Patents Issued in June 18, 2009
  • Publication number: 20090151436
    Abstract: A non-contact type rotational angle detection apparatus can reduce the number of parts required, improve productivity, and prevent a relative displacement between a permanent magnet and a yoke. An insert molded body is fixedly secured to a shaft and is composed of a permanent magnet and a yoke formed integrally with each other by insert molding of a resin. A non-contact sensor is disposed in an inner space formed in the insert molded body. The non-contact sensor detects a rotation angle of the shaft by detecting an azimuth of magnetic flux lines generated by the permanent magnet. The cylindrical yoke is fixedly secured by shrinkage fitting to the cylindrical permanent magnet disposed at an inner side thereof. An engagement margin between the permanent magnet and the yoke is set equal to or greater than a value which restrains a relative displacement between the permanent magnet and the yoke.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro NAGAHORI, Kazuhisa KURITA, Katsunari TAKAGI, Teruhiko MORIGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20090151437
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an exhaust system, an oxygen sensor in the exhaust system and a sensor malfunction monitor. The sensor malfunction monitor measures a rate of change of a signal from the sensor on detecting a turning point of the signal and detects a malfunction when a rate of change of the signal exceeds a threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jonathan Saunders
  • Publication number: 20090151438
    Abstract: A method, and a system employing the method, for determining a position of a rotational part in a reciprocating machine. The system includes a quadrature encoder and an interrupter coupled to the rotational element. As the interrupter rotates with the wrist pin, the quadrature encoder generates some binary signals based on the rotation of the wrist pin. A digital-to-analog converter then converts the binary signals into a single analog signal. The system then wirelessly transmits the single analog signal for processing by other remote components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICHIGAN TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventor: Daniel R. Kemppainen
  • Publication number: 20090151439
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for diagnosing the condition of at least one tire of a vehicle wheel connected to the body shell thereof via a suspension, including, for the or each tire, a step (102) of acquiring the vertical acceleration of the wheel in a reference model of the vehicle. Said method includes a step (108) of filtering the acquired acceleration to eliminate the frequencies thereof lower than a predetermined filtering frequency, a step (110) of determining a vertical excitation applied to the tire based on the filtered acceleration, and a step (112, 114, 116, 118, 120) of determining the condition of the tire based on the determined excitation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: PEUGEOT CITROEN AUTOMOBILES SA
    Inventors: Denis Le Bret, Zahir Djama
  • Publication number: 20090151440
    Abstract: A tire provided with a Seebeck effect thermoelectric generator to deliver electrical power to a member, the generator comprising a cold pole and a hot pole respectively in contact with a cold element and a hot element, the hot element forming a portion of the tire.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MICHELIN RECHERCHE ET TECHNIQUE S.A.
    Inventors: Olivier COLLONGE, David BERTRAND, Frederic SPETLER, Charles SALVI
  • Publication number: 20090151441
    Abstract: A tire pressure adjusting system of a vehicle includes: a sensor mounted in a tire, to measure pressure and/or temperature of air in the tire, and to send a signal corresponding to the pressure and/or temperature; a magnetic field generator mounted on the vehicle body near the tire, to receive the signal from the sensor, and to generate a magnetic field; a current generator mounted in the tire, to generate electricity by using the magnetic field; and an electric heating member mounted in the tire, to generate heat by using the electricity supplied from the current generator, thereby heating the air in the tire. A method of controlling tire pressure includes determining whether the pressure is too low; and, if the pressure is too low, heating air in the tire until the pressure is not too low.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Sungik Yim, Hoon Kim
  • Publication number: 20090151442
    Abstract: A tire pressure monitoring system sensor includes a body provided with an air inlet that provides fluid communication between the interior of the body and the interior of a tire. A pressure plate slides within the interior of the body by pressure in the tire, in a direction away from the air inlet. A spring biases the pressure plate toward the air inlet. Several sensors are attached to the body, each configured to generate a signal indicative of proximity of the pressure plate. The sensor may further include an air supply valve to supply air to the tire, connected to the body. The body may define an air supply passage through which the air supplied from the air supply valve is supplied to the tire through the air inlet. Three sensors may be provided: one indicative of excessive pressure, one indicative of appropriate pressure, and one indicative of insufficient pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Juho KIM
  • Publication number: 20090151443
    Abstract: A screen test apparatus includes a test cell disposed within a pressure vessel, a piston disposed within the pressure vessel, wherein the piston is in sealing contact with an inner surface of the pressure vessel, and a screen assembly disposed in an end of the test cell. The screen assembly includes a mount collar, a screen disposed in the mount collar, and an end cap adjacent the screen which includes grooves in a face adjacent the screen and passages extending through the end cap, wherein the screen assembly is configured to fully support the screen while allowing a fluid to pass through the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: M-I LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Slater, Michael T. Darring, Marian Baranowski
  • Publication number: 20090151444
    Abstract: A human dummy system for evaluating the comfort of a seat comfort includes sensor units and a data processing unit. The sensor units are attached to the relevant joints of a human dummy, and detect the angles of the relevant joints. The data processing unit calculates information about relative locations of adjacent joints on the basis of the information about the angles of the relevant joints, and calculates the absolute location of a specific joint through coordinate system transformation between the information about relative locations and the joints of the human dummy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Seok Hwan Kim, Su Hwan Hwang, Kwang Noh Lee
  • Publication number: 20090151445
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid flow rate measurement apparatus which prevents accumulation of pollutional substances in a sub-passage to enable high-accuracy fluid flow rate measurement. A heater pattern 34 is formed on the surface of a cylindrical rod 3. When electricity is conducted in the heater pattern 34 and heat is generated, the heat is transmitted to the sub-passage 26 through an insulating layer. The heat is gradually transmitted up to the leading end of the sub-passage 26, and burns out pollutional substances adhering to the sub-passage 26. In this way, accumulation in the sub-passage 26 of pollutional substances can be prevented, thus attaining a fluid flow rate measurement apparatus that enables high-accuracy fluid flow rate measurement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Hiroaki Hoshika, Noboru Tokuyasu, Takanori Kokubu, Kaori Kashio
  • Publication number: 20090151446
    Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a level of a fluid and detecting water in a storage container is provided. The apparatus comprises a signal-based fluid level measurement apparatus and a water detection device. The signal-based fluid level measurement apparatus has a first multistatic probe conveying a first signal and a second multistatic probe conveying a second signal. The first and second multistatic probes are electrically coupled by a float-coupler. The signal-based fluid level measurement apparatus determines the level of the fluid in the storage container based at least in part on a time delay between the first and second signals. The water detection device is operably coupled to the fluid level measurement apparatus. The water detection device monitors at least one of conduction and a dielectric constant between exposed ends of the first and second multistatic probes. As such, a presence of the water in the storage tank is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Robertshaw Controls Company
    Inventor: James Robert Champion
  • Publication number: 20090151447
    Abstract: An emanation device comprises an emanation material container (10), an emanation section (20) and emanation material level indication means (14,16); wherein, the emanation material level indication means (14, 16) comprises a light source (14), a light detector (16) and control means (not shown), wherein the light detector (16) is adapted to receive light from the light source (14) when a level of emanation material in the emanation material container (10) is at a first level and wherein the light detector (16) is adapted to receive substantially no light from the light source (14) when a level of emanation material in the emanation material container (10) is at a second level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: RECKITT BENCKISER (UK) LIMITED
    Inventors: Wu Jin, Paul Newton, Simon Pugh
  • Publication number: 20090151448
    Abstract: A test piece attachment apparatus includes a test piece magazine having an inner space storing a plurality of specimen component test pieces aligned in a predetermined direction and a feed outlet via which the specimen component test pieces can be successively extruded, a magazine holder exchangeably holding the test piece magazine, a torsion spring generating a bias force to press the specimen component test pieces aligned in the test piece magazine toward the feed outlet, and a cylindrical casing. The cylindrical casing includes a recessed groove that allows the magazine holder to move in its axial direction and an extrusion projection disposed at a position where the extrusion projection can push one specimen component test piece positioned at the feed outlet and can extrude the specimen component test piece out of the test piece magazine in accordance with a movement of the magazine holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: SOUSEI ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Rintaro Nishina
  • Publication number: 20090151449
    Abstract: The sensor device has a casing housing a circuit board and a replaceable sensor on the circuit board. The casing has an opening corresponding to the sensor location and a manually removable cap is reliably positioned in the opening. Once the cap is removed, the sensor can be easily accessed and replaced. The cap is integrated with the casing smoothly so that the appealing of the outlook of the sensor device is minimally affected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Chung Chin HUANG, Hsin Ming Huang, Chin Ying Huang, Hsing Hsiung Huang, Chung Sheng Yen, Kuan Chou Lin
  • Publication number: 20090151450
    Abstract: A balancing device is provided that is able to balance a rotor of an electrical machine. The machine includes a mounted rotor in a central bore of a stator and coaxially thereto. Between the rotor and the stator there is an air gap. The rotor preferably comprises a plurality of axially extending ferromagnetic teeth and non-magnetic wedges being arranged alternately around the circumference of the surface of the rotor. The teeth and/or the wedges preferably include balancing openings for balancing weights. The balancing device includes a mounting device and/or a locking device and/or a confirmation device. The device has a radial height that is smaller than the minimal clearance of the air gap and an axial extension such that it can be inserted into the air gap. With such a device it is possible to balance a rotor in an efficient way, when it is located in the bore of the stator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Anders Angantyr, Gabor Csaba
  • Publication number: 20090151451
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a micromechanical component is described, the micromechanical component having a medium. The medium has settable and changeable volume-elastic properties and generally completely encloses a sensor module and/or a module housing. The medium preferably has a low-pass response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Wolf-Ingo Ratzel, Christian Ohl, Juergen Kurle
  • Publication number: 20090151452
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a rate of rotation, in which, as a function of a primary actuating signal (E_PRIM), a sensor element (2), the natural frequency (FE) of which is linearly dependent on its temperature (T), is excited so as to perform a primary oscillation along a first axis (AXIS—1). A primary measurement signal (A_PRIM), which is representative of the primary oscillation, is determined. Also, a secondary measurement signal (A_SEC) is determined which is representative of a secondary oscillation of the sensor element (2) along a second axis (AXIS—2), which together with the first axis (AXIS—1) encloses an angle that is unequal to zero. The natural frequency (FE) of the sensor element (2) is determined. On the basis of the determined natural frequency (FE) only, at least one value is adjusted which affects the primary actuating signal (E_PRIM) and/or at least one other actuating signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Raphael Mayer-Wegelin, Heinz-Werner Morell
  • Publication number: 20090151453
    Abstract: Disclosed is an acceleration sensor having a small variation in detection sensitivity, in which one end portion of an oscillation detecting element is fixed so that the free length thereof does not vary. Supporting resins 4a, 4b are formed in one end portion of the oscillation detecting element 3. With the oscillation detecting element being inserted into a through hole 2h of a holding member 2 provided in a case 1, the supporting resins 4a, 4b are in close contact with the inner periphery of the through hole 2h. As a result, the oscillation detecting element 3 is fixed to and held by the holding member 2.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Momose, Masafumi Hisataka
  • Publication number: 20090151454
    Abstract: A non-conductive composite doubler is fabricated for application to an electrically conductive surface of a structure by: forming the composite doubler; placing an array of capacitive gap thickness sensors between the doubler and the structure surface; measuring the gap thickness between the doubler and the structure surface in a plurality of areas over the surface of the structure; using the gap thickness measurements to shape a layer of adhesive to essentially match the contour of the structure surface; and, applying the layer of adhesive to the doubler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Gary E. Georgeson, Michael W. Evens, Michael D. Fogarty, Morteza Safai
  • Publication number: 20090151455
    Abstract: A sensing membrane applied to a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device includes a body, a stress releasing structure and a connecting portion. The stress releasing structure for releasing a membrane residual stress surrounds the body. The stress releasing structure has several first perforations and several second perforations. The first perforations are located between the body and the second perforations. The connecting portion connects the stress releasing structure and a substrate of the MEMS device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chia-Yu Wu, Jien-Ming Chen
  • Publication number: 20090151456
    Abstract: A downhole tool damage detection method includes, transmitting ultrasonic energy through a downhole tool, receiving ultrasonic energy transmitting through the downhole tool, monitoring the received ultrasonic energy for changes over time, and alerting that damage in the downhole tool may exist in response to finding the changes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: BAKER HUGHES INCORPORATED
    Inventor: Hanno Reckmann
  • Publication number: 20090151457
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasonic testing system and an ultrasonic testing technique for a pipe member capable of detecting minute flaws of several hundreds of microns or less located at positions in the wall thickness inside portion of a welded portion of a seam-welded pipe and the like without omission and further easily setting optimum conditions when the size of the pipe is changed. A transmitting beam, which is focused to the welded portion at an oblique angle, is transmitted using a part of the group of transducer elements of a linear array probe as a group of transducer elements for transmission, a receiving beam, which is focused at the focusing position of the transmitting beam at an oblique angle, is formed using the transducer elements of a portion different from the above group of transducer elements for transmission as a group of transducer elements for reception, and a flaw echo is received from the welded portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Yukinori Iizuka
  • Publication number: 20090151458
    Abstract: In a nondestructive testing apparatus for testing normality of a blade root in a steam turbine installed in a nuclear plant or a thermal plant, an ultrasonic probe and an encoder can be mounted at the outside by only removing a casing of the steam turbine, without the necessity of withdrawing a turbine rotor, so that an automatic testing can be performed by rotating the steam turbine. Since the testing result can be digitally stored, reliability of the testing is improved. Furthermore, size of the testing apparatus is highly reduced for a tester to conveniently carry and install the testing apparatus alone. As a result, installation time and the whole testing time can be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Byung Sik Yoon, Yong Sik Kim, Hee Jong Lee, Se Kyoung Kim, Seung Han Yang
  • Publication number: 20090151459
    Abstract: A system for ultrasonic sample preparation includes a sample container having a wall defining an outer surface and an inner volume for containing a sample material, a converter which converts AC electricity to mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range, and an ultrasonic probe in contact with the outer surface of the sample container. The ultrasonic probe is in communication with the converter and transmits the mechanical vibrations in the ultrasonic range to the wall of the sample container and thereby to the inner volume, thereby mixing the sample material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Donaty
  • Publication number: 20090151460
    Abstract: The invention provides a method, a system, and a computer readable medium for determining the fill-ready status of one or more wells of a plurality of wells formed in a filter or solid-phase extraction (SPE) plate. In the method, a signal is directed toward a well of the plurality of wells. A reflected signal is received from the well responsive to the directed signal. The fill-ready status of the well is determined based on the received reflected signal. The steps may be repeated until the fill-ready status of each of the plurality of wells has been determined. In the method and the apparatus, the directed signal may be generated by a piezoelectric crystal. Some of the reflected vibrations impact the piezoelectric crystal, which oscillates in response. The piezoelectric crystal transmits a signal to a processor, the signal corresponding to the height of the liquid or other material in the well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Edward H. Thorne, IV
  • Publication number: 20090151461
    Abstract: To provide a double-ended tuning fork type piezoelectric resonator that includes: a piezoelectric element having two arm portions disposed in parallel, a first supporting portion that support one ends of each of the arm portions, a second supporting portion that support the other ends of each of the arm portions; and an exciting electrode formed on a surface of each of the arm portions, and has a structure suitable for being built into a pressure sensor as a pressure sensitive element. A double-ended tuning fork type piezoelectric resonator includes: a piezoelectric element 3 having two arm portions 4 disposed in parallel and apart from each other, and a first supporting portion 5 and a second supporting portion 6 that respectively support one ends and the other ends of each of the arm portions; and an exciting electrode 7 formed on a surface of each arm portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: EPSON TOYOCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Osamu Ishii
  • Publication number: 20090151462
    Abstract: The invention relates to a pressure determination device for determining the pressure in a fuel storage arrangement, with a connection element for connecting the pressure determination device to the fuel storage arrangement, a first chamber, a connecting line for communicating connection of the interior of the connection element to the first chamber, a second chamber, a membrane, and a switch, the interior of the connection element, the connecting line and the first chamber being made to accommodate throughflow of a fluid, the first chamber being made separated fluid-tight from the second chamber at least by means of the membrane, and the membrane being made for actuating the switch at least depending on the pressure of the fluid in the first chamber, and the connecting line being provided with a vibration damping element through which a fluid can flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: AUDI AG
    Inventor: Michael Schwenkert
  • Publication number: 20090151463
    Abstract: A non-contact pressure switch assembly for sensing pressure in, e.g., a vehicle. A piston with integrated magnet in a sensor body is moved under fluid pressure to change a magnetic field in which a Hall sensor is disposed inside the sensor body. The field changes polarity at the Hall sensor at a predetermined piston position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Mario A. Recio, Juan C. Lozano
  • Publication number: 20090151464
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for designing a differential pressure sense die based on a unique silicon piezoresistive technology for sensing low differential pressure in harsh duty applications is disclosed. The pressure sense die comprises of an etched pressure diaphragm and a hole that is drilled through the sense die wherein the pressure sense die possess a backside and a front side and are associated with varying pressures. A top cap can be attached to the front side and an optional constraint for stress relief can be attached to the backside of the differential pressure sense die. The top cap and the constraint comprise of glass and/or silicon and can be attached with an anodic bonding process or glass frit process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Lamar F. Ricks
  • Publication number: 20090151465
    Abstract: A miniature high pressure cell for sample characterization under pressure, comprising: a cell body defining a bore extending along an axis; first and second force transmitting elements mounted within said bore, said first and second force transmitting elements having respective first and second force transmitting faces which face towards each other in the axial direction; and a seal member positioned at least partially in said bore between said force transmitting elements, the seal member having walls defining a through-hole extending axially between respective sides and opening out towards respective force transmitting faces, said seal member and force transmitting elements being arranged such that, in use, the walls of said seal member defining said through-hole and portions of said force transmitting faces define the boundaries of a sealed sample volume in which a pressure transmitting medium and a sample to be characterized may be contained, wherein: at least one of said force transmitting elements is mov
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Patricia Lebre Alireza
  • Publication number: 20090151466
    Abstract: A fixing element and inspection system for examining the status of the fixing element are provided in the present invention. The fixing has a sensing material disposed therein for transforming the force acting on the fixing element into an electrical signal. A signal processing unit, powered by a radio frequency circuit, is coupled to the sensing material for transforming the electrical signal into a readable signal and then transmitting the readable signal to the inspection system through radio frequency so as to monitor the status of the fixing element. By means of the present invention, it is capable of inspecting and monitoring the status of a great amount of fixing elements rapidly and precisely, especially in occasion that extreme safety should be highly concerned, for example, fixing elements secured to the airplane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: TUNG-CHUAN WU, SHUO-HUNG CHANG, LAI-SHENG CHEN CHEN, YEN-CHIEH MAO
  • Publication number: 20090151467
    Abstract: This invention relates to a detector device with at least one sensor strand, which has at least one measuring section for detecting a measurable variable, and which has at least one connecting section in order to connect at least one measuring section to a further electrical device. Provision is made for the sensor strand to have numerous conductor strands in at least one measuring section and in at least one connecting section, and, at least in the measuring section, for at least two conductor strands to be isolated at least partially from their surroundings by a common moisture-protection barrier, and, at least in the connecting section, for at least one conductor strand to be at least partially isolated from at least one other conductor strand by a moisture-protection barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Harald Heimerl
  • Publication number: 20090151468
    Abstract: The inventions relates to an apparatus, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a printing screen in a frame, characterized in that a holder for the frame (1) has holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed of a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . , ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) for measuring tension. The invention furthermore relates to a method, in particular for a screen-printing machine, for measuring tension in a screen in a screen frame, characterized in that a screen (2a) mounted in a frame (1) is mounted in a holder (3) having holder bars (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) each formed by a plurality of sections (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) each provided with a respective sensor (6) that measure forces between the respective section (3a1, 3a2, . . . , or 3b1, 3b.2, . . . , or 3c1, 3c2, . . . , 3d1, 3d2, . . . ) and the frame (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Josef Kleinschnitz, Peter Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20090151469
    Abstract: An internal-combustion-engine misfire determination system includes: detection sections that detects the rotational speeds of the output shaft and the downstream shaft; a rigidity estimation section that performs a rigidity estimation process in which frequency components caused by a resonance due to torsion of the torsion element are extracted from the rotational speeds, and the rigidity of the torsion element is estimated based on a value obtained by comparing amplitudes of both of the extracted frequency components and on the detected output shaft rotational speed; a resonance influence component calculation section that calculates a resonance influence component caused by an influence of the resonance on the output shaft rotational speed; and a misfire determination section that determines the occurrence of the misfire in the internal combustion engine based on a rotational speed for determination that is obtained by subtracting the calculated resonance influence component from the output shaft rotational
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Takashi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090151470
    Abstract: In a process for testing filters (4) and (13) of treatment fluid of a hemodiafiltration apparatus (1), each filter has a wet semipermeable membrane (5, 14) which separates a gas-filled first chamber (6 and 15) from a liquid-filled second chamber (7 and 16). The first chambers are pressurised by a pump (19) supplying air, while the second chambers are placed in depression by a drainage pump (17) of used dialysis fluid. A first closed system is formed which includes the first chambers and a second closed system is formed which includes the second chambers. Two pressure gauges (P1 and P2) monitor the pressure in the two closed systems for a predetermined time. The monitoring provides indications relating to the filter integrity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: GAMBRO LUNDIA AB
    Inventors: Anna Puppini, Renato Pedrazzi, Mauro Suffritti
  • Publication number: 20090151471
    Abstract: The invention relates to measuring technique.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Alexandr Mikhailovich Derevyagin, Alexandr Sergeevich Fomin, Vladimir Ivanovich Svistun
  • Publication number: 20090151472
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through at least one pair of apertures, where each aperture of the one pair of apertures has an effective diameter. The apparatus includes a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings is a function of the effective diameter of the aperture. A turbulence conditioner for a pipe has openings and a pitch. The conditioner has walls between the openings whose thickness is a function of the pitch. The conditioner has a length which is a function of the pitch. A method for determining fluid flow in a pipe includes the steps of flowing fluid through a turbulence conditioner disposed in the pipe having openings where the pitch between openings, is made a function of an effective diameter of an aperture of an ultrasonic flowmeter which communicates with the interior of the pipe through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Gregor Brown, Herbert Estrada, Donald R. Augenstein, Keith Bergstrom
  • Publication number: 20090151473
    Abstract: A mechanical meter for measuring the quantity of liquid flowing through a pipe (2), comprising an impeller (1) supported by a saddle (3) positionable on the outer surface of the pipe (2), in which the inner surface of the saddle (3) is arranged to abut, at least by a part thereof, directly against the outer surface of the pipe (2) such as to ensure the same penetration of the impeller (1) into the pipe (2) for each installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Alberto Lodolo
  • Publication number: 20090151474
    Abstract: A system and method detect when a product container from which a product is dispensed is empty or nearly empty, and provides a notification of the product status. The system includes a load cell that deflects at a first rate of distance per unit load when a load less than a critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell, and a load cell bracket positioned such that the free end of the load cell contacts the load cell bracket when a load substantially equal to or greater than the critical load is positioned to be weighed by the load cell. The load cell bracket may prevent the load cell from further deflection, or it may permit deflection of the load cell at a second rate of distance per unit load when the load cell is in contact with the load cell bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Ecolab Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Mehus, Bruce W. Weber, Ben J. Wiltsie
  • Publication number: 20090151475
    Abstract: Grounded, circular movable electrode and divided electrodes, formed on a surface of a circular printed board, are opposed to each other via a double-face tape, functioning also as a spacer, with a slight gap interposed therebetween. As a pad is struck with a stick, the gap between the movable electrode and the divided electrodes changes so that capacitance between the movable electrode and the divided electrodes changes, in response to which signals are output from the divided electrodes. The divided electrodes are sandwiched between the grounded movable electrode and a grounded shielded electrode and thus are not influenced from external disturbances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuo MASAKI, Shuichi Sawada, So Tanaka
  • Publication number: 20090151476
    Abstract: A torque measurement device associated with a power driven ground engaging device having a power supplying device and a load. The torque measurement device includes a rotatable shaft, a first detectable feature, a second detectable feature, a plurality of sensors and an electrical controller. The rotatable shaft has a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the power supplying device and the second end is connected to the load. The first and second detectable features are respectively associated with a first longitudinal position and a second longitudinal position on the shaft. The plurality of sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor. The first sensor is proximate to the first detectable feature and the second sensor is proximate to the second detectable feature. The first sensor produces a first signal and the second sensor produces a second signal as the rotatable shaft rotates about the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Robert J. White, Timothy J. Kilworth
  • Publication number: 20090151477
    Abstract: A passenger discriminating apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of load sensors for measuring a load of a passenger, which is applied to a passenger seat disposed within a vehicle, and a pair of dummy sensors configured to support the load of the passenger seat and not having a load sensing function. The type of the passenger is discriminated by comparing a sum of values in which the load values measured by the plurality of load sensors, respectively, are multiplied by a load weight of the load sensors and a reference value. Accordingly, the passenger discriminating apparatus can save the prime cost, reduce its weight, and secure an equivalent or more performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Ho HWANG, Byeong Yeol KIM
  • Publication number: 20090151478
    Abstract: In an array type capacitance sensor (1), a slit (2b) is provided between each pair of adjacent ones of multiple movable electrodes (6) on a movable-electrode-side substrate (2) so as to extend in parallel with the movable electrodes (6). This allows providing an array type capacitance sensor capable of being produced inexpensively and measuring pressure precisely and stably even on a curved surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicants: OMRON CORPORATION, OMRON HEALTHCARE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Shimomoto, Daisuke Kuzuyama, Satoshi Nozoe, Masao Hashimoto, Kazunobu Itonaga
  • Publication number: 20090151479
    Abstract: A method for monitoring the use of a consumable in a disposable design in one or more analyzers which are each configured to analyze one or more liquids, in particular body fluids, is provided where the method comprises the following steps: providing a disposable consumable in a first analyzer; using the disposable consumable as intended during operation of the first analyzer; collecting usage relevant information for the disposable consumable which concern the intended use of the disposable consumable during operation of the first analyzer; storing usage-relevant data which are derived from the usage-relevant information in a memory unit assigned to the disposable consumable; removing the disposable consumable from the first analyzer; again providing the disposable consumable in the first analyzer or in a second analyzer, at least partially reading the usage-relevant data from the memory unit in the first or the second analyzer; evaluating the usage-relevant data that have been read out by a control device;
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Arnold Bartel, Robert Felsberger, Horst Ruether, Wolf-Dietrich Steinboeck
  • Publication number: 20090151480
    Abstract: A substrate inspection device includes a substrate rotating device for holding a substrate on a holding surface and causing rotation, a disk having a disk body rotatably supported on a base and three lift cams fixed to an upper side of the disk body and formed with cam faces that are inclined surfaces inclined in the rotational direction, and a lifter having a lifter body with a support surface on which the substrate is mounted and guiding in the vertical direction and lifter driven sections respectively projecting to and fixed to a lower side of the lifter body, where lower sides of the lifter driven sections respectively contact the cam faces in a sliding manner at contact points, and if the contact points are moved to an upper side of the inclined surfaces the support surface becomes higher than the holding surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshio Sakurai, Yutaka Ogawa
  • Publication number: 20090151481
    Abstract: An inspection device 1 is provided to inspect a headrest return prevention mechanism 50 that prevents return of a headrest at a position supporting the head of a seated person by moving forward at a rear collision. The headrest return prevention mechanism 50 is provided with a bracket 52 and an engagement piece 51 which can return to a normal position again after being displaced from the normal position to a fixed position. The inspection device 1 comprises a base 11, a clamp mechanism 12 that fixes the bracket 52 to the base 11, a load applying mechanism 13 that applies a load to the engagement piece 51 so as to displace it from the normal position to the fixed position, a displacement sensor 14 that measures the fixed position when the engagement piece 51 is displaced from the normal position to the fixed position, and a computer 15 that determines whether the engagement piece 51 has been displaced to a predetermined fixed position or not based on the fixed position measured by the displacement sensor 14.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventor: Minoru Uda
  • Publication number: 20090151482
    Abstract: A sterile measurement device comprising an elongated measurement probe for measuring a physical property. The probe has a first end and a second end, and a sensing element, which is located on the first end, which can be installed at any time on a measurement site. The measurement site has a measuring chamber for measuring a physical quantity inside the measuring chamber without breaching sterility of the measurement arrangement. The measurement device further comprising a sterile tubing comprising a first end, a second end and a compressible section located between the ends. The sterile tubing surrounding the probe, such that the second end of the probe extends out of the second end of the tubing, structure for establishing a sterile connection between the first end of the tubing and a corresponding counter part on a measurement site.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Endress + Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fur Mess- und Regeltechnik mbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Daniel Klees, Klaus Kohler
  • Publication number: 20090151483
    Abstract: A leveling control system and method for heavy equipment is provided. The leveling control system for heavy equipment, in which a lower frame having a traveling means and an upper frame are combined together by a tilting means, includes a sensor unit, provided in the equipment, for measuring twist angles of the lower frame and the upper frame against a reference horizontal surface and a traveling speed of the equipment, and detecting working state information of working devices; a control unit for receiving the twist angles, the traveling speed, and the working state information, calculating a correction angle for the leveling control of the upper frame, and generating a control signal for instructing an operation of an actuator in accordance with the correction angle; and a driving unit for performing the leveling through the actuator in accordance with the control signal received therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Inventors: Jin Seop KIM, Chang Soo Lee, In Woo Kim
  • Publication number: 20090151484
    Abstract: A crank assembly having a crank arm with a handle member pivotally coupled thereto is provided. The handle member includes a lock assembly with a crank component and a handle component. The crank component includes a latch surface on a crank arm outer surface. The lock assembly handle component is, preferably, at least one extension extending from the handle member and structured to engage the latch surface. The lock assembly handle component further has a release device structured to disengage the at least one extension from the latch surface. The release device is accessible from the crank arm outer surface. In this configuration, a user may easily access the release device because the release device is located on the outer surface of the crank arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: Ames True Temper, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua O. Mullen, Stephen D. Hatcher
  • Publication number: 20090151485
    Abstract: A vibrator assembly (108) comprising a shaft (112) that is connected to a motor (110), to produce vibration in a communication device (500), is disclosed. The shaft (112) includes a track that defines a path with a first component that travels circumferentially around the shaft (112), and a second component that travels along the length of the shaft (112). The shaft (112) rotates due to a rotational force that is generated when the motor (110) is activated. The unbalanced mass (114) travels along the track towards an end of the path proximate a free-end of the shaft (112) when the motor (110) is activated, and retracts due to a biasing force from a tension device (212) when the motor (110) is deactivated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: MOTOROLA, INC.
    Inventors: MARTIN R. PAIS, MANGARAJU VUPPALA