Patents Issued in January 31, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080022730
    Abstract: A locking device for a cover of a glove compartment of a motor vehicle is positioned so as to swivel on an associated frame and is held in the closed condition by two locking sections of the locking bar engaging behind an associated locking contour on the frame. The locking bars can be synchronously displaced from their locked position to the release position in order to open the cover by way of an actuation element. In order to minimize installation space, especially in the area of the cover, the actuation element is positioned on the frame side and, for opening the cover, interacts with its locking section on the associated locking bar, displacing it in the opening direction, while the other locking bar is moved into its release position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: DAIMLERCHRYSLER AG
    Inventors: Andre Dietrich, Ulrich Nienhaus, Manfred Zehnder, Ralf Zipperle
  • Publication number: 20080022731
    Abstract: A device for locking and unlocking a wrench, a plug or lid on a frame, notably of a manhole. A bolt is mounted and guided in translation in a casing of the plug and is held in a locking position by a pre-stressed coil compression spring, between the bolt and a bottom wall of the casing, the bolt (8) comprising a transverse branch on which an end of the wrench may act in order to displace the bolt towards a position for unlocking the plug from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: NORINCO
    Inventor: Philippe Javaux
  • Publication number: 20080022732
    Abstract: A filler neck closure system includes a capless fuel tank filler neck and a closure. The closure is coupled to the capless fuel tank filler neck to close an opening into the fuel tank filler neck.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: STANT MANUFACTURING INC.
    Inventor: Joseph McCarthy
  • Publication number: 20080022733
    Abstract: A lock device includes a first bracket 34 fixed to a screw element 33 and formed with a lock hole 34b; a second bracket 35 which has a fitting portion 35a fitted to the turn-type control lever 30 of an operation pattern selecting valve 16 and which is formed with a lock hole 35f; and a lock 36. The screw element 33 is screwed into a threaded hole 32 formed in an end plate 29 of the operation pattern selecting valve 16 to secure the first bracket 34 to the end plate 29. The fitting portion 35a of the second bracket 35 is fitted to the turn-type control lever 30 to connect the second bracket 35 to the turn-type control lever 30. The lock 36 is insertably attached to the respective lock holes 34b and 35f of the first bracket 34 and second bracket 35 for locking the turn-type control lever 30. With such a structure, the lock device can be manufactured relatively easily without the necessity of processing the operation pattern selecting valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Shinya ABE
  • Publication number: 20080022734
    Abstract: A lock mounting arrangement comprising a lock and a mounting member secured to a portion of the lock such that the mounting member is rotatable relative to the portion of the lock. At least two position delineators are provided on one of the mounting member and the lock and an engagement member is provided on the other of the mounting member and the lock. The engagement member is movable between a first position in which the engagement member engages at least one of the position delineators and thereby fixes the rotative position of the mounting member relative to the portion of the lock and a second position in which the engagement member is lockingly disengaged from the position delineators such that the mounting member is free to rotate relative to the portion of the lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Cornelius McDaid, John Paul Thambusami Joy Sachidanadam
  • Publication number: 20080022735
    Abstract: What is new about the BICYCLE READYLOCK is that it eliminates all of the problems associated with the other types of lock systems that are available. There is no need to “man-handle” the permanently coiled cables; unwrap chains, which can chip the paint of the bike; or even the various sized U-locks are difficult to remove from their carrying brackets, and then unlock and use them, only to have to do the process all over again when they are ready to ride again. The BICYCLE READYLOCK is the easiest system possible for securely locking your bike without hassle, making your riding experience a carefree, worriless fun adventure with no lagging doubts about whether you should take the time to lock your bicycle or not. The BICYCLE READYLOCK makes the decision and the procedure extremely trouble free, so you have one less headache to worry about.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Thomas Alan Hood
  • Publication number: 20080022736
    Abstract: A door lock device for a vehicle includes a latch mechanism having a latch rotatable to pass a half-latch state to a full-latch state, a closer mechanism capable of forcedly turning the latch from the half-latch state to the full-latch state, and an actuator for driving the closer mechanism. A casing forming a part of the latch mechanism is secured to the door so as to turnably support the latch. An extending support part extending in a direction orthogonal to a turning axis of the latch is connectedly provided in the casing. The closer mechanism is adapted to be operated on a plane orthogonal to the turning axis of the latch, and is disposed between the actuator and the extending support part so as to be aligned with the latch mechanism. Thus, it is possible to construct the door lock device to be thin so as to be easily disposed in a door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kouzuma
  • Publication number: 20080022737
    Abstract: A figure wheel locking device includes a housing, a key locking mechanism, a pushing assembly, a plurality of figure-detecting members, and a figure locking mechanism. The key locking mechanism is sleeved in the housing. The pushing assembly is movably located in the housing. Each of the figure-detecting members has a first rotating member. The figure locking mechanism has a plurality of figure wheels, and each of the figure wheels has a second rotating member. The direction of the first rotating member is defmed as a first rotating axis. The direction of the second rotating member is defmed as a second rotating axis. The second rotating axis and the first rotating axis are interlaced to each other. The second rotating member drives the first rotating member. Thereby, the compound locking device having a key locking mechanism and a figure locking mechanism prevents the figure wheels from becoming axially disposed in serial.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Ping-Jan Yang
  • Publication number: 20080022738
    Abstract: A tool is used to split the coils of a key ring so that the key ring can be easily and efficiently placed on a key or other object. In one embodiment the invention includes a pair of guides, such as ribs or slots, incorporated into the bridge of the key ring grip. One rib or slot assists in getting the key ring onto the key and the other rib or slot assists in removing the key ring from the key. Alternatively, the tool could be separate from the key ring bridge and take the form of a plate having a pair of cut-out sections on opposite sides thereof. One cut-out has a sharp leading edge on the top of the plate and the other has a sharp leading edge on the bottom of the plate. A semicircular handle is attached to one side of the plate and assists it further by widening the gap between the coils so that a key can be threaded onto the free end of the key ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: David Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20080022739
    Abstract: A vertical composting apparatus having an upper inlet for solid biodegradable material, at least two, stacked, discrete processing zones for processing the material separated by at least one agitating device separating the upper processing zone and the at least one lower processing zone; a waste inlet above the upper processing zone; a waste outlet below the lowest of the at least one lower processing zones; and a leachate retention system disposed between the upper and lower processings zones for capturing and diverting compost leachate from the upper processing zone back to the upper processing zone for further processing, or to a bio-remediation device, or to a suitable drain or receptable for disposal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Prakash Aswani
  • Publication number: 20080022740
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for preparing a suspension containing phosphate stepwise directly from raw materials, from phosphoric acid of fertilizer quality, a base and organic additives. In accordance with the method, the phosphoric acid is preneutralised with the base, the organic additives are added, nucleation is controlled and phosphate salts are cooling crystallised in order to form a suspension. The phosphate suspension prepared with the method of the invention is applicable to seed coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Kemira GrowHow Oyj
    Inventors: Eija Saarikko, Juhani Poukari, Paula Ylinen, Anders Weckman
  • Publication number: 20080022741
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for a metal spinning operation capable of spinning a product having a non-circular cross section normal to an axis of rotation such as a polygonal/elliptic one. The actuators of a forming roller (5) are driven with feedback signals from a force sensor (8) fitted to the forming roller (5) to control the pushing force of the forming roller (5) so as to form a work (1) following the cross section shape of a mandrel (3), so that the product having the non-circular cross section normal to the axis of rotation can also be formed. The motion of the forming roller (5) in the forming operation is stored, the shape of the mandrel (3) near the point of the forming roller (5) contacting with the work (1) is estimated based on the motion of the forming roller (5) from a time point before one rotation of the mandrel (3), and according to the estimation, the rotational speed of a motor for rotating the mandrel (3) is controlled for the forming operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Hirohiko Arai
  • Publication number: 20080022742
    Abstract: A spring manufacturing apparatus 100 comprises: a wire feeder 300; a wire guide 320 for guiding the wire; tool units 400B and 400D, a plurality of which can be slidable toward a spring forming space; a grip unit 500 having face-to-face fingers arranged to be adjacent to an end portion of the wire guide for gripping part of an yet-to-be-cut spring that has been formed primarily into a partially finished shape in the spring forming space; grip driving units 520 and 530 for executing reciprocal motion of the grip unit which is parallel to the wire axis line and rotational motion of the grip unit on the wire axis line; and an arm unit 540 extended forward from the forming table for holding the grip unit and grip driving unit through a holder 550 fixed to the end portion of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Itaya Seisaku Sho
    Inventor: Ichiro Itaya
  • Publication number: 20080022743
    Abstract: An arc type blade transfer apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a main body which is formed with a space through which an arc type blade passes, and a transfer roller which is rotatably mounted to the main body and is rotated to transfer the arc type blade. The transfer roller is formed in a truncated-conical shape including a small-diameter end, a large-diameter end and a tapered peripheral surface, and slantedly mounted with respect to a surface of the arc type blade so that the tapered peripheral surface of the transfer roller is in parallel contact with the surface of the arc type blade. Accordingly, the apparatus can transfer the arc type blade having an inner radius and an outer radius, transferring distances of which are different from each other, by one transfer roller, thereby simplifying a structure of the apparatus and accurately transferring the arc type blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Hong-Soon Park
  • Publication number: 20080022744
    Abstract: Disclosed is an extruding press (1) for billets and tubes, comprising a press frame (2) which is composed of a cylinder-type bar (3) and an opposite bar (6) that is connected thereto. A movable running bar (6) and a movable receiving device (7) are disposed within said press frame (2), the receiving device (7) displacing a block (9) that is introduced with the aid of a charging apparatus and is to be pressed in front of the opposite bar (5) encompassing a matrix. A multifunctional robot (12) which can be moved on a linear guide (11), acts independently of the movements of the press, and is equipped with a replaceable head (13) is assigned to the press frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Uwe Muschalik, Valentin Gala, Wilfried Geven
  • Publication number: 20080022745
    Abstract: A subliner for use in a metal extrusion press, the subliner comprising an elongate annular body having an outer surface dimensioned for placement within an outer mantle, and an inner surface dimensioned to receive an inner liner. The subliner further comprises at least one heating element positioned longitudinally between the outer and inner surfaces of the elongate annular body for providing beat in at least one selected region of the subliner, in close proximity to the inner liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Paul Robbins
  • Publication number: 20080022746
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing containers including providing a container having a first diameter; expanding the diameter of the container to a second diameter with at least one expansion die is disclosed. Expansion dies can be used to expand the diameter of a container. Multiple expansion dies can be used to gradually expand the diameter of the container without significantly damaging the container. The container can then be formed to accept a closure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Gary Myers, Anthony Fedusa, Robert Dick
  • Publication number: 20080022747
    Abstract: A machine is disclosed for producing a deep drawn part and a shallow drawn part from sheet metal blanks in a single action draw press. A floating draw punch and a fixed draw punch are provided. The first draw die forms a part that is drawn over the fixed draw punch while the second blank does not begin forming the second part until the floating draw punch bottoms out on the bed of the press. The floating draw punch moves with the binder ring until the additional draw depth required to form the deep drawn part is essentially equal to the draw depth of a shallow drawn part. A process for producing multiple unattached sheet metal parts in a single action draw press is also disclosed wherein a first sheet metal part has a draw depth D1 and a second sheet metal part has a draw depth D2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: John W. Davis, Kevin J. Blaser, Gary L. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080022748
    Abstract: A crimping tool for pipe fittings has a pair of semi-cylindrical opposing jaws with opposing ends, pivotally attached at one end of each, for closing and opening movement about the pivot axis. When closed, the jaws define a cylinder for engaging a pipe or other cylindrical element to be crimped. The other ends of the jaws have integral extensions that meet when the jaws are closed and are clamped together by a simple crimping force assembly comprising a threaded eyebolt, the eye end being pivotally attached to the end of one jaw extension. The bolt swivels in and out of a slot in the other jaw extension. A nut on the other end of the eyebolt is used to compress the two jaw extensions together. In another embodiment, the jaws have annular grooves on their inner surfaces to accommodate the male ridges of ProPress® pipe fittings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Carlos Feliciano
  • Publication number: 20080022749
    Abstract: An electrical connector crimp die including a main body and an indicia forming section. The main body has a connector contacting surface between opposite ends of the main body. The indicia forming section is on the connector contacting surface. When the crimp die forms a crimp on an electrical connector, the indicia forming section is adapted to form an alignment indicia on the electrical connector for subsequent alignment of the die with the crimp to form a subsequent overlapping crimp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher G. Chadbourne
  • Publication number: 20080022750
    Abstract: A jawset for crimping and punching an associated clamping workpiece has a pair of spaced apart side plates, a pair of pivot pins holding a pair of jawarms between the side plates, tooth members formed on the jawarms to crimp an associated clamp ring workpiece in a first direction, and a punch member slidable in the jawset relative to the jawarms to punch the associated workpiece in a second direction transverse the first direction. In one form, a timing disk is provided extending between the jawarms and through the slidable punch member. A biasing member is provided for urging the jawarms in an opening direction opposite the crimping direction. A workpiece alignment area is defined by a region of the spaced apart side plates for enabling relative alignment between the jawset and the associated workpiece. In a further embodiment, a pair of auxiliary side plates are carried adjacent ruggedized side plates for enabling an alignment area without adding undue weight or cost to the jawset.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: James E. Hamm, Richard W. Ballas
  • Publication number: 20080022751
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that include adjusting a pressure level of a sample gas in a testing chamber, for example, using a pressurized inert reference gas, and determining a composition of the adjusted sample gas. By adjusting the pressure level of the sample gas, the composition of the sample gas may be determined more accurately than otherwise possible. Numerous other aspects are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: David Carlson, Satheesh Kuppurao
  • Publication number: 20080022752
    Abstract: The invention relates to a measuring device (1), preferably a test stand for engines and vehicles for analyzing exhaust gases of a combustion engine (2), comprising at least one exhaust gas supply line (3, 4), which can be connected to the exhaust system of the combustion engine (2) and which supplies at least one measuring branch (7, 8, 9) each provided with a respective analysis unit (12, 13, 14) for determining exhaust gas constituents. According to the invention, a filter device (16a to 16f) is provided in at least one cool measuring branch (9) upstream from the analysis unit (14) and/or between different components (14a, 14b) of the analysis unit (14) and/or on the output side of at least one analysis unit (12, 13, 14) of one of the measuring branches (7, 8, 9). This filter unit contains a filter material that is selective with regard to gaseous hydrocarbons, preferably a filter material selected from the group consisting of zeolites and/or silicates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Aden Hodzic, Stefan Kerschbaumer, Urs Gerspach, Erich Schiefer
  • Publication number: 20080022753
    Abstract: A duct detector includes sampling tubes which slidably engage the detector with a fixed orientation to facilitate fluid flow. The tubes have a connector portion and a conduit portion. The connector portion and the conduit portion engage one another with a predetermined orientation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: William A. MacPherson, James M. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20080022754
    Abstract: A gas sensor is disclosed as having a gas sensing element operative to detect a concentration of a specified gas in measuring gases, a cylindrical housing internally supporting the gas sensing element in fixed place, and a cylindrical measuring gas side cover fixedly secured to the housing at a leading end thereof so as to cover a leading end of the gas sensing element. The gas sensor has a response, ranging from 150 ms to 200 ms, which is a parameter representing a speed of detecting the concentration of the specified gas with respect to variation in a specified gas concentration in the measuring gases. The measuring gas side cover has fine holes each with an opening surface area ranging from 0.1 mm2 to 1 mm2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Kazuya Nakagawa
  • Publication number: 20080022755
    Abstract: The invention provides a gas detection method and a gas sensor which utilize an amount of change in the electrical characteristic of a gas sensitive thin film with respect to the adsorption amount of a gas to be detected. The gas sensitive thin film (7) having characteristic detection electrodes (5, 6) functioning as a sandwich electrode or a gap electrode is laid out on a crystal resonator (10), and change in the electrical characteristic of the gas sensitive thin film (7) with respect to the adsorption amount of the detection target gas is observed by simultaneously determining change in the oscillatory frequency of the crystal resonator (10) and the electrical characteristic of the gas sensitive thin film (7). Because the sensor is an integral type device, both changes in an adsorption mass and the electrical characteristic can be surely monitored.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicants: Weidmann Plastics Technology AG, NIIGATA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kazunari Shinbo, Futao Kaneko, Keizo Kato, Yasuo Ohdaira, Takahiro Kawakami, Masahiro Minagawa
  • Publication number: 20080022756
    Abstract: A sleeve comprising a hollow elongate body (3) have two ends, which sleeve is suitable for elastically gripping a rolled smoking article or a filter rod for rolled smoking articles in an airtight or substantially airtight fashion; characterized in that the sleeve is formed by molding whereby each end is molded with an annular portion (4, 6) which can be folded circumferentially outwardly without imposing substantial strain on the material of the sleeve. The invention further provides a head assembly for a pressure drop and/or ventilation measuring device comprising such a sleeve, and a method for measuring the pressure drop or ventilation of a roller smoking article or a filter rod, using a pressure drop and/or ventilation measuring device having such a head assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ronald Wilson, Peter Carpenter
  • Publication number: 20080022757
    Abstract: A sensor apparatus is disclosed that includes a testing chamber or testing chamber arrays configured to receive a sample of oil to be tested. A first embedded heater is coupled to the testing chamber or testing chamber arrays and configured to supply heat to the sample. An oxygen flux chamber is coupled to the testing chamber or testing chamber arrays and configured to provide a substantially stable oxygen flux to the testing chamber. A control module is coupled to the testing chamber, the first embedded heater, and the oxygen flux chamber. The control module is configured to monitor the temperature of the sample, direct the first embedded heater to supply heat to the sample, direct the oxygen flux chamber to provide oxygen flux to the testing chamber, measure an oxygen induction time (OIT), and evaluate the oxidation stability of the sample based on the OIT. A method for thermal analysis of oil oxidation stability is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Ji Cang Zhou, Weijun Wang, Maosong Wu
  • Publication number: 20080022758
    Abstract: Device for measuring the rheological properties of a viscoelastic material, formed of an upper rotating plate (10) and of a lower rotating plate (20) which are able to press against the opposite faces of a sample S of the material to be measured. The axes of rotation (a1a1? and a2 a2?) of said plates are arranged parallel to one another in a direction perpendicular to the plane formed by the plates, and offset from one another by a distance d. Two independent motors (12, 22) drive respectively the upper plate (10) and the lower plate (20) at the same speed of rotation ?, without giving rise to any angular displacement between the two plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventors: Frederic Cottais, Patrice Monnereau, Daniel Meyer
  • Publication number: 20080022759
    Abstract: A system and method for measuring sample material properties by coherently averaging cantilever free-decay signals in a scanning probe microscope is described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Chanmin Su, Jian Shi
  • Publication number: 20080022760
    Abstract: The final rest position of an internal combustion engine crankshaft is determined by counting pulses of a CRANK signal responsive to crankshaft rotation after engine turn-off and evaluating the timing of the pulse edges to detect reversals in the direction of crankshaft rotation. Times are assigned to a given edge of each CRANK signal pulse, and a ratio of specified time intervals is compared to a threshold to detect crankshaft rock-back for controlling the pulse count direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher I. McDaniel, Michael J. Frey
  • Publication number: 20080022761
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller brake testing dynamometer (P) for vehicles whose braking forces are to be ascertained, wherein there is provided at least one roller (L) which is driven by way of a drive (A) in order in turn to drive a vehicle tyre (R) bearing against the roller (L), and wherein the dynamometer (P) has at least one contact-less sensor unit (S) for detecting the position of the tyre (R) relative to the at least one roller (L).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Enrich Seibl
  • Publication number: 20080022762
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system is provided that includes a switched capacitor circuit having a clock with two non-overlapping clock phases that control a state of analog switches of the switched capacitor circuit. The system uses tire pressure sensor MEMS capacitors that are measured differentially. A capacitance-to-voltage converter is connected to the MEMS sense capacitor, and a sigma-delta converter having a comparator with a first digital output state and a second digital output state is used. The first output state is a sum of reference voltages and the second output state is a difference of the reference voltages. An average value of the capacitance-to-voltage converter output is driven to a zero value and a digital output is provided of the average output states that is equal to a difference between the MEMS capacitors divided by their sum multiplied by a ratio of the reference voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: David Skurnik
  • Publication number: 20080022763
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting radial flows of conductive fluid are provided. In an embodiment of the present invention, shields are used to prevent or reduce circulating electrical currents from causing a voltage difference that would adversely affect the measured voltage difference between two adjacent electrodes. The shields may be a conduit through which conductive fluid may flow. Groups of sensors, e.g., two or more, may be placed within the shield. The shields may have any cross-section shape. Generally, once the circulating electrical current flow between the electrode pairs is substantially reduced or eliminated, only the voltage difference from the localized induced electric field remains. This way, a true induced voltage may be measured, and thus an accurate value for the fluid velocity may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Robert E. Maute
  • Publication number: 20080022764
    Abstract: A method for measuring a nip pressure and/or a pressure profile is provided, wherein a nip-forming roll is fitted with a pressure sensor under a coating layer which is protective and functions as a spring on top of the sensor, and the nip pressure delivers to the bottom surface of the coating a deformation proportional to the nip pressure and the deformation compresses the sensor, which responds to the deformation by generating an electric signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Matti Innala, Tatu Pitkanen, Petteri Lannes, Topi Tynkkynen, Petri Paiva, Marko Tiilikainen
  • Publication number: 20080022765
    Abstract: A flow meter with a metering device for intaking and metering a defined volume of a fluid, and with a control unit for controlling the fluid intake of the metering device for determining a flow rate of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Klaus Witt, Philip Herzog
  • Publication number: 20080022766
    Abstract: A heating resistor type flow measuring device comprising a housing having a support part provided between a frame body and a connector and connected to the mounting part of a fluid passage, a flow rate detection element held on the frame body side of the housing, and an electronic circuit held on the housing and connected electrically to the flow rate detection element and the connector, wherein the electronic circuit is held on the frame body side of the housing and positioned in the fluid passage, a member with the rigidity higher than the material of the main structural member of the housing is formed integrally with the support part, the housing is fixed to the fluid passage through the member with high rigidity. A metal plate is inserted into the support part so as to increase rigidity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicants: HITACHI, LTD., HITACHI CAR ENGINEERING CO., LTD
    Inventors: Naoki Saito, Akira Takasago
  • Publication number: 20080022767
    Abstract: The electro-optic liquid level sensing system detects a level of liquid in a container having an upper opening, such as for a server container of a beverage maker for a transport system, such as for aircraft, trains, trucks, buses and the like. A support housing mates with the upper opening of the container, and a primary liquid level sensor is mounted in the support housing for non-intrusively measuring the liquid level. A secondary liquid level sensor may be mounted in the support housing to sense a predetermined liquid level to prevent accidental overflows. Protective lenses may be placed in front of the primary liquid level sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: BE Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: Sebastien Ramus, Keith DeBald, Joseph Dettmer, Winston Fliess
  • Publication number: 20080022768
    Abstract: A top reading liquid sight level indicator mounts above a liquid contained in a liquid vessel comprises a measuring surface mounted to the liquid vessel that penetrates an upper surface of the contained liquid at a cant from normal to the liquid surface so that the points along the measuring surface that penetrate the liquid surface are visible from above the liquid vessel and represent the level of the liquid in the liquid vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Melissa A. Bell, Christine Ingrid Schade, Chris R. Fidler
  • Publication number: 20080022769
    Abstract: An inclination of an inclined surface formed by working a ridge of a resonator is set to be within a predetermined angular range, whereby a leakage of vibration in the out-of-plane direction is reduced, the leakage of vibration being generated according to the detuning degree adjustment. In addition, a single laser beam is irradiated onto the ridge at an incident angle within a predetermined angular range, whereby a simple working on the inclined surface is established for the leakage vibration adjustment. A degree of the leakage vibration of the resonator is determined based on a relationship with the drift amount that is a ratio of the angular velocity change, and the inclination of the inclined surface is set to be within a predetermined angular range, thereby suppressing the drift amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: CITIZEN HOLDINGS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Izumi Yamamoto, Takashi Moriya, Tomoo Ikeda, Atsushi Murakami, Akihiro Shioji
  • Publication number: 20080022770
    Abstract: A semiconductor acceleration sensor having beam parts formed in substantially L-shape to surround a weight part, wherein formed to surround a square part, as seen in plan view and constituting the weight part, are two elongated L-shaped beam parts, at locations close to proximal end portions of which are formed protruding portions protruding from a fixed part toward the weight part, and receiving recessed portions protruding from the weight part toward the fixed part to surround the protruding portions. The protruding portions have an outer shape substantially the same as an inner wall surface of the receiving recessed portions so that movements of the weight part in any directions in a horizontal direction perpendicular to an up and down direction are limited as a result of reception of the protruding portions by the receiving recessed portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihisa Fukuda, Kouji Sakai, Atsushi Ishigami, Eiichi Furukubo, Ryosuke Meshii, Takashi Yajima
  • Publication number: 20080022771
    Abstract: The invention relates to micromechanical components whose operating stability is increased with respect to known solutions. It can be a matter of sensors or also actuators in which a deflectable element can be deflected in at least one dimension. It is the object of the invention to provide micromechanical components which achieve an increased operating stability, in particular with increased electrical voltages and other external disturbances. In components in accordance with the invention, a deflectable element having at least one spring is held at a frame part. The deflectable element is electrically separated from the frame part by grooves and an electrical insulation. An electrical voltage can be applied between the deflectable element and the frame part for the deflection. Path limitation elements are moreover present between regions which are at the same electrical voltage potential or where a negligible current flow occurs on a touching contacting of such regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander Wolter, Harald Schenk
  • Publication number: 20080022772
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for determining relative and/or absolute axial position of a conduit end within a fluid coupling includes application of input ultrasonic energy in the form of transient shear waves and analyzing the reflected energy. Application of the input energy collected at different radial positions about a first axial location is used with wavelet based correlation techniques to better analyze the reflected energy signals. Quality of the abutment between the conduit end and a surface associated with the coupling may also be determined as a separate or combined feature of the axial position determination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: Swagelok Company
    Inventors: Richard Ales, William Glime, John Hull, Jeffrey Rubinski, Michael Seymour, Peter Williams, Wenxian Yang
  • Publication number: 20080022773
    Abstract: A material characteristic measurement approach measures an internal state of a material by measuring the nonlinear shift in velocity induced by different acoustic energies. The technology for implementing this measurement approach is relatively simple, robust, permits portable measurements, does not require that an unloaded initial condition of the material be measured or otherwise known in order to determine a characteristic of the material, can be applied using one or more transducers, and does not require physical contact with the material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Mark McKenna, Joseph Heyman
  • Publication number: 20080022774
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) for testing of a semiconductor device having a first surface and a second surface with bonding features secured to said first surface are provided. An impervious fixture comprising a dam or a tank retains acoustic transmission fluid in contact with the second surface. Acoustic transmission fluid is excluded from admission to the space surrounding the bonding features where an atmosphere of gas or a vacuum is provided by isolating the first surface from the acoustic transmission fluid either by providing a sealed chamber protecting the first surface or by providing a dam surrounding the second surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Minhua Lu
  • Publication number: 20080022775
    Abstract: A non-contact thermo-elastic property measurement and imaging system and method thereof are described. Acoustic energy is incident on a first surface of a specimen under test. The acoustic energy is converted partially into heat by the specimen, causing a slight increase in the temperature in a region of interaction. The temperature increase is imaged using a high sensitivity infrared camera. Presence of defects (surface and subsurface) in the material modifies the distribution of temperature. An image of temperature distribution can be used for nondestructive testing and evaluation of materials. The temperature change in the specimen caused by acoustic excitation is related to thermal and elastic properties of the material. A measurement of the change in the temperature as a function of the amplitude of incident excitation can be used for direct measurement of thermo-elastic property of the specimen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: University of Dayton
    Inventors: Shamachary Sathish, Richard Reibel, John T. Welter, Charles Buynak
  • Publication number: 20080022776
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer apparatus and process for determining the optimal transducer position for flow measurement along a conduit outer surface. The apparatus includes a transmitting transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, said transducer affixed to a conduit outer surface; a guide rail attached to a receiving transducer for guiding movement of a receiving transducer along the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer receives an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer and sends a signal to a data acquisition system; and a motor for moving the receiving transducer along the guide rail, wherein the motor is controlled by a controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventor: Randy Buchanan
  • Publication number: 20080022777
    Abstract: A capacitive pressure sensing device comprising, a base member, a diaphragm member deflectable under an external pressure, a cantilever member disposed between the base member and the diaphragm member and supported on a support structure, wherein the base member and the cantilever member form a capacitor structure of the device and wherein deflection of the diaphragm member beyond a threshold value causes the cantilever member to deflect to cause a capacitive change in the capacitor structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Woei Wan Tan, Pei Ge, Eng Hock Francis Tay, Jyh Siong Phang
  • Publication number: 20080022778
    Abstract: A microfabricated pressure sensor. The pressure sensor comprises a raised diaphragm disposed on a substrate. The diaphragm is configured to bend in response to an applied pressure difference. A strain gauge of a conductive material is coupled to a surface of the raised diaphragm and to at least one of the substrate and a piece rigidly connected to the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: Chang Liu, Jack Chen, Jonathan Engel
  • Publication number: 20080022779
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure sensor with a carrier (2), which in an inner region comprises a membrane (4) on which at least one first measurement element (R1?) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged, wherein additionally at least one second measurement element (R3?) for detecting a pressure impingement of the membrane (4) is arranged on the membrane, wherein the first measurement element (R1?) and the second measurement element (R3?) are arranged distanced differently far from the edge of the membrane, and the output signals of the first and the second measurement element (R1?, R3?) are evaluated together in a manner such that the two measurement elements (R1?, R3?) detect a differential pressure acting on the membrane (4), and thereby compensate the influence of the system pressure acting on both sides of the membrane (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2005
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Applicant: GRUNDFOS A/S
    Inventors: Jens Peter Krog, Casper Pedersen, Carsten Christensen