Patents Issued in March 31, 2009
  • Patent number: 7510104
    Abstract: A frame-supported back-pack for infant-carrying involves front and rear fabric-covered leaves (3,5) that hinge apart with the infant's seat (4) suspended between them. The front and rear leaves (3,5) are defined respectively by the upright section (8) of an L-shape tubular-metal member (7) and a tubular-metal member (11) hinged to the base section (9) of the L-shape member (7). A semicircular aperture (20) in the rear of the pack opens into the cavity (24) of a partially-domed shell (19) which is inset into the pack over part of the base section (9) of the L-shape member (7). The pack is held upright when standing on its base on the ground by insertion of the user's foot into the cavity (24) to press down onto the base section (9) under the aperture (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Lifemarque Limited
    Inventor: Mark Taylor
  • Patent number: 7510105
    Abstract: A combustion-powered fastener-driving tool includes a combustion-powered power source, a workpiece contact element reciprocable relative to the power source between a rest position and a firing position, a control system operationally associated with the power source, a trigger connected to the control system providing operator interface with the control system. The control system is configured so that an operator may select between a sequential firing mode in which the trigger must be released between firings, and a repetitive cycle mode in which the trigger is continually depressed between firings. The trigger is connected to the control system so that at least one of the frequency and duration of pulling of the trigger converts the operating mode from the sequential mode to the repetitive cycle mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Larry M. Moeller, Joseph E. Fabin, James E. Doherty
  • Patent number: 7510106
    Abstract: A driver structure configured to drive a U-character shaped staple including a pair of leg portions configured to pass through a bundle of papers and a crown for connecting the leg portions, the driver structure including a blade edge disposed to be in contact with the staple, first projecting parts provided at opposite end portions of the blade edge and disposed to be in contact with a corner between the crown and each of the leg portions for pressing the leg portions perpendicularly when the pair of leg portions pass through the papers, and second projecting parts provided on the blade edge in vicinity of the first projecting parts and configured to hold the crown in vicinity of the pair of leg portions when the pair of leg portions pass through the bundle of papers, each of the second projecting parts having a corner portion to engage with the crown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: MAX Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Manabe
  • Patent number: 7510107
    Abstract: A cable driven surgical instrument that has an elongate channel assembly that is constructed to operably support a staple cartridge assembly therein. The instrument may have a knife assembly that is oriented for travel within the elongate channel assembly and at least one cable transition support that is operably mounted to at least one of the elongate channel assembly and the knife assembly. A drive cable operably extends around at least a portion of the cable transition support and interfaces with a cable drive system to drive the knife assembly within the elongate channel. A cable retention arrangement may be included for retaining the drive cable around at least a portion of the cable transition support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard W. Timm, Frederick E. Shelton, IV
  • Patent number: 7510108
    Abstract: A method of making an electronic assembly comprising an electronic component that is attached to a circuit board by protruding solder bumps of the electronic component places the electronic component on a surface of the circuit board so that solder bumps on the bottom of the electronic component engage contact pads on the top of the circuit board. The solder bumps are then reflowed to attach the electronic component to the circuit board after which the electronic component is underfilled by providing a mold die having a mold cavity, a gate leading into the mold cavity and a vent leading out of the mold cavity. The mold die is placed over the electronic component and onto the surface of the circuit board so that the electronic component is inside the mold cavity and the mold cavity is sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel A. Lawlyes, David A. Laudick
  • Patent number: 7510109
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for randomly interchanging up to four pairs of side framing gates at a framing station of a vehicle assembly line while maintaining a predetermined build cycle time interval of the assembly line. The system employs first and second carousels positioned on opposite sides of the assembly line upstream of the framing station and third and fourth carousels positioned on opposite sides of the production line downstream of the framing station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Comau Pico, Inc.
    Inventors: Velibor Kilibarda, Leonard A. Zanger
  • Patent number: 7510110
    Abstract: An RFID reader and/or writer module in an industrial controller (e.g., PLC). The RFID module interfaces internally to the controller for tight integration therewith. The RFID module can also be part of a controller communications framework and as a standalone module with the PLC as a master device, and interact with the RFID module in the same manner as it interacts with other I/O devices connected to the controller. In another aspect, RFID read/write tag technology is incorporated into some or all major PLC and rack components, and utilized for wireless communication both between PLC system components and between the PLC and other devices, locations, and media. The RFID tag can be used to store and exchange electronic keying data, security information, module diagnostics and warranty information, series and revision levels code, I/O configuration data, and, replacement data. Artificial intelligence is also employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Rockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur P. Pietrzyk, Vivek R. Bapat, Sujeet Chand, Kenwood H. Hall, Richard A. Morse, Joseph P. Owen, Jr., Andreas Somogyi, Kenneth A. Tinnell
  • Patent number: 7510111
    Abstract: A front projection screen assembly comprising, a rectangular sheet of a flexible screen material and a roller on which said flexible screen material may be wound and unwound, said flexible screen material defining a first plane in the unwound condition. The front projection screen assembly comprises top, bottom, left-hand and right-hand side frame members, framing said rectangular sheet of flexible screen material along respective top, bottom, left-hand and right-hand sides thereof. At least said side frame members comprise shape memory members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: DNP Denmark A/S
    Inventors: Henrik Bang Mikkelsen, Louis Alan Mannick, Alexander Montagu Hay
  • Patent number: 7510112
    Abstract: As useful information on a consumable component used in an image forming apparatus, a user of the image forming apparatus is notified at an appropriate timing that this moment is in a production discontinuation period of a consumable agent. Service information including a support period for a consumable component consumed along with image formation of a printer is stored in a nonvolatile memory. A CPU determines whether or not a toner low notification timing that is status information on the consumable component from the printer is in a consumable goods discontinuation timing that is set as a particular period of the support period. A content of consumable component information that an output device should be notified of is configured to be changed on the basis of the determination result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kosei Ueda, Satoko Oshima, Rikio Shiba
  • Patent number: 7510113
    Abstract: A billing system is disclosed which performs processing in order to provide service to user terminals, and which performs billing for the service provided to the user terminals. In this billing system, user billing profiles UBP are stored in a user billing profile registration unit, by service type and in user terminal units; a billing condition generation unit within a service provider server compares the user billing profile UBP corresponding to a specified service type and to a user terminal with a server billing profile SBP to generate billing conditions, and a billing condition setting unit of a foreign agent sets the billing conditions in a billing unit; and based on the billing conditions thus set, the billing unit executes billing processing for each user terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Yoichiro Igarashi, Chizu Hamasaki, Hiroyuki Taniguchi, Masaaki Takase, Mitsuaki Kakemizu, Masaaki Wakamoto
  • Patent number: 7510114
    Abstract: A data processing method for the time-optimized calculation and placing to the account of prices for a performance rendered for a customer by an enterprise. The price is calculated and placed to the account in accordance with a price model with at least the following processing steps: (1) calculating the price for the respective performance rendered by means of the price model applicable for the customer; (2) storing the calculated price; (3) examining by means of the price model whether the performance rendered for this business case has to be placed to the account of the customer with value date immediately on performance of the business, or at a later point of time; and (4) immediate placing of the calculated price to the account of the customer with value date if the price determined for the business case has to be placed to the account with immediate value date on performance of the business.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: UBS AG
    Inventor: Kurt Amstad
  • Patent number: 7510115
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and methods for biometric security using smellprint recognition biometrics in a smartcard-reader system. The biometric security system also includes a smellprint sensor that detects biometric samples and a device for verifying biometric samples. In one embodiment, the biometric security system includes a smartcard configured with a smellprint sensor. In another embodiment, the system includes a reader configured with a smellprint sensor. In yet another embodiment, the present invention discloses methods for proffering and processing smellprint samples to facilitate authorization of transactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Bonalle, Glen Salow
  • Patent number: 7510116
    Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for conducting a dynamic lottery game, and may include determining an opening entry for the player for the dynamic lottery game. The method may also include dispensing a dynamic lottery game ticket to the player, the dynamic lottery game ticket having indicia disposed thereon corresponding to the opening entry for the player for the dynamic lottery game, reading player selection indicia on the dynamic lottery game ticket, wherein the player selection indicia on the dynamic lottery game ticket corresponds to a dynamic lottery game selection for the player, and determining an outcome of the dynamic lottery game, the outcome being determined based on the player selection indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Scientific Games International, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur S. Robb, Stephen Penrice, Alan Kyle Bozeman
  • Patent number: 7510117
    Abstract: RFID readers, RFID tags, software, and methods decode a signal received in an RFID system. From received data, a decoder determines a number of possible test series for the output. In one embodiment, the decoder uses a memory of a previous sample to derive a subsequent sample in the test series, so as to ensure that all the test series are valid. A metric is then computed for how well each test series fits the received data. The metrics are compared to select for output the test series with the best fit. In a further embodiment, at least one of the metrics is further used to determine if a collision were present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Aanand Esterberg
  • Patent number: 7510118
    Abstract: A laser scanning system that employs synchronous time-division-multiplexed laser scanning operations and signal processing operations (for bar code detection). A plurality of successive non-overlapping time slots are defined and logically assigned to a unique laser scanning beam and corresponding photosensor. During a given time slot, the laser scanning beam logically assigned thereto is selectively generated (or selectively projected) into the scanning volume while generation (or projection) of the other laser scanning beam is disabled. Moreover, during the given time slot, the photosensor logically assigned thereto is operably coupled to signal processing circuitry that performs bar code detection operations on the data signals derived therefrom while the other photosensor is operably decoupled from such signal processing circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Ralph, Mark Lucera
  • Patent number: 7510119
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a mirrored spinner about multiple axes. The apparatus includes a first axle which rotates about a first axis of rotation, and a second axle for mounting the mirrored spinner to the first axle, wherein the second axle rotates the mirrored spinner about a second axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Hammer, Wayne L. Orwig
  • Patent number: 7510120
    Abstract: A code reader comprising an integrated light source for the illumination of a reading region, a sensor matrix and an optical receiving system positioned in front of the latter, wherein the light emergence surface of the light source is located in or closely in front of the depth of field zone of the optical receiving system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Sick AG
    Inventors: Jürgen Reichenbach, Wolfram Runge, Helmut Weber
  • Patent number: 7510121
    Abstract: Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Steven E. Koenck, Alan G. Bunte, Keith K. Cargin, Jr., George E. Hanson, Ronald L. Mahany, Phillip Miller, Steven H. Salvay, Arvin D. Danielson, Guy J. West
  • Patent number: 7510122
    Abstract: A portable digital image capturing and processing system comprising an image formation and detection subsystem, an LED-based illumination subsystem, an automatic light exposure measurement subsystem, and an automatic illumination control subsystem. The image formation and detection subsystem has an area-type image sensing array for detecting digital images of objects formed thereon by image formation optics providing a field of view (FOV) for the system. The automatic light exposure measurement subsystem employs a photodetector operated independently from the area-type image sensing array, for automatically measuring the light exposure incident upon a selected portion of the FOV, and producing an electrical signal representative of the light exposure measurement. The automatic illumination control subsystem responds to the electrical signal and controls the duration of LED-based illumination produced from the LED-based illumination subsystem during the image capture mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Metrologic Instruments, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoxun Zhu, Yong Liu, Ka Man Au, Rui Hou, Hongpeng Yu, Xi Tao, Liang Liu, Wenhua Zhang, Anatoly Kotlarsky
  • Patent number: 7510123
    Abstract: A contact-based system for inexpensively monitoring the presence, location, and timing of various advertising and merchandising materials at a variety of retail facilities has been disclosed. This includes sign holders, display holders, stocking section identifiers, and the like that contain a plurality of contact point sensors that match or mate with contacts positioned on the material to be monitored. Identifying contacts are placed on the material to be monitored at a factory such that when they are inserted into a pre-specified location at a facility, contact is made. The contact data is then decoded data and relayed wirelessly to a device at the facility that in turn relays the data to a remote server to determine if the merchandising materials have been positioned in that facility and at a plurality of facilities at the right place and at the right time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Goliath Solutions, LLC
    Inventors: Gary L. Overhultz, Gordon E. Hardman, John W. Pyne
  • Patent number: 7510124
    Abstract: A semiconductor wafer including a plurality of pits in the semiconductor wafer. The pits are arranged in an information-providing pattern and are readable after completion of processing on the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Brian Barker, Raymond Bunkofske, John Colt, Perry Hartswick, John Lewis, Nancy Pascoe
  • Patent number: 7510125
    Abstract: Multi-dimensional symbology codes that use plural characteristic features encoded in a data cell and related methods. Such methods include methods of encoding, methods of creating and methods of reading multi-dimensional symbology codes that use such plural characteristic features. The features, for example, include colors, grey scale levels, cell shape, patterns within a cell or any grouping discernable by an area array camera or similar device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Veritec, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas F. Look
  • Patent number: 7510126
    Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Comverge, Inc.
    Inventors: John F. Rossi, Paul Michael Huddleston, Mark Lee Barton, Bradley A. Smith, Howard Ng, Carl J. Mueller, James P. Garozzo, Cecil H. Barrett, Russell Thomas House
  • Patent number: 7510127
    Abstract: In some fuel injectors, a variable flow rate valve is used to control actuation fluid flow rates to and from an intensifier piston. Over time, the variable flow rate valve is subjected to wear that can affect the predictability of the injection rate shape. The present invention reduces variable flow rate valve wear within a fuel injector, at least in part, by guiding a variable flow rate valve member along guide bore walls within a rate shaping path. The rate shaping path and an unrestricted path are defined by an injector body. When in a retracted position, a moveable intensifier piston includes a first hydraulic surface that is exposed to hydraulic pressure in the unrestricted path and a second hydraulic surface that is exposed to hydraulic pressure in the rate shaping path. The variable flow rate valve member defines a central passage with a predetermined flow area and includes a side surface that separates a closing hydraulic surface from an opening hydraulic surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Goudarz Haji
  • Patent number: 7510128
    Abstract: The present invention provides a detachable nozzle used for interconnecting a hose to a cleaning implement or for use as spray nozzle for a hose. The detachable nozzle extends along a longitudinal axis and includes a downstream end with an internally threaded neck adapted for connection to a hose and an upstream end with an externally threaded neck that is adapted for connection to a cleaning implement or from which water may be discharged. A spring biased actuating trigger engages a lever tied to a spring biased valve and is pivotally movable between its neutral position that places the valve in its closed position, to a fully closed position that places the valve in its fully open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Carrand Companies, Inc.
    Inventor: Pieter Schouten
  • Patent number: 7510129
    Abstract: In a fuel injection nozzle including multiple nozzle hole groups each having multiple solitary nozzle holes, a group distance C between two of the nozzle hole groups is 0.8 or more times larger than an in-group hole distance ? in a nozzle hole group. The group distance C is the minimum interval of inter-group intervals that are formed between (i) peripheral boundaries of solitary nozzle holes belonging to a first nozzle hole group and (ii) peripheral boundaries of solitary nozzle holes belonging to a second nozzle hole group adjacent to the first nozzle hole group. The in-group hole distance ? is the minimum of intervals between peripheral boundaries belonging to each nozzle hole group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: DENSO Corporation
    Inventors: Tokuji Kuronita, Satoru Sasaki, Kanehito Nakamura, Masumi Kinugawa
  • Patent number: 7510130
    Abstract: A method provides in a fluid device an orifice aperture having an exact aperture size and easy changeability of that size. While being brought into communication with a connecting pipe through an intersecting inner aperture drilled in a lower plate of a device main body, two inner apertures with their one ends opening to a recessed portion are each provided with a female thread. An orifice member provided with a through-hole having an inside diameter corresponding to an orifice aperture and communicating with a hexagon socket into which a hexagon bar spanner wrench is internally fit, is threaded into each female thread whereby the orifice member is mounted. Finally, a covering member is sealingly threaded into an opening of the other end of each inner aperture. Air supplied from the connecting pipe passes through the through-hole serving as the orifice aperture and is blown into oil stored within the recessed portion from an end opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Fuji BC Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsutomu Inoue
  • Patent number: 7510131
    Abstract: A nozzle, comprising a housing; and an assembly including at least two deformable conjugated parts separated by a spacer seal, the assembly being arranged in the housing so as to form a nozzle outlet, the housing and the parts and the spacer seal being deformable so as to define a geometry of the nozzle outlet and seal surfaces between the parts and the spacer seal and between the parts and the housing; wherein the parts and the spacer seal are configured so that a force needed for inserting the assembly into the housing exceeds an assembly force that deforms of at least one of the housing and the assembly, and wherein the parts and the housing are deformed by the assembly force when assembled together to create a seal between the parts and the housing; and wherein the housing is fabricated from material having a lower hardness than the parts and the spacer seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: Ernest Geskin, Boris Goldenberg, Thomas Ursic
  • Patent number: 7510132
    Abstract: A linear water feed apparatus for use in agricultural irrigation includes a linear-move machine with a mobile truss assembly supporting a plurality of individual sprinklers and adapted for movement in a specified direction across a field to be irrigated. The truss assembly is oriented transverse to the specified direction, and a supply pipe is arranged in the specified direction along or within the field to be irrigated. The supply pipe mounts a plurality of water supply hydrants at spaced locations along the pipe, each of the hydrants enclosing a water supply valve. A docking station is supported at one end of the truss assembly closest to the supply pipe, and is adapted to engage and open successive ones of the water supply valves in the plurality of hydrants. The docking station assembly includes a docking station that is suspended from a frame for floating movement about at least three mutually perpendicular axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Nelson Irrigation Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Sinden, Rex D. Ness, Chad D. Leinweber, Richard J. Berrier, Craig Nelson, Robert Rupar
  • Patent number: 7510133
    Abstract: An apparatus for comminuting material is provided. The apparatus includes two disks, which are arranged coaxially to one another inside a housing that encloses a comminuting room. The rim areas of the disks are positioned opposite one another, thus forming a milling gap, and are provided with interacting comminuting tools. To generate a mutual relative movement of the disks, at least one of the disks carries out a rotational motion around the mutual axis. To comminute the material, it is first fed into the comminuting room and subsequently radially channeled to the milling gap. For additional cooling, the disk on the intake side is arranged at an axial distance to the intake side of the housing front wall, thus forming a ringwheel-shaped cool air conduit. This can be charged with cool air, which flows through the conduit in a radial direction. In this way, the machine capacity can be increased without causing thermal damage to the material to be processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pallmann Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co., KG
    Inventor: Hartmut Pallmann
  • Patent number: 7510134
    Abstract: A jaw crusher where the tension rod includes an electronically-controlled hydraulic pre-load and an automatically releasable pre-load whenever adjustments to the size of the material output are made, together with a remote visual indicator of the setting of the size of the material output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Cedarapids, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Young, Steven A. Reicks
  • Patent number: 7510135
    Abstract: The invention relates to a grinding roll with a basic roll body as well as a plurality of wear protection elements made from hard metal which form at least a part of the roll surface. The basic roll body has recesses extending in the circumferential direction, a plurality of wear protection elements being disposed one behind the other in the circumferential direction in each recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Polysius AG
    Inventors: Egbert Burchardt, René Klymowsky, Johann Knecht, Norbert Patzelt
  • Patent number: 7510136
    Abstract: Cable guide assembly of a maritime power supply system for guiding a power cable assembly from and to a reel, the cable guide assembly comprising a reel for storing a power cable assembly thereon; and a cable guide having a first end and a second end. The cable guide comprises first and second support elements arranged parallel to each other; and a plurality of rolls arranged between the support elements for supporting and guiding the power cable assembly between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Ipalco B.V.
    Inventor: Ottonel Popesco
  • Patent number: 7510137
    Abstract: A dispenser adapted to vertically dispense sheet material therefrom is provided. The dispenser includes a housing, configured to support a sheet material product therein, a platform with an opening, and an exit plate. The exit plate is adapted to reposition when the sheet material is dispensed by the user at a deflection angle relative to the vertical dispensing axis of the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Francis Tramontina, Gerald L. Clark
  • Patent number: 7510138
    Abstract: The present device provides a breakdown reel that includes a spool barrel, at least one flange and likely two, one disposed at each end of the barrel, and a locking mechanism such that the flange lockingly engages and removeably disengages the barrel. The locking mechanism is divided into two sections, one is conjoined with the barrel and the other is conjoined with the flange. The two sections of the locking mechanism provide the unique the locking and unlocking action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Pittsfield Plastics Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: David Chiorgno, Peter J. Olsta
  • Patent number: 7510139
    Abstract: Aircraft including an airframe having a fuselage extending between a forward end and an aft end. The aircraft further includes a power plant mounted on the airframe producing exhaust during operation. The aircraft also includes a rotor/wing including a plurality of blades connected to a drive shaft rotatably mounted on the airframe and a radial inflow turbine mounted on the airframe in fluid communication with the power plant for receiving exhaust from the power plant. The radial inflow turbine includes a body forming an annular vortical chamber having an upper portion and a lower portion. The radial inflow turbine also includes a hub rotatably connected to the body and operatively connected to the drive shaft. In addition, the radial inflow turbine includes a plurality of vanes extending radially outward from the hub. The hub and the vanes are positioned in the vortical chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Eric W. Walliser
  • Patent number: 7510140
    Abstract: A method of generating lift for a vehicle including a gas turbine engine having a combustor, a core flow heated by the combustor, and a bypass flow which bypasses the combustor. The method includes segregating at least a portion of the core flow from the bypass flow, directing the segregated portion of the core flow in a first direction to generate lift for the vehicle, segregating at least a portion of the bypass flow from the core flow, and directing the segregated a portion of the bypass flow in a second direction to generate lift for the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Edward L. Lawson, David A. Boyer
  • Patent number: 7510141
    Abstract: An autonomous control method autonomously controls a small unmanned helicopter toward target values, such as a set position and velocity, by deriving model formulas well suited for the autonomous control of small unmanned helicopters, by designing an autonomous control algorithm based on the model formulas, and by calculating the autonomous control algorithm. The autonomous control system includes sensors that detect current position, attitude angle, altitude relative to the ground, and absolute azimuth of a nose of the small unmanned helicopter; a primary computational unit that calculates optimal control reference values for driving the helicopter from a target position or velocity values; a secondary computational unit that converts data collected by the sensors and the computational results as numeric values that are output by the primary computational unit into pulse signals; a ground station host computer used as the computational unit for the autonomous control system; and so on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignees: Hirobo Limited
    Inventors: Kenzo Nonami, Jin Ok Shin, Daigo Fujiwara, Kensaku Hazawa, Keitaro Matsusaka
  • Patent number: 7510142
    Abstract: An aerial robot is disclosed. The aerial robot may include at least one pair of counter-rotating blades or propellers, which may be contained within a circumferential shroud or a duct. In one embodiment, the aerial robot may have the ability to hover and move indefinitely. Electric power to the robot may be provided by a tether or an on-board power supply. In tethered embodiments, a solid-state, electronic voltage transformer may be used to reduce a high voltage, low current source to lower voltage, higher current source. In one embodiment, secure data communication between a ground unit and the aerial robot is facilitated by impressing high bandwidth serial data onto the high voltage tether wires or a thin optical fiber which is co-aligned with the tether wires. In one embodiment, precise navigational and position controls, even under extreme wind loads, are facilitated by an on-board GPS unit and optical digital signal processors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Stealth Robotics
    Inventor: Samuel A. Johnson
  • Patent number: 7510143
    Abstract: An aircraft is provided with a wing assembly mounted in a slipstream of a source of propulsion of the aircraft. The aircraft includes a body having a longitudinal axis, a wing assembly carried by the body and including a moveable portion moveable relative to the body and a wing carried by the moveable portion. A first actuator is coupled to the moveable portion to move it relative to the body in a direction generally parallel to the axis of the body. A second actuator is coupled to the wing to move the wing relative to the moveable portion and between first and second positions. The second actuator at least selectively permits uninhibited pivoted movement of the wing relative to the body in response to aerodynamic forces acting on the wing so that the wing may pivot to a position wherein the forces acting on the wing are balanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventors: William D. Bertelsen, William R. Bertelsen
  • Patent number: 7510144
    Abstract: A fairing for streamlining the junction between the horizontal stabilizer and the fuselage or the fin of an aircraft, comprising an upper fairing shell, a lower fairing shell, a leading edge extension, and several fittings to join the upper and lower fairing shells to the horizontal stabilizer. The upper and lower fairing shells are solid laminates of composite material that are designed with a shape, composition, and thickness such that they can be elastically deformed when they are fitted to the horizontal stabilizer, providing a contact force permitting them to lay permanently in contact with the fuselage or fin. A process for manufacturing the fairing shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Eads Construcciones Aeronauticas, S.A.
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Ambite Iglesias, Fernando Martin Prieto, Miguel Angel Calero Gallardo, Antonio Cala Romero
  • Patent number: 7510145
    Abstract: A UAV recovery system is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment for UAV recovery over water, the system includes ship-based elements and UAV-based elements. The UAV-based elements include a mass, such as ball, that is coupled to cord, which is in turn coupled to the tail of a UAV. The ship-based elements include a capture plate and a boom, wherein the boom is pivotably coupled to the deck of a ship. For use in recovery operations, the boom is rotated so that it extends over the side of the ship. A UAV is flown over the boom toward the capture plate at an altitude such that the mass that is attached to the tail of the UAV hangs lower than the capture plate. With continued forward motion, the cord that hangs from the UAV is captured by a grooves in the capture plate. The capture plate geometrically constrains the mass, thereby assuring positive capture of the UAV.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventor: John Snediker
  • Patent number: 7510146
    Abstract: An improved window shade system, thought to be most beneficial in the Aviation and mass transit context. This system has a series of individual window shade units, each having a multilayer shade configuration. Such multilayer shade configuration provides for a great degree of control with regard to the amount of incidental light actually allowed to enter a passenger compartment. Further, each individual window shade unit is fully automated and may be linked to an adjacent window shade unit in a daisy chain fashion. This system presents novel features in the window shade itself, within the electronic components that operate the window shade, and the relationship between the system and its operators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Robert Golden
  • Patent number: 7510147
    Abstract: The pylon of the present invention provides damping of vibrations transferred in both directions between the aircraft and the payload. That is, the pylon of the present invention damps the effects of aircraft vibrations on the payload as well as the effects of payload vibrations on the aircraft. This is accomplished in the present invention by substantially eliminating any rigid connection between the aircraft and the payload under normal operational conditions. Support of the payload is provided by a plurality of resilient suspension elements that are attached to both a base element and a payload interface element. The attachment is such that the payload element is suspended below the base element. Thus configured, the resilient suspension elements dampen the transmission of vibrations between the payload interface element and the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Ofer Haber
  • Patent number: 7510148
    Abstract: A spacecraft with a yaw steering system performing yaw steering. The yaw steering includes steering the spacecraft to have a yaw angle (?) for all sun elevation angles (?) in accordance with a yaw steering guidance law that provides a yaw steering motion about a yaw axis which is smooth for all sun elevation angles (?). At least part of the guidance law comprises a smoothing function (f), which is a function of an orbital position parameter (?) of the spacecraft, the smoothing function (f) smoothing the yaw steering motion for values of the orbital position parameter (?) where high rotational rates {dot over (?)} or high rotational accelerations {umlaut over (?)} would occur without the smoothing function (f).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Astrium GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Ebert, Wilfried Oesterlin
  • Patent number: 7510149
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for actively manipulating and controlling aerodynamic or hydrodynamic flow field vortices within a fluid flow over a surface using micro-jet arrays. The system and method for actively manipulating and controlling the inception point, size and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow places micro-jet arrays on surfaces bounding the fluid flow. These micro-jet arrays are then actively manipulated to control the flow behavior of the ducted fluid flow, influence the inception point and trajectory of flow field vortices within the fluid flow, and reduce flow separation within the primary fluid flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel N. Miller, Philip P. Truax, Patrick J. Yagle
  • Patent number: 7510150
    Abstract: An energy recovery and storage apparatus especially well adapted for use with flight control surfaces on airborne mobile platforms, such as aircraft. In one form the apparatus includes a ram-like element coupled to a portion of a flight control surface. An accumulator holds a flexible container having a compressible medium contained within the flexible container. The accumulator is in fluid communication with a housing of the ram-like element. When the flight control surface is moved from a deployed to a retracted position, the energy acting on the surface is recovered and stored in the compressible medium as the ram-like element forces fluid from its housing into the accumulator. When the flight control surface is to be deployed again in a subsequent cycle, the stored energy in the compressible medium is used to urge the ram-like element into an extended position, thus assisting in deploying the flight control surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Kenneth R Williams, John B Allen
  • Patent number: 7510151
    Abstract: A structure with at least one flap connected to a wing, including: at least one drive device; at least one actuating device including a gear device coupled to the at least one drive device and the at least one flap; and a fairing housing swivellably mounted on the wing, at least partially surrounding the gear device, and coupled to the gear device, wherein actuation of the at least one drive device causes a combined translational and rotational movement of the at least one flap and a swivelling movement of at least a portion of the fairing housing. A method for pivoting a flap is also disclosed. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: EADS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Juan Perez-Sanchez
  • Patent number: 7510152
    Abstract: A support post and safety fence assembly in which the post has a telescoping inner and outer tube and is supported on a threaded internal shaft coupled to a floor engaging end and ceiling engaging end preferably formed with claws that have a number of sharp penetrating points for firm engagement with a support surface. In one embodiment, a gravity lock assembly is provided for fixing the relative position of the inner and outer tubes. Dynamic adjustability of the support post is provided by internal compression springs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Inventor: Jonathan Jonny Melic
  • Patent number: 7510153
    Abstract: A wall-mounting frame is used to mount fixtures to building walls having siding. The wall-mounting frame includes two major parts, a base section and a holding section which are non-detachably connected to each other. The holding section is separated into two halves which pivot about the base section to hold surrounding siding to the base section once it has been attached to a wall substrate. The present design eliminates the need for special hardware to attach the holding section to the base section, and helps prevent awkward mounting situations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventor: Robert Hendricks