Patents Issued in April 1, 2008
  • Patent number: 7350373
    Abstract: A surgical drape according to the present invention includes a disk member for removable attachment to a thermal treatment system dislodgment mechanism. The mechanism manipulates the drape to dislodge congealed sterile liquid adhered to the sides of a container formed by the drape within a thermal treatment system basin. The disk member includes a base and a cover, where the cover is disposed on the top portion or sterile surface of the drape. The drape sterile surface may further include other disk member components (e.g., base, etc.). In addition, the drape may further include one or more sensors to detect conditions within the drape container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: O.R. Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Durward I. Faries, Jr., Bruce R. Heymann, David Hendrix
  • Patent number: 7350374
    Abstract: A proposed refrigerator embodiment comprises a body enclosing a lower fresh-food compartment at above-freezing temperatures; a freezer disposed above the lower compartment, an intermediate-temperature compartment disposed above the freezer both operating at below-freezing temperatures. The freezer is separated from the intermediate-temperature compartment by its top wall, from the lower compartment by its bottom wall, and from the body's walls by its sidewalls and rear wall with a gap therebetween. The freezer's walls have predetermined thickness and heat conductivity, for passing certain cold flows through, thereby arranging predetermined temperatures in the compartments. The gap around the freezer's top wall is filled by sealing means, preventing warmer airflows from the lower container into the intermediate-temperature compartment. A rigid net, rested on supporting means fixed to the body, supports the freezer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Marlen Tashlitsky
  • Patent number: 7350375
    Abstract: A receiver (24) for a condenser system (20) includes a body (32) in fluid communication with a header (28) of the condenser system (20). A first cap (38) is coupled to an end (34) of the body (32) and has a saddle portion (40) coupled to the header (28). The receiver (24) further includes a tube section (42) coupled to a second end (36) of the body. A second cap (50) is removably interconnected with the tube section (42) following insertion of a service cartridge (76) into the body (32). The service cartridge (76) includes a substantially-rigid tubular member (78) having rib members (84) radially extending from an outer surface (86) of the tubular member (78). Covers (90, 92), each having openings (94, 96), are coupled to opposing ends of the tubular member (78). The service cartridge (76) includes multiple features for drying, filtering, and/or leak detection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: CalsonicKansei North America, Inc.
    Inventors: John W. Knecht, James D. Snow
  • Patent number: 7350376
    Abstract: A jewelry clasp supports a plurality of strands of jewelry each with opposite ends having terminal fasteners. The jewelry clasp includes selectively connectable first and second segments. Each of the segments includes a spanner portion having opposite ends and a strand retainer bar extending from at least one of the ends. The strand retainer bars are adapted to selectively couple with the opposite ends of each strand of jewelry for maintaining a desired positional relationship between the plurality of strands of jewelry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Denise Couling
  • Patent number: 7350377
    Abstract: A novel structure for increased comfort and utility of jewelry items, particularly rings, is described and claimed herein. The structure, comprising a plurality of elevated surfaces within the interior of the jewelry item, allows increased blood circulation, increased air flow, and ease of cleansing, as well as increased comfort. A variety of embodiments are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Merit Diamond Corporation
    Inventor: Abraham Kaplan
  • Patent number: 7350378
    Abstract: In a device (5) for the manufacture of a quartz glass crucible (2), one section (14, 15) of a wall (13) of the rotating quartz glass crucible (2) is heated at one time by means of at least two electrode arrangements (7, 8) distributed uniformly at the circumference of the quartz glass crucible (2) and generating a first and another electric arc. By providing several electrode arrangements (7, 8), the cooling-down phase of the sections (14, 15) until their reaching the subsequent heating zone (11, 12) can be shortened, and thus an undesirable high temperature difference of the wall (13) can be avoided. Moreover, the required thermal output of each individual electrode arrangement (7, 8) can be reduced, so that evaporation phenomena and connected bubble formation can be reduced. In addition to the higher quality that can be reached in this way, the duration of the manufacturing process is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Heraeus Quarzglas GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Johann Leist, Rolf Göbel, Helmut Fritz
  • Patent number: 7350379
    Abstract: The present invention provides a quality control method and a quality control apparatus for use in the formation of a glass product. A feeder mechanism cuts a column-like molten glass pushed out through an orifice thereof into a glass gob and allows each glass gob to fall with gravity from the orifice. A predetermined glass product is formed from the glass gob after delivering the fallen glass gob to a predetermined position. According to the present invention, the glass gob produced by the feeder mechanism is observed by a plurality of optical observing means spaced apart from each other during a falling process of the glass gob, and three-dimensional coordinates data of the entire surface of the glass gob is generated. Measurement data relating to at least one of a volume, a weight, a surface shape, a length, a thickness, an angle in a falling direction, and a cut surface shape of the glass gob is produced based on the three-dimensional coordinates data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Nihon Yamamura Glass Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuo Ueda, Melvin Lim Si, Kenichi Gomyo, Satoshi Sugimoto
  • Patent number: 7350380
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine enabling to prevent foam from leaking. The present invention includes a housing, a tub installed in the housing to store water, the tub having at least one opening and at least one pipe connected to the at least one opening, a drum rotatably installed in the tub to hold a laundry therein for washing, and a valve assembly installed at the opening to selectively cut off the at least one pipe to prevent foam produced in the drum and the tub from leaking outside via the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Seok Kim, Yang Hwan No, Han Ki Cho, Yeon Su Jung, Jung Hoon Kang, Myung Sik Park, Young Hoon Ha
  • Patent number: 7350381
    Abstract: A security device includes a locking member, a ratchet mechanism, and a plurality of cables. The cables extend through both a fastener and a base of the locking member and are wrapped around all six sides of a box-like structure. The fastener is releasably snap-fitted into the base of the locking member and secured therein by a magnetically attractable tine. The ratchet mechanism includes a housing containing a spool and a locking pawl. A bottom wall encloses a portion of the housing and includes a rotatable central portion having a key receiving recess for unlocking the spool from the pawl. The housing has a rotatable top wall portion which includes a flip-up handle for rotating the top wall portion and the internal ratchet to tighten the cable about an article. An alarm system is contained in the housing of the ratchet mechanism and actuates an audible alarm upon certain unauthorized actions occurring. An LED located within the housing provides a visual indication that the alarm system is activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Fawcett, Ronald M. Marsilio, Dennis D. Belden, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7350382
    Abstract: A turnbuckle lock for use on a thin-walled door includes a locking tongue and actuating mechanism that are formed as one piece with one another. An inner seal disposed between the housing and actuating mechanism is formed by being sprayed onto the housing. The actuating member and the housing member enclosing the actuating mechanism are permanently connected to each other, and the inner seal is placed inside at least one free space formed on the actuating mechanism. The inner seal and outer seal also may be formed as a one-piece element. By the permanent connection of the housing and the component made up of the actuating mechanism and the locking tongue, it is ensured that the locking tongue cannot be detached from the actuating mechanism, so that the locking function of the turnbuckle lock is always provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: EMKA Beschlagteile GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Rainer Hoffmann
  • Patent number: 7350383
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electronic lock structured to include a first bolt configured with an elastic clasp, an electromagnetic device connected to an input device, a second bolt and a microswitch connected to a security system, all of which are installed interior of a housing of the electronic lock. The elastic clasp is retained by a protruding edge of the housing, thereby disenabling the first bolt from an arbitrary retracting movement that would otherwise render the lock incapable of being unlocked. The input device controls the electromagnetic device to induce the elastic clasp and release a retaining state, and then directly rotating a rotating button causes a retracting movement of the first bolt and unlocking of the electronic lock, which simultaneously disconnects the security system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Ching-Hung Kuo
  • Patent number: 7350384
    Abstract: A door device equipped with a lock, which prevents forgetting to lock a door and the like, without an electrical warning device. The door device includes a lock allowing a rotating shaft to rotate between an opened position and a closed position by inserting and rotating a key and the key to be extracted only at the closed position, a cam rotating between the opened position and the closed position in linkage with the rotating shaft, and an oscillating strip oscillating between a first position and a second position, thereby contacting a door projection and moving to the first position when the door is closed while moving to the second position when the door is opened. An oscillating projection and a cam projection do not contact when the oscillating strip is in the first position, while they contact when the strip is in the second position. Thus, the cam rotation is suppressed and the lock rotation is restricted in the opened position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazumi Teratani
  • Patent number: 7350385
    Abstract: A separable, pull-apart key holder formed of two identically-shaped pieces. The pieces are mounted together in reversed, face-to-face relationship. The pieces are formed of a strong, rigid resiliently flexible plastic material, such as molded polycarbonate or nylon. Each includes a flat, plate-shaped body having a generally planar bearing surface on one side. Projecting tongues formed at one end of the bearing surfaces are received in openings formed at the opposite ends of the bearing surfaces. Locking notches snap into engagement to prevent accidental separation of the pieces after they have been pressed together. The pieces can be intentionally separated by simply pulling them apart with a quick tug or pull, causing the locking notches to deflect resiliently and release. The pieces are reassembled by simply pressing or sliding them together, longitudinal alignment between the parts being established by interfitting ribs and channels on the bearing surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Steven C. Book
  • Patent number: 7350386
    Abstract: In a method of making a tube, a sheet metal blank is placed in a U-shaped cavity of a lower mold of a shaping tool, and pressed into the cavity by a ram to shape the blank into a U-shaped configuration. In a next process step, the U-shaped blank is formed between an upper mold and a lower mold of a molding press into a tubular configuration. The upper and lower molds of the molding press with accommodated tubular profile are then clamped together and the clamped upper and lower molds are then removed from the molding press. Subsequently, the confronting longitudinal edges of the tubular profile are welded together via an opening that provides access to the longitudinal edges. After separation of the upper mold from the lower mold, another shaping cycle may begin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfgang Streubel
  • Patent number: 7350387
    Abstract: A tooling assembly 10 having a first set of blades which are formed from a first material and a second set of blades which are formed from a second material. More particularly, each carbide blade of each member 62, 64, 66, and 68 is operatively disposed between two steel blades.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Rodger A. Lisk, Manny William Peraza
  • Patent number: 7350388
    Abstract: A method for determining a shape of a shift roll for a rolling mill, includes the steps of determining a necessary control amount distribution ?i for a plate crown with respect to plate widths, based on a distribution of the number of plates rolled by a target rolling mill with respect to plate widths, and providing a maximum radius difference yA0 of the shift roll. The method further includes the steps of preliminarily determining a line yi of a roll radius distribution with respect to plate widths, based on the necessary control amount distribution ?i and the maximum radius difference yA0, shifting the line yi of the roll radius distribution by a maximum roll shift to obtain a distribution ?yBi of a roll gap change amount with respect to plate widths under the maximum roll shift, and smoothing sharp local changing part of the distribution ?yBi of the roll gap change amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hisashi Honjo, Masayoshi Sato
  • Patent number: 7350389
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to an automated handling device for handling a forged piece during a forging press. A method in accordance with an implementation of the present invention involves positioning the workpiece between two tools in a predetermined shaping position in at least one working region of a shaping machine (positioning step), particularly one that operates percussively, moving the tools of the shaping machine relative to one another and shaping the workpiece between the tools during at least one shaping step, holding the workpiece in its shaping position by at least two handling devices during each shaping step, and thus also when the tool(s) strike the workpiece, and automatically controlling or regulating by mutual coordination the motions and positions of at least two handling devices by use of at least one control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Langenstein & Schemann GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Reissenweber, Harald Barnickel, Lothar Bauersachs
  • Patent number: 7350390
    Abstract: A method of preparing a sheet of material for bending along a bend line includes the step of forming at least one displacement in the thickness direction of the sheet of material, the displacement including a flat zone substantially parallel to the sheet of material with a portion of the periphery of the flat zone extending along and adjacent to the bend line, and including an angled transition zone interconnecting the flat zone with a remainder of the sheet of material. The forming step is preferably accomplished using one of a stamping process, a punching process, a roll-forming process and an embossing process. A sheet of material suitable for bending using the process also is disclosed, as are the use of coatings, shin guards and displacing the area of the sheet between bending inducing slits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Origami, Inc.
    Inventors: Max W. Durney, Arvind Rangarajan
  • Patent number: 7350391
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a clutch housing comprises: a first step of forming a work into a pre-product having a shaft portion and an outer drum portion enclosing the shaft portion integrally with the shaft portion; a second step of subjecting the pre-product to predetermined processing; and a third step of providing a spline on an inner periphery of the outer drum portion by flow forming, and forming the clutch housing into an almost completed product, wherein in the first step, an outer peripheral cylindrical portion of the outer drum portion is formed while being offset in an axial direction with respect to the shaft portion so that it is not opposite to at least part of the shaft portion in a radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: NSK-Warner K.K.
    Inventor: Masayuki Takagi
  • Patent number: 7350392
    Abstract: A can end member has a center panel, a circumferential chuck wall, a transition wall, and a curl. The center panel is centered about a longitudinal axis and has a peripheral edge. The center panel has a peripheral edge. At least a portion of the peripheral edge includes coined segment. The curl defines an outer perimeter of the end member. The circumferential chuck wall extends downwardly from the curl to the transition wall. The transition wall connects the chuck wall with the peripheral edge of the center panel. The transition wall has a folded portion extending outwardly relative to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Rexam Beverage Can Company
    Inventors: Timothy Turner, Rajesh Gopalaswamy, Randall G. Forrest
  • Patent number: 7350393
    Abstract: A hand tool includes two levers pivotally coupled together at a middle portion with an axle, and each having a handle end for being held by users, and a carrier end having a channel formed between two plates, a bar is engaged into the channel and secured between the plates of each of the levers and includes a spring-biased projection, one or more supporting members and one or more tool devices may be changeably attached to the levers and include a slot for receiving the bar and a depression for receiving the spring-biased projection, and for changeably attaching the supporting members and the tool devices to the levers without additional fasteners and driving tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Yu Hsin Li
  • Patent number: 7350394
    Abstract: A method is provided for identifying offsets of accelerometers integrated into hard disk drives. More specifically, often, disk drives employ accelerometers that constantly monitor the acceleration felt by the disk drive. Once the accelerations are less than a predetermined threshold, a free fall event is identified and an actuator arm that is generally positioned above the disk is placed in a safe location prior to impact. Accelerometers must be calibrated prior to use such that their inherent errors are identified and factored into the algorithm that identifies free fall. The method provided herein allows for the 0 g offset to be monitored without having to reorient the device being tested, thus saving time and money.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Maxtor Corporation
    Inventors: William Flynn, Wei Guo, Mark Heimbaugh, Yunfeng Li
  • Patent number: 7350395
    Abstract: An apparatus for generating a road surface reaction force in a test apparatus for a steer-by-wire system includes a steering actuation unit, and actuators arranged in parallel to tie rods of the steering actuation unit. In accordance with this arrangement, there is an advantage of a reduced installation space. Also, it is possible to transmit the force of each actuator to the associated tie rod without loss, and thus, to accurately implement the generation of a road surface reaction force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sang Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7350396
    Abstract: A pulse-type gas concentration measurement system and a method of pulse-type gas concentration measurement in a specific environment. When the sensor is located at a specific position, a variable pulse-modulated voltage is sent to the sensor, so that the sensor outputs a first signal to the processing device. The processing device compares the first signal to the chemical matter characteristics signals to determine the composition and concentration of respective constituents in the gas, and determines a detection voltage according to the first signal. Then, a square-wave pulse with the detection voltage is sent intermittently to the sensor, so that the sensor outputs a second signal to the processing device. The processing device compares the second signal to the chemical matter characteristics signal to determine the concentration variation of each respective constituent of the gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Yih-Shiaw Huang, Miao-Ju Chueh, I-Cherng Chen, Tung-Sheng Shih
  • Patent number: 7350397
    Abstract: A device for detecting the amount or concentration of particulate matter in a gas medium comprises a structure for the deposit of solid particles, at least a first and a second electrode associated to the structure, and means for measuring an electric quantity between the first and second electrode. A plurality of cavities is defined in the structure, which act as collectors of solid particles, the structure being arranged so as to induce the accumulation of the particles inside the cavities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: C.R.F. Societa Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Federico Pidria, Valentina Grasso, Paolo Faraldi, Vito Lambertini
  • Patent number: 7350398
    Abstract: A smoke sensing device for internal combustion engines comprises an electrode assembly with a heated insulator, a high voltage spark system, a voltage attenuator and a signal conditioning system. The electrode assembly is installed in an engine exhaust pipe so that the spark gap between the electrodes is exposed to the exhaust gas. A series of sparks is produced across the spark gap and the spark voltage is sensed and attenuated to produce a voltage signal. At a selected time during the spark, the voltage signal is compared with a reference voltage. The smoke content of the exhaust gas is derived from the frequency of occurrence of sparks where the voltage signal value is less than the reference value at the selected time. The heated insulator burns off carbon deposits on the insulator surface. The repetitive sparks keep the electrode surfaces free of carbon deposit build-up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: David Phillip Gardiner
  • Patent number: 7350399
    Abstract: A leakage detecting device is connected to an evaporating fuel processing apparatus to detect leakage of evaporating fuel in a ventilation apparatus that includes an electric pump, a fuel tank, and a filter. The electric pump includes a pump portion and a motor portion. The pump portion is capable of generating at least one of pressurizing force and de-pressurizing force. The motor portion drives the pump portion. The filter absorbs fuel evaporating in the fuel tank. The leakage detecting device generates pressure difference between the inside of the ventilation apparatus and the outside of the ventilation apparatus in accordance with the pressurizing force and the de-pressurizing force generated using the electric pump to detect a leakage condition of the ventilation apparatus. The leakage detecting device includes a rotation speed controlling means that controls rotation speed of the motor portion at a predetermined rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuyuki Kobayashi, Yoshichika Yamada, Masao Kano, Koichi Inagaki
  • Patent number: 7350400
    Abstract: A method for measuring the mobility of a lubricant located on the top surface of a disk used in hard disk drives. The method includes forming one or more scribe lines in a lubricant layer of the disk. The disk is then spun by a spin stand where lubricant moves in response to the centrifugal forces of the spinning disk. The disk is removed from the spin stand and the height of lubricant that moved into the scribe line is measured to determine lubricant mobility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chao Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 7350401
    Abstract: This liquid feeding system has the first and second pumps each of which is provided with a plunger. Liquid sucked through each of the pump suction ports is discharged out of the discharging port through the first pump and/or second pump. Under the starting operation mode, the second pump is stopped and only the first pump is operated. When the discharging pressure at the discharging port reaches up to a predetermined value, the starting operation mode is changed over to the normal operation mode. Under the normal operation mode, the first pump is stopped and only the second pump is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Kunihiko Takao, Hironori Kaji, Masahito Ito
  • Patent number: 7350402
    Abstract: A method for measuring changes in the composition of fluids, for medical diagnostics or quality control of fluids, comprising: One) placing a drop of fluid upon a quartz crystal; Two) generating ultrasonic vibrations of a predetermined frequency in the crystal; with the vibrating wave directed into the drop of fluid in a vertical direction relative to the area of the crystal upon which the drop is placed; Three) measuring voltage changes over a bridge circuit connected to the crystal, over a time period during which total or partial evaporation of the liquid occurs; Four) comparing the measurement result to previously obtained results or to predetermined data; Five) detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from the results. detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from said results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aria Analytics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatjana Anatoljevna Yakhno, Anatoly Gennadievich Sanin, Vladimir Grigorievich Yakhno, Artem S. Pelushenko, Michael B. Dowell, Christina V. Vacca, Valentina B. Goutorova
  • Patent number: 7350403
    Abstract: A method for analysis of a multi-component fluid is provided based on the features of the dynamics of the self-organization processes in drying drops. An electro-acoustic resonator is utilized, with a drop of multi-component fluid placed on one end of the resonator. A shear oscillation is imparting to the resonator along its longitudinal axis. And oscillating electric voltage is placed across the resonator generally perpendicular to the direction of mechanical oscillation. Changes in the electrical conductance corresponding to changes in the acoustical-mechanical impedance can thereby be measured as the drop of multi-component liquid dries. The particular geometry of an amplitude curve includes identifying the spatio-temporal development and phase transitions is used for integral estimation of food authenticity and quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Aria Analyties, Inc.
    Inventors: Tatjana Anatoljevna Yakhno, Anatoly Gennadievich Sanin, Vladimir Grigorievich Yakhno, Artem S. Pelushenko, Olga S. Shapovnikova, Michael B. Dowell, Christina V. Vacca, Valentina B. Goutorova
  • Patent number: 7350404
    Abstract: The probe tip movement control method of the scanning probe microscope is used for a scanning probe microscope provided with a cantilever 21 having a probe tip 20 facing a sample 12. The atomic force occurring between the probe tip and sample is measured when the probe tip scans the surface of the sample. X-, Y-, and Z-fine movement mechanisms 23, 29, and 30 are used to relatively change the positions of the probe tip and sample. It is possible to maintain a high measurement accuracy and enable scan movement of a probe tip on a sample surface by simple control when measuring a part having a gradient in measurement of an uneven shape on a sample surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi Kenki Fine Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tooru Kurenuma, Hiroaki Yanagimoto, Hiroshi Kuroda, Yasushi Minomoto, Shigeru Miwa, Ken Murayama, Yukio Kenbou, Yuuichi Kunitomo, Takenori Hiroki, Yoshiyuki Nagano, Takafumi Morimoto
  • Patent number: 7350405
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of generating a virtual crankshaft positioning stream of signal pulses that is derived from one or more series of actual crank signals. The virtual stream is useful for monitoring crankshaft positioning and is able to persist despite electromagnetic disturbances in the series of actual crank signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ahmed Esa Sheikh, Bo Nilson Almstedt, Larry G. Anderson, Kirk Heywood, Ajith K. Kumar
  • Patent number: 7350406
    Abstract: A sensor chip breaking strength inspection apparatus that performs sensor chip breaking strength inspection on a semiconductor wafer on which a plurality of sensor chips having a diaphragm portion are disposed includes: a stage on which the semiconductor wafer is mounted; and a nozzle that emits a medium onto the sensor chips at a pressure equivalent to a standard breaking strength of the sensor chips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hideki Yabe, Yuichi Sakai, Yoshitatsu Kawama, Munehito Kumagai, Yasuyuki Nakaoka
  • Patent number: 7350407
    Abstract: An installation structure for an electronic component for a tire, where a case for the electronic component attached to a rim well portion can be prevented from being destroyed during attachment and removal of the tire to and from a wheel. In the installation structure, the electronic component received in the case is attached to the rim well portion in a tire air chamber. When the case is subjected to external force applied in the radial direction of the tire, the case is positionally released from a fixed state before it is destroyed by the force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Shimura
  • Patent number: 7350408
    Abstract: This apparatus and system for integration of a sensor into a wheel includes sensors for monitoring temperature, pressure or other variables inside of an inflated tire that are mounted directly to or inside of a wheel for the tire, that are in communication with conditions in the tire's interior via ducts or channels in the wheel, and/or that are held in place by and between rim portions of a two piece wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Larry K. Rogers, Pinkash Bhoratis
  • Patent number: 7350409
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for recovering magnetically attractable wellbore casing fragments from drilling fluid used in hydrocarbon-producing formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Darrell Clarry Klatt
  • Patent number: 7350410
    Abstract: A survey tool for use in a wellbore includes a downhole portion having an axis. The downhole portion is adapted to move within the wellbore with the axis generally parallel to the wellbore. The survey tool further includes a first acceleration sensor mounted at a first position within the downhole portion. The first acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a first signal indicative of an acceleration of the first acceleration sensor along the axis. The survey tool further includes a second acceleration sensor mounted at a second position within the downhole portion. The second position is spaced from the first position by a non-zero distance along the axis. The second acceleration sensor is adapted to generate a second signal indicative of an acceleration of the second acceleration sensor along the axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Gyrodata, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Ekseth, Martyn Ian Greensmith
  • Patent number: 7350411
    Abstract: A wind sensor device consisting of a plurality of light weight, flexible, high tensile strength filaments attached to and depending from a malleable elongated body structure, such as a wire. The filaments are blown by the wind, thus indicating direction. The flexible body structure is used to attached the device to a hunter's rifle, gun, bow, tree, or other nearby object such as a branch, thus freeing the hunter's hands for other tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Christopher P. Anderson
  • Patent number: 7350412
    Abstract: A fuel tank, which is equipped with two fuel outlet tubes that are merged to one fuel injection pipe to engine, is provided. First fuel outlet tube is located at a corner of the bottom of the fuel tank. Second fuel outlet tube is located on a wall just 2.5 centimeter above the first fuel outlet tube. A fuel level gauge, on instrument panel in front of a driver's seat, turns on ‘red’ signal when a floating valve in the fuel tank reaches to a level 2.5 centimeter above the second fuel outlet tube. When the floating valve reaches a level of the second fuel outlet tube, needle of the level gauge indicates the bottom of the level gauge. Though the gauge indicates that the fuel tank is empty, gasoline in the fuel tank is fed to the engine. Purpose of the current invention is to alert the driver of the vehicle that fuel must be charged immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Young III Choi
  • Patent number: 7350413
    Abstract: A liquid level detection apparatus of the present invention includes contacts provided at a distal end portion of a contact plate, and resistance plates which are formed on a wiring board, and have respective conductor portions over which the contacts can slide, respectively, so as to detect a liquid level. Conductor patterns other than the conductor portions are formed on those regions of the wiring board which the contacts at the distal end portion of the contact plate contact during the time when an arm holder is mounted on the wiring board.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Syunsuke Nagakura, Toshio Ohike
  • Patent number: 7350414
    Abstract: An analog pressure indicator assembly, particularly useful as a barometer, accurately indicates pressure or pressure changes using the fewest number of and/or least expensive components possible. The assembly is typically gearless, and includes a pressure sensitive element [e.g. aneroid chamber] having a first portion that moves in a path in response to pressure. A cam has a first curved surface and a second surface, and is mounted for rotation about a first axis, and the curved first surface operatively engages the pressure sensitive element. A force transmitting element, and a shaft mounted for rotation about a second axis spaced from the first axis, and a pointer operatively connected to the shaft, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Trintec Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brendon Nunes, Gregory Lowe-Wylde
  • Patent number: 7350415
    Abstract: A closed-loop, comb drive device that reduces certain “common mode” sensor errors. The device includes a comb structure, electronics, a substrate, and a position sensor. The comb structure includes two comb-drive sections, each having at least two subsections. The comb drive sub-sections in each section are positioned in a diagonal relationship to each other relative to the device axes. A separate pick-off section, along with the electronics, determine which of the two drive sections should receive a voltage differential, and the size of that differential. The diagonal relationship within each drive section eliminates many of the large scale factor errors which often occur in prior-art designs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventor: Peter LaFond
  • Patent number: 7350416
    Abstract: A method for determining properties or a thin film includes the steps of: providing a piezoelectric substrate; providing a slanted finger interdigital transducer unit that includes a transmitter port and a receiver port on the piezoelectric substrate; forming the thin film on the piezoelectric substrate between the transmitter port and the receiver port; applying an input signal to the transmitter port; and measuring a phase difference, which corresponds to the input signal, from the receiver port. Accordingly, properties of the thin film are determined based on the measured phase difference. An apparatus for realizing the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventors: Yung-Yu Chen, Tsung-Tsong Wu, Guo-Tsai Huang, Pei-Zen Chang
  • Patent number: 7350417
    Abstract: A pressure sensor (30) for sensing a fluid pressure in harsh environments such as the air pressure in a tire, by using a chamber (58) partially defined by a flexible membrane (50), the flexible membrane (50) is a laminate having at least two layers wherein at least one of the layers is at least partially formed from conductive material, and the chamber (58) containing a fluid at a reference pressure, such that the flexible membrane (50) deflects from any pressure difference between the reference pressure and the fluid pressure; and, associated circuitry (34) for converting deflection of the flexible membrane (50) into an output signal indicative of the fluid pressure. Forming the membrane from a number of separately deposited layers alleviates internal stress in the membrane (50). The layers can be different materials specifically selected to withstand harsh environments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Kia Silverbrook, Samuel George Mallinson
  • Patent number: 7350418
    Abstract: A fluid supply assembly having a measuring guide comprising a fluid container, a lid, and a measuring guide. A method of measuring fluid components in a fluid supply assembly is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kosmyna, Ralph Wisniewski
  • Patent number: 7350419
    Abstract: The invention relates to a control device for non-positive connections, especially screw connections. The device includes two force application elements and a measuring element arranged therebetween. The measuring element is at least partially provided with a layer having a force sensory effect. The surface of the layer is provided with elevations for receiving a force applied by the force application elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Holger Lüthje, Saskia Biehl, Ralf Bandorf
  • Patent number: 7350420
    Abstract: A device for measuring pre-stressing force in a bolt/nut connection, comprising a screw nut that is provided with a sensor means for sensing the pre-stressing force. The nut (1) is of standard design, and the nut itself constitutes a sensor body in that, in the outer peripheral surface (2) of the nut, there is machined at least one recess (3) in which there is placed a sensor (4) that is adapted for sensing mechanical stress in the nut, and for providing a signal representing the stress, for transmission to an external recording device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Bjorn Burmann
  • Patent number: 7350421
    Abstract: The measurement transducer includes a transducer housing, which exhibits a plurality of natural oscillation modes, as well as at least one first flow tube held oscillatably in the transducer housing, vibrating at least at times, and conveying at least a portion of the medium to be measured. Additionally, the measurement transducer includes an electromechanical, especially electrodynamic, exciter arrangement acting on the at least one flow tube for producing and/or maintaining mechanical oscillations of the at least one flow tube, and a sensor arrangement reacting to movements of the flow tube, especially bending oscillations, for producing at least one oscillation measurement signal representing oscillations of the flow tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Martin Anklin-Imhof, Christian Schuetze
  • Patent number: 7350422
    Abstract: A measurement pickup includes at least four measuring tubes for conveying media to be measured. Each measuring tube has a first in-/outlet end and a second in-/outlet end. During operation, the measuring tubes vibrate, at least at times, especially simultaneously. The measurement pickup further includes an electromechanical exciter mechanism causing the measuring tube to vibrate, as well as a sensor arrangement reacting at least to local vibrations of the measuring tubes for producing at least one measurement signal influenced by vibrations of the measuring tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Ennio Bitto, Holger Bernhard