Patents Issued in July 10, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080163654
    Abstract: An improved locking device especially for portable computers of the type comprising a lock casing connectable on the one hand to an immovable object by a safety cable, and on the other hand to the protected object intermediate a designated slot formed in a side wall of the computer. The improvement consists of a yoke-member which comprises a first portion configured to be in the engaged state, entrapped between the lock casing and the side wall. A second portion of the yoke member bridges over the lock casing, forming an enclosed hollow thereunder through which electric cables of auxiliary equipment such as mouse and keyboard are passed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Mair Avganim
  • Publication number: 20080163655
    Abstract: The invention relates to a closing device which comprises a stationary part (2) and a pant (3) which is displacably mounted thereon. Tumblers (Z1-Z5) are arranged by means of a key (19) in order to release the displaceable part (3). Said tumblers (Z1-Z5) are maintained in a locking position by means of the locking element (14, 27, 33). The locking element (14, 27, 33) can be adjusted by means of a drive (13, 23, 30) in order to release the tumblers (Z1-Z5), which can be controlled via an electronic control device (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Keso AG
    Inventor: Ernst Keller
  • Publication number: 20080163656
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of swiftly identifying by touch or sight (including in low light) different keys in a set. Different keys are tagged with protrusions from their surface, and identifiers for different keys may differ in the total number of protrusions (which can vary in arrangement patterns in accordance with the number of protrusions), the shapes of the protrusions, and/or the color of the protrusions. The protrusions are fluorescent to allow identification in low light or dark. The set of protrusions for each key can be adhered to the key by placing them on one side of a support strip, which is coated with adhesive on the other side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Tse Wen Chang
  • Publication number: 20080163657
    Abstract: A lock cylinder that includes a housing and a plug. The housing includes a wall that defines a hollow portion and a pin portion that defines a first pin chamber that is configured to receive a first pin. The plug includes a body rotatably housed within the hollow portion of the housing. A key slot is defined in the body in part by a pin resting surface 90, and a second pin chamber is disposed in communication with the key slot. A second pin is disposed within the second pin chamber and is configured to engage the pin resting surface 90. An engagement member is disposed within the body as a separate piece, and engaged with the second pin to space the second pin a distance from the pin resting surface 90 in the absence of a key in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Schlage Lock Company
    Inventors: William J. Dickhans, Paul O. Gardner, Misty G. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20080163658
    Abstract: A biological soil nutrient system that combines beneficial soil fungi and bacteria in a growth promoting nutrient medium, embedded in an inorganic porous ceramic particle for direct delivery during soil aerification to the rhizosphere of adventitious plants, including sports turf, landscape and agricultural applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: PROFILE PRODUCTS L.L.C.
    Inventor: Kevin S. Spittle
  • Publication number: 20080163659
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a roll profile for work rolls for both shape control and free ruled rolling. Each of the work rolls has a tapered end. Providing starting point of the tapered end of the rolls being origin of coordinates, the curve of respective tapered end is a quartic curve represented by a formula y(x)=a0+a1x+a2x2+a3x3+a4x4, x?[0,Le], y(x)?[0,He]. Because the transition between the tapered end and the roll body is smooth, asymmetric deformation due to the difference between abrasion of the upper and lower rolls is eliminated, which reducing wedged shape of strip and reducing unstable rolling due to asymmetrical strip stresses caused by the axial shifting of the roll.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ANGANG STEEL COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Haodong Huang, Xianlin Chen, Anrui He, Lin Zhao, Xiaochun Sha, Xu Yang, Xin Chen, Yanqiang Xu, Pusheng Ma, Xiaobo Guo, Haoran Dong, Shengtian Wu
  • Publication number: 20080163660
    Abstract: A bending press for making tubing from a substantially planar and longitudinally extending metal sheet has a support extending transversely generally parallel to the sheet vertically offset from the sheet, and a bender at one of the edges of the sheet and slidable transversely generally parallel to the sheet on the support. The bender has a pair of bending tools, a tie rod extending transversely in the direction adjacent the pair of tools, and an actuator braced transversely in the direction between the tie rod and the tools and extensible in the direction to tension the rod and press the tools against opposite faces of the sheets at the one edge to deform the one edge. A clamp is engageable between the bender and the support for releasably locking the bender to the support at any of a plurality of positions offset transversely therealong generally parallel to the sheet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Manfred Kolbe, Uwe Feldmann, Frank Viegen, Karl Bohmer
  • Publication number: 20080163661
    Abstract: The present application relates to a method and a device for removing dents in a sheet metal structure based on electromagnetic energy. A device in accordance with an embodiment of the present application includes a working head which is interconnected to a power device by a connecting cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Ralph Meichtry, Ivan Kouba
  • Publication number: 20080163662
    Abstract: A tube punching system for punching at least one hole into a tube, said system comprising: a punch, an external mold and a counter die. The mold and punch are positioned relative to each other such that the mold exerts a counterforce onto the tube when the hole is punched; and wherein the mold subsequently forms a collar as a result of the force applied by punch against the tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Moshe DAGAN
  • Publication number: 20080163663
    Abstract: Methods for forming a tube that includes a feature extending from an inner surface of the tube are provided. The methods can include using a die and stamper, single impact extrusion, double impact extrusion, and progressive deep draw process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Apple Inc
    Inventors: M. Evans Hankey, Emery A. Sanford
  • Publication number: 20080163664
    Abstract: Pliers for pressing work pieces such as mountings, electric contacts, cable lugs and fittings include a first hand lever and a second hand lever. The hand levers are movable with respect to one another. The pliers also include a head and at least two pressing jaws being located in the region of the pliers head and approaching one another during a working stroke of the pressing pliers to press a work piece. The working stroke includes a first partial stroke and a second partial stroke. The pliers also include a first transfer mechanism and second transfer mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: WEZAG GMBH WERKZEUGFABRIK
    Inventor: Kurt Battenfeld
  • Publication number: 20080163665
    Abstract: The invention relates to a bending device for bending in a locking plate of a rotor of a turbine, by means of which a reliable fastening of the locking plate is carried out. The bending device comprises a mounting which has two sections, the first section of which is inserted into the groove of the rotor, and the second section of which, with the mounting inserted in the groove, projects from this groove. By means of a lever, which is rotatably mounted on the second section, the locking plate can be reliably bent over for securing a bolt against loss.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Bjorn Bilstein, Peter Schroder
  • Publication number: 20080163666
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly is provided for insertion into a hollow tube to support the interior walls of the tube during bending of the tube in a tube bending apparatus. The mandrel assembly includes at least one mandrel segment that is adapted for positioning within the tube and has an exterior support surface for supporting the interior walls of the tube during bending. The mandrel segment is anchored at a fixed axial location within the tube by an anchoring device that is radially expandable and retractable between an expanded condition in which an anchor shoe is engaged with the interior wall of the tube and a retracted condition in which the anchor shoe is loose within the tube. A mandrel support rod is attached to the anchoring device for inserting and withdrawing the anchoring device into the tube when the anchor shoe is retracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Wei Ji, Paul D. Larsen, David R. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20080163667
    Abstract: Device for the evaluation of at least one friction property of a ski wax against the surface of snow in a skiing track, comprising a disc carried by a stand and having a substantially planar working surface, on which a layer of wax that is to be evaluated is applied, members for the pressing of the disc by a preselected force against the snow surface and driving members for the driving of the disc in relation to the snow surface. The driving members comprise an electric motor having a known relationship between the electric power consumption of the electric motor and the braking power of the disc and that means are provided for the readout of the electric power consumption of the motor, at least in the beginning of the displacement of the disc in relation to the snow surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 15, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Tomas Lackman
  • Publication number: 20080163668
    Abstract: A leak detector apparatus for a pressurized cylinder having a cylinder of a radius (r) with a slidable piston in the cylinder with a gas filled chamber positioned between a cylinder end and the piston face. The length (L) of the chamber is calculated according to load changes on the piston where the volume (Vc) of the chamber changes. The pressure and temperature of the chamber are measured as well as the length. These values are inputted to a processor to solve the ideal gas law equation PV=nRT where a change in n for a change in length indicates a leak.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony D. Kurtz, Joseph Van DeWeert, Richard J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20080163669
    Abstract: The present invention relates to devices for collecting and storing chemical samples and transferring those samples to analytical devices for analysis. In one implementation the device includes an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals. In another implementation, the device includes an analytical device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with a sampling device. In another implementation, the device includes a sampling device having an interface for transferring samples and electrical signals with an analytical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Mark A. Gregory, Jason L. Springston, Matthew Briscoe, Garth E. Patterson, John W. Grossenbacher, Dennis Barket
  • Publication number: 20080163670
    Abstract: Methods and systems for passenger monitoring and system control is provided. The system includes at least one sensor system configured to monitor an environment immediately surrounding the respective passenger and biometrics of the respective passenger and generate sensor data indicative of a state of the passenger. The system also includes a processing system configured to receive the sensor data. The processing system includes an ontology and reasoning module configured to model at least one of the plurality of passengers, reason about the received sensor data associated with the at least one of the plurality of passengers. The processing system also includes a contextual analyzer configured to transmit the received sensor data to said ontology and reasoning module and to store the information into a contextual information database.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Gary E. Georgeson
  • Publication number: 20080163671
    Abstract: A detection system includes a mobile unit in the form of a trained/in-training animal controlled, either directly or indirectly, by a handler. The mobile unit carries a portable electronics package linked to a remote unit. The animal is trained to search for target odors originating from a specified object, such as drugs, weapons, chemicals, a person or the like. Once a target odor is detected, data generated by the animal, as determined through body position, biometric or other sensors provided in the portable electronics, is either stored in memory for later review or forwarded to a remote unit for immediate evaluation. In this manner, the handler is provided with confirmation that the animal has sensed a target odor, thereby increasing the overall efficacy of the detection system and reducing the possibility of incorrectly reinforcing responses that are not associated with the desired target odors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Regina Elvira Dugan
  • Publication number: 20080163672
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for analyzing a lubricating oil for low temperature properties. The method utilizes 2-dimensional gas chromatography (2D GC) to determine the amounts of paraffins and isoparaffins in the oil. In particular, the method analyzes for a particular isoparaffin fraction which is correlated to low temperature performance. The compositional information thus obtained is correlated with formulated oil Mini Rotary Viscometer (MRV) properties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Frank Cheng-Yu Wang, Lei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080163673
    Abstract: An irreversible humidity exposure dose indicator device, including a housing sealed at a first end thereof and adapted at a second end thereof to admit ambient gas ingress into an interior volume containing chromogenic material. The chromogenic material in contact with water irreversibly absorbs such water to produce a change whose extent is correlative of cumulative exposure of the device to humidity. The device may be configured as an indicator card including an intermediate permeable membrane coated on a first side thereof with a layer of a deliquescent solid and being in contact on a second side thereof with a layer containing a reactive indicator, with a water-permeable layer adjacent to the layer containing the deliquescent coating, enclosed within a water-impermeable transparent enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: AMIR J. ATTAR, Dan Edward Stark
  • Publication number: 20080163674
    Abstract: A sensor system having an analyte modulator, detector and a pump. The concentration of an analyte sample may be modulated at one time constant. The detector may have an output with a drift at another time constant. The one time constant may be shorter than the latter time constant. The latter time constant may be substantially removed from the detector output with a discriminator. A reservoir may receive high concentrations of analyte from the modulator, before analyte is forwarded to the detector and pump via analyte conveyance lines and valving. The modulation or pre-concentration of analyte in the sensor system may entail shorter times and smaller volumes than those needed by the detector. Such mismatches may be alleviated via accumulation of analyte in the reservoir prior to being forwarded to the detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Ulrich Bonne, Martin John Willett, Keith Francis Edwin Pratt, Jerry W. Evans
  • Publication number: 20080163675
    Abstract: An airtight tester is used to test air tightness at a testing position of an object to be tested. The airtight tester includes a base, a leakage-test pipe, a moving unit, and a detector. The leakage-test pipe is connected to a pressure source, such that the pressure source may output a pressure to the leakage-test pipe. When the leakage-test pipe covers at the testing position of the object, the moving unit is pressed at an outer edge of the leakage-test pipe, so that the leakage-test pipe is jointed to a surface of the object, and thus, the detector detects the pressure state of the leakage-test pipe. Therefore, the testing staff obtains the air tightness of the object through an output message of the detector, and thus strengthening the structure of the object through utilizing the information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SMARTANT TELECOM CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoman HSU
  • Publication number: 20080163676
    Abstract: A pipe forming and testing apparatus includes a frame supporting a mandrel, the mandrel being adapted for positioning within the pipe, and two sealing devices connected to the mandrel and adapted to seal opposite ends of the pipe to create an annular space between the mandrel, the pipe, and the sealing devices. The pipe is formed from two or more pipe segments that are welded together. The apparatus includes at least one welding device for joining the pipe segments and preferably includes a rotating device for axially rotating the mandrel and pipe combination to facilitate the welding process. Once formed, the integrity of the pipe is tested by pressurizing the annular space and monitoring such pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: CAR-BER Investments Inc.
    Inventor: Glenn CARSON
  • Publication number: 20080163677
    Abstract: An instrument (10) for detecting and reporting the location of a leak in thin-walled hermetically sealed packaging (100) as between a seal leak and a side-wall leak. The instrument (10) includes a needle (20), a vacuum pump (40), and a means for creating at least two different steady-state differential pressure values across the packaging (100), a mass flow rate sensor (50), and at least one pressure sensor (31), a device for generating a perceptible signal (70) and a processor (60). The instrument (10) is operative for sensing the external pressure outside the packaging's (100) retention chamber, sensing the internal pressure within the retention chamber and transmitting an internal pressure signal, sensing the mass flow rate of gas pulled from the retention chamber, calculating flow rates and differential pressures thus indicating leaks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: MOCON, INC
    Inventor: Daniel W. Mayer
  • Publication number: 20080163678
    Abstract: An oil life monitoring system for a diesel engine system includes a viscosity loss module, a viscosity gain module, and a remaining oil life module. The viscosity loss module determines a percentage of viscosity loss of engine oil based on fuel accumulation in the engine oil. The viscosity gain module determines a percentage of viscosity gain of engine oil based on fuel evaporation and/or soot accumulation in the engine oil. The remaining oil life module communicates with the viscosity loss module and the viscosity gain module and determines a percentage of oil life remaining based on the percentage of viscosity loss and/or the percentage of viscosity gain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew J. Snider, David P. Quigley, Richard A. Barkman, Robert T. Stockwell, Steven J. Andrasko
  • Publication number: 20080163679
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, in which an engine temperature and an intake air temperature are ascertained. In the operating method described, a plausibility check of the engine temperature is performed using the intake air temperature and/or a plausibility check of the intake air temperature is performed using the engine temperature. Furthermore, a control unit for an internal combustion engine as well as a computer program for a control unit of an internal combustion engine and an internal combustion engine are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Heinz Viel
  • Publication number: 20080163680
    Abstract: Techniques for evaluating physical aspects of a formation fluid from within a wellbore include changing at least one of a pressure on and a temperature of a sample of the formation fluid and transmitting at least one acoustic pulse through the fluid sample and analyzing acoustic information collected. Apparatus and methods for the evaluating involve using at least one acoustic transducer. Analyzing typically involves use of formulae that relate equation (s) of state and other properties for the fluid to a change in the sound speed in the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Rocco DiFoggio
  • Publication number: 20080163681
    Abstract: An apparatus for predicting a downhole viscosity of a treating fluid has an energizer and a viscometer. The treating fluid has a gel. The energizer is capable of energizing a sample of the gel. The viscometer is capable of measuring a viscosity of the energized sample. The viscosity of the sample is predictive downhole viscosity of the treating fluid. The predicted downhole viscosity may be used to improve downhole viscosity. After the downhole viscosity is predicted, a concentration modification fluid can be added to cause the predicted viscosity to approach a desired viscosity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Harold G. Walters, Billy Ray Slabaugh
  • Publication number: 20080163682
    Abstract: A gravity gradiometer is disclosed which has a sensor in the form of bars (41 and 42) which are supported on a mounting (5) which has a first mount section (10) and a second mount section (20). A first flexure web (33) pivotally couples the first and second mount sections about a first axis. The second mount has a first part (25), a second part (26) and a third part (27). The parts (25 and 26) are connected by a second flexure web (37) and the parts (26 and 27) are connected by a third flexure web (35). The bars (41 and 42) are located in housings (45 and 47) and form a monolithic structure with the housings (45 and 47) respectively. The housings (45 and 47) are connected to opposite sides of the second mount section 20. The bars (41 and 42) are connected to their respective housings by flexure webs (59). Transducers (71) are located in proximity to the bars for detecting movement of the bars to in turn enable the gravitational gradient tensor to be measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES PTY. LIMITED
    Inventors: Frank Joachim Van Kann, John Winterflood, Anthony Gordon Mann
  • Publication number: 20080163683
    Abstract: A packing method and system for measuring multiple measurands including bi-directional flow comprises of sampling ports arranged within a flow tube in a symmetrical pattern. The ports are arranged symmetrically with respect to the X and Y centerlines of the flow tube. In addition, the ports are also arranged symmetrical to the restrictor to minimize the amount of turbulent flow within the flow tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Craig S. Becke, Lamar F. Ricks, Jamie W. Speldrich
  • Publication number: 20080163684
    Abstract: Provided is a vibration gyro sensor including: a vibration element including a piezoelectric element group which has a first side provided with a drive electrode and a detection electrode and a second side opposed to the first side and provided with a common electrode, which vibrates by a drive signal input between the drive electrode and the common electrode and generates an output signal containing a detection signal corresponding to Coriolis force from the detection electrode; a bias section applying a bias voltage to the detection electrode; an oscillation circuit outputting the signal for causing vibration of the vibration element to the drive electrode as the drive signal based on the output signal generated by the detection electrode; and a phase inversion circuit outputting an inversion signal obtained by inverting a phase of the drive signal output from the oscillation circuit to the common electrode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Kazuo Kurihara
  • Publication number: 20080163685
    Abstract: A method for determining the effects of the wind on a blind (1) or the like that is provided with a sensor means (231) for measuring the effects of the wind in a first measurement direction (X1) and in a second measurement direction (Y1), the two directions being different, the method comprising the following steps: collecting, from the sensor means, a first signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the first measurement direction; collecting, from the sensor means, a second signal representative of the effects of the wind on the blind or the like, in the second measurement direction; which comprises the step of: processing these signals so as to provide a secondary signal representative of the effects of the wind and independent of the orientation of the sensor means in a plane defined by the two directions, in order to obtain uniform sensor detection sensitivity irrespective of the orientation of the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventor: Stephane Lapierre
  • Publication number: 20080163686
    Abstract: An accelerometer based on an optical displacement sensor is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention directs a light beam toward an optically resonant cavity and detects both the reflected and transmitted optical beams that result from interaction with the optically resonant cavity. The optically resonant cavity has a cavity length that is based on the position of a proof mass that moves in response to an acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Symphony Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: Dustin Wade Carr
  • Publication number: 20080163687
    Abstract: The MEMS Sensor Suite on a Chip provides the capability, monolithically integrated onto one MEMS chip, to sense temperature, humidity, and two axes of acceleration. The device incorporates a MEMS accelerometer, a MEMS humidity sensor, and a MEMS temperature sensor on one chip. These individual devices incorporate proof masses, suspensions, humidity sensitive capacitors, and temperature sensitive resistors (thermistors) all fabricated in a common fabrication process that allows them to be integrated onto one micromachined chip. The device can be fabricated in a simple micromachining process that allows its size to be miniaturized for embedded and portable applications. During operation, the sensor suite chip monitors temperature levels, humidity levels, and acceleration levels in two axes. External circuitry allows sensor readout, range selection, and signal processing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: Morgan Research Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Scott Kranz, Robert Faye Elliott, Michael Ray Whitley, Marty Ray Williams, Philip John Reiner
  • Publication number: 20080163688
    Abstract: A sensor chip assembly for use in a sensor capable of Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and gravimetric sensing. The assembly comprising a transparent piezoelectric substrate (I) having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The assembly also comprising first and second thin film metal electrodes (2,3) respectively provided on the first and second surfaces of the substrate (1). The second thin film metal electrode (3) being position on the second surface of the substrate (1) such that a light beam is capable of being transmitted through the second surface of the substrate and reflected from the first thin film metal electrode. The assembly also comprising an attenuated total reflection (ATR) coupler (11) disposed adjacent to the second thin film metal electrode (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2004
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicants: AGENCY FOR SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, MAX-PLANCKGESELLSCHAFT ZUR FORDERUNG DER WISSENSCH
    Inventors: Guangyu Wang, Xiaodi Su, Wolfgang Knoll, Ying-Ju Wu
  • Publication number: 20080163689
    Abstract: The invention relates to an electromagnetic piezoelectric acoustic sensor (EMPAS). The sensor comprises a piezoelectric sensor plate spaced apart from an induced dynamic electromagnetic field, such as from an electromagnetic coil through which AC current flows. The electromagnetic field induces vibration in the sensor plate by fluctuating the aligned dipole moments of the piezoelectric material. Changes on the surface of the sensor plate can be detected by variation in resonance frequency of the sensor plate. The invention represents an improvement over conventional sensor methodologies in that no metallization of the sensor surface is required, and no permanent magnet is needed. The sensor may be used to detect absorption of molecules or biomolecular interactions between probe and target molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SENSORCHEM INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael Thompson, Scott Ballantyne
  • Publication number: 20080163690
    Abstract: A sample 10 is measured by generating ultrasound at 12, for example by using a laser 22 and spatial light modulator 26. The ultrasound is detected at 16, for example by optical beam deflection techniques. A characteristic of the generation at 12 is swept across a range of values to vary the efficiency of generation of ultrasound. The value of the characteristic, which corresponds with the peak amplitude detected at 16, is identified to provide a measure of the acoustic velocity at the region 12. The method is executed at a plurality of sites 12, 20 to provide a set of spatially resolved measurements of the sample 10. This allows an image of the sample to be created.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Matthew Clark, Stephen Sharples
  • Publication number: 20080163691
    Abstract: An ultrasonic receiver according to the present invention includes a first horn having a first large opening and a first small opening which are an incidence end and an outgoing end of an ultrasonic wave; a second horn having a second small opening and a second large opening which are an incidence end and an outgoing end of the ultrasonic wave, the first and second horns being located such that the first and second small openings face each other, and such that propagation directions of the ultrasonic wave in the first and second horns match each other; and at least one ultrasonic receiver main body provided between the first and second small openings, the ultrasonic receiver including a surface parallel to the propagation direction and detecting the ultrasonic wave which has propagated in the first horn and then is incident on the parallel surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Hidetomo Nagahara, Masahiko Hashimoto, Takehiko Suginouchi
  • Publication number: 20080163692
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for a system and method for flow assurance and pipe condition monitoring in a pipeline for flowing hydrocarbons using at least one thermal sensor probe, which at least one thermal sensor probe may be used in conjunction with one or more other sensors to manage the sensing process and for data fusion to accurately determine flow properties and/or pipeline condition. By way of example, but not by way of limitation, in an embodiment of the present invention, a network of noninvasive sensors may provide output data that may be data-fused to determine properties of the pipeline and/or flow through the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Songming Huang, Yan Kuhn de Chizelle
  • Publication number: 20080163693
    Abstract: A method for visualizing objects (13) under light obstructing barriers of a target, the method including emitting an ultrasound wave (11) and a laser wave (14), towards a target, detecting a reflected laser wave is detected by optical means, analyzing the optical signal at the ultrasound frequency with demodulation means, generating ultrasonic image characteristics of the interaction of the ultrasound with the different layers of the target, and generating an optical image of the target obtained using optical imaging, wherein the ultrasonic image is fused with the optical image and the fused image is displayed on a display device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Bruno Sfez, Aner Lev
  • Publication number: 20080163694
    Abstract: Acoustic sensing utilizing a bridge structure coupled about a portion of at least two sides of said bridge to a base substrate, wherein said bridge includes a piezoelectric section and has at least one active acoustic region proximate said bridge. A sensing material is disposed on at least a portion of at least one surface of the bridge, wherein the bridge produces stress effects measurable by an acoustic wave device located in the active acoustic region. According to one embodiment, the stress effects are measured by an acoustic wave device to sense a target matter. As target molecules accumulate on a sensing film affixed to at least a portion of the bridge, stress is produced in the bridge inducing a frequency change measured by an acoustic wave device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Reichl B. Haskell, Daniel S. Stevens, Jeffrey C. Andle
  • Publication number: 20080163695
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a small, yet high sensitivity semiconductor device. A semiconductor pressure sensor 1 includes an SOI substrate 2 on which a diaphragm 3 is formed and four piezo resistor elements R1 to R4 provided on the SOI substrate 2. Of the piezo resistor elements R1 to R4, two mutually facing piezo resistor elements R1 to R4 are arranged across the inside and outside of the diaphragm 3 so as to satisfy a relationship of 0.5<Leff/L<1, where L is the overall length and Leff is the length from the inside to edge of the diaphragm 3.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Takeshi Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20080163696
    Abstract: A volume flow meter for measuring volume flow of a multiphase fluid, particularly milk in a milking installation, is disclosed. The flow meter comprises a sensor chamber and a feed duct for conveying fluid to the sensor chamber. The feed duct is shaped such that the fluid leaving the feed duct has a character that is more nearly in a pure liquid phase than the fluid entering the feed duct. For example, this may be achieved by forming the feed duct into the shape of an inverted ā€˜U’. An assessment of total volume flow is made by combining measurements of presence or absence of liquid in multiple regions of the cross-section of the sensor chamber. Optionally, there may be a second sensor chamber disposed upstream of the feed duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Paul Crudge, John Gillen
  • Publication number: 20080163697
    Abstract: In sports such as tennis, golf, and baseball, generating high racquet, club, or bat speed when striking the ball is important in the game. For a tennis player, a higher racquet speed can result in a bigger serve or a bigger ground stroke. For a golfer, a higher club swing speed can result in longer range drive. And for a batter, a faster swing speed can mean a homerun. Proper swing techniques are crucial in generating high ball speed, but lack of speed feedback for a recreational player makes improvement difficult. Without feedback of the ball speed, it is difficult for a player to know if recent improvements in techniques have resulted in faster ball speed. The present invention provides swing speed feedback for players to help them generating higher ball speeds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Ohlan Silpachai, Michael Karst
  • Publication number: 20080163698
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of estimating the maximum value of the flux during long-term stable operation including cleaning of a membrane filtration plant based on measured data of a membrane filtration characteristic during initial membrane filtration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: ASAHI KASEI CHEMICALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takashi Ogawa, Yoshihiko Mori
  • Publication number: 20080163699
    Abstract: The flow meter probe with force sensors has the body of a frustum of a regular pyramid with a force sensor disposed upon each face. The force sensors are mounted in bores defined in the probe body and include a pin that may be displaced in the bore to exert pressure on an electrical transducer. The transducer may be a ceramic, piezoelectric sensor or a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) sensor. The pin has an aerodynamically- or hydrodynamically-shaped head, a cylindrical body, and a frustoconical tail to concentrate force exerted upon the sensor. The head of the pin protrudes slightly above the face of the probe body so that aerodynamic and hydrodynamic forces are exerted directly against the pin, and pin displacement measures the forces directly. A plurality of probes may be placed in the path of fluid flow in a variety of configurations, as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Rached Ben-Mansour, Muhammad A. Hawwa
  • Publication number: 20080163700
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for reliable and accurate flow assurance and pipeline monitoring. More specifically but not by way of limitation, systems and methods of the present invention provide for using Doppler profiles through a pipeline section to monitor and/or measure depositing on and corrosion of a pipeline configured for flowing one or more hydrocarbons. In other embodiments of the present invention, thermal probe sensors may be used to monitor the depositing on and corrosion of the section of the pipeline. And in still further embodiments, combinations of Doppler sensors, thermal sensors and/or acoustic impedance sensors are provided with outputs from one or more of the sensors used to control one or more of the sensors or to provide for determination of flow assurance or pipeline monitoring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Songming Huang
  • Publication number: 20080163701
    Abstract: In a method for the taking and analysis of samples from a microreaction system (3) having a suction line (9) arranged laterally alongside a discharge aperture (4) of the microreaction system (3), a reduced pressure is generated in the suction line (9) for the aspiration of substances exiting from the discharge aperture (4), causing the exiting substance stream to be divided into an aspirated substance stream and a free-falling substance stream, and one of the two divided substance streams is subsequently fed to an analytical device (10) for analysis. The reduced pressure in the suction line (9) can be influenced and thus the division of the exiting substance stream can be controlled as a function of a result of the analysis. Reaction parameters can also be pre-specified or controlled as a function of analytical results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Michael Ukelis, Bertram Cezanne, Hanns Wurziger
  • Publication number: 20080163702
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for receiving a test sample, particularly sample holders for combined examination of the test sample by a test procedure combined with another test procedure, which differs from the first test procedure, with a planar preparation component (1) in a transparent material with a preparation surface on which the test sample can be prepared, wherein a test path for the introduction of a test facility for carrying out the test procedure is formed on one side of the preparation component (1) and another test path for the introduction of a test facility for carrying out the other test procedure on the test sample is formed on an opposite side of the preparation component (1), wherein a supporting and covering element (3a) which has an aperture (5) through which the test path is formed is pressed against the preparation component (1) on one side (FIG. 1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2005
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Olaf Sunwoldt, Detlef Knebel
  • Publication number: 20080163703
    Abstract: An apparatus that can determine the water wettability of fluid at simulate downhole conditions. For example, a spacer fluid and a drilling mud mixture can be tested under a specified pressure and a specified temperature that simulate downhole conditions. Additionally, a shear rate may be applied to the fluid mixture that is substantially identical to the shear rate that will be exerted on the mixture due to downhole geometries and conditions. The apparatus may also provide the viscosity of the fluid under the designated pressure, at the specific temperature, and under the specified shear rate. The apparatus may also be used to determine the amount of spacer fluid that would need to be added to a drilling mud to improve the rheological properties of the mixture to provide adequate water wettability as well as the displacement of the mixture during the cementing process of a wellbore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Virgilio Go Boncan, Dan Thomas Mueller