Patents Issued in March 31, 2009
  • Patent number: 7509803
    Abstract: Device for controlling the speed of a turbosupercharger in an internal-combustion engine comprising: a compressor, a turbine, a wastegate valve; the control device comprising: a calculating unit, which receives at input a set of parameters comprising a pre-set limit speed of rotation of the turbosupercharger, the air pressure measured at input to the compressor, and the mass flow rate of the compressor, and is designed to process the parameters for determining, through a predetermined map that characterizes operation of the compressor, a limit supercharging pressure correlated to the air pressure obtainable at output from the compressor in a condition of rotation of the turbine at a speed substantially equal to the preset limit speed of rotation; a comparison unit designed to verify whether a required objective supercharging pressure satisfies a preset relation with the calculated limit supercharging pressure; and a driving unit, which, in the case where the preset relation is satisfied, is designed to govern
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Magneti Marelli Powertrain S.p.A.
    Inventor: Marco Panciroli
  • Patent number: 7509804
    Abstract: A turbocharger with a variable nozzle has a turbine impeller, a compressor impeller, a shaft coupling the turbine impeller and the compressor impeller, a bearing housing rotatably supporting the shaft, and a turbine housing accommodating the turbine impeller. The turbocharger further includes a variable nozzle mechanism, provided in a compressor impeller side in a radial-direction outer side of the turbine impeller, for adjusting a flow rate of an exhaust gas directed to the turbine impeller. The bearing housing has a radially expanded portion that extends to a radial-direction outer side to be coupled to the turbine housing at a radial-direction outer side portion thereof such that the variable nozzle mechanism is accommodated between the turbine housing and the radially expanded portion. Between the variable nozzle mechanism and the radially expanded portion, a heat shield plate is provided for preventing a heat transmission between them.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: IHI Corporation
    Inventor: Takahiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 7509805
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a plurality of cylinders, and each cylinder has at least one first and one second exhaust port with associated respective first and second exhaust valves. At least one first and one second exhaust manifold are flow-connected to the respective first and second exhaust ports. A turbo unit for supercharging the charge air delivered to the cylinders comprises at least one first and one second exhaust gas turbine respectively flow connected to the first and the second exhaust manifolds. An exhaust gas chamber flow-connects the first and the second exhaust manifolds upstream of the exhaust gas turbines. The first and second exhaust valves can be deactivated/activated during operation. A throttle valve in the exhaust gas chamber may assume a closed position in order to separate the first and the second exhaust manifolds. A method of operating includes opening and closing different valves at different engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: SAAB Automobile AB
    Inventor: Erik Karlsson
  • Patent number: 7509806
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for optimizing engine braking in a drive unit, particularly used for motor vehicles, comprising an internal combustion engine consisting of a crankshaft, and an exhaust gas turbine which is connected to a crankshaft via a transfer device. A hydrodynamic coupling is arranged in the transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Klaus Vogelsang, Kurt Adleff, Reinhold Pittius
  • Patent number: 7509807
    Abstract: A catalytic combustor (28) includes a plurality of concentric tubular pressure boundary elements (46). The pressure boundary elements are arranged to form a first annular space (e.g., 50) conducting a first fluid flow (e.g., 60) and a second annular space (e.g. 49), separate from the first annular space, conducting a second fluid flow (e.g., 58). A catalytic material (32) is disposed on a surface (e.g., 64) of at least one of the pressure boundary elements and exposed to at least one of the fluid flows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald Joseph Bruck, Mary Anne Alvin
  • Patent number: 7509808
    Abstract: A gas fuel injector includes a first header plate, a second header plate, and a plurality of venturi tubes. The second header plate is spaced downstream from the first header plate. The plurality of venturi tubes is sealably secured to the first and second header plates. Each venturi tube of the plurality of venturi tubes is defined by a plurality of fixable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James M Storey, Constantin Dinu
  • Patent number: 7509809
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine combustor liner having a plurality of holes defined therein for directing air into the combustion chamber. The plurality of holes provide a greater cooling air flow in fuel nozzle regions than in other areas of the combustor liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventors: Bhawan Patel, Russell Parker
  • Patent number: 7509810
    Abstract: Control logic, and a method implemented by the control logic, compensates for mismatched inter turbine temperatures between two gas turbine engines and displays a biased inter turbine temperature (ITT) reading to the pilot without jeopardizing the need to be properly informed of the health of all engines and the relationship engine temperature compared to the maximum allowed temperature. A temperature compensation value is added to the lower inter turbine temperature to thereby increase the ITT to a value that is substantially equal to the higher ITT value. As a result, any potential nuisance or distraction that the flight crew may experience from displaying the mismatch is eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: Shane R. Smith, Tom G. Mulera, Tim Belling
  • Patent number: 7509811
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved multi-point injector for use in a gas turbine engine or other types of combustors. The multi-point fuel injector has a plurality of nozzles arranged in at least two arrays such as concentric rings. The injector further has different fuel circuits for independently controlling the fuel flow rate for the nozzles in each of the arrays. Each of the nozzles include a fluid channel and one or more swirler vanes in the fluid channel for creating a swirling flow within the fluid channel. A method for injecting a fuel/air mixture into a combustor stage of a gas turbine engine is also described. At least one zone has a flame hot enough to stabilize the entire combustor flame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Alexander G. Chen, Donald W. Kendrick
  • Patent number: 7509812
    Abstract: A dual channel ignition circuit (Channel A and a Channel B). In a start sequence in which a successful ignition event occurs, an exciter controller first energizes only a primary ignition channel (Channel A). Once the exciter controller recognizes a success light-off, the alternate channel (Channel B) will also then be excited as the gas turbine engine is accelerated to a self-sustaining speed. The exciter controller will then switch the primary alternative designation of the channels for the next start attempt. In a start sequence in which an unsuccessful ignition event occurs, the exciter controller sets a fail-to-start on the primary ignition channel on a failure to start A/B counter such that a failed ignition channel is diagnosed without dedicated electronic diagnostic circuits while still attempting to excite both circuits to enhance the dependability of a successful engine light-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Michael E. Mehrer, Daih-Yeou Chen
  • Patent number: 7509813
    Abstract: A heat shield for a gas turbine engine combustor includes an apparatus for providing a spiral flow to improve at least the cooling of the heat shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pratt & Whitney Canada Corp.
    Inventor: Honza Stastny
  • Patent number: 7509814
    Abstract: A range of buffer volume/pulse tube volume ratios for two-stage hybrid GM type pulse tube cold-heads that are designed to produce refrigeration at 4 K are provided. The ranges of volume ratios for the first and second stages provides a good balance between the inefficiencies but compact size of a four-valve phase shifting mechanism and the better efficiency but larger size of a double-orifice phase shifting mechanism. The buffer volumes are small enough to be conveniently machined into the warm end housing, or as an option, one can be part of a valve disc housing. The drive motor for the valve disc is in an attached housing to make the valve disc readily accessible for service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd., SHI-APD Cryogenics, Inc.
    Inventor: Mingyao Xu
  • Patent number: 7509815
    Abstract: A superconducting device has a cryosystem to whose cryogenic medium a superconducting appliance and a superconducting switching path (which is electrically connected to it and can be activated thermally by means of a heater) of a superconducting switch are thermally coupled. A pipeline, to whose end the superconducting switching path is thermally coupled, is connected to a coolant area of at least one superconducting appliance. To ensure reliable heating of the switching path when the heater is activated, the pipeline has a cross-sectional constriction which impedes the heat exchange with the coolant area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Peter van Hasselt
  • Patent number: 7509816
    Abstract: In an air conditioner provided with a capacity variable compressor unit including an inverter, the capacity of the capacity variable compressor unit is controlled in response to air-conditioning load data including temperature difference between a set temperature and an indoor temperature. An inverter frequency for controlling an operation condition of the compressor unit is controlled by limiting a frequency obtained in response to the air-conditioning load data to a value less than a maximally allowable capacity stored in memory means such as ROM or EEPROM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Toshiba Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Masahiko Ootori, Kazuhito Oono
  • Patent number: 7509817
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of controlling a linear expansion valve of a cooling cycle apparatus. The method comprises a first step of calculating a target opening level value according to suction overheat level of compressors to control a linear expansion valve based on the calculated target opening level value, and a second step of calculating a new target opening level value according to the suction overheat level of the compressors and discharge temperature of the compressors to control the linear expansion valve based on the calculated new target opening level value. Consequently, the discharge temperature of the compressors is prevented from being excessively increased, and therefore, the compressors are prevented from being overheated and damaged, and reliability of the cooling cycle apparatus is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoon Jei Hwang, Cheol Min Kim, Chang Min Choi, Seung Tak Kang, Hyung Soo Lim
  • Patent number: 7509818
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Jim J. Pastryk, Nihat Cur, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Douglas D. Leclear
  • Patent number: 7509819
    Abstract: A front end for a glass forming operation comprises an open channel and at least one burner. The channel has at least one surface. The surface has at least one hole therein. The burner is oriented in the hole at an acute angle relative to the surface. In another embodiment of the invention, the channel has a top and a pair of sidewalls each having a surface. At least one hole is in at least one of the surfaces. The hole is at an acute angle relative to at least one surface. The burner is an oxygen-fired burner. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the top and sidewalls each have a super structure surface constructed of refractory material. The channel has an upstream end and a downstream end. At least one of the surfaces has a plurality of holes therein. The burners extend at an acute angle relative to at least one surface and in a plane extending between the upstream end and the downstream end and perpendicular to at least one surface. Oxygen-fired burners extend axially through corresponding holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: OCV Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Baker, Harry P. Adams, Christopher Q. Jian, William W. Toth
  • Patent number: 7509820
    Abstract: Referring to a rehanging needle, the shaft is provided with a cutout that receives the tip of a rehanging spring. The cutout is divided into a first section and a second section, whereby the two sections have different depths. When a half stitch slides onto the rehanging spring, the spring tip can use the space due to the recessed second section and sink into said space, without the rehanging spring experiencing a permanent deformation. Consequently, it is possible for the half stitches to consistently and reliably slide up in order to set up the rehanging operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Groz-Beckert KG
    Inventor: Zhiyong Wang
  • Patent number: 7509821
    Abstract: A yarn measuring device for a flat bed knitting machine which has a chassis, a needle bed, a track and a carriage. The carriage has a cam controller and a mask plate. The yarn measuring device includes a counter, a detection unit and a programmable logic circuit controller. The programmable logic circuit controller, the counter, the detection unit, the carriage and the cam controller are electrically interconnected. Knitting stitches can be measured in a bidirectional fashion. Measuring accuracy improves, measured value can be read directly and easier, and the position of cams can be adjusted quickly. Total yarn requirement can be calculated accurately, fabric quality can be improved and production efficiency can be enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pai Lung Machinery Mill Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yu-Sheng Lin, Joe Wang
  • Patent number: 7509822
    Abstract: An article of clothing has a main body formed of high-tightness, main-body knitting fabric made of power net. The article of clothing includes front and back support pieces disposed around the waist and having no elasticity in a longitudinal direction thereof. The front support pieces are sewn to a front body at positions inside the left and right ilia of the abdominal pelvis. The back support pieces are sewn to a back body at left and right positions near the sacrum of the pelvis in central hip portions. Side waist pieces disposed between the front and back support pieces are formed by sewing high-tightness, net-like knitting fabric to the main-body knitting fabric at the top edge while leaving the bottom edge unsewn. The article of clothing has a pant-like shape with left and right leg parts that can be tightly fitted around the thighs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NLC Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Ishida, Shinji Hada
  • Patent number: 7509823
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a windproof and air-permeable single-layer knit fabric through several simple steps of designing, desizing, and brushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kuo-Chin Chen
  • Patent number: 7509824
    Abstract: The object of the present invention lies on providing a washing machine with a device for connection to an outside required for connecting to wire/wireless communication and Internet technologies. The washing machine includes a controller fitted to a body for washing control, and a device fitted at one side of the body for exchange washing related data between the controller and an external device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hye Yong Park, Seong-Jin Jo, Kwon-Ki Hong
  • Patent number: 7509825
    Abstract: Provided herein is an automatic balancing device for counterbalancing an out-of-balance mass present in a rotating body. The automatic balancing device includes a chamber with an outer wall and an axis, first and second counterbalancing masses constrained to move freely in a circular path about the axis within the chamber, and a viscous fluid provided in the chamber so as to provide viscous coupling between the outer wall of the chamber and each of the counterbalancing masses. The counterbalancing masses may be arranged so that the first counterbalancing mass leads the second counterbalancing mass when the device is in use. A constraint may be provided with the device so as to prevent the first counterbalancing mass from leading the second counterbalancing mass by more than substantially 180°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Dyson Technology Limited
    Inventor: David Michael Jones
  • Patent number: 7509826
    Abstract: An anti-theft device for vehicles steered by means of a handlebar fixed to a fork (2, 3) accepting a steered wheel, comprising first means (12) of connection with the handlebar and second means (4, 5, 6) of connection with the fork, coupling means (7, 11, 18, 19, 20, 24) between the said first and second connection means, a two-position actuation device (21, 22, 23) locking any relative movement between the first and second connection means in the position of use of the vehicle and allowing free rotation between the said first and second connection means in the engaged position of the said anti-theft device, the actuation device comprising an interlocking mechanism (18, 21, 26), locked when the actuation device is in the anti-theft position and activated when the actuation device is in the position of use, independently of the relative positions of the handlebar and fork.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Franklin Ferdinand Niedrig
  • Patent number: 7509827
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and a device for expansion forming of an article. According to at least one aspect of the invention, an expansion forming tool is pressure-compensated from two sides, pressure differences on each side being equalized by means of a pressure transmitter, which is applicable to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Avure Technologies AB
    Inventor: Keijo Hellgren
  • Patent number: 7509828
    Abstract: An improved tool assembly for enhancing the surface of a heat transfer tube is provided. The tool assembly includes rods having cutting tips and positioned in rod guides which are slidably positioned in shafts provided in a tool holder. In an equilibrium state, the cutting tips do not extend from the tool holder. When a force is applied to the rod guides, the rod guides move in a first direction along the shafts in the tool holder, resulting in exposure of the cutting tips which enhance the tube surface. When the force is removed from the rod guides, the rod guides move along the shafts in a direction opposite the first direction to retract the cutting tips within the tool holder. In this way, the cutting tips are protected when not in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Wolverine Tube, Inc.
    Inventors: Petur Thors, Nikolai Zoubkov
  • Patent number: 7509829
    Abstract: A mandrel assembly has a mandrel, a biasing member, and a outer member. The biasing member biasly maintains the outer member in a first position, which corresponds to a contoured portion of the mandrel, when the outer member is either on the access or the blind side of a workpiece. The biasing member is compressible to allow the outer member to move into a second position as the outer member is moved through an opening in the workpiece. In the first position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that is larger than the opening of the structural workpiece. In the second position, the outer member includes a maximum outer circumference that fits within the opening of the structural workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fatigue Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy H. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7509830
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a rotation rate sensor comprising a vibration gyroscope that represents a band-pass filter and that is part of at least one control circuit, wherein the control circuit comprises a digital and analog components and excites the vibration gyroscope to vibrate with its natural frequency by supplying it with an excitation signal. An output signal can be gathered from the vibration gyroscope from which the excitation signal and the rotation rate signal can be derived by filtering and amplification. Redundant analog components and at least one analog to digital converter are used to measure analog signals and read characteristic values within the digital components and compare the measured characteristic values with limiting values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Raphael Mayer-Wegelin, Heinz-Werner Morell, Dietmar Schmid
  • Patent number: 7509831
    Abstract: The present invention accommodates differences in cracking pressures between check valves by determining a pressure on the input of a check valve that corresponds to a predetermined flow rate at the output of the check valve. A container is incrementally pressurized and the vacuum at a point on the output side of the check valve is monitored. Once fluid begins to pass through the check valve, the vacuum drops. At the predetermined flow rate, the pump cannot maintain a predetermined vacuum level since it cannot exceed a maximum speed. At this point the pressure applied to the container corresponds to the predetermined flow rate. An offset is added to the pressure to determine the minimum operating pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Alcon, Inc.
    Inventor: Amir H. Khashayar
  • Patent number: 7509832
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to pseudo porosity standards, and methods for their manufacture and use, which may substantially mimic the effect porosity has on ultrasonic sound as it passes through a composite laminate. An ultrasonic inspection reference standard for composite materials having porosity may include a member having at least one thickness and at least one discrete wire. The member may be manufactured from a fiber-free polymer resin using a stereo lithography process. The discrete wire may scatter and attenuate ultrasonic energy. The reference standard may replace more costly, porous, fiber-reinforced, composite reference standards in the aircraft industry and in other non-aircraft applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Christopher M. Vaccaro, April L. Beisiegel, David A. Lilienthal
  • Patent number: 7509833
    Abstract: A wear gauge is provided for simulating the wear of a magnetic recording component at its interface with a magnetic storage medium comprising a wear gauge block having a wear surface that substantially approximates the geometrical dimensions and contour of the working surface of the magnetic recording component, wherein the wear surface has a coating of transparent material. A test method comprises mounting the wear gauge in a test fixture, positioning a tape and adjusting the overwrap angle at edges of the wear surface, choosing the desired tape tension, speed and runtime, and running the tape, preferably unidirectionally, in operational contact with the wear surface for the desired runtime. The wear surface is inspected under white light illumination to observe and record locations of interferometric color changes on the wear surface. The color changes are correlated to thickness changes of the transparent coating on the wear surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Glenn Biskeborn, Jason Liang
  • Patent number: 7509834
    Abstract: A method and associated product for wear level determination. Data is received from at least one Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag within a thickness of a wearing surface layer of each product of at least one product. The wearing surface layer of each product is an outermost surface layer of each product. The wearing surface layer of each product is adapted to be worn away such that the thickness of the wearing surface layer is reduced as each product is being used. A measure of wear of the wearing surface layer of each product is determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Frederic Bauchot, Gerard Marmigère
  • Patent number: 7509835
    Abstract: A helmet includes a head enclosure with an open cavity for the head of a user and a shock detector attached to the head enclosure that provides a signal when the head enclosure is subjected an impact exceeding a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Gregory S. Beck
  • Patent number: 7509836
    Abstract: A gas flux chamber assembly with a soil collar and a chamber is provided. The chamber is moved between first and second positions, wherein the chamber is positioned on the soil collar in the first position and is positioned outside of an area above the soil collar in the second position. In operation, the chamber is first lifted off of the soil collar and is then rotated, about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the soil collar axis, outside of the area above the soil collar. These acts are reversed to move the chamber from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: LI-COR, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Johnson, Andrew G. Ragatz, Rex A. Peterson
  • Patent number: 7509837
    Abstract: A method and system for rapid determination of a composition, such as crude oils and fractions thereof, and s obtaining the information necessary to assess the yield of commercially valuable fuel and lube oil fractions in a single process, variations of the method and system use Gas Chromatography—FID/Mass Spectrometry and other features, including an auto sampler, a wall coated capillary column, a temperature programmable injector, and a data processing system for compiling and processing the experimental data. The system and method further include a computer system with application software or other processing mechanism and optionally a communication network. One variation provides a graphical user interface for the entry of data and for displaying information, such as in a graphical manner, to show the relationship of various determined outputs and results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Separation Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Joaquin A. Lubkowitz, Aaron Mendez, Roberto I. Meneghini
  • Patent number: 7509838
    Abstract: A method for correcting humidity measurement results of a radiosonde, especially for errors resulting from radiative heat exchange. Environmental humidity Um is measured with a humidity sensor in the radiosonde, a current value of at least one environmental condition parameter is determined, and error-corrected humidity U is calculated directly or indirectly utilizing the measured environmental humidity Um and a correction value corresponding to the at least one current environmental condition parameter value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Vaisala Oyj
    Inventor: Ari Paukkunen
  • Patent number: 7509839
    Abstract: A kit includes at least one of: a substance for one of ingestion by a human body and application to one of the skin, the mucous membranes, hair, and the nails; a cosmetic applicator; and a makeup accessory. The kit also includes at least one of: an indicator of ambient humidity; and a sensor of ambient humidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: L'Oreal
    Inventor: Albert Duranton
  • Patent number: 7509840
    Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus, method and centrifuge permeameter system that includes a hydraulic permeameter adapted for use in a centrifuge; and an automated data acquisition system, wherein the centrifuge permeameter non-destructively determines one or more soil characteristics from a sample of granular material such as soil, rock, and concrete when centrifuged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Jorge G. Zornberg, John S. McCartney
  • Patent number: 7509841
    Abstract: A fluid leak detection system mounts to a hose line segment of the type comprising at least an inner carcass and an outer containment carcass separated from the inner carcass by a collection space. The system includes a housing defined by sidewalls externally mountable to the hose line segment and having an internal housing chamber in fluid communication with the collection space. A system sensor casing mounts through a sensor housing sidewall and a plurality of alternatively configured sensor units are provided, each interchangeably coupling with the sensor casing. The sensor units detect the presence of fluid within the sensor housing and communicate the fluid status of the chamber for remote evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Veyance Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mauricio Pinto Spaolonzi, Airton Domingos Moreno, Marcelo Martins Werneck, Cesar Cosenza De Carvalho
  • Patent number: 7509842
    Abstract: A pre-swing waggle weight rotation point location and a waggle weight specification measurement are disclosed that are provided about a golf club. A process that may be computer implemented establishes the waggle weight point location. A waggle weight scale with a fulcrum set to the waggle weight point may be utilized to determine the waggle weight. Disclosed is producing golf clubs with the waggle weight measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: William A. Kostuj
  • Patent number: 7509843
    Abstract: A pre-swing waggle weight rotation point location and a waggle weight specification measurement are disclosed that are provided about a golf club. A process that may be computer implemented establishes the waggle weight point location. A waggle weight scale with a fulcrum set to the waggle weight point may be utilized to determine the waggle weight. Disclosed is producing golf clubs with the waggle weight measurement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: William A. Kostuj
  • Patent number: 7509844
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for automatically determining a feedback setpoint for use in operating an atomic force microscope (AFM) are provided. The setpoint may be determined by modulating a feedback setpoint while monitoring for a change in a detector signal. In an effort to avoid tip damage and remain in non-contact, attractive mode during use, a setpoint just above a setpoint corresponding to a detected change in a parameter of the detector signal, such as an abrupt change in phase, may be used to operate the AFM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Chikuang C. Wang, Yuri S. Uritsky, Thai Cheng Chua
  • Patent number: 7509845
    Abstract: A system for detecting contamination of an air filter for an internal combustion engine includes an air pressure sensor disposed downstream of the air filter, an air flow sensor disposed in an air intake system of the engine, and a control module in communication with the air pressure sensor and the air flow sensor. The control module is configured to estimate an atmospheric pressure based on a signal received from the air pressure sensor. The control module is further configured to determine a contamination level of the air filter based on an air flow rate provided by the air flow sensor and a pressure drop across the air filter based on a pressure difference between the estimated atmospheric pressure and a second pressure measurement from the air pressure sensor that corresponds to the provided air flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Layne K. Wiggins, Vivek Mehta
  • Patent number: 7509846
    Abstract: A chassis dynamometer includes a flat-belt mechanism configured such that a drive wheel of a vehicle is placed thereon, which includes a rotating member configured to be rotated by rotation of the drive wheel, a bearing portion configured to rotatably support the rotating member, a motor configured to apply a resistance to the rotation of the rotating member, and a bearing supporting member to which a housing of the bearing portion and the motor are fixed, a base configured to support the bearing supporting member from beneath the bearing supporting member, a plurality of three-component force sensors arranged between the bearing supporting member and the base to measure a force transmitted from the drive wheel to the flat-belt mechanism, and a computing unit configured to compute moments with respect to three axes based on measurement results of the plurality of three-component force sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Kokusai Keisokuki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sigeru Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7509847
    Abstract: A method for measuring-road surface friction of a road surface uses a vehicle that moves across the road surface wherein (1) an auxiliary independent wheel assembly is towed behind the vehicle and is in contact with the road surface, an auxiliary wheel of the wheel assembly is freely rotatable by movement of the vehicle and is one or more of toed in or toed out with respect to a direction of travel of the vehicle so as to create an isolated axial force on the auxiliary wheel: (2) the axial force on the auxiliary wheel is measured while the vehicle moves across the road surface, and the measured axial force is correlated with the road surface friction. The independent wheel assembly is load isolated from the weight of the towing vehicle and the independent wheel assembly is loaded by placing ballast thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Donald R. Halliday
  • Patent number: 7509848
    Abstract: A sensor adjustment device for an indicating pressure gauge includes a groove disposed on a dial and a sliding member. The sensor moves and is located in the groove by means of the sliding member. The gauge contains a sensor that operates without contacting an indicator needle of the gauge, and electronic signals are outputted from the sensor to automatically send an alarm once the indicator needle passes through where the sensor is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Li-Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 7509849
    Abstract: A tire pressure gauge is provided mountable to a valve stem of a tire/wheel combination or to a rim of a wheel. The tire pressure gauge includes both a proximal display viewable by an individual adjacent the tire/wheel combination and a remote indicator of tire pressure status. This remote indicator can be in the form of a warning light or in the form of a remote display with a receiver/antenna communicating with a transmitter coupled to a pressure transducer which monitors tire pressure. Most preferably, both the warning light and remote display are provided together. A valve core is associated with the tire pressure sensor for ease in adding air to the tire when needed. The pressure transducer and warning light and/or transmitter are contained together within a transmission module preferably removably coupleable to a gauge including the tire pressure sensor and the proximal display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Robert B. Rutherford, Mike Levenson
  • Patent number: 7509850
    Abstract: A vehicle protection device includes a wiper externally mounted on the wheel rim as fastened by an inflation valve fixed in the wheel rim, and a sensor holder engaged with the inflation valve and positioned inside the wheel rim for holding a tire pressure sensor within the wheel rim and within a tire; whereby the sensor will sense the tire pressure for safely monitoring the tire pressure; and the wiper will scrape the rain water (or snow) outwardly from the wheel for enhancing driving safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: David Hui
  • Patent number: 7509851
    Abstract: A plasma heated arcjet wind tunnel is provided with tunnel segments in the arc-constrictor. The tunnel segments are fabricated of two concentric discs, an outer disc and an inner disc, with a groove formed in an outer edge of the inner disc. The two concentric discs which fit snugly into one another and are joined at their welded interface by a straight and angled butt joint formed between an inner edge of the outer disc and an outer edge of the inner disc. The straight and angled butt joints can be welded by electron beam welding, laser welding, or friction stir welding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Exquadrum, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric E. Schmidt, Elias Wade Wilson
  • Patent number: 7509852
    Abstract: In a borehole logging tool, the flow of conductive fluid into or out of a wellbore at the wellbore wall is detected and measured with a sensor loop proximate the borehole inner wall. The sensor loop includes a series of contiguous sensors that act as electromagnetic flowmeters and provide fluid measurements covering the entire circumference of the sensor loop. The sensor loop includes an elastic element that forces the sensor loop outward to maintain pressure along the sensor loop circumference against the interior borehole wall. The sensor loop is designed to lie at a non-perpendicular angle to the wellbore axis, and mechanical arms press the top and bottom of the loop against the borehole inner wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: REM Scientific Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Maute