Patents Issued in January 30, 2007
  • Patent number: 7168286
    Abstract: A device (10) for securing a punch tool (6) to a ram portion (8) of a press brake includes an upper portion (12) having opposing front and back outer recesses (14) and (15) extending longitudinally from a first end wall (16) to a second end wall (18), the outer recesses (14) and (15) being configured to snugly receive a corresponding inner wall (20) protuberance (22) of a clamp portion (21) of the ram portion (8) of the press brake as the upper portion (12) is grasped and “squeezed” by the ram portion (8) during operation of the press brake. The device (10) and the punch tool (6) attached thereto, are supported by the protuberance (22). A lower portion (24) of the device (10) includes an inner recess (26) that snugly receives a corresponding upper portion (28) of the punch tool (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: Bruno J. Pelech
  • Patent number: 7168287
    Abstract: A reference leakage device for a leak sniffer detector that is equipped with a sniffing tip and a control unit. The reference leakage device includes a gas reservoir and a constriction wherefrom there is released a specific amount of test gas, at least during calibration. A sensor is located in the constriction for detecting the approach of the sniffing tip wherein the device further is capable of transmitting signals to control unit of the leak detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Inficon GmbH
    Inventor: Randolf Rolff
  • Patent number: 7168288
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of internally-generated hydrogen sulfide as a calibration gas for hydrogen sulfide sensors. The present invention also relates to an apparatus and methods for self-calibration of hydrogen sulfide sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Eickhoff, Yuandong Gu
  • Patent number: 7168289
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of measuring a physical quantity using a vibrator. The vibrator has a plurality of driving vibration arms, a plurality of detection vibration arms, films for adjusting a weight provided on the driving vibration arms, and detecting electrodes provided on the detection vibration arms. A driving vibration is excited in the vibrator, and output signals are output from the detecting means based on a detection vibration excited in the vibrator responsive to the physical quantity. The weight of each of the films is adjusted based on a comparison of the output signals from the detection vibration arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: NGK Insulators, Ltd.
    Inventor: Takayuki Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 7168290
    Abstract: A measuring system for calibrating a machine in which a base (10) is attachable to a surface of the machine and a housing (20) is mountable on the base, wherein at least one surface of the base and at least one surface of the housing are each provided with a complementary part of a mounting device, such that when the two parts of the mounting device are connected together, the housing may be aligned in any of a plurality of predetermined directions. The base includes a lifting mechanism (64) which when lowered allows the complementary parts of the mounting device (93, 95) of the housing (20) and the base (10) to be in contact and when raised causes them to at least partly break contact with one another. The level of the base (10) may be adjusted using a system of balls and tapered rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Stephen M. Angood, David R. McMurtry
  • Patent number: 7168291
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for determining wear of a feedscrew and barrel combination includes measuring wear of the barrel using a gage plug in a measuring aperture in the barrel or an ultrasonic thickness gauge and measuring feedscrew wear with an eddy current sensor or a dial indicator mounted in the measuring aperture. A system gathers wear data from various production installations, analyzes the data to predict remaining life of the barrel and the feedscrew and generates an order for replacement parts to be manufactured and shipped just prior to the end of the remaining life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Glycon Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Kuhman, Richard T. Harris, Christopher W. Barr
  • Patent number: 7168292
    Abstract: The apparatus described herein is a miniaturized system for particle exposure assessment (MSPEA) for the quantitative measurement and qualitative identification of particulate content in gases. The present invention utilizes a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) or other mass-sensitive temperature compensated acoustic wave resonator for mass measurement. Detectors and probes and light sources are used in combination for the qualitative determination of particulate matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Lara A. Gundel, Michael G. Apte, Anthony D. Hansen, Douglas R. Black
  • Patent number: 7168293
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the detection of substances (particularly particulate substances) within mail pieces, specifically letters and other “flats” of mail. In particular, the systems and methods are for the detection of residues of Chemical or Biological Warfare Agents (CBWAs) which may be present within the mail pieces. The system is principally designed to be included as part of Dual Pass Rough Cull System (DPRCS) for the collection and detection of the residue when the contaminated mail piece first enters a mail facility and before it is intermingled with other mail pieces. The system also utilizes aerosol chambers using at least two arrays of pinch rollers to provide for decreased incremental changes on mail pieces and decrease the likelihood of mail piece damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Engineered Support Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: James J. Strohmeyer, William Blumfelder, John Tehan, Dennis Osterhorn, Joseph Matteoni, William J. Nelgner, Brian Lybarger, David Schenken, James Wagy
  • Patent number: 7168294
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Reagents
    Inventors: Timothy L. Porter, Michael P. Eastman
  • Patent number: 7168295
    Abstract: A gas sensor has a sensor element inserted in a cylindrical housing. A measured gas cover, provided at a distal end side of the housing, forms a measured gas environment at a distal end side of the sensor element. An atmospheric air cover, provided at a proximal end side of the housing, forms an atmospheric air environment at a proximal end side of the sensor element. A clearance between an inside surface of the housing and an outside surface of the sensor element is gastightly sealed with a sealing member including a plurality of powder filler layers to separate or isolate the measured gas environment from the atmospheric air environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masanobu Yamauchi, Motoaki Satou, Kiyomi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7168296
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods that include providing a vessel having an adsorbent disposed therein, the vessel having an inlet and an outlet for communicating a carrier gas through the vessel; determining a differential pressure between the inlet and the outlet for a known flow rate at the outlet; and, determining a geometric measure for the vessel based on a ratio of the known flow rate and the differential pressure. In some embodiments, the methods and systems can include a viscosity in the ratio, determining a flow rate at ambient pressure using a factor based on a ratio of a gas pressure at the output and ambient pressure, and/or, determining a flow rate at ambient temperature using a factor based on a ratio of a temperature at the output and ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: PerkinElmer LAS, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Tipler, Neil T. Plant
  • Patent number: 7168297
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to a system and method for testing fuel evaporative systems, and more particularly to a stand-alone tank tester system (and method) for testing vehicle fuel tank integrity. Furthermore, a self-contained calibration tank with switchable leak sizes for calibrating the tank tester to multiple leak sizes is provided. Constant flow and vacuum methods for testing fuel tank integrity are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Environmental Systems Products Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Herzog, Gordon Ernest Smith, Charles Michael Sulik, Arun R. Pandey, Valeriy Maksimovich Shishkin, Rex Graham Weedon, Mark Davis
  • Patent number: 7168298
    Abstract: A microfabricated mass-sensitive chemical preconcentrator actively measures the mass of a sample on an acoustic microbalance during the collection process. The microbalance comprises a chemically sensitive interface for collecting the sample thereon and an acoustic-based physical transducer that provides an electrical output that is proportional to the mass of the collected sample. The acoustic microbalance preferably comprises a pivot plate resonator. A resistive heating element can be disposed on the chemically sensitive interface to rapidly heat and release the collected sample for further analysis. Therefore, the mass-sensitive chemical preconcentrator can optimize the sample collection time prior to release to enable the rapid and accurate analysis of analytes by a microanalytical system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Sandia Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald P. Manginell, Douglas R. Adkins, Patrick R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7168299
    Abstract: A rotary rheometer having a an upper heating/cooling assembly and a lower heating/cooling assembly located opposite one another opposite a sample gap. The lower heating/cooling assembly may comprise a Peltier heater and the upper heating/cooling assembly preferably comprises a heating element that mates with a heat spreader for heating and cooling the area above the sample and providing more uniform heating and cooling across the sample gap while also minimizing any chimney effect within the rheometer and/or providing heating/cooling capability that is insensitive to changes in the gap between an upper geometry and the lower heating/cooling assembly. The upper heating/cooling assembly may further comprise a cooling channel for cooling the upper heating/cooling assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Waters Investments Limited
    Inventors: Nigel Doe, Peter Foster
  • Patent number: 7168300
    Abstract: The types of gasolines having different distillation characteristics and various compositions are identified accurately and rapidly. A pulse voltage is applied for a predetermined time to a liquid type identifying sensor heater including a heater and an identifying liquid temperature sensor provided in the vicinity of the heater and an identified gasoline is heated by the heater and the liquid type is identified with a voltage output difference V0 corresponding to a temperature difference between an initial temperature and a peak temperature in the identifying liquid temperature asensor. Furthermore, a gasoline is introduced between electrodes of an alcohol concentration detecting sensor, and a change in a specific inductive capacity of the gasoline between the electrodes is measured with an oscillation frequency thereby detecting an alcohol concentration in the gasoline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiaki Kawanishi, Kiyoshi Yamagishi, Takayuki Takahata
  • Patent number: 7168301
    Abstract: A method of operating a scanning probe microscope includes using a probe having a cantilever, and oscillating the probe at a torsional resonance frequency thereof. In addition, the method includes substantially increasing torsional drive efficiency with dual actuators disposed on the probe or the probe base. First and second actuators may be driven by corresponding first and second drive signals, the first and second drive signals being about 180° out of phase. The maximizing step includes altering at least one of the amplitudes of the first and second drive signals to maximize torsional oscillation. Torsional and flexural oscillation of the cantilever probe can be excited concurrently, sequentially or independently by adjusting the phase of the corresponding drive signals. A pair of cantilever components can be used to form a nanotweezer by rotating the respective arms having corresponding tip portions at the distal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Chanmin Su, Robert C. Daniels
  • Patent number: 7168302
    Abstract: An inside of an evaporated fuel processing system including a fuel tank is closed after changing an internal pressure of the evaporated fuel processing system to a target pressure value. After the closing, a diagnostic section variably sets a start timing for calculating a pressure change within the evaporated fuel processing system based on a timing when the internal pressure of the evaporated fuel processing system changes from the target pressure value to a peak pressure value. Then, a change amount between the respective internal pressure values detected by a detector at the set start timing and at a termination timing, which comes after the start timing, is calculated. The diagnostic section diagnose a leak within the evaporated fuel processing system based on the calculated change amount. Thus, the variably set start timing allows the diagnosis time to be shortened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasushi Nakoji
  • Patent number: 7168303
    Abstract: The present invention provides a diagnostic apparatus for an evaporative emission control system which can accurately execute leak diagnosis under a stable condition. An ECU clocks a time td2 until the internal pressure value Pte of the evaporative emission control system sealed at the negative pressure reaches the target internal pressure value Pd, sets the pressure change measuring time te2 based on the clocking time td2, and measures the pressure change amount P1 which varies after the internal pressure value Pte of the evaporative emission control system reaches the target internal pressure value Pd for a pressure change measuring time te2. Then, the ECU sets the determination value Pth0 based at least on the spatial capacity of the evaporative emission control system, and determines whether the evaporative emission control system is normal or abnormal based on the pressure change amount P1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Daisuke Takahashi, Masaaki Aihara, Yasushi Nakoji
  • Patent number: 7168304
    Abstract: A fluid pressure near a filter (103) is measured and compared (307) to a predetermined value that is based on one or more engine operating parameters. When the measured fluid pressure deviates enough from the predetermined value by an established amount, an indication of the deviation may be provided to notify of a potential problem with the filter (103), such as obstruction, restriction, or some form of clogging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: James T. Beaucaire, Steven J. Dickerson, Michael A. Majewski
  • Patent number: 7168305
    Abstract: A method of securing a tire pressure-monitoring device to a vehicle wheel includes the steps of welding a bracket within a tire wheel well. The bracket assembly includes a weld surface that corresponds to a surface on the wheel rim. The weld surface includes a common curvature that matches the surface of the wheel and also includes a material compatible with welding to the wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: Karthikeyan R. Narayanaswamy
  • Patent number: 7168306
    Abstract: A tire air pressure detection system having a transmitter provided at each of a plurality of wheels provided with tires and sending out a detection signal corresponding to the air pressure of the tire attached to the corresponding wheel and a receiver provided at the chassis side and provided with first antennas arranged near the transmitters of the plurality of wheels and a first controller receiving detection signals through the first antennas and finding the air pressures of the tires provided at the plurality of wheels based on the detection signals, wherein the receiver is designed so that the first controller measures the strength of each the detection signal, sets a power control signal in accordance with that strength, then sends the power control signal to the transmitter originating the detection signal, and each transmitter is provided with a second antenna receiving its corresponding power control signal and a second controller controlling a transmission power for sending the detection signal base
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Hiromasa Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7168307
    Abstract: A road test simulator having four rollers, each provided with an uneven surface coating, and four asynchronous motors, each of which drives one of the rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Lars Jahn, Otto Zinth
  • Patent number: 7168308
    Abstract: A system for determining interaction between a tire and a contact surface during movement of a motor vehicle includes at least one first sensor and processing means. The at least one first sensor includes one or more first elongated piezoelectric elements which extend along at least a first portion of the tire. The at least one first sensor supplies a first signal to the processing means. The first signal is generated by rotation of the tire and is generated cyclically with each revolution of the tire. The processing means detects variations in time intervals between distinctive elements of the first signal. A tire including the system, a kit for detecting behaviour of a tire moving with respect to a contact surface, a method for monitoring events correlated with interactions between tires of a moving vehicle and a contact surface, and related systems, tires, methods, and vehicles are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Pirelli Pneumatici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Federico Mancosu, Giuseppe Matrascia, Carlo Monguzzi, Diego Ettore Speziari
  • Patent number: 7168309
    Abstract: This locking device is adapted for a snap-in system in which a male portion of a first element coacts with a female portion of a second element, resilient members acting on the male and/or female portion of the snap-in system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive
    Inventor: Dominique Luce
  • Patent number: 7168310
    Abstract: A novel process and methodology in deterministic formation evaluation is provided. The formation evaluation results can accurately quantify formation attributes, such as clay-volume, clay-bound-water, effective-porosity and water saturation in shaly sands. Total-porosity is determined using porosity-logs, such as density, neutron and sonic logs. After clay-volume and total-porosity are determined, sand volume (quartz, feldspar, mica . . . ) is the remaining part in the bulk formation evaluated, see FIG. 5.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Saudi Aramco
    Inventor: Saleh Al-Ruwaili
  • Patent number: 7168311
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring and characterizing the fluid flow in and around the tubing string in a wellbore, preferably using fiber optic componentry. The apparatus includes a signal sensing demodulator device and a skin friction sensing device positionable within the wellbore. Both devices are in informational communication with each other. The method includes exposing the skin friction sensing device to a fluid flow, transmitting a signal obtained as a result of a movement of the skin friction sensing device from the fluid flow to a signal sensing demodulator device, converting the signal to a numerical value, and computing a parameter or parameters of the fluid flow in the wellbore from the numerical value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: Edward J. Zisk, Jr., Terry Bussear
  • Patent number: 7168312
    Abstract: In a heating resistor type air flow meter, a temperature characteristic of an air flow rate signal whose output value varies with temperature of the air flow meter circuitry is compensated by the temperature characteristic compensation circuit. The compensation circuit produces a temperature characteristic signal for compensation which changes in response to changes in an ambient temperature, and converts this signal into a predetermined proportional signal. The predetermined proportional signal is added to the air flow rate signal and such an addition result signal is input to the output control circuit and the temperature characteristic of the air flow rate signal is compensated. The resistors for proportional adjustment are external to and connected through a terminal to the IC of the air flow meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Masuo Akamatsu
  • Patent number: 7168313
    Abstract: A rotary remote visual liquid quantity indicator allows a user to remotely determine the amount of liquid in a container, such as an accumulator on an aircraft. A flexible rotary cable assembly may be coupled between a rotatable drum and a remote indicator having a rotatable cap, the rotatable drum responsive to axial motion of a sweeper within the accumulator. Changes in the fluid level of the accumulator may be translated into rotational motion of the rotatable drum, which, via the flexible rotary cable assembly, changes a reading on a remotely located indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Honeywell International, Inc.
    Inventors: Filip A. Reinis, Steven R. Eccles, Mathew C. Schacht
  • Patent number: 7168314
    Abstract: An ultrasonic filling level sensor (1), has an elongated measuring chamber (2), which is provided with an opening (3) at each of its two ends, wherein a liquid has the same filling level as outside the measuring chamber (2). The sensor includes an ultrasonic transceiver (6), which is associated with one end of the measuring chamber (2) and the emitted sound signals of which are reflected at the surface of the liquid and at a calibrating reflector (5) and received by the ultrasonic transceiver (6), in order to determine the filling level from the relationship between the transit times of the two signals. It is provided that the cross-section of the measuring chamber (2) and the nature of a wall of the measuring chamber are made to suit the properties of the liquid in such a way that, even in a tilted position of the measuring chamber (2), the surface of the liquid forms a meniscus (14) which forms a reflection portion directed toward the ultrasonic transceiver (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Werner Turck GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Voss
  • Patent number: 7168315
    Abstract: The invention relates to a level meter (1) with an outer oscillating body (3) and an inner oscillating body (4), which bodies are coaxially positioned relative to a longitudinal axis (X), with a drive and reception device (7) for exciting an oscillation in the oscillating bodies or for detecting an oscillation in the oscillating bodies, with a diaphragm (61) for elastically coupling one of the oscillating bodies (3), and with a clamping device (8) for clamping the drive and/or reception device (7) against the oscillating bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Gerd Ohmayer, Holger Gruhler, Joern Jacob
  • Patent number: 7168316
    Abstract: A humidity meter with non-contact temperature measurement capability, including a humidity meter contained at least partially in a housing and having outputs relating to measured humidity parameters including humidity and ambient temperature, an output display contained in the housing, for displaying measurements to a user, a non-contact optically-based temperature sensing device coupled to the housing, having an output related to sensed temperature, and circuitry contained in the housing for processing both the humidity meter outputs and the temperature sensing device output, and transmitting the processed output to the output display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Extech Instruments Corporation
    Inventor: Gerald W. Blakeley, III
  • Patent number: 7168317
    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 first axial acceleration input, a specific force makes the two masses move in the same direction along the first axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Shyu-Mou Chen, Sheau-Shi Tzuoo, Chung-Ta Kau
  • Patent number: 7168318
    Abstract: An inertial sensor includes a mesoscaled disc resonator comprised of micro-machined substantially thermally non-conductive wafer with low coefficient of thermal expansion for sensing substantially in-plane vibration, a rigid support coupled to the resonator at a central mounting point of the resonator, at least one excitation electrode within an interior of the resonator to excite internal in-plane vibration of the resonator, and at least one sensing electrode within the interior of the resonator for sensing the internal in-plane vibration of the resonator. The inertial sensor is fabricated by etching a baseplate, bonding the substantially thermally non-conductive wafer to the etched baseplate, through-etching the wafer using deep reactive ion etching to form the resonator, depositing a thin conductive film on the through-etched wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignees: California Institute of Technology, The Boeing Company
    Inventors: A. Dorian Challoner, Kirill V. Shcheglov
  • Patent number: 7168319
    Abstract: A transducer for measuring an angular velocity formed by a single piezoelectric tuning fork (21) that rotates at said angular velocity, including first (23) and second (24) vibrating legs extending from a base (22), excitation electrodes (25a, 25b, 26a, 26b) arranged on the excitation leg (23), detection electrodes (27a, 27b, 28a, 28b), arranged on the detection leg (24), characterized in that the detection leg includes at least one first groove (33, 34) on the top face and at least one second groove (35, 36) on the bottom face, and in that the detection electrodes include first and second detection electrodes arranged facing each other, the first (27a) respectively the second detection electrode (28a) being arranged on one lateral flank of the groove (33) respectively of the groove (34) such that the electrical field between the first and second detection electrodes is substantially rectilinear through the detection leg, and third and fourth detection electrodes arranged facing each other, the third (27b) re
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Eta SA Manufacture Horlogere Suisse
    Inventors: Silvio Dalla Piazza, Bruno Studer
  • Patent number: 7168320
    Abstract: A physical quantity (e.g., acceleration) sensing unit is provided. In this unit, a capacitive sensor has first and second fixed electrodes and a physical-quantity-sensitive movable electrode disposed between the first and second fixed electrodes. An adjusting circuit first adjusts a first bias voltage applied between the first fixed electrode and the movable electrode and a second voltage applied between the movable electrode and the second fixed electrode so that the movable electrode is brought into contact with either the first or second fixed electrode. The adjusting circuit then adjusts the first and second bias voltages to return the movable electrode to its original position. A detecting circuit detects an output on a capacitance relationship among the first and second fixed electrodes and the movable electrode. The output is subjected to determination of whether or not the output is out of order, when tested.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Murata, Takaaki Kawai
  • Patent number: 7168321
    Abstract: The vibration-type piezoelectric acceleration sensor element includes a frame; and a diaphragm, support, and retentive part, provided in the frame. The diaphragm includes a bottom electrode layer, a piezoelectric thin-film layer formed on the bottom electrode layer, and a top electrode layer formed on the piezoelectric thin-film layer. A first end of the diaphragm is connected to the frame. The support retains a second end of the diaphragm. The retentive part retains the support so that the support is reciprocable only in a direction through the first end and the second end of the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jiro Terada, Takami Ishida, Masaya Nakatani, Masahiro Yasumi
  • Patent number: 7168322
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for non-destructive ultrasonic control, combining time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) and inclined longitudinal wave techniques, of weld joints assembling two abutted parts. The method consists of using the time-of-flight diffraction technique, displacing in the longitudinal or circumferential direction, along the weld joint to be controlled, at least one pair consisting of a first transducer and of a second transducer, one transmitting and the other receiving ultrasonic waves, these transducers being laterally positioned on either side of the joint to be controlled, these transducers comprising piezoelectric ceramics or crystals. Furthermore, it consists of displacing along the welded joint to be controlled, using the inclined longitudinal wave technique, at least a third transducer, so as to detect any defect of the joint located at a thickness ranging between 0.5 mm and 15 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Société Anonyme à Directoire et Conseil de Surveillance pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procédés Georges Claude
    Inventors: Olivier Bardoux, Mario Cence, Sophie Wastiaux
  • Patent number: 7168323
    Abstract: A system for sensing vibration of a machine is provided. A light source directs a beam of light toward a light receiving system adapted to receive at least a portion of the beam of light. A light modulating system modulates the light beam received by the light receiving system so as to correspond to vibration of the machine. A processing system operatively coupled to the light receiving system processes data received from the light receiving system to facilitate determining vibration of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Frederick M. Discenzo
  • Patent number: 7168324
    Abstract: A vibration information transmission apparatus for improving efficiency of field wiring of a vibration monitoring/analyzing system includes transmitters (11-1 to n) for converting vibration information from vibration sensors (2-1 to n) for detecting vibration of an object to be measured, into an electric signal and outputting the electric signal to a digital network (DN). The transmitters (11-1 to n) includes in the same casing, a transducer circuit (18) for converting the vibration information from the vibration sensors (2-1 to n) into an analog electric signal, an A/D conversion circuit (19) for converting the analog electric signal from the transducer circuit (18) into a digital signal, and a network interface (20) for outputting the digital signal from the A/D conversion circuit (19) to the digital network (DN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Shinkawa Sensor Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shingo Boda, Hiroyuki Maeda
  • Patent number: 7168325
    Abstract: A gas pressure sensor 100 is disclosed as including a housing 10 to which a pressure is adapted to be introduced, a stem 20 communicating with the housing to admit the pressure thereto and having a diaphragm 22 deformable in response to the pressure, a sensor 24 associated with the diaphragm to produce an electric signal depending on a deformation of the diaphragm, and a substrate 30 that responds to the electric signal to generate an output signal that is outputted through a terminal 50. A chip capacitor 33 is connected between the terminal 50 and the substrate 30 and includes a first electrode 36, which admits a noise passing through the terminal 50 to be inputted to the substrate 30, and a second electrode 37 electrically connected to the housing 10, thereby enhancing improved resistance to noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Yoshino
  • Patent number: 7168326
    Abstract: A pressure sensor mainly includes a sensor chip, a circuit chip, and a substrate. The sensor chip is configured to generate an electrical signal representative of a pressure being sensed and includes a sensing area and a plurality of contact pads. The circuit chip includes a circuit configured to process the electrical signal and a plurality of contact pads. The substrate includes a resin sheet having an opening and a plurality of conductors within the resin sheet. The substrate is joined to both the sensor chip and circuit chip so that the sensing area of the sensor chip is to be exposed to the pressure being sensed through the opening of the resin sheet, the contact pads of the sensor chip and circuit chip are electrically connected to the conductors of the substrate, and all the contact pads and conductors are hermetically embedded in the resin sheet of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Inao Toyoda, Hiroaki Tanaka, Ichiharu Kondo, Makoto Totani
  • Patent number: 7168327
    Abstract: A method is disclosed of using external polymeric analytical techniques to predict in-vivo polymeric performance, more particularly, viscoelastic property characterization for performance modeling of biomedical devices that incorporate a polymeric component and are load-bearing during service. Time-Temperature Superposition can be used to accelerate external testing of pertinent properties. Boltzmann's superposition provides a mathematical methodology for determining the time-dependent strain that develops in response to an imposed stress history. The modeling of the present invention provides an opportunity to describe and predict behavior of the device during in-vivo service, as well as it providing a basis for evaluating alternate “candidate” polymers for use in the construction of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Inventor: E. Ray Harrell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7168328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device for determining the mass rate of flow of a mass flow, especially for measuring a flow of bulk material. An impeller wheel (2), which is connected to the drive shaft (3) and which is driven at a constant rotational speed, is thus provided. The impeller wheel (2) deviates an axially impinged mass flow in a radial direction and provides it with a radial and tangential speed component. The drive shaft (3) includes a spur-toothed wheel (11) which engages with an intermediate spur-toothed wheel (21) and which is driven by a driving spur-toothed wheel (20, 31). The intermediate spur-toothed wheel (21) is mounted on a force transmitting arm (24) which is maintained in a radial position by a force measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Schenck Process GmbH
    Inventor: Jens Kahle
  • Patent number: 7168329
    Abstract: A Coriolis mass flowmeter (300) having a low mass drive system comprising a driver coil (D) for vibrating flow tube means (102). The Coriolis mass flowmeter does not use a magnet affixed to the flow tube means. Instead, the flow tube means is coated with or is integral to magnetic material (103) that responds to the magnetic fields generated by the driver coil to vibrate the flow tube means. The flow tube means may comprise one (102) or more (1402C1, 1402C2) flow tubes. The magnetic material may be ferrous material devoid of an internal magnetic field. Alternatively the magnetic material may be steel or stainless steel having internal magnetic fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Micro Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark James Bell, Roger Scott Loving, Joseph C. Dille
  • Patent number: 7168330
    Abstract: A multi-parametric transducer is provided. In one aspect of the invention, the multi-parametric transducer includes an enclosure having an inner bore that defines a port, an inner chamber coaxial with the inner bore and disposed in the enclosure, and a sensing tube surrounding at least a portion of the inner chamber. The transducer further includes a temperature probe having a resistive temperature device (RTD) element disposed in a reinforced sheath at a measurement end of the transducer. The reinforced sheath is configured as a flow force sensing beam having a first end that extends through the sensing tube toward a signal end of the transducer and a second end that extends through the port outside the enclosure toward the measurement end of the transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corporation
    Inventor: Johannes Friederich Nyffenegger
  • Patent number: 7168331
    Abstract: An apparatus for testing the tension settings of cable tie hand tools comprises a base, a gauge, a force transmitting member connected to the gauge and a cable tie hand tool receiving member positioned on the base. In one embodiment, the force transmitting member comprises a spring and a first hinged arm. In a second embodiment, the force transmitting member comprises a strap section of a cable tie. The cable tie receiving member is adapted to receive and position the cable tie hand tool. The apparatus may be employed with various types of cable tie hand tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Panduit Corp.
    Inventors: William A. Bernard, Brian K. Arflack
  • Patent number: 7168332
    Abstract: The powder sampling device comprises, next to a vertical channel (1) a drawer that is also vertical which may be lowered so that a groove (5) passes into a sampling mouth (12). A flap (15) may be extended to direct the powder towards the groove (5) temporarily and fill it, without the drawer (4) or the flap (15) disrupting the flow in normal circumstances nor causing any residue of powder likely to alter the measurements. In particular, the flap (15), the groove (5) and the corbelled section (2) have faces (6, 8) that are heavily angled on which the powder can only slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Christian Orange, Christian Trevisan, Joel Tourre-Ledoux
  • Patent number: 7168333
    Abstract: A system and method of monitoring a pressurized container having an auxiliary device are provided. The system includes a sensor operable to provide a signal representative of at least one operating condition of the pressurized container. The system also includes a control operable to receive the signal from the sensor and generate a warning when the sensed operating condition will impact the operation of the auxiliary device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: BS&B Safety Systems Limited
    Inventors: Geof Brazier, John P. Clark, III, John E. Smallwood
  • Patent number: 7168334
    Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a property of a fluid is provided including a tube for retaining the fluid, the tube including a lateral access opening and a domed portion including a sealing surface on the outside wall of the tube surrounding the lateral access opening and a sensor sealingly disposed on the sealing surface surrounding the lateral access opening in the tube for direct contact with the fluid in the tube for sensing the property of the fluid in the tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Gambro Lundia AB
    Inventor: Johan Drott
  • Patent number: 7168335
    Abstract: An arrangement of the intermediate gear for a reverse gear (1) is proposed for a transmission with a drive shaft and an output shaft (2) arranged coaxially in relation to it and with one additional intermediate shaft (4) arranged parallel to the drive and output shafts (2) for a power take-off. The intermediate gear for the reverse gear (1) is driven by a shaft (3) and drives the output shaft (2), in which the intermediate gear for the reverse gear (1) is arranged above an imaginary plane (A) extended through the axes of the driving shaft (3) and the output shaft (2) and, with a horizontal orientation of plane (A), the driving shaft (3) is located to the right of the output shaft (2) in the direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Führer, Hermann Lanz, Gerhard Höring, Roland Stauber