Patents Issued in August 7, 2007
  • Patent number: 7251954
    Abstract: A modular refrigeration unit has a condenser assembly, an evaporator assembly, and a bulkhead assembly positioned between the condenser assembly and the evaporator assembly. The refrigeration cabinet includes a condenser chamber adapted for receiving the condenser assembly. The condenser chamber has an insulated wall portion with a mating surface thereon. The refrigeration cabinet also has an insulated main chamber, in which air is cooled by the evaporator assembly. The bulkhead assembly is engageable with the mating surface to form a substantially air-tight seal between the condenser chamber and the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Habco Beverage Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Bryan Fee, Russell Sherlock, Larlkyn Lee, Marinko Tepic, Scott Brown
  • Patent number: 7251955
    Abstract: A solid sorption heat pump is provided that includes an adsorber/desorber unit including a heat exchanger and a solid sorption material. The adsorber/desorber unit is placed in a common housing, which is sealed against the outside atmosphere, together with a condenser/evaporator unit, and the adsorber/desorber unit and the condenser/evaporator unit are separated from one another by an adsorbant-permeable element. The adsorber/desorber unit includes a thermoconductive absorbent holding body, which is connected in a thermoconductive manner to the heat exchanger. The absorbant holding body holds the sorption material, and provides stability to the adsorber/desorber unit. The interior of the common housing is subjected to the action of a negative pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sortech, AG
    Inventor: Hans-Martin Henning
  • Patent number: 7251956
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for efficiently and economically designing, constructing, or operating a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process for the liquefaction of selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas. The method includes a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction launch train to liquefy an initial amount of light hydrocarbon gas and one or more optional subsequent modular expansion phases to said light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction train to liquefy additional selected quantities of light hydrocarbon gas up to a selected maximum quantity of light hydrocarbon gas for the process. The methods employ shared use facilities, such as light hydrocarbon feed gas pretreatment facilities, refrigerant compression facilities, cryogenic heat exchange facilities, access services, other liquefaction equipment, and liquefied product storage and shipping facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BP Corporation North America Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey H. Sawchuk, Richard Jones, Jr., Patrick B. Ward
  • Patent number: 7251957
    Abstract: A musical jewelry apparatus is disclosed. The musical jewelry apparatus comprises a front member, a rear member, a hinge member, a musical and a power source. The hinge member is partially disposed on a portion of the front member and a portion of the rear member; and is adapted to hingedly connect the front member and the rear member. The musical member, which is powered by the power source, is disposed in either the front member or the rear member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Gary B. Solomon
  • Patent number: 7251958
    Abstract: A method for transporting a fixed glazing to be equipped with a coating, particularly a curved glazing, through a coating plant. The glazing is transported by a transport device through the plant such that one of its main sides is covered with protection against the coating substance that is to be deposited. The side of the glazing that is to be protected when the coating is being deposited is kept in contact with a flexible fabric attached to the transport device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Dirk Koopman, Richard Crumbach, Franz Kraemling, Michael Houlena
  • Patent number: 7251959
    Abstract: A neutralization system for controlling the pH of the washwater used to clean and maintain polyacrylic bound glass forming equipment. The neutralization system introduces a base solution to a washwater solution when the pH of the washwater solution contained in a closed loop washwater recovery system falls below about 8.5, thereby substantially reducing the corrosion rate of the components of the equipment associated with acidic polyacrylic acid binder, maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder and washwater solution. A closed-loop hoodwall washwater recovery system may also be introduced in addition to the neutralization system that allows for the recovery and reuse of polyacrylic acid binder and maleic acid cobinder or maleic anhydride cobinder with a minimal amount of base solution, thereby minimizing degradation of insulation properties of polyacylic acid bound glass fiber products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Owens-Corning Fiberglas Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Harry B. Cline, William E. Downey, Liang Chen, Kathleen M. Bullock, Kevin S. Guigley, Yadollah Delaviz, William R. Cooper, Bobby R. Gibson, Michael P. Lewis, Michael V. Mager
  • Patent number: 7251960
    Abstract: A crochet galloon machine for warp knitting comprises a front grooved bar (4), a plurality of needles (5) disposed consecutively in side by side relationship along the front grooved bar (4) and movable with a reciprocating motion along a first direction (A), a plurality of eye-pointed needles (8) disposed in front of the needles (5), a plurality of threading tubes (10) disposed above the needles (5). An assembly of interacting levers imparts movement both to the needles 5 and the front grooved bar 4 and is adapted to give the latter an alternated motion component along a second direction (B) substantially parallel to the first motion direction (A), so as to accompany movement of the needles (5) in their longitudinal reciprocating motion and avoid very long needles (5), subject to bending vibrations, to be adopted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Luigi Omodeo Zorini, Marco Carnevale Miino
  • Patent number: 7251961
    Abstract: A magnetic lid closure sensor uses a magnet sensor element mounted within the washing machine housing below the closed lid. Flux directors conduct flux from a magnet in the lid to the magnet sensor. A lock mechanism employs a hook engaging an aperture in the lid so that opening of the lid does not impart a torque to the hook such as would disengage it, allowing the hook to be activated and deactivated with a simple bi-directional solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ark-Les Corporation
    Inventors: Kenyon A. Hapke, Michael Osvatic
  • Patent number: 7251962
    Abstract: A washing machine with a vibration-absorbing structure for preventing the transfer of the vibration of the driving part is disclosed. The washing machine includes a rotor housing 50 in which a rotor is installed and which is rotatably moved, a driving shaft 20, 31, 33 for rotating a washing tub or a pulsator using a rotational force transferred from the rotor housing, a power transferring member 120 for transferring the rotational force of the rotor housing to the driving shaft, a rotor bushing 110 coupled to the rotor housing and through which the driving shaft penetrates to be slidingly moved, and at least one vibration-absorbing member 140, 150 installed on a path where a power is transferred from the rotor housing to the driving shaft, for absorbing vibration of the rotor housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Seung Chul Park, Dong Won Kim, Bo Young Chang
  • Patent number: 7251963
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine employs a gasket water draining hose to enable used water to be discharged via the drainpipe, immediately following a washing or rinsing step. The drum-type washing machine includes a cabinet having a door; a tub for containing water, the tub having an entrance corresponding to the door of the cabinet; a gasket, connecting the door of the cabinet to the entrance of the tub, to prevent water contained in the tub from leaking outside the tub, the gasket having a first orifice provided at a bottom point thereof; a drainpipe, communicating with the tub, to discharge water contained in the tub, the drainpipe having a second orifice provided at one side thereof; and a water draining hose, communicating the first orifice with the second orifice, to discharge water via the drainpipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc
    Inventors: Kwang Soo Kim, Jae Moon Kim, Sam Je Park, Hyun Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 7251964
    Abstract: A double locking handcuff includes an interior spring laterally moveable between single- and double-lock positions. A finger-operated, pivoting cam is disposed within a slot extending through the cuff frame, and has a wide upper end accessible from the top of the cuff and a narrow, leg-like lower end positioned for movement against the spring. For double locking the handcuff, the cam upper end is moved downwards by hand. This causes the cam leg to press against and laterally shift the spring to its double-lock position. Because the cam is movable by hand and without the need for the handcuff key or for finding a double lock slot or pinhole, the double lock mechanism can be easily and quickly actuated. Also, when the handcuff is double locked the cam can be freely pivoted back and forth, providing direct tactile feedback that the handcuff is double locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Smith & Wesson Corp.
    Inventor: Terrence L. Wade
  • Patent number: 7251965
    Abstract: A hanging lock structure including a lock body and a lock hook. The lock body is formed with two lock holes. A numeral unlocking unit is disposed in the lock body corresponding to one of the lock holes. Each lock hole is composed of a larger insertion hole and a narrower slot communicating with the insertion hole. Two stop blocks are disposed in the lock body respectively corresponding to the lock holes. The lock hook has two free ends which are movable relative to each other. Each free end has an insertion head. The insertion heads of the free ends of the lock hook can be respectively inserted in the lock holes and controlled by the two unlocking units. When the stop blocks are such positioned as to block the insertion holes, the insertion heads are restricted within the slots to achieve a locking effect. Any of the numeral unlocking unit and the key-unlocking unit can drive any of the stop blocks to unblock any insertion hole so as to release any free end of the lock hook.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Chun-Te Yu
  • Patent number: 7251966
    Abstract: A security device a plurality of cables which are securable about an item of merchandise with a locking member and a cable-tightening mechanism each connected to the cables in a spaced apart manner. The locking member includes a key portion for unlocking the tightening mechanism when the cable is removed from the item. The tightening mechanism includes a spool and a ratchet mechanism. Alternate embodiments for locking and unlocking the ratchet mechanism are disclosed. The tightening mechanism carries sense loops which if compromised actuate an onboard audible alarm. The cables are part of one or more of the sense loops. The device is configured to sound a security gate alarm upon passing through the gate and upon simply reaching a certain distance from the gate. The tightening mechanism includes a housing having a flip-up handle for tightening the ratchet mechanism to tighten the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Alpha Security Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Ronald M. Marsilio
  • Patent number: 7251967
    Abstract: A padlock includes a base shell, a cover shell pivoted to and openably covered on the base shell to define with the base shell a storage chamber therebetween, a shackle movably mounted in the base shell, and two combination lock sets each having a latch engagable with the base shell for locking the cover shell to the base shell, a plurality of numbered wheels extending out of through holes of the cover shell, and a movable plate actuatable by the numbered wheels to move relative to the latch for engaging or disengaging the latch to further have the latch engage or disengage with the base shell so as to lock or unlock the cover shell to the base shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Yao-Kun Yang
  • Patent number: 7251968
    Abstract: A steering lock that is easy to assemble includes an ECU case having a first terminal. The first terminal has an end for directly contacting an input terminal of a motor. A component for connecting the first terminal of the ECU case and the input terminal of the motor is not necessary. The other end of the first terminal is directly connected to an electric circuit of a steering lock ECU. This eliminates the need for an additional component connecting the first terminal and the steering lock ECU.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventor: Hiroyasu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7251969
    Abstract: A control pedal disabling device includes a housing having a side opening or notch for receiving a pedal assembly component. The opening has a forward surface for bearing against the underside of a pedal assembly component. A rod is slidably mounted to the housing. The rod is movable across the opening to trap the pedal assembly component in the opening. The rod is also movable forwardly from the housing to bear against a vehicle floor, thereby preventing movement of the pedal assembly component toward the vehicle floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: David Simon
  • Patent number: 7251970
    Abstract: A cylinder housing arrangement, where the cylinder housing encloses a lock cylinder or the like, which comprises a number of locking elements to be arranged by a key, preferably tumbler discs to be turned by a key, which discs in their locked position prevent the turning of the lock cylinder relative to the cylinder housing. The cylinder housing comprises a body part and a separate cover part, which is arranged to be installed in the crosswise direction relative to the cylinder housing at the end of the body part on the inserting side of a key, so that it is locked to the body part in the axial direction of the cylinder housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Abloy Oy
    Inventor: Pekka Mielonen
  • Patent number: 7251971
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling or regulating the temperature of a metal strip in a cooling path of a hot rolling system. A desired temperature gradient is compared to an actual temperature gradient in order to determine adjusting signals for the cooling path. At least one target function is formed for actuators of the cooling strip, taking into account auxiliary conditions, and said target function is solved as a quadratic optimization problem for the purpose of model predictive regulation. The invention also relates to an overlapping regulation for the finishing train and the cooling path of the hot rolling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Johannes Reinschke, Klaus Weinzierl
  • Patent number: 7251972
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for reshaping a tube having an initial outside diameter, an initial wall thickness, and an initial length to form a tube have a reshaped outside diameter, a reshaped length, and a reshaped wall thickness, wherein at least one of the reshaped outside diameter, the reshaped length, and the reshaped wall thickness is different than a respective one of the initial outside diameter, the initial wall thickness, and the initial length. The method includes mounting the tube between two axially displaceable pressure rams with the ends of the tube against respective rams; applying an internal hydraulic pressure to the tube; applying an axial mechanical pressure to the tube via the rams; and simultaneously and uniformly cold-working the tube over its entire length by adjusting the internal hydraulic pressure and the axial mechanical pressure as a function of the reshaped outside diameter, the reshaped wall thickness, and the reshaped length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Wilhelm Schulz GmbH
    Inventor: Luca Schulz
  • Patent number: 7251973
    Abstract: A hydroforming apparatus for hydroforming a workpiece. The apparatus includes a die in which a die cavity is located, and an outer ring subassembly. The outer ring subassembly is movable relative to the die, and includes a ring and one or more first cam segments attached thereto. The outer ring subassembly also includes one or more second cam segments and one or more tapered wedges positioned between the first and second cam segments. The tapered wedge is movable between an extended position, in which the second cam segment is pushed to an open position in which the second cam segment is engageable with the outer surfaces when the subassembly is proximal to the die, and a retracted position, in which the second cam segment is moved to a closed position by a biasing means. The second cam segment includes a lower surface shaped to engage outer surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Mohamed T. Gharib
  • Patent number: 7251974
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a forming apparatus for deforming a hollow workpiece having at least one open end, wherein the workpiece is clamped down in a clamping device, a first forming tool is placed into contact with the outer surface of the workpiece, said workpiece and said tool are rotated about an axis of rotation relative to each other and said workpiece is deformed by means of said first tool. A second forming tool is placed into the cavity defined by the workpiece and into contact with the inner surface of the hollow workpiece, after which the workpiece is deformed by means of said second tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Johan Massee
  • Patent number: 7251975
    Abstract: A manufacturing tool (20) for forming a dynamic pressure groove (52) in an inner peripheral surface of a bearing sleeve (50) includes a tool shaft (21) for being rotated in a bore of the bearing sleeve while being moved in an axial direction thereof. Protrusions (25) are integrally and circumferentially arranged on an outer periphery of the tool shaft near a leading end (22) thereof. Machining tips (26) are integrally formed on outmost ends of the protrusions for machining the inner peripheral surface of the bearing sleeve to form the dynamic pressure groove therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Foxconn Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wun-Chang Shih, Huan-Chao Lin, Ching-Hsing Huang, Chien-Long Hong, Hsien-Sheng Pei
  • Patent number: 7251976
    Abstract: A tube bending apparatus adapted for the noncircular bending of a tube includes a modified bend die, a modified wiper die, a translatable and pivotable element and an actuator. The bend die presents a noncircular bending profile having a linearly or nonlinearly increasing radius of curvature. The wiper die is configured to accommodate the maximum radius presented by the profile, and the element and actuator present an inclined rack and pinion configuration. The bend die presents an involute of a circle having a radius equal to the product of the radius of the pinion and the sine of the angle of inclination, so that the bend die engages the tube at a fixed point in space during bending.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Field, Charles W. Wampler, II
  • Patent number: 7251977
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a machine for temper rolling a metal band including at least two temper rolling units E, E? each carrying an active cylinder (2) and a set (7, 70) of back-up members mounted rotatably on a transversal chassis (1), and means for displacement vertical of each temper rolling unit (E) between a resting position and a temper rolling position for which the active cylinder is applied to the band while bearing, on the opposite side, on its back-up members (7) whereas each active cylinder (2, 2?) may be brought into rotation around its axis, in its position away from the band, at an angular speed corresponding to the running speed of the band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Vai Metals Technologies SAS
    Inventor: André Mondiere
  • Patent number: 7251978
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve known roll stands (10) which are characterized by working rolls (1,2) of various diameters, in such a way that a strip is obtained which is largely free of tensions and undulations, has a desired strip profile superelevation, and can be used approximately universally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: SMS Demag AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Seidel, Wilfried Bald
  • Patent number: 7251979
    Abstract: A method of producing a forged part includes holding a material by a jig, upsetting the material, held by the jig, to a predetermined length by a pair of upsetting dies disposed on both ends of the material, while pressing the upsetting dies on the material, so as to produce large-diameter portions at the respective axial ends of the material. Next, a bending operation and a forging operation are made to the upset material, in that order. When forging, a direction, in which the material is forged, is set, so that a burr generated on the material by upsetting is included in a burr generated on the material by forging. Next, a finish-machining operation is made to the forged material to remove the burr left on the outer periphery of the material after forging. Thereafter, the finish-machined material is drilled to form bush-mounting holes in the large-diameter portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Nippon Light Metal Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideyori Sakuragi, Yoshihiro Konno, Hidenobu Kawai
  • Patent number: 7251980
    Abstract: A hydraulic operated tool includes a body (B), a pair of jaws (21) mounted with respect to the body so that at least one of the jaws is movable between an opened jaw position and a closed jaw position so as to engage workpiece (W) between the jaws. A ram assembly (2) is disposed in the body and is operatively associated with the jaws. Spring structure (1) causes the ram assembly to move thereby causing the jaws to initially engage the workpiece with a first force. A pump assembly (7) exerts fluid on the ram assembly to move the ram assembly further, causing the jaws to exert a second force, greater than the first force, on the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: LatchTool Group LLC
    Inventors: Bill Gallentine, Myron D. Tupper, Ovidiu Salagean
  • Patent number: 7251981
    Abstract: A degradation diagnosis method for simply performing degradation diagnosis of a gas sensor such as a hydrogen sensor. The hydrogen sensor has a reference detector member and common detector member, with each detector member respectively constituted of a detector element and temperature compensating element that form a pair. Power is normally supplied to the common detector member, which performs concentration detection of the hydrogen gas. When performing degradation diagnosis of this common detector member, concentration detection is performed simultaneously by each detector member for the gas of the prescribed hydrogen concentration by supplying power to both the common detector member and reference detector member and comparing the output value of the common detector member and the output value of the reference detector member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sasaki, Hiroyuki Abe, Tsuyoshi Eguchi, Yasushi Kojima, Takashi Saito, Akihiro Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7251982
    Abstract: There is provided apparatus for the measurement of particle mass concentration of an aerosol and which comprises at least one aerosol inlet and at least one electrostatic precipitator which directs an aerosol flow towards a mass sensor on which the particles are collected, the sensor being housed in a magazine including a plurality of other sensors, each of which may be substituted for the sensor, and a control. The control selectively connects one of the at least one aerosol inlet with one of the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Sensors, Inc.
    Inventor: David R. Booker
  • Patent number: 7251983
    Abstract: A pump housing that contains a pump that draws fuel from an underground storage tank containing fuel to deliver to fuel dispensers in a service station environment. The pump is coupled to a double-walled fuel pipe that carries the fuel from the pump to the fuel dispensers. The double-walled fuel piping contains an inner annular space that carries the fuel and an outer annular space that captures any leaked fuel from the inner annular space. The outer annular space is maintained through the fuel piping from the pump to the fuel dispensers so that the outer annular space can be pressurized by a pump to determine if a leak exists in the outer annular space or so that fuel leaked from the inner annular space can be captured by a leak containment chamber in the pump housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Gilbarco Inc.
    Inventor: Ray J. Hutchinson
  • Patent number: 7251984
    Abstract: A container including a mixture of refrigerant and leak detection dye medium is disclosed for adding to an air conditioning or refrigeration system. The container includes a storage container adapted to communicate with an air conditioning or refrigeration system for supplying material inside the container to the air conditioning or refrigeration system. A refrigerant is contained within the container, along with a leak detection dye medium. The dye medium including a dye adapted to fluoresce when exposed to incident radiation below about 500 nm. The dye medium having an initial state where at least a portion of the dye medium is in a non-liquid form separate from the refrigerant and includes a concentrated dye, and a second state where the dye is dispersed or mixed with the refrigerant. A method of forming the mixture within the container is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Spectronics Corporation
    Inventors: John Duerr, B. William Cooper
  • Patent number: 7251985
    Abstract: A measuring arrangement, including: a measuring transmitter with a sensor for registering a property of a medium and for issuing a primary signal dependent on the property; a transmitter housing, with at least one chamber and a first opening on the side facing the medium as well as a second opening, with a first contamination path section extending between the openings through the chamber; a first seal, which interrupts the first contamination path section; a circuit in the chamber, for processing the primary signal and producing an output signal, which is issued over a first signal path section through the second opening; a safety module, which includes: a module housing with at least one module chamber, having a first module opening on the side facing the transmitter and a second module opening, wherein a second contamination path section reaches from the first module opening at least as far as into the module chamber; at least a second seal, which interrupts the second contamination path section; and a sec
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Peter Renk, Gerold Klotz-Engmann, Michael Hügel
  • Patent number: 7251986
    Abstract: A sealed condition inspecting device comprising a support unit for supporting an element to be inspected for a sealed condition, a pair of electrodes in contact with the portion to be inspected of the element to be inspected and supported by the support unit, an electrical variable detecting unit for detecting an electrical variable in the portion to be inspected, and a sealed condition judging means for judging the acceptability of a sealed condition based on the electrical variable. In fact, since the acceptability of a sealed condition is judged based on an electrical variable in the portion, to be inspected, whether or not a defective sealed condition has occurred can be determined independently of the subjectivity of the operator, whereby a sealed condition can be inspected for a sealed condition without unpacking them, not only inspection work can be simplified but reliability in the quality of an element to be inspected can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Tetra Laval Holdings & Finance S.A.
    Inventor: Toshiro Ishida
  • Patent number: 7251987
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope is capable of radiating light on a sample without moving the sample from the scanning probe microscope and is capable of measuring the sample while controlling the conditions under which the sample is placed without changing the location of the sample. The scanning probe microscope includes a cantilever having a probe at a distal end thereof, a sample moving device for moving the sample, and a detection unit for detecting deflection of the cantilever using a laser beam. The detection unit is detachably mounted to the scanning probe microscope during measurement of the sample and is detachable from the microscope to enable radiation of the sample with light without changing the location of the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: SII NanoTechnology Inc.
    Inventors: Masafumi Watanabe, Kazunori Ando
  • Patent number: 7251988
    Abstract: A topography analyzing system (10) for analyzing a topographic microstructure is provided. The topography analyzing system includes a three-dimensionally adjustable platform (12), a loading platform (13), a microscopic viewing device (14), a topography measuring device (11), and a mirror (15). The adjustable platform is adapted for adjusting the spatial positions of itself and what is loaded thereon. The loading platform is disposed on the adjustable platform and is adapted for having a workpiece (17) to be evaluated loaded thereon. The topography measuring device is aside/adjacent the adjustable platform. The topography measuring device includes a probe extending to and overhanging the workpiece for detecting topography of the workpiece. The mirror is secured at an adjustable angle relative to the three-dimensional adjustable platform and is adapted for forming a mirror image of the probe and a selected measuring area of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chuan-De Huang
  • Patent number: 7251989
    Abstract: A method and a device are provided for diagnosing operation of an internal combustion engine having a compressor for compressing air supplied to the internal combustion engine, which method and device permit diagnosis of as many error patterns in the compressor operation as possible without the use of additional sensors. An actual pressure ratio across the compressor is measured for a compression diagnosis. The measured actual pressure ratio is compared with a predetermined reference value, and an error is detected as a function of the result of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Michael Baeuerle
  • Patent number: 7251990
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing misfire or partial combustion conditions in an internal combustion engine without using a phonic wheel discriminates the combustion conditions with soft-computing techniques directly exploiting a combustion pressure signal generated by a common pressure sensor installed in the cylinder. There exists an exploitably close correlation between the instantaneous values of the internal cylinder pressure and the occurrence of misfire or partial combustion conditions, and thus the cylinder pressure signal may be reliably used for diagnosing misfires or partial combustions in functioning conditions of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Ferdinando Taglialatela-Scafati, Nicola Cesario, Giovanni Di Lorenzo
  • Patent number: 7251991
    Abstract: A measurement technique determines the physical features of a tire such as a determination of the deformation a tire undergoes during use. The measurement technique utilizes a first belt, or first and second belts, in the tire reinforced with a plurality of metallic wires and involves the steps of providing a signal between a first and a second metallic wire associated with the first or first and second belts. The measurement technique determines a real part and an imaginary part of the impedance between the first and second metallic wires, which is proportional to the forces acting on the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S. R. L.
    Inventors: Maximilian Sergio, Nicolò Manaresi, Marco Tartagni, Roberto Guerrieri, Roberto Canegallo
  • Patent number: 7251992
    Abstract: A handheld tire pressure gauge including: a display; a pressure sensor; a memory; a processor being operatively coupled to the display, pressure sensor and memory; and, code being stored in the memory and operable by the processor to: retrieve at least one value indicative of a target tire pressure from the memory, determine a pressure sensed by the pressure sensor, and, cause the display to present information indicative of the target tire pressure and sensed pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventor: Steven Petrucelli
  • Patent number: 7251993
    Abstract: A tire information communication system mounted on a vehicle includes a tire-pressure detector mounted on a tire wheel for detecting a pressure of a tire and transmitting a result of detection, a tire monitor mounted on a vehicle body for obtaining information about tire pressure from the tire-pressure detector, a tire transmission circuit provided in the tire-pressure detector for applying AC voltage containing information about tire pressure between the tire wheel and an annular conductor of the tire so that a radio wave is radiated from the annular conductor, a vehicle ground isolation provided in the tire monitor so as to receive the radio wave from the annular conductor thereby to be capable of generating AC voltage between the vehicle ground and itself, and a body-side receiving circuit provided in the tire monitor and connected to the vehicle ground and the vehicle ground isolation respectively for obtaining the information about the tire pressure from the AC voltage generated between the vehicle groun
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Youichi Okubo, Shinichi Kawase, Yasuhisa Tsujita, Syuji Aoyama
  • Patent number: 7251994
    Abstract: A tire pressure indicating apparatus has a plurality of interconnected concentric cylindrical parts including, a base, a flexible diaphragm providing an annular U-shaped wall, a valve body, an indicator sleeve, a cover and a spring, the spring compressively engaged between the cover and the indicator sleeve, such that a pressure differential across the diaphragm acts in opposition to the spring to move the indicator sleeve axially so as to display a colored surface of the sleeve through a window in the cover, or an alternate color uncovered by sleeve movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Inventors: Brandon Maldonado, William D. Rattan
  • Patent number: 7251995
    Abstract: Two heat generating resistors are formed on a substrate in the upstream side with respect to an air flow direction and two other heat generating resistors are formed in the downstream side. A thermometer resistor for detecting a temperature in the intake manifold is formed on the substrate. A bridge circuit is formed of the heat generating resistors. A temperature of the four heat generating resistors is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature by balancing a bridge circuit constituted of the thermometer resistor or the like with a differential amplifier and a transistor. When air flows, electric potentials of the intermediate terminals in the bridge circuit change. A flow quantity and a flow direction of the air are calculated by detecting the electric potential difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiromi Ariyoshi
  • Patent number: 7251996
    Abstract: A liquid detection device attached on a liquid container for detecting a liquid consumption status of the liquid contained in the liquid container, the liquid detection device including a vibrating section symmetrical about a center thereof, and at least one electrode electrically connecting with said vibrating section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Usui, Kenji Tsukada, Munehide Kanaya
  • Patent number: 7251997
    Abstract: A fuel tank module control system configured to measure fuel level and fuel tank vapor pressure, the system having an aspirator to use air or liquid fuel to vapor, an oscillator cyclically producing pressurized vapor, and a pressure sensor that alternately measures the pressurized vapor provided by the oscillator and the pressure of a fuel column. A check valve is provided downstream of the sensor to restrict the flow of vapor in a single direction. To determine the fuel level, the differential of the square wave output of the sensor is calculated. To determine if there are any leaks in the fuel tank, the tank vapor pressure is measured when the engine is off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Kavlico Corporation
    Inventor: Gary Casey
  • Patent number: 7251998
    Abstract: The weight of liquid in a tank subject to tilting is determined by measuring differences in air pressure in the ullage (the empty volume of the tank above the level of the liquid) and the air pressure produced by the weight of the liquid at the bottom of the tank. The pressures at the bottom of the tank are measured in a plurality of locations, and the differential pressures are combined to compensate for changes in the depth of the liquid when the tank is not level (e.g., when the tank is in an aircraft flying at an attitude other than straight and level). The electronics to measure the pressure and to process the pressure measurements are located remotely form the tanks, thus eliminating the possibility of ignition caused by the electronics when the liquid is fuel or other flammable liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: BAE Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.
    Inventors: Robert D. Gourlay, Steven C. Williams, Daniel L. Pagan
  • Patent number: 7251999
    Abstract: In a level sensor (2) for a fuel tank, one end of a lever wire (7) is located at a distance from a bearing (11) of a bracket (5). The bracket (5) has two limbs (12, 13) of which one holds the lever wire (7) and the other controls the signal transmitter (8). This enables the level sensor (1) to be calibrated in a particularly easy manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Hans-Guenter Benner, Bernd Pauer, Robert Peter
  • Patent number: 7252000
    Abstract: Correcting unbalance with regard to rotors (11, 101) and shafts is important in order to improve performance of those rotors (11, 101) or shafts within a practical machine or engine. Previously, result orientated iterative balancing of the rotor or shaft has been achieved in which mass has been added or possibly intrusive and distorted adjustments in drag and stiffness presented through bearings or alteration of the rotor (11, 101) itself have been utilised to improve rotor balance performance. In the present invention, a dynamic bearing 13 is utilised in order to provide force components with some components in phase with rotor deflection in order to simulate negative stiffness and/or some force components in phase with rotor velocity in order to simulate negative drag upon the rotor (11, 101). In such circumstances, a more accurate determination of rotor unbalance is achieved to enable known techniques of perturbed boundary condition analysis for balance correction to be implemented more accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventors: Ian C. D. Care, Seamus Garvey
  • Patent number: 7252001
    Abstract: The invention relates to an inertial sensor based on the magnetic levitation of an inertial mass comprising an active magnetic bearing unit arranged in such a way as to levitate the inertial mass and characterized by the fact that it furthermore comprises additional active magnetic bearings units arranged in such a way as to control the position of said inertial mass along three independent axis and to create, for any of said independent axis, restoring forces that can be oriented in any of the two directions of these independent axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL)
    Inventors: Alexis Boletis, François Barrot, Roland Moser
  • Patent number: 7252002
    Abstract: A planar inertial sensor includes a first region and a second region of semiconductor material. The second region is capacitively coupled, and mobile with respect to the first region. The second region extends in a plane and has second portions, which face respective first portions of the first region. Movement of the second region, relative to the first region, in any direction belonging to the plane modifies the distance between the second portions and the first portions, which in turn modifies a value of the capacitive coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Sarah Zerbini, Angelo Merassi, Ernesto Lasalandra, Benedetto Vigna
  • Patent number: 7252004
    Abstract: An imaging method for observing the propagation of a shear wave simultaneously at a multitude of points in a diffusing viscoelastic medium. The shear wave is caused to be generated by firing at least one focused ultrasound compression wave into the viscoelastic medium by means of an array of transducers, and then emitting at a fast rate and using the same array of transducers, unfocused ultrasound compression waves serving to obtain a succession of images of the medium, and processing the images obtained in this way in deferred time in order to determine the movements of the medium during the propagation of the shear wave.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique-CNRS, Universite Paris 7
    Inventors: Mathias A. Fink, Mickael Tanter