Patents Issued in December 4, 2008
  • Publication number: 20080295560
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating joints in sheet metal which includes a stationary member, a slidable center member and slidable rear member with surfaces between the members including z-shaped male and female dies and flat surfaces. The first and second slidable members are compressed to cause the male and females z-shaped die to create a uniformly crimped sheet metal edge, which is further compressed between the flat edges of the stationary and center slidable members to form a joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Jeffrey Hulita
  • Publication number: 20080295561
    Abstract: In a method of forming a recess in a work, a work (1) in which the recess is to be formed is a material that can be cut. A cutting tool (10) for forming the recess is held by a moving apparatus at a prescribed angle relative to the work (1). In a fin-forming step, the cutting tool (10) is moved in a carving direction for carving the work (1) at the prescribed angle, and a thin cutting fin (3) is vertically formed. In a cutting step, the cutting tool (10) is moved in the horizontal direction, and the cutting fin 3 is cut and separated from the work 1. The fin-forming step and the cutting step are repeatedly performed in sequence, whereby a recess (2) having a prescribed depth d and area is formed in the work (1). A recess having the prescribed depth can be readily formed in the surface of the work while applying little stress, even when the area is large.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Hideyuki Miyahara
  • Publication number: 20080295562
    Abstract: The invention involves a forming tool for a machine tool. The forming tool can be used, for example, to create various large forms in sheet metal or other workpieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Gordon A. Straka
  • Publication number: 20080295563
    Abstract: It is a die type which reduces the heat transfer from hot sheet to dies, cutting/piercing tools, and blank holder in necessary zones in the way process conditions require and can increase it in die hardening by heat treatment effect, contrary to the approach used for stamping of hot workpieces between cold dies. This die type has the capability of forming the sheet and making forming process by heat transfer in necessary zones simultaneously according to the properties of workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Mehmet Terziakin
  • Publication number: 20080295564
    Abstract: A transfer press machine which can accurately and promptly check interference and can be easily handled is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sotoyuki Kaneko, Hiroshi Hosoya, Kazuhiro Kuboe
  • Publication number: 20080295565
    Abstract: Disclosed is a termination tool and a method for securing a connector to a cable. The termination tool includes a holder receivable of the connector and a push block slideably located in the termination tool. The push block is capable of forming at least one axial crimp in the connector when the push block is articulated along a connector axis toward the holder. At least two crimp dies are rotably fixed to the termination tool and are capable of forming at least one transverse crimp in the connector when the at least two crimp dies are moved toward the connector axis. A lever is in operable communication with the push block and the at least two crimp dies. The lever is capable of urging the push block along the connector axis toward the holder and the at least two crimp dies toward the connector axis to form both the at least one axial crimp and the at least one transverse crimp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: THE SIEMON COMPANY
    Inventors: Bryan Boemmels, John Gogol, David Medeiros, Charlie Maynard
  • Publication number: 20080295566
    Abstract: A protective tool (5) for the protection of a workpiece, which is to be bent in a bending tool (1), is formed by at least one profile having two faces (6, 7), where the one face (6) includes magnets (8) for securing the protective tool to a lateral face on the bending tool (1), while the other face (7), which is perpendicular to the one face, engages a surface (4) on the bending tool (1) and extends inwards over a groove (2) of the bending tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Torben K. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20080295567
    Abstract: A punch press die holder assembly includes a die holder body with a fixed rim which partially surrounds an upwardly opening die receptacle within the die holder. The receptacle is dimensioned to receive a punch press die, especially of any various circular dies now in commercial use. Cooperating with the fixed rim portion of the die holder is a moveable clamp member that is a portion of the rim that has a centrally directed surface which contacts the die when the die is in place within the receptacle. A manually operable fastener is operatively connected to the moveable clamp member to hold the clamp member in a closed position for restricting the movement of the die and the fastener is movable by hand to an open position for releasing the clamp member and the die from the die holder so that the die can then be removed and replaced from one side by sliding it horizontally out of the die holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Bruce M. Thielges, Alex M. Thell
  • Publication number: 20080295568
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for using a reference meter to provide automated calibration for a fuel dispenser are disclosed. According to one method, first historical metering data associated with a fuel flow meter and second historical metering data associated with a reference meter are maintained within a memory. The first historical metering data is compared with the second historical metering data. It is determined whether a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter. In response to determining that a difference exists between the first historical metering data and the second historical metering data that can be corrected by calibration of the fuel flow meter, an automated calibration of the fuel flow meter is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: GILBARCO INC.
    Inventors: Seifollah S. Nanaji, John Steve McSpadden
  • Publication number: 20080295569
    Abstract: A method for calibration of a system for determining the amount of fuel in a fuel tank includes a first step of initiating a start of the calibration, a second step which includes detection of a level of a fuel-level sensor and detection of a point in time at which the level was detected, and further steps corresponding to a periodical repetition of the second step. The calibration is carried out during addition of fuel to the fuel tank at a generally constant flow velocity. An arrangement for such a calibration is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: CPAC SYSTEMS AB
    Inventor: Dag Lundstrom
  • Publication number: 20080295570
    Abstract: There is provided a scanning probe microscope employing a positioning apparatus M1 including a unit to be driven in XY direction having a substantially square form in plane geometry at the center of the plane in the XY directions and having a first elastic support that bends in the X-axis direction at least on one side of the square form and a second elastic support that bends in the Y-axis direction at least on one side orthogonal to the side and a support unit that supports a stage unit 1 in the XY directions such that the facing surface can face in parallel against the facing surface of the unit to be driven in the XY directions. The positioning apparatus has a space of a predetermined thickness between the surface corresponding to the unit to be driven in the XY directions at least and the facing surface of the support unit that faces against it, and the space is filled with a viscosity agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SII Nano Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Masafumi Watanabe, Masatoshi Yusutake
  • Publication number: 20080295571
    Abstract: A form measuring mechanism 100 which measures a form of an object 102 to be measured by bringing a probe 124 into direct contact with the object 102, includes a plurality of reference spheres 130a and 130b for calibrating the form of the probe 124, a judging means 154 for judging form abnormal values common in position and size to each other and form abnormal values not common to each other obtained by measuring the reference spheres 130a and 130b, and a notifying means 156 for notifying at least anyone of a contamination or dust adhering state of the probe 124 judged from the common form abnormal values and a worn state and contamination or dust adhering states of the reference spheres 130a and 130b judged from the form abnormal values not common to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: MITUTOYO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Takahama, Masaoki Yamagata
  • Publication number: 20080295572
    Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides an automated system for performing repeated testing using an impactor which comprises a cup manifold defining multiple impaction cups, an impactor head defining transfer passages, and a nozzle manifold which defines multiple nozzles and is disposable between the cup manifold and the impactor head, so that in the assembled impactor a route is defined for through-flow via the impaction cups, the nozzles and the transfer passages. The system comprises an impaction station for performing impaction testing using the assembled impactor; a cup manifold recovery station for recovering sample material from the impactor cups in a solvent; an impactor head cleaning station; and at least one handling system for assembling the impactor for impaction, and for subsequently disassembling the impactor and delivering the cup manifold and the impactor head to their respective stations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Christopher Ian Hansford, Dominic Ewan Harvey, Willi Juergen Kumb, Anthony Michael Moran, William Leroy Roberts
  • Publication number: 20080295573
    Abstract: A method of diagnosing the health of an individual by collecting a breath sample from the individual and measuring the amount of each of a plurality of analytes in the sample. The amount of each analytes is measured by fitting a time response curve of a sample-evaluation fuel cell in which the fuel cell sample electrode is contacted with the sample with the analysis based on a function of standard time response curves for an equivalent fuel cell configuration obtained separately for each of the analytes on a fuel cell with equivalent construction as sample-evaluation fuel cell. Each of the plurality of analytes is generally indicative of an aspect of the individual's health. Suitable analytes include, for example, inorganic compounds as well as compositions that exhibit negative reduction reactions at least for a portion of the time response curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Johna Leddy, Luke M. Haverhals
  • Publication number: 20080295574
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for the fuel analysis in an internal combustion engine, which can be operated with different fuels containing ethanol and gasoline in varying compositions, wherein the gasoline content is ascertained in the fuel. In so doing, it is possible for especially the cold starting characteristics of the internal combustion engine to be improved, because the enrichment of the fuel mixture, which is necessary to achieve this improvement, can be optimally adjusted according to the gasoline content in the fuel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Oliver Miersch-Wiemers, Georg Mallebrein, Stephan Uhl
  • Publication number: 20080295575
    Abstract: In a gas flowmeter in which a rod and a sensor element are formed as a single body, for preventing heat of the sensor element from flowing into a sensor probe through a substrate (rod) so as to suppress considerable power consumption, and for obtaining a necessary response speed with respect to a flow rate of gas to be measured or a change in temperature, the gas column (rod) is made of an insulating material on a center axis of the sensing probe and is formed with a conductor pattern on its surface, and the sensing probe connects the sensor element disposed in a pipe through which the gas to be measured flows and a harness terminal through the conductor on the surface of the rod, so as to measure a gas flow rate by using the sensing prove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Noboru TOKUYASU, Hiroaki HOSHIKA, Kaori KASHIO, Keiji HANZAWA
  • Publication number: 20080295576
    Abstract: There is provided a gas sensor that includes a sensor element, a heater that comprises an electrode, a housing that holds the sensor element therein, an insulator assembly that surrounds a part of the heater and is constituted of a plurality of insulators, an electric terminal member that is located between the one of the plurality of the insulators and the electrode of the heater, a cover that covers the insulator assembly, a holder for holding the insulator assembly, and an elastic member that is located between the holder and the cover to generate elastic force which is applied at least to the one of the plurality of the insulators to pinch the heater between the one and another one of the plurality of the insulators via the holder so as to bring the electric terminal member into constant electric contact with the electrode of the heater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Masanobu Yamauchi
  • Publication number: 20080295577
    Abstract: A motorcycle engine includes a crankcase housing a crankshaft, and a transmission unit therein, a cylinder block disposed above the crankcase, a cylinder head disposed above the cylinder block, and an intake system arranged behind the cylinder head, and a knock sensor arranged on an upper surface of the crankcase. The knock sensor is arranged behind the cylinder head, and disposed between the intake system and the cylinder block, such that the knock sensor does not restrict arrangement of additional functional parts of the engine on an upper surface of the crankcase. The knock sensor is substantially surrounded and protected by the intake system, the cylinder head, the cylinder block and the crankcase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Hondo Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Kenichiro Nakamura, Masaji Narushima
  • Publication number: 20080295578
    Abstract: In a method for checking the permeability rate of a closed container (3) with respect to a medium, in particular for checking the permeability rate of a film-type container for accommodating a film container for accommodating a pharmaceutical active constituent formulation, the container (3) is filled with a medium, charged with a gas, and the increase in the amount of medium in the gas is then analysed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Daniela Bothe, Hubert Hoelz, Christoph Kreher, Burkhard Metzger, Christian Scheffler
  • Publication number: 20080295579
    Abstract: Optical metrology methods, apparatuses, and systems for detecting seal integrity. These comprise changing an air pressure inside a chamber to an excitation pressure level when the chamber is placed over a segment of a surface of a structure having one or more seal features and determining whether the integrity of any of the one or more seal features has been compromised by determining, using an optical system, whether any of the one or more seal features have been deformed by the changing of the air pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Morteza Safai, Gary E. Georgeson, James H. Lee, Scott W. Lea
  • Publication number: 20080295580
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method of determining the components of a fluoroolefin composition, a method of recharging a fluid system in which the composition is used, and sensors used therefor. In particular, the composition may be a fluoroolefin refrigerant composition used within a vapor compression system, where the refrigerant composition is useful in cooling systems as replacements for existing refrigerants with higher global warming potential. Such fluoroolefin refrigerant compositions have double bond structures which make them particularly well suited with sensing technologies, including: infrared sensors, UV/vis sensors, NIR sensors, ion mobility or plasma chromatographs, gas chromatography, refractometry, mass spectroscopy, high temperature thick film sensors, thin film field effect sensors, pellistor sensors, Taguchi sensors and quartz microbalance sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: BARBARA HAVILAND MINOR, Nandini C. Mouli, Daniel Bruce Laubacher, John Carl Steichen
  • Publication number: 20080295581
    Abstract: The concentration of an anionically charged polymer in an aqueous solution is determined with a thin solid film having a polymer matrix and a cationic dye. A sample of an aqueous solution containing at least one anionically charged polymer to be tested is applied to the film sensor. The absorbance of the film sensor is measured after the sample has been applied. The absorbance of the film sensor is then compared with a calibration curve of the absorbance of samples containing known concentrations of the anionically charged polymers to determine the concentration of anionically charged polymer in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Li Zhang, Caibin Xiao, Yinhua Long, Weiyi Cui, Bingzhi Chen, Zhixin Zheng
  • Publication number: 20080295582
    Abstract: This invention relates to various methods for using a thermal imaging apparatus to inspect exterior and interior residential components. In particular these methods can be used to detect mold in residential building components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Peng Lee, Kevin J. Seddon
  • Publication number: 20080295583
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic-mode surface (12) scanning method in which a cantilever (10) provided with a probe (18) is non-positively coupled to the surface and is made to oscillate in a resonant fashion using positive feedback, wherein the resonant oscillation contains at least one higher harmonic whose frequency represents an integer multiple of the basic resonance frequency of the cantilever which is force-coupled to the surface. According to the invention, the amplitude or the phases of the at least one higher harmonic oscillation is determined as a control variable in order to regulate the distance between the probe (18) and the surface (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Fran Josef Giessibl
  • Publication number: 20080295584
    Abstract: A scanning probe microscope and methodology called resonant difference-frequency atomic force ultrasonic microscopy (RDF-AFUM), employs an ultrasonic wave launched from the bottom of a sample while the cantilever of an atomic force microscope, driven at a frequency differing from the ultrasonic frequency by one of the contact resonance frequencies of the cantilever, engages the sample top surface. The nonlinear mixing of the oscillating cantilever and the ultrasonic wave in the region defined by the cantilever tip-sample surface interaction force generates difference-frequency oscillations at the cantilever contact resonance. The resonance-enhanced difference-frequency signals are used to create images of nanoscale near-surface and subsurface features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: John H. Cantrell, Sean Cantrell
  • Publication number: 20080295585
    Abstract: A tweezer-equipped scanning probe microscope comprises a first arm with a probing portion, a second arm that moves along an opening direction or a closing direction relative to the first arm, an electrostatic actuator that drives the second arm along the opening direction or the closing direction based upon an opening/closing drive voltage applied thereto, an amplifier that induces self-oscillation in the electrostatic actuator by using an electrically equivalent circuit accompanying the electrostatic actuator as a feedback circuit and causes the second arm to vibrate through the self-oscillation, and a vibration state detection unit that detects a change of vibration state of the second arm as the second arm contacts an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicants: AOI Electronics Co., Ltd., SII Nano Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Konno, Masatoshi Yasutake
  • Publication number: 20080295586
    Abstract: An apparatus for real-time monitoring of fuel consumption of a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a fuel sensor in operative communication with a data tracker for logging set increments. The fuel consumption information is sent to a remote communication device that is in communication with the data tracker, and then the fuel consumption information is sent to a remote monitoring network, where reports detailing fuel consumption are generated. The fuel consumption data provides a user with information about hourly fuel usage, average horse power, operator performance, the location where each increment of fuel is consumed, excessive idle times or breaks in production, and differences in fuel consumption rates for different operators, shifts and jobs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Dwayne Fosseen
  • Publication number: 20080295587
    Abstract: An engine test system includes a base constructed and arranged to reside at a fixed location. The system further includes an engine support member constructed and arranged to concurrently support an engine and move relative to the base. The system further includes a linear transducer having (i) a first portion supported by the base, (ii) a second portion supported by the engine support member, and (iii) a circuit adjacent the first and second portions. The circuit is constructed and arranged to provide a linear transducer signal identifying an amount of linear compression and/or tension between the engine support member and the base along a predefined direction. When the linear transducer resides at a break in station, such an embodiment provides a simple, low cost mechanism which is capable of providing a horsepower measurement for every engine passing through the break in station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation
    Inventor: Anthony Stanley Pruszenski
  • Publication number: 20080295588
    Abstract: A formation tester tool includes a formation tester tool body having a surface, a formation probe assembly located within the formation tester tool body, the formation probe assembly including a piston reciprocal between a retracted position and an extended position beyond the surface of the formation tester tool body, the piston being slidingly retained within a chamber, and a seal pad located at an end of the piston, wherein the seal pad includes a first inner sealing element and a second outer sealing element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Anthony H. van Zuilekom, Chi-Huang Michael Chang, Sue-Lee Luo Chang, Arian Abbas, Bruce W. Mackay
  • Publication number: 20080295589
    Abstract: A pressure meter includes a probe (1) and a piece of surface equipment (2), an inflatable sleeve (11), a non-deformable reservoir (4) containing a gas (G) and a liquid (L), a pressurized-gas source (21), various ducts (31, 32), gas-flow control elements (220-222), a pressure sensor (5), and a volume sensor. According to the invention, the reservoir (4) is supported by the probe, the gas flow is controlled by a nozzle (221) and a valve (222), and this pressure meter additionally includes pressure control members (7, 8) designed to open the valve (222), when establishing each new pressure level at a setpoint pressure (Kpi), for a time period (Tpi) corresponding to this setpoint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: DATC EUROPE
    Inventor: Francis Cour
  • Publication number: 20080295590
    Abstract: A thermal type flow meter has a first heating resistor, a second heating resistor for blocking heat transfer from the first heating resistor to a console, a temperature measuring resistor interposed between the two heating resistors, and a controller for calculating a flow rate unrelated to temperatures of fluid from temperatures of the resistors and currents supplied to the heating resistors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Noboru Tokuyasu, Hiroaki Hoshika
  • Publication number: 20080295591
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas pendulum inertial sensor, which is used in control technology field to detect pose measurement of motional body, such as ship craft and robot, wherein the inertial sensor main includes a gas pendulum angular velocity sensing element, a gas pendulum tilt sensing element and a signal process circuit, wherein the signal process circuit mainly comprises a bridge circuit, a amplify circuit, a filter circuit, and a SCM compensation circuit with a null position and sensitivity compensation program, a linearity and output compensation program, an acceleration interference offset subprogram, and an omnibearing tilt signal compensation program, whereby the SCM compensation circuit integral into a circuit board to replace a conventional hardware signal amplify circuit, a filter circuit and a compensation circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Fuxue Zhang, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080295592
    Abstract: A liquid level detection device includes a sensor provided in a container which stores a liquid therein and having a variable resistance which changes a resistance value in association with a change of liquid level to output a voltage signal according to the resistance value of the variable resistance when a voltage is applied thereto, and a power supply circuit applying the voltage to the sensor intermittently on a predetermined cycle. A conducting time during which the power supply circuit applies the voltage to the sensor is equal to or less than 40 ms per cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Yasunori KAWAGUCHI, Kenichi TANAKA, Toshio OIKE
  • Publication number: 20080295593
    Abstract: A fuel supply system for supplying fuel from a fuel tank to an engine includes a fuel pump, a pressure regulator and a level sensor. The fuel pump pumps the fuel stored within the fuel tank. The pressure regulator regulates the pressure of the fuel before being supplied from the fuel pump to the engine and serves to return a surplus fuel into the fuel tank. The sensor detects the level of the fuel within the fuel tank and a surplus fuel is capable of being discharged to the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takashi Yokoo
  • Publication number: 20080295594
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring gravity in a small diameter borehole comprises a pressure tube and at least one pendulum gravity sensor accommodated by the pressure tube. The gravity sensor comprises a pendulum and circuitry to monitor generally continuously the swing period and amplitude of the pendulum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SCINTREX LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel Jesus Rodriguez Aliod, Tim Niebauer, Harold Siegol
  • Publication number: 20080295595
    Abstract: A family of vehicles is presented which exploit dynamic controls to stabilize in-line two wheeled vehicles. The stabilization results in improved safety at high speeds and on uncooperative surfaces. Stabilization affords balance at zero speed without auxiliary support means. Transformational wheel base length affords high visibility at low speeds and low drag at high speeds. In wheel chair configurations transforming wheel base length allows navigation up and down stairs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: TWILL TECH, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher Tacklind, Cameron Tacklind, Blake Tacklind, Daniel Shaffer, Nelson Au
  • Publication number: 20080295596
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel silicon micromechanical gyroscope, which is used in control technology field to measure pose measurement of a rotating body, such as aerobat, motor tire and drilling platform, wherein the novel silicon micromechanical gyroscope main includes a sensing element and a signal process circuit. The sensing element further comprises a silicon slice frame, a silicon slice, an upper electrode ceramics plate and a bottom electrode ceramics plate. The signal process circuit further comprises a signal detecting bridge circuit used as bridge arm of the capacitor sensing element, and a SCM signal process circuit with data process module. The novel silicon micromechanical gyroscope is able to replace a drive force from the drive conformation with a rotating force from the rotation of the rotating body so as to achieve a novel silicon micromechanical gyroscope without a drive conformation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Fuxue Zhang, Wei Zhang
  • Publication number: 20080295597
    Abstract: System and method for mitigating errors in electrostatic force balanced instrument is provided. The system and method mitigate errors in measurement readings caused by charge buildup in force balanced instruments that employ charge pulses to generate an electrostatic force to null an inertial proof mass disposed between opposing electrodes. The system and method mitigate charge buildup by applying charge pulses to each opposing electrode of a sensing element for a given charge cycle time period in a normal polarity configuration followed by charge pulses to each opposing electrode of the sensing element for a second given charge cycle time period in a reverse polarity conjuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Robert E. Stewart, Robert Griffith
  • Publication number: 20080295598
    Abstract: A system for sensing paper on a paper roll includes an ultrasonic transducer positioned to be in contact with an outer surface of the paper roll; a transmitter circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the transmitter circuit providing a transmit signal to the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer generating an ultrasonic signal in response to the transmit signal; a receiver circuit in communication with the ultrasonic transducer, the receiver circuit providing a received signal indicative of an ultrasonic return echo from the paper roll, the ultrasonic return echo resulting from the ultrasonic signal interacting with the paper roll; and a processor circuit, in communication with the transmitter circuit and the receiver circuit, that determines an amount of paper remaining on the paper roll in response to the transmit signal and the receive signal, the processor providing an output signal when the amount of paper remaining falls below a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert T. Cato, Timothy W. Crockett, Richard H. Harris, Jeff D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080295599
    Abstract: An ice thickness measurement system for determining thicknesses of an ice sheet such as an ice rink that is positioned on a solid or granular substrate. The system determines the thickness of the ice sheet using an acoustic technique, is portable, and may include a display graphic or graphical user interface on the portable unit to direct operators of the unit where to conduct an array of measurements on the ice sheet. The system may also be compatible with a computer for downloading of data and uploading of graphical displays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Mark Clasen, Orrin Milo McGill, Philip Eric Erickson, Ernest L. Tell
  • Publication number: 20080295600
    Abstract: Ultrasound mapping system by transmission, using at least one piezoelectric film. This system comprises an ultrasonic transmitter (16) and an ultrasonic receiver, placed on either side of an object (10). The transmitter is displaceable and encoded in position, the receiver comprises at least one piezoelectric film (14) and the system further comprises means (20) for processing the signals provided by the film when the latter receives ultrasonic waves, so as to map the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: EUROPEAN AERONAUTIC DEFENCE AND SPACE COMPANY EADS
    Inventor: Didier Simonet
  • Publication number: 20080295601
    Abstract: Method of predicting the deformation of a workpiece (13) prior to machining that causes the workpiece to deform through release of residual stresses, which method consists in emitting a beam of ultrasound waves onto the surface of the workpiece (13) in such a way that a longitudinal wave (12) is propagated substantially parallel to and under the surface of the workpiece (13), then in measuring the propagation velocity of the subsurface longitudinal wave in a first region (A) sensitive to residual stresses and in a second region (B) somewhat insensitive to residual stresses, then in calculating the difference in the measured velocities and from this deducing the deformation that will result from machining the first region of the workpiece (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventors: Jean-yves Francois Roger CHATELLIER, Eric Charles, Louis Le Letty
  • Publication number: 20080295602
    Abstract: A system for sorting green lumber into groups for drying includes a striking device arranged to provide an impact on one end of a piece of lumber. A vibration sensor is arranged to detect vibrations in the piece of lumber caused by the impact on the piece of lumber by the striking device. A computation device is configured to determine the acoustic velocity of the piece of lumber from the detected vibrations and a length of the piece of lumber. An indication device provides an indication of a one of the drying groups for the piece of lumber based on the determined acoustic velocity. Alternatively, the indication device may be a bin sorter that receives a signal from the computation device and sorts the lumber into a one of the groups in response to the signal, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Gavin Wallace
  • Publication number: 20080295603
    Abstract: A time-to-digital converting circuit and a pressure sensing device using the same are provided. The circuit includes: a delay time-varying unit generating a reference signal having a fixed delay time, and a sensing signal having a variable delay time in response to an impedance of an externally applied signal; and a delay time calculation and data generation unit calculating a delay time difference between the reference signal and the sensing signal, and generating digital data having a value corresponding to the calculated delay time difference. Accordingly, the digital data are generated using the delay time varied in response to the externally applied signal, so that the size of the time-to-digital circuit is significantly reduced. In addition, an affect due to external noises is minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: ATLAB INC.
    Inventors: Young-Ho Shin, Sang-Jin Lee, Bang-Won Lee
  • Publication number: 20080295604
    Abstract: A method for determining the radial deformation of a blade in a turbine that includes: 1) taking an initial measurement of the blade with one or more proximity sensors disposed around the circumference of a stage of blades; 2) after the initial measurement, taking a second measurement of the blade with the one or more proximity sensors; 3) making a determination of the radial deformation of the blade by comparing the initial measurement to the second measurement. The initial measurement and the second measurement may be taken while the turbine is operating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: Scott Hoyte, Eric Gebhardt, Erin Bauknight, Samuel Draper, John Grant
  • Publication number: 20080295605
    Abstract: A stress detection circuit includes a function block and a detection signal generation circuit. The function block outputs a first voltage such that the first voltage is varied depending on an extent that the function block is stressed. The detection signal generation circuit generates a stress detection signal based on the first voltage and a second voltage during a test mode. The stress detection signal represents integration of the function block, and a level of the second voltage corresponds to a level of the first voltage before the function block is stressed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: YOUNG CHAN JANG, Jung-Bae Lee, Yun-Sang Lee
  • Publication number: 20080295606
    Abstract: A tool for multi-axis mechanical testing of medical implant devices includes a plurality of pins arranged to form a contacting surface with a sample holder. The pins maintain rolling contact with the sample holder during a bending phase of a fatigue cycle and reduce the effects of friction and localized differential strain on the sample holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventor: Jason Chinavare
  • Publication number: 20080295607
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring the ratio of gas volume flow rate to the volume flow rate of a multiphase hydrocarbon mixture. The inventive method comprises the following steps consisting in: sampling (A) the gas and liquid in the pipeline and measuring the ratio (?g) of the section occupied by the gas in the flow of the mixture; analysing (B) the composition of the gas and liquid samples in order to determine the mass or mole fraction of the carbon compounds, composition parameters [Xi] [Yi]; using [Xi] [Yi] to determine the intensive properties of each phase (?liquid, ?gas) with the aid of a thermodynamic equilibrium simulation; calculating (D) the measured density (?mm) of the mixture; using an adaptive process to calculate (E) the calculated density (?e) of the mixture by comparing ?c and ?mm, the mixture being analytically reconstructed when said density values are equal; and calculating (F) the ratio (GVF) of the gas volume flow rate to the volume flow rate of the mixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Inventors: David Di Maggio, Pierre-Yves David
  • Publication number: 20080295608
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and/or monitoring the flow of a medium to be measured, which is flowing through a measuring tube in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube. The apparatus includes: A magnet arrangement which produces a magnetic field passing through the measuring tube and running essentially transversely to the longitudinal axis of the measuring tube; two measuring electrodes which are galvanically or capacitively coupled with the medium to be measured and which are arranged in such a manner that a measurement voltage is induced in them, evoked by the medium to be measured; an evaluation control unit, which, on the basis of the measurement voltage induced in the measurement electrodes, provides information concerning the volume flow of the medium to be measured in the measuring tube; wherein connecting lines, or signal lines, as the case may be, are provided, by way of which the measurement signals are led between the measurement electrodes and the control/evaluation unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2005
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Flowtec AG
    Inventors: Fred Kappertz, Thomas Kung, Gunther Bahr
  • Publication number: 20080295609
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for measuring flow properties of a high gas-cut multiphase mixture flowing in a conduit, such as a wet-gas produced from a hydrocarbon well. In aspects of the present invention, one or more receivers are used to receive Doppler shifted signals resulting from an interaction between a propagating dominant microwave mode developed in the conduit and the high gas-cut multiphase mixture flowing in the conduit. Analysis of the Doppler shift in the received signals may provide for determining the velocity of the gas and/or the liquid phase of the high gas-cut multiphase mixture. In other aspects, analysis of the phase difference of Doppler signals received at the plurality of receivers provides for a determination of the content of the wet-gas, such as the water holdup.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Chang-gang Xie