Patents Issued in February 23, 2010
  • Patent number: 7665307
    Abstract: A combustor liner assembly includes an outer shell made of a ceramic composite and an inner heat shell that is supported within the outer shell. The inner heat shield defines a surface that is exposed to combustion gases. The inner heat shield is made of material that is compatible with the ceramic matrix composite and that provides favorable thermal gradient capability for a combustion chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Steven W. Burd, Stephen K. Kramer, John T. Ols
  • Patent number: 7665308
    Abstract: A method facilitates operating a gas turbine engine. The method comprises supplying steam to a nozzle, supplying primary fuel to the nozzle, discharging the steam into a combustor from a plurality of circumferentially-spaced steam outlets defined in a tip of the nozzle, and discharging the primary fuel into the combustor from at least one outlet that is spaced circumferentially between the steam outlets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Mark Durbin, Allen M. Danis, Timothy J. Held, James N. Cooper, Douglas Marti Fortuna, Daniel Durstock
  • Patent number: 7665309
    Abstract: A secondary fuel delivery system for delivering a secondary stream of fuel and/or diluent to a secondary combustion zone located in the transition piece of a combustion engine, downstream of the engine primary combustion region is disclosed. The system includes a manifold formed integral to, and surrounding a portion of, the transition piece, a manifold inlet port, and a collection of injection nozzles. A flowsleeve augments fuel/diluent flow velocity and improves the system cooling effectiveness. Passive cooling elements, including effusion cooling holes located within the transition boundary and thermal-stress-dissipating gaps that resist thermal stress accumulation, provide supplemental heat dissipation in key areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: David M. Parker, Weidong Cai, Daniel W. Garan, Arthur J. Harris
  • Patent number: 7665310
    Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an engine core extending along a core axis, a cooling-air delivery duct on the engine core, and a removable nacelle cowl overlying the engine core. A cooling-air nacelle-cowl duct delivers cooling air to the cooling-air delivery duct. At least a portion of the length of the cooling-air nacelle-cowl duct is integral with the nacelle cowl and not directly supported on the engine core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Daniel Jean-Louis Laborie
  • Patent number: 7665311
    Abstract: Systems and apparatus for heating or cooling food to an appropriate temperature for service using a standard food service container, such as a chafing dish or food cart. A thermally conductive plate has a plurality of Peltier chips attached thereto to drive a temperature difference. The Peltier chips are in thermally conductive contact with a heat exchanger. A heat transfer liquid circulates through tubing in the heat exchanger and a separate radiator, perpetuating the temperature difference at the plate. The heat exchanger and radiator may be spaced apart by a gap. One or more fans may be placed to encourage airflow through the radiator. A coolant reservoir and pump may be included.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Chris Steffensen, Tyler Lyon, Daniel Winegar, Jeffrey Turner
  • Patent number: 7665312
    Abstract: A method can be used to perform an operation on a system that includes an assembly and a vessel that includes a wall and a thermal shield. The method can include breaking a thermal connection between the assembly and the thermal shield, separating the assembly and a surface within the vessel from each other, or any combination thereof. The method can also include changing a pressure with the vessel to be closer to atmospheric pressure, heating the assembly, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the method can be performed while keeping a cryogenic region substantially sealed, keeping a superconducting magnet energized, or a combination thereof. In a particular embodiment, the method can be used when servicing the assembly, such as a cryocooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Philip A. Jonas, Ronald E. Hintz, Glen G. Pfleiderer
  • Patent number: 7665313
    Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a suspension system comprising an elongate suspension member (2) for attachment to an element to be suspended under tension at a predetermined location relative to a support surface (10); the arrangement comprising a lever arm member (1) having a component (5) adapted to engage with and support said elongate suspension member remotely from said suspended element, wherein said lever arm member is formed with first (7) and second (6) bearing means adapted to bear respectively against first (9) and second (8) spaced-apart regions of said support surface and wherein at least said first bearing means incorporates an adjuster means (3) permitting the said arm member to be moved relative to said first region of said support surface, thereby to permit adjustment of tension in said suspension member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens plc
    Inventors: Paul Dixey, Nicholas Mann
  • Patent number: 7665314
    Abstract: A refrigerated container having an air compressor for maintaining a controlled atmosphere includes provisions for cooling the ambient air being drawn in by the air compressor to thereby prevent corrosion in the air compressor. A condensing line heat exchanger is connected between an inlet port and the compressor and is so disposed that the evaporator fan passes air thereover to provide cooling to the ambient air passing therethrough such that condensation forms within the tube. A water separator is included in the system to remove condensate and allow the drier air to pass to the compressor. The water separator is so constructed as to allow for the free flow of air therethrough with very little restriction. A drain fitting in the water separator is so constructed as to prevent spattering that might otherwise occur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Carrier Corporation
    Inventors: Raymond L. Senf, Jr., Alan D. Abbott, Stephen Kenney
  • Patent number: 7665315
    Abstract: A method of proofing a refrigeration system operating state includes monitoring a change in operating state of a refrigeration system component, determining an expected operating parameter of the refrigeration system component as a function of the change, and detecting an actual operating parameter of the refrigeration system component after the change. The method also comprises comparing the actual operating parameter to the expected operating parameter of the refrigeration component and detecting a malfunction of the refrigeration system component based on the comparison. The method may be executed by a controller or stored in a computer-readable medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Retail Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Abtar Singh, Stephen T. Woodworth, Pawan K. Churiwal
  • Patent number: 7665316
    Abstract: Disclosed is an automatic icemaker has a rotatably supported ice making portion having first and second ice making trays arranged in a back-to-back manner, a motor for rotating the ice making portion, a first and a second temperature detecting sensors for detecting the temperature of the first and second ice making tray or the temperature of ice within a compartment of the first and second ice making tray, and a signal processor for controlling the motor to turn over the ice making portion after the temperature of the first or second ice making tray, or the temperature of ice within a compartment of the first or second ice making tray, looking upward, detected by the first temperature detecting sensor or the second temperature detecting sensor has become stabilized in the vicinity of 0° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Japan Servo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideaki Ito, Naotaka Sasaki, Kenji Sugaya
  • Patent number: 7665317
    Abstract: A method for controlling the defrost of an evaporator in a refrigeration appliance provided with a compressor and in which a temperature sensor (TP) is used for detecting the temperature inside a cell of the appliance, comprises the steps of estimating the temperature of the evaporator on the basis of the cell temperature (TP) and of a mathematical model of the refrigeration appliance, and controlling the compressor on the basis of the estimated temperature of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Alessandro Boer, Raffaele Paganini, Rocco Petrigliano
  • Patent number: 7665318
    Abstract: A compressor controlling apparatus including a bypass unit connected between an outlet and an inlet of the compressor and a control unit. The control unit reduces pressure difference between the outlet and the inlet of the compressor by the bypass unit to start the compressor when the compressor is to be started. The compressor is started while pressure equilibrium is achieved by the bypass unit, thereby preventing poor start-up of the compressor caused due to excessive pressure difference, and thus improving reliability of the compressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gyoo Ha Jung, Myung Seob Song, Jong Kweon Ha, Kaneko Takashi, Kusaka Michiyoshi
  • Patent number: 7665319
    Abstract: A fan control device receives a target revolution signal to control a rotation speed of a fan. The device includes a temperature measuring module, a revolution modulating module and a driving module. The temperature measuring module generates a temperature value according to an ambient temperature of the fan. The revolution modulating module is electrically connected with the temperature measuring module, receives the temperature value, and generates a control signal according to the temperature value and the target revolution signal. The driving module is electrically connected with the revolution modulating module, and generates a driving signal to drive the fan according to the control signal. In addition, a fan control method, which is applied to the fan control device, is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Delta Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Tsung-Jung Hsieh, Yu-Liang Lin, Yueh-Lung Huang, Ming-Shi Tsai
  • Patent number: 7665320
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a housing defining a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment, a fan configured to provide airflow through the compartments, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an airflow passage configured to allow cold air to flow from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment, a damper configured to be in an open position under the pressure of airflow flowing through the airflow passage and in a closed position due to a weight of the damper when cold air is flowing through the fresh food compartment. The damper assembly also includes a solenoid element configured to maintain the damper in the closed position regardless of airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Art W. Scrivener, Kristen Kamath, Richard DeVos, William Newton
  • Patent number: 7665321
    Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator control by use of an expansion valve and an internal heat exchanger IHE. The evaporator control is controlled after the start of the evaporation process and the temperature of the compressor suction vapor, oil and hot gas as well as coolant liquid is controlled and regulated upstream of the expansion valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: BMS-Energietechnik AG
    Inventor: Remo Meister
  • Patent number: 7665322
    Abstract: The present invention uses multiple global cooling chambers for providing liquid cooling to a plurality of electronic components. The global cooling chambers utilize a non-electrically conductive fluid which is in direct contact with the components to be cooled. The system provides very effective heat transfer rates, environmental isolation of the electronics components and can be deployed in a wide range of applications. Multiple global cooling chambers allows for the hot swapping of cards during operation of the system. Valves provide the ability to minimize the amount of interaction between the cooling fluid and air outside the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Isothermal Systems Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Knight, Charles L. Tilton
  • Patent number: 7665323
    Abstract: A first casing includes a first baffle plate, and a second casing includes a second baffle plate. The second baffle plate is contiguous to a guide rib, which is disposed underneath the second baffle plate, having a horizontal side wall and a slanted side wall. A slit is defined between the horizontal side wall and the slanted side wall, wherein the slit extends to an end face of a partition wall. When the first casing and the second casing are connected to each other, the first baffle plate is slidably inserted in the slit. The first baffle plate projects slightly from the slit into a liquid reservoir chamber, by a distance that is not large enough to increase air resistance with respect to air flowing in the vehicular air conditioning unit. An expansion valve is sandwiched between the first baffle plate and the second baffle plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventor: Yuji Toba
  • Patent number: 7665324
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a door duct assembly for a refrigerator. In the present invention, the cold air delivered from a cold air duct of a refrigerator main body to a door 30 through a cold air communication portion 55 is discharged into a storage space through cold air vents 61 formed in a flow guide 60. The cold air communication portion 55 is formed in a door basket 40 or the flow guide 60. The door baskets 40 or the flow guide 60 is mounted on a door liner 33 defining a rear surface of the door 30. According to the present invention, there are advantages in that it is relatively easy to manufacture a door, the cold air flows uniformly in the door, the strength of the flow guide for defining a flow channel in the door is relatively increased, and dewdrops are prevented from being formed upstream of the flow channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Hyun Kim, Moon-Won Kim, Hyeong-Ii Kim, Hae Lyong Gu, Seung-Jin Choi
  • Patent number: 7665325
    Abstract: A multi-fluid cooling system and method for cooling an electronic device are provided which employ freeze protection when in a shipping state. The cooling system includes a coolant loop having an expansion tank containing first and second fluids, which are immiscible and of different densities, and the second fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the first. The coolant loop further includes a first valve for facilitating coupling of the first fluid into the coolant loop and a second valve for facilitating coupling of the second fluid into the coolant loop, the first and second valves being independently controllable. Control logic electronically controls actuation of the first and second valves to automatically pass the first fluid through the coolant loop when the system is in an operational state and to automatically maintain the second fluid in the coolant loop when the system is in a shipping state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Michael J. Ellsworth, Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Roger R. Schmidt, Robert E. Simons
  • Patent number: 7665326
    Abstract: A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. LeClear, Paul B. Allard, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Michele W. Wilcox, Chad E. Lange
  • Patent number: 7665327
    Abstract: An appliance with a separately chilled storage area is disclosed. The appliance comprises a refrigerated compartment; a refrigeration system for cooling air; an air circulation system for circulating the cooled air about the refrigerated compartment; and a secondary air circulation system for circulating a portion of the cooled air in the storage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sub-Zero, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott T. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 7665328
    Abstract: A method for rendering a contaminated biomass inert includes providing a first composition, providing a second composition, reacting the first and second compositions together to form an alkaline hydroxide, providing a contaminated biomass feedstock and reacting the alkaline hydroxide with the contaminated biomass feedstock to render the contaminated biomass feedstock inert and further producing hydrogen gas, and a byproduct that includes the first composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis N. Bingham, Kerry M. Klingler, Bruce M. Wilding
  • Patent number: 7665329
    Abstract: A process for carrying out cryogenic air separation wherein liquid oxygen is pressurized and vaporized against condensing feed air to produce oxygen gas product wherein excess plant refrigeration is generated such that the aggregate warm end temperature difference of the process exceeds the minimum internal temperature difference of the primary heat exchanger by at least 2K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter James Rankin, Neil Mark Prosser
  • Patent number: 7665330
    Abstract: Glass-ceramics includes Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2, have an average crystal grain diameter of a predominant crystal phase of 90 nm or below and have crystal grain diameter distribution of 20 nm or below. The glass-ceramics can be manufactured by heat treating glass comprising Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2 under a temperature within a range from 650° C. to 750° C. and then further heat treating the glass under a temperature within a range from 700° C. to 800° C. for 100-200 hours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Ohara Inc.
    Inventor: Kousuke Nakajima
  • Patent number: 7665331
    Abstract: A method and machine for obtaining bent glass sheets. Glass sheets are brought to their softening temperature, then they are caused to travel over a shaping bed of advancing elements for advancing them which are arranged along a path having a circular arc-shaped profile, the sheets progressively assuming their shape on entering the bed and over a first shaping zone, then being hardened by tempering or cooling in a second zone of the bed until they leave, and then the bent glass sheets thus obtained are recovered. The shaping bed is produced with a profile extending in a circular arc of more than 90°, and, on leaving the shaping bed, the hardened glass sheets are moved in a direction opposite that in which they were fed in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
    Inventors: Jacques Leclercq, Gilles Garnier
  • Patent number: 7665332
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance using steam to treat the fabrics and having an exhaust system for removing the steam from the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nyik Siong Wong, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan
  • Patent number: 7665333
    Abstract: A bicycle lock in the form of a U-lock includes a U-shaped closure bracket and an elongated lock body. The lock body includes insertion openings for receiving ends of the closure bracket, while the ends of the closure bracket are provided with recesses that are parallel to a longitudinal direction of the lock body. Two locking bolts can be moved for securing the closure bracket in the lock body, the locking bolts forming a part of oppositely moveable locking devices that can be moved by a driver that is rotatable by means of a closing cylinder. By actuating the closing cylinder, the locking devices are drivable in the longitudinal direction of the locking body. Each locking device has two sections into which the locking bolts are inserted. The locking bolts are preferably cylindrical.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventors: Yaniv Shabtay, Xiang Ju Xu
  • Patent number: 7665334
    Abstract: An outboard motor lower-unit lock has a key, a locking pin assembly and a shaft. To install the lock, a user drills a shaft hole the same diameter as the shaft through both sides of a housing unit below an access hole of the housing unit. The shaft is inserted in the shaft hole, and oriented so that a threaded hole in the center of the shaft can receive a threaded pin section of the locking pin. The locking pin receives the key. The key is tightened. Finally, the user removes the key allowing the locking pin to rotate around and below the shaft, thereby obstructing a bolt securing the lower-unit to the housing unit, and preventing the unauthorized removal of the lower-unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Pedro Medina
  • Patent number: 7665335
    Abstract: A swing handle assembly (10) comprising a lockable handle member (20) which when pivotally swung into co-operable alignment with a frame (30) enables the assembly (10) to be placed in a locked condition, wherein the end of the handle member distal from the pivotally attached end comprises a substantially deformable housing (60) located therebeneath, the housing (60) being adapted to support a lock actuator (44), whereby when the assembly is locked and when a destructive outside force sufficient to cause deformation of the housing (60) the locked condition of the assembly (10) is substantially maintained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Burgundy Trial Pty Ltd
    Inventor: David Martin Stuckey
  • Patent number: 7665336
    Abstract: A lock and key system with a very large number of code combinations. The lock (200) includes side locking tumblers (206) having pivoting fingers (208) with asymmetric key contacting portions (220r), which engage with a wave-like code pattern (105) formed at the side of the key (100).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widén
  • Patent number: 7665337
    Abstract: A key for use in a cylinder lock with a rotatable key plug having a profiled keyway including a longitudinal profile rib at a side wall of the keyway. The key has an elongated, substantially flat key blade (120; 120?) having a longitudinal profile groove (122; 122?) extending along at least a portion of the length of the key blade. The groove has an undercut portion (129) adjacent to a ridge portion (128, 128?), the outside of which forms part of a side surface (123; 123?) of the key blade and the inside of which comprises a side wall portion (126; 126?) being inclined and facing the bottom wall (124; 124?) of the groove. The undercut portion (129; 129?) of the groove is expanded, at its innermost part adjacent to the inclined side wall portion (126; 126?), into a longitudinally extending pocket (135; 135?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Winloc AG
    Inventor: Bo Widen
  • Patent number: 7665338
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method of shot peening at least a portion of a rotary machine comprising a rotor. Shot peening is carried out with a rotor which is at least partly assembled. The method comprises: fixing a system for supporting at least one acoustic assembly to the machine; and shot peening at least one region of the machine using projectiles which are moved by the acoustic assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sonats-Societe des Nouvelles Applications des Techniques de Surfaces
    Inventors: Patrick Cheppe, Vincent Desfontaine, Jean-Michel Duchazeaubeneix, Philippe Jacob
  • Patent number: 7665339
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for increasing the range of production of an installation for cold rolling of metallic strip, consisting of at least two rolling stands (L1, L2) operating in tandem. According to the invention, at least one (L1) of the rolling stands is equipped with means of converting the stand configuration, while keeping the same means (15, 16, 3, 3?) of applying the rolling force, in order to have at least two configurations available, each corresponding to one production range, and the configuration of said convertible stand L1 is selected to match the data of the product (M) to be rolled, thus allowing the production range to be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: VAI Clecim
    Inventors: Marc Valence, Bernard Rossigneux
  • Patent number: 7665340
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a one piece turnbuckle includes preparing a board of metal; deep drawing the board to form two protrusions and shaping the board into a form which has two opposite ends, with the opposite ends defined by the protrusions; deep drawing the board to reduce its thickness and to form a recess; punching the recess off so as to form a through opening; boring a hole through each of the protrusions; and tapping each hole to form a threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Han-Ching Huang
  • Patent number: 7665341
    Abstract: To enable formation at a negative angle with deep bending and forming a high-quality panel, a negative-angle press-working die includes an elevatable pad fixed to an upper die, a slide cam supported to be slidable laterally on the upper die or a lower die and having a bending blade, a rotary cam rotatable about a rotational center having a bending part which forms a negative-angle portion on a workpiece and a cam surface abutting on the slide cam, an elevatable slide body disposed under the pad so as to be rotatable together with the rotary cam and having a hold part provided at an upper portion on a bending part side of the rotary cam and constituting a part of a male die for workpiece forming, a drive unit that rotates the rotary cam to a workpiece working position, and a slide drive unit that slides the slide body in an up and down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yourbusiness Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tadatoshi Kinoshita
  • Patent number: 7665342
    Abstract: A universal offset pulling head assembly for exerting an axial pulling force on a fastener allows the same pulling head assembly to be utilized for a variety of different fastener sizes and types by exchanging a front plate assembly, where the front plate assembly may comprise variable nose pieces according to the type of fastener to be installed. Because the front plate assembly is subject to the most severe wear, other components of the pulling head assembly may continue to be utilized and the front plate assembly discarded. The disclosed pulling head assembly utilizes a stationary guiding member which prevents damage which might otherwise occur because of severe bending moments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cristinel Ovidiu Cobzaru, Karthikeyan Pichaikannu
  • Patent number: 7665343
    Abstract: An identification attachment is provided for a compression tool of the character having a pair of jawarms pivotally mounted between a pair of side plates by pivot pins having outer ends including pin retainers for maintaining the jawarms and side plates in assembled relationship. The jawarms have opposite sides, inner and outer edges and front and rear ends, respectively forwardly and rearwardly of the side plates, and the identification attachment is removably mountable on the tool independent of any mounting openings for the attachment extending through the jawarms. The attachment may, for example, interengage with opposite sides of a jawarm or be captured on the tool by the pin retainers or the side plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co
    Inventors: Richard W. Ballas, Craig Warner
  • Patent number: 7665344
    Abstract: A device for testing exhaust emissions of an internal combustion engine utilizing wireless real time data transfer to permit outdoor testing via an indoor base station. A hand portable display device provides instructions to an operator, and a gas sensor/analyzer detects combustion gas content. The base station, display device and sensor/analyzer preferably communicate by radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Premier Diagnostics Limited
    Inventor: Clive Alan Brown
  • Patent number: 7665345
    Abstract: A gaseous product detecting device (1; 20; 30; 40; 70) has a measuring cell (6; 59; 60), a filtering element (3; 45) for retaining particulate present in the air entering the measuring cell (6; 59, 60), and a detecting element (13; 50, 56) housed inside the measuring cell (6; 59, 60). A wall (9; 49, 61; 79, 82) of the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) is movable in fluidtight manner between a withdrawn position, in which the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) has a maximum volume, and a forward position, in which the measuring cell (6; 59, 60) has a minimum volume and the detecting element (13; 50, 56) is prevented from being impressed by resting against a shutter surface (5a; 43a, 49b; 82a) of the measuring cell (6; 59, 60).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Giuliano Sciocchetti
    Inventors: Giuliano Sciocchetti, Massimo Pagliari, Elvio Soldano
  • Patent number: 7665346
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting leaks in blister packages wherein a package is supported with a support chamber and a flexible and imperforate bladder is placed over the package after which at least a partial vacuum pressure is applied and a measure made to determine if any leakage is detected while an image of the bladder is detected, such as by a camera, with the image being used to provide a visual indication of the location of a failure in the blister package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Packaging Technologies & Inspection, LLC
    Inventors: Anton Stauffer, Oliver Stauffer, Mikhail Knellar
  • Patent number: 7665347
    Abstract: A liquid state detecting apparatus including a detecting element which outputs a signal associated with a concentration of a particular component of a liquid contained in a liquid container; an abnormality determination unit which determines whether or not the liquid is in a particular abnormal state based on the output signal of the detecting element, a level detecting part which outputs a signal according to a level of the liquid contained in the liquid container; and a static state determination unit which determines whether or not the liquid in the liquid container is in a static state based on the output signal from the level detecting part, wherein the determination made by the static state determination unit is reflected in the determination made by the abnormality determination unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Sasanuma, Yoshikuni Sato
  • Patent number: 7665348
    Abstract: A system and method for determining the atomization characteristics of fluids being emitted by a nozzle is disclosed. In one embodiment, a fluid is emitted through a nozzle while simultaneously sensing vibrations occurring within the nozzle. The vibrations provide information about the atomization characteristics of the fluid. By comparing the sensed vibrations to vibration patterns produced by known fluids through the same or a similar nozzle, the atomization characteristics of the fluid being tested can be predicted. In one embodiment, for instance, the atomization characteristics of a fluid may be determined as a function of velocity or flow rate through the nozzle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Arena Pesticide Management, Inc.
    Inventor: Durham Kenimer Giles
  • Patent number: 7665349
    Abstract: A method and apparatus of engaging a probe with a sample surface including automatically reducing the spacing between a probe of a probe based instrument and a sample from an initial separation to one in which the probe is positioned for obtaining a sample surface measurement in less than ten seconds without damaging either the probe or the sample. The method includes oscillating the probe, measuring at least one parameter of probe oscillation and then engaging the probe and the sample by generally continuously controlling the reducing step based on the measuring step to reduce the separation from an initial separation to an engage position. In addition to feeding back directly on the tip-sample interaction, a direct communication line is provided between the processor used to generate control signals that govern the engage and a conventional motion controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Veeco Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Paul I. Mininni, Jason R. Osborne, James M. Young, Charles R. Meyer
  • Patent number: 7665350
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dynamic-mode surface (12) scanning method in which a cantilever (10) provided with a probe (18) is non-positively coupled to the surface and is made to oscillate in a resonant fashion using positive feedback, wherein the resonant oscillation contains at least one higher harmonic whose frequency represents an integer multiple of the basic resonance frequency of the cantilever which is force-coupled to the surface. According to the invention, the amplitude or the phases of the at least one higher harmonic oscillation is determined as a control variable in order to regulate the distance between the probe (18) and the surface (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Inventor: Franz Josef Giessibl
  • Patent number: 7665351
    Abstract: An air flow measuring device includes a flow amount sensor for measuring a flow amount of air in a duct, and a tube body for defining a bypass passage in the duct. An upstream end surface of the tube body has an inlet of the bypass passage, and a downstream end surface thereof has an outlet of the bypass passage. An outer diameter of an outer peripheral surface of the tube body has a smallest dimension at the upstream end surface, and a largest dimension at the downstream end surface. Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the tube body has an upstream portion extending downstream from the upstream end surface in a predetermined range, and the upstream portion of the outer peripheral surface is a convex curve surface in which the outer diameter is increased by a ratio from the upstream end surface toward downstream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Kamiya
  • Patent number: 7665352
    Abstract: A method of monitoring pressure of oil that is implemented within an internal combustion engine includes determining an expected oil pressure value based on engine operating conditions and monitoring an actual oil pressure value based on a signal generated by an oil pressure sensor. A difference between the expected oil pressure value and the actual oil pressure value is calculated and is compared to a threshold difference. A diagnostic trouble code is generated when the difference exceeds the threshold difference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David R. Staley, Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson
  • Patent number: 7665353
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a device for detecting as to whether or not the heterogeneous tires are set on the right and left wheels, respectively, and accurately detecting the loss of the pneumatic pressure in the tire, even when heterogeneous tires are set on the right and the left wheels, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd
    Inventor: Yuji Oshiro
  • Patent number: 7665354
    Abstract: The present invention provides a downhole spectrometer for determination of dew point pressure to determine an associated optimal pumping rate during sampling to avoid precipitation of asphaltenes in a formation sample. A sample is captured at formation pressure in a controlled volume. The pressure in the controlled volume is reduced. Initially the formation fluid sample appears dark and allows less light energy to pass through a sample under test. The sample under test, however, becomes lighter and allows more light energy to pass through the sample as the pressure is reduced and the formation fluid sample becomes thinner or less dense under the reduced pressure. At the dew point pressure, however, the sample begins to darken and allows less light energy to pass through it as asphaltenes begin to precipitate out of the sample. Thus, the dew point is that pressure at which peak light energy passes through the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventor: Michael Shammai
  • Patent number: 7665355
    Abstract: A downhole seal (50) includes an elastomeric element (98) operably to provide a seal between two downhole components. A strain sensor (102) is embedded in the elastomeric element (98). The strain sensor (102) has a mechanical flexibility that is substantially matched to the mechanical flexibility of the elastomeric element (98). The strain sensor (102) is operably connected to circuitry that is operable to identify changes in a property of the strain sensor (98) indicative of the strain being experienced by the strain sensor (98), which is representative of the strain experienced by the elastomeric element (98).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Haoyue Zhang, Michael L. Fripp, Doug Beck
  • Patent number: 7665356
    Abstract: A cased hole pressure test tool is used to determine the integrity of cement between two points in a borehole in terms of permeability or transmissibility. The test tool drills at least one probe hole through the casing up to the cement. In one embodiment, two probes are set and the dissipation of a pressure pulse through the cement initiated by the first probe is observed by the second probe. In another embodiment, one probe hole is in hydraulic communication with the borehole fluid and a single offset probe is set in another probe hole. Fluid (water) is then added to the borehole to cause a pressure increase in the borehole fluid. Detection of the pressure increase through the cement by the offset probe is indicative of a loss of hydraulic isolation. Packers may be used to isolate the portion of the borehole under test. A mechanism for generating a pressure pulse of known magnitude is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Terizhandur S. Ramakrishan, John Tombari