Patents Issued in August 12, 2008
  • Patent number: 7411150
    Abstract: A composite component (1), such as a turbine airfoil, includes a conductive portion (2), and a non-conductive portion (5), such as a thermal barrier coating or a wear protection coating, or both. In machining the component, a laser machining step is applied for machining the non-conductive portion, and an electro-machining step is applied for machining the conductive portion. The laser machining step is performed by applying preferably a high-frequency pulsed laser. The focussed laser beam working diameter (DL) is essentially smaller than the size of the contour (16) to be machined. The contour is scanned by the laser beam (9) along a pre-defined trace (17) thus literally inscribing the desired contour into the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd.
    Inventors: Fergus Lavers, Uri Sela
  • Patent number: 7411151
    Abstract: A shape with a substantially perfect circle is obtained as a processed shape such as a modified shape or a worked shape at a light focus point in a cross-section in a direction parallel to an advance direction of a femtosecond laser light beam. A section in a direction perpendicular to an advance direction of a laser light beam emitted from a femtosecond laser (10) is formed in a predetermined shaped. The laser light of which sectional shape in the direction perpendicular to the advance direction is formed in the predetermined shape is entered into a lens (14). The light is focused by the lens inside a transparent material (100) and processes the inside of the transparent material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Riken
    Inventors: Koji Sugioka, Ya Cheng, Katsumi Midorikawa
  • Patent number: 7411152
    Abstract: Voltage fluctuating time integrating means integrates voltage fluctuating time when voltage of a sensor electrode fluctuates as a voltage fluctuation integrated time, and voltage fluctuation occurrence rate computing means computes a rate of occurrence of voltage fluctuation for time on the basis of the voltage fluctuation integrated time integrated. By doing so, quantity of generated plasma can be taken as the rate of occurrence of voltage fluctuation, and plasma detection judging means can easily detect large volume of generated plasma on the basis of the computed voltage fluctuation occurrence rate. Then, it is not necessary to provide a circuit for measuring electric resistance between the sensor electrode and a workpiece as a conventional way, thereby avoiding complexly structured plasma detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Yamazaki Mazak Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tsunehiko Yamazaki, Naoomi Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 7411153
    Abstract: A hinge arrangement for a welder enclosure includes a door panel having at least one hinge at one end that is engagable in a slot of a base to allow the door panel to move between a maximum closed position to a maximum open position. The hinge and slot arrangement of the door panel and base allow the door panel to open and close through a rotation point from a maximum open position to a maximum closed position, and also allows complete removal of the door panel at certain positions between the maximum open position and the maximum closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Radtke
  • Patent number: 7411154
    Abstract: A welding-type apparatus has a control panel with enhanced viewability. The control panel may include LEDs, backlit LCDs, and other light-emitting indicators whose viewability by a user is enhanced when the control panel is subjected to relatively intense ambient light, such as direct sunlight. The control panel includes light reflecting, light refracting, light filtering, and/or light absorbing components to enhance the intensity of the light emitted by the light-emitting indicators relative to ambient light incident thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel C Fosbinder, John C Leisner
  • Patent number: 7411155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing welding-type power are disclosed. They include a source of welding-type power and at least one welding system peripheral. Each includes a network module that has boot loader software. A network is connected to the two network modules, and the network has connection for updates that is capable of receiving software updates. The network connection for updating may be on a user interface module, disposed inside or outside of a housing of the source of welding-type power and may include an RS232 connection. The network modules may include application software. The peripheral may be a wire feeder, a robot interface, or any other peripheral. A second peripheral, with a network module and boot loader software, may also be connected to the network. The updating can occur when the system is powered up. The software update is obtained from a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, or over the internet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: L. Thomas Hayes
  • Patent number: 7411156
    Abstract: An electric arc welding system for creating a first AC welding arc with a first current waveform between a first electrode and a workpiece by a first power supply and a second AC welding arc with a second current waveform between a second electrode and a workpiece by a second power supply as the first and second electrodes are moved in unison along a welding path, where the first and second power supply each comprising a high speed switching inverter creating its waveform by a number of current pulses occurring at a frequency of at least 18 kHz with the magnitude of each current pulse controlled by a wave shaper and the polarity of the waveforms is controlled by a signal. The first AC waveform has a positive portion substantially different in energy than its negative portion and/or has either a different shape and/or a synthesized sinusoidal portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Lincoln Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Russell K. Myers, William S. Houston
  • Patent number: 7411157
    Abstract: An electrode for a wire bonding apparatus is provided. The electrode includes a body portion and a tip portion adjacent the body portion. The tip portion has a substantially spherical configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kulicke and Soffa Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Brunner, Horst Clauberg, John Shuhart
  • Patent number: 7411158
    Abstract: A heatable composite pane having a trapezoidal outline, including a heating area having heating wires embedded in the composite and at least two main busbars. The two main busbars connect ends of a first group of parallel heating wires electrically in parallel. The outer triangular surface of the trapezoidal outline includes at least a second group and a third group of parallel heating wires that can be fed electrically via busbars. The second group and the third group of heating wires have different lengths and are combined to be connected in parallel with the first group. The second group and the third group are electrically connected to one another in series such that an effective wire length between the two main busbars is increased to homogenize heating power in the triangular surface with heating power in the heating area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventor: Jan Andrt
  • Patent number: 7411159
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for heating food comprising a frame, a pan or basket having an opening into which the food to be heated can be placed, which pan or basket can be coupled to the frame by means of coupling means and in which the frame comprises a heating element and a fan for circulating heated air in the pan or basket, and a drive for rotating the pan or basket about a non-vertical rotation axis during the heating of food in a heating position of the frame. The frame is designed such that the pan or basket can be coupled to the frame while the pan or basket is on a supporting surface with its opening directed upwards. The invention also comprises a method for heating food.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Tumble-Woc B.V.
    Inventor: Pieter Adriaan Oosterling
  • Patent number: 7411160
    Abstract: A convection cooking appliance includes a convection fan for establishing a convection airflow which is heated by a heating element including first and second sections that are symmetrically disposed about the convection fan substantially parallel to and downstream of the convection fan. Each of the first and second sections is formed so as to include at least three lobes and four 180° turns, while establishing a thin profile heating element. A convection fan cover extends across the convection fan and includes a main body portion having an outlet portion for directing the convection airflow into a cooking chamber of the appliance. The outlet portion includes an angled louver and a trip edge portion. The angled louver and trip edge portion cooperate to alter a direction of the convection airflow from being substantially parallel to the main body portion to being substantially perpendicular the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thu-Ha Duncan, Christopher A. Larsen, Steven M. Swayne, Robert Z. Whipple, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7411161
    Abstract: A susceptor for deposition process equipment is provided. The susceptor includes a heater that heats the susceptor. The heater includes a sheath. The sheath surrounds a heating wire and is filled with an insulating ceramic material. An isolation layer is formed opposing ends of the sheath to isolate the ceramic material from the ambient environment. The isolation layer is formed from a lead/glass mixture that blocks moisture in the ambient environment from being absorbed by the insulating material. Input/output terminals are connected to the heating wire. The input/output terminals pass through the isolation layer and are exposed to the ambient environment. Current is supplied to the heating wire through the input/output terminals to heat the heating wire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: LG. Display Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Hong Yeol Kim
  • Patent number: 7411162
    Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling current input to an electrical resistance element such as a seal wire. The system and apparatus of the present invention is a closed loop feedback modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent expansion of the seal wire as it is heated. The feedback mechanism monitors both the actual current passing through the wire, and the length of the sealing wire, and adjusts the current applied to the wire, responsive to those monitored inputs. The usage of the sealing machine is also monitored and the application and amount of current flowing to the wire is varied based on this usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Shanklin Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Kalinowski, Mitchell W. Smith, Russell T. Christman, James L. Michaelian
  • Patent number: 7411163
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for providing a melt, in particular a plastic melt. Said device (1) comprises a feed unit (2) for material components, at least one purification unit (4) for the flowing melt, in particular a rotatable screening disc (5), and at least one sensor unit (17; 18; 19; 20; 21) for detecting one or more process parameters. The operation of the purification unit (4) can be influenced with the aid of said sensor unit, based on the filter-specific process data. The inventive device is configured in such a way that at least the type and dosage of the process materials that are supplied via the feed unit (2) and/or the processing parameters of said process materials can be controlled using the detected (17; 18; 19; 20; 21) process parameters and/or the filter-specific process data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Gneuss
  • Patent number: 7411164
    Abstract: An image fixing device inductively injects thermal energy into a rotating printing form of a press for fixing an image formed on the rotating printing form by means of a digital imaging system. The fixing device has at least one inductor with at least one induction loop, a high-frequency part that forms a tuned circuit with the inductor, and a supply part that can be coupled to the inductor by means of supply lines suitable for high frequency. The inductor loop is in an elongated form aligned parallel to the circumferential direction of the rotating printing form, with the effect that the zone of energy transfer and therefore the heating zone can be configured specifically in terms of its spread in the printing form, so that a high flux density can be introduced zonally into the printing form at the point which is to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: MAN Roland Druckmaschinen AG
    Inventors: Michael Wagner, Thomas Kothmayr, Franz Peter Weissgärber, Johann Dieter Bierl
  • Patent number: 7411165
    Abstract: In an apparatus and a method for heating product streams, particularly food product streams containing fruits or fruit pieces, the product 47 flows through a product-carrying channel 2. The apparatus comprises means for generating high electrical alternating fields, wherein the means comprises electrodes, electrode terminals and an alternating field generator. The invention is characterized in that the electrodes are provided within the product-carrying channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: INDAG Gesellschaft Fuer Industriebedarf mbH & Co. Betriebs KG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Wild, Bradley Gunn, Klaus Lochbühler
  • Patent number: 7411166
    Abstract: A Device for coupling a short pulse laser into a microscope beam path, wherein the spectral components of the laser radiation are spatially separated by means of a dispersive element, the individual spectral components are manipulated and are then spatially superimposed again by means of another dispersive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Carl Zeiss MicroImaging GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Wolleschensky, Thomas Feurer, Roland Sauerbrey
  • Patent number: 7411167
    Abstract: A method to dynamically stabilize a target image formed on an image plane of an imaging device located in a moving vehicle. The method includes setting an origin in the image plane of the imaging device at an intersection of a first axis, a second axis and a third axis, imaging a target so that an image centroid of the target image is at the origin of the image plane, monitoring sensor data indicative of a motion of the vehicle, and generating pan and tilt output to stabilize the image centroid at the origin in the image plane to compensate for vehicle motion and target motion. The pan and tilt output are generated by implementing exponentially stabilizing control laws. The implementation of the exponentially stabilizing control laws is based at least in part on the sensor data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Kartik B Ariyur, Saad J. Bedros, Vassilios Morellas
  • Patent number: 7411168
    Abstract: In one aspect of the present invention, a light sensor is provided in the active pixel sensor cell for sensing incident radiation. The voltage corresponding to the photon-generated or other radiation-generated charge in the active pixel sensor cell is stored on a storage node via a sample-and-hold capacitor. Additional elements, such as source-follower transistors, may reside between the sensing element and the sample-and-hold capacitor. The signal is read via a readout source-follower (RSF) transistor. The readout source-follower drain is connected to the row select switch while its drain is connected to the output node on the column output bus. This configuration couples the storage node to the gate-source capacitance of the readout source-follower transistor. This allows the voltage on the storage node to increase proportionally to the increase in voltage on the readout node when the row select is closed and thus enables the drain current to flow through the RSF to the column output bus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Imagerlaes, Inc.
    Inventors: Kim Loren Johnson, Eugene Atlas, Sarit Neter
  • Patent number: 7411169
    Abstract: An exemplary image sensor comprises a photodetector proximate to a pixel site, and a light meter proximate to the pixel site configured to approximate an initial charge acquired by the photodetector at the end of a first integration period of a frame exposure period. A reset circuit resets the photodetector if the approximated initial charge acquired by the photodetector exceeds a threshold. A readout circuit detects a final charge acquired by the photodetector at the end of a second integration period of the frame exposure period. If the photodetector was reset, the readout circuit adjusts the final exposure to account for exposure prior to the photodetector having been reset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ESS Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Richard A. Mann
  • Patent number: 7411170
    Abstract: A photoelectric-conversion apparatus includes a photoelectric-conversion area where a plurality of photoelectric-conversion elements configured to convert incident light into electrical charges, a plurality of floating-diffusion areas, a plurality of transfer-MOS transistors configured to transfer electrical charges of the photoelectric-conversion element to the floating-diffusion area, and a plurality of amplification-MOS transistors configured to read and transmit a signal generated based on the transferred electrical charges to an output line are provided. An antireflection film is provided on a light-receiving surface of the photoelectric-conversion element. The gate of the amplification-MOS transistor is electrically connected to one floating-diffusion area by providing one conductor in a single contact hole, and the anti-reflection film covers the photoelectric-conversion area except a base part of the contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mineo Shimotsusa, Shigeru Nishimura, Shunsuke Takimoto
  • Patent number: 7411171
    Abstract: In a circuit arrangement for analyzing a clocked signal reflected from an object, particularly an optical signal, wherein at least one radiation emitter which, for providing the clocked signal, is connected to a clocking signal generator, and at least one radiation receiver which receives radiation pulses emitted by the radiation emitter and reflected from the object, and a comparator by which the output signal pulses of the radiation are compared with reference pulses whose amplitudes depend on output signals of the comparator, are provided, the reference signal pulses occur concurrently with the radiation impulses received by the radiation receiver and the impulses received by the radiation receiver are compensated for each by a respective internal reference impulse before their analysis in the circuit arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ME-IN GmbH
    Inventors: Andres Richter, Stefan Grohmann, Jörg Lummerzheim
  • Patent number: 7411172
    Abstract: A latch circuit includes first and second resonant tunneling diodes coupled in series, and a reset portion having a photodiode portion responsive to varying photonic energy for switching between first and second states which are different. When the photodiode portion is in its first state, the reset portion normalizes a voltage across each of the resonant tunneling diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gary A. Frazier
  • Patent number: 7411173
    Abstract: An image sensor is provided. The image sensor includes a photodiode disposed in a semiconductor substrate and a first device isolating layer formed having an impurity with a conductivity type in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the photodiode. The image sensor further includes a second device isolating layer composed of an insulating layer that covers the first device isolating layer. In addition, the image sensor further includes an interlayer insulating layer formed on the second device isolating layer and which is composed of a material with refractivity greater than that of the second device isolating layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Byung-Jun Park
  • Patent number: 7411174
    Abstract: An apparatus for selectively emitting light is provided. The apparatus has at least one light-emitting diode (LED) for emitting light. and a sensor that responds to the presence of a signal, such as infra-red light. The apparatus has a controller that controls the activation of the at least one LED based upon the sensor response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Brandon A. Eash
  • Patent number: 7411175
    Abstract: An object-detection system for use with a police vehicle that is operative to provide an alarm to the police officer sitting in the vehicle of an approaching object. The system includes an object-detection device and at least one alarm generator in communication with the object-sensing device wherein the alarm generator is operative to generate an alarm upon receiving an electrical signal from the object-sensing device indicative of an object approaching a police vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Inventor: Mark Schwartz
  • Patent number: 7411176
    Abstract: The present invention measures the strain caused by the shrink and expansion from the corrosion and examines the corrosion of a tendon for a long term with high sensitivity to improve the accuracy of the examination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: National Central University
    Inventors: Chung-Yue Wang, Peng-Ching Peng
  • Patent number: 7411177
    Abstract: A multi-spectrum image capturing device includes a multi-spectrum illuminating device comprising LED's for emitting lights of different wavelengths from one another, a plurality of optical rods for relaying the lights emitted from the LED's, an optical diffusion element for diffusively reflecting the lights from the optical rods by a white diffusion surface and an aluminum-coated reflecting surface to be irradiated at an angle of about 60° with respect to an image-capturing optical axis, and an optical sheet for further diffusing the lights from the optical diffusion element, and also includes an image-capturing optical system and a CCD for forming an image based on lights reflected from an irradiated surface under illumination by the multi-spectrum illuminating device to capture the formed image. An image output captured by the CCD is analyzed to measure color components of the irradiated surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Olympus Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroyoshi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7411178
    Abstract: A wavelength measuring device includes: a light receiving element that receive light to be measured; a temperature controller that maintains the light receiving element at different temperatures; and a calculation unit that determines the wavelength of the light to be measured, based on the outputs of the light receiving elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Eudyna Devices Inc.
    Inventor: Haruyoshi Ono
  • Patent number: 7411179
    Abstract: A photodetector module that can achieve impedance matching and power saving. A photodetector (11) and an amplifier (12) for amplifying an electric signal from the photodetector (11) are mounted on a stem (14). A dielectric plate (18) is arranged between the stem (14) and a flexible substrate (20). To transfer an electric signal from the amplifier (12) to the substrate (20), a lead pin (15d) is provided to pass through the stem (14) and the dielectric plate (18). The output of the amplifier (12) includes a capacitance component, and the output impedance of the amplifier (12) is higher than the impedance that matches with the substrate (20). Further, the thickness d of the dielectric plate (18) is such that the inductance component of the lead pin (15d) includes an inductance component that is inductive, which cancels the capacitance component of the amplifier, and impedance matching with the substrate (20) can be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Opnext Japan, Inc.
    Inventors: Michihide Sasada, Osamu Kagaya, Yukitoshi Okamura
  • Patent number: 7411180
    Abstract: A solid-state image sensor includes a plurality of light-receiving elements arranged in a light-receiving area, and a plurality of micro-lenses corresponding to the light-receiving elements, and has a flattening film formed on the plurality of the micro-lenses. At a center of the light-receiving area, the micro-lenses are placed in positions directly above corresponding photodiodes, and placed in positions which are progressively offset from positions directly above the corresponding photodiodes, towards a center of the light receiving area, as micro-lenses are located farther from the center of the light-receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Sakoh, Masato Kobayashi, Nobukazu Teranishi
  • Patent number: 7411181
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for manipulating particles (micro, nano, and pico) having one or more characteristics with an optical trap formed by modulating a laser beam with a Diffractive Optical Element (DOE). At least one characteristic of the material is selected; and a laser beam having a selected wavelength corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material is generated. Values of the DOE are calculated corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic of the material. The beam and the DOE are modulated to produce a holographic optical trap having properties corresponding to the at least one selected characteristic. The trap is focused to a beam focus or selected spot size; and the beam focus is located near a particle location for trapping the particle therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Arryx, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Plewa, Evan Tanner, Dan Mueth, Lewis Gruber, Kenneth Bradley
  • Patent number: 7411182
    Abstract: Ionization systems, methods of using ionization systems, ion source systems, methods of using ion source systems, and methods of ionization, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corp
    Inventors: Andrei G. Fedorov, F. Levent Degertekin
  • Patent number: 7411183
    Abstract: Methods for specifying the layout of a MALDI sample plate are provided. In general, the methods involve creating a file containing sample plate layout parameters that describe the layout of a MALDI sample plate, and storing the file on a computer readable medium prior to placement of the MALDI sample plate into a MALDI ion source. In many embodiments, the file includes information about the size or shape of the sample plate, or information about the size, shape or position of a sample on the sample plate. In many embodiments, a MALDI sample plate is placed in a MALDI ion source and a stored layout file for the sample plate is accessed and used to position an area of the sample plate in a laser beam. The subject methods, kits and apparatus find use in a variety of different mass spectrometry applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregor T. Overney, Bryan D. Miller
  • Patent number: 7411184
    Abstract: A microfluidic device including a microfluidic chip assembled to an electrospray structure. The microfluidic chip includes at least one microfluidic channel leading through an outlet aperture to a surface area of the microfluidic chip. The electrospray structure includes at least one thin, planar point provided with a capillary slot that terminates at the end of the point so as to form an aperture for ejection of a liquid to be sprayed. The electrospray structure is arranged on the surface area of the microfluidic chip so that the point is cantilivered with respect to the microfluidic chip and so that the outlet aperture of the microfluidic device leads to the capillary slot of the point, which microfluidic device also has a mechanism to apply an electrospray voltage to the liquid to be sprayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignees: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique, Universite des Sciences Et Technologies de Lille
    Inventor: Nicolas Sarrut
  • Patent number: 7411185
    Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry system has an atmospheric pressure ionization chamber for ionizing a sample, an evacuated intermediate evacuation chamber into which generated ions are introduced through a capillary tube, and a vacuum chamber further downstream therefrom into which ions are introduced for mass separation. A partition wall separating the atmospheric pressure ionization chamber from the intermediate evacuation chamber includes a small orifice having a diameter corresponding to an internal channel diameter of the capillary tube. The capillary tube is detachably installed on the partition wall so that an outlet end of the capillary tube abuts on the small orifice. The internal channel of the capillary tube is in communication with the small orifice. The capillary tube can be installed and removed from the system without breaching the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Waki
  • Patent number: 7411186
    Abstract: A multimode ionization source with improved ionization characteristics that comprises an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source including a corona needle having an end positioned downstream from the electrospray ionization source for producing a discharge that further ionizes the charged aerosol, an assist gas inlet positioned adjacent to the corona needle for providing assist gas, the assist gas facilitating ionization of the charged aerosol by the corona discharge, and a conduit having an orifice for receiving ions from the charged aerosol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander Mordehai
  • Patent number: 7411187
    Abstract: A micrometer-scale ion trap, fabricated on a monolithic chip using semiconductor micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology. A single 111Cd+ ion is confined, laser cooled, and the heating measured in an integrated radiofrequency trap etched from a doped gallium arsenide (GaAs) heterostructure. Single 111Cd+ qubit ions are confined in a radiofrequency linear ion trap on a semiconductor chip by applying a combination of static and oscillating electric potentials to integrated electrodes. The electrodes are lithographically patterned from a monolithic semiconductor substrate, eliminating the need for manual assembly and alignment of individual electrodes. The scaling of this structure to hundreds or thousands of electrodes is possible with existing semiconductor fabrication technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Christopher Monroe, Daniel Stick, Martin Madsen, Winfried Hensinger, Keith Schwab
  • Patent number: 7411188
    Abstract: A method to determine a distribution profile of an element in a film. The method comprises exciting an electron energy of an element deposited in a first film, obtaining a first spectrum associating with the electron energy, and removing a background spectrum from the first spectrum. Removing the background value generates a processed spectrum. The method further includes matching the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum with a known simulated distribution profile for the element in a film comparable to the first film. A distribution profile is obtained for the element in the first film based on the matching of the processed spectrum to a simulated spectrum selected from the set of simulated spectra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ReVera Incorporated
    Inventors: Paola deCecco, Bruno Schueler, David Reed, Michael Kwan, Dave Ballance
  • Patent number: 7411189
    Abstract: A cantilever array having a simple structure and being able to reliably detect a surface of a sample, a method for fabricating the same, a scanning probe microscope, a sliding apparatus of a guiding and rotating mechanism, a sensor, a homodyne laser interferometer, a laser Doppler interferometer having an optically exciting function for exciting a sample, each using the same, and a method for exciting cantilevers. The cantilever array includes a large number of compliant cantilevers sliding on a surface of a sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Foundation for the Promotion of Industrial Science
    Inventor: Hideki Kawakatsu
  • Patent number: 7411190
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus comprising an electron emitting unit for sequentially emitting an electron beam in the direction of an inspection area of a sample; a deceleration unit for drawing back the electron beam in the vicinity of the inspection area; an imaging unit for forming images of the drawing back electron beam on multiple different image forming conditions; an image detecting unit for capturing the electron beam that formed an image corresponding to each image forming condition; and an image processing unit for comparing the images on different image forming conditions with one another to detect a defect in the inspection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Makino, Hisaya Murakoshi, Hiroyuki Shinada, Hideo Todokoro
  • Patent number: 7411191
    Abstract: An inspection apparatus by an electron beam comprises: an electron-optical device 70 having an electron-optical system for irradiating the object with a primary electron beam from an electron beam source, and a detector for detecting the secondary electron image projected by the electron-optical system; a stage system 50 for holding and moving the object relative to the electron-optical system; a mini-environment chamber 20 for supplying a clean gas to the object to prevent dust from contacting to the object; a working chamber 31 for accommodating the stage device, the working chamber being controllable so as to have a vacuum atmosphere; at least two loading chambers 41, 42 disposed between the mini-environment chamber and the working chamber, adapted to be independently controllable so as to have a vacuum atmosphere; and a loader 60 for transferring the object to the stage system through the loading chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignees: Ebara Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Mamoru Nakasuji, Nobuharu Noji, Tohru Satake, Masahiro Hatakeyama, Toshifumi Kimba, Hiroshi Sobukawa, Shoji Yoshikawa, Takeshi Murakami, Kenji Watanabe, Tsutomu Karimata, Shin Oowada, Mutsumi Saito, Yuichiro Yamazaki, Takamitsu Nagai, Ichirota Nagahama
  • Patent number: 7411192
    Abstract: A focused ion beam apparatus and a focused ion beam irradiation method are disclosed. Even in the case where a magnetic field exists on the optical axis of an ion beam and the particular magnetic field undergoes a change, the ion beam is focused without separating the isotopes on the sample at the same ion beam spot position as if the magnetic field is not existent. A canceling magnetic field is generated on the optical axis of the ion beam from a canceling magnetic field generator thereby to offset the deflection of the ion beam due to the external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Koichiro Takeuchi, Tohru Ishitani, Yoichi Ose
  • Patent number: 7411193
    Abstract: An infrared (IR) camera and associated electronics including power are systems, including devices and methods, for infrared imaging that can be switched or reprogrammed to produce or display at least two images associated with at least two temperature ranges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: FLIR Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Warner, Scott A. Foster, Stewart W. Evans, Raul Krivoy, Michael W. Burke, John R. Rae
  • Patent number: 7411194
    Abstract: An aviation vision apparatus. Its purpose assists a pilot's ability to fly an aircraft by providing increased visibility. The apparatus features an uncooled IR sensor for vision enhancement. An integrated window assembly is provided which permits the sensor to obtain its imagery. The apparatus also has an integrated aerodynamic enclosure. The apparatus features electronics responsible for window assembly window control functions and IR sensor control. The apparatus is a single line replaceable unit that receives control commands from the aircraft's head-down display or other control modules. The unit also provides for the video display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Kollsman, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Everett, John A. Gagnon, Athanasios Pashos, Roberto Rodriguez, Richard Wolfe
  • Patent number: 7411195
    Abstract: The human body detection device comprises a pyroelectric-type sensor 7 for detecting presence of a human body and an infrared distance-measuring sensor 2 for detecting a distance to a human body H detected by the pyroelectric-type sensor 7 in combination. The infrared distance-measuring sensor 2 is provided with a plurality of infrared-ray emitting devices 3-0, . . . , 3-4 arranged in various directions of infrared-ray emission I1 for covering the whole detection range of the pyroelectric-type sensor 7. There are also provided a light receiving surface for making infrared rays I1? reflected by a detection object H incident thereon and position sensing devices 4 for outputting a signal indicating a distance to the object H according to a position of the incident light on the light receiving surface. The position sensing device 4 corresponding to a plurality of the infrared-ray emitting devices are housed in one housing 20. This human body detection device is small and low-cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Narasako, Hideo Iijima
  • Patent number: 7411196
    Abstract: A method of acquiring data uses multiple sensors in an aircraft. The method includes the steps of: (a) turning ON a DIAL sensor to detect a target of interest during a first flight pass over a region of interest (ROI), wherein the target of interest is a gas or oil pipeline leak; (b) detecting the target of interest using the DIAL sensor; and (c) storing location of the detected target in a look up table (LUT). The method also includes the steps of: (d) during a second flight pass over the ROI, triggering another sensor to turn ON at or about the location stored in the LUT; and (e) confirming presence of the target of interest using both ON-sensors. If necessary, a third flight pass over the ROI is conducted and yet another sensor is triggered to turn ON at or about the location stored in the LUT. Presence of the target of interest is confirmed using all three ON-sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: ITT Manufacturing Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Hooshmand M. Kalayeh
  • Patent number: 7411197
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of determining a characteristic of radiation detected by a radiation detector via a multiple-pixel event having a plurality of radiation interactions. The method includes determining a cathode-to-anode signal ratio for a selected interaction of the plurality of radiation interactions based on electron drift time data for the selected interaction, and determining the radiation characteristic for the multiple-pixel event based on both the cathode-to-anode signal ratio and the electron drift time data. In some embodiments, the method further includes determining a correction factor for the radiation characteristic based on an interaction depth of the plurality of radiation interactions, a lateral distance between the selected interaction and a further interaction of the plurality of radiation interactions, and the lateral positioning of the plurality of radiation interactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Michigan
    Inventors: Zhong He, Feng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7411198
    Abstract: Input circuitry is provided for a high voltage operated radiation detector to receive pulses from the detector having a rise time in the range of from about one nanosecond to about ten nanoseconds. An integrator circuit, which utilizes current feedback, receives the incoming charge from the radiation detector and creates voltage by integrating across a small capacitor. The integrator utilizes an amplifier which closely follows the voltage across the capacitor to produce an integrator output pulse with a peak value which may be used to determine the energy which produced the pulse. The pulse width of the output is stretched to approximately 50 to 300 nanoseconds for use by subsequent circuits which may then use amplifiers with lower slew rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: Samuel D. Holland, Paul B. Delaune, Kathryn M. Turner
  • Patent number: 7411199
    Abstract: A method for operating a coincidence imaging system is provided. The method includes receiving samples from a detector output and determining an intersection of a first line corresponding to a baseline portion of the detector output samples and a second line corresponding to a pulse rise portion of the detector output samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Philip Vernon