Patents Issued in January 22, 2008
  • Patent number: 7320221
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the flow of geothermal fluid from at least one injection well to at least one production well, which comprises a first horizontal geothermal well, which is used as the injection well, and into which water is injected; a second horizontal, geothermal well, which is used s the production well and from which geothermal fluid issues, wherein the second, horizontal, production, geothermal well is substantially horizontally and vertically spaced from the first, horizontal, injection, geothermal well and located at a shallower depth than the first, horizontal, injection, geothermal well; and the apparatus form producing a pressure difference between the first horizontal, injection well and the second horizontal, production well and utilizing the water density difference induced by the temperature difference. Preferably, binary geothermal power plants or combined cycle geothermal power plants can be used to produce power from geothermal fluid recovered from the production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Oramt Technologies Inc.
    Inventor: Lucien Y. Bronicki
  • Patent number: 7320222
    Abstract: This invention relates to a burner, especially a gas turbine burner, wherein a Helmholtz resonator downstream of a fuel inlet position in directly linked with a burner channel. In this manner, combustion oscillations do not arrive at the fuel inlet position, thereby reducing acoustic disturbances and air ration deviations which are the main cause for the formation of combined oscillations. The invention also relates to a method for operating a burner and a gas turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Flohr, Werner Krebs, Günther Schulze
  • Patent number: 7320223
    Abstract: A system is provided to control the environment experienced by a child in a child safety seat. Each of a plurality of thermoelectric elements is individually controllable to be one of heated and cooled relative to an ambient temperature. A first portion of the thermoelectric elements are positioned on the child safety seat such that a child sitting therein is positioned thereover. A ventilator coupled to the child safety seat moves air past a second portion of the thermoelectric elements and filters the air moved therepast. One or more jets coupled to the ventilator receive the filtered air. Each jet is coupled to the child safety seat and can be positioned to direct the heated/cooled filtered air to the vicinity of the head of the child sitting in the child safety seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Richard W. Dabney, Susan V. Elrod
  • Patent number: 7320224
    Abstract: The present system and method provides a mechanism for monitoring the level of fullness of a cryopump by measuring the cryopump adsorption capacity. An ion gauge or other total pressure gauge is in contact with the condensing or adsorbing panels of the pump. The gauge sensor, for example, can be connected to a tube or duct leading to the central core of the pump where the adsorbing charcoal is located. At this location in the pump, the gauge is exposed to low-boiling-point gases, such as hydrogen, neon and helium, while being substantially shielded from other gases such as nitrogen, argon, oxygen, or water vapor. By connecting a gauge to this location of the pump, the gauge can be used to monitor the absorption capacity of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Brooks Automation, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary S. Ash, Allen J. Bartlett, James A. O'Neil, Bruce R. Andeen
  • Patent number: 7320225
    Abstract: A refrigeration system including a compressor, condenser, valve, and refrigeration branch, all of which is in fluid communication. The refrigeration branch includes an evaporator coil. The refrigeration system further includes a case adapted to be cooled by the evaporator coil, and a system controller operable to control one or more aspects of the refrigeration system, and a subsystem controller in communication with the system controller. The subsystem controller is operable to control a subsystem having one of the compressor, condenser, valve, refrigeration branch, and case. The method of operating the refrigeration system includes at the subsystem controller, monitoring a parameter of the subsystem, comparing the monitored parameter with a parameter limit, generating an alarm when the parameter is not within the parameter limit, and communicating the alarm to the system controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Norman E. Street, Ted W. Sunderland
  • Patent number: 7320226
    Abstract: A freezer includes a refrigeration surface that can be frozen, such as an evaporator surface, a heating device for heating the refrigeration surface, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the heating device in accordance with a timer. The control circuit is configured to block the operation of the heating device for a time period that is defined by the timer. The timer is used to ensure that the refrigeration surface is only heated to defrost the freezer, if the refrigeration power requirement of the latter is low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Georg Strauss
  • Patent number: 7320227
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes at least one separate, thermally well-insulated and cooled compartment. A drain pipe is provided in the compartment to drain condensation water which forms when a heated food storage container cools in the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Wanja Bellander
  • Patent number: 7320228
    Abstract: In a refrigerant cycle apparatus which is operated at a supercritical pressure on a high-pressure side, for a purpose of maintaining or enhancing performances or reducing generation of clogging or a dimension of a capillary tube, a compressor has a first compression element, and a second compression element which compresses a refrigerant compressed by the first compression element, a gas phase refrigerant in an intermediate pressure receiver is sucked into the second compression element of the compressor, a liquid phase refrigerant in the intermediate pressure receiver is pressure reduced in a second pressure reducing device, and introduced into an evaporator, and the first pressure reducing device comprises a capillary tube on an upstream side of the refrigerant, and throttling means on a downstream side of the capillary tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichiro Kamimura, Hiroshi Mukaiyama, Satoshi Imai, Hiroyuki Itsuki, Masahisa Otake
  • Patent number: 7320229
    Abstract: A branch passage, which is branched at a point on an upstream side of an ejector, is connected to a refrigerant suction inlet of the ejector. An evaporator is arranged in the branch passage, and a capillary tube is arranged on an upstream side of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Oshitani, Hirotsugu Takeuchi, Haruyuki Nishijima, Makoto Ikegami, Naoki Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 7320230
    Abstract: A pushout mechanism includes a pusher finger assembly which utilizes air jets to facilitate the location of bottles with the pockets defined by the fingers. The air jets are defined by in a projecting post in an orifice member which can be quickly released from the arm of the finger. The location of the air jet can, accordingly, be quickly adjusted by substituting an orifice member having a shorter or longer post.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Emhart Glass SA
    Inventor: Robert J. Lockhart
  • Patent number: 7320231
    Abstract: A molding die for molding an optical element, comprises a die base body formed by shaping an amorphous alloy having a super-cooled liquid phase, and a die face formed by applying a die face forming process onto a part of the die base body and used to form an optical surface of the optical element or a dimensional reference surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Konica Corporation
    Inventor: Shigeru Hosoe
  • Patent number: 7320232
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method for fabricating a holey optical fiber. An optical fiber with air holes of a predetermined size and shape along the length of the optical fiber is drawn by supplying nitrogen gas into air holes through one end of a holey optical fiber preform while heating the other end of the preform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Un-Chul Paek, Duk-Young Kim, Young-Min Paik
  • Patent number: 7320233
    Abstract: A control device (1) for thread-guide bars (2) of linear knitting machines, comprising a linear motor (10) designed to impart a translational motion to the thread-guide bar (2), means (40) for moving the thread-guide bar (2) according to an oscillating motion basically perpendicular to the translational motion, and transmission means (20) for transmitting to the thread-guide bar (2) the translational motion of the linear motor (10), thus enabling the oscillating motion. The device (1) is characterized in that the transmission means (20) include a first transmission element (21) associated to and integral with the linear motor (10), and a second transmission element (24) that can be integrally connectable to the thread-guide bar (2). Moreover, the first transmission element (21) has a first guide (22) having preferably a basically curved shape, in which the second transmission element (24) is movably engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Santoni S.p.A.
    Inventor: Tiberio Lonati
  • Patent number: 7320234
    Abstract: A combined laundry washer and dryer system is provided so that the user can wash a first load of laundry, start drying the first load, and wash a second load while the first load is drying. The system comprises a front-loadable washer on top of a dryer, and a second load compartment on top of the washer. A load of laundry is placed in the washer and a second load in the second load compartment. After washing the first load, the washer drops it into the dryer for drying. The second load compartment then drops the second load into the washer for washing. A side-mounted closet may be used to steam clean, dried laundry with air from the dryer. Conveyor belts may be used to move dirty laundry into the second load compartment and clean laundry from the dryer to a sorting area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventors: John P. Hershey, Leticia Hershey
  • Patent number: 7320235
    Abstract: A lockable media storage container includes a lock disposed within the lock reception cavity defined by the container. The lock may be moved from a locked position to an unlocked position while remaining disposed within the lock reception cavity. In one embodiment, the lock locks itself in the unlocked position so that it cannot accidently move back into the locked position. The lock includes a plurality of lock hooks extending from a common lock frame. A lock finger also extends from the common lock frame. The lock finger holds the lock in the locked position. A magnetic key is used to unlock the lock and move the lock slide to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nexpak Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis D. Belden, Jr., Ronald M. Marsilio, Aaron McMahan, Jesse D. Wells
  • Patent number: 7320236
    Abstract: A device for locking and unlocking, with a key, a cover on a frame. The rotor of the lock for this device has a cylindrical barrel mounted for rotation in the cover and being interdependent in rotation with the slide bolt and a cylindrical axle with head mounted loosely in the barrel. The device is used in the area of road works.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Norinco
    Inventors: Jean-Jacques Monneret, Claudio Pierpaoli
  • Patent number: 7320237
    Abstract: While a reference means having a positional relationship to the pass-line of a continuance mill determined in advance and caliber profile (area enclosed by the groove profile of a rolling roll) formed by a rolling roll at each stand are imaged within the same visual field and a position corresponding to the pass-line is calculated based on the region corresponding to the reference means within the taken image, the center position of the region corresponding to the caliber profile within the taken image is calculated and the misalignment amount of the caliber profile can be calculated based on the calculated center position and the calculated position corresponding to the pass-line. Accordingly, a misalignment amount can be measured accurately as long as images of the reference means and the caliber profile are taken within the same visual field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kubota, Youichi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7320238
    Abstract: A method of forging a titanium alloy component comprises applying a protective coating onto the surface of the titanium alloy component. A glass lubricant coating is applied onto the protective coating and the titanium alloy component is forged at a high temperature. The glass lubricant coating comprises a borosilicate glass lubricant coating. The protective coating comprises an aluminide coating, a silicon modified aluminide coating, a platinum aluminide coating, an aluminium coating or a platinum coating. The titanium alloy component may be a compressor blade, or a compressor vane, of a high-pressure compressor of a gas turbine engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce PLC
    Inventor: Wayne E. Voice
  • Patent number: 7320239
    Abstract: An apparatus for forming blanks having two thicknesses separated by a blank step includes a forming tool defining a binder surface that is characterized by a tool step, a first region on a first side of the tool step, a second region on a second side of the tool step, and a bead segment having a surface contiguous with the second region. The bead segment is configured to pinch material from a blank into any gap created between the tool step and the blank step caused by misalignment of the blank in the tool, thereby ensuring an effective seal to form the blank against a forming surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Kruger, James G. Schroth
  • Patent number: 7320240
    Abstract: A device, such as an inner race of a torque converter's overrunning clutch, is formed by powder metallurgy. The race includes oil grooves and chamfers formed in each face by forging. The oil grooves on the first face open onto the chamfer. The chamfer on the second face is interrupted at the oil grooves such that each oil groove opens onto the diametral surface. A forge assembly for forming the race includes a die assembly including a discontinuous lower chamfer tool, an upper punch including groove tools and a continuous chamfer tool, and a lower punch including groove tools and radially extending teeth disposed at the oil grooves and capable of extending into the gaps of the lower chamfer tool. A method for forming the race includes employing the die assembly to forge the oil grooves and chamfers into the preform and remove flash by conventional grinding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals
    Inventor: Jack E. Pederson
  • Patent number: 7320241
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection reference standard for a composite material includes a block comprising the composite material. The block further comprises a first plurality of parallel rectangular-shaped channels within the block and a second plurality of parallel rectangular-shaped channels within the block, wherein the second plurality of channels extend at about a ninety degree angle to the first plurality of channels and wherein the second plurality of channels is located on a separate plane as the first plurality of channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, David Truong
  • Patent number: 7320242
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a tensile impact apparatus that is designed to give dynamic stress-strain curves and fracture characteristics for a rubber specimen undergoing tensile impact loading. More particularly, this invention relates to a tensile impact apparatus that is capable of achieving strains of up to fracture. The apparatus is also capable of visually recording fracture phenomena.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Michelle S. Hoo Fatt, Ibrahim Bekar, Joseph Padoyan
  • Patent number: 7320243
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for detection of large leaks in scaled articles. Apparatus for leak detection includes a first sealable chamber configured to receive a test piece containing a trace gas, a second sealable chamber, a first valve coupled between the first and second chambers, a leak detector having a test port, a trace gas permeable member coupled between the second chamber and the test port of the leak detector, a vacuum pump having an inlet, and a second valve coupled between the second chamber and the inlet of the vacuum pump. The permeable member may be quartz, which is permeable to helium when heated. The leak detector may be an ion pump or a helium mass spectrometer leak detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Varian, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles Perkins, Pieter N. Palenstijn
  • Patent number: 7320244
    Abstract: A method for determining the water resistance of glass fiber based insulation to wetting by water is disclosed. The method generally comprise the steps of placing a sample of insulation into contact with a source of water for a defined period of time; removing the insulation sample from the water containing surface; draining the sample for a prescribed period of time, and determining the water resistance according to certain formulas or observations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventor: Ward Thomas Hobert
  • Patent number: 7320245
    Abstract: A rotational test electrode assembly for use in a corrosive fluid environment as shown in FIG. 1 that includes a generally cylindrical heat and electrically conductive member (110) having an annular portion (112) and a solid portion (114): a heating device (130) positioned inside of the annular portion and in heat exchanging relation with the solid portion of the conductive member; a corrosion resistant external protective member (140) that surrounds a portion of the heat conductive member in close-fitting relationship; mounting means for attaching a rotational electrode (150) in close fitting heat and electrically conductive relation, the electrode being selected from the group consisting of cylindrical and disk electrodes; and an electrical connector for receiving a plurality of external electrical connectors that is mounted on the protective member opposite the portion of the conductive member on which the rotational electrode is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventor: Abdulghani Jaralla
  • Patent number: 7320246
    Abstract: An on-board vehicle diagnostic system includes sensors for detecting vehicle operating parameters, such as speed, wheel speed, yaw rate, transverse acceleration, and/or tire operating parameters, such as the tire inflation pressure and the temperature at the belt edge. Relationships between the parameters are stored in a diagnostic model so that depending on the complexity level of the system and performance requirements, predictions regarding the wear condition of the tire and/or defective vehicle adjustments are possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: TÜV Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Bernhard Schick, Lars Netsch
  • Patent number: 7320247
    Abstract: A tire pressure detection side receiving circuit includes an antenna resonance circuit having an antenna, a capacitor and a coil, a capacitance changing circuit for changing a capacitance of the capacitor, an oscillation circuit capable of imparting a test wave to the antenna resonance circuit, a resonance level detector capable of detecting a resonance level of the antenna resonance circuit, a memory storing preset reference frequency, a resonance frequency detector changing a frequency of the test wave to be imparted to the antenna resonance circuit while the capacitor of the antenna resonance circuit is maintained at a constant capacitance, thereby detecting, as a measured resonance frequency, a frequency in a case where an amplitude level of the test wave has reached a peak, and a tuning control controlling the capacitance changing circuit and changing the capacitor capacitance so that the measured resonance frequency is approximated to a reference frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Pacific Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Michiya Katou
  • Patent number: 7320248
    Abstract: A method for measuring the imbalance characteristics of a rotating body, and for determining if an application of imbalance correction weights is required to reduce the measured imbalance characteristics to an acceptable residual imbalance level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Hunter Engineering Company
    Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
  • Patent number: 7320249
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for inspecting a structure are provided which include probes with sensing elements and are disposed proximate opposite surfaces of a structure, where only one of the probes need be driven. A tracking probe may be magnetically coupled to a driven probe and move in coordination therewith. Ring magnets may be used in the driven and tracking probes to provide the magnetic coupling and align sensing elements disposed in the centers of the ring magnets. The probes may include a fluid bearing, such as a water bearing or an air bearing, for supporting the structure and maintaining the desired orientation and spacing of the probes relative to the structure. The fluid of a fluid bearing may be used as a couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and a structure. A flow moderating skirt may be used to with a probe employing a fluid bearing for support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Michael D. Fogarty, Stanley W. Richardson
  • Patent number: 7320250
    Abstract: A pressure sensor includes a sensor chip in which a diaphragm is provided, and a case to which the sensor chip is directly mounted by an adhesive. A groove that surrounds the diaphragm is provided on the rear surface of the sensor chip between the bonded part and the diaphragm. The groove prevents thermal stress, which occurs at the bonded part, from reaching the diaphragm through the sensor chip, and thereby the accuracy of the sensor output is highly accurate. Further, the groove may store any excessive adhesive that may be applied when the sensor chip is bonded to the case to prevent the adhesive from flowing and adhering to the diaphragm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masato Ueno
  • Patent number: 7320251
    Abstract: A load detector is constructed so as to stabilize an output voltage responding to an input load. The load detector includes a magnetostrictive sensor which includes a hollow case, a coil housed in the case, and a rod-like magnetic member located at an axial center of the coil, magnetized by an electric current flowing through the coil and receiving a load at an end thereof. The load detector further includes a pin which has a contact surface for applying the load onto the end of the magnetic member and is disposed axially inline with the magnetic member, and a bearing collar for reducing displacement of the pin with respect to the magnetic member. The magnetostrictive sensor and the pin are fitted, facing each other, into the bearing collar. The load detector is utilized suitably for transport equipment such as a water vehicle or electric bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha, Yamaha Marine Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshinori Harada, Yutaka Mizuno, Tomoyoshi Koyanagi, Yoshiyuki Kaneko
  • Patent number: 7320252
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the flow rate of a fluid within tubing disposed within a downhole wellbore. The present invention provides an inverse Venturi meter inserted within tubing with an enlarged inner diameter portion. Pressure differential is measured between the enlarged inner diameter portion and another portion of the inverse Venturi meter. Flow rate is determined from the pressure differential and the density of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard T. Jones
  • Patent number: 7320253
    Abstract: The present invention provides the stress detection method for force sensor device with multiple axis sensor device and force sensor device employing this method, whose installation angle is arbitrary. The stress detection method includes, first and second force sensors whose detection axes are orthogonal to each other. When the detection axis of first force sensor forms angle ? with direction of detected stress Ax, and the stress component of direction perpendicular to direction of the detected stress Ax is Az, output Apx of the axis direction of first force sensor is found as Apx=?x (Ax×cos ?+Az×sin ?), and output Apz of the axis direction of the second force sensor is found as Apz=?z (Ax×sin ?+Az×cos ?), and, when ?x and ?z are detection sensitivity coefficients of first and second force sensors respectively, the detection sensitivity coefficient ?z of second force sensor is set as ?z=?x tan ?, and the detected stress Ax is found as Ax=(Apx?Apz)/?x(cos ??tan ?×sin ?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignees: Fujitsu Media Devices Limited, Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Toshio Hanazawa, Masaaki Ono, Tsutomu Miyashita, Hiroshi Tokunaga, Hiroshi Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 7320254
    Abstract: An ergonomic wedge shaped torque tester with multiple push buttons to control the use and recording functions. The top of the device has a single on/off button, a display screen to display the results of the test, two push buttons for scrolling through the various saved test results one scrolls up the other scrolls down. The device can easily be grasped by the right or left hand. This shape makes it possible to place the chuck portion of the tester on a bottle cap, grasp the device with your hand from the top or side and turn in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The chuck is connected into a strain gauge connected on a shaft that utilizes a transducer to measure the strain in accordance with deflection of the metal shaft. The output of the transducer is connected through an amplifier into a microprocessor which utilizes the information from the transducer to record the maximum amount of strain or torque applied to the bottle cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Wendell Martin
  • Patent number: 7320255
    Abstract: The magnetometer assembly according to this invention includes a first coil assembly and a second coil assembly for detecting separate magnetic fields along an axial portion of a torque transducer. The first and second coil assemblies are driven by independently adjustable circuits. Each of the circuits are independently adjustable to adjust the gain that is distributed to each of the first and second coils. This provides for an adjustment and precise alignment of a magnetic field generated by the first coil and the second coil assembly such that external magnetic fields can be cancelled providing increased accuracy and reduced hysteresis effects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Corporation
    Inventor: David W. Cripe
  • Patent number: 7320256
    Abstract: Revolution speeds of rolling elements in respective rows are sensed, and then the axial load or the radial load is derived based on the revolution speeds. In case the acting directions of these loads are displaced, the contact angles of the rolling elements in respective rows are differentiated in response to this displacement, or values of influence coefficients used to detect respective loads are changed based on the revolution speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventor: Koichiro Ono
  • Patent number: 7320257
    Abstract: Revolution speeds nca, nib of rolling elements 9a, 9b are sensed by a pair of revolution speed sensors 21a, 21b. Also, a rotational speed ni of a hub 2 is sensed by a rotational speed sensor 15b. A sum “nca+ncb” or a difference “nca?nib” the revolution speeds of rolling elements 9a, 9b in double rows is calculated based on sensed signals of the revolution speed sensors 21a, 21b, and then a ratio “nca+nib/ni” or “nca?ncb/ni” of this sum or difference to the rotational speed ni is calculated. Then, the radial load or the an axial load is calculated based on the ratio “nca+ncb/ni” or “ca?nib/ni”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: NSK Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Takizawa, Tomoyuki Yanagisawa, Koichiro Ono, Ikunori Sakatani
  • Patent number: 7320258
    Abstract: An attaching structure of a rotation-detecting sensor comprises (a) a rotation-transferring medium, (b) a rotation-detecting sensor having (b1) a detection portion that detects a variation in magnetic field due to the rotation of the rotation-transferring medium to convert the variation into an electric signal and (b2) a main body having a plurality of side faces, (c) a flange that is provided at at least one side face of the main body of the rotation-detecting sensor, (d) an attaching member for the rotation-detecting sensor, the attaching member having an attaching hole into which the main body is inserted, concurrently with the flange being applied to the attaching member, and (e) a resin-molded body that (e1) covers by resin molding at least one part of the flange and a part of the attaching member to embed them in it and (e2) fixes the main body of the rotation-detecting sensor to the attaching member through the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Sumiden Electronics, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideo Tawara
  • Patent number: 7320259
    Abstract: A pipette tip is provided including sidewall having a distal end and a proximal end. The sidewall extends from the proximal end to the distal end and defines a surface around a center axis. The distal portion defines a tip having an aperture. The proximal portion has a sealing member and a wall member spaced apart and defining a channel therein between. The sealing member is deflectable from a first position to a second position when receiving the shaft of a pipette tool. The sealing member is elastically deformable so as to creates a seal with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Medax International, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul M. Jessop
  • Patent number: 7320260
    Abstract: Pipetting device with a displacement device with a displacement chamber with a displaceable limiter, a attachment for connecting to a pipette tip and a connecting channel between the displacement chamber and the free end of the attachment, a drive device for driving the displaceable limiter of the displacement device with a drive member, which has a releasable cooperation with the displaceable limiter, and a bayonet connection between the drive device and the displacement device which can be established by creating the cooperation between the drive member and the displaceable limiter and can be released by releasing the cooperation between the drive member and the displaceable limiter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Eppendorf AG
    Inventor: Herbert Belgardt
  • Patent number: 7320261
    Abstract: A new simulator of the human head and animal bodies mimics moisture transpiration from eyes and skin and heat emission. The present invention used to demonstrate and quantify anti-fogging performance of goggles and apparel. Thin water permeable membranes are mounted onto a container containing a thermostatically controlled, heated and stirred reservoir of water as a simulation of the moisture source of the human eyes and skin. A light source and optical mesh patterns help illuminate water condensation on the inner lens of the goggles. The simulator results in a reliable and convenient demonstration and testing system for moisture condensation in goggle lenses, and heat and moisture apparel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Arena Industries, LLC
    Inventors: Robert G. Hockaday, Patrick S. Turner, Marc D. DeJohn
  • Patent number: 7320262
    Abstract: A tensioner comprising a base having a toothed portion, a pivot arm pivotally engaged with the base, a pulley journalled to the pivot arm, a spring disposed between the base and the pivot arm for biasing the pivot arm in a first direction, a mechanism disposed on the pivot arm and engaged with the base, the mechanism comprising a rotatable geared member and a second spring engaged between the geared member and the pivot arm, the second spring biasing the pivot arm in the first direction, and the geared member having a non-toothed portion that when the non-toothed portion is engaged with the toothed portion it prevents substantial rotation of the pivot arm in a reverse direction from the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: The Gates Corporation
    Inventor: Juergen Hallen
  • Patent number: 7320263
    Abstract: The invention relates to a controller and a method for controlling a maneuverable control object and comprising a control lever (1) designed to be manually maneuvered by an operator into various positions and a console (2) in which the control lever is pivotable about at least two intersecting pivot axes and in which the console is provided with a corresponding number of clamps (3, 4) swivel-mounted about their respective swivel axis (5, 6), which clamps are provided with slots (15, 16) through which the control lever (1) extends and along which the control lever can be led. Each clamp (3, 4) cooperates with its respective detention device (27, 28, 31, 32) for locking the associated clamp (3, 4) in at least one predefined detention position and hence limiting the movement of the control lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Parker Hannifin AB
    Inventor: Hans Gustafsson
  • Patent number: 7320264
    Abstract: An industrial robot manipulator including a first arm comprising a front arm part and a rear arm part. The front arm part is journalled in the rear arm part such that the front arm part is rotatable about a first axis relative to the rear arm part. Cabling extends along the front arm part and the rear arm part. A supporting device is operative to support the cabling. The supporting device includes a supporting arm arranged in the vicinity of the rear arm part and rotatably supported about a second axis and an auxiliary arm operatively connected to the front arm part. The supporting arm applies a spring pulling force on the cabling in a longitudinal direction of the cabling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: ABB AB
    Inventors: Torbjorn Albertsson, Thomas Carlstrom
  • Patent number: 7320265
    Abstract: A system for controlling an axial movement of an article is presented. The system comprises a support stage assembly and a spring suspension arrangement mounted on the support stage assembly. The spring suspension arrangement comprises first and second assemblies arranged in a coaxial relationship one inside the other. The first assembly is attached to the support stage assembly. The second assembly serves for supporting an article-carrying member and is driven for movement along the axis with respect to the first assembly. The outer one of the first and second assemblies is configured to define two spaced-apart parallel planes perpendicular to said axis. The first and second assemblies are attached to each other by first and second membrane-like members arranged in a spaced-apart parallel relationship along said axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nova Measuring Instruments Ltd.
    Inventors: Eran Dvir, Beniamin Shulman
  • Patent number: 7320266
    Abstract: Shock dampener incorporated into a hammer handle. Using a counter weight attached with a hinge pin to provide extreme shock dampening when striking solid objects with a hammer tool. Shock travels in waves known as vibration. When striking an object with the hammer's head, a shock wave is created and travels down the handle. The shock wave travels through the whole hammer handle at one time in an instant. This allows for energy of the shock to transfer into the counterbalance dampener hinge pin and vibrate the dampening member that is buffered with a form of rubber diffusing 95% of the shock energy with the dampening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Kristopher Joseph Mueller
  • Patent number: 7320267
    Abstract: A ratchet box end wrench includes a shank, a ratchet, a ring gear, three wheel members, a belt and a crank. The shank includes a space defined therein, a first pivot hole defined therein and a second pivot hole in communication with the first pivot hole. The ratchet includes a ratchet portion disposed in the space and an axial portion extended from the ratchet portion. The ring gear is connected to the axial portion of the ratchet. The first wheel member includes a pivot disposed in the first pivot hole. The belt is engaged with both of the ratchet and the first wheel member. The second wheel member is connected to the first wheel member so that the first and second wheel members are rotational together. The crank is operatively connected to the second wheel member. The third wheel member is operatively connected to the first wheel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Inventor: Yu-Tang Chen
  • Patent number: 7320268
    Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and/or profile machining an edge of a pipe is provided. The apparatus includes a housing, a rotatable faceplate mounted on a front surface of the housing, and a tool holder mounted on the faceplate and holding a cutting tool. In a first embodiment, a cutting apparatus includes gearing that permits the tool holder to be moved relative to a surface of a pipe in a rapid-feed mode, a slow-feed mode and a rapid-return mode. In second and third embodiments, a profile machining apparatus includes a carriage having a profiling roller or shaft that advances (or retracts) relative to a pipe along a path defined by a template. The carriage to which the cutting tool is mounted is pivoted about a support shaft permitting the carriage and tool to change its angle and orientation relative to the pipe while advancing or retracting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Kenichi Mori
    Inventor: Shinji Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7320269
    Abstract: A material cutting and feed roller has a peripheral roller surface that conveys the material to be cut, and a cutting device within the roller that cuts the material. The cutting device has a blade that, when cutting the material, passes through a closeable opening located inside the peripheral surface of the roller. The closeable opening through which the blade passes during the cutting process is closed when the cutting process is not occurring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Windmoeller & Hoelscher KG
    Inventor: Fritz Achelpohl
  • Patent number: 7320270
    Abstract: A table saw includes a table, a saw unit coupled to a substantially inverted U-shaped suspension girder, two supporting devices fixedly fastened to the bottom side of the table to support the suspension girder, and two sliding blocks respectively fastened to the two ends of the suspension girder and respectively coupled to a respective arched guide slot in each of the supporting devices to guide movement of the suspension girder along an arched track to keep the cutting reference point of the saw blade in position so that the saw blade can cut the workpiece accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Durq Machinery Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-Sheng Liu, Yu-Feng Chan