Patents Issued in February 27, 2007
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Patent number: 7181918Abstract: A vehicle cooler is described for providing low energy cooling to the interior of a vehicle without the use of refrigerant or a compressor. The cooler uses the evaporation of liquid from a secondary surface of a heat exchange element to cool air passing over a primary surface of the heat exchanger. The primary air is distributed to the interior of the vehicle via an air distribution mechanism, which may be adjusted from within the vehicle. The device is particularly useful for recreational vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Oxycell Holding B.V.Inventor: Johannes Antonius Maria Reinders
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Patent number: 7181919Abstract: A waste heat energy recovery system has a refrigerant cycle and a Rankine cycle. When the cycle operation is changed from the refrigerant cycle to the Rankine cycle, an expansion device is started after the pump is started. When the cycle operation is changed from the Rankine cycle to the refrigerant cycle, the expansion device is stopped after the pump is stopped.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignees: Denso Corporation, Nippon Soken, Inc.Inventors: Keiichi Uno, Hironori Asa, Atsushi Inaba, Takashi Yamanaka, Hideji Yoshida, Hiroshi Ogawa
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Patent number: 7181920Abstract: Cooling plant for a “cooled” fluid, able to cool and/or dry the fluid by means of cooling substantially to a pre-established temperature, the plant comprising a heat exchanger (17), to cool the fluid, by means of heat exchange with a “cooling” fluid inserted in a cooling unit (11) comprising a cooling circuit (13) able to feed the cooling fluid to the heat exchanger (17), the cooling unit (11) comprising at least a condensation device (15), able to take the cooling fluid to within desired parameters of pressure and/or temperature. The plant also comprises regulation means (19) able to detect the temperature of the fluid to be controlled, and to act on the condensation device (15) in order to vary the parameters of pressure and/or temperature of the cooling fluid.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Officine Meccaniche Industriali SrlInventors: Giovanni Battista Capellari, Filippo Trombin, Fabio Massaro
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Patent number: 7181921Abstract: The refrigerating appliance comprises at least one first, second and third refrigerating area for a low, medium or high storage temperature, whereby each refrigerating area has an evaporator (24, 25, 26). The refrigerating appliance also comprises a compressor (19), a refrigerant circuit for supplying compressed refrigerant to the evaporators (24, 25, 26) and for returning expanded refrigerant to the compressor (19), and comprises at least one switching element (22, 22?) for directing, as desired, the refrigerant through one of two branches (I, II) of the refrigerant circuit. In the first branch (I), the evaporators (24, 26) of the first and the third refrigerating areas are connected in series. In the second branch (II), The evaporators (24, 25, 26) of all three refrigerating areas are connected in series.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventor: Wolfgang Nuiding
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Patent number: 7181922Abstract: A cooled air temperature detector detects the temperature of air that has just passed through a refrigerant evaporator. The detector detects air temperatures for a plurality of locations on the cooling unit. When determining a control condition (ON/OFF condition) of the refrigerant compressor based on the post-evaporator temperature, an air conditioner ECU calculates and compares respective air temperatures detected by the detector and processes the lowest air temperature as the post-evaporator temperature. In another embodiment, a sensor detects a surface temperature at a plurality of locations on the refrigerant evaporator. The operation of the refrigerant compressor is controlled based on the lowest surface temperature detected.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: DENSO CorporationInventor: Hideki Hashimoto
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Patent number: 7181923Abstract: An inverter device for variably controlling an operating frequency of an electric motor, which drives a compressor in a refrigerating cycle. the inverter includes a box-like resin case, having a metal film for shielding being applied or plated on a surface thereof and having a step portion on which a terminal block for the motor is arranged. A first substrate having mounted thereon power semiconductor devices constituting a converter and an inverter so as to be immersed in gel, and the first substrate is mounted in the case and brought into proximity of radiation fins at a reverse surface thereof. A second substrate having mounted thereon interface connectors into which signals from detection sensors for temperatures and pressures in the refrigerating cycle are input and photo-couplers for transmitting the input signals, and the second substrate is mounted in the case above the first substrate.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiaki Kurita, Kuniaki Takatuka, Tatsuo Ando, Noriaki Yamada, Satoshi Furusawa
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Patent number: 7181924Abstract: A refrigerated display case for maintaining food product at a desired temperature. The refrigerated display case includes a case, a product display area, and a refrigeration system. The case includes a plurality of interconnected structural components including a first structural component with first and second sides, a second structural component coupled to the first structural component on the first side with a tab and slot connection, and a third structural component coupled to the first structural component on the second side with a tab and slot connection. The product display area is defined at least in part by the plurality of interconnected structural components and is adapted to support and display the food product. The refrigeration system supplies refrigerated air to the product display area and is adapted to maintain the food product at the desired temperature.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Hussmann CorporationInventors: Martin J. Duffy, Derek R. Lea, Denise Y. Slatton, Marian T. Boultes
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Patent number: 7181925Abstract: An indoor unit of an air conditioner is provided. The indoor unit has an improved airflow structure, for a rapid air conditioning of the room, a user's convenience, and an efficiency of the air conditioner.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hae Rim Lee, Hvun Hur
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Patent number: 7181926Abstract: An oil separator-muffler for a compressor includes an inner chamber with an oil accumulation region and a wall positioned in the inner chamber. The wall defines a separator region and has an impingement surface. The arrangement of the wall in the inner chamber defines flow channels of varying cross-sectional areas. A mixture inlet for the separator-muffler provides a passageway for an oil gaseous refrigerant mixture to flow from the exterior of the separator-muffler into the separator region. The oil is separated from the mixture as the mixture impinges against the impingement surface and flows into the oil accumulation region. A channel in fluid communication with the oil accumulation region provides a passageway for the separated oil from the accumulation region to the exterior of the separator-muffler.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Kanwal Bhatia, Michael G. Theodore, Jr., Kastriot Shaska
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Patent number: 7181927Abstract: A system for exchanging heat with primary coolant flowing through an intravascular catheter or externally-applied pad to warm or cool a patient. A secondary heat transfer element can be engaged with a primary heat transfer element and is not grounded when the primary heat transfer element is fully engaged with the secondary heat transfer element during operation. In contrast, the secondary heat transfer element is grounded when the primary heat transfer element is at a predetermined disengaged position relative to the secondary heat transfer element.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Alsius CorporationInventors: Kenneth A. Collins, David Seari Kimball
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Patent number: 7181928Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for cooling motors used to drive gas and air compressors. In particular, the cooling of hermetic and semi-hermetic motors is accomplished by a gas sweep using a gas source located in the low-pressure side of a gas compression circuit. The gas sweep is provided by the creation of a pressure reduction at the compressor inlet sufficient to draw uncompressed gas through a motor housing, across the motor, and out of the housing for return to the suction assembly. The pressure reduction is created by means provided in the suction assembly, such as a nozzle and gap assembly, or alternatively a venturi, located upstream of the compressor inlet. Additional motor cooling can be provided by circulating liquid or another cooling fluid through a cooling jacket in the motor housing portion adjacent the motor.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: York International CorporationInventor: Paul Marie de Larminat
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Patent number: 7181929Abstract: A plurality of fin groups 12 each comprising parallel plate fins 14 are arranged on two straight tube portions 11a of a fin fixing hairpin tube 11 longitudinally of the tube portions at a spacing, by forming two tube inserting holes 14a as spaced apart in each of the plate fins 14 and inserting the two straight tube portions 11a through the respective holes 14a of the plate fins 14. The hairpin tube 11 is enlarged with use of a fluid to fixedly fit the plate fins 14 of the fin groups 12 around the straight tube portions 11a of the tube 11. The straight tube portions 11a of the tube 11 each have a finless part 13 provided between each pair of adjacent fin groups 12. The finless part 13 of each straight tube portion 11a bears clamp marks 19 on the outer peripheral surface thereof. A heat exchanger comprising a heat exchanger finned tube 10 thus constructed is adapted to diminish leakage of the refrigerant and achieves a desired refrigeration efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Showa Denko K.K.Inventor: Isao Watanabe
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Patent number: 7181930Abstract: a ring arrangement having at least two ring portions, the ring portions including a first inner ring portion and a second outer ring portion, the inner portions having an ornamental area at least partially defined by the through holes and at the outer ring portion defining a solid band. The surface of which shows the through holes defined in the inner ring portion to give the effect of a deeply engraved surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 8, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Yasco Wainberg
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Patent number: 7181931Abstract: A jewelry assembly is provided that extends around the neck and waist and down the front and back of an individual. The jewelry assembly is constructed such that it remains centered when worn and such that it can be adapted to fit individuals of different size.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Dennis M. White
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Patent number: 7181932Abstract: The invention aims to knit knitwear in a substantially seamless manner, with the number of courses around the neck increased, so that when the knitwear is worn, a drape can be formed around the neck. In knitting zones extending from underarms to before shoulders, the front body and the back body split at both ends thereof are increased in knitting width so that a drape can be formed around the neck of the front body. The front body and the back body are knitted by a flechage knitting so that shoulder drops can be formed in their shoulder parts. Then, they are bound off at their front and back necklines and also joined together at their shoulder lines.Type: GrantFiled: September 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd.Inventor: Tatsuya Kosui
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Patent number: 7181933Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a tape that comprises a weft-inserted warp knit fabric, which utilizes a combination stitch to secure the wales of the fabric. The combination stitch comprises a majority of successive chain stitches that are used with a minority of subsequent successive tricot stitches, such that the stitch follows the expression x+y, where x is the number of successive chain stitches and y is the number of subsequent successive tricot stitches. Contemplated x values are in the range of 5 to 15, and contemplated y values are in the range of 1 to 4. Multiple stitch formations can also be used (e.g., following an x+y/m+n/etc. configuration). The resulting weft-inserted warp knit fabric possesses superior dimensional stability and internal geometry, while maintaining the tearability requisite for a hand-tearable tape product.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Milliken & CompanyInventors: Brian Callaway, Randolph S Kohlman
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Patent number: 7181934Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for dispensing a unit dose water-soluble pouch containing a laundry additive during the spin cycle of a washing machine process having a spinning wash drum. The device is attached to the vertical center post of a washing machine and holds a water-soluble pouch above the high water level. During the spin cycle, the spinning center post will create sufficient centrifugal force so that the water-soluble pouch is released from the device. The water-soluble pouch will then fall into the laundry where the water-soluble pouch will dissolve when rinse water fills the machine thereby releasing the laundry additive to treat the washed articles.Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Unilever Home & Personal Care USA, division of Conopco, Inc.Inventors: Feng-Lung Gordon Hsu, Daniel Joseph Fox, Edward John Giblin, Ronald Frederick Vogel, Gary Hsu, Mohammad Hosseini-Nejad
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Patent number: 7181935Abstract: A grip for a handcuff pair comprises a pair of wristlet lock capturing members joined together by a hinge member wherein the pair of wristlet lock capturing members comprising mirror image parts. The mirror image parts of the wristlet lock capturing members capturing at least an end portion of opposed faces of wristlet locks of the handcuff pair therebetween, the mirror image parts of each of the pair of wristlet lock capturing members joined together by a flexible member wherein the hinge member forces the wristlet locks apart and into an substantially planar position upon withdrawal from retention.Type: GrantFiled: March 3, 2006Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Alan Lewis Earl
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Patent number: 7181936Abstract: A buckle assembly is described. The buckle assembly includes a buckle body, a fastener and a key. The buckle body includes a recess and a lock tumbler. The fastener is configured to slide within the recess. The key is configured to fit within a key hole of the lock tumbler. When the key is in a locked rotational orientation within the key hole and the fastener is engaged in the recess, the tumbler is in a locked orientation and the fastener may not be slid from the recess. When the key is in an unlocked rotational orientation within the key hole and the fastener is engaged in the recess, the tumbler is in an unlocked orientation and the fastener may be slid from the recess. A key removal prevention mechanism prevents the key from being removed from the key hole when the key is in the unlocked rotational orientation whether or not the fastener is engaged in the recess.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Graco Children's Products Inc.Inventors: Myles Christensen, Jeffrey D. Swan
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Patent number: 7181937Abstract: The locking cylinder has a basic code which can be changed using at least one change key (17, 17?). A rotor (3) is mounted in a cylinder housing (2a, 2b) and has a keyway (4) into which a shank of a standard key which is provided with control surfaces 18 can be pushed in order to position the tumblers which are arranged in three first rows (A, B, C). Further tumblers have coding elements (13) which are arranged in further bores in the cylinder housing (2a, 2b) in a programming position of the rotor (3). The change key (17, 17?) interacts with three further rows (D, E, F) of tumblers in the programming position, these tumblers being arranged in slides. These further rows (D, E, F) each contain tumblers having coding elements (C). The locking cylinder can be produced with a smaller outside diameter and be installed in a particularly cost-effective manner.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Keso AGInventor: Ernst Keller
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Patent number: 7181938Abstract: The lock cylinder assembly of the present invention incorporates a number of features designed to defeat attempts to pick or destroy the lock. The lock cylinder assembly employs multiple arrays of pass key pins, making picking of the lock much more difficult. Second, the arrangement of the pass key pins in separate arrays requires that multiple cuts would have to be made into the lock housing mogul or cylinder blank in order to defeat the lock cylinder assembly. Third, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate multiple sets of hardened dowel pins to prevent drilling through the lock housing mogul in the area of the driver pins. Fourth, the lock cylinder assembly of the present invention may incorporate a hardened cylinder shield behind the front face of the cylinder blank to prevent drilling through the cylinder blank.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: New Security Lock Company, Ltd.Inventor: Dennis C. Price
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Patent number: 7181939Abstract: A key assembly includes a key, a cap and a fastener to selectively secure the cap to the key. The cap may include an opening for receiving a key ring, or other structure, therethrough. In one embodiment, the key includes a grip, and the cap and grip cooperate to enclose the key when the cap is secured in place.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Mike T. Andersen
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Patent number: 7181940Abstract: A door lock transmission mechanism is provided on the first surface of a door for transmitting movement to a door lock provided on the second surface of the door opposite to the first surface. The door lock transmission mechanism includes a lock casing unit, an actuation mechanism, and a locking mechanism. The actuation mechanism includes a traction member having a traction portion for driving a locking seat of a core unit of the locking mechanism, wherein the locking seat can rotate freely when the locking mechanism is locked, such that an actuation member of the actuation mechanism can be pressed down by force and keeps the locking state of the door lock, and thus the parts of the door lock transmission mechanism can be protected from being damaged.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Thase Enterprise Co., Ltd.Inventor: Ching-Tien Lin
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Patent number: 7181941Abstract: In a pin tumbler-type cylinder lock having an auxiliary tumbler stack, the bottom pin of the auxiliary tumbler stack has a recessed underside for receiving a projection on the key to form a detent. The invention provides an additional functionality that has not previously been associated with the auxiliary tumbler stack. When the projection on the key as seated, it prevents the key from being withdrawn from the keyway while the plug is in any rotational position in which the drive and bottom pins are not substantially aligned. Thus, the key is retained whenever the plug has been rotated.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Kaba Ilco Corp.Inventor: Charles W. Eden, Jr.
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Patent number: 7181942Abstract: An ultrasonic device and method obtains desirable crimp connections between a crimp connector and a wire, or bundle of wires, by assessing the desirability of connections made in a wire-to-wire connection and in other situations where two materials with good acoustic propagation characteristics are joined together via deformation. An embodiment of the device as a crimping tool comprises a compressing means, pulse-generating circuitry, at least one ultrasonic transmitting transducer, at least one ultrasonic receiving transducer, receiving circuitry, and a display. The user may return to a previously crimped connection and assess the desirability of the connection by compressing the device about the connection, sending an acoustic signal through the crimp, and comparing the received signal to a signal obtained from known desirable connections.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventors: William T. Yost, K. Elliott Cramer, Daniel F. Perey
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Patent number: 7181943Abstract: Strip is descaled in a rolling line having a scale scrubber and a finishing line downstream of the scale scrubber. The strip is sprayed with water on its upper and under sides at a descaling pressure in the scale scrubber. In the scrubber the strip is treated with water at a multiplicity of locations spaced from one another in the travel direction. A furthest downstream location at the under side is spaced downstream from a furthest downstream location at the upper side. Rolling torques of at least one rolling mill of the finishing line are measured above and below the strip and control parameters are produced corresponding thereto. These parameters are fed to a control circuit and used thereby to adjust quantities of water sprayed at the locations against the upper side and under side of the strip upstream of the finishing line.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: SMS Demag AktiengesellschaftInventor: Jürgen Seidel
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Patent number: 7181944Abstract: A structural part includes a plate-shaped base body and ribs that extend longitudinally approximately parallel to one another, and that are joined integrally to and protrude orthogonally from the base body. In a shaping method, the structural part is shaped by particles of blasting or peening shot, which strike the surface areas of the structural part at a high velocity to cause a plastic deformation thereof. Opposite surface areas of the ribs, located on opposite longitudinal sides of each rib, are simultaneously subjected to the action of particles of the blasting shot. An apparatus to perform the method includes two nozzles arranged facing toward one another with the rib therebetween, to form two jets of the blasting shot particles directed toward one another at the rib.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2001Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Kugelstrahlzentrum Aachen GmbHInventors: Frank Wuestefeld, Wolfgang Linnemann, Stefan Kittel
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Patent number: 7181945Abstract: A pulley is made by fixing an edge of an opening of a plate by using a first upper mandrel ring installed at a lower end of a first supporting pin of a first forming device. A supporting block disposed around an upper end of a first spindle is rotated with the first spindle. An inner hub of the pulley is formed by inwardly pressing an upper surface of the plate against a first pressing roller to reduce the thickness of the plate while drawing the plate around a first mandrel ring. The plate is fixed to a second spindle of a second forming device, so the plate rotates with the second spindle. An outer hub is formed by pressing a convex bead toward the inner hub by using a fourth pressing roller and by drawing the outer hub.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Halla Climate Control CorporationInventors: Dae-Kyu Park, Tae-Hyoung Eum, Jae-Hyeon Hur
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Patent number: 7181946Abstract: The aim of the invention is to configure a device for winding and unwinding partly rolled products, in a way that ensures the smallest possible accumulation of scrap. To achieve this, a roller (20, 20?, 20?) whose position is controlled and which runs on the periphery of the coil is used during the transfer of the coils from the winding station to the unwinding station. The vertical adjustment of said roller ensures that the coil is completely unwound, even with a diminishing coil diameter.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: SMS Demag AGInventors: Matthias Krüger, Jürgen Merz, Karl-Friedrich Fuhrmann
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Patent number: 7181947Abstract: A bending machine with a compact bend arm includes in a bend arm (4) being mounted on a rotating spindle (3) a cylinder which is fed with a pressured fluid through hoses (7) being part of a hydraulic circuit connected to a source of pressured fluid and of an electric circuit. Each of the hoses (7), which are side by side, comprises a curved section (7a) around the rotating spindle (3), the curved section (7a) being radiused at one end to a section (7b) parallel to the bend arm (4), and at the other end to a section (7c) directed to the rest of the bending machine, to which hoses (7) are retained. In the section (7b) parallel to the bend arm (4) the plurality of hoses (7) are clamped on a slider (9) slidable in a prismatic guide (10) which is provided in the bend arm (4).Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: CML International S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro Caporusso, Mario Giorgio
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Patent number: 7181948Abstract: Elongated structural components having regions of different thicknesses, especially for use in automobile bodies, are produced by flexible rolling metal strip so as to form along a length thereof rolled-strip segments of different wall thickness. The sheet bars are cut from the rolled strip and have regions of different wall thickness. Each sheet bar is reshaped in at least one hot-forming tool in at least one hot-forming state and the reshaped sheet bar is then rapidly cooled in the hot-forming tool of the last reshaping stage.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Benteler Automobil Technik GmbHInventor: Wilhelm Arns
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Patent number: 7181949Abstract: A method for the strip-edge-oriented shifting of the intermediate rolls (11, 11?) in a six-roll rolling mill comprising respectively a pair of workrolls (10, 10?), intermediate rolls (11, 11?) and backup rolls (12, 12?), whereby at least the intermediate rolls (11, 11?) and workrolls (10, 10?) have devices for axial shifting cooperating with them and each intermediate roll (11, 11?) has a barrel elongated by the amount of the CVC-shifting stroke and a one sided setback (x) in the region of the strip edge. The method is characterized in that the upper intermediate roll (11) is shifted in the direction of the drive side AS) and the lower intermediate roll (11?) is shifted in the direction of the service side (BS)—or conversely—relative to the neutral shift position (Szw=0 mm) symmetrically to the rolling mill center (y—y) be respectively the same amount in the direction of their (x—x).Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: SMS Demag AktiengesellschaftInventors: Klaus-Dieter Haberkamm, Andreas Ritter, Rüdiger Holz
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Patent number: 7181950Abstract: A device for processing a thin metal foil and provided with a frame plate (7) for a die (16), a guide plate (10) for a punch (11), and a guide arranging for the die (16) and the punch to cooperate in the desired manner for the purpose of processing a thin metal foil by the die and the punch. The guide consists of at least two hinge elements (8, 9), each connected by means of an elastic line hinge (4, 5) with both the frame plate and the guide plate, the line hinges allowing only a pivotal motion in substantially the rectilinear displacement. The frame plate, the guide plate and the guide are manufactured from a single block (1) of material, in which the frame plate, guide and guide plate connected by the elastic line hinges are formed by the provision of bores (3), slits (6) and/or recesses (2).Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepastnatuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNOInventors: Pieter Jan Bolt, Raymond Turk, Petrus Paulus H. Veltmans
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Patent number: 7181951Abstract: In a system and method for removing a dent from an automotive vehicle body surface, first and second suction elements are each formed of a flexible disc, a support disc, and a pull stud attached to the support disc. A releasable lever engagement member is provided at an end of the pull stud. Each flexible disc has a vehicle body facing surface which is continuous without air exits. The first and second suction elements are placed on the vehicle surface, with at least one of the suction elements at the dent. A lever bar is inserted through the releasable lever engagement members at ends of the respective pull studs where it is loosely retained.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: Michael J. Schmidt
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Patent number: 7181952Abstract: A method for quantifying droplet fluxes of a water mist spray uses different measuring apparatuses and compares the measurements of the two apparatuses with one another. One of the measuring apparatuses is an iso-kinetic sampling probe in which the air velocity of the portion of the water spray mist entering the probe is made equal to the air velocity of the water mist spray around the probe by connecting a source of vacuum to the probe. The drops of the spray entering the probe are prevented from passing out of the probe. The air velocity of the spray entering the probe is measured by an anemometer, the drops of the entering spray are collected in a reservoir, and the depth of water in the reservoir is measured by a differential pressure transducer. The output of the pressure transducer is sent to a computer that calculates the water collection rate based on the sectional area of the probe opening and the water collection rate in the reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: FM Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Benjamin Ditch, Hong-Zeng Yu
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Patent number: 7181953Abstract: The moisture detector assembly includes a moisture detector having a probe extending into a housing bore to have fluid flow in contact with the probe and exiting through a housing bore orifice. A pressure regulator is mounted to the housing with its outlet opening to the housing bore. The regulator includes a cap closing the regulator bore opposite the outlet to provide a main chamber and has an inlet and a piston extending within the regulator bore to control fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet. The regulator outlet is an orifice for limiting fluid flow from the regulator bore to the housing bore. The piston enlarged head and the opening of outlet toward the head provides a control chamber in the regulator bore with the pressure therein controlling the movement of the piston between fluid flow blocking and fluid flowing positions.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Tescom CorporationInventor: Paul T. Street
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Patent number: 7181954Abstract: A motor control unit 107 that controls a drive device 100 of a brushless DC motor 101 of a compressor 12 in a refrigerator 1 determines that a flammable refrigerant is not leaking when it is determined that a duty variation width A(t) of a duty value D(t) detected at a detection time t exceeds a reference duty variation width Aa of a duty value D(t0) measured at a duty measurement reference time t0 and a voltage value time rate-of-change ?V of a voltage value V(t) of direct-current power exceeds a reference rate-of-change ?Va.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventor: Munehiro Horie
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Patent number: 7181955Abstract: The consistency of a pulp slurry in a pipe 12 is determined using a pair of effective sound speeds a1eff and a2eff of the fluid/pipe system. The pair of effective system sound speed measurements are taken at two sensing regions X1, X2 along the pipe wherein each of the sensing regions comprises a different system cross sectional area compliance. The pair of effective system sound speeds a1eff and a2eff are provided to signal processing logic 160, which determines at least the composition of the fluid 12 flowing in the pipe 112. The effective system sound speeds a1eff and a2eff may be provided by a pair of sound speed meters positioned at sensing regions X1, X2 wherein the sound speed meters utilize a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors placed at predetermined axial locations along the pipe 112. One technique uses acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 112.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.Inventor: Daniel L. Gysling
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Patent number: 7181956Abstract: A rheometer has a measuring shaft which is borne for rotation about and/or axial displacement along its longitudinal axis and has a detection device for determination of the normal force and/or the torque which acts on the measuring shaft during a measurement. The detection device thereby has a first holding member which is connected to the measuring shaft and a second holding member which is mounted to a stationary frame, wherein the second holding member is connected to the first holding member by means of resilient connecting members and at least one strain gage is introduced onto at least one of the connecting members to measure the deformation of the connecting member.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Thermo Electron (Karlsruhe) GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Platzek, Joachim Faust
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Patent number: 7181957Abstract: A method for controlling the shear rate at which an acoustic wave device measures viscosity by calculating the shear rate as a function of the characteristic rate of quartz movement in response to a given input transducer power level and the viscosity of the fluid and then by adjusting the input transducer power level to obtain the desired shear rate for the viscosity measurement by optimizing the power level. Related aspects of the invention provide for methods for characterizing viscoelastic fluids at a plurality of predetermined shear rates using a plurality of optimized power levels, a plurality of sensor designs, or a plurality of both optimized power levels and sensor designs.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Biode IncInventor: Jeffrey C. Andle
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Patent number: 7181958Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the selective growth of single carbon nanotubes (CNT) on the tip apex of a conventional cantilever. Selective CNT growth is established by coating the backside of a cantilever, having a through-hole at a tip apex, with a catalyst material followed by a cover layer. The exposed catalyst at the bottom of the hole at the apex of the cantilever induces growth of a single CNT at this location.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: University of South FloridaInventor: Rudiger Schlaf
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Patent number: 7181959Abstract: A fatigue failure diagnostic method of a turbocharger in accordance with the present invention is a method for diagnosing the fatigue failure of a turbocharger (5), comprising the steps of measuring the revolution speed of the turbocharger (5), computing an accumulated fatigue value (Ft) based on the measured revolution speed, and executing the fatigue failure judgment of the turbocharger (5) by comparing the computed accumulated fatigue value (Ft) and the prescribed fatigue limit value (F1).Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Isuzu Motors LimitedInventors: Shunji Matsumoto, Mitsuhiro Sonohara
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Patent number: 7181960Abstract: In one method, the permeabilities are obtained by correcting the geometric factor derived from combining the FRA analysis and buildup analysis. In a second method, the permeabilities are obtained by combining the spherical permeability estimated from buildup analysis and the geometric skin factor obtained from history matching the probe-pressure data. In other methods, horizontal and vertical permeabilities are determined by analysis of pressure drawdown made with a single probe of circular aperture in a deviated borehole at two different walls of the borehole.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: James J. Sheng, Daniel T. Georgi
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Patent number: 7181961Abstract: A precipitation gauge including a clear elongated outer cylinder and an opaque or translucent inner member disposed longitudinally in the outer cylinder to define a tubular water receiver in the space between the cylinder and the inner member and markings disposed along either the outer cylinder or the inner member, the gauge indicating the amount of water collected in the water receiver with a sharp demarcation at the top surface of the water resulting from an optical illusion making it appear that the portion of the gauge below the demarcation is filled with a fluid of the color of the inner member.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventor: David E. Hill
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Patent number: 7181962Abstract: A thermal flow sensor which is fabricated at a low cost and has improved reliability. Over a cavity (7) formed in a semiconductor substrate (2), at least a heating resistance (4) is formed near the center of the cavity with an electrical insulation film interposed between the heating resistance and the cavity. The temperature (Th) of the heating resistance (4) is controlled to be higher than the medium temperature (Ta) by a constant temperature (?Th=Th?Ta). A distance (Ws) in the direction of airflow from an upstream end of the heating resistance (4) to an upstream end of the electrical insulation film lying over the cavity and the constant temperature (?Th) satisfy the following relationship: ?Th/Ws?800 (° C./mm) Thus, a thermal flow sensor is provided which can prevent deposition of floating fine particles, such as carbon particles, caused by the thermophoretic effect, can be fabricated at a low cost, and has high reliability.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.Inventors: Masamichi Yamada, Izumi Watanabe, Keiichi Nakada, Junichi Horie
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Patent number: 7181963Abstract: A thermal flow sensor has a first, second and third substrate, each having a first side and a second opposite side. The first substrate is connected to the second substrate such that the second side of the first substrate abuts the first side of the second substrate. The third substrate is connected to the second substrate such that the second side of the second substrate abuts the first side of the third substrate. The first, second and third substrate form a multi-layer body structure having at least one edge extending between a first side of the first substrate and the second side of the third substrate. The second substrate has a groove formed therein so as to form a conduit bounded by the second substrate and the second side of the first substrate and the first side of the third substrate. The conduit has an inlet opening and an outlet opening that are formed in the at least one edge.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: Codman & Shurtleff, IncInventor: Toralf Bork
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Patent number: 7181964Abstract: A liquid flow meter including a compartment containing a pivotable volumetric measuring container with a counterbalance weight. The movement created by the counterbalance weight about the axis of rotation maintains the static filling rotational position until a specified volume capacity is achieved.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventors: Kirk N. Nivens, Jr., Kirk Nathan Nivens
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Patent number: 7181965Abstract: A liquid level sensor comprising a thermistor probe and a power source connected to the thermistor probe to heat the thermistor probe. A cover encases the thermistor probe and includes openings allowing liquid to enter and exit an interior of the cover and contact the thermistor probe. A detector detects a liquid level in response to a voltage at the thermistor probe.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Daniel J. Kearney, Randy J. Zoodsma
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Patent number: 7181966Abstract: A capacitance type humidity sensor includes: a detection substrate including a detection portion on a first side of the detection substrate; and a circuit board including a circuit portion. The detection portion detects humidity on the basis of capacitance change of the detection portion. The circuit portion processes the capacitance change as an electric signal. The detection substrate further includes a sensor pad on a second side of the detection substrate. The sensor pad is electrically connected to the detection portion through a conductor in a through hole of the detection substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2005Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignees: Nippon Soken, Inc., Denso CorporationInventors: Toshiki Isogai, Masato Ishihara, Michitaka Hayashi, Toshikazu Itakura
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Patent number: 7181967Abstract: Gravity gradiometers (or gravity gradient instrument, GGI) measure one or more components of the gradient of gravity which is expressed as the gradient of a gravity vector. One or more feedback loops extend from the instrument output to one or more of the accelerometers (1–4) to compensate for errors. The feedback loops include one or more inputs in addition to the instrument output. The additional inputs include signals representing one or more of: components of attitude, velocity and acceleration, the physical environment and flight conditions, taken alone or in combination.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2003Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Assignee: BHP Billiton Innovation Pty LtdInventor: James Beresford Lee