Patents Issued in March 6, 2007
  • Patent number: 7185545
    Abstract: Instrumentation for monitoring crack growth using a change in electric potential across a starter crack as the crack propagates is disclosed. The instrumentation includes a specimen of a material to be analyzed for crack growth propagation having a surface with a starter crack formed therein, a plurality of current leads to pass electric current through the specimen, a layer of insulating material disposed on each of opposite sides of the crack, a layer of conductive material disposed on each layer of insulating material, where a portion of each layer of conductive material is in electrical contact with the first specimen surface, and a pair of sensing leads, one sensing lead attached to each layer of conductive material. A method for using the instrumentation to monitor crack growth by measuring is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philemon Kennard Wright, III
  • Patent number: 7185546
    Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring belt tension in a semiconductor processing system include measuring a natural sound or an acceleration of the belt in the semiconductor processing system; digitizing the natural sound or the acceleration; determining the frequency and characterizing the belt tension as a function of the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ASCENX
    Inventor: Canh Le
  • Patent number: 7185547
    Abstract: A device for measuring flow in a pipe includes a first metal plate mounted to the pipe, the first metal plate including a first contact portion contacting a wall of the pipe and a first away portion spaced apart from the wall of the pipe, a second metal plate mounted to the pipe, the second metal plate including a second contact portion contacting the wall of the pipe and a second away portion spaced apart from the wall of the pipe, a first transducer mounted to the first away portion, and a second transducer mounted to the second away portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Baumoel
  • Patent number: 7185548
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring fluid flow in a break between closely spaced confronting ends of a fluid line including first and second angularly extending conduit sections forming a U-shaped assembly housing straightening vanes and a metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Delwin T. Penlerick
  • Patent number: 7185549
    Abstract: A pressure point detector has a simple structure and is capable of detecting which location of a two-dimensional surface such as a circle a pressure is applied can be detected. The pressure point detector includes a flexible insulation member in a predetermined shape, a resistance film formed on one side of the flexible insulation member, a conductive member made of conductive material and established to face the insulation member with a with a predetermined gap therebetween, and a pair of electrodes established on the resistance film in a parallel fashion to produce voltage distribution. The pressure point detector produces an output voltage from the conductive member indicative of a location of the pressure applied to the insulation member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Korg, Inc.
    Inventors: Fumio Mieda, Haruhiko Motohashi
  • Patent number: 7185550
    Abstract: A fluid sampling device is provided comprising an elongated housing having a longitudinal axis, a plurality of alternating sorbent units and spacer units disposed longitudinally through the housing and slidably movable therethrough along the longitudinal direction, and means for individually and sequentially exposing the sorbent units to a fluid. The adsorbed components can then be desorbed and analyzed to provide composition data of target compounds in a fluid, e.g., a gas, over a period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Henry A. Kues, Adam K. Arabian
  • Patent number: 7185551
    Abstract: An air-filled pipette for accurately metering small and large volumes of fluid samples is provided. The pipette has dual resolution capability such that the pipette can accurately aspirate a wide range of sample volumes and deliver them contact-free (touchless). The pipette may include an extension mandrel that reduces air space in a disposable tip within the pipette. The dual resolution capability and/or the extension mandrel also minimize errors associated with the compressibility of air. Multiple pipettes may also be arranged to form a pipetting module for the metering of multiple sample volumes simultaneously and automatically. The pipette includes a channel block having at least one cylindrical passage, that slides up and down over a rod, and a cylinder, with an axially extending passage therethrough, that is sized, shaped and aligned to fit into the cylindrical passage in a dynamic sealing relationship. A method for mixing multiple fluid samples within a pipette tip is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: H. Donald Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7185552
    Abstract: A device for the axial and rotational movement of a sample is disclosed comprising a mount member for mounting the sample, which is rotatable about and movable along an axis, characterised in that the mount member has a helical screw thread which produces the movement along said axis simultaneously with the rotation. A sample may be scanned or machined whilst being axially and rotationally moved. The screw thread may be disengageable perphaps by relative movement of co-operating screw threads into and out of engagement with each other by a lever to allow movement of the mount member along the axis without rotation when desired. The screw thread on one of the members may be formed from a piece or layer of a deformable material, which deforms to form a mating screw thread upon being brought into engagement with the screw thread on the other member. Also desclosed is a method of scanning a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Renishaw PLC
    Inventors: Peter John Wells, Duncan Searle, David Roberts McMurtry
  • Patent number: 7185553
    Abstract: A screw feed apparatus has a screw shaft having a screw groove formed on the outer peripheral surface thereof; a nut having a screw groove formed on the inner peripheral surface thereof opposed to the outer peripheral surface of the screw shaft; a large number of rolling elements rollably interposed between the two screw grooves of the screw shaft and nut; a circulation path disposed in the nut for returning the rolling elements to their original positions; and, a deflector piece disposed in the nut for connecting the circulation path to a rolling path formed between the two screw grooves, wherein the deflector piece includes a plurality of divisional pieces respectively formed rolling element guide grooves cooperating together in forming a rolling element guide path for guiding the rolling elements to the circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: NSK, Ltd.
    Inventor: Eiji Hayashi
  • Patent number: 7185554
    Abstract: In a shifting device (2) for a multi-step transmission, several shift couplings are arranged one behind another, each with a shifting sleeve, can alternately be engaged in each case, via a shift rocker arm (4, 6, 8, 10), in that first form enclosed elements (30, 32, 34, 36) are arranged on a swivelling and axially movable selector and gearshift shaft (24) in such manner that at predetermined swivel angles of the selector and gearshift shaft (24) in each case only one first form enclosed element (30, 32, 34, 36) cooperates with one second form enclosing element (38, 40, 42, 44) which is arranged on a shift rocker arm (4, 6, 8, 10), and in that via an axial displacement of the selector and gearshift shaft (24), the appropriate shift rocker arm (4) is actuated while during its actuation, the other shift rocker arms (6, 8, 10) are locked in their neutral position by a locking device, the locking device comprises a locking sleeve (66, 74, 82, 86) which is provided on the selector and gearshift shaft (24) for respe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: ZF Friedrichshafen AG
    Inventor: Ludger Ronge
  • Patent number: 7185555
    Abstract: A footswitch having an adjustable treadle and a pivotable heel cup slidable retained on the treadle so as to adjustably increase or decrease a length of the treadle, the heel cup being pivotable and being prevented from sliding by a plurality of locking pins mounted on the heel cup, the locking pins fitting within locking holes in the treadle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert H. Peterson, David Thoe, Jiansheng Zhou, Dac Vu
  • Patent number: 7185556
    Abstract: A tie rod jam nut includes a tubular body having an axial bore for receiving a tie rod. A locking portion at a first end of the body can engage the tie rod and a threaded portion of a connecting component attached to the tie rod to lock the connecting component to the tie rod as the locking portion is rotated in one direction and disengage the tie rod to unlock the connecting component when rotated in an opposite direction. An engagement portion is spaced distally from the locking portion toward a second end of the tubular body. The engagement portion can be rotated to remotely rotate the locking portion between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: James C. Beattie
  • Patent number: 7185557
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism and method for enhancing the performance of both two stroke and four stroke cycle reciprocating piston internal combustion engines, reciprocating piston pumps and compressors by generating an Epitrochoidal path of travel for the lower end of the connecting rod. The piston, attached to the upper end of the connecting rod, will be made to dwell at the lower part of its travel, enhancing the output of the engine, pump or compressor through better utilization of the available cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Venettozzi
  • Patent number: 7185558
    Abstract: A variable gear ratio device featuring geared segments with variable gear ratio adapted for inclusion into mechanical machines, motors and pumps where there is a constant requirement for a variable transfer ratio for the variability and optimization of the load of torque that are formed by a driving shaft and driven shaft. The device features a plurality of engaged gears capable of eccentric rotation where the axis of rotation of the driven shaft is moved outside of the center axis of the driving eccentric geared segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Peter Murin
  • Patent number: 7185559
    Abstract: A gearbox mechanism is provided for a twin screw extruder having two screw shafts disposed at an angle to one another. The gear mechanism has a multi-stage reduction gearbox, and a distribution gearbox having two output lines connectable to the screw shafts. A first output line comprises a through output shaft. An angularly movable coupling, which is fixed against rotation, is disposed in a second output line placed at the angle of the screw shafts, relative to the first output line, via the coupling. A drive gear of the reduction gearbox is disposed between, and is in engagement with, a gear on the output shaft and a gear on a partial shaft of the second output line. A reduction gearbox and distribution gearbox are disposed, without spatial separation, in a common interior space of a multi-part gearbox housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: A. Friedr. Flender Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Franz Schmeink, Helmut Thewes
  • Patent number: 7185560
    Abstract: The invention provides a novel, easy to use, hand-operated apparatus for effortlessly loosening the threaded lid of ajar or bottle having a screw-on lid and readily accommodates jars or bottles of different sizes. One form of the invention includes a base having a jar supporting surface, a generally vertically extending guide column connected to the base and a carriage assembly connected to the guide for movement relative to the guide between a first raised position and a second lowered position. Novel features of the invention include the provision of a helical drive screw which drives a jar lid engaging assembly and a novel safety clutch mechanism which prevents the exertion of excessive force on the jar being opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Michael P. Flanagan
  • Patent number: 7185561
    Abstract: A cutout fuse tube mounting tool includes a pole that has an upper end. A plate has a first lateral edge and a second lateral edge. Each of a pair of arms is attached to and extends away from one of the first and second lateral edges. Each of a pair of discs has an inner side and an outer side. The inner sides are each attached to an end of one of the arms. Each of the discs has a diameter smaller than an inner diameter of a loop attached to a cutout fuse tube. A coupler is configured to secure the plate to the upper end of the pole so that the top edge of the plate is directed away from the upper end. Each of the arms may be engaged with one of a pair of cutout fuse tubes by engaging an associated cutout fuse loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Rick H. Eastman
  • Patent number: 7185562
    Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a driver may include an electric motor coupled to a bit interface. The bit interface may include a generally cylindrical body having first and second hollow portions. The first hollow portion may be on one end of the generally cylindrical body and may define a generally cylindrical hole. The second hollow portion may abut the first hollow portion and define an oblong channel. The oblong channel may be further defined by first and second parallel flat walls. The cylindrical body may also include a first transverse groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: OsteoMed L.P.
    Inventors: Aaron T. Raines, Jr., Shaher A. Ahmad
  • Patent number: 7185563
    Abstract: A fastener impact driver device includes a fastener engagement member having a plurality of projections disposed about a lower portion that engages a corresponding peripheral portion of a fastener. The device further includes a positioning member having an upper portion that ultimately receives a force thereupon, and a lower portion that engages a cooperating upper portion of the fastener engagement member whereby a force such a hammer strike is imparted upon the upper portion of the positioning member to drive the projections of the fastener engagement member into the head of the fastener without damage of the fastener engagement member, whereupon the positioning member is removed from the fastener engagement member and a hand tool is removably secured to the fastener engagement member to impart rotary motion to the member and the fastener thereby removing the fastener from or urging the fastener into a workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Combined Products Co. #1, Inc.
    Inventors: Ira M. Kozak, Burton Kozak
  • Patent number: 7185564
    Abstract: A ratchet pipe wrench a C-shaped head including two jaws and a ratchet mechanism is received in the head so as to engage with a C-shaped engaging member rotatably engaged with the space between the two jaws of the head. A C-shaped positioning ring is securely engaged with a groove defined in an inside of the two jaws of the head so that only the engaging member is rotatable relative to the head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsien
  • Patent number: 7185565
    Abstract: A screwdriver having a ratchet mechanism includes a tool sleeve, a handle, a first detent, a first elastic element, a second detent, a second elastic element, and a switch assembly. The tool sleeve is provided with a ratchet head formed with ratchet teeth. The handle has a hollow chamber to accommodate the tool sleeve and a ratchet base therein. The ratchet base is to accommodate the ratchet head with the ratchet teeth, the detents and the elastic elements. Each of the detents engages with the ratchet teeth of the ratchet head. The switch assembly is pivotally connected to the handle and comprises a first stud and a second stud to engage with the first detent and the second detent, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Cheng-Tsan Hu
  • Patent number: 7185566
    Abstract: A ratcheting tool includes a body and a gear disposed in the body. The gear defines a plurality of teeth on a circumference of the gear so that the gear teeth define a first arc having a first radius. A pawl is disposed in the body so that the pawl is movable laterally with respect to the gear between a first position, in which the pawl is disposed between the body and the gear so that the body transmits torque through the pawl in a first rotational direction, and a second position, in which the pawl is disposed between the body and the gear so that the body transmits torque through the pawl in an opposite rotational direction. The pawl defines a plurality of teeth facing the gear, and the pawl teeth define a second arc having a second radius larger than the first radius.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Arnold, Richard P. Folkenroth
  • Patent number: 7185567
    Abstract: A tool and a method for installing a sprinkler head in a threaded fitting of a fire suppression system is disclosed. The sprinkler head is protected by a cover. The tool is formed from an elongated body having a cavity that is sized to receive the cover. One end of the body interfaces with a wrench, the other end has one or more axially extending slots sized to receive the fingers of a torque plate affixed to the sprinkler head. The sprinkler head has a threaded nipple that engages the threaded fitting. The nipple is engaged with the fitting and torque is applied to it by engaging the slots of the tool with the fingers and turning the tool with the wrench. The tool has an external index allowing the sprinkler head to be angularly oriented to direct its discharge stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Victaulic Company
    Inventor: Stephen R. Ide
  • Patent number: 7185568
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided that allows the use of a standard ratchet wrench with a square male drive on one end that attaches to a normal socket and a square female drive on the other end which attaches to a normal socket wrench. The apparatus then provides a wrench slider component to provide increased length to reach.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Frank Vance
  • Patent number: 7185569
    Abstract: A folding multipurpose hand tool including a pivoted latch that engages side walls of a handle and a base of a folding tool member to hold the folding tool member in a selection position. A separate safety interlock latch keeps a folding blade stowed in a handle when another tool is moved from a first position with respect to the handle. A tool bit holder securely holds and drives reduced thickness tool bits that can also be engaged in and driven by conventional sockets having a regular hexagonal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Leatherman Tool Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Knight, Benjamin C. Rivera
  • Patent number: 7185570
    Abstract: A spanner with an enhancing device for positioning electronic devices installed therein; a spanner having a holding portion; at least one end of the holding portion having a driving portion; each of the connection of the driving portion and the holding portion having a strain gauge; a receiving space before formed in the holding portion; an enhancing rib being installed in the receiving space; each of an upper side and lower side of the receiving space of the holding portion having an electric device; the two electric devices being placed at two sides of the enhancing rib; the electric devices being connected to the respective strain gauges for measuring changes of resistances of the of the strain gauges as forces are applied to the strain gauges so as to calculate the twisting forces and display the values of the twisting forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7185571
    Abstract: An omnidirectional twisting tool comprises a handle; the handle being a hollow tube body; one end of the handle being opened; a strain gauge installed at a lower portion of the handle; the strain gauge including an integrating element and a connecting unit for connecting the integrating element and the driving portion; a driving head at a front end of the spanner body; a rotary unit at another end of the driving head; an annular groove being formed at a lateral wall of the rotary unit; the rotary unit being pivotally installed at one end of the handle so that the driving head can rotate through 360 degrees around an axis of the handle; a connecting rod extending from a lower end of the rotary unit; the connecting rod being received within the handle; and the connecting rod being connected to the connecting unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7185572
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to produce a rounding off on a diesel piston comprising a combustion recess and valve recesses that lie at a slant in relation to the piston floor. The rounding off should not significantly increase particle emissions. To this end, the edge of the recess is rounded off in the area of the valve recesses in a special machining phase, the cutting edges of the cutting tool being guided in one or more planes that are parallel to the inclined valve recess surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Mahle GmbH
    Inventor: Albrecht Mayer
  • Patent number: 7185573
    Abstract: A wheel chuck assembly includes a support plate having at least one aperture formed therethrough. The support plate is adapted to be mounted upon a lathe spindle. An air conveying device is mounted adjacent to the support plate and is operable to induce an air flow through the support plate aperture such that metal chips are drawn through the support plate aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey L. Gatton
  • Patent number: 7185574
    Abstract: A device for separating disc-shaped bodies from an original body includes a separating device, a feeding device, an optical recognition device for determining the front face contour of the original body and lamps for illuminating the surroundings of the cutting surface. The recognition device detects the front face using the contrast between the surroundings of the front face and the original body in relation to the determined front face. The lamps are mounted in a tunnel and arranged in a planar manner along the longitudinal direction of the original body. The method includes the steps of guiding the source body in a tunnel, mounting a plurality of lamps in a planar fashion along the longitudinal direction of the source body in the tunnel, and illuminating the source body and the environment of the face of the source body with the plurality of lamps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ullrich Thiedig, Holger Wente, Bernd Köster
  • Patent number: 7185575
    Abstract: A system for remote tracking of a tactical missile assembly orientation during targeting and leading to launch from a platform, including a weapon station frame rotatably attached to the platform and a command launch unit attached to the weapon station frame. A launch tube assembly is pivotably attached thereon, including a launch tube in which a tactical missile is positioned prior to launch. The launch tube is replaceable with a like-configured launch tube and tactical missile. A launch tube position recognition unit is disposed proximal of the launch tube and adjacent of the weapon station frame. The position recognition unit includes a tracking and encoder device enclosed by a protective encoder member rotatably attachable between the launch tube and weapon station frame. The tracking and encoder device identifies launch tube positions and remotely relays position coordinates to the command launch unit during targeting of the missile leading to missile launch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Ronald F. Collier, John T. Dillon
  • Patent number: 7185576
    Abstract: A servo-steering valve for a hydraulic servo-steering arrangement has an input shaft, an output shaft, a torsion rod which biases the input shaft and the output shaft relative to each other into a central position, and a valve which consists of a valve sleeve and a valve shaft which with a rotation of the input shaft relative to the output shaft are rotated relative to each other. An adjustment drive is provided, which can rotate one component of the servo-steering valve with respect to another, so that a superimposition value is superimposed on an input value which is given through the actuation of the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventor: Heinz-Dieter Heitzer
  • Patent number: 7185577
    Abstract: The present invention provides a tandem pump unit that includes: a first hydraulic pump and a second hydraulic pump respectively having a first pump shaft and a second pump shaft respectively having adjacent ends connected together so that the first and second pump shafts are coaxially aligned and non-rotatably connected in tandem; a common housing for accommodating the first hydraulic pump and the second hydraulic pump; and a first center section and a second center section that respectively support the first and second hydraulic pumps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Ryota Ohashi, Hironori Sumomozawa
  • Patent number: 7185578
    Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a housing, at least two pistons mounted to the housing to rotate relative to the housing, and a transition arm coupled to each of the pistons to rotate therewith. The transition arm is set at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of the pump. An adjustment mechanism sets the transition arm at the predetermined angle. A cylinder is mounted within the housing to rotate relative to the housing and defines pump cavities for receiving the pistons. A face valve defines inlet and outlet channels in fluid communication with the pump cavities. An apparatus for varying the output volume of a piston assembly includes at least two pistons, a transition arm coupled to each of the at least two pistons, and a rotatable member. The transition arm includes a nose pin, and the rotatable member is coupled to the transition arm nose pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: R. Sanderson Management
    Inventor: Robert A. Sanderson
  • Patent number: 7185579
    Abstract: A hydraulic motor having radial pistons, and comprising a cam, a cylinder block and a distributor. The cylinders of the cylinder block are connected to communication orifices (32A) situated in a communication face of the cylinder block, while the distributor has a distribution face in which distribution orifices (21A, 23A) are provided that are suitable for communicating with the communication orifices for rotating the motor. The cam is provided with a plurality of lobes (50, 50?), each of which has two ramps (51, 52), each ramp corresponding to a distribution orifice (21A, 23A). The edge of each of at least certain communication orifices (32A) has at least one notch (54A, 54B) suitable for establishing a small section of communication with a distribution orifice. The invention applies in particular to hydraulic motors having radial pistons for which the ratio between the number of cylinders and the number of cam lobes is in the vicinity of 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Poclain Hydraulics Industrie
    Inventors: Bernard Allart, Louis Bigo
  • Patent number: 7185580
    Abstract: A fluid power contractile drive comprising a contractile hose (2), which on fluid actuation of an actuation space (7) delimited by it undergoes longitudinal contraction and which at its two terminal regions (5 and 6) is adapted to be, or is, provided with a force output means (8) rendering possible output of the drive force produced. At one terminal region (5 and 6) at least the contractile hose (2) possesses a flat configuration and is bent over, the hose sections (18 and 19) of the hose sections being placed adjacent to each other owing to such bending over being connected firmly with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Festo AG & Co.
    Inventors: Stefan Schwarz, Bernd Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7185581
    Abstract: A fluid actuator having a honed metallic sleeved inner liner assembled with fitted end caps. The inner liner and end caps are wound with carbon reinforced fiber filaments in both longitudinal and hoop orientations so as to withstand increased fluid pressure over traditional metallic designs. The fluid actuator of the present invention is lightweight and had an extremely stiff piston and rod assembly, which may also be fabricated from high flexural modulus composite materials so as to allow for a very stiff, lightweight, hydraulic cylinder which is particularly resistant to column buckling at long extensions and comprises an economical, non-rebuildable design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: S.A. Robotics
    Inventor: Samuel A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7185582
    Abstract: An oilless reciprocating fluid machine has a piston mounted to a connecting rod by inserting a piston pin in a pin bore of a cylinder. The piston is reciprocally moved up and down in the cylinder with reciprocating of the connecting rod. A reinforcement plate is embedded in the top wall of the piston or attached on the lower surface of the top wall to increase strength of the piston. The reinforcement plate may be formed in various shapes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Anest Iwata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Inoue, Toshio Iida
  • Patent number: 7185583
    Abstract: Fruit items are positioned between vertical pins located in the calyx and stem hole of said fruit item, thereby securing the fruit item by a compressive force through its core. A core tube surrounding the upper pin descends to meet the lower pin, thereby completely piercing the fruit item and isolating its core inside the tube. A cushioned ram pushes the edible portion of the fruit item down over the core tube, through a cassette of radial knives, creating a plurality of wedges that fall immediately into an enzyme bath. The bath seals freshness into the fruit item's cell structure by preventing contact with oxygen. The solid core is ejected and the edible outside portion of the fruit item is not touched or bruised by mechanical handling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Apples-to-Go, Inc.
    Inventors: John Scott Berglin, Kevin Alan Cyrus
  • Patent number: 7185584
    Abstract: A lightweight, portable lateral heat press machine that allows an operator to quickly and economically transfer graphic characters or images using an ink transfer paper process or a sublimation process, or vinyl onto the surface of a garment or an object. The device includes a vertical aligned sliding arm assembly perpendicularly aligned to a horizontally aligned chassis assembly. Attached to the chassis assembly is at least one workstation assembly and a console. The workstation assembly includes a pedestal with an exchangeable, horizontally aligned lower platen that may be selectively rotated and locked in portrait or landscape orientation and a height and pressure adjustment feature. The sliding arm assembly extends upward and forward and includes a heated, upper platen attached to a manually operated plunger. The console contains the controls for operating the heating element inside the upper platen and a timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventors: Daniel L. Woods, Linda M. Woods
  • Patent number: 7185585
    Abstract: An apparatus for crushing containers includes a die defining an opening, a punch, and a system for displacing the die and punch relative to each other. The punch may be fixed and the die may be moved from a first position spaced apart from the punch such that a container to be crushed can be placed between the punch and die and a second position in which the punch extends into the die opening to define an annular gap between the punch and die opening. The arrangement is such that a container crushed between the die and punch as a result of displacement of the die to the second position is at least in part forced into and deformed within the annular gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Francis Henry Lee
    Inventor: David Aubrey Plumptre
  • Patent number: 7185586
    Abstract: A select lever and a permanent magnet of a type selection mechanism of a type-printer are arranged with a gap between the magnet and the distal end of the lower part of the lever. The select lever is located untouched in a stable position that is settled by the respective magnetic polarities of the permanent magnet and the distal end of the lower part of the lever imparted by a magnetization coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsutoshi Mukaijima, Hiroyuki Tsugaru, Masao Kunita
  • Patent number: 7185587
    Abstract: To control the cutting register of a web in a web-fed rotary press and to control the tension in a web section, in a manner decoupled from each another, at least one partial cutting register error is controlled at least one web tension is controlled. The press has controlled driven clamping points 0 to n, wherein j+q manipulated variables are used to influence j partial cutting register errors and q web tensions. Circumferential speeds and/or angular positions of clamping points are used as manipulated variables and the partial register error and the web tension in each case are located in the same or in different web sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Günther Brandenburg, Stefan Geissenberger, Andreas Klemm
  • Patent number: 7185588
    Abstract: An inflator device including a housing defining a storage chamber and a supply of gas generant material disposed within the storage chamber. The inflator device includes an initiator assembly having an initiator in actuating communication with the supply of gas generant material. A moisture barrier member is disposed between the initiator assembly and the supply of gas generant material. The moisture barrier member acts to prevent moisture transmission from the initiator assembly to the supply of gas generant material. Upon actuation of the initiator, however, the moisture barrier member ruptures to permit reaction initiating communication between the initiator and at least a portion of the supply of gas generant material contained within the inflator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Marcus Clark, Bradley W. Smith, Alan R. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7185589
    Abstract: A multi-program trolley and track switch system is provided for a movable wall system having multiple panels supported and movable along multiple paths defined by multiple track sections. Switch assemblies automatically direct each wall panel to a predetermined wall forming location based on the arrangement of guide plates in the each switch assembly and the configuration of a diverter element associated with each trolley. Each switch assembly includes an array of vertically oriented guide plates offset at different lateral distances from the track path. Each trolley includes a side diverter element that is positioned a predetermined lateral distance from the trolley centerline to engage a pre-selected switch guide plate. In one embodiment, lead trolleys have only a side diverter element while trailing trolleys have both a side diverter element and a center diverter element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: N. Douglas Owens
  • Patent number: 7185590
    Abstract: A six-degree-of-freedom magnetic levitation positioning system includes a levitated platform, six impelling coils disposed adjacent to the platform, and six permanent magnets attached to the platform such that each of the permanent magnets is adjacent to and magnetically aligned with a respective one of the impelling coils, whereby there are six magnet-coil sets. Among the six sets, three of the sets are maglev sets in which magnetic axes of the impelling coils are generally vertically aligned, and another three of the sets are horizontal impelling sets in which magnetic axes of the impelling coils are generallv horizontally aligned. The magnetic axes of the three horizontal impelling sets are all mutually non-parallel, so that elevation and tiltings of the platform can be actuated by adjusting the currents in coils of the three maglev sets, and translations and rotations about a vertical axis of the platform can be actuated by adjusting the currents in coils of the three horizontal impelling sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Li Chen Fu, Mei Yung Chen, Tzuo Bo Lin
  • Patent number: 7185591
    Abstract: A system and method for retrofitting a propulsion circuit of an existing Off Highway Vehicle to enable the propulsion circuit to operate as a hybrid energy Off Highway Vehicle propulsion circuit. The hybrid propulsion circuit includes a primary power source, and a traction motor for propelling an Off Highway Vehicle in response to the primary electric power. The traction motor has a motoring mode of operation and a power dissipation mode of operation. The traction motor generates dynamic braking electrical power in the power dissipation mode of operation. An electrical energy storage system includes a chopper circuit coupled to an energy storage device. The storage device is responsive to the chopper circuit to selectively store electrical energy generated in the power dissipation mode. The storage system selectively provides secondary electric power from the storage device to traction motor to assist in propelling the Off Highway Vehicle during the motoring mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ajith Kuttannair Kumar, Henry Todd Young
  • Patent number: 7185592
    Abstract: A secondary suspension for a rail vehicle includes a superstructure, a bogie and a steel spring arranged between the superstructure and the bogie. The steel spring ensures at least one raised traveling level for the superstructure when the rail vehicle is traveling. Further included is a tension cylinder. When the rail vehicle is stopped, the steel spring is compressed by the tension cylinder to adjust the superstructure to a lowered station platform level below the at least one traveling level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Knorr-Bremse Systeme fur Schienenfahrzeuge GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Hommen, Henry Kirsch, Martin Lehmair, Reinhard Loebner, Martin Waldstein, Ralf Oberthür
  • Patent number: 7185594
    Abstract: A combustion air system for a recovery boiler is described in which multiple levels of secondary and tertiary combustion air ports each have an even number of ports, with the ports on opposing walls interlaced. The air system lends itself equally well to front/rear wall or sidewall applications and is especially beneficial for rectangular boilers. The air system features large and small-scale horizontal circulation zones superimposed on each other and the ability to adjust the angle of the air jets. Additional features include port dampers for the starting burners and system control based on kinetic energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Clyde Bergemann, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel R. Higgins, Eugene Sullivan
  • Patent number: 7185595
    Abstract: Combustion of petroleum coke using air to carry the fuel into a combustion zone and to provide a source of oxidant. Enhanced combution utilizes oxygen introduced into or proximate primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary, or over-fire air to effect primary combustion of the fuel. Petroleum coke fuel in an oxygen supported air-petroleum coke combustion process can be used to re-power a utility boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignees: Air Products & Chemicals, Inc., Foster Wheeler Energy Corp.
    Inventors: Mark D. D'Agostini, William R. Welliver, Kevin B. Fogash, Craig Cain-Borgman, Alex Kravets, Stefan Laux