cubic in structure said material is cut in the [001], [100], or [010] plane and the vibration mode of order 3 is used. The resonator thus has a natural material frequency isotropy (?fm=0).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Jose Beitia
  • Publication number: 20050217397
    Abstract: A control system and method for detecting variable load types and controlling the operation of a PTO clutch to effect engagement of the clutch with variable loads, and especially to more optimally effect the engagement of a clutch with a very light load or an associated over-running clutch is disclosed. The control system includes a controller that receives input and output clutch shaft speed signals and generates control signals to control the pressure applied by the clutch. If no appreciable engine droop is detected at the time of initial movement of the output clutch shaft, the load is considered to be of a very light load type, and a set of control signals based upon such load type designation, which control signals define a control curve that is flatter and more gentle than would otherwise be considered desirable, is thereafter applied to the clutch to effect engagement of the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Yanming Hou
  • Publication number: 20050217398
    Abstract: A control system and method for detecting variable load types and controlling the operation of a PTO clutch to effect engagement of the clutch with variable loads, and especially to more optimally effect the engagement of a clutch with a heavy load is disclosed. The control system includes a controller that receives input and output clutch shaft speed signals and generates control signals to control the pressure applied by the clutch. When heavier loads are applied to the PTO shaft, during the time when control signals are being generated before detection of initial movement of the output shaft, the controller generates one or more shock signals of short duration to cause momentary applications of significantly greater pressure to the clutch in order to break loose the applied load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Yanming Hou, Darrel Svendson
  • Publication number: 20050217399
    Abstract: In the case of a geared fitting (11) for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automotive seat, having a first internal geared wheel (13), a pinion (21) which is driven by an eccentric (15) and meshes with the first internal geared wheel (13), and a second internal geared wheel (31) in which the pinion (21) meshes, the eccentric (15) forms part of an axial clamping (15, 41).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Thomas Dill, Erdal Kuscu
  • Publication number: 20050217400
    Abstract: In a gear system and a rotary transducer provided with the gear system, the gear system includes a first part, a convex toothed wheel, a supporting body, relative to which the first part and the convex toothed wheel are rotationally mounted, and engaging elements which mesh with the toothed wheel according to the rotational position of the first part. The engaging elements carry out a movement with a radial directional component relative to the toothed wheel. A force with a tangential directional component is applied to the toothed wheel, the force being the result of the interaction between the engaging elements and the supporting body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Johann Mitterreiter
  • Publication number: 20050217401
    Abstract: Ball screw having a spindle nut arranged on a spindle, balls arranged to roll in a thread path being formed by a first thread groove on the spindle and a second thread groove in the spindle nut. At least one deflecting piece arranged in a receptacle in the spindle nut, the piece including a deflecting channel for the return of the balls respectively form a run-out end to a run-in end of at least one common turn of the thread path. The deflecting piece is comprised of two partial deflecting pieces, wherein a parting plane divides the deflecting channel longitudinally, and the partial deflecting pieces are symmetric and have lock together hooks at their circumferential ends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2003
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventors: Jurgen Osterlanger, Ralf Mayer
  • Publication number: 20050217402
    Abstract: A displacement apparatus for two-dimensional displacement of an object in relation to a fix-point includes a frame that is symmetrical in relation to a center of the frame and adapted to receive first and second actuators, each of which exerts a force along respective first and second axes extending through the center of the frame for deformation of respective first and second specific parts of the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Publication date: October 6, 2005
    Inventor: Anders Poulsen